Barnes County: A Moment in Time
1923 100 Years Ago... Atlantic Elevator destroyed by fire
The Atlantic Elevator in Fingal was completely destroyed by fire from some unknown cause. The manager of the elevator was loading out some wheat and it is thought that the fire started from a hot box. The elevator was nearly full of wheat and the loss will be heavy although no definite estimate can be made at this time. The stock of coal and the sheds were also destroyed.
C.R. Robertson renovation
C.R. Robertson has completed the renovation of his store on fifth avenue and now has it in excellent condition to serve his many customers. He has fitted up new fitting rooms, has done considerable updating including painting and enameling his show windows. The display which Mr. Robertson has arranged today is a beauty and is well worth going to see.
1948
75 Years Ago... Brrr... Remember Back in 1936
Valley Citians shivered with the rest of North Dakotans today as the temperature dropped to new lows of the season, by the “old-timers” are all recalling the longest sustained cold wave of 1936.
Cdell Amundsen brought in a 1936-37 table of 10 years ago when the mercury tumbled below the zero mark midway in December and stayed there until early in March. The table was carefully kept each day by the late Olaf Norgaard at the post office.
This cold wave, which broke all records, continued for over two months, with the “warmest” on January 12 (-5) and the coldest (-40) on two different days, Feb. 6 and Feb. 16.
The summer of 1936 also set some kind of record as both the longest and hottest warm spells.
Plan $50,000 Laundry for Valley City
Dependent upon the volume of laundry business received during the next few months will be the construction in Valley City of a $50,000 laundry, according to E.B. Lang, owner of the Jamestown Laundry and Cleaners.
In an announcement made, Mr. Lang states that he is establishing a daily free pick-up and delivery service for laundry and dry-cleaning, with four day delivery guaranteed.
Mr. Lang states that he now has a full time free pick-up and delivery service representative locally daily except on Sunday. Lang is of the opinion that a well managed laundry should be established here and that he will do this if his newly established system warrants it.
1973
50 Years Ago...
Paula Bjornson selected as Artist of the month by Fine Arts Club By Becky Skramstad Starting out with finger paints and color crayons, Paula Dee Bjornson was first introduced to the art world in kindergarten. Miss Bjornson’s painting and etchings along with her sculptures and other work can be found on display in the First National Bank lobby as she has been chosen as the artist of the month sponsored by the Fine Arts Club.
Dee is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bjornson of Valley City, and a graduate of Valley City High School. In 1970, she graduated from Temple Buell College (formally Colorado Woman’s College) as an art major. She studied art history, drawing and interior design. After graduating, she toured Europe, Africa, South America, and Central America on a four month cruise.
Miss Bjornson has been singing professionally and doing art work for the past two years. She has sold much of her work in the places where she has worked, Phoenix, Ariz; Minneapolis, Minn.; Vail, Colo., as well as to people in the Valley City community.
Dee regards herself as a “purist” artist, which is one who learns art form the basics up. Her work includes mostly animals and landscapes and some nude paintings also. “There’s a lot to be learned from nature,” commented Dee.
During one brief period, Dee gave her picture exotic titles as “Toli Minigre” which is Latin for “Do not touch me.” The picture, which is on display, was done with a wash and dripping technique in acrylics. “I gave them names that I couldn’t even spell,” laughed Bjornson.
Having a great love for horses, Dee has done an etching of herself and her horse entitled “Self Portrait.” She did this after her horse died to express the loss she felt.
“A painting is capturing a moment. I try to paint in such a way that an observer can feel what I’m trying to express.”
Two bronze sculptures are also on display, “The Horse” and “The Head of Christ.”
“House on Park Avenue” was done in San
Jose, Cali., of an old house on Park Ave. which was torn down only a week after she completed the painting. This painting has a circular frame for which she traded a “painting made from a poster” from a cabinet maker.
Dee keeps the first edition of all her work as is customary for an artist to do. She gives her second editions to her parents as a thank you for helping her get through school.
The Ritchie II painting (on display for the show), was a gift to the school as a token of appreciation from the Bjornson family.
Besides painting Bjornson also does lithography, etching, bronze sculpting, linocuts, natural drawing, charcoals, and pastels.
She says, “I think it’s just wonderful that the fine arts club sponsors this program and that the bank allows them space for a gallery. I’d like to thank them both for allowing me to display my work.”
With Our Servicemen
Calvin C. Gruchalla is aboard the USS Enterprise as on Nov. 22 sailing near Vietnam. Formerly stationed at Lemoore, Cali., his present address is now: Gruchalla C.C. AMS3, 501668615, Va Airframes, FPO San Francisco, Cali. 96601.
Gruchalla is the son of Mrs. and Mr. Maynard Carpenter, formerly of Valley City, now residing in Lisbon.
1998
25 Years Ago...
Bringing together
the city’s pieces
Mayor Riley Rogers
compares city’s government to a jigsaw puzzle
By Robin Wark TR Staff Writer Riley Rogers likes puzzles. However, the puzzle which the Valley City Commission President is working on is not of the 1,000 piece jigsaw variety. Rather his puzzle is the community of Valley City.
“We have all different pieces in our community young people, the seniors, businesses, the university,” said the 72 year old. “They are all pieces of the puzzle which the city is. The idea is to put the pieces together.”
He continues, “My whole goal is to make Valley City better for as many people as we (the city commission) can. I don’t want to make this city worse. That is my first concern.”
Business better than sew
By Jean Schlegel TR Staff Writer
The North Dakota Winter Show is right around the corner (March 5) and Caroline Therrien of Stitchin’ & Fixin’ can custom design or design new outfits for the upcoming show. She can also remake an old favorite as well.
“My goal is to provide good quality service at an affordable price,” she says. Therrien is located in Valley City’s Staus Mall and in addition to doing custom sewing, she does alterations, mending and repairing zippers.
She says we will also do craft items for people and is getting into embroidery appliqué as well.
Therrien operated Stitchin’ & Fixin’ in Valley City for some time before moving to Bismarck where she lived from 1994 to 1996. She then worked in Colorado from May of 1996 to May of 1997.