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John and Jo Sumwalt dine on the patio of the historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing, Minn., where they spent the first night of their honeymoon 50 years earlier. John Sumwalt says, ‘Nothing has changed, except Jo had to help me out of the bathtub this time.’

John Sumwalt/For Agri-View

John Sumwalt and Joanne Perry are married Aug. 22, 1975, at the United Methodist Church in Viola, Wisconsin.

John Sumwalt/For Agri-View

John Sumwalt dons a comfy St. James Hotel robe and says, ‘I’m keeping this!’ Jo Sumwalt says, ‘No!’

John Sumwalt/For Agri-View

The St. James Hotel’s restaurant patio overlooks the Mississippi River in Red Wing, Minn.

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John and Jo Sumwalt, Leonard and Bernice Sumwalt

John and Jo Sumwalt celebrate their wedding in 1975 with his parents, Bernice and Leonard Sumwalt.

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All four of John and Jo Sumwalt’s grandmothers attend their wedding in 1975. From left to right are Leona Amanda Long, 1887-1992; Nellie Kittle Sumwalt, 1892-1988; Mabel Sommars Hunter, 1897-1985; and Madge Green Perry, 1891- 1986.

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John Sumwalt’s mother, Bernice Long Sumwalt, works in the 1940s at the Badger Ordinance Works near Sauk City, Wisconsin; most eligible men were fighting in World War II. During 33 years the works produced ammunition for World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The Badger Army Ammunition Plant employed more than 23,000 workers.

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Leonard and Bernice Sumwalt with baby John

Leonard and Bernice Sumwalt are married Oct. 16, 1949; little Johnny came along 16 months later, in 1951.

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The new Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minn., is designed by French-architect Jean Nouvel. It opened June 25, 2006, along the Mississippi River in the city’s Mills District.

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John and Jo Sumwalt join Aug. 24 a capacity crowd of 1,100 to see the musical ‘Cabaret’ at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minn. It was 50 years after seeing Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ in the old Guthrie Theater during their honeymoon, Aug. 24, 1975.

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A colorful shoe sculpture stands in the Red Wing City Center.

John Sumwalt/For Agri-View

A farmers market in Red Wing, Minn., is directly behind the St. James Hotel, one block from the Mississippi River.

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Hanging baskets of flowers can be seen throughout the streets of Red Wing, Minn.

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Jo Sumwalt examines a memorial plaque in Levee Park, next to the Mississippi River in Red Wing, Minn.

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Jo Sumwalt strolls along one of the beautiful flower-adorned streets in Red Wing, Minn.

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The Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts is in downtown Red Wing, Minn.

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John Sumwalt says, ‘This display in a small military museum in Red Wing is a grim reminder of the suffering caused by the rise of authoritarian governments, and sets the tone for the musical Cabaret, which we saw the next day at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.’

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The St. James Hotel in Red Wing, Minn., is located within walking distance of the Mississippi River and the steam-boat docks. It opened Thanksgiving Day in 1875; it was soon booked to capacity every night. Luminaries such as President Rutherford B, Hayes were among the more-famous guests. Currently the St. James Hotel is owned by the Red Wing Shoe Company and boasts 113 guest rooms, including luxurious suites and comfortable classic rooms.

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The St. James Hotel lobby welcomes guests in Red Wing, Minn.

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John Sumwalt compares himself to the world’s largest boot in the Red Wing Shoe Museum.

John Sumwalt/For Agri-View

An antique sewing machine is displayed in the Red Wing Shoe Museum; it was used in the first Red Wing Shoe factory, founded by Chares Blackman in 1905.

John Sumwalt/For Agri-View

John Sumwalt For Agri-View

I awoke from a startling dream after the first night of our second honeymoon. We were in the Mark Twain Room at the historic St. James Hotel, which overlooks the Mississippi River in downtown Redwing, Minnesota. My bride, Jo, and I had spent the first night of our honeymoon there exactly 50 years ago.

John Sumwalt new mug 2024 — John Sumwalt

John Sumwalt is a retired pastor and the son of dairy farmers. He is the author of “Shining Moments: Visions of the Holy in Ordinary Lives.” Email johnsumwalt@gmail.com or call 414-339-0676 to reach him, or write to W172 N7735, #932, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.