Lake Co. Past: Aug. 17

Talk about it

100 years ago, 1912

Market place provided

The proposition of the Commercial Club to have the Woodward lots west of the city hall cleared up and leveled off preparatory to making a farmer’s market has been carried out. Sheds for the display and sale of farm products will be erected. Hitching posts have been provided, a water-trough installed and other provisions made for the accommodation of the farmers who come to the city with products to sell.

Fish and blueberries

Eagle Nest Lake, seven miles east of here on the D & IR line was visited by a large number of people last Sunday, some going there for the fishing and others for the blueberries which are said to be unusually plentiful thereabouts. Most of those about the lake were from Two Harbors, the early morning train bringing up two coaches full of visitors from that city.

75 years ago, 1937

Trip advances light 36 hours

The resumption of electric power at the city plant was advanced by at least 36 hours by virtue of the trip made by Lloyd Gow and Wallace Freeman to the Allis Chalmers plant at Milwaukee for parts which, had they not gone, would have not been shipped until Monday. The damage to the plant by a bolt of lightning caused power outages throughout the city. The DM & IR generators have been supplying power since the storm and but for the railroad would have left the city in darkness for 17 days.

Slot machines pay big pot

The claim that one cannot beat a slot machine was disproved Sunday night when three machines at the Essen tavern “spit”, “spit” and “spit”. But the players, unknown to either the owners or the police, had a “system”. They entered the back door after the place was closed and picked up the machines and carried them away. The odds of winning the jack pot was 1000 to 1; carting them away paid off for now.

50 years ago, 1962

Verbascum phlomoldes

The Latin name for a plant that Thomas J. Varga has been raising in his yard in Segog from seeds imported from Yugoslavia. Rare in our country, the plants are over a hundred inches in height and according to Thomas they are still growing. During the second year that the plants bloom with yellow blossoms, the oil they produce is used for medicinal purposes in treating cuts or can be brewed into tea.

Heading to the state fair?

A star studded program will present well known stars supported by outstanding variety acts and colorful fireworks displays this year at the Minnesota State Fair. Highlighters for the evening performances include Dennis Day, Jane Russell and Jimmy Dean. Until then, however, join the Crazy Daze merchants in Two Harbors for some of the most outlandish bargains ever: Records, $1.88; Ice cream, 65 cents a gallon; BBQ beef sandwich, 50 cents; coffee, 5 cents a cup, 2 cents a saucer; swim caps, $1.69; popsicles, 3 cents each.

25 years ago, 1987

“Woodbutcher” Borgen breaks new ground

At the young age of 88, Thor Borgen had a new workshop built to house his “retirement industry” of woodturning. Offering a large variety of hand-turned wooden items for gifts or personal use, Thor says his salad bowls are made with consumer’s interests in mind. The salad bowl design is simple and effective: the folk follows the curved side of the bowl up to the lip, which drops the last piece of salad onto the fork where it belongs. “You don’t have to use your fingers to finish your salad with my bowls.”

Persistence pays for young artist

Before she turned 6, Kimberly Fenstad had realized a dream that some artists never fulfill; she saw one of her drawings published in a national magazine. Kimberly is one of a handful of children who had art work published in the September issue of Highlights for Children. Kimberly, of Silver Bay, came up with the idea of submitting her drawing on her own, states now that she is older she can draw much better and will do so again!

Hopper watch lookout

As a footnote to the last issues note about O.M. Hopper and Sons offering of a watch drop for the county fair, we are wondering if anyone might have one of those old watches stashed away somewhere. If so, please let us know!

Tags: lake county past, life