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CULTURAL
The cultural aspect of Turner life is very important to us.
Always playing a major roll within every Turner society since their
beginnings in America, it has evolved into something quite American.
Originally the aim was to keep the German traditions alive and
prepare for the day when the Turners would return and overthrow the
barons they fled from in 1848. As time wore on, the Turners
came to love their new country and the freedom it offered.
They fought valiantly for their beliefs and their new country in the
American Civil War and the thought of return to Germany became more
and more remote.
Some of the early society's buildings were financed by singing
groups, performing public concerts as a means to raise money.
There are still Turner societies that continue this tradition.
Public speaking is encouraged for all ages in all societies, as is scholarship
and craftsmanship for "A Sound Mind" is a very important half of the
Turner Motto.
Cultural competitions are held annually on the local and regional levels
and every four years at a National Festival. This includes
fine art, paintings in watercolor, oil and acrylics, woodcarvings,
both machine and hand-sewn items. Crafts of all kinds and
every imaginable hobby that people could be involved in, doll
collections, stamp and coin collections, etc. There is
also a section for Performance Arts which includes singing, dancing
and oratory.
Photos from the 2007 National Festival
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