Ole Pappy
My birthday buddy Erin Riecke, daughter of my friends Kayann and Ross Riecke of Clarkfield got married last weekend on the lake front property of her new husband Kevin Peterson’s parents near Perham.
Erin was born on my birthday, June 5, and I’ve been around for all her birthdays, so it was a special pleasure to be invited to her wedding. Mostly it was a family wedding, but I’ve kinda wormed my way into the Riecke family by using the Birthday Buddy theme.
We had a little extra time so we strolled around Perham to see what this northern community is like. Several things jumped out at us. First, it’s the home of Kenny’s Candy and Confections, manufacturer of licorice. In fact, they make that Wiley Wallaby Licorice that’s become so popular.
Kenny’s has two big buildings and is building a third, so the country must be eating their licorice. I know I do.
There’s a great candy and confections store that stocks games and toys as well and it’s a popular place. Perham is also the home of the printer that does most of our printing of posters, cards, etc. for us so I looked that up as well.
This community is one of those northern places that has to survive on its own.
Although Fargo, ND isn’t real far away, they have more of their own services than say Minneota, which is close to Marshall. Again, I got a taste of what it’s like not to be able to watch baseball on your television.
The motel we stayed in did not carry the channel for the American League Playoff games between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. We followed it on my cellphone the first night but the second night went in search of a restaurant that had the game.
We found one. But we went back to the motel before it was over and followed the game on my computer.
Perham appears to be a pretty nice little town with just about all the services you’d need.
For some reason, they’ve become known for their weddings and the motel we stayed at has wedding parties there almost every wedding. They were hosting people from three weddings the weekend we visited.
The lakes around Perham are wonderful and right now the trees have changed colors and it’s beautiful along the lakes. Erin’s wedding was on the shore of one of the lakes and it was a beautiful setting for a wedding. It did get a bit cold, but everyone bundled up and enjoyed the outdoor wedding.
The reception was held in a tent on the property, complete with heaters and it was rather comfortable. Anyway, we enjoyed the wedding and our time in Perham. It’s always fun to visit other parts of the state and get a taste of what these communities are like. But maybe next time I’ll find a motel that carries the baseball games.
How did you folks who didn’t get the Twins all summer because of a contract problem put up with it??
LAUGH A LITTLE: It’s deep in here. On a fishing trip to a remote lake in Northern Quebec, I asked the outfitter, “Do you stay here during the winter?” “No,” he said. “The snow gets too deep. We can’t get supplies in. Like many Canadians, I go south for the winter.” “Oh,” I said. “Where do you go?” “Vermont.”
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As my Ole Pappy used to say, “Never let your fear decide your future.” Thanks Ole Pappy!