Faith & daily life
At the heart of our faith is the belief that God meets us where we are in all the places and relationships in
which we live, work, play and relate. We pray, support and encourage one another as we grow deeper in faith
and learn to trust God with our whole lives. Some of us are new on the journey; others have been at it for
a while. All of us can find inspiration and hope in the stories of our fellow travelers. FAITH & DAILY LIFE will
be featured monthly with stories of God at work in YOUR life.
Sam the Spoon Ring Man
by Heidi Peterson
One would not suspect that selling wares at the Minnesota State Fair would lend
itself to developing relationships and making a difference in people’s lives, but
after 44 years of selling at our Simonson Family jewelry booth, we have come to
see the profound impact kindness can have.
Simonson/Peterson Family at their State
Fair booth in the West End Market.
What has come
to amaze us is the
depth of relationship
that comes when
we simply talk to
customers and treat
them with love and
kindness.
4
Since 1975, our family has spent a significant amount of time annually in our
booth. Fair days are over 14 hours each for 12 straight days. Sam and June
(Mom and Dad) started it all in 1971 with spoon jewelry and beaded earrings
and necklaces to supplement the family income. All 6 of us Simonson kids
were involved, and the hobby has evolved into a family affair which includes
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends who come from all around
the country to help during the flurry that is Fair time. Our booth has become a
wonderful family bonding experience where cousins and friends become as close
as siblings, and aunts and uncles become second parents.
What has come to amaze us is the depth of relationship that comes when we
simply talk to customers and treat them with love and kindness. Dad is a
magnet for conversation and quickly becomes everyone’s best friend as he shows
genuine interest and care to every individual with whom he interacts. We hear
life stories every day over our counter and lend listening ears to tales of sorrow
and distress, joy and celebration. Simonsons’ Jewelry has become people’s
tradition, their favorite booth, and the place to find their “must have” item to
bring home. After 40+ years, we have grown to know our customers who return
faithfully year after year. We have watched children grow up and return with
their own babies to see Sam the Spoon Ring Man or to buy their favorite jewelry.
Young couples are thrilled to have Dad make their wedding rings for them.
Customers cry tears of joy when they see that “the old guy” is still alive and
kicking. (Really! They do!) People are genuinely thankful for being treated with
kindness and having us take an interest in them.
All this quite remarkably comes from a simple jewelry business, built on a
foundation of deep faith and the life of grace and joy that Mom and Dad lived.
They loved their neighbors…and their customers… as themselves, and we
continue to strive to keep that tradition alive as we embrace our Fair family.