Our Natural Treasure: Genevieve Kroshus Stories collected by Geraldine Schwarz [Text excerpt] “Summer and winter, Genevieve walked daily the three or four blocks downhill, through back yards and across the footbridge to pick up her mail at the Highlandville General Store and Post Office… In slippery weather Genny used her broom to steady her footsteps coming down the hill from her house and would lean it against Martina’s house near the door when she got that far. In a phone call, she would say, ‘If you’re coming out this morning, just check and see if my broom is at Martina’s. Then I’m either over getting the mail, or at her house having coffee.’”
 
The text of this book is based on Gerry Schwarz’s many conversations with Genny Kroshus during their twenty-year friendship, c1970-1990. It is enriched by drawings and numerous photographs, some of which are vintage family snapshots, while others are photos by Gerry’s daughter, Nan.
The book was designed in its entirety by Jorunn Musil, a current undergraduate student at the University of Northern Iowa, who (as it happens) is also descended from Norwegian immigrants. She designed the book as part of her coursework in graphic design in the UNI Department of Art. Its breathtaking cover and dust jacket are inspired by Norwegian rosemaling designs.http://www.uni.edu/artdept/FAQ%20About%20Design.htmlhttp://www.uni.edu/artdept/Home.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemalingshapeimage_8_link_0shapeimage_8_link_1shapeimage_8_link_2
Norwegian Rivers by Joseph Langland [the opening stanza] Yah, they are so kind of restless, rushing around hills and tumbling the polished stones; they always have somewhere to go. Even when they pause in precipitous valleys they climb again into deep long cold lakes and then, again, begin rapidly falling…
Above American poet Joseph Langland (who grew up on a farm not far from Highlandville) reading his poetry to students at South Bear School, which was located in Highlandville for six years, beginning in 1970. When Joe “sang” his poetry, even the cows came to listen.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_LanglandAboutUs.htmlshapeimage_10_link_0shapeimage_10_link_1
This book can be ordered directly (by check or money order) from South Bear Press, 2248 South Bear Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101 USA. List price is $25 (clothbound), plus $5 per copy for shipping and handling (in the US) by USPS Media Mail. Iowa residents add 7% sales tax. For foreign order shipping costs or other questions, inquire at <dschwarz50@hotmail.com>. It will also be available at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in downtown Decorah, Iowa.mailto:dschwarz50@hotmail.comhttp://vesterheim.org/index.phpshapeimage_12_link_0shapeimage_12_link_1
• About South Bear Press • Marguerite Wildenhain and the Bauhaus • Other Wildenhain books • Our Natural Treasure: Genevieve Kroshus • Packin’ Cats for the Arrr-meee • About South Bear School