Residents Line Streets in Cannon Falls to Catch Glimpse of President Obama

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Residents and staff at the Volunteers of America Angels Care Center lined up out front of their building in Cannon Falls on Monday, welcoming President Obama and observing cars trying to get into the speaking event at the Cannon Falls fairgrounds.

“I dressed up special for the president,” said resident Clara Samuelson, who recently turned 100 years old.

Samuelson said she remembers that a president did come to Cannon Falls—where she’s lived her entire life—when she was a little girl. But she was hoping to see Obama today, as she sat outside the Angels Care Center.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said of Obama coming to Cannon Falls, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “It’s wonderful to be alive and enjoy this.”

Resident Donald Krause, who long ago was a state legislator representing parts of Goodhue County, said he was curious why the Obama administration chose Cannon Falls for a stop along the tour.

“I’ve never seen a real live president,” he said. But he said while he’d like to see one in his lifetime, “they’re human beings just like the rest of us.”

Krause said it seems like Obama is trying hard at his job, but that he wasn’t sure how he was going to control the deficit and revive the economy. He said that, in his opinion, it was World War II that turned the country around after the Great Depression and Works Progress Administration efforts.

“It’s a sad thing to say,” he said.

But for other residents more focused on today’s event, the attitude was largely positive.

“I think it’s a great tradition,” said resident Betty Johnson, who is originally from Hastings. “Nobody thinks about small towns.”