Webblog

The topic for lecture 12 is community on the Plains. We saw images of different community events that are traditions on the Great Plains including the Grandin Smelt Fry, the Goat Game, and Lindaas Barn Dance. It was interesting learning about the different traditions and made me think about some of the traditions from my community. Until the past few years, Golva would always have a big fireworks show and street dance on the Fourth of July. Another tradition is having a huge rummage sale at the Catholic Church twice a year. People from all over come to the rummage sale.

We also talked about urban communities and rural communities on the Plains. For quite some time, these two communities didn't really have any social connections. Their connections were economic. The two communities really began to interact when "Saturday Nights" started. The women would go into town to trade. The men started to go with them, often getting hair cuts. Pretty soon, the couples would bring the kids with and the whole family would socialize on Saturday Nights. I live in the country and cannot imagine not interacting with the "urban community." Like we talked about in class, I went to school in town, my mom worked in town, and we went to church in town. I was in town at least six days a week. We also went to the closest micropolis quite often. I would consider Dickinson the closest micropolis to us and we went there several times a month. Community life on the Great Plains is truly unique. When I think about my hometown, I realize there isn't much there and not much to do, but it is home and so I love it there. I am always excited to go back and visit.