Opal passes the torch

Grewe to manage Harkin Store

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

WEST NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP -- After 27 years with Opal Dewanz of New Ulm, there was a passing of the torch Sunday as the Harkin Store hosted its final event of 2004, a musical jamboree, on Sunday.

Ruth Grewe of Gaylord will now guide visitors to savor the smells and sights of the 1870s general store as they sample the wares or try a game of checkers.

Grewe chatted with visitors inside the store while Dewanz sat on the porch. A steady stream of visitors came and went on a cloudless, warm Sunday afternoon.

Rollie Meyer of Gibbon was among the musicians, playing his accordion.

From May through mid-October, more than 7,000 visitors enjoyed the historic store.

Dewanz talked about some of the highlights of her tenure. Guests included the rock and roll musician formerly known as Prince and Charles Kuralt's camera crew on a snowy January day. Dewanz had the snow shoveled and opened the store just for them.

After spending just about every spring, summer and early fall weekend at the store, Dewanz plans to spend more time seeing her family that lives in the area and traveling with her husband Donald.

She helped re-opened the store years ago after it was closed for many years.

"I know the store will be in good hands," Dewanz said. "It's time to do other things."

Grewe has been working at the Harkin Store since April. She and her husband LeRoy, a Sibley County Surveyor, have traveled much of the U.S. and Canada, seeing many historic sites.

The Harkin Store, located eight miles northwest of New Ulm on Nicollet County Highway 21, will be closed until next May.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fritzbusch@nujournal.com