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The Brownsdale Study Club met on Tuesday, June 17, with Therese Manggaard hosting.  Rena Perrigo, president, called the meeting to order with all members answering to the roll call.  Following the recitation of the Collect, minutes of the previous month’s meeting were read and approved, as was the treasurer’s report.

In old business, the tabled discussion about what to do for this year’s special outing came to light, again. It seems the organization has targeted  attending a theater production of some sort. The Commonweal Theater in Lanesboro, the Opera House in Mantorville, Summerset Theater at Riverland Community College and the Marion Ross Center for the Performing Arts in Albert Lea were mentioned.  Therese offered to explore the  up-coming performances and report her findings at next month’s meeting.

There was no new business and no announcements.  Rena called for a motion to adjourn the meeting and the motion was made by Shelley Vogel and seconded by Barb Swanson.

In presenting the Main Topic, Rena shared The Mystery Letter, published in 2016.

It seems that a letter, addressed to no one in particular, rested in the post office box of former and long-time Brownsdale resident,  Mary Gallaher, asking for any information about the Brown brothers who incorporated the village of Brownsdale.  Sisters Roberta Weaber and Gail Yering, descendants of Andrew Denison Brown and his brother Hosmer A. Brown were compiling a family genealogy and wanted to know as much about their ancestors as they could.  The postmaster in Brownsdale believed Mary Gallaher would be a good source to contact.  Hence, the mysterious letter was placed in her Post Office box.

It appears that the Brown Brothers arrived in what is now the village of Brownsdale in 1856 from Mystic, Connecticut.  The intent of the brothers was to establish a sawmill on the banks of a creek just north of town. With a homestead plot and land purchased from a private owner, the brothers compiled 150 acres. Having an abundance of timber to the west of the village, the brothers, along with partner John L. Johnson, became successful businessmen. Andrew D. Brown lived to the age of 90 and died in 1922.  Hosmer A. Brown lived to the age of 92 and died in 1922. Both brothers are buried in the Brown Cemetery located in northwest Brownsdale.

Before Therese served a scrumptious blueberry and rhubarb crisp, Mary Kidwiler-Moritz chose, for the outside reading,  10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain.  Among the 10:  1) Challenge your mind. 2) Get moving with exercise. 3) Be smoke-free. 4) Maintain a healthy weight. And 5) Incorporate quality sleep.  July’s meeting will be hosted by Shelley.   Submitted by Secretary Mary Kidwiler-Moritz