On my bucket list for many years was the night watchman’s tour of Rothenburg ab der Trauber, Germany. In 2018, I was able to check this off my list, and it was wonderful! I immensely enjoyed hearing stories about the people of this centuries-old walled city. A spark was lit- more than an interest in history, it was an awareness of the lives that built that history. 

To share this spark, on Tuesday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m., the Carrington City Library will host a walk through the buried history of our community. During a half-hour stroll through the Carrington Cemetery, I will tell factually accurate and respectful stories of historic residents, along with a touch of cemetery history and etiquette. Among those mentioned in the tour are the first resident of Carrington, the Galehouse family who played an integral part in the community, a police officer killed in the line of duty, and veterans who gave their lives for our freedom.  

Storytelling brings home the history of our community in a real, human way and creates a sense of community pride. Fall gives the program a spooky vibe, but the Cemetery Walk is not Halloween-themed, and it’s not scary or haunting. This is a great opportunity for history buffs, families wanting to enjoy an outing, and all those who want to know more about the lives of those who built the community we live in. 

As always, everyone is welcome to participate. The event is free to all who attend; freewill donations will be collected to support the cemetery. A moderate amount of walking is required. In case of inclement weather, announcements will be posted on the library’s website, Facebook, Instagram and KDAK. For more information, contact the library at 652-3921. 

Book Connection 

Forty years ago, the dedicated work of a group of Foster County residents resulted in the book A History of Foster County. Reading through the book, I’m astounded by the depth of research undertaken by the committee – research without the keystroke ease of the Internet. Some of the history is told in the words of those long gone, reminding me of the more formal style we don’t see as much any more (notes from the Old Settlers’ first annual picnic, pg. 64): 

 “One little boy was run into by one of the ball players and got quite a bump. 

“One lady fainted on account of the heat, but soon recovered and suffered no ill effects. 

“The first child born in this county was not decided and the affair is in the hands of a committee. It is thought that Miss Helen Barnes, daughter of Ellery Barnes, is the winner.” 

The library has several copies of this book for those interested in continuing their journey through local history. You might combine this with a visit to the Foster County Museum to share the victory of sports championships won, chuckle at the low “sale” prices we’ll never see again, and explore more of the county’s history. Contact Cathy Paulson at 701-652-2587 to schedule a museum visit. 

When people think “library”, they often picture rows and rows of books – and that’s it. Books are certainly an important part of what libraries offer to their communities, but more than just books, libraries are centers of information, learning, and entertainment in their communities. Along with opportunities such as DVDs, audiobooks, and genealogy research, the library offers a variety of community programming, such as story times, computer classes, and book clubs. In this monthly column, library director Michele Seil – the Library Lady – will explore many of these possibilities. 

(This article appeared in the October 12 issue of the Foster County Independent.)