Herb Streitz is known as Mr. Music in Waseca, did you know he came to Waseca as a big time Baseball player? That is correct, the manager of the Braves baseball team Emil Scheid teamed up with Waseca Schools to find a player and a music department all in one person.
Herb Streitz was born in 1913 went to St. Cloud Tech and excelled in Music, baseball, and tennis. Music was the obvious meal ticket for a young man with talent but the love of sport was big with Herb. Music took Herb to the St. Cloud boys band with travels throughout the Midwest as far away as Chicago. Herb was recruited to play baseball at St. Cloud State ( as it is known today) and he pitched his way through College and played tennis as well. Graduate work and refinement of the music talent with an advanced degree from The McPhail College of Music in Chicago.
Baseball in the Southern Minny for the Waseca Braves continued to 1947 when Herb and Arleigh Kraupa pitched the Braves to a 3-2 win over the Southern Minny all-stars! Herb had a stint in the Navy during his early Waseca days and really built the Waseca music program to a high level in the late 40s and early 50s. Before Herbs retirement in 1970 he helped establish bands at Morristown, Waseca Ag School, and at Sacred Heart. When Sacred Heart closed the talent and numbers helped establish the Marching band program. Herb also had sons Billy, Bob, and Benny on the fields ,courts, and track for the Bluejays! That story will be told another time.
Herb Streitz was Mr.Music with a flare for sport in Waseca from 1940 to 1970 and really up to his death at age 94 in 2008. Music and sport, nice mixture from a unique and interesting man!
I grew up about a mile north of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. As a teenager I got to the Fair several times each summer, and when it ended, it always meant that school started all too soon. That’s my association with Fairs.
As an adult I’ve come to realize that they really are the “great get-togethers” that they are promoted as! We see so many people, our friends, neighbors, and families all enjoying the “harvest” so to speak. Seeing what everyone is doing whether they are sitting at the booth of their favorite organization, church or political party; or showing a farm animal, displaying their 4H project, watching a race, playing bingo, riding the ferris wheel, promoting a business. Then there’s the eating. Last year my favorite food was the “mini-donuts”; but this year it was the “walleye fingers with garlic sauce”!What was your favorite fair food?
We (WCHS) want to thank all of our 5,000 visitors to Hodgson Hall and the “Goin’ to the Lake” exhibit. We will be moving the exhibit back to our Museum (315 2nd Avenue N.E., Waseca) this week, so come see it again, or come see it for the first time. We’re open Tuesdays-Fridays, 9-5. FREE to the public.
We’ll still be collecting those memories, stories and pictures all through the month of August, maybe September if you’d like. Let us know! A few of you have asked if we are doing a book about Clear Lake. What would you think of that?
Look Forward to Our Past!
Waseca County Historical Society Museum & Research Library
Well, the storytelling and reminiscing has started! Waseca, you definitely love your Clear Lake. I’ve heard about how there were over 200 rowboats for rent at many “boat liveries” all around the lake; and every weekend they were all rented, and out on the lake!” I’ve heard that during the 1940s and 1950s, there were around seven bars around the lake. Everyone seemed to want to enjoy a beer after work and sit by Clear Lake. Most of these places had dancing—the favorite pastime ofreturning WWII soldiers and their girlfriends. I’ve heard that you could start with a beer at Thompson Boat House, and “drink your way around the lake!”
Fifteen and twenty years later, kids were heading to Clear Lake beach as soon as school was out—on their bikes. They spent the whole day at the beach, maybe home for lunch, but back for more playing and swimming. Cannonballs off the float! Running into the lake and splashing the girls! Building sandcastles or burying your little sister or brother up to his neck in the sand! Picnics by the swings and “jungle jims”!
The Waseca County Free Fair starts today—July 14 through 18th, 12 noon-9 p.m. Come out to Hodgson Hall and see the big map of Clear Lake, and so many photographs starting from the 1880s to the present! When did Lakeside Golf Club get built? Who stroked the first golf in Waseca? Why did the Chautauquas come to Waseca? What is so special about Maplewood Park? Were there really steamboat rides on Clear Lake? Were there really waterslides on the beaches around Clear Lake?Where was “Lovers’ Lane”? Where did someone raise minks? And chickens? --On Clear Lake!!
The Waseca County Historical Society invites you to visit Hodgson Hall—see the big map of Clear Lake historic sites, buy some Used Books, or posters, or t-shirts; see the Log Cabin and the District #41 School Room, play some 1960s LPs (What are those?), see the 1920s Sock Knitter “crank out a sock,” and enjoy the cheapest pop, ice cream and popcorn at the Fair!
Look Forward to Our Past!Support WCHS with membership or a donation!
Todd Ellis was a Waseca kid back in the 1970s. Todd love the action of a small town, everyday ball games in backyards, at the park, constant action! The real highlight of his playing days was taking runner-up in Minnesota High School Class AA baseball in 1981. (In those days, there was only 2 classes, A and AA).
In Todd's words, "Leading up to the playoffs that year, we we're only an average team. Something clickedin the playoffs when we played nearly flawless defense and had timely hitting. We just kept winning and found ourselves in the State Championship game against Cretin Derham Hall; I think we were all a little shocked that we made it that far but it just goes to show you that when you play together you can go along way. I don't want to leave out the fact that we had great Coach's in Tink Larson and Roger Nelson to lead us."
Todd pitched on that team, great bunch of guys who finished 2nd but will never forget the journey to the top spot! Oh so close but yet far away! Todd and his wife Shelly live in Marshall Mn: Todd has 20 plus years in law enforcement, the last 21 in Marshall. Three kids: the two boys Clay + Nate are baseball players and the youngest Meg is a big time dancer! Todd led the team to the brink of a title, the memories of the hunt are still alive and really that is what sport is all about! Nice job Todd Ellis and enjoy the family!
I found the following article on the Hot Dish Politics page of StarTribune.com
"Rep. Tim Walz, the Republicans’ No. 1 congressional target in Minnesota, took yesterday’s Supreme Court decision as an opportunity to remind rural Minnesota voters his strong support of gun rights.
The high court Monday ruled in McDonald v. City of Chicago that the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms applies to state and local laws as well as federal statutes, two years after stripping strict Washington, D.C., gun control laws.
“This decision upholds Americans’ rights under the Second Amendment no matter where they live,” Walz said in a statement today. “I was proud to stand in defense of those Constitutional rights with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.”
Walz, who has long supported gun rights, was part of a 300-member friend-of-the court brief submitted by Congress in 2009 in favor of the Second Amendment upholding gun rights."
Good for Walz. Any objective read of the Constitution's Second Amendment would conclude that American citizens retain the right to "keep and bear arms." Through the years, the court has allowed some limitations on gun ownership - just as they have ruled that there can be some limitation on other rights, such as free speech. But the Court is rightly cautious about approving any enactments that begin to infringe on our constitutional rights. An outright ban on gun ownership - as sought by Chicago and Washington, DC - needed to be struck down - both loudly and clearly. That is why it is disappointing that this ruling was secured by a narrow five to four Court majority. What Constitution were those other four justices reading? What other constitutional right would they allow a state or locality to repeal or ban?
The Lloyd+Agnes Kelly family had 11 children , the four girls were talented but this was before organized girl HS sports. The boys were Waseca area fixtures starting with Ron as part of the undefeated Sacred Heart Football squad 1944 (John Conway, Lawrence Gallagher, Bernie Haag, Bill Wheelock, Bob and Tom Deef, James McLoone, Donald Webber,Tom Bower, Richard Murphy, Rich Thieves, and Joe Stenson).
Ron according to many was a real the real deal on the fields and courts of Waseca. Jerry a State Farm agent for 40 years in Hastings graduated from SH in 1950 was a all-conference FB athlete and still loves to play golf.
Mike was a star Basketball player at SH, scored about 1400 pts in his career and played for Gonzaga University with Janesville native Gene Volz in the late 50's. They played against Elgin Baylor: later Mpls./LA Laker fame. Mike died in a car accident in his 20's.
Don was the next SH star on the FB, basketball and baseball fields was blessed with great ability and a great supporting class of fine athletes. State tourneys and success followed Don.
Tom and Dan brought up the rear, their Waseca life was suspended with the loss of family in a car accident. Tom and Dan spent a few years on Sacred Heart varsity teams and each ended with teams at Benilde in St. Louis Park! A Basketball state tourney was a bonus for Dan! Tom is a great guy: loves to play golf and is a retired teacher in the Twin Cities. Dan is in Insurance in Colorado with a very athletic family of his own, loves to coach youth and watch his kids grow !
Ray, the seventh brother, passed away in the mid 90's. Lots of ball, many memories for Wasecans with the Kelly's in the Waseca area sports scene, there was a Kelly playing in the 1940's thru the mid 60's!
The Kelly Boys were a huge part of Waseca area sports, many team mates remain in this area. Thanks for the memories!
Chautauqua 2010 (say, “Shuh-taw-kwa”) is Saturday, July 3, 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “Just 5 cents for adults, children and servants FREE!” It’s a music festival at Maplewood Park, on east Hwy 14, across from Kieslers Campground!
Look who’s performing--Baptism River Ramblers, Farm Arts Puppets, Shirley & Elvin Groskreutz, Johnny Appleseed, Sacred Harp Singing, Fiddles & Flat Tops, Big Scott’s Lumber Camp, Amy Roemhildt, Al Batt & the Woods, Magic Zack, Fiddlin’ Al Miller, Family Arts & CraftsTent, The Eco-Tent & Derek Anderson, Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Ice Cream & Pop!
Why Chautauqua? Because we believe in this community, this historic Maplewood Park, this beautiful Clear Lake, and we want you to learn about it, and be entertained at the same time. Chautauqua is our gift to the Waseca area community. When was the last time you could buy a wonderful afternoon for one nickel? Ride the tram up the hill. Listen to great music, go for a walk in the woods, have a treat, make something with the kids, enjoy the day!
Former Republican Governor Arne Carlson is outraged by the failure of the current Governor and legislative leaders to honestly resolve our state’s budget shortfall. I share his outrage.
Due to short term fixes and payment shifts, the next Governor and legislature will face a deficit totaling $6 billion (that means a roughly fifteen percent gap between our spending commitments and our anticipated revenue). To draw attention to this budget crisis, Carlson has announced that he will conduct a Paul Revere style tour of Minnesota to essentially “sound the alarm” about the budget and to call for an honest discussion of the tough choices that lie ahead.
I applaud Carlson’s idea to tour the state and humbly offer him these suggestions.
Try to schedule half a dozen regional events — hopefully hosted by a local Chamber of Commerce (and potentially co-hosted by groups such as the Assoc. of Minnesota Counties, the League of Cities, and the School Boards Association). Duluth, St. Cloud, Moorhead, Worthington, Mankato and Rochester would cover Minnesota’s rural geography pretty well — and these are all media centers. I would expect that the North Metro Chamber and the West Metro Chamber would also have an interest in sponsoring an event, as they both frequently schedule political and public policy programs.
Hold off on these events until after the August 10 primary (allowing time to organize and also to build anticipation) and then challenge all three gubernatorial candidates to participate (as well as inviting area legislative candidates to attend). With or without gubernatorial candidates, the event must begin with you (and/or others of your choosing) laying the groundwork for the discussion on Minnesota’s fiscal future. This would set forth the size of the problem, the long term nature of the challenge (including demographic factors), the degree to which the state’s budget woes are tied to local government services (cities, counties and schools), and the need for fundamental reform in many areas (including health care and education). This might also include a critique of the many short term fixes recently adopted and the danger of continuing down this path.
Questions to be posed to the candidates would cover topics such as: Which (if any) part of the budget is off-limits to cuts — and why? For what purpose should LGA be continued — and what, after all, is the state’s responsibility to cities? Which mandates on counties should be eliminated — and what budgetary savings would that secure? Is the state’s school aid formula delivering the results we seek in education? Can we achieve desired education results without more money? Should counties, cities and schools be given revenue options (other than the property tax) in order to fund local services? If state taxes are not to be increased, can you specifically identify savings — by means of spending cuts — that would total $6 billion? If you propose state tax increases as a means of addressing the budget shortfall, which taxes would you raise and what amount of revenue would that generate? Which (if any) of your proposed budget solutions would attract support from members of the opposing party — and how and why do you believe that you could secure that support?
Actually, these are the kinds of questions that every voter should be asking — so as to hold every candidate accountable by demanding serious answers to serious questions about Minnesota’s budget.
I strongly endorse Carlson’s Paul Revere tour (whether or not he takes my advice on how to do it) because it could change the landscape for candidates in the coming election — and change for the better the nature of our budget debate in the next legislative session.
That's my two cents
Tim Penny is a Waseca resident and former U.S. Congressman. He is a regular Community Perspective contributor. His blog, “Our Two Cents” appears on wasecacountynews.com.
The Lloyd+Agnes Kelly family had 11 children , the four girls were talented but this was before organized girl HS sports. The boys were Waseca area fixtures starting with Ron as part of the undefeated Sacred Heart Football squad 1944 (John Conway, Lawrence Gallagher, Bernie Haag, Bill Wheelock, Bob and Tom Deef, James McLoone, Donald Webber,Tom Bower, Richard Murphy, Rich Thieves, and Joe Stenson) Ron according to many was a real the real deal on the fields and courts of Waseca. Jerry a State Farm agent for 40 years in Hastings graduated from SH in 1950 was a all-conference FB athlete and still loves to play golf. Mike was a star Basketball player at SH, scored about 1400 pts in his career and played for Gonzaga University with Janesville native Gene Volz in the late 50's. They played against Elgin Baylor: later Mpls./LA Laker fame. Mike died in a car accident in his 20's. Don was the next SH star on the FB, basketball and baseball fields was blessed with great ability and a great supporting class of fine athletes. State tourneys and success followed Don. Tom and Dan brought up the rear, their Waseca life was suspended with the loss of family in a car accident. Tom and Dan spent a few years on Sacred Heart varsity teams and each ended with teams at Benilde in St. Louis Park! A Basketball state tourney was a bonus for Dan! Tom is a great guy: loves to play golf and is a retired teacher in the Twin Cities. Dan is in Insurance in Colorado with a very athletic family of his own, loves to coach youth and watch his kids grow ! Ray the seventh brother passed away in the mid 90's. Lots of ball, many memories for Wasecans with the Kelly's in the Waseca area sports scene, there was a Kelly playing in the 1940's thru the mid 60's! The Kelly Boys were a huge part of Waseca area sports, many team mates remain in this area. Thanks for the memories!
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