A strange Christmas Present

My brother and I were first introduced to snowmobiling through our church's Luther League party which was hosted by classmates. They only had a couple of yellow and black Skidoos available, but by hooking sleds to them with long ropes, more of us could play and get the feel. That was it. We both came home singing the praises of the Skidoo and how much fun they were. We expected Dad to go right out and buy one the next day. It didn't happen.

Maybe there would be one under the Christmas tree although we couldn't fathom how Dad would get it in the house. We still were asking for one daily, but to no avail. We didn't have additional opportunities so it appeared that snowmobiling would soon become a memory.

Christmas morning dawned and no shiny snowmobile awaited. We eagerly opened packages, knowing that at least some of them would be new pajamas, socks and underwear. We got to the last box, rather large and square and addressed to the three of us. Of course it would be a board game we guessed. The three of us quickly tore the wrapping, to reveal a box taped shut with packing tape. A knife from the kitchen allowed us to make quick work of the tape to reveal a ... shiny new red metal gasoline can!?!  Puzzled, we didn't understand until Den noticed the piece of paper taped to its side. There was the sales slip for a new 1968 16 horse Scorpion snowmobile! 

Our dreams had come true. It was waiting for the first ride right outside the window!  Breakfast was quickly gobbled as we threw on clothes to try our new present. Den, being the oldest got to drive it first and made a trail around both the front and back yard. My turn made it easy to follow the trails. Julie was a little young to drive so Dad rode with and helped her. Then we brought out the metal saucer and tied it to the back to give each other rides. What a fun and memorable Christmas day!

The Haircut

I walked into the barbershop with Dad and waited my turn. There were several gents perusing the latest newspaper while holding animated conversations with the barber. Norm concentrated on the head of hair before him, scissors clacking rhythmically as he snipped methodically around the ears but never missing his turn in the give and take of the conversations. 

Looking with wonderment at all the tools on the counter and wondering which he would use on my head, I grew impatient and started fidgeting. A quick look from Dad and I knew I was not to leave my chair until given permission.

Finally it was my turn. I was shorter than most of his customers so Norm took a well worn board from behind the counter, quickly dusted it off and set it on the arms of his barber chair. Following his invitation I climbed the chair and plopped my butt on the board. “How would you like it cut?” Norm asked as he covered me with one of his plastic aprons. I glanced at Dad for help with the answer. “A Pixie cut”, Dad replied and Norm went to work. A snip here, a snip there, I could see the clusters of hair falling to the floor. I felt a gentle touch and instinctively knew to bow my head so Norm could trim my neck. Moments later, I felt a soft bristle brush sweeping any loose hair from my head. Norm handed me a small mirror. “Do you like it?” he asked with the same concern and consideration he gave his adult customers. I nodded and Norm removed the plastic apron with a shake to allow the rest of the hair to fall to the floor. 

Though I was a girl, Norm the barber would give me many haircuts in my early childhood.

4-H

 As fall approaches, I am once again reminded that so closes another 4-H year. I have been a volunteer 4-H leader for 32 years.

During that time I have seen the positive impact 4-H has on many young citizens of Superior and Douglas County.

I have seen the very shy youngster blossom as they gain confidence in working with others of different age groups. I have seen these same youngsters gain valuable political experience as they choose to campaign, run and hold elected offices in their clubs. They gain leadership skills and valuable public speaking experience as they learn the responsibilities of those offices.

Through the over 75 project areas that 4-H offers, members can explore those that interest them the most. Many have taken what they have learned in a 4-H project and pursued a career in that field. Members learn valuable research skills, analytical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and more as they explore their projects. Each year they have the opportunity to display their knowledge and projects at the Cultural Arts festival and at the Head of the Lakes Fair. I have shared with members the joy as they are rewarded for a project well done. I have also challenged many to take their project to the next level. I have consoled through disappointment and encouraged to try harder.

4-H teaches youngsters to get involved in their community. Over the years I have seen many ways that the 4-H youth have spawned an idea, did the planning and carried through with the project to give back to the community. I have seen them walk dogs at the local animal shelter, build dog houses, visit nursing homes for pumpkin carving, as well as partnering with the residents to share other crafts, cooked a meal for the residents of Solid Rock, redecorated and refurbished a room at CASDA, purchased toys for needy families at Christmas, and many other projects to numerous to mention.

4-H encourages members to think globally with the LABO exchange with Japan and the other international programs that members can participate in.
 I have seen 4-H members stand up for a cause, join the Superior Days team and lobby for changes that will affect their hometown. I have seen them take part in finding ways to control purple loosetrife, and other environmental issues.

4-H will offer valuable job experience as members interview for camp counselor positions, dairy bar manager, and the member evaluation process. Working at the dairy bar at the fair gives all of the 4-H members a chance to gain some of that on the job experience that is so vital. They develop a work ethic that many local employers seek.

 The 4-H after-school programs give many that would otherwise not have the opportunity a chance to participate in their neighborhood. Many will later join regular clubs and become more active with the program and develop their leadership skills. 4-H is a nondiscriminatory program that is open to everyone. Membership fees are affordable so all can participate.

4-H gives members the opportunity to represent Superior and Douglas County at State Wide events as well as national events. The 4-H Youth conference in Madison, Arts Leadership Lab, Citizen Washington Focus, National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress are some of the events that outstanding members are chosen to participate in. Members also are chosen to represent Superior at the State Fair with their demonstrations and clothing projects.

Because of my longevity with the program, I am now seeing some of those early members stay with 4-H as volunteer leaders. I am also seeing some of those same members now enrolling their children for the valuable experiences to be had. I am proud to be a part of a program that has had such a positive influence on so many youngsters in our community.

In 2007, Tony and I were both honored to become the Family of the year. Below is the nomination letter and the introduction speech written by Molly Sigafus.

I have one last nomination for the 4-H Family of the year I hope you can print this and share it with at the meeting. I may not be able to make it.

I would like to nominate Vicki and Tony Garro.

       Vicki and Tony may not have any children in 4-H but all the lives of the 4-Hers they have touched are their family. They have been role models for my sisters, brother, and I as well as all the dog and horse 4-Hers. Throughout the years they have helped us make dog houses for the humane society, taught us how to ride and train horses, taught us how to work with our dogs and encouraging us to be all that we can be and that anything is possible.

       Vicki has chaperoned a 4-H group to Kentucky, helped get Jump Start 4-H off the drawing board and into action. With out Vicki being inspired by her niece's efforts to bring a dog to the fair there wouldn't be two dog clubs with 4-Her's learning fun new tricks to teach their dogs. Vicki often brought one of her ponies to the nursing homes with 4-Hers to visit the residents. She has helped plan meals to feed the community. Every year Vicki spends numerous hours at the fair as the horse superintendent to help others with their needs and she allows non horse owners to learn about horses by using hers.

      Tony has been Vicki's support throughout all her 4-H escapades because without him many of these things wouldn't happen. He drives the horses to where they need to be. He builds the equipment used with horses and dogs. This year one project for him was the agility equipment for the Puppy Pals 4-H club. Many of the youth in the club have expressed how thankful they are to be able to have access to such wonderful equipment.

      One club project, from the Country Explorers, that sticks out in my mind is the pet project without Vicki and Tony we would not have been able to learn as much as we did about as many different animals. The children that weren't able to have a pet got hands on experience with a hamster the club moved around from family to family every month. Without Vicki and Tony it would not have been possible to build two dog houses, this year, and bring them to the humane society

I have so much to say about how they have enriched my life, but in deciding who deserves this award you don't have time to read a 500 page book.

I’m sure after reading this you or just about anyone in the room, can add a little more.

So, on behalf of 4-Hers past and present I would like to nominate Vicki and Tony Garro for family of the year because they are truly part of the 4-H family.

 

And here is Molly's introduction speech.

When I found out that this family was chosen for this years 4-H family of the year, I asked Sarah if I could say a few words about how they have affected my life as well as many others. I have known this family for as long as I can remember, if not longer and whenever I saw them they would encourage me and offer support for any project I might be working on. If asked they always participate in parades from the Christmas parade in Duluth to the pumpkin fest parade in East End. Both members of this family have chaperoned several horse events, trip to Kentucky, Horse expo in the cities, or Oshkosh, Many times “adopting” a child for the weekend. One of this family’s top priorities has been community service. We have seen, dog houses built, meals for the homeless, dogs walked at the humane society, club equipment built, horses taken to the nursing homes, just to name a few. When doing community service they always encourage 4-Hers to participate. A couple memories that stick out in my mind are they taught me how to ride a horse and would take me along on many trail rides. Activity within the dog project restarted with their efforts to help me train my dog and enter him in the fair over 5 years ago. Although they are not the traditional family, they are a big part of the 4-H family. The number of young lives this family has touched and influenced is countless, and will continue for generations to come. So, on behalf of all the lives this family has touched; it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the 2007 4-H family of the year, Vicki and Tony Garro.

 

Vicki and Tony Garro (back row right) with the kids from Puppy Pals 4-H Club

 

Right after the previous photo was taken, they took another one. I have never seen a 4-H Family of the year get that much recognition either before or after. 

Molly Sigafus is standing in front of her aunt and uncle, Vicki and Tony Garro.

Thank you for the honor, Molly! 

 

Selling Bread

Early Bake Rite Bread Truck driven
by John L. Swanson of Tomahawk WI.

           Dad was a route salesman, daily driving the yellow truck with Mrs. Carter painted on the sides and laden with bread, donuts, Hostess Twinkies and my favorite, the Paramount little fruit pie. He rose early, about 3:00AM, to make sure his truck was properly loaded and to be on the road well before sunup. The day’s drive in the early years encompassed about 200 miles before he would return to the dock with the truck carrying only yesterday’s bread that the company deemed not fit to sell.

            It was my turn to see what Dad really did at work! He awakened me early. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I trudged behind him while he got the truck ready, finally clamoring up on the vinyl seat for the long day ahead. We started out for the first stop, a small country store. Dad was in and out of that store in minutes as the owners were not yet there. The supermarket was next. Dad loaded Cases of bread onto the two-wheeled dolly and wheeled them to the bread department. I carried the boxes of pies, not a heavy seller. The store was open now. Customers were looking for the best buy. Dad and I worked quickly, knowing we had many more stops. He rearranged the shelves bringing the older loaves to the front, while I, surrounded with the many loaves, stacked the bread he pulled from the shelf neatly into the boxes to be returned to the truck.

            A gruff voice spoke from behind me. “Hand me one of those loaves in the orange wrapper”. Instead, I handed the customer a loaf of my favorite, telling him, “This one tastes better”. The gentleman took the loaf I offered and warmly smiled as he put it into his cart. I had just made my first sale at age four!

John L Swanson in his bread truck. The Mrs. Carter brand name was used after Patty Piper.

Introducing My Great Great Grandmother on my mother's side of the family.

 

 

Bertha Emilie Wilhelmine Maas

Bertha Emilie Wilhelmine Maas was born December 15, 1846, at Basenthin, Pommerania, one of several siblings to Johan Maas and Earnestine Wilhelmine (Ziehse) Maas. On October 24, 1870 she married August Friedrich Robert Albrecht who was born August 23, 1848 at Basenthin, Pommerania.  Five children from this marriage lived to adulthood. Wilhelm Albert August,  (b Jan 21, 1871), Anna (b 1874) , Bertha (b 1880), Augusta (b 1882), and Franz (b 1875).  Some of Bertha’s siblings had already emigrated to America and settled in Wisconsin near Watertown. Many of their neighbors were also emigrating and soon the Albrecht family made plans to do the same. Since the family was large, and money was scarce, they were not able to travel at the same time.   While Wilhelm arrived in America April 13 1887, I have not been able to find the immigration data for his father Robert. They both settled in Milwaukee, WI,  Robert finding work as a carpenter and Wilhelm as a laborer.  In 1890, 


Ship Bertha and her daughters took into Philadelphia

Anna and Franz came into the port of Philadelphia and travelled to Milwaukee. In 1892, Bertha and her two remaining children. Augusta and Bertha also came through the port of Philadelphia.  A note on the passenger list recorded that she had 1 dollar and was to meet her husband Robert Albrecht in Milwaukee, WI.
 

Robert Albrecht

The 1890’s were a joyous time for the family as  Wilhelm married Dec 16, 1893, daughter Bertha married Sept 5, 1896, Anna married June 7, 1892, Augusta married October 15, 1898 and Franz married November 16, 1891.  Grandchildren soon followed. April 24, 1899 was a day of sadness when Robert Albrecht died of  pulmonary tuberculosis at age 50.  Robert is buried in Lincoln Memorial cemetery just off Burleigh Street in Milwaukee. Bertha lived with her daughter Anna and son in law Albert Von Hoffman after Robert’s death.  Job opportunities for an unskilled woman of her age were limited, even in Milwaukee.  She soon met a tailor, Carl Ewald and married him on March 1, 1903.  They lived in Milwaukee, not too far from her family.  Carl passed away on April 8, 1912 leaving Bertha a widow for the second time.  She married again to a Mr. Pagel but by 1920 she was widowed the third time and living with her daughter Augusta and her son in law Max Brueckner.  Bertha died  on December 21, 1928 and is buried next to her first husband Robert  in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.

Happy Easter

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. As I work in two different churches, and am currently president of a third congregation you can imagine the week that I have had. Yet, it takes me back to a simpler time. As children, we looked forward to the Easter bunny as he would bring us a basket of treats. Jelly beans, speckled malted milk robin eggs, hollow chocolate rabbit, and some smaller chocolates, nestled among the green Easter Grass. We would get up extra early as we knew that the bunny had hidden around the house the boiled eggs that we had dyed the day before. It was always a rush among siblings to see who would find the most eggs. When all were found we could have breakfast but that didn't stop us from going back to our baskets for a treat or two to sustain us on the hunt.

We didn't forget the true meaning of Easter, having parents that made sure we went to church. Holy week was a time of celebration. Maundy Thursday worship you would hear the story of the last supper and Jesus betrayal. The story continued on Good Friday. The whole town shut down between noon and three to commemorate the time frame Jesus was crucified and to allow workers to go to church. Our family went to Grace Lutheran Church in Tomahawk.  A highlight of the service was a solo sung by one of my classmates' mother. The song remains a favorite today. "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" 

After breakfast Easter Sunday we of course went to church to hear the good news. Worship opened with "Jesus Christ is Risen today, Alleluia". Special music would include a trumpet fanfare to celebrate. I was honored to be a part of the worship service in Jr. and Sr. high. We then invariably would travel 90 miles to Grandma's house where she would have a roast ham and all the trimmings waiting for us.