Well, every year about this time, I have the pleasure of attending the class of '53 reunion in Wanamingo. No, I was not in the class, but my mother was, and many of the friends she graduated with, I knew as a child. I still love to visit with her friends, because I have known some of them my whole life, and many had kids my age that I went to school here with. It is not only fun to listen to the stories they tell, but I love hearing about what their kids are up to these days.
So, with a graduating class of 15 boys and 15 girls, this year we all met at The Spot, and were served by Dan himself. The classmates commented on how he took our orders without writing them down, and got them all right! Of course, many of the class of '53 are no longer with us, but I was surprised at how many of them are still living in this area. Although Dorothy and Dewey Thompson are the only ones still listing a Wanamingo address, several are still close enough to visit. Attending the reunion were Dorothy & Dewey Thompson from Wanamingo, Dexter & Janet Henschel from Albert Lea, Dolly Upsal from Goodhue, Wes & Sonia Larson from Byron, Carly Johanson from Rochester, Audrey Cordes from Zumbrota,and Carolyn Thompson from St. Paul. Absent were Joanie Ring from Zumbrota, Kathryn Wright from Prior Lake and Norlene Josephson from Goodhue.
The theme from the year of 1953 was "Greenhorns are We, From "53!" and one of these years, maybe I will remember to ask someone what exactly that means!
I remember hearing stories when I was a child about the adventures the classmates had, both during school years and after. Several of the girls ended up in Minneapolis, living together in a big rental house, and working at the Star and Tribune. In fact, my mom lived there with her friends, and that's where she met my dad, in the house full of boys next door. So I for one am happy the girls moved to the big city and had some adventures before settling down! However, I was banned from telling some of the stories, so you can just imagine how these freshly graduated kids from small town Wanamingo learned about the Big City of Minneapolis! The most fun question that was asked was if anyone had a recipe from the "old days" for Rommegrod. That is the real name for what was called "Mush", a delicacy served with sugar, cinnamon, and a dab of butter in the middle! Guess what? I am the only one who still has the recipe! And I am going to share it with you and see if you are brave enough to try it!
Rommegrod
Boil 2 cups of water and 1 pound of butter. Boil 5 minutes and add 1 tsp. salt. Gradually sift in 1 cup of flour. Boil again and add 1 quart of scalded milk, and cook until smooth. When thickened, pour into bowls and add sugar and cinnamon, and put a dab of butter in a hole in the middle. Stir well, and enjoy!
Thanks to my Grandma Anna Carlson for leaving me that recipe!
Well, another year is in the books, and I am already looking forward to next year!
