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Manning
Memories are abundant
As Manning moves toward its 125th birthday in
June 2006, the Manning News Journal is publishing notes and
letters from readers. If you are a Manning native or attended school
in Manning, if you simply lived in Manning for a portion of your life
or currently live in Manning and are proud of it, your memories and
comments are most welcomed. Read on ... and enjoy.
Joanne (Grundmeier)
Moore
Yuma, AZ
Class of 1946
I have many fond memories of my time in Manning. We moved there when
I was finishing third grade. We lived on Second Street and about four
lots to our east there was a family with kids about our age. Also
there was an empty lot which served as a baseball field, football
field and everything else to keep us busy. We also had a long, large
rope that served as a jump rope. There were two kids turning it, and
the others took turns jumping in.
I'm sure everyone can remember using the sidewalk for "jacks"
and the squares numbered 1-to-10 and staggered. I can't remember what
it was called. It was not a 'slam-dunk'. Marbles -how many small holes
were scooped out by the sidewalk at the grade school for an opportunity
to win extra marbles to add to our bag-full?
We had a good selection of rides at the grade school for use before
the last bell called us to class. The merry-go-round, those high-flying
things (I don't remember their name), but they wouldn't be allowed
in this day-and-age for fear someone would get hurt. Thank goodness
we had use of them. On the west side of the long sidewalk that led
from the street right up to the school steps was space for a kitten-ball
field. It was used before school started and also during recess.
The summer months also gave us the opportunity to go skating at the
Great Western Park. A group of us would walk at the side of the highway
to the rink and spend the afternoon skating. There are many more instances
that I could recall. These were some of the innocent years and are
very fondly remembered.
Gale Moore
Yuma, AZ
Class of 1940
Memories of an Old Man
I remember sitting in the back seat of Dad's Essex and watching the
original walls of the hospital being poured of cement.
I remember a livery stable where the hospital parking lot is. I remember
hitching-pipe down Main Street to tie the horses. I remember the Milwaukee
Railroad grade approximately where Rasmussen Hardware and Lumber yard
stands. I remember a road maintainer being hit by a train at that
highway crossing and the operator killed. I remember sitting in the
Essex and looking at a fire at the grain elevator on the Milwaukee.
I remember when Manning had nine taverns.
I remember when Manning had three railroads.
I remember when Manning had one cop - no car.
I remember Manning having a three-day summer carnival.
I remember Manning having a large Christmas tree at the center of
Main Street and the Fourth Street crossing.
I remember Manning having five car dealerships: Chevrolet, Ford, Studebaker,
Hudson, and Essex.
I remember five farm implement sales: John Deere, International, Ford,
Allis-Chalmers, and Massey-Harris.
I remember my father taking me with him when he went into the Horseshoe
Bar to see a man. The bar ran full length of one building, then making
a u-turn and going back to the street through the building next door.
I remember Fidelity pancake flour made and packaged in Manning. I
remember driving a 1928 Ford to school to the old building on Second
Street, then to the school on Main Street and the highway.
I remember two large fires at Rober-Wehrman on Main Street. I also
recall a fire at Priebe’s old chicken-processing plant. I remember
a fire at the Chevrolet garage at Main Street and the Highway.
In closing, I'm going to quote an old uncle who said, “I remember
when Manning was all agriculture. The power was the horse; it reproduced
itself, and the fuel was home-grown. Meat was from the chicken and
hog lot. Life was simple. Now it has gotten so complicated I would
like to stick around and see how it works out.”
Margaret Kühl
Kuhl
Denison, IA
Class of 1933
Even though I no longer live there, Manning is my "Hometown."
How I love those brick streets! I spent a pleasant time growing up
there with friends and relatives. High School was fun. Getting cleaned
up to walk Main Street on Saturday night - what an adventure! The
stores were open and you'd visit with many people.
Growing up in a restaurant, I remember getting a pint of ice cream
to take to Gramma's and spending the night with her. The Methodist
Church offered much for me. Choir practice during the week was lots
of fun, too.
Arlene Kuhl Pershing, my cousin, and I often reminisce by phone. We
share many great memories. Our class reunions were also a great time
to be together.
Children's Day! What a day for the kids; starting with the parade
down Main Street. We had a new dress for the afternoon and evening
when the kids got to dance without grownups. As adults, that day was
for reunions with friends who no longer lived there but come back
for it. My uncle, Pete Kuhl, had a dance band. They had a great time
playing for the kids.
Manning is a town to be proud of. It's so clean and well kept. My
home at 408-4th Street looks so nice. The people who bought it have
done a great job.
Beth Kusel Vitiritto
Des Moines, IA
Class of 1991
They often say “home is where your heart is” and if that is the case,
then Manning is where my heart remains. Manning has always been “home”
to me, and every time I go “home” it feels really good.
When I was asked to share some memories, I had so many thoughts. I
started to remember growing up in Manning and thinking about the town
as it was when I was a kid.
First I thought about Manning’s Main Street and its businesses. Things
sure have changed over the years. When I was little, I remember going
to Ral-Mars for chicken strips, Christmas shopping at Coast to Coast,
buying candy at The Dime Store, and helping Mom grocery shop at Thrifty
Food. There have been business additions and massive renovations on
Main Street. It’s a sign that Manning is alive and well!
I reflected on things I did as a kid like going to the rec center
on the weekends, taking piano lessons from Bonita Hagedorn who lived
down the street, riding bikes up that “big” hill to the swimming pool,
going to LYF meetings at church, playing on my grandma and grandpa’s
farm, babysitting kids all over town, driving up and down Main Street
endlessly, and going on lots of late night walks.
I thought of school and people I went to school with. I remember the
challenges of studying, figuring out friendships, and how I could
still have fun while being a policeman’s daughter.
Now I look at Manning and see how the town has grown and developed
in so many ways. Community betterment is front page news and there
is always something planned for the town or a project residents are
working to accomplish. It’s a thriving town with much to offer.
I’ve lived in other places since I moved away from Manning. I recently
returned to one of those towns to visit a friend and found the little
town nothing like it was when I left. It was heartbreaking. Stores
were shut down, my apartment building was vacated, the hang-out areas
were all gone, and many people had moved away. I don’t think this
will ever be the case when I go “home” to visit Manning. Manning isn’t
a town where everyone seems to leave. It’s a town that people my age
are literally “returning to” so they can raise their kids the way
they were raised -- in a loving, growing, friendship-based community
where good things happen to good people every day.
Eldora Hinz Hofvander
Evanston, IL
MHS Class of 1936
One warm
summer evening, about 1934, Hildegard Knaack King came out to our
farm, (now Larry Genzen farm) with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Steinhauer. They were to pick up my parents and go visit someone,
leaving Hildegard with my younger sister, Florence Hinz Genzen and
myself.
We were all in our mid-teens and I could drive. Our old black Dodge
was sitting in the yard, tempting us. The Dodge temptress won and
we decided to drive into town, two miles away.
Oh, it was glorious driving back and forth on Main Street - until
the car started to sputter. We looked at the big old gas gauge. It
was on empty! Panic set in as we had no money, no gas, and no permission
to be driving this car!
We were at the north end of Main and Second Streets. Some may remember
a small gas station on that corner, on the east side of Main Street.
Lady Luck smiled on us in one way; one of our classmates was working
there. We tearfully pleaded for credit for one gallon of gas so we
could at least get the car back home before our parents returned.
Merle West came to our rescuel that night. He put in exactly one gallon
of gas.
We got home, parked the car exactly where it had been, but the radiator
was very hot and gurgling. A short time later our parents came home.
The radiator was still noisy so we pretended we were Indians dancing
and yelling around a campfire, but dancing around the Dodge to mask
the noise it was making.
We were never found out, but it took a long time to pay for the gas.
It was pennies at a time. Gas was 18 cents a gallon. Thank you again,
Merle West, wherever you are.
Arlene Kuhl Pershing
San Leandro, CA
MHS Class of 1934
When we were young,
a hall was built across the street from the jail on the corner. It
had a beautiful dance floor with a mirrored ball that hung from the
ceiling. There were different colored spotlights fixed on that rotating
ball from each corner of the floor. It was such a beautiful thing
and cast multiple colored lights all around the floor. There were
dances every Monday night by "old time" bands like the "Vikings"
and modern dances on Thursday. My uncle Pete Kuhl played there many
times.
My dad, Bob Kuhl, and his brother, Uncle Emil Kuhl served many dinners
there, cooked on stoves brought into the basement. There was a balcony
and a stage, so there must have been plays there.
I can remember my dad taking barrels of cold beer out to the farms
where the men were threshing on hot, hot days. I wonder if there are
any farmers around who remember that.
Manning had a drum and bugle corps too. I think they had white uniforms.
Hap Dusenberry, who played drums in several orchestras, was in it
and "Wunie" Wunder played too. I came to California with
"Wunie" in 1942 to see my sister Jeanne, and he came to
see his son who worked in the Oakland ship yards. "Wunie"
played the drums with his false teeth all the way out here!
I don't suppose there are any people left in Manning who remember
the traveling tent shows. They set up a big tent where the park is
today and put on shows twice a day.
My sister Maxine and I tap danced on the stage between acts while
the scenery was changed, and the boys who worked putting up tents,
sold boxes of candy kisses between acts - I think with prizes in them.
Does anyone remember sledding down "Muel-ler’s hill"? We
could ride all the way down to the creamery on our sleds! I remember
Karl Sinn’s Bakery off the alley behind Muellers. It smelled so good!
My dad bought rye bread from Mrs. Steinhauer for his restaurant. When
Valentine’s Bakery came to Manning, Mrs. Steinhauer sold or gave the
recipe to him and he supplied our restaurant with the rye bread.
I'm rattling on like a magpie, but I still have so many memories,
especially where all the stores were!
When I recently called the Manning florist shop, I was reminded of
the Memorial Days when I and other kids my age, collected those wonderful
grape baskets to put flowers in. We marched from downtown Manning,
behind the marching band and the waving flags, all the way to the
cemetery to place our baskets on the graves.
When the first big strawberries came into the store, I was reminded
again of the Green Lantern Tea Room which was in the rooms over Lewis
and Reinhold's Pharmacy (Drug Store). It was run by my schoolmate,
Robert Petersen's mother and, in spite of the fact my Dad had a restaurant
and two of the best cooks and bakers in the world, I always had to
go up to the Green Lantern Tea Room for Mrs. Petersen's fantastic
strawberry pies. I wonder if there is anyone in Manning who still
remembers that pie?
Mr. Miller had a veterinary office next door to my dad's café.
His son Justin was in our class in school, and when they moved away
we were all in the fourth grade. The space was taken over by a man
who opened a hot dog stand, and I was addicted to those hot dogs too!
Anybody remember that?
Some one wrote about walking around the streets on Saturday night.
Bea Bingham, Bernice Ramsey, Francis Horman and I did that too. When
I was telling my cousin, Judy Vollmer Hagen about that memory, she
laughed and said she and her friends used to do the same thing.
I lived in Ott Hinz's house, the one between John Lewis' and Harry
Reinholdt's homes, right under the water tower. When there was a fire,
I would wake up on the first note of the siren. I remember when the
Rober-Wehrman store caught fire. That store later became Brown-McDonalds;
I think Eddie Johnson was the first manager.
One more thing, my mother was taken ill and was taken to Iowa City
for treatment. My father took her there and I was charged with taking
care of the "business" with the help of Buzz Cunningham.
I would leave school the last period each morning, which was a study
period for me, and return to school after lunch. The Monitor always
came before I returned to school. First class was either typing or
shorthand with Marie Perkins (teacher) and we spent half of that class
discussing all the articles in the paper.
So much for the reminiscing, I could probably write a book about my
home town.
Manning doesn't have glee clubs, sextettes, or mixed quartettes, but
I sang in all of them, I remember Clarence Kleespies, LaVon Peters
and Don Wyatt, like they say, "those were the good old days"
and I remember lots of them.
Elmer Meyers
Brookfield, WS
Class of 1941
I always look forward to getting the Manning News Journal. It's real
interesting for me to see the name of the Great Western Park in the
Manning news. As many people may remember, I grew up at the Great
Western Park from when I was eight years old until I left for the
Army on January 2, 1943. I'll never forget the family picnics that
were held out there on Sundays after church. Some people would roller
skate. Some people would go boating. Some would do a little fishing.
When I look back, it was a good place to work and enjoy life, and
help others to enjoy life. I remember a slogan John Stenhauer had
on his car in the parade - "For Health's Sake - Roller Skate."
Yes, I remember all the skate girls we had to attract more skaters.
Some of the skate girls, I think, were Betty Bock, Rozora Kuhn, Luella
Antone and others. And then, we had skate boys to put the skates on
for the skaters. Some of the skate boys that I remember are Louie
Hammer, Arnold and Harold Juels, Harold Ruhde and Harold Christie,
and Bill Volgquartsen. I remember the many skating parties. People
came from Gray, Audubon, Manilla, Denison, Westside, Arcadia and other
towns around the area to roller skate. I hope we can all get back
to the days of family gatherings.
Oh yes, I remember the Manning Fire Department coming out to the park
and practicing spraying water. Sy Nickum was the fire chief. Another
memory is the winter time ice skating. Amos Lee, our school superintendent,
would make more figure eights on ice than anybody.
Oh yes, summertime. Glen Kusel and I, with the Steinhauers, spent
our summers together working and playing. Oh yes, the Fourth of July
fireworks! We sold fireworks and we also had a fireworks display over
the pond. I remember that John Steinhauer and Albert Juels as igniters.
Oh yes, so many good people from the good town of Manning. God bless
you all.
Margaret Kuhl
Denison, IA
MHS Class of 1933
I’ve always been proud to call Manning my “hometown.” I don’t get
over there too often, but have driven about town and it is so well
kept. I am Margaret Kuhl Stangl Kuhl. My parents were Emil and Pearl
Kuhl. I graduated from high school there in 1933. My daughter, Mary
Helen Rezac graduated from there in 1955. We’ve both gone on in teaching
and nursing. Our education in Manning paid off. The class of 1933
had some class reunions that were always enjoyable. The News Journal
is wonderful!
Geri Gernhardt Brooks
Eugene OR
MHS Class of 1948
My name is now Geri Brooks. My husband, Norm, died Aug. 01, and I
married Peter Brooks in Sept. 03. My mother, Ella Reimers, was a beauty
operator in Manning for 25 years before moving to California after
her parents died. She returned to Manning years later after retiring
from work in Long Beach, CA. She first lived at the Terrace Apts.,
and finally resided at The Plaza.
I came back to visit her frequently and always enjoyed the friendly
people in Manning, I was introduced as Geri, “Ella’s daughter” everywhere
I went. I was with her at the hospital on the day she died. So many
employees of the Plaza came to give her last words of encouragement,
holding her hand and talking to her even though I wasn’t sure she
could hear them. Manning is so fortunate to have such a wonderful
facility as the Plaza. I am sure there isn’t a better home of its
type anywhere.
Donna Ramsey Maasen
Johnston, IA
MHS Class of 1966
As a Botna transplant (at age 5), I'm proud to call Manning my home.
I have many fond memories of country school at Hayes No. 7 where my
mom also attended.
Our school programs were exceptional with the stage and large curtain
and our softball teams were very competitive. The decision to go to
"town school" was sad at first because of our deep friendships,
but it became very positive. It was fun to meet new friends and to
not be the only girl in my grade. I'll always remember Saturday nights
in town walking loops on Main St. with Jean (Lamp) Roe, having cherry
cokes at the Virginia Cafe and 10 cent bags of popcorn from the stand
by the bank. My allowance was spent at the Dime Store, usually on
nail polish, jewelry or candy.
Today I look forward to the all-school reunions where we can catch
up with friends on their current endeavors as well as reminisce about
the past. I'm thankful for a caring community evidenced at the time
of my Dad's death in 1962. I'm also thankful for a caring staff at
MRHC who care for my Mom. Manning has a past to be proud of and a
future full of possibilities due to progressive planning.
Shirley Stahl Frahm
Raeford, NC
MHS Class of 1942
I enjoy my trips to Manning
a lot, but it is getting to be more difficult as years go by. The
people in Manning should be very proud that they have individuals
that come forth to improve the life of its citizens. I had dinner
at the Hausbarn Restaurant and was very impressed; also impressed
at the revitalization of the Great Western Park area. I remember the
many times enjoyed there in my youth. Keep up the good work.
Sandy Schrum Moeller
Leon, IA
MHS Class of 1968
Last December, around Christmas,
Dale and I were returning from Ames where our youngest daughter is
in school. We were going through Slater, just for a different route,
and they had a large Christmas tree in the middle of their Main Street.
Boy did that bring back memories. We used to drive Main Street Manning
all the time to see who was in town and if there was anything to do.
When they put the Christmas tree in the middle of Main Street we had
more fun driving around it. The one in Slater didn’t have lights on
it but we always had lights on ours. It was a lot of work for someone
to put that tree up but we really enjoyed it. We remember it getting
hit by drivers at least twice. That was a large part of the town’s
Christmas decorations.
The people in Manning work so well to keep the town alive, it’s great
to see. I love getting your paper, keep up the good work.
Alice Musfeldt Beck
Omaha, NE
MHS Class of 1941
When I was in my teens it was on Sunday afternoon when we would head
for the Great Western Park where we would roller skate. John Steinhauer
was the proprietor and he would blow his whistle and direct us in
different types of skating. It always amazed me how Rozora Kuhn Schroeder
could skate backwards.
On the Fourth of July it was always special as we had real fireworks.
It was so pretty by the lake. Another great memory was at Christmas
time when Ohde Funeral Home had their special light display. My family
always insisted on driving by after Christmas Eve services.
Edna Dammann Rudnick
Phoenix, AZ
MHS Class of 1944
I have a lot of memories
of Manning, but I will share just a couple with you. I was born and
raised on a farm southeast of Manning. My parents were Eddie and Alviena.
I attended country school in Lincoln Township and then graduated from
Manning High School in 1944.
My No. I memory is Kinderball. This was fun-fun-fun. Every child in
the surrounding area looked forward to that event. Kinderball was
so special that we got to go to town actually to buy a dress to wear.
All my other dresses were made by mother out of the feed and sugar
sacks available at that time. We also got to get our annual haircut
by Ella Reimers. Our neighbor, Hilda Schultz finger-waved our hair.
One year we were taken to the Lyden studio and had picture taken by
the studio.
A new
dress, finger-waved hair and a photograph taken at Lyden Studio are
among the Kinderfest memories of Edna Dammann Rudnick, seated center.
Brother Herbert is pictured left, sister Delores Jensen stands right,
seated is baby brother Donald — children of Eddie and Alviena Dammann.
The afternoon started out with a parade
down Main Street. The parade was exciting but the ball throwing into
baskets was great. The boy's competition was in the shooting gallery.
We set up baskets on the farm and practiced for weeks before the event.
I was about 10 years old when I placed 10th in the competition. What
a thrill. I was disappointed in the prize I won. It was as a suitcase.
I knew the family would never travel so I could use it. In the evening
we went to Grandma Anna Dammann's for supper. After supper we returned
to the Hall for a dance for only the kids. A couple years later Grandma
Anna went to visit her sister Margareta Bock in Modesto, California,
and asked if she could use the suitcase and that pleased me. After
high school I taught a country school near Botna and roomed with Ray
& Liz Witt and was able to use the suitcase each weekend I went
home. The school I taught had 10 students with 6 grades. That memory
of Kinderball and teaching school are treasured memories to this day.
My No. II memory is threshing grain days. This was work-work-work.
The memory of preparing the food for the threshing crew was work-work-work.
Mother, my sister Delores and I would bake bread, pies, cakes and
cookies for three days before the event. Remember this was done on
the old cook stove and boy did it get hot in the country kitchen.
On the day the threshing crew would move to our house we would be
up by 5 AM to get the chores done early. The threshing crew would
begin to assemble about 7 AM to set up the equipment. We were expected
to bring lunch-consisting of sandwiches, cakes, coffee and lemonade
to the workers in the field by 9 AM. Then it was hurry back to the
house to finish preparing the noon meal. Grandma Anna and I always
peeled a full 5 gallon bucket of potatoes. She taught me how to peel
very thin and we would have contests to see who could make the longest
ribbon. The menu would include two kinds of meat-usually a big beef
roast and fried chicken plus two or three vegetables and several side
dishes. And of course there were several pies for dessert.
At 11:30 the work crew would come to the house to wash up under the
shade trees. The first table setting was at noon sharp. There was
always a second seating. After a short rest and a little story telling-the
men would return to the fields. We women would eat and attack a mountain
of dishes. Then at 3 PM we had to take another lunch to the field.
Thank goodness our crews went home for supper. The cooking crews still
had more dishes to do plus the evening chores. Needless to say bedtime
was welcome and we slept very well that night.
Another memory of that day was the younger men spotting Dad’s watermelon
patch and many a time they managed to get the biggest melon out there.
Dad acted like he was angry about that, but hindsight tells me he
got a big charge out of it all.
Judy Vollmer Hagen
Lexington, KY
Class of 1955
Once again I had the pleasure of being in Manning for Memorial Day.
Every time I visit I feel like it is still my home. I love driving
through the streets and seeing homes I always liked. Manning is such
a friendly place and such a clean looking town. My childhood there
was a happy and carefree time.
There are many special things about Manning but two I remember well.
They happened in 1995, when I spent several months in Manning due
to the illness of my father (Paul Vollmer). One day we had a plumbing
problem but we also wanted to go to the hospital. We left the door
unlocked and sure enough when we returned the problem was fixed.
Another time my mother ordered some groceries from Thrifty Food to
be delivered while we were gone. She told the clerk that she would
leave a check for a certain amount and anything over the price of
the groceries she would like in cash. When we returned from the hospital
our groceries were there on the counter, the items needing refrigeration
were in the refrigerator and there on the counter was a little brown
sack with some cash in it. I am sorry to say that we had forgotten
to leave a check and they did us this service anyway. I took a check
to them right away but I have always been amazed at how nice they
were. You don't get that kind of service anywhere else.
People are important in Manning. A good example is the Veterans Memorial.
It is a very special project done very well. I look forward to the
celebration next year and hope that I can visit Manning several times
each year.
Larry Fischer
Waseca, MN
MHS Class of 1963
I just happened to read the latest Manning News web site posting and
wanted to drop you a note. I have lived in Waseca, MN for 30+ years
but still consider Manning my "home". My father, George
and his brother Eddie ran Manning Motor for quite a number of years.
I recently found a pin that George received that congratulated him
on 50 years of service to Chevrolet! Since he started in the garage
business with Bill Miller back in 1933 on Third Street and joined
Art Bock in 1935, that means he worked in Manning Motor until 1985.
I get back to Manning about twice a year, since my brother Doug and
I are still somewhat involved in Manning Motor. It is usually on Saturday
and there are not as many people on the streets as there used to be.
I miss the Manning airport that closed back in 1996. I usually flew
into there about 3 or 4 times a year back in the 1980's and 1990's
to visit my dad.
Some of my best memories are about McMahon's Feed store down from
Muellers furniture store. In the spring, they had loads and loads
of plants and flowers in flats and I always went down there with my
mother to buy a little of everything to plant in our garden. Even
today, my wife and I have huge gardens that came from memories of
"Bud" McMahon and all of his plants and the unique sights
and smells associated with the feed store.
We plan to attend the 125th celebration in 2006.
Ellen Coleman Hoffmann
Wheaton, IL
MHS Class of 1944
I remember that my sister, Shirley, was ringbearer for the wedding
of Ila Claussen and Art Rix, Oct. 14, 1932.
It was a special treat when my sister and I spent two weeks during
the summer with Uncle John and Aunt Ann Struve at the farm east of
Manning, the former Jack and Wava Lorenzen farm. There was a summer
kitchen a few steps from the main house. It contained a cookstove,
cupboard, a square wooden table and chairs. The men ate their meals
there.
On Saturday afternoon after the wooden floor had been scrubbed, Aunt
Ann baked a cake. If we were good, two little girls could be found
sitting under the table with a mixing bowl licking left-over cake
batter from their fingers.
I remember the hitching rail, south of the John Frahm Saloon, now
Deb’s Corner Café, and a lone team of horses hitched to a bobsled
and tied to the rail.
I am planning to attend Manning’s 125th birthday in June of ’06. I
look forward to a huge birthday cake with 125 candles.
Diane Rix Weitz
Omaha, Neb.
Class of 1954
Inheriting
the Passion
We walk across the street arm in arm, our feet scuffing the smooth,
old bricks of Main Street. I hold onto Dad's arm, but the tells me,
"go help Mother." Mom walks ahead of us with her walker,
leading our little procession. Our destination this evening is supper
at Deb's Corner Cafe, a treat we enjoy whenever I visit and the weather
permits this outing.
I keep a close eye on Mom but stay next to Dad, treasuring the feel
of his arm in mine. The main reason, though, is because I know I'll
get my usual history lesson as we walk along this familiar street.
Even in the short distance from the Plaza steps to Deb's front door,
memories swirl around in my Dad's head and come out in sweet memories.
"See that spot right there in the middle of that intersection?"
he asks me this evening as we cross from the Plaza, "That's where
the old stop sign used to be." Although I remember this myself,
I reply, "Really" How neat!" wanting him to tell me
more.
On these walks across the street to supper-and back, in time-I have
heard again about the east side of Main Street's curb is higher than
the west side, how the street was re-bricked, about businesses long
gone, 'the big fire' and more. Did you know that the bricks on Main
Street and nearby side streets were laid by hand-one at a time-in1915?
Dad was six years old that summer and remembers standing on the corner
near what is now Duckwall's, holding his father's hand while watching
the laborers, some of them black.
Inside the cafe we know everyone and everyone knows us. After we order
our usual sandwiches, Mom and Dad begin their recollections, often
stimulated by people we see-family histories, where they lived and
how long, whom they married, where their farms or homes were located,
when and where they married or died, maiden names and children's names
and grandparents names until I'm lost in their look back through generations.
Their memories are amazing; what one has difficulty recalling, the
other supplies. Mr. and Mrs. Manning History are in action before
me.
My parents are passionate about Manning, having a vantage point in
time of nearly a century of living. They love its people and their
German friendliness and energy, are amazed and proud of all that has
been accomplished through the years and are happiest reminiscing and
sharing their experiences of the past.
I love hearing my parents' nostalgic conversations, but I also have
Manning memories of my own. Their passion has been passed to me.
When I open the door to the Manning Pharmacy, I'm reminded that I
am touching the same door knob that I used to enter the drug store
when Dad was there. Going to the Monitor to place an announcement
or pay a bill takes me back in time as well, and I can smell ink and
paper of long ago. Right up front was Grandpa Rix's office, there
was the linotype where Dad sat, Joe Esycheck next to him, a cigarette
dangling from the corner of his mouth. There are Mom and Grandma Rix
and Aunt Florence helping fold and stamp papers once a week, Uncle
Ted works at the little job press and Uncle Harry up on the big press.
The summer after my sophomore year at Drake University, I worked at
the Monitor as a reporter on the 75th Anniversary issue. It really
wasn't the same without my family there, too.
As our special Manning historical milestone approaches, I've been
doing my own recollections of events, activities, relationships and
stories. Growing up in Manning during the 40s and 50s was very idyllic
and peaceful-our own "Happy Days," you'll agree.
Whether you carried lunch to school every day as a "Country Kid"
or were a "Town Kid" and ran home at noon, our lives and
school days in the 40s and 50s were pretty calm, safe and happy. No
one worried about strangers or drugs or guns being brought to school
by our classmates-or anyone. We were able to go out for recess unsupervised,
except for John Jones, the janitor, who played "Jacks" with
us on the school steps. We shot marbles into circles of dirt, built
forts, had snowball fights, chose sides and played softball all on
our own. I can still hear the ringing of the grade school bell as
it called us inside, its thick rope hanging down the center stairwell.
The sounds of the creaking wooden steps and their oily smell are vivid
memories, too.
"The War" was going on somewhere across the oceans, so,
during recess we innocently played, "Soldier and Nurse."
The teeter-totters made perfect hospital beds! We loyally bought our
Savings Bonds Stamps for a dime once a week and pasted them in our
little booklets. We were Brownies and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts collecting
money for the war effort at the Crystal Theatre between newsreels
and the feature attraction. Tin foil from gum and cigarette wrappers,
as well as smashed tin cans and waste fat, were our collectibles.
Are my five grandsons collecting as many precious memories as they
grow up in their cities as I have from being raised in Manning? I
wonder.
Maybe reading some of my memories has helped you recall your own special
times growing up in Manning. And some evening if you feel like a sandwich
at the Corner Cafe and hearing about more Manning history, come to
the Plaza and walk with Mom and Dad and me across the street and through
the past. The food's pretty good too!
(Editor’s Note – Ila Rix died shortly
have this touching tribute was published.)
Submit your Manning memories to the Manning News
Journal, 422 Ann St., Manning, IA 51455 or submit by e-mail to
journal@manningnews.com. Be sure
to include your name, address and year of graduation, if you are a
Manning graduate.
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