Subject: SHIVERCITY GAZETTE
02/23/06 THURSDAY
EARLY EDITION
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Todays Gazette is being brought to you, in part, by Hewitt Motor
Co of Minto.
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The current temperature is 6 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 26/-9
Normal H/L temp for this date is 25/7
I shovelled another inch of Frosty's arms and legs of the driveway
again yesterday. The weather man says we're suppose to get use to it
cause the rest of the week will be more of the same.
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"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
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L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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The new sign is up, and it's a honey. Bright red and yellow are
the dominating colors, and, it says,... Red's ---- Bar and Grill, Family
Dinning. Rumor has it the doors will open this Friday. I wouldn't be
surprised if the write up isn't in Wednesdays Record, the one I get in
Thursdays mail. Anyway, I wish Stan and the entire Pastorek organization
the very best in their new venture.
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Minto business man H. H. Hewitt announced he was retiring from the
Ford and Allis Chalmers Dealership in Minto on January 1 with a giant
used car clearance sale. That was in 1955, so I'm thinking the sale is
already over.
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Marriage Licenses were issued to Terrance Sobolik and Mildred
Pribula on May 27. One day later, on May 28, Winten Gunderson and Helen
June Groven went in and bought a license to live together for the rest
of their lives as well. Did I mention the year? 1948, I think.
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The other day I mention the Barta boys letter to Santa. It seems
they weren't the only ones using penmanship to their own advantage. ----
Dear Santa: I am 3½ years old and I would like a road grader, and a
gun and holster. My brother would like a truck and some candy. We have
both "tried" to be good boys ---Tommy and Lonnie Lessard. >>> NOT to be
outdone, that note was followed by. --- Dear Santa: I'm 5½ years old.
I would like a walking doll. I have "tried" to be a good girl all year.
Thank you. -- Barbara Ann Lessard <<< I never did hear what Santa
delivered but I could add that the above "children" are first cousins of
mine and when they said "tried" that's probably a reasonable guess on
someones part.
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I am so pleased that some folks are willing to share their
memories of the Fifth Street Arena. Most young folks today, were not
aware that the Arena was used to house WW II prisoners of war. Or that
those prisoners actually worked in "our" fields, Or that many of them
returned to "our" country after the war to live. Tom Hart sent the
following "memories".
Gary,
A couple things that I remember about the Arena. One was the grain
they use to store in it. The mound of grain in the center of the Arena
must have been 15 feet deep. We had a rope tied high in the arch and we
would swing out and drop in the grain. Lots of fun. There is one other
thing I remember, other than skating and playing hockey. The night it
burned I was standing across the street. During the fire a man came out
the front door made a deep bow and returned into the burning Arena. I
was told who the man was at the time, but it has been so long ago and I
just can't remember.
Tom Hart <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Tom. Maybe
someone remembers the name of that person. Sharing ones thoughts and
memories is not only super therapy. It leaves something of value to
those that follow behind.
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I must admit, I read and re-read the next "memory" several times.
Within it, I found fragments and reflections of the reason I started
doing the Gazette in the first place. Bert Overland sent the following
message. >>> Subject: The Old Arena
Hi Gary; Your articles about the old arena brings back lots of memories.
From the age of 6 years and on all the "Eastside" kids that wanted to
could play rinkrat hockey (one "westsider" -- Arlen Thorstenson) and
then it was our duty to scrape and flood the ice with hot water after
every use, sweep and clean the arena as needed. Bob (blacksmith) Barr,
Stub Colsen, Benjamin Nelson and Juni Gjersvold were in charge. Some of
the Rinkrats were Doug (Swaybone) Swanson and brother Calvin, Norley
Nelson, Donald Sandvig, Walter Gjersvold, Norbert & Russel Hanson, Arlen
Thorstenson, Bob Oihus, Paul Johnson, Chuck Papenfuss, several I can't
remember, myself and brother Kenley. Every once in a while, after
flooding the evening ice, Stub Colsen, Bob Barr and Everett Nelson would
take all of us to Pap's Tavern and treat us to a hamburger, what a treat
that was and it was always done by surprise. The hamburgers were $.10 My
only regrettable memory was the night Amedy and Gene LaBlanc, Ronnie
Graves, Russel and Norbert Hanson, my brother Kenley and myself were
walking home after playing WWD. There had just been a "Days of Forty
Nine" celebration and the arena was full of trash not yet cleaned up.
There were small windows on the front foundation and we saw orange light
in them, it was flickering. It looked like a fire but we were afraid to
report it, the reason was that the fire department and police were after
people following them to the fire in their cars, threatening a fine. If
it wasn't a fire we would be in trouble. We waited until we were sure it
was a fire and then ran into the old McFarland Hotel, next to Bars
Blacksmith shop, and told someone. But by that time it was much to late.
I have always wondered if we hadn't waited if the arena would have been
saved from total distruction. I have never told any one about our
hesitation and delay before. <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing
Bert. I guessing, even after all these years, it's somewhat of a relief
for you to share those thoughts with others. In all likelyhood, "we",
the arena, and the entire area faired better that the building was
completely destroyed. I've been told, by several who have suffered
significant fire damage. Unless fire damage is minimal, in most cases
it's best for everyone, except insurance companies, if the structure
burns to the ground. It saddens me when I look at the list of
individuals you mention and realize that many of then are no longer here
to "share their memories".
I have learned that memories tend to differ between people.
That doesn't reflect inaccuracy in the event. Rather a different
prospective of the event, highlighted, in that moment in time.
It is my hope, that "our" Gazette family members can find some
solace in the thoughts and memories shared in the Gazette. And, that
they can find value and self satisfaction in caring and sharing a part
of their lives with others.
You can find several "early" editions of the Gazette, packet full
of babble and misspelled words, at newsfromgrafton.com Please feel free
to comment, correct or add to that verbage.
I would appreciate your coments and suggestions about the website.
Gary
+++++++++++++++
Have I mentioned the MEGA RAFFLE?
(((((( Grafton = Youth = Hockey ))))))
In conjunction with Grafton Blueline Club. =======
MEGA RAFFLE =======
###### $ 33,625.00 ######
cash and prizes + 1 in 15 chance to win 1 st -- 2006 Harley
Davidson Sportster
2 nd -- Arctic Cat ATV-400 4X4
3 rd -- Cub Cadet RZT50 Riding Mower
4 th -- Maytag Neptune Washer & Dryer
+++ plus 36 other prizes including cash prizes. Minimum prize is
$100 cash.
Total of 40 prizes awarded
Drawing held on March 18, 2006
Winner is responsible for applicable Tax Purchase of ticket not
charitable donation
Need not be present when you win
Tickets are only $100, and, unlike the Lottery with 1 chance
in 160 million to win. This drawing affords you a 1 chance in 15 to win.
Some lucky person will be able to ride that Harley Sporster to Grafton
next summer for the summerfeast and High School Class Reunions.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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The Gazette works best, when the folks that read it, write it. Or
so it seems to me.
Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they are,
before it's too late.
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