A stained glass window inside Holden Lutheran Church, rural Kenyon, Minnesota.
Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Part IV from Wanamingo: Touring Trinity Church March 24, 2016
Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 Second Avenue, Wanamingo, Minnesota.
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH STANDS solid on a corner lot a few blocks off Wanamingo’s Main Street. Brick strong. Enduring strong. In the faith strong.
The cornerstone of this ELCA church is dated 1922, to the left in this photo.
A cornerstone on Trinity Lutheran Church simply notes LUTHERAN CHURCH 1922. I know nothing more about the history of this congregation, of this building.
The beautiful sanctuary as photographed from the balcony.
That matters not. For I appreciate churches like this which are lovely houses of worship. For these truly are houses to the families of faithful. Therein, worshipers, if not related by blood, are related by the commonality of faith and lives shared. They truly become family in joy and in grief.
One of my favorite stained glass windows in Trinity is this one of Ruth gathering grain to help support her mother-in-law. The window is partially covered by the balcony. To me, this window symbolizes deep love and devotion to family.
This trio of stained glass windows rises above the altar.
One of the windows flanking the sanctuary.
Within the walls of an aged sanctuary like Trinity, visual symbols of faith embrace those who enter therein. Intricate stained glass windows shine the light of grace and of Scripture.
One can only imagine the messages delivered from this sturdy pulpit.
The sturdy pulpit with its handcarved trim looms as a time-honored place for preaching of the Word, the wood dulled by the hands of many preachers.
Balcony pews.
Worn pews reflect the history of generations.
Another view, this from the center church aisle.
Art, history and a heavenly presence prevail. It is here, within the walls of Trinity. Visually. And in spirit.
BONUS PHOTOS:
The risen Lord centers the trio of stained glass windows above the altar.
A basket holds church bulletins and other worship essentials.
Church mail slots.
A final message for worshipers is posted on a window next to an exterior front door.
FYI: Please check back next week for more posts in my “from Wanamingo” series.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Mobile graffiti March 18, 2016
Photographed on the campus of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota.
THIS TIME OF YEAR, vehicles in Minnesota can get mighty filthy. Road spray films windows with grime. Mud kicks onto fenders.
And the graffiti artist sees opportunity on a mobile canvas.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
You write the definition of… March 17, 2016
I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS three-letter word on the wall outside the Flaten Art Museum inside the Dittman Center of St. Olaf College in Northfield.
It’s meant, I believe, to be a work of art.
If you were to write a definition of ugh, what would you write?
Would you choose a standard dictionary definition? A synonym?
Or would you draw on a memory? Think of a repulsive smell or taste? Picture a creepy bug or other frightening creature? Perhaps a scene?
Go ahead. Write your definition here. Let’s see what creative thoughts those three letters—u-g-h—can unleash. (Note, your comments are subject to my editorial discretion, meaning let’s steer clear of topics like politics. This is a family friendly blog.)
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
His humor March 15, 2016
MY HUSBAND POSSESSES a distinct sense of humor. It’s not an I am funny, ha, ha, listen to me type of joke-telling humor. Rather, it’s understated, punching into conversation when least expected. Humor is one of the qualities I really appreciate in him.
Randy makes me laugh when I need laughter. He makes me smile when I need a smile. His humor balances my serious personality.
He reads the comics. I don’t. Sometimes he clips a comic from the paper and sticks it on the fridge, just for me. He doesn’t tell me. He waits for me to notice. And when I do, I laugh at the appropriateness of the joke. And then I smile because he was thoughtful enough to think of me while reading the funnies.
You gotta love a guy like this.
When it comes to greeting cards, he likes funny. I like poetic and romantic and serious. He chooses cards for the guys in the family. You know, cards about beer and growing old with a humorous twist. Sometimes I nix his choices or add a personal note, Randy chose this card.
When he was tasked to design a onesie for our soon-to-be-born granddaughter, he presented an idea. I had to reject it given our daughter would never put the shirt on her daughter. But then he came up with another idea and set to work stenciling an owl and printing accompanying words. His design is a perfect example of his humor:
Fitting for a newborn, wouldn’t you say?
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Personalizing a baby shower by painting onesies March 9, 2016
HERS WAS A NOVEL IDEA. At least to me. But apparently not in the current trend of baby shower activities.
Three of the onesies painted at the baby shower I hosted.
When my daughter Miranda suggested painting onesies at her sister and brother-in-law’s baby shower last Saturday, I jumped on board. This hands-on project would allow guests to express their love for the parents-to-be and their baby girl in a creative and practical way.
Art supplies for painting onesies. The Scribbles brand 3D fabric paint pens were purchased at Hobby Lobby as were the foam stamps.
Miranda purchased the supplies—onesies in various sizes (which she pre-washed), fabric paint in tubes, brushes and foam stamps. I set up the painting station in our basement, complete with a canvas drop cloth covering our newly carpeted floor. Accidents happen. I saved scrap cardboard to slide inside onesies and provided Sharpies. The paternal grandma added animal stencils to the creative possibilities.
An appropriate design for a March baby shower.
My biggest dilemma was deciding when to schedule this activity during the baby shower. After lunch seemed best. I needed time to clear dishes and store away food before games and gift opening. Unfortunately I had to relocate several guests back upstairs to finish their meals so the painting could begin.
My daughter Miranda, project coordinator, sits at the end of the table.
When time allowed, I headed to the basement with my camera, observed and documented. The results impressed me.
My niece created the ocean themed onesie on the left. Another niece designed the “little stinker” shirt and Miranda created the zoo animal design.
I didn’t follow the design phase, with the exception of one. A niece was planning an ocean theme, a tribute to the dad-to-be who is originally from California. She was a bit dismayed to learn that Marc grew up, not near the ocean, but in the desert. Still, I encouraged her to go with sunny ocean-side. She did.
My creation: Ewe (you) are my sunshine!
Because I was busy with hostess duties during the shower, I didn’t paint a onesie until days later. That gave me time to think of an idea without party pressure.
I crafted this design for Baby Girl from her Uncle Caleb, a student at Tufts University.
I also created a personalized shirt from my son by stenciling a blue elephant. Jumbo the elephant is the mascot at Tufts University near Boston where Caleb is a senior. The university colors are blue and brown. I’ve long lamented to Caleb the lack of elephants on Tufts clothing, although he alerted me that has now changed. Good. But I find university apparel ridiculously expensive. My handcrafted design offers an affordable alternative.
The other grandpa, who will be called “Opa,” painted the shirt on the left.
My husband has not yet painted a onesie. He’s presented several ideas. One I immediately rejected. Let’s just say he’s got a unique sense of humor…
Even more colorfully creative ideas.
SINCE IT’S THE SEASON for baby and bridal showers, let’s hear any creative ideas you have for hands-on activities.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Creating a one-of-a-kind baby shower centerpiece March 8, 2016
I have a sizable collection of vintage tablecloths which I use whenever I have guests. For the baby shower, I placed vintage tablecloths on two card tables, my dining room table, a banquet table and the kitchen peninsula. I love the simple elegance of these table coverings. I considered using real, rather than disposable, plates and silverware. But since I don’t have a dishwasher, I chose plastic.
WHEN I PLAN A PARTY, I desire to create a memorable experience. I want guests to remember the details. I want them to feel welcomed, like they are arriving for a special event. Yet, I want them to feel comfortable and relaxed.
I pulled out the fancy plates and bowls, those reserved for company, to serve food at the baby shower. At a party, I prefer fancy to utilitarian. This is the time to treat guests as the special people they are.
Achieving those goals and that balance, especially while also trying to keep costs down, requires a bit of thought, resourcefulness and ingenuity. And a generous family willing to pitch in with food.
While planning last Saturday’s baby shower for my eldest daughter and her husband, I wanted a table centerpiece that stood out. I didn’t want to walk into a party shop, pick up the first mass-produced merchandise I liked and slap it onto my dining room table. I wanted something different. Something unique. Something memorable.
The basic supplies. You can tweak these to your party theme, to a boy or girl and to whatever supplies you have at home.
It took me awhile to find my supplies and then come up with an idea. But I did. And I think you’ll like it. My sister-in-law Joanne even asked if I’m on Pinterest when she complimented me on the centerpiece. I’m not. The idea was solely mine.
I arranged the blocks into a pleasing design.
A wooden box of alphabet blocks scored at the Faribault Goodwill store for $3 sparked my creativity. The pottery barn kids blocks are over-sized and are imprinted with letters, animals and animal names. Once I decided to spell out the words baby girl, I built on that idea.
And since zoo animals themed the baby shower, I chose animals as part of the centerpiece. At Dollar Tree in Faribault, I found a package of 15 paper elephants, zebras and lions from Teaching Tree for $1. Now I needed only to assemble the supplies into a work of art.
I dug through my kitchen cupboard for a vase, pulling out a slender Myrtle wood vase handcrafted by my Great Uncle Fritz in 1992. Something with personal significance. If he was still living, Fritz would be the great great great uncle of my soon-to-be-born granddaughter.
Next I gathered three wooden skewers typically used for kabobs during the grilling season, snapped the skewers to the desired lengths and taped the zoo animals to them.
I scrounged a scrap of pink polka dot ribbon, originally purchased at Dollar Tree, to tie around the neck of the vase for a colorful and dramatic flair.
Now I was ready to assemble the entire centerpiece. Needing height, I found a shoebox and wrapped it in animal-themed gift wrap purchased from Dollar Tree.
Then I played around, arranging the blocks until I had a visually pleasing art piece.
The results, a one-of-a-kind centerpiece for my daughter and son-in-law’s baby shower.
That’s it. Simple. And because I had most supplies on hand, the total cost was $5. Five dollars. How’s that for creatively thrifty?
FYI: Check back tomorrow for another post from my daughter’s baby shower. I’ll show you the onesies painted by guests.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Murals & a myth at an historic mercantile in Weaver February 18, 2016
The historic former Weaver Mercantile Building, once home to Noble Studio & Gallery.
AGED BUILDINGS, like one in Weaver just off U.S. Highway 61 in southeastern Minnesota, intrigue me. Initially, the architecture and photographic opportunities draw me in. But then I start thinking about the history and the stories.
Carl and Marie Noble opened Noble Studio & Galleries here in 1955.
As luck would have it, a local was jogging down the street toward the former Weaver Mercantile when I happened upon the historic building during an early September get-away. She tipped me off that the building last housed an art gallery. Signage confirmed that. The current owner, she added, lives on the second floor.
Historic designation came six years after Carl Noble’s death.
The young woman also expressed her dream of someday transforming the place into a winery. She and her husband, she said, make wine from black caps growing wild on the hillside behind their Weaver home. Then she continued on her run through this unincorporated village of some 50 residents and I continued my exterior photographic exploration of this building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to the 1978 nomination for historic designation, the building is a “well-preserved example of commercial architecture in the Mississippi River Valley.” Hardware, groceries and dry goods were once sold in the first floor of Weaver Mercantile while furniture was sold on the upper floor. Additionally, the building housed the Weaver Post Office for many years.
A mural on the east side of the building denotes this as an artist’s haven. Can you decipher the first word in the top portion, left?
Wanting to know more, I continued my internet search. In 1955, artist Carl E. Noble claimed this place as Noble Studio & Galleries (his home, studio and gallery). He died in 1972. An obituary for his widow, Marie Noble, who died 11 years ago, yielded the most information.
More signage toward the back of the building promotes Noble’s art.
Carl was, by the few accounts I found, an artist for the Federal Art Project of the Work Projects Administration in 1938. His name is listed among photos of FAP art in the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution.
Another view of Carl and Marie Noble’s studio and galleries.
A muralist, cartoonist, illustrator and portrait artist, Carl Noble reportedly studied under Norman Rockwell (according to his wife Marie’s obit). I’ve been unable to verify that via a second source. However, the Nobles lived for awhile in Boston; Rockwell made his home in Stockbridge, MA.
The building was constructed in 1875 and opened as Weaver Mercantile.
I discovered that Carl painted six oil on canvas murals for Fire House, Southside Hose Co. No. 2 in Hempstead, New York, in 1938. The artwork depicts the history of local firefighting. Other than that, I’ve been unable to find other information of his WPA art or work at Noble Studio & Galleries. The former gallery itself, though, apparently showcases Carl’s murals on interior walls. If only I could have gotten inside to see and photograph his artwork.
One can only imagine the fun times here as guests enjoyed Marie’s hospitality.
After her husband’s death in 1972, Marie opened a Bed & Breakfast in their home with a party area in the basement. That would explain the faded Mardi Gras Lounge sign above a back entry.
An overview of the Mardi Gras entry at the back of the building.
Marie reportedly regaled guests with stories, including that Jesse James robbed the Mercantile on his way to robbing the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota. Not believing everything I read, I contacted Mark Lee Gardner, noted historian, writer and musician on the western experience. He penned a book, Shot All to Hell: Jesse James, the Northfield Raid, and the Wild West’s Greatest Escape. He confirmed what I suspected. The story of the Weaver robbery is just that, a story.
Here’s Gardner’s response to my inquiry:
I’m afraid the story of Jesse robbing the building in Weaver, Minnesota, isn’t true. The Northfield Raid, as well as the known movements of the James-Younger gang, was heavily reported in the Minnesota newspapers at the time, and if they had been connected with a robbery in Weaver, it should appear in those papers. I never came across any mention of Weaver in my research. The other problem is that the gang didn’t go through Weaver on its way to Northfield. They are documented as having come from the west and south of Northfield.
…There are lots of Jesse James stories out there, and most of them are from someone’s imagination.
My first view of the former Weaver Mercantile and Noble Studio & Galleries.
Still, none of this diminishes my appreciation for the Italianate style building in Weaver and my interest in the artists (Marie’s obit notes that she created many lovely paintings) who once lived and created therein.
The village of Weaver is located along U.S. Highway 61 north of Winona in Wabasha County.
IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING MORE about Carl and Marie Noble, their gallery and art or about the history of the building, I’d like to hear.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Celebrating God’s Creation at Trinity Lutheran in Faribault February 8, 2016
Worship opened with the hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” shown on the big screen next to a mountain crafted for the 2015 Mt. Everest themed Vacation Bible School.
GOD’S CREATION FOCUSED every aspect of worship at my church, Trinity Lutheran in Faribault, this weekend.
A snippet of snowflake art quilted by Kevin Kreger, who coordinated the Creation themed worship service.
The theme seemed ideally suited for a February weekend when a blizzard was forecast for portions of the state.
A sunflower painting jolts color into an art display.
Come this time of year, Minnesotans are beginning to long for green grass, sunshine and warmth.
The Rev. Paul Rieger uses a book to showcase Creation during the children’s object lesson.
Singing about, hearing about and viewing depictions of God’s creation lifted my spirits. The words of my favorite hymn, Beautiful Savior; a scripture reading from Genesis; and a display of artwork brought in by worshipers highlighted Creation.
Viewing the art after the 8 a.m. worship service.
God’s creation of fish depicted in this crocheted art piece.
Lots of Creation art in many mediums.
After worship—after the singing and preaching and listening—congregants perused art displayed within the sanctuary. Creation worked into fabric and photos, yarn and paintings, wood and paper, and more. So much talent crafted by the hands God created.
Crosses, because they are made of materials from the natural world, were interspersed with the other art.
And then there was the-feet-in-the-hammock photo that flashed onto the big screen during the pastor’s sermon. He used the image to illustrate that “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”
A simple bowl of fruit rests as a work of art and and example of God’s Creation.
Slight laughter rippled across the pews of the Lutheran church. Yet, the point was made. God rested. And so should we. But do we?
BONUS PHOTOS:
More artistic examples of God’s Creation.
Looking up at autumn leaves in fabric…more of God’s Creation.
An overview of the major portion of the art display, including my photos on the big screen.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
When you’re not into Star Wars December 21, 2015
MY KNOWLEDGE OF STAR WARS is limited. I would recognize Darth Vader if I saw him on the street. I know there’s a Princess Someone or Other. And Luke Skywalker. Yes, I remember that name. But that’s about it.
I grew up watching Lost in Space on TV with characters like Judy, Penny, Will, Don and the evil Dr. Smith. And a robot whose name may have been Robot.
You never know what art will be showcased in Hot Sam’s Interstate 35 display. I’ve seen a shark, guitar, submarine…and now this spaceship.
Sci-Fi, though, as an adult, is not my genre. Still, I had to wonder about the spaceship suspended in an artsy display along Interstate 35 at Hot Sam’s Antiques near Lakeville, south of Minneapolis. I last visited Hot Sam’s in 2012. This one-of-a-kind place features an eclectic mix of art and old stuff scattered over several acres.
Hot Sam’s hovering spaceship.
Recently, the spaceship was added to the highly-visible hilltop Interstate collection. I thought perhaps it was a Star Wars ship replica. At this point, feel free to laugh. My son may have snickered when I asked. “Uh, no, Mom.” he said.
To all you Star Wars fans, my apologies.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
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