Posted on 06/28/2011 8:37:21 PM PDT by One Name
I was laying in bed yesterday morning after a storm had passed through, listening to the radio before I had to get up for work. In the haze I heard that Sarah Palin was going to Pella, Iowa for the premiere of her documentary, " The Undefeated". My heart lept- Pella is my mother's hometown. A small, obscure community in south central Iowa. What a coincidence, I thought.
I came to FR a little over a year ago, attracted by the discourse I has first seen before the last election. Only a few places were actively taking on the president-elect's legitimacy. I soon discovered a whirlwind of conservative and libertarian expertise, grinding away at each other like rocks in a polishing tumbler. I decided to join the fray after the unfortunate outcome of the election.
Despite a few beatings, I'm still here and encouraged. I don't claim to be a prophet, or prescient or much of anything, but I try to sense what the Spirit is doing.
I went on record from the start as a supporter of Sarah Palin. I sensed a mantle, annointing, etc.; things that drive non-evangelicals crazy.
What I want to talk about is Pella, Iowa.
A community founded by Dutch immigrants who sought religious freedom in the late 1800's, (Hard to imagine the Netherlands being intolerant today), Pella (city of refuge) was a settlement for the Dutch Reformed Church. They quickly established a thriving community supporting a farm-based economy. Local industry thrived and now serves as a quintessential example of the American Dream. Pella Windows (Rolscreen) and Vermeer Mfg. (inventors of the round baler) are the two hallmark companies (privately held last I knew) that sprang from this town of 10,000. They started a college (Central University of Iowa) and continued the process of reinvesting in their community. They offered opportunity to all who were like-minded.
I'm a Dutchman. My blood relatives are the Vos, Van Der Beek, Van Drunen, Slykhuis and Niemansverdriet's.( Nowhere else is the "V" section of the phonebook so thick in one town).
When I was a little boy, it was not uncommon to hear the old folks speaking Dutch. They didn't discourage English, but they kept their culture and values intact. I was cutting hay today, wishing I was at the event in Pella and I remembered the old folks teaching me to call my grandfather "hidapogie" (sic), and it brought tears to my eyes. I figured if someone pulled in the hayfield I'd say something hit my eye, but in reality something hit my heart.
Sarah landed solidly in the Heartland today. I'd be happy to hear how it went firsthand...
Nice post. I’d like to hear what you hear from Pella after her visit.
Nicely written. I’ve got some “low country” blood too, my mom grew up in a community where Plattdeutsch was spoken more than English. Having a strong connection to the Old Country made them appreciate America even more, and we see that spirit in Sarah Palin as well.
Sometimes there is a sense of destiny, of knowing a person is in the right place at the right time, and not just by accident...
They are 100% patriots. My granduncle from there went ashore on Normandy (day 3). Like most rural towns, they are overepresented in their sacrifice and contribution to our freedom.
BTTT!!
You are a good salesperson for Pella. You make me want to visit it. I like being around the ‘we the people’ kind and those who feel blessed because of the freedom our Patriots have fought for. And if I don’t get to visit - I certainly enjoyed learning more about Pella, Iowa. Thank you!
They have a tulip festival every year around the first of may. They have their own distinct Pella Bologna made at Ulrich’s (best on buns made at Jaarsma’s on the square) and dried beef and an assortment of bakery goods allto be had in the town square.
Pella is an American success story community,bar none. Wish I had raised my kids there.
What beautiful sentiments. I sense your pride and your “Spirit”. Thank you for this. And when you hear anything firsthnd from Pella about today please let us know.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us tonight. It has been a very exciting day, has it not?
One of the nicest vanity posts I’ve read...
I really like your post. I bet Palin loved Pella.
I agree - great thread, good info on the history of one of our towns in the USA whose citizens helped build our great country. A town where our next president went to the movies and barbecue with the town folk. We the people all in this together and what a great place, Pella, to demonstrate it.
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