Atlanta Sampson, Artist

Greetings from within the PRE-Christmas frenzy!

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Here's notice of an upcoming POST-Christmas event (click to enlarge for easier reading):

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For a long time, I've meant to do a post about artist Atlanta Constance Sampson, but just never got around to it. Its been my privilege in life to make the acquaintance of her nephew, Fred Langrock, who operates the Unionhurst Gallery and Museum in Toeterville, Iowa, where his aunt's artwork is displayed and sold. Here's link to

a brief bio of Atlanta Sampson........her story is rather amazing; she wasn't "discovered" until she was past 90 years old! Her life is a study in perseverance and marching to the beat of one's own drum. Oh, to be so constituted.

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[Don't recoil in horror, but I sometimes ALMOST envy my friends who never married, who are free to live their lives as they please. Gasp! As much as I love my husband and children, this farm wife and mother gig has threatened physical and mental exhaustion for the past 25 years or so, and I sometimes wonder, "When and where did I sign up for this?" The answer is: when I signed my marriage certificate......I guess. But, no.....it was before that, when I listened intently to my parents reiterate that getting married and raising a family is the most important thing one can ever do........yeah, I fell for it......hook, line and sinker. Like the majority of people do and are meant to do. Sorry to vent here, but its the only place to do it. Most likely, NONE of you have ever felt like this, so my apologies for writing these depressing thoughts.]

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A variety of artistic giftedness runs in Atlanta Sampson's family. Her nephew Fred is blessed with musical talents---I met him when he was the instrumental music instructor at our Lutheran school. Before that he was for many years the band director at schools in Forest City, Iowa. He was "retired" when he taught at our Lutheran school, and since "retiring" from that position, he continues to operate the art gallery in Toeterville, travels (his Christmas card photo shows him in Prague), and is a member of the "New Horizons Band" in Cedar Falls. Fred can play any instrument, and I think he's playing saxophone in the band right now. He also directs a church choir in Austin, Minnesota.

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Along with his artistic talents, Fred is gifted with cheerfulness, good humor, and down-to-earthness; it was always a pleasure to visit with him, and I miss our conversations, as our paths rarely cross anymore. He is interesting AND is interested in everything---very special qualities! A remarkable thing about him is that he appears and acts young (he's in his early 70's), a trait which may run in his family tree. Fred's mother, Myrtella, lived to be 100, and when I attended her funeral in Toeterville several years ago, while viewing the casket, I was struck by how young she looked; she could have been 70. Perhaps her appearance was due to skilled funeral directors, but I have a hunch that the trait simply runs in the family. Maybe its a Scandinavian thing......they settled in far northern Iowa and up into Minnesota. Everybody in my world---me included---is of German, or Irish, or English descent.......mostly shorter, stouter, older-looking-sooner, older-acting folks, with a few tall, kiddish ones thrown in here and there for good measure.

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To get back on to the post's subject: I believe Fred told me that his mother, Myrtella (she and Atlanta were sisters), could play piano by ear, and blessed others with her ivory-tickling abilities throughout her life, and played hymns in the nursing home until near the time of her death. When she was young, Myrtella played piano in a family band which performed at dance halls in the area. Later, she organized a church band in Toeterville, to provide special music in the church and community. She also was an accomplished woodworker, creating wall hangings and furniture. (Obviously, I still have Myrtella's obit on file.) Wow......can you see the creative giftedness flowing in this family tree!

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Oddly enough, I recall the day Atlanta Sampson passed away.......I was one of the chaparones along on my daughter's 8th grade class trip to Minneapolis. Fred was along, too, to help steer us country bumpkins around the big city. We were all just about to step on board the Paddleford Packet Boat for a tour to St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River. Right then, Fred received an emergency phone call saying his Aunt Atlanta was near death's door.......and he took his leave of us. Atlanta had resided in a nursing home for a several years, and each time Fred visited her he would take along a stack of prints for her to sign, to try and get as many done as possible before she passed on.

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As stated in the above blue announcement---which was included in Fred's Christmas card---there is an Open House at Unionhurst Gallery in Toeterville on December 27, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be performances by local musicians and wine tasting from a local winery. Located just south of the Minnesota border, tiny Toeterville, Iowa, is just east of Highway 218, north of St. Ansgar, Iowa. Its about 1-1/2 hours from where I live........I'd like to go, but probably won't......then, again, if I'm feeling adventurous and the weather is decent, I just might make the trip! If you happen to be in the Toeterville vicinity that day......stop in at the gallery! (The name "Toeterville" is amusing to me---it sounds and looks like something from a Dr. Seuss book, and I envision everyone there walking around on their tippy-toes!) Fred told me once that a Toeter family descendant from Germany visited Toeterville during an annual summer celebration several years ago.)

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By the bye, Atlanta Sampson's website is attached to the site of

"Six Mile Grove", a country-rock band from southern Minnesota.......two members are named Sampson and are relatives of Fred's........the artistic and musical gifts just keep on keepin' on. The name "Six Mile Grove" comes from the name of the Lutheran church Myrtella and Atlanta attended as children, in the countryside north of Toeterville. The Lutheran church I attend is known locally as simply "The Klinger Church", and Fred told me that it is very similar to the "Six Mile Grove" church. (Hmm......"Six Mile Grove" sounds better as a band's name than "Klinger" would!)

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