By Lea Ann Goertz Lee
Rockne correspondent

On most days, Henry’s Place in “downtown” Rockne stands quiet and empty, serving as a reminder of times past when locals gathered there to play dominoes and chat about farming, the weather, and all things important to rural life.
On Christmas day the place came alive again with the sounds of singing, laughing and dominoes clicking. Ann and Cleo Beck and their family welcomed friends with a large table of food and Christmas decorations everywhere, such as the giant Santa that greets people at the door. Ann is the daughter of Henry and Velma Ott, who bought Henry’s Place in 1968. Since Henry’s death in 1997, the place has been closed except for private parties.
Besides the two or three serious-looking domino games going on, people dropped by Henry’s on Christmas to visit, eat, play guitars, dance and sing Christmas carols. Steve Meuth even treated folks to a song he wrote called “Henry’s Place” which captures the atmosphere perfectly:

Just past the S curve on FM 535
You’ll see the crowd and that old tavern’s Christmas lights
Where people of all ages come to celebrate
That special Christmas feeling there at Henry’s place

Inside old friends and families come to congregate
To share a drink and eat and dance the night away
They’re rattlin’ dominoes and passin’ guitars around
And all hope tonight is not the night the floor gives out.

And they’ll start the night a singin’ “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night”
And later on they’ll break into “Kawliga” and “Fraulein”
And as the night grows shorter, they’ll sing “Why Me Lord” and “Amazing
Grace”
And then unplug the Christmas lights at Henry’s Place

They’ll sing “Away in a Manger” and “The First Noel”
Then break into the “Milk Cow Blues” and “Mansion on the Hill”
And as the night grows short, they’ll sing “I Saw the Light” and
“Amazing Grace”
And then unplug the Christmas lights at Henry’s Place

And at night’s end, they’ll sing “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing
Grace”
And then unplug the Christmas lights at Henry’s Place

Domino Tournament

On Saturday, Jan. 16, Henry’s will have a domino tournament beginning at 12:30 p.m. Those wishing to enter should be there by noon to sign up and bring their own partner. The entry fee is $5 and food will be available. Come and have a good time and experience Henry’s for yourself!

Christmas homecoming
Richard and Patsy Hoffman were blessed to have their son Toby and his wife Katrina home for Christmas from Muscat, Oman, just northeast of Saudi Arabia. Toby has been living and working there this year as a technical sales representative for Smith International, a company that makes drill bits for oil wells. He and Katrina were happy to be home for about seven days to visit family and friends before heading back just after Christmas.