Campaign For Community 2007: Weaving Rugs With Vinegar: Roslyn, SD [Dec. 31, 2006

The hour was approaching 6pm now and the stallions were only miles outside of Roslyn, SD. The city lights shown strangely like a lighthouse beacon of hope in a murky underworld of unanswered questions. Entering the town, their spirits were lifted as the illuminated sign of the ‘Community Oil’ service station beamed down on them. As Rosie crawled down Main Street, the stallions were filled with elation as they realized the only bar & grill in town was open and ready to rock for New Year’s. As they stepped into Rosie’s- formally known as Jimmy Jay’s- with their bright yellow t-shirts and funky hats, they stuck out like an evergreen tree in a South Dakota prarie. Settling down at their table, the boys were greeted by a not-as-friendly-as-expected waitress, but were happy to see locals all around them enjoying a New Year’s Eve meal. Thanks to their bumblebee t-shirts, the stallions were soon greeted by a couple just being seated at their table. Quickly introducing themselves as Don & Ruby Jensen, they learned of the Campaign and informed the boys that contacting the town Pastor Derek or International Vinegar Museum owner and “Vinegar Man” Lawrence Diggs would help them secure a place to stay for the night.

Amazingly, both of these characters were expected at the New Year’s Eve Jamboree down Main St. at the Roslyn Creamery. So excited were the stallions to learn of this event that one normally well-spoken member, in an attempt to make conversation with the uninterested waitress, asked her if she had plans to go to the creamery later that night. Judging her reaction, the stallions gathered that this Jamboree would be attended by the 60+ crowd, but they were still set on going.

While paying their bill and gathering their belongings, they overheard a woman behind them talking of her travels to 48 of the U.S. states. Within 10 minutes of introducing themselves and telling the woman and her husband about the Campaign, they knew they had found the right people. Jay and Ardella Galvin loved the ambition and craziness of the stallions and offered them their extra house in town to spend the night! As luck would have it, this was only the third time all year that the Galvin’s had been to Rosie’s! This was destiny! Turns out, the Galvin’s own and operate the Rug Weaving Shoppe in town and live out of it in the winter because of their dedication to their work. The stallions were invited over to the Shoppe- located just across the street- for a tour and demonstration.

At this point, the boys felt as though their questions had been answered and their dreams realized- the people of Roslyn were opening up their homes and welcoming the Campaign For Community with open arms.

For the next two hours, the stallions were in awe as Jay & Ardella told stories of life and rug weaving- which for them wend hand-in-hand. Rug weaving was their passion. They used recycled materials- jeans, blankets, socks, etc- to weave all their rugs in one of their nice antique looms. Each of the four stallions was treated to the opportunity to weave part of a rug. Let’s just say some were more able than others.

After a tour of their extensive pantry, frozen palmagranite seeds, and massive cookbook collection, the stallions decided it was time for the Galvin’s to choose the next destination on the Campaign. After much deliberation, the married couple of 27 years would be sending our heroes to Knoxville, IA- hometown of their daughter and Sprint Racing Capital of the World!

This pantry could feed an army

The Galvin's were amazing hosts

The hour was already running late and it was time for the boys to make an appearance at the Cremery for the ‘Cream of Country Music’ show. Immediately, they were able to tell the congregation of 50 about the Campaign, charming the mature adults of this community. Following the musical performance, the stallions were approached by countless people making sure they had a place to stay for the night. They had now officially met half the town! They also traded a Campaign t-shirt for a “Cream of Country Music” t-shirt!

This band even included Willie Nelson

The t-shirts were amazing

Needing to rejuvenate before the big New Year’s Eve Celebration, the boys settled into their house for the night, a three bedroom, one bath villa indeed. The New Year’s festivities would bring them back to Rosie’s. This time, the party was already hoppin’ when they walked in at quarter-to-midnight. The champaign was free flowing and the beer was cold. The dance floor was also calling, and some members of the Campaign got their grove on, wooing ladies of all ages.

Everybody from Jackie Schmidt, the 1^st and 2^nd grade teacher, to Caden, a student at the University of South Dakota, helped the boys rig in the New Year.

Returning ‘home,’ the boys reflected on the day that had been. In less than 6 hours in Roslyn, they had woven rugs, spoken in from of half the town, and celebrated New Year’s with the other half. This town was simply amazing, and the boys still had more to experience.

Following a home-cooked breakfast with the Galvin’s, the boys had a 9am private tour of the International Vinegar Museum lined up with the Vinegar Man himself. Needless to say, they all fell asleep with visions of vinegar bottles dancing in their heads.

When they finally met him the next morning, the Vinegar Man and his museum lived up to all the hype. The museum, which is just one large room, has one wall dedicated to all types of vinegar from all over the world.

Everything from rice vinegar from China to blueberry vinegar can be found in the Vinegar Man’s personal collection.

Hes also sports informative displays on the history of vinegar, its practical uses, and the process of making it.

"The British Way"

Besides running a museum, the Vinegar Man works as an international vinegar consultant, and while he won’t admit it, he is the renowned expert on anything vinegar. He has traveled to hundreds of countries and holds a mysterious degree. The stallions all agree he is one of the most intriguing, intelligent, and interesting people they will meet on this trip.

However, the stallions needed to dig deeper and know more about the history of the museum. Turns out, Lawrence helped establish the museum because he felt Roslyn needed a landmark for community development. Truly, the Campaign had come full circle.

Before the stallions could leave town, they had one final sendoff from Jay & Ardella as they gave each of them a hand-woven rug and traded t-shirts!

Then, they sent the boys up the road to their son’s place, where they found an indoor jungle. Scottie & Aileen, who operate a greenhouse in the summer, have many tropical looking plants throughout their house.

After trading for a Scottie’s Greenhouse t-shirt, the stallions made one last stop at Community Oil for memories and hit the road for Knoxville, IA. Waiting for them eight hours later there will be John & Dawn Flattery, daughter and son-in-law of the Galvin’s. What lies ahead is hard to say, but one thing is for sure- the Campaign is off to an amazing start!