During December, the Great River Regional Library celebrates Short Story Writing Month (ShoStoWriMo). Teens and adults could enter in their unique stories about this historical image from the Stearns History Museum. We asked writers to compose their stories in only 33 words (since we have 33 locations), making it a real short story challenge!
Thank you to all who participated and enjoyed the challenge.
Here are the story submissions for you to read and enjoy:
We would have to be rescued by boat after our cabin burnt to the ground. Luckily, our neighbors were able to rescue us and row us to the mainland. We lost so much! - Karen W., adult from Delano
This is what it is to love: You say yes, of course. You tuck your hair beneath your hat. You float to the middle of the lake. You do not bring a paddle. - Sophia W., adult from Delano
Here I am with three good looking fellows. Now which one will I marry, Tom Dick or Harry? What a dilemma to be in, and I am loving every second of this day. - Deborah L., adult from Annandale
I am having a lovely time with these three good looking fellows. Which one should I pick for a husband? Tom, Dick or Harry, such a dilemma. I Love it. - Deborah L., adult from Annandale
Peacefully gliding along the water, when suddenly a stong wind came up. A storm was brewing. "Let us get to shore!" The boat was toppled, all were soaked but grateful memories were made! - Nita D., adult from Saint Cloud
On quiet Sunday mornings we watched the birds fly over the silver lake. The birds curiously stared back. Shadows reflected glimmering on still water. It happened only yesterday. Sounds of wings and longing. -Olivia W., adult from Saint Cloud
On a sunshine-filled day, we rowed across a calm Mississippi. My lovely wife and I, with our Son and Grandpa John, realized, it truly was a beautiful way to spend time with family. - Kelly C., adult from Saint Cloud
In 1960, the Skluzaceks went for a boat ride after church on Lake Koronis, but became stranded. A newspaper reporter rescued them but not before snapping a photo of their predicament. - Dale K., adult from Howard Lake
The Gunderson secret fishing hole was a deeply held secret. Cane poles were quickly hid as a stranger approached, for Lars was sitting on a 26” walleye on the bottom of the canoe. - David W., adult from Monticello
After the Thanksgiving meal, the Gustafson siblings decided to paddle the cold lake. Mom pushed them off, without paddles. Immediately the siblings new they should’ve never said her turkey was “A Bit Dry”. -- David W., adult from Monticello
Gallagher siblings had not been together for some time. This day they gathered for their father’s funeral. It was a day of sadness and fond memories of trips boating on the Clearwater River. - Deborah D., adult from Saint Michael
We went on a boatride at aragain lake. Suddenly I noticed their is a steep drop in the water! I read the name of the lake backwards! It was really Niagara Falls. - Shayda V., teen from Saint Cloud
I went on a boatride because my girlfriend of 2 weeks broke up with me, I sad. Then my friends told me my girlfriend was in the water but it was a hippo. - John L., teen from Saint Cloud
When your at school and someone says your crush is behind you. - Shayda V., teen from Saint Cloud
My three brothers and I were eager to try out Pete’s handcrafted boat. First impression: it was a tight fit! After Dad pushed us off the shore we discovered we forgot the oars. - Mary Beth M., adult from Elk River
As they looked back toward the shore the 4 accomplices were disgusted to see the very soggy purple hat floating on the water. No other sign of Jane Armstrong remained to be seen. - Cindy B., adult from Swanville
“What are you doing?” asked Annabelle from the shore as her husband and friends departed. “There’s a cow who’s been heckling me and we are going to negotiate land boundaries!” - Andrew Z., adult from Saint Cloud
It was a chilly autumn morning and our paddles were gone. Legless Bob had thrown them into the reeds after being relentlessly teased that his arms could reach the water easier than ours. - Eric D., adult from Saint Michael
It was a Sunday afternoon. The sky was gray and the water was calm. There was a chill in the air shared by the warmth of family enjoying nature's beauty. Life was good. - Kathy C., adult from Annandale
The newlywed couple was shocked when the dark-suited criminals crashed their boat ride, but the goons were kind enough to share their flasks, and don't we all need to escape every so often? - Lisa V., adult from Saint Cloud
Ma and Pa Kettle are taking Larry and his other brother Larry across the lake to go eat at Fazzoli’s. Then they will go to Media Play and finish with supper at Blimpie’s. - Jane A., adult from Saint Cloud
“Say Frank, your sister kills two birds with one stone.” Frank said nothing. “I thought… you’d want to come,” she said. “He’s just sour, May.” “I ain’t sour — just crowded.” “Hey’a! Photograph!” - James C., adult from Saint Cloud
"It will be spiritual and moving," the young pastor said so we warily drifted across the lake for a Sunday service like none before. My sister, being of little faith, was not amused. - Steve H., adult from Sauk Centre
A beautiful afternoon to paddle across the river. However, the oars fell out of the boat, drifted with the current, and the crew waited for a passing boat to tow them to shore. - Doris T., adult from Pierz
Bud's boat was a temptation too great to pass up. The brothers with Ann rushed and thrust The Paradise into the lake. As the wake weakened the question creeped in, paradise or not? - Amy L., adult from Grey Eagle
The boat rocked only slightly on that clear day, as the water was placid and lethargic. Prissy swept her hat off, allowing the sun to beam on her dark hair. A beautiful day. - Ruby G., teen from Cokato
Every detail had been planned for a day boating on the river. But after pushing off from shore, they realized the oars and picnic basket were still back in the car. OOPS! - Lois R., adult from Albany
WITH GRANDPA, IT WASN'T RELALY FISHIN'... JUST FLOATIN'! NO RODS, NO HOOKS. WE'D SET IN THE BOAT, REAL STILL, AND HUM QUIETLY... AND THE FISH JUMPED RIGHT IN! THUMP... THUMP... FLIP-FLAP-FLOP! -P. Everett S., Delano
The elopement went fine. Her hat was divine. They got hitched with no grief from their mothers. But she didn't know. It came as a blow. The honeymoon included his brothers. -Nan S., Delano
So they took a boat and they used their hands to paddle. And soon they got tired of paddling with their hands. There was no way to get back to their house. -Ellie K., Delano
Those goofs dumped me in Lake Pulaski! Just because I couldn't set my heart to any of them. Luckily, Biff motored up his Chris-Craft. 52 years, 8 children we shared. My Hero!! -Alice S., Delano
Me and Bill and Ted & Ed came up wit a plan to get ALICE to make up her mind. And if she don't... SPLASH! Maybe that ain't too nice, but enough's enough! -Slim S., Delano
Here's just about the spot where Gertrude tossed her ring in. She forgave me, but she wants me to find her diamond. Her brothers are here to make sure I succeed. That's love! -Sven B., Delano
We learned that we couldn't trust Blake
After making such a dummkopf mistake
He lost the only oar
And oh, what a bore
To be stranded on Buffalo Lake
-Ralph E. W., Delano
"Do you see that, kids?" the man leading the tour was pointing towards a strange box with a cylinder. "That there's a camera." The girl peered over the boy's shoulder. "Wow! What does it do?" The man in the back said, "It takes a photo." The boy said, "Maybe someone will find this photo many years from now." The girl smiled and said, "Cheese!" -Rose L., Delano
"A photo, to record your Sunday visit is in order," I said. So, sister and her beau, brother and our dear cousin rowed out just far enough to pose. It was a splendid day! -Mary Jo S., Delano
Fond memories. I was from out of town visiting family for the weekend. I lived nowhere near a river. It being a nice day, we decided to go canoeing on the great Mississippi. -Brandan T., Monticello
The sky may seem gloomy but family matters most. To anchor and have the time to spend with loved ones through the looking glass of the river reflects love, quality of life, kindness. -Christine M., St. Michael
"Yes Mr. Stearns, it's a new popular excursion going by the name 'TEAM BUILDING' where we enjoy working together without ores to get back to shore while remaining entirely dry." - Carla, Becker Public Library
My friend took this photograph after we had decided to go for a ride in the old boat. The overloaded boat tipped over and the only survivor was me, to tell the story. -Bev G., Pierz
No waves, but warm sunshine greeted us upon the lake. We squinted so much, we laughed. Though our laughter was checked when Ben, with his ridiculous camera, tried to take a picture. -Lydia K., St. Cloud
It was a beautiful 70ﾟ day in October 1945. When my wife and her 2 brothers decided to go for a boat ride as the lake was so calm that day. What fun. -Stephen W., Cold Spring
This is the first time on a boat since the Titanic sank beneath us. It reminds us of how we clung to life on the cramped life boar. Bobbing endlessly into the unknown... -Maggie S., Elk River
Her desperate thrashing had finally ceased as she slipped below the surface. It was over. Her children sat calmly until even the water’s surface had grown still again. They were free at last. -Chris K., Becker
The four passengers glanced back as the camera puffed a ceremonial picture. If they had only known what the picture was for they wouldn't have been so keen to enter the open waters. -Maddie J., Annandale
Harvey viewed property he bought, sight unseen, last year. It was under ten feet of water. Then he found the agent who defrauded him, who's still there - also under teen feet of water. - Carol M., Little Falls