By Vern Holmquist
I watched out my bedroom window as the old Oktoberfest Community Building was taken down, piece-by-piece.
Nothing is left of the building, even the concrete slab has been broken into pieces to make way for the new building.
For many old-timers, there are a lot of memories of weddings and Oktoberfests celebrated in the old building.
I always enjoyed hearing the stories when men loaded with too much suds felt they had to fight for the attention of a lady and those who fought to get her honor back.
Perhaps it was the rain that kept the groundbreaking ceremony for the new building from being a whoopsy-
do happy event. There was appreciative applause for the speakers, but no hats thrown in the air or fireworks. It must have been the rain.
Folks, the new building is a big deal, a tremendous undertaking for a town of this size, a grand and useful building right in sight from the highway, comin’ or goin’ you can’t miss it.
The building will be a proper tribute to all the great civic-minded volunteers who have put Mount Angel on the map with our Oktoberfest, Wurstfest and let’s not forget our patriotic Fourth of July parade, all examples of the good life we enjoy here.
A big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers in Mount Angel who make things happen for our community.
