Husband and wife musical team Al and Nancy Jensen took part in the end of the year musical round-up at the Harkin Store.

NEW ULM — The Harkin Store gave a final Blue Grass musical round-up to cap off the 2018 season.

Each year, the historic Harkin Store closes shop in late October with one last musical performance. Harkin Store favorite Lonesome Ron of Mankato always takes part in the show and usually brings musician friends along. This year he invited fellow musicians Chris Walenhuk, Bruce Boldt, Al Jensen and Nancy Jensen.

Al and Nancy Jensen are a husband and wife duo. He plays guitar while she plays the flute. They have joined Lonesome Ron for the end of the year jamboree for the last five years.

Boldt was another returning regular. He is a member of the Prairie Wind Folk Music and Bluegrass Association. Bluegrass fans are encouraged to look his music up on YouTube.

Walenhuk is new to the Harkin Store. He plays together with Lonesome Ron in the “Bully Pulpit Bluegrass” band. Walenhuk played the mandolin during Sunday’s performance. Walenhuk said he started as a guitar player but took up the mandolin a few years ago. He felt it was easy to learn because of the logical layout of the fret board.

The group of five entertained the crowds gathered on the Harkin Store porch and even answered questions about their music.

The Sunday programing closed off an unusual year for the Harkin Store. Due to the road construction at the Highway 14/15 interchange and a cutback in the hour of operation at the site, the Harkin Store saw a sharp drop in traffic this season.

Weather was a factor as well. The season started cold, then became extremely warm and then went cold again. Site Manager Ruth Grewe said she needed to shovel snow off the steps the previous weekend.

Last year people from all but four states visited the store, but this year only people from 36 states made it. The international visits remain impressive. In July, the Harkin Store welcomed visitors from Taiwan, Belgium and New Zealand.

Another bright part of the year is the return of several Harkin descendants. Great-great grandchildren and other relatives of Harkin Store founders Alexander and Janet Harkin came to visit the store by the dozens this year.

Staff member Robin Grewe said it was impressive how many of the relatives carry on the Harkin name since Alexander and Janet had daughters. The Harkin name is carried on as a middle name or even a first name.

The family members return to the Harkin Store because it is a great way to learn about their family history. Ruth Grewe has been researching this history for years and she is able to set the record straight.

The Harkin Store will remain closed for the rest of they year, but will reopen in May 2019.