Couple who met at festival

enjoys returning to New Ulm

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm's Turner Hall holds special meaning to Rich and Ann Hartman of Jordan.

It was where the couple met several years ago during the Bockfest.

"This is a special spot for us," said Ann. "Plus, we like the band."

Sunday, they danced to the Wendinger Brothers band at Turner Hall.

The Hartmans said they also enjoy visiting New Ulm's Bockfest in late winter and Heritagefest in July.

Rich became acquainted with German festivals in New Ulm decades ago at Polka Days.

"That was fun," said Rich. "I just loved that, walking down the street with bands playing all over the place."

Ann also loves New Ulm.

"New Ulm has always been a very nice city," she said. "It has a lot of atmosphere and history. It's an interesting town, and we can enjoy the music and the food."

Rich said he would consider moving to New Ulm if Jordan gets much more crowded.

"If the Twin Cities gets much closer to Jordan, I may move out," he said. "Ninety houses just went up about a mile from us. Another 190 (houses) will be built a couple miles from us. Another developer wants to build 179 houses a mile from us."

He said here, a man can drink a beer or two any day of the week and not be called an alcoholic.

"I think New Ulm is the greatest," Rich said. "I've been up to Hermann, to the Glockenspiel, the brewery, stayed at the Holiday Inn and really enjoyed it here."

"He's German, I'm Norwegian, I should live in Hanska," said Ann, who is originally from Wisconsin.

Rich decided to make sauerkraut one day with country sausage and potatoes and cooked it at low heat for three hours.

When his wife ate three helpings, he was surprised. He said he had to eat fast to get his share.

Ron Domeier of the New Ulm Area Catholic Schools Snowfest Committee said 240 people came to Oktoberfest at Turner Hall by the middle of Sunday afternoon.

"The Vikings weren't playing and Peter and Paul Wendinger were open, so things turned out pretty good," said Domeier. "There are people around here that enjoy going out and dancing to polka music on Sunday afternoon."

He said proceeds for the Sunday Oktoberfest dance will be used for start-up money for the NUACS Snowfest next February.

Oktoberfest in New Ulm continues next weekend.