Evacuated 2011 - Day 78 - Sep 7, 2011

Today we should see some progress. The new beams to replace the damaged load bearing walls are going in. The concrete will perhaps get poured this weekend. I am going to the house all afternoon to finish the garage. Pat and I worked in it all weekend. The south wall has shelving to remove and then the sheetrock and insulation go into the dumpster. When that wall is done,(hopefully by tonite), we will have the dumpster removed for the last time. We filled the big roll-off construction dumpster 6 times. I have an electrician inSt. Cloud looking at the floor plan of the basement and main floor to give me a bid on wiring. They will be in Minot next week to work. I am supposed to have an electrician and a heating/ac guy coming by today to give me an estimate. Most electricians, even the ones advertising for work, do not return calls....
More later

Stevenson's Ladies Store

From the 1932 newspaper found in my house --  On April 14, Stevenson’s was holding a “Style Revue of 1932” at the State Theater on Main Street. Stevenson’s motto was “ When you think coats, think Stevenson’s. Their Tuesday Special in the newspaper included the following: New Famous Name Polo in greens, tans and blues for $14.85…. Paris Chic Dress Coats for $14.85 … and 150 hats specially priced at $1.85. Stevenson’s carried becoming styles for young and old.

Northern States Power Ad

From a 1932 newspaper found in my home – Northern States Power ad – 145 – That was the price of a new  1932 five foot capacity Kelvinator – the best buy in electric refrigeration. Last year’s model was $184.50, this year’s new model is only $145.00. Red Rooster Ad – The Red Rooster was 4 miles west of Minot on Highway 52 (known in more recent times as the 52 Club.) In the paper the band being promoted was “Polly and Her Boyfriends”. Tuesday was ladies night . Ladies free…. Men 50 cents admission. As the ad stated – C U There.

Ellison's Ad - 1932

From 1932 – Ellison’s Advertisement. – Ellison’s, The Fair Department Store had this ad in 1932. Mesh garments for the ladies must have been the style.  Their ad stated – “Mesh has us in its net stronger than ever. It’s invaded practically every summer fashion. We have mesh hose, mesh frocks, mesh gloves and mesh undies. – you’ll find them all at Ellisons.” --  In the ad Ellisons featured Lacey Mesh Sweaters were on sale for $1.00 and $1.95.  Mesh Stockings and mesh gloves  were only $1.oo and mesh undies for $1.00. (They also had mesh undies for 59 cents on the main floor.) Picture below is from the 30's.

Evacuated 2011 - Day 73 - Sep 2, 2011

I met the contractor replaceing the beams. They were ready yesterday so either today or Tuesday after Labor Day the beams will be installed. We have picked out a new door to replace the back door..... It will be here in about 6 weeks. I am going to try to sand down the current door so it will close and hopefully lock. Then we can get rid of my chain that now serves as a lock. The Concrete should get poured by the end of next week if all goes well. The basement will be powerwashed prior to the concrete going in and then the dryers and fans come in to dry it out. The upstairs is pretty well dried out. The guys doing the concrete are going to stamp and stain a design into the basement floor. This should eliminate the need for flooring other than some throw rugs. If weather holds the same concrete company will tear out our patio and replace it.... also stamping in a design and staining it..... depends on price.....
Today could be interesting. The Governor is going to be in Minot and has chosen Eastwood Park to spend about 2 hours talking to residents. I will be at the house by noon... He is to be in the neighborhood between 1:30 and 3:30 today. I met him and his wife when I was running the EOC Call Center prior to getting access to the house. Will comment more on this later.

Winter Sports Week

From a 1932 Newspaper found in my house – A group of civic boosters in Minot in 1932 were promoting the idea of  holding a Winter Sports Week in Minot. The event would begin the next year in 1933. One of the promoters was Casper Oimoen, of Olympic Skiing fame. Some of the events considered were skiing, Curling, Hockey games, Figure Skating, and Dog Sled races, (which were already held and sponsored by the Linos Club.) There was a possibility of holding the state bowling tournament to kick everything off.  Indoor events were also considered such as basketball. The Minot  Winter Sports week, if held, would be similar to the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Pictured below.... Casper Oimoen and the Great Northern Hockey Club.

Ward Week - 1932

From a 1932 newspaper found in my house….  While my brother Mark was in town helping with the house, hefound an old electrical bax behind a wall in the entry way. A couple pages of the Minot Daily from 1932 were stuffed into the box. The next 10 days or so will be based on that newspaper. .....Montgomery Wards was celebrating Ward Week. Some of the specials included a special buy on men’s overalls for 77 cents a pair. Boys overalls were on sale for 3 pair for $1.00. Women’s coats in tweed, crepes or diagonal linens were sale priced at $8.88 each. Men’s wool sweaters priced at $1.44 and a 2 gallon can of Pennsylvania Motor Oil was only $1.00. And with every clothes washer purchased received a free clothes basket.