By Ed Shannon, staff writer

Just in time as a possibility for a Christmas present and/or interesting wintertime reading is a new book based on life in Clarks Grove.

This book, &8220;A History in Story and Picture of the Clarks Grove Area,&8221; has been compiled by the Clarks Grove Area Heritage Society.

With its 76 photos and multitude of topics, this new publication features both the past and present of life in this Freeborn County community. And to emphasize one important aspect of the town&8217;s history, the book&8217;s cover has a color photo of the famous Clarks Grove Cooperative Creamery building.

&8220;This book was proposed two and a half years ago. With a lot of help we were able to issue the book on Nov. 21,&8221; was the comment of Everett Jensen. He&8217;s a member of the society&8217;s book committee.

&8220;Our book has large bold type and really easy to read,&8221; he added.

There are 13 chapters and even more topics in the new book. They include the preface (or introduction), past and current businesses, townships and schools (both town and rural), churches and cemeteries, individuals and families, farming, heritage and memories, events from the past, softball, and even recipes.

The main focus in the chapter on townships is Bath, plus references to nearby Bancroft, Geneva and Riceland townships.

There are many references to this community&8217;s strong Danish-American heritage, plus confirmation that Clarks Grove was sometimes called Kanalerup or even Kanolerup.

As a bonus, there are four recipes which reflect the community Danish legacy.

They are sod suppe (fruit soup or sweet soup), pivinier, pebbernodder (pepper nuts), and rullepolse.

Copies of the book can be purchased at the Clarks Grove Hardware or the Go-Pher Stop on the east side of Clarks Grove, at the Cup of Faith and Addie&8217;s Floral and Gifts in Albert Lea, or from a member of the book committee.

The society members who served on the book committee were Phyllis Hanson, Everett Jensen, Kathy Jensen, Warren Jensen and Elzo Peterson.

They gave special thanks to Jensales Inc. of Manchester who gave great assistance in the preparation and printing of this book. Special thanks also goes to Marvel Belser who typed the manuscript for the book.

Advertising sales were handled by Eldert DeRaad, Adrian Jensen, Ray Hanson and Roger Thompson.

The following people from the past and present, plus two newspapers, contributed material for this book: Albert Lea Tribune, Shirley Chase, Ellendale Eagle, Paul Hanson, Phillip and Verdelle Hansen, Phyllis Hanson, Everett Jensen, Kathy Jensen, Margaret Jensen, Warren Jensen, Keno Knutson, Tom Lang, Maurine Larson, Sue Hanson Mattson, Alvin Nelson, Ardys Nelson, Marie Nelson, Truman Nelson, Ray Porter Jr., Dr. Earl and Bev Thompson, Walter Scott, Mary Slette, Janis Lageson Steinmann, Marian Thompson, and Richard Wayne.

There&8217;s still another way these books can be ordered.

&8220;They can contact me by e-mail, snail mail, or telephone and I&8217;ll get the book (or books) out to them,&8221; was the comment of Warren Jensen.

His e-mail address is: warbux@deskmedia.com. The mailing address is 1709 Hale Drive, Albert Lea. And his telephone number is 373-9044.

The books are $20 each, or two for $40, three for $60, four for $80, five for $95, and six for $115, and the shipping is free on the six. Those shipping charges are one for $4.50, two for $9, three, four or five for

$11, and free for quantities over six, according to Warren.

He emphasized that the proceeds from this book are going for a specific purpose with this comment:

&8220;The club officers are urgently trying to finance a building to house and display the ever increasing number of artifacts we are accumulating. Of course, donations are always welcome. If you are willing to contribute to the society&8217;s &8216;cause,&8217; your check will certainly be welcome and appreciated.&8221;