Joe: Yes, I did! The annual Model T Ford Club International Tour (MTFCI) actually came through Kasson with a stop for lunch while on their way to Mantorville where they spent the rest of the day partaking in a walking tour of the historic buildings. The Opera House also put on two shows for them entitled, “Affording a Ford” or “All’s Fair in Love and War.” It was written by Sandra Hennings Miller and a Model “T” Ford was actually built and set on the stage!
Flo: How about all the good eating places at Mantorville?
Joe: The historic Hubbell House welcomed them with open arms, staying open all afternoon as well as the County Seat and the historic Old School Cafe and let’s not forget the Chocolate Shoppe for the lover of sweets in all of us.
Flo: Did they tour the antique shops? You have both the Memorabilia Antiques and the Mantorville Square, don’t you?
Joe: You are so right and did they ever have a good time. I saw them carrying out treasures to take home plus they loved the Mantorville Art Guild and did you know Mantorville Farms sell gifts made in the USA, and that most of the items are made right there in Mantorville?
Flo: Wow! Sounds like Mantorville went all out for them. What did they see at Kasson?
Joe: They saw the Event Center and Mantorville Avenue’s tree-lined street as they traveled north through town on their way to spend the day in Mantorville.
Flo: Isn’t it a shame that Kasson has not restored their 1918 Historic School! Wouldn’t it have been nice if they could have seen a Children’s Learning Center there; maybe a new spot for the library. Can you imagine how neat it would have been for them to visit a Museum of Kasson History and the surrounding area while in the historic school? Perhaps the Kasson could have entertained them with a concert, perhaps….…a good old country western jam session?
Joe: Or what about gospel or rock? We have a lot of musical talent in this community including the younger generation. I’d love to see them jamming with the seniors or having times where they could have an evening there just for themselves. It could open up a lot of possibilities!
Flo: Sounds like a novel idea. Say, Joe, how many Fords were in Mantorville?
Joe: Do you realize there were 240 Model T cars carrying 500 people in that group? This year they decided to visit Rochester and tour the surrounding towns of interest. On their list of towns was also Lanesboro. I wanted to see the cars on the move so I waited in Chatfield and parked in front of Potter Auditorium. While waiting I had a nice tour of the auditorium. I was told by a nice lady there that it was built in 1936, was a part of the Chatfield School, and that the newer part, that had been a grade school, has now been torn down. Now that they have received funding of a State Grant it will be renovated in different phases to be compliant with all building codes and then will be offering opportunities for future expansion as both a community and regional arts center. Of course, that will involve more fund raising.
Flo: Yes, renovation will be major adding air conditioning, replace and up-grade electrical service, stage lighting, lighting control board, and house lighting; many more interior renovations including auditorium seating, acoustical and sound system, sound control board and make it compliant with handicap accessibility. There will be some new construction as well, which will include a lobby area, rest rooms, etc. and will include a community room.
Joe: Sounds like a major undertaking, but what a wonderful addition to the already active community. I hear our own Kasson City Planner, Mike Martin, along with other Potter Committee members headed to St. Paul to hand out 201 letters clarifying the Potter Auditorium project for the House and Senate members and taking time to talk to the capital press corps, who have offices in the basement and who report for major news sources. Do you suppose he would be willing to go to bat for Kasson’s Historic School and apply for a grant for us?
Flo: Wouldn’t he have applied for a grant for the school by now if he really wanted to do that for your town of Kasson? There certainly has been plenty of time since your reuse study for that to happen.
Joe: I still say, when the Historical School is completely renovated with all the exciting ideas KARE has come up with, Kasson could once again be the hub of Dodge County, bringing visitors to town and look at the business it could bring to our downtown merchants!
Flo: It is well documented historic buildings in operation bring in the tourists and add revenue to the area.
“What’s happening around town” by Jo and Flo is
sponsored by KARE (Kasson Alliance for Restoration).
For more information call 634-7435.
The information contained in “What’s happening around town?” does not reflect the views of the
Dodge County Independent Newspaper.
sponsored by KARE (Kasson Alliance for Restoration).
For more information call 634-7435.
The information contained in “What’s happening around town?” does not reflect the views of the
Dodge County Independent Newspaper.
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