Fall Fests

Hello and welcome to a festive Saturday here at the Wannaskan Almanac. Today is October 4th. How about that heat last week? 

Today, our family will be out and about taking in all the fall festivities happening this week across Wannaskaland.

Last weekend, we enjoyed Middle River GooseFest, where we bought homemade doughnuts (you know, the kind that grannies from yesteryear make), wild plum syrup, a unicorn stocking cap, a children's book, Aunt Sophie's Place by Joni Armstrong (loved it and highly recommend), and a cute scrubby pouch that holds all the loose soap bits that sits on a nice wooden tray. We feasted on free samples of cooked goose, smoked goose, and a wild rice goose casserole. I considered buying an apple tree and a big bushel of maroon mums before reminding myself that my gardening thumb is far too weedy and brown to justify these splurges. The squares were all sold out, so we missed our chance at $500 from the goose drop. But we enjoyed the thespian talents of Middle River Community Theatre, which is celebrating its 40th year! (Check out their Facebook video clip of Tonight I Met Harold Klinkenhammer.) We left before the fireworks, but took home oodles of community togetherness and nourishment. 

I was telling my husband this morning that community connectedness is part of my DNA makeup. I know this because it wasn't something that my parents fostered in me. They weren't part of community clubs. I know my father was generous with his time and resources when people came out to his house in the country (he built race car engines as a side hustle and hobby), but I have no memory of him being a community volunteer.

My mom took me to church, making sure to put the nuts and bolts of a Christian faith in my lifeskills toolbox; but I don't remember helping with church-organized events. I do remember coffee and doughnuts (a time before donuts were spelled doughnuts - a memory I recall every time I need to write this word, for example, two paragraphs above.) My mom did a Habitat for Humanity project. But, other than that, I don't have memories of being raised with the value of community connectedness. Hence, the rationale for this strong yearning to be among people beyond my family and interests.

This past Monday, I attended an Eagle Scout ceremony at the Warroad Legion. Three high school seniors had reached the summit of the Boy Scout path, with one of them going beyond to earn not one, not two, but five Eagle Scout palms - a distinct recognition for going above and beyond - flapping those eagle wings of service beyond the sunset and into the world at large.

Given that Scouts enrollment for boys and girls is on the decline, it was truly remarkable and noteworthy that 3 youths achieved this accomplishment. I know all the boys. I know their parents. I don't have enough fingers to count all the volunteering these families engage in. These boys were taught a family value of community connectedness, which was channeled through the scouting program.

As I looked around the room that night, I reflected on how I had come to know all of these people. Women of Today, church, 4-H, sports, my kids. So many spaces beyond the workplace and school. Countless community activities and events that I either helped plan, volunteered at, or attended.

Wannaska has been a 20-year lesson in small-town living. And what I have learned is just how much I love community. I love my neighbors. I love how I can always think of a person who knows a guy, who knows a guy who can solve a problem. I love the care and how our collective boat rises when the community bands together in a crisis. I love that people care about my kids even though we're not related and we only have our geography in common. 

Warroad's former librarian, Barb Larson, taught me a prayer: "May I see the face of God in everyone I meet." Barb met all kinds of folks at the library. It's a powerful witness and ministry to genuinely meet people where they are. Sometimes "seeing" means searching, and it's not an easy or joyful task. But I believe Barb did it because we are a community. Geography throws us together, a bit like a marriage, for better or worse. So why not make the best of it and try to make it work.

You won't see me at every event as a planner, a volunteer, or even as an attendee, but I am still here. I'm holding space for you. For us. 

As for today, specifically, I'll be headed to St. Philip's Fall Festival in Falun (I'm already late!), then over to Potato Day in Williams to support the Potato Day King and Queen candidates. We have volunteer roles tonight at St. Mary's Catholic Church. And as I type this sentence, I received a Facebook Live notification that Warroad Sharing Days is TODAY from 10am-5pm at the Warroad Community Center. And that sentence reminded me to share that Roseau has a whole lotta Fall Festing going on this weekend, too!

Make it a great Saturday!