Most people know that I'm originally from Southeastern Minnesota and didn't have to transplant too far to my current home of Albert Lea. I grew up in Zumbro Falls, population 177, (that's my parents' physical address at least, we really live in the country) in Wabasha County, and I went to high school in Lake City.
My hometown is.... interesting. To say the least. We have two streets, a back street and a front street. And a few on top of "the hill". Plus two highways, 61 and 63. There is a cafe and two gas stations. And most recently a strip club. (It was only open a few months and is now closed, but the "Pussycat Cabaret" sign remains.) The official website says there are 26 businesses (I don't believe that); 2 churches, a cemtery, and a city park. And it sits along the Zumbro River, a summer tubeing favorite.
We also have a homeless man. Surprising, I know! He lived on top of "the hill" in a tent, all year and all of last winter. But this year he lost his job at Wal-Mart in Rochester and the church lets him sleep in the back now. The homeless man also has taken a liking to letting cats in with him. A modern day pied piper.
My dad and I decided the homeless man is giving us all a lesson in peace and unity because he's got all sorts of cats, in all colors, shapes, ages, and sizes.
Well the dozen or so cats are now running about Zumbro Falls. And most recently they sit on top of one of the bars, "The Neptune", because they've found a heating vent. I heard all these gems of gossip/stories at the annual towns fish fry at the VFW. I would never miss one. Ever. Not since I was born. They only have them for 2-3 Saturday a year at this time. I just love me some fish fry...
The best part about this story is that no one can get rid of the cats because half the people in the town look after the homeless guy and don't want anyone to "get rid" of the cats. I think we need to start a "Everybody Has a Story" segment on KIMT. Who doesn't want to know why this man is homeless?, why he lives in a tent in Zumbro Falls?, but drove to work in Rochester? So many unanswered questions....but so many awesome stories whenever I go home to visit my parents.
