Just when I think I ….

Just when I think I have this computer figured out, it plays games with me. I’d written last week at the end of my column about Norman Anderson and Anderson Maple Syrup being from Johnstown in Polk County.

When I turned the computer on Monday morning, what should appear but a plat map of Johnstown township in 1924? It was all there. Beautiful Pipe Lake and the old road I walked on every morning going to school. It could have already been abandoned, as it did show a road on the section line just a half mile to the north.

It also showed the road as being straight when it was up and down, around the curves and old bridges had been built in four different places. That carries runoff water from our farm and the neighbors’ to Long Lake; eventually it reaches Staples Lake and the start of the Apple River.

Pipe Lake was more than a lake. It was a destination. Our farm was 10 miles west of Cumberland, so it was only natural to be called a location. It also boasted having a two-room schoolhouse, built in 1915 when the old one burned down.

Pews in the nearby Pipe Lake Lutheran Church contained nail marks where desks had been attached when the new school was being built.

Today the old school still stands and serves as a living place and concert hall, for lack of a better name, for musician/ composer Manfred. It is easy to find on the computer. Just type in “Pipe Dream Center, Comstock.”

As I said, Pipe Lake was a destination. The bus that made the rounds picking up students to attend the high school in Turtle Lake was called the Pipe Lake bus.

Officially it is Christ Lutheran Church, but if you mentioned Christ Lutheran Church chicken dinners you would probably be met with questionable eyes. But if you said Pipe Lake Chicken Dinner, you would find people from 40 and 50 miles away. It just got to be the place to go once a year to see old friends. I know; I was one of them. Too bad the pandemic had to change all of that.

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What exciting news in last week’s TRG about the new hiking trail around Loyal. I guess it is fine to dream and that would be for me to try it. Gravel or grass just isn’t suited to walkers or wheelchairs. But for everyone who can, give it a try. Then come and tell me about it.

Years ago when the railroad quit going to Greenwood there was some talk about a hiking trail, or at least from Loyal to Greenwood. Wouldn’t that have been nice?

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Almost every Friday we are treated to some form of singing or musical entertainment. Sometimes it becomes a case of waiting for the hour to end. Not so Friday, as it went on for an hour and fifteen minutes and I don’t think anyone was ready to leave yet.

They called themselves Music Magic and said they were from Chili. What I remember about Chili is the Harley Hamburgers were as good as you could get. The same way with their music. She played accordion and he the drums, and both could sing. That is, when everyone else wasn’t singing.

There is one elderly lady who I assume was brought by her son. He stands by her and hands her a drink off and on, but yesterday something prompted her to break out singing. Naturally we all applauded when she finished. Hopefully we’ll have them back again – soon.

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Are you getting tired of hearing about the temperature being record-breaking? It might be the only reason for keeping records in the first place. On the other hand, without records, how are we supposed to know how to prepare for something if it isn’t going to happen? I’ll bet people in southern California don’t give many hoots if they trade in their snow blower or not.

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The week ended on a good note. Bob and Jackie stopped on their way to Little Falls, Minn., again. This time to celebrate the birthday of the wife of one of her cousins. It was extra special for Jackie, as Sam turned the ancient age of 70. A mark she won’t reach until next month.

Meanwhile, Sue and Shelly picked me up to take a little ride. We drove to Thorp to check out a tree Sylvia Oberle had written about in the book she gave me. I don’t know if we found the right tree or not, but it was grand to get out and check out the corn, some of which seems to be ready to tassel. Oats are headed out and we are in the second half of July already.