A Lesson from the Corn Palace
When the idea of a corn palace spread to Mitchell, South Dakota, it took root. Mitchell residents built their first corn palace in 1892, when it was a twelve-year-old city with 3,000 residents. The building they currently decorate each year was constructed in 1921. It is not only a tourist attraction, but also a venue for activities as diverse as concerts, meetings, graduations, and basketball tournaments. Inside is a timeline of its long history, including photos of many famous people who have performed there — people as diverse as comedians Bob Hope and Red Skelton, band leader Lawrence Welk, and country singers The Oak Ridge Boys.
When we were there on October 31, folks were erecting inflatables for a local church which was hosting a community event for children.
The massive corn artwork inside and out is impressive. Each year the Corn Palace Committee selects a theme and spends $130,000 implementing their plan. As you can see in the photo below, workers create the designs by nailing up corn cobs which have been cut in half lengthwise.
They use twelve different shades of corn and trim the designs with rye, sour dock, grasses, and milo.
The effect is stunning.
I am thankful to have been able to visit the Corn Palace again this year and to have shared the experience with our daughter and her family. However, I am glad that this was not my only visit there, because, although the overall effect this year was beautiful, just as it has been before, I was disappointed with the theme, which you can see best in this photo.
The images of Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, and other musical giants were well done, but the words “Rock of Ages” are too precious to me for me to be comfortable seeing them used for Rock ‘n Roll. I grew up singing:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee . . . .
I love the second and third verses, especially:
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
Seeing the words “Rock of Ages” on the Corn Palace this year reminded me of an advertisement we had seen for baked goods earlier in our trip. The ad, a take-off on “Thank Heaven,” encouraged us to “Thank Oven.”
During this week of Thanksgiving, let’s cling to the Rock of Ages and thank our Father who is in Heaven.
The Lord is my rock
and my fortress
and my deliverer,
My God, my rock,
in whom I take refuge;
My shield and
the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2