A Great-Granddaughter’s Journey

If you live in or near Northfield, or plan to be driving through our fair city this Thursday morning, I’d like to invite you to attend an informal presentation I’m giving at Village on the Cannon about the G. Oliver Riggs project. I’m calling it “Tales of a Real-Life Music Man: A Great-Granddaughter’s Journey.” The talk is free; it will begin at 10 a.m. in the community room and will last about 30 minutes, followed by time for questions (and, if all goes well, answers).

Big G and me last spring, before a research trip to Iowa

The Village on the Cannon is located at 301 Seventh St. West, on a site overlooking the Cannon River and within easy walking distance of downtown. I am grateful to administrator Susan Pederson for helping arrange my talk in the community room, which is often used for Cannon Valley Elder Collegium classes, informal concerts and other events. I know that the residents there are an active bunch, and I’m not sure how many of them will be able to attend, given their busy summer schedules, but I will be happy to share my story with anyone who’s interested.

I’m also happy to get people excited about the chance to hear real-life vintage bands perform later this summer at the Vintage Band Festival, which will be held in Northfield Aug. 1-4.

During my presentation, I will explain what I have learned about the career of my great-grandfather, who organized and directed numerous adult and juvenile brass bands from the late 1800s through World War II. I will also talk about the most famous band he directed, the St. Cloud Municipal Boys’ Band, which he organized in 1923 and was once known as the best and largest boys’ band in the country. One of the most rewarding aspects of my research has been the chance to interview former pupils of my great-grandfather’s who grew up to become part of America’s Greatest Generation, so I will talk about that, about the book I’m writing, and about the importance of telling and recording family stories.

I hope to see you there!