2016 Glenwood Waterama Medallion Hunt

This Waterama turns the corner after 60 yrs and there’s even more reason to be giddy
As we’re commemorating 2 sesquicentennials, one for the county & one for the city.
So as you greet your neighbors with a kind word, smile, or some “high-fivin”
Let’s count our blessings that all three are not only viable, but really quite thrivin!

In these one hundred and fifty year celebrations, it’s proper to review our history.
What drew and continues to attract residents and visitors is certainly no mystery;
And as we ply our lives across its’ waters, what remains from our paths’ wake
Is most often quiet calm and stillness… for there is nothing we can take…

Except the memories! For they are ours forever, and it’s our stories that we leave;
Many retold in oral traditions while those in print, fortunately we can retrieve:
Beginning with surveyors notes and observations and later early county papers
Highlighting “current” events, proceedings, local news and human - interest capers.

On early Walden township county platbooks was found the surname of Mars.
Yes, the very same that appears yet today on M&Ms, and other chocolate bars!
You’ve probably heard of Thompson’s Water Seal, one of Glenwood’s very own
Former residents whose MN avenue building displays their family name set in stone.

Grains/dairy, business solutions, computer systems, & airline industry support
Are but only a few of the commodities in today’s global economy that we export.
And Lake Minnewaska continues to be on the map as a popular destination
For vacations, reunions, weddings, fishing, boating, and other water recreation.

Older farmers will remember that radio bit o’er summers early morning haze;
While in the wintertime their kids would tune in to hear of school closings or delays.
For a couple days WCCO is taking their ‘Goin’ to the Lake’ show to our little town
Welcome Ali. Matt, and John, continuing their tradition of broadcasting reknown.

In the decade after the 1st Waterama, Olympian Jesse Owens was here to speak
In the 80’s, Jesse Jackson spoke at the cths when times on the farm looked bleak.
While there have been still others with reputation of national or international fame
None are more important than those on the street, who smile and call you by name.

We’ve survived world wars, drought, Depressions, and economic busts and booms,
Baby booms and housing growth, tho still requiring services of Berry & Toombs.
Yes that was the name of the mortuary, attested to by Ripleys’ Believe it or Not! …
Stability, like a 3 - legged stool with: agriculture, industry, and tourism-that we got.

Thanks for your patience, yes, some clues have been dropped, albeit none so blatant
I hope you had fun, so lets get on with it then, before you grow even less complacent
OK, please stay civil and watch that first step – keep your feet ‘square on center’
As you check out the stairs to use for escape, just north of the doors that you enter.