• The Carroll Home, 2780 W Hwy. 30, Ellendale — Memories. They’re strong when one thinks of “Kernie’s” or the “Whispering Pines” supper club. Kernie’s was built in 1947 and celebrated their grand opening in 1948. Alvin W. “Kernie” and his wife Luella Jensen first opened the Ellendale café in 1945 and ran it until 1947. Kernie’s became a very popular place and became too small to hold all of its visitors. In 1958, the Sycamore Room was added. Many enjoyed top name entertainment like Louise Mandrell, Williams and Rae and Del Reeves in the Epicurean Room, added in 1979.
Whispering Pines closed its doors for the final time in the late 1990s. In 2000, the Carroll family bought the place and began the 10-year remodeling project to make it their home. Finishing up as this article is written, the home’s main floor boasts 4980 square feet of open living space. In that space is a large open kitchen, dining room and sunken living room. The living room was the original dance floor. This area was the original Kernie’s.
There are three spacious bedrooms, one of which is a master suite with a fireplace and walk-in closet. This area was the Sycamore Room. The great room remains mostly all open with a dividing wall and an entertainment center and view-through fireplace. This area is used largely for entertaining the kids with a pool table, ping pong table and foosball table. Also in this space is the sunken office. This space was known as the Epicurean room.
The overall look of the home is mixed with mostly ash and a bit of oak being used in the Kernie’s end of the home. The Sycamore area features mostly oak. The look of the Epicurean room is rustic with pine and a rusty tin ceiling. In the Epicurean room is also a display of Kernie’s memorabilia. There are menus from way back, old place mats, a salt and pepper shaker, a glass, an old ash tray and old newspaper clippings. The Carrolls continue to receive items from former diners of Kernie’s and would welcome more if any are willing to part with them.
• The Nelson Home, 104 N 6th St., Ellendale — This is a custom built home that was constructed in 1993 after several years of planning. The home is decorated in an eclectic style with many family heirlooms throughout.
The entryway leads into the living room, which features vaulted ceilings with arched windows overlooking the deck accented with antiqued stain glass lanterns. Glass French doors open to the parlor, with one of the home’s three Christmas trees. The formal dining room (as well as others throughout the home) are accentuated by flanking columns and leaded glass windows which were designed and crafted by Dan's father, Clayton Nelson.
Centrally located, the kitchen provides easy access to a cozy porch, which is a perfect spot to sit and enjoy a glass of lemonade on a summer day. The master bedroom features a sitting area with French doors to the deck and full bath with whirlpool tub. Also on the main floor: a guest room, complete with bath, as well as a laundry room, which contains Dan's collection of vintage clothes hangers.
The lower level is perfect for entertaining friends. Throughout the room you may enjoy Dan's other interests, including Mickey Mouse, the Titanic, celebrity autographs and historical Ellendale memorabilia. This level also includes a vintage decorated full bath with pressed copper ceiling.
Dan looks forward to sharing his home with each of the Historical Holiday House Tour visitors.
• The Mollenhauer Home, 10283 County Road 3, Owatonna
• The Noble Home, 11430 SE 14th Ave., Blooming Prairie
In Owatonna:
• The Dunnell House, 1448 Austin Road
• The Bentley Home, 503 South Elm
• The Jensen Home, 906 South Grove
Advance tickets for the house tour are $10 each and are available at Kottke Jewelers and the SCHS office, or Steve’s Meat Market in Ellendale. They are also available at the homes on the day of the tour for $12.
All proceeds from Christmas in the Village benefit the Steele County Historical Society.
For more information about Christmas in the Village or SCHS please, call 451-1420 and ask for Laura or Dodie.
