BEAMING - Gwen Reiss, owner of Two Doves Boutique in Ellendale, displays two design choices in the town’s mural project. Reiss has spearheaded the project thus far, attempting to sway townspeople in favor of a sign displaying prominent members in Ellendale’s history. Star Eagle photo by Eli Lutgens
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Beer, bingo, brats and more than 30 different food, clothing and craft vendors will all be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on main street during Ellendale’s Fall Festival, Saturday, October 2. Residents will have the opportunity to vote for one of two designs in the Ellendale Mural project, and/or donate towards the project which has raised nearly a fourth of the funds necessary to complete.
This is the third Festival and first since the Covid Pandemic intended to help raise funds for the Ellendale Mural Fund. The mural project started after Gwen Reiss, of Two Doves Boutique in Ellendale, got tired of looking across the street from her store front and seeing the old sign above the community garden. She said she wants a sign that reflects Ellendale’s history.
“I’m trying to tell a story with this,” Reiss said. “I’m trying to give it meaning. That’s what this sign means.”
The design favored by Gwen was illustrated by Albert Lea artist Chandler Anderson and displays three prominent persons from Ellendale’s history arriving via train car: Dr. E.Q. Ertel, Ellen Dale Ives, and Thomas H. Brown.
Dr. Ertel came to Ellendale in 1908 and lived there the rest of his life, nearly 50 years. During that time Dr. Ertel never knowingly made moves that weren’t good for the community. He worked to have lights installed at the former football field. When it was time for a new field, he bought the property himself, leveled the property and gifted it to the school. Seldom were Ellendale residents as prominent as he.
Ellen Dale Ives, the lady whom the city was named after, was the wife of C.J. Ives, the president of the B.C.R. & N Railway. Ellen believed no one should go hungry and used her own carriage to deliver food and clothing to those in need. She was charitable, a woman strong in faith, and above all, a loving wife, mother and prominent benefactor.
Thomas H. Brown was the town’s site agent for the Railway company and responsible for purchasing the land for town sites and the station itself. Thomas was the person who named the town after Ellen. His steadfast attachment to Ellendale and its residents was remarkable. He was a friend to Ellendale and all its people. He donated sites for the area churches, the building for the Ellendale Hotel, as well as the local plot of land for the city park. Although Brown didn’t live in Ellendale, he was a prominent part of its history, and a prominent member of the community, given his standing with the Railway company.
Discussing the two mural suggestions, while pointing at the design by Chandler Anderson, Reiss argues her position. “Where the current design is random and beautiful, this reflects the true colors of the day. He has the plans under his arms. That’s a suitcase that she would have carried. And then there’s the railroad. I want people to get a more realistic picture of the time.”
Whichever design Ellendale residents prefer, this weekend is a great opportunity to get out, have a good time and share your opinion by voting for your preferred design during the festival on Saturday.
Following the festival, residents are invited to attend the NRHEG homecoming football game at 5:30 p.m. or attend Purse Bingo at RJ’s Bar, where they will have the opportunity to win one of 10 designer purses, including brands such as Coach and Michael Kors.
“Please come out, have a good time and enjoy the festival,” Reiss said. “And afterwards people can go to the beer garden, and involve themselves with a good meal at the liquor store. Dance. And eat other foods that are here. It’s gonna be a fun day.”