This interview from 2005, captures the spirit of Lois Wohlin, who passed away in 2013. She tells stories of the Great Depression and a baseball field in the middle of dried up Lake Andrew! This a treasured interview by her daughters, grand-daughters and great granddaughters that still live nearby.
Roger is the definition of a "local" - having lived in the area his entire life. Walsh is able to describe the landscape during the Dust Bowl, cracked soil and dried up water beds. The history of land use and natural resources in this interview is intriguing to anyone familiar with the landscape and lakes today.
Mark tells a cheerful tale about memories at an uncle's farm in Spicer from riding pigs to getting away with mischief. He also includes his first impressions on the town of New London.
Roger Strand spent summers on Green Lake, growing up for a love for west central Minnesota. Some may know Roger as Dr. Strand, but if you knew him as kid you may have known him as the keeper of the Snake Den! Listen and learn more about adventures of a little Roger.
Arleigh Schafer (1905-1993) discusses the history of Lakewood Cemetery in Lake City, Minnesota. He also discusses his early life and career in banking and insurance, the Lake City Citizens Bank, the Great Depression, other cemeteries in Lake City, and being secretary of the Lakewood Cemetery Association starting in 1950.
A country kid who drove a tractor to Sibley State Park, played basketball on a hay covered court, and now reminiscent of the evolving Main Street of New London, Darrel tells his story from the comfort of Lake Affect coffee shop, where he meets every morning with other retired school teachers.
Born and raised with the statutory boundary Justin is a baby of the 1980s who loves visiting the park with his own little one, Lucy. This a great tale of the simplicity of childhood and how that water draws you back into it.
A New London transplant, Joe Rooney, is here to stay. The draw of the waters and friendly folks he talks about all help paint the picture of our little town on the pond.
Hear stories of what kept kids busy (and in trouble!) in New London and what is was like to be a teenager graduating in 1967 in politically turbulent times.
At the time of the interview Anthony has visited the park every year for the 4th of July since he was 3 years old. Ever learned Flashlight Tag? Learn the tricks of the trade in this interview!
Husband and wife for 50 years the year of this interview, Wayne and Kathy Nordsted tell the story together of the past and present that will cause you to nod along, thinking it is your own aunt and uncle telling you the story.
In this second interview of Wally Newstom with his granddaughter he talks about the changes his "Greatest Generation" has seen. His interview highlight below brings to light what diversity in the 1930s looked like in West Central Minnesota.
Interview with Wally Newstrom. Wally relates his experiences growing up in West Central Minnesota. Note: Wally, in addition to several others in the New London Oral History Project, use the term "gypsy." The term was historically used to identify people of Eastern Europe or Romanian decent. Today the term Roma is more widely accepted.
The life of growing up in New London in the 1950s and 60s are told by Cindy Newstrom whose child's eye view of adventures in the creamery milk truck, a tricycle on main street and braving the grocery dog.
Betty Nelson colorfully describes being a child growing up visiting Sibley State Park. She includes tales of biking to Sibley, what her parents thought of the "hippie" youth pastor, and an annual Father's Day picnic at Cedar Hill.
Sibley State Park would not be as we know it today without John Lindstrom's dedicated work in the past and continued today, listen now to discover how.
Another interview we are lucky to have from a class in 2005 at Ridgewater College, this interview collects the story of a family that stretches back to original 1860 homesteaders. Richard give us a unique glimpse that starts to connect the many names that are rooted in the immigrants of this land, from Lindahl to Swan Fremberg, a Civil War veteran.
A literal view of a camping weekend at Sibley State Park through a child's eyes. Elise tells us about night time stories, tubing and fishing during her visits here with her family.
With a heart for history Jerry Johnson strived to revitalize the small and mostly pioneer Lake Andrew Cemetery, located just outside of the park. Jerry tells about this journey and more.
Phil Iverslie tells the story of a family cabin on Como Beach. As a child he spent nights listening to the music flowing across the water from Como Beach to it being the place of his honeymoon with his wife Florine.
This interview was conducted as part of a class project at Ridgewater College. It captures the descriptive story of Ralph Howell, born in Willmar in 1935. Howell grew up in the outdoors and has a talent for describing a landscape and the animals he saw that paints a picture. He also tells of a moving story of gifting a boat to a friend.
Andy tells the story of the family traditions and natural beauty that drew him to move to west central Minnesota where he built a stone home out of hand and dreams of the possibilities life has to offer.
Larry's lineage goes far back to some of the original homestead families in the park. He remembers the neighborhood that the park once was. Can you guess what one of the first movies to play in the New London Little Theater was- take a listen and find out.
Bryna describes the many artistic happenings of New London in the summer of 2016 from friends sitting on blankets watching a movie projected by the dam, to the friendly atmosphere of Goat Ridge and releasing a duckling at Sibley State Park.
Troy grew up biking to Sibley and skating on and swimming across local watering holes. And have you ever heard of the Loch Ness of Lake Andrew? Well, you will after this interview!
Bob grew up camping in the summer at Interstate State Park in a small tent with his parents and 5 brothers, while his father was a door to door salesman! Hear this story of literally living in a state park and others in this fun filled interview.
From a second date at Sibley to an engagement and now a life time of exploring parks, Amy and Adam talk about their memories and goals for visiting more Minnesota State Parks.
Ken Gravely served his country in WWII, and tells a colorful story of the VJ announcement to servicemen in Okinawa as well as his post-war work on western movies scenes in Hollywood!
Interview with Anne Nordstrom Fremberg. Fremberg discusses growing up on her family's farm inside Sibley State Park, including her memories of the Great Depression. Her daughter Lorraine Danielson conducted the interview.
Diane tells about living in the land of 10,000 lakes! From our small New London Mill Pond to the changing landscape of Lake Andrew, Diane paints a pretty picture of growing up in our local waters including a touching story about a wooden boat "The Genevieve."
Three young cousins tell stories of camping at Sibley with the excitement that only young voices can capture. A wave consumes the pontoon, a shoe is washed out to sea and a story is told through laughs and cousins finishing each other's sentences.
John Dilly tells a tale like no other in this interview that recalls his first car, a 1941 Chevy, bought for $30, the birth of penicillin, and reminds us to stop and smell the flowers.
Interview Description: Lorraine talks about early life on the prairie of Sibley State Park and her family's history. Her stories take us back to earthen homes, or dug outs and what it was like to be a young woman working in the cities during World War II.
From a family that immigrated here in 1868, Dahlberg brings a true "Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn" and "Sandlot" existence growing up in New London. A whistle from a cousin signaled time to go fishing and a life time of swinging papers to neighbors, this is life in New London.
Gary grew up in Chicago, was married in Sundburg where his wedding party was mistaken for gangsters. Gary's legacy includes years of dedicated work with Water Search and Rescue.
Our very own local Princess Kay from the Milk Way tell that once in a lifetime story about getting her bust carved out of butter- a story for every Minnesotan- in addition to what it is like to be an independent, female business owner in 2016.
Kylie is a true rooted New Londoner who really brings to life the spirit of thriving New London in 2016 and reminds us what we have to be thankful for.
