Learning about Adult Illiteracy

I haven’t lived long enough because there’s still so much to learn. For instance, at the Germans from Russia Heritage Society’s convention I learned about Christina Netz Hillius, a German emigrant to North Dakota who didn’t learn to read until she was 62 years old. At first blush, that might not seem a big deal, but the story behind it represented a nationwide movement called the “Moonlight Schools.” 
A lady named Cora Wilson Stewart is considered the founder of literacy education for adults in the United States. She lived and taught school in Kentucky and realized after working with the school that many if not most of the students’ parents were illiterate. In 1911 she invited the community adults to come in for instruction at nighttime. The identifying name of “moonlight schools” became into being because school was only held on nights when moonlight was bright enough to light the footpaths and wagon trails.
Attendance the first night was so large and they were surprised and overwhelmed when
students from 18 to 86 years of age showed up. Students from all walks of life came, i.e. farmers, storekeepers, ministers, what have you. So happily surprised was Stewart that she called this first night “the brightest moonlit night the world has ever seen.”
Now back to Christina Netz Hillius. She enrolled in the Kulm Evening School at the age of 62 and became their star pupil after only 12 sessions. So impressed was the Superintendent of Public Instruction that she toured Christina around the state to speak on behalf of eliminating illiteracy in North Dakota. After a hard immigrant’s life, she found fulfillment to enjoy everything her adopted country offered. Great story!

Bueling Beginnings in Plum City

As we made plans to attend the Shakespeare festival at Winona State University, we realized one side trip to Plum City, Wisconsin was necessary to include in our itinerary. My Bueling ancestors buried near there beckoned us to come visit the site of their burials. Fortunately, Mary had spotted the potential for some genealogical fulfillment, and we found two of the cemeteries where they’ve been laid to rest.

I’m standing at the gravesite of my great-grandfather Nels (1849-1914) and great-grandmother Emma (1856-1923) who are buried in Plum City’s Union Cemetery. So much we don’t know, but Nels died a painful death from a broken back when he fell backwards through a haymow door. Nels and Emma had seven children, two of whom - Oscar and Walter - are buried there with them. Dad spoke fondly of his Aunt Esther Hophan whose grave we found in another cemetery situated beside the Ono United Methodist Church at Salem.

Jesse James at Northfield MN

On our recent trip into Minnesota and Wisconsin, we stopped in Northfield MN to visit the site of the Jesse James gang bank robbery of its First National Bank. The city likes to celebrate its victory of good over evil with its annual “The Defeat of Jesse James Days.” When some of the robbers entered the bank local citizens realized what was happening and armed themselves, something noticed by the robbers standing guard outside. Shooting started, men were killed or wounded, some robbers escaped only to be hunted down. The original bank building still bears scars of bullets, one of which I’m pointing at. Dad told the story of how his grandfather visited Northfield the day after the robbery, and the town was abuzz with news and gossip.

Wilder at Pepin

As we drove into Wisconsin, we came upon the town of Pepin where we realized it has some literary significance - it was the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Even though we weren’t looking for it, there it was, and it made for an enjoyable stop with a few photo ops.

Shakespeare Festival

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. Winona State University. Mary and I traveled to Winona this past weekend to attend the Shakespeare Festival where our thirteen-year-old grandson acted in the play THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. Lucas played the relatively minor parts of Pantino and Outlaw. Even so, he had a lot of stage-time and played the parts well. At the outset he was talked into participating, but I think he ended up enjoying it. This cast was made up of “beginner” teens and later that day they watched several other Shakespeare plays, this time with adult and professional actors where they should’ve learned much. Next year?

Thoughts on Deep River

My daily visit to the Literary Hub (lithub.com) turned up a piece written by Karl Marlantes who wrote in support of his new book DEEP RIVER. The book tells the Finnish-American immigrant story, particularly those who settled along the Columbia River in Washington and worked as loggers. We’ve purchased this book, and I will read it shortly. It was the following quote in the lithub article dealing with the women who accompanied the men that jumped out at me. I’ve often had these thoughts but have never been able to express them so clearly.

“They worked cattle, tended gardens, harvested rye and alfalfa, planted potatoes, milked cows, knitted sweaters, made dresses, shirts, and trousers by kerosene lamplight. My grandmother would be baffled by the lack of skills we have today to do such things and amazed by how easy it is to buy such things. These women fed their families and raised their children, with no doctors, no medicine, and no money. This was hardship.”

The Tennyson quote hangs on my office wall and seems to be appropriate.

Clean, New Desk

I am posting a picture of my new writing area complete with new desk because in a short time it will be cluttered. The scientist Michio Kaku says, “It's pointless to have a nice clean desk, because it means you're not doing anything.”