Photo by Greg Cosimini Dayton's Bluff Elementary School Principal Von Sheppard (left) and  Dayton'sBluff Community Council Executive Director John Vaughn at  the Dayton's Bluff Elementary Spring Carnival.

   Students and staff have been working hard all year and now we have reaped some the rewards of the hard work.
   We received news that our overall test scores increased by 12% on our MAT7 (Metropolitan Achievement Test) a significant and dramatic increase.
   Our staff has set expectations high for your students and they have responded. We believe in your kids! We believe they can achieve even more. More than anything, we want all of our students to have great prospects for their lives.

Ms Yolanda Romero-Murphy to be Summer School Principal at Dayton’s Bluff Achievement Elementary

   Summer school begins on June 24. Families will receive a letter from the School District, regarding their child’s summer school. If the letter has your child enrolled at a different school, please call Ms. Yolanda Murphy (651) 293-8915. We want our regularly enrolled students to attend Dayton’s Bluff this summer.

Celebre con su nino el aprendizaje: Los resultados de los examenes subienron un 12%

   Los estudiantes y los maestros an trabajado muy duro todo el ano y ahora ven el fruto de su arduo esfuerzo.
   Recibimos noticias que los resultados de los examenes subieron un 12% en nuestro MAT7 (Metropolitan Achievement Test). Esto es un incremento dramatico y significativo.
   Nosotros creemos en sus ninos! Nosotros tambien creemos que ellos pueden progresar mucho mas. Nosotros queremos que sus hijos tengan metas muy grandes en sus vidas.

La Senorita Yolanda Romero-Murphy sera la Directora de la Escuela de Verano en Dayton’s Bluff Achievement Plus

   La escuela de verano comienza el dia 24 de Junio.las familias recibiran una carta del Distrito Escolar con informacion hacerca de la inscripcion para la Escuela de Verano. Si en la carta, le informan que su hijo debe ser inscrito en otra escuela, Por favor llame a la Senorita Directora Yolanda Murphy al Telefono (651) 293-8915. Nosotros queremos que nuestros estudiantes regulares se inscriban en la escuela Dayton’s Bluff este verano.

HOPE Community Academy Public Charter School
By Jeanene Miller, Literacy Coordinator at HOPE Community Academy.
 

Photo by Cheu Lee HOPE Community Academy children prepare for a bus trip.

   HOPE has just completed its second year in St. Paul.  The school was founded to meet the diverse needs of all students – academically as well as culturally. Currently enrollment is at 450.  The school has grades K-4, but will include K-5 next fall.  There are still a few openings at some grade levels for the 2002-03 school year.  The number of East Side neighborhood children has increased each year.
   The school is located in the stately building on the corner of Minnehaha and Payne Ave.  The site at 720 Payne is the former Hamm’s Brewery Administrative Building.  It was remodeled to accommodate classrooms in the summer of 2000.  The interior however still reflects the history of the building in the flooring logo inside the front door, the original spiral staircase and restored light fixtures, both in the entry and on the exterior of the front door.
   HOPE offers a full day Kindergarten program.  The structure of a longer school day (7 hours 15 minutes) and a longer school year are most important in student learning.  This gives learners more time and thus raises their achievement levels.  These are important pieces that this charter school has to offer.
   The school has a strong focus on academics.  The balanced literacy program is a priority.  Every student has 2 ½ hours of literacy instruction per day.  Students have Readers Workshop, Writers Workshop, plus skills instruction in their literacy time.  Students have shown large gains in each grade level each year through the embedded assessments recorded three times a year.
   Math instruction is centered in a hands-on approach.  This works well for all students but especially for second language learners.  The programming continues through the upper grades and has a strong problem-solving piece with focus on work time given daily.  HOPE also offers a Hmong culture and language class to all students.  High expectations, a culture of learning and well-disciplined children are some of the things mentioned about the school by visitors and families. 
   The students at HOPE adhere to a dress code policy.  They wear white shirts and dark blue pants, skirts, shorts or jumpers.  This dress code was established with input from the families, who were involved from the school’s opening.  Bus transportation is provided to all students who live in the St. Paul area.  The breakfast and lunch programs are available at no cost to all students regardless of the family income.
   The projected plan is to add to the current structure and extend the building.  The number of classrooms and sections of each grade could be enlarged.  The original plan of the charter is to eventually have a K-12 school.
   St. Thomas University and ACTS of St. Paul sponsor HOPE.  Every charter school in Minnesota must have a sponsor. Since HOPE is a public charter, there is no fee to attend.   HOPE will begin its third year in August 2002.  Anyone interested in enrolling their student(s) or visiting the school can call the office at 651-796-4500.

Dayton's Bluff Early Childhood Family Education 
By Patrice Waters
 

E.C.F.E. families ventured out to the Dodge Model Farm.  The animals on the farm include:  cows, a very young calf, ponies, pigs bunnies, goats, ducks, a newborn donkey and chickens galore!

E.C.F.E families visited Orchestra Hall for Kinder Koncert.  The Minnesota Orchestra  presented Jack and the Beanstalk.  The children learned how each instrument helps to tell the story.

   Dayton's Bluff E.C F. E. (Early Childhood Family Education) took to the buses this spring for two great field trips. On March 21st a group of 30 kids and parents visited Orchestra Hall for Kinder Konzert. The Minnesota Orchestra presented Jack and the Beanstalk in an especially kid-friendly and educational format. 
   The children sat on stage with the musicians! Each instrument was introduced and demonstrated.  The children learned how each instrument helps to tell the story. The group visited the Sound Factory, the room where the musicians rehearse, and the children were invited to play a violin and drum.
   On May 16th 24 kids and 27 parents ventured out to the Dodge Model Farm. On the way the bus stopped at Marthaler Park long enough for a picnic lunch, play time and some nature exploring that revealed turtles, bugs, ducks, and a heron! 
   At Dodge Farm three friendly knowledgeable guides met our group. In small groups we toured the grounds and buildings. The guides shared information about farm life and all the animals including: cows, a very young calf, ponies, pigs, bunnies, goats, ducks, a newborn donkey and chickens galore! The children were invited to touch many of the animals. A favorite stop was the hayloft where the kids (and some adults!) could jump and play. 
   E.C.F.E. is a wonderful program for children ages birth through 5 years old and their parents. Classes are held at Dayton's Bluff Elementary School during the day or in the evening. Each class begins with Circle Time, where parents and children are together. Then the parents gather for discussions on topics of interest and help to them, and the children have play and learning time.
   The staff at Dayton’s Bluff E.C.F.E. is seasoned, knowledgeable, warm and kind. It's a great place to get together. E.C.F.E. strengthens our community by strengthening our families. E.C.F.E. is building a better world! Watch your mail this summer for the E.C.F.E. catalog of classes. Inside will be registration information. Come and join in on all the fun and learning!
--------------
Patrice Waters is a Dayton's Bluff resident and three-year Dayton's Bluff E.C.F.E. participant.

Month-long Tent Revival on the East Side
   Tent Revival Meetings will be held at 854 East 7th Street, at 7 p.m. for 31 straight days, June 21 - July 21. Various East Side churches will be joining together to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Music, testimonies, free food, puppets, and clowns will be part of the fare.  People will be healed from sicknesses, delivered from life-controlling habits, and forgiven for their sins through the power of the Word of God. Special meetings will be held each Monday night for AA and 12 Step Recovery groups, and for those interested, to promote freedom from drugs and alcohol. All are welcome at all meetings. Sponsored by Church of Acts, 1000 East Reaney, St. Paul 55106, 651-771-1261.

Free Gun Locks Available

   All guns should be locked in a cabinet or locked with a cable lock. Free cable locks are available to gun owners who live in Saint Paul who do not have a gun safe or locked storage for their gun, and have children in their homes at any time.
   The Safe Gun Storage Campaign is an initiative to make our communities safer for everyone. We would like to express our appreciation to Police Chief William Finney for all his work to make this Initiative possible. Dayton’s Bluff residents interested in gun cable locks should call Karin at 651-772-2075.

Bluffing with Science: Digital's Bluff
By Greg Cosimini

   Dayton’s Bluff (and the rest of the world) is going digital, like it or not.   What does digital mean? Where did digital come from?  What were we before we became digital? Does it matter?  Should you be worried about it? 
   Enough with the questions already.  ‘Digital’ means that something is made up of digits.  Digits are just whole numbers.  Digits can also be fingers but unless you count with your fingers, that doesn’t really enter into this discussion.  So digital audio is sound that can be represented by numbers.  The same holds true for digital video.
   Digits can be created in all sorts of ways but as you’ve probably already guessed, the biggest generator of digits is the computer.  Computers spew out numbers like crazy because that’s all they know.  Today’s computers may be very fast and have tons of memory but they still aren’t very smart. Even the ones that can talk and recognize speech are basically idiots.
   Not only do they only understand numbers, there are just two numbers they are really good with, 0 and 1.  Most people can handle at least ten numbers, 0 to 9 or 1 to 10 depending on your point of view.  This relates back to that counting on fingers thing.  Computers don’t have ten fingers, or even two fingers but they do have circuits.  These circuits have only two states of existence, off and on, which in the feeble minds of computers translate into 0 and 1.
   Obviously when we look at a computer screen or DVD generated video we don’t see a bunch of 0s and 1s.  And the music that comes out of our CD players doesn’t sound like 0s and 1s.  And all the paper that comes out of computer printers isn’t covered with 0s and 1s.  So what gives?  Computer programs convert 0s and 1s into images, sounds and characters that we can deal with and vice versa.
   Humans evolved in a definitely nondigital world, where discrete numbers don’t represent the world.  What we have is called an analog world, where things gradually change from one state to another, unless you want to talk about what happens at a subatomic level, which we don’t. So how can we get along in this brave new digital world? For good or bad, our senses aren’t all that great and can be easily fooled.  Movies and television have been faking us out for years.  We don’t actually see continuously moving images in either media.  What we see is a stream of still images changing faster than our eyes and brains can notice.  We blur them together into nice moving pictures.
   Basically the same thing happens with computers. But this wasn’t always so. Anyone who remembers the dark ages of computers and video games in the 1980s probably recalls that both the and sound and graphics of those primitive devices were crude and definitely not lifelike.  Think of Pac Man and Space Invaders. But eventually computers got good enough that they could bluff us into thinking a digital picture or sound was just the same as an old-fashioned analog one, if not better.
   So we could say that it doesn’t really matter if the world is going digital if we can’t tell the difference.  Of course some people don’t agree. There are those that think the sound from a CD isn’t as good or as pure as what an old record with grooves produced.  On the other hand, compared to 8-tracks or cassettes, they are a big improvement. Digital video is vastly superior to standard TV but it can’t yet compare to the image produced by 35mm movie film on a big screen.
   There are also other considerations. Suppose you are stranded on a deserted island.  It is going to be much more difficult to build a radio out of coconuts if all the signals are digital. And you can forget about making a simple player for those CDs that wash ashore. It was a snap to whip together a phonograph out of sticks and seashells but coming up with a laser is a lot tougher. Then there is the problem of sending a message in a bottle.  Trying doing that with email. 
   Life is full of compromises.  A digital world may be better but it is also more complicated.  Computers and their digits are here to stay.  Let’s just hope they don’t ever get too smart.  We’ve all seen plenty of shows that tell us what happens next.  Analog creatures like humans never seem to fare well at all. 
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Bluffing with Science will appear at random times in the Forum.  It will attempt to relate topics in science and engineering to life in Dayton’s Bluff. That is the goal, not a guarantee.  Please send questions, comments or suggestions for future columns to the Dayton’s Bluff District Forum, Attention: Greg Cosimini, 798 E. 7th. St., St. Paul, MN 55106 or email me at greg_the_skeptic@angelfire.com. 

National Night Out
   Celebrate National Night Out on August 6, 2002 with your neighbors and friends. Some neighborhood groups and block clubs are planning to have a neighborhood barbecue, a fish fry, a band playing music, and/or a soft ball game.  There are many things a group of neighbors can do.
   Spend the evening getting to know your neighbors.  National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.  Join 30 million other people in more than 9,000 communities nation-wide in a variety of events and activities.  Let’s make this year even bigger! 

Here is a list of some Dayton’s Bluff National Night Out events:
Bethlehem Lutheran Church 
Margaret and Forest
  Hot dogs, beverages and DJ music
Bush Ave. between Duluth and Atlantic
  Potluck and music
3rd and Arcade
  Potluck and music
Swede Hollow Park 
Greenbrier and Margaret
 Potluck, children’s games, and music

All Events start at 6:30 pm and last until about 8:30 pm. 
Call Karin at 772-2075 for more information or if you want an event in your Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood.

Start Your Own Business
   Have you ever wanted to start your own business?  Or, have you started one and are realizing that you need more education to make it successful?  If so, sign up for the Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Entrepreneur Training and Support Program.  This program helps start-up and young businesses on the East Side.  All East Side entrepreneurs are welcome. The classes will start in September.
   Class training lasts approximately 16 weeks and includes topics such as operations management, marketing, financial management, one to one assistance with creating a successful business, and preparing a business plan.  Those who successfully complete the course and locate their businesses in target neighborhoods are eligible for ongoing business support services. 
   Some of the businesses that people who took the course have started include graphics, photography, food service, restoration of wood furniture and works of art, custom floral design for weddings and events, and exterior and interior painting.  The course is sponsored by the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council and the Neighborhood Development Center.  There is a small registration fee based on a sliding fee scale.  The next session will start in September and class size is limited.  Please call Karin at 772-2075 for an application.

Harding High School Teacher Receives Grant

   The students of Harding High School can look forward to experiencing Spanish culture when school resumes next fall, after their Spanish teacher returns from a trip to Spain and Portugal.
   Along with six additional Saint Paul Public School district teachers, Harding’s Francie Anthony is part of Saint Paul’s first group of grant recipients from “The Fund for Teachers of The Saint Paul Foundation.”  Chosen from more than 130 applicants, these teachers will travel worldwide to explore their dreams and bring their experiences back to the classroom. 
   With a grant of $2,503, Francie Anthony plans an 18-day trip to Spain, including visits to Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona and several other cities, along with three cities in Portugal to enhance her understanding and appreciation for Spanish culture.  She will return from her trip with photos, music and video to bring the sights and sounds of Spanish culture to life for her students. 
   “This program is an exciting and different way to help teachers with their professional development in the Saint Paul Public School district,” said Paul Verret, president of The Saint Paul Foundation.  “The teachers came up with outstanding ideas for enriching their classrooms, and The Saint Paul Foundation is honored to help make their dreams a reality.”
   On Friday, June 7, The Saint Paul Foundation hosted a ceremony to honor the first class of recipients, whose grants range from $1,100 to $5,000. 
   Details of Ms. Anthony’s grant:
School:  Harding High School of the Saint Paul Public School District, located in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood
Teacher’s home community:  Macalester-Groveland neighborhood
Grant award:  $2,503
Summer enrichment project that grant supports:  Francie Anthony will travel to Spain and Portugal for 18 days to enhance her understanding and appreciation for Spanish culture. 
Highlights of her trip will include:
§ Madrid:  Visits to the Prado Museum and many other historical sights, including taking in a Spanish opera.  Side trips to nearby cities of Toledo, Avila and Cuenca.
§ Learn about Moorish culture with visits to Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada.
§ Visit cathedrals and historic university in Salamanca.
§ View the work of architect Gaudi in Barcelona.
§ Travel to Portugal with stops in Coimbra, Fatima and Lisbon and visits to museums and historical sights.
Impact for students in the classroom: 
   Anthony plans to return from her trip with photos, music and video to bring the sights and sounds of Spanish culture to life for students in her Spanish language classes at Harding High School.  Her goal is to prepare students for the Hispanic world they encounter and help them understand why Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the United States, how Spanish came to be an important language worldwide and the connections between all Spanish-speaking people.
   The starting contribution for the Fund for Teachers came from Raymond Plank, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Houston-based Apache Corporation.  The Foundation, with outstanding support from the Saint Paul Public School district, managed the application process, facilitated the work of the selection committee and notified the recipients and other applicants. 
   Plank believes that schoolteachers at the K-12 level have important roles in shaping young people, but often do not receive adequate recognition and encouragement.  In addition to Saint Paul, the program is also offered in Denver; Houston; Minneapolis; New York City; Oakland, Calif.; and Tulsa, Okla.  Plank envisions creating similar funds throughout the country.
  For more information, visit The Saint Paul Foundation Web site at www.saintpaulfoundation.org.

Greening Dayton's Bluff Events & Workshops:

Trees: Selecting, Planting and Care
Tuesday, July 23, 2002, 6:30 p.m.
798 East 7th Street
Presenter: Tom Hutsell, Ramsey County Master Gardener
Come and learn all about trees.

Mounds Park Garden Tour 
We are still looking for more gardens to be on the tour.  Please call Karin 651-772-2075 to sign up..

Critters in the Garden: Rabbits, Squirrels, and more
Rescheduled in September
798 East 7th Street
Presenter: Ramsey County Master Gardener Program
Come and learn how to deal with the unwanted critters that use our gardens as a salad bar or a destruction site.

To register or for more information about Greening Dayton's Bluff call Karin at 651-772-2075.

Recycling Days for Dayton's Bluff

   Blue plastic recycling bins and lawn signs are available at 798 E. 7th St. If you have a neighbor who does not recycle, talk to them about it. 
   Recycling can reduce your trash by at least 40%.  We are working to increase recycling in Dayton's Bluff.
   All recycling days in Dayton's Bluff are on Tuesday.  Recycling should be on the curb by 7:00 a.m. If you have any questions call 651-772-2075.
   The remaining recycling dates for 2002 are:
July: 2, 16, 30
August: 13, 27
September: 10, 24
October: 8, 22
November: 5, 19
December: 3, 17, 31

Hamm Woodland Garden
By Angela DuPaul
 

Photo by Greg Cosimini The planters take a break from planting the Hamm Woodland Garden on June 8th to have their photo taken.  The people who helped with the preparation and planting on June 8th included: Brian Ashman, Buzz Wilson, Jonathon Bucki,  Ardan Bucki, Jennifer Bishop, Karolyn Stevenson, Valoree Stevenson, Bette Johnson, Pam Attia, Diane Duvall, Betty Tiffery, Faye Duvall, Shari Tayler  Wilsey, Cliff Carey, Bruce Johnson, Jim Peterson, Murph Dawkins, Mike Grealish, Karin DuPaul and Chris Geurts.

Photo by Greg Cosimini Jessica Love (left), Service Manager for the Wells Fargo Bank Prosperity Office at 1379  Phalen Blvd. with Karin DuPaul,  Greening Dayton's Bluff Coordinator at the Hamm  Woodland Garden planting in Swede Hollow Park on June 8th. Wells Fargo Bank sponsors  the Greening Dayton's Bluff Program.  Thank you Wells Fargo.

   Friends of Swede Hollow has embarked upon an exciting new project that both restores native plant species to the park and pays homage to a lost neighborhood landmark.
   The Hamm Woodland Garden, located in the upper part of Swede Hollow Park, features native wildflowers like Jack in the Pulpit, as well as several species of ferns. Friends of Swede Hollow, Greening Dayton’s Bluff, and the Saint Paul Garden Club did preparation and planting on June 8th.
   The placement of plants and paths is meant to replicate the floor plan of the Hamm Mansion, which once stood on that very site. The elaborate brick Queen Anne mansion was located at 671 Greenbrier, formerly Cable Avenue. The Hamm family lived in the home from 1886 to 1933. Later it was used as a rest home operated by Mrs. Claire E. Robbins until the mid 1950s when it was destroyed by fire.
 We are asking our readers if they know of anyone who had been inside the Hamm Mansion.  If so, please contract Karin at Friends of Swede Hollow 651-776-0550.

Dayton's Bluff Bookmobile Stops

   Mondays July 8 and July 22 at Wilson Hi-Rise at 1300 Wilson from 1 - 2 pm.
   Tuesdays July 2, July 16 and July 30 at Mounds Park Methodist Church at Euclid and Earl from 4:00 to 4:45 pm; and Margaret Playground at Margaret and Frank from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
   Tuesdays July 9 and July 23 at Hope Community Academy at 720 Payne Ave. from 2 - 3:30 pm.
   Thursdays July 11 and July 25 at John A. Johnson/Eastside YMCA at 740 York from 2 - 2:30 pm
   Fridays July 5 and July 19 at Dayton's Bluff Playground at Conway and Maple from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. 
   For more information call 651-642-0379.

Capital Bonding Bill Approval Launches Metropolitan State University Library and Co-location Plans

   Governor Ventura’s signing of the capital bonding bill means students and faculty at Metropolitan State University will be getting their long-awaited Library and Information Access Center.  In addition, funds were approved for co-locating the university’s Minneapolis campus with Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC).
   According to Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw, president of Metropolitan State, “We are thrilled that after 30 years our university will have its own library.  This is exciting for many reasons, but most importantly because we will be able to provide even better learning resources for our students who up to now have had to use other library facilities around the Twin Cities.  It will be a “technology rich,” state-of-the-art facility located on our St. Paul campus in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood, featuring electronic access to local and worldwide resources including other library collections, research materials, and databases as well as traditional printed materials.”  Bradshaw added, “The library will also provide our faculty with ready access to resources critically important for course development and research.”
   “We are extremely excited about our partnership with the Saint Paul Public Libraries who will have a presence in the facility that will focus on addressing the needs of the Dayton’s Bluff and the East Side communities.”  Bradshaw said. 
   Demolition of an existing building and site preparation work for the new library will begin in late June.  A groundbreaking event is planned for early September.
   Along with the library funding, the bonding bill funds the university’s co-location with MCTC at 15th and Hennepin in Minneapolis.  “The co-location of these two fine public institutions of higher learning will give students a virtually seamless transition from their two-year Associate of Arts degree programs at MCTC to bachelor’s and master’s programs through Metropolitan State,” said Bradshaw.  “Moving to MCTC’s state-owned site will allow us to redirect the resources that now go toward leasing our Minneapolis location into needed academic programs and student services.”
   “Co-location pre-planning has been in the works for over a year.  Now both institutions can move ahead on the project which includes re-modeling at MCTC to make way for faculty, staff, and students from the Minneapolis campus of Metropolitan State,” said Dr. Bradshaw.  “Our lease at the current location expires in August of 2004, so we expect to be fully co-located no later than July of that year.”
   Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State College and University System, provides high-quality, affordable education for adults seeking baccalaureate and master’s degrees.  It is the only state university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Trinity Catholic School Lucy
 

Photo by Greg Cosimini  "Lucy Learns and Grows" is located next to Trinity  Catholic School  in the Sacred Heart Church parking  lot at Sixth and Arcade.  The artists were Katy  Vallernaud and Diana Makens. It is sponsored by  Trinity Catholic School and Royal Concrete Pipe.

Meet with Police

   The Eastern District Police host a monthly meeting with community members to listen to and address people’s concerns about crime and other issues on the East Side. 
   The community meetings are held at the Eastern District police office at 722 Payne on the corner of  Payne and Minnehaha Avenues on the third Friday of each month at 9:30 am and on the preceding Thursday at 6:30 pm.
   Please join your neighbors and the police at either the Thursday evening or Friday morning meeting. 

The meeting schedule for the remainder of 2002 is:
July: Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 pm and on Friday, July 19 at 9:30 am
August: Thursday, August 15 at 6:30 pm and on Friday, August 16 at 9:30 am
September: Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 pm and on Friday, September 20 at 9:30 am
October: Thursday, October 17 at 6:30 pm and on Friday, October 18 at 9:30 am
November: Thursday, November 14 at 6:30 pm and on Friday, November 15 at 9:30 am
December: Thursday, December 19 at 6:30 pm and on Friday, December 20 at 9:30 am

Dayton’s Bluff Memories and Musings
By Steve Trimble
 

The old Margaret Street Police Station and Police Officers in about 1903.  Today the Margaret Street Police Station is an apartment building at 747-9 Margaret Street. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Sixty Years Ago on the Bluff 
   Nineteen-year-old John Wilson, 1027 McLean, was home visiting his parents for a few days. He is in the Navy and took part in several big battles, including the famous Battle of Midway. His ship was being repaired and he will not have to return until early August. One of his brothers was already in the Army and another was preparing to join the military. 
   The editor reported the emergence of a new tradition at Joe Ondrey’s Bar. Some of the boys leaving for the service are taking a dime, wrapping it in cellophane tape, putting their name on it, and sticking it up on the mirror in the back bar. The dimes will remain there until they get back. 
   July 23: Two brothers who were separated by one war were reunited during another. George Dossey, 694 E Fourth, and his brother were living in Illinois in 1898 when they both enlisted in the Spanish American War.  They somehow lost track of each other. It took forty-four years to get back together, “although one brother tried everything from advertising to fortune tellers to find the other.”  Moscoe Dossey finally found his sibling in St. Paul when George, seeking a birth certificate, wrote to the Kentucky town where they were born. Moscoe had just returned to his Indiana home after a visit with his long-lost brother.
   Not everything was war related. Day-to-day life continued on the home front as did the Helpful Hannah column.  “Sloppy Liz” asked how to remove catsup stains form the kitchen wall. “We have rough plaster and can’t figure out anything other than repainting.”   “Though trade names are not allowed in this column, I can tell you there is a white coating at paint stores for this purpose,” Hannah wrote. “Washing will only remove the plaster. This preparation can be put on in spots without notice, providing your walls are not too badly soiled.”
   Lindabeth wanted to know if there is something that could be put on her boy’s fingers to keep him from “chewing them down to the quick. I have heard there’s a perfectly harmless bitter mixture which can be made at home, that is a cure.”  I could not find any answer in later issues. How about it readers? Any suggestions on how to deal with young nail biters?
   Last month in this column we printed the call for help from a mother with an artistic son. She needed advice on how to get rid of crayon marks on the wall. She got an answer from Mrs. K. A. Elsner: “Put a blotter over the marks, then a hot iron over the blotter. This will remove the wax from the crayon and an eraser will take off the coloring.” 
   Ever wonder what used to be at the corner now occupied by Roy’s Service Station? A large advertisement in the Booster provides the answer, at least in July 1942. It announced that “Spook Carle’s Fuel and Ice House” was now open for business at the N. W. corner of Third and Maria. They made a point of saying “We Sell Hamm’s Ice.” Maybe current owner Mike Voss could bring back an old tradition and sell ice for Bluff summer outings.

One Hundred Years Ago on the Bluff
   Now that the Legislature has made fireworks (sort of) legal in Minnesota, maybe we should report some of the July 4th activities a hundred years ago. The Pioneer Press reported that Charles Wallace, a boy who lived at Mendota and Seventh,  “was cut about the face while discharging a toy cannon.” Young Wallace had just finished putting the fuse into the cannon and “was about to light it when a bottle of powder he was using exploded in his face.” 
   Over in the Mounds Park area, where many of you go to watch fireworks displays, another family was affected. E. P. Benner’s home at 877 Mounds Street caught on fire. The Benner children had stored their fireworks in a closet in the upper part of the house. “When they exhausted their supply they returned for more” and somehow the lit punk got mixed in with the fireworks and they exploded. The house sustained $500 worth of fire damages—remember, in those days a house would often sell for a few thousand.
   I’d tell you about the time ten years ago when a neighborhood kid accidentally launched a bottle rocket through someone’s screen door—yes, it went all the way through the screen and illuminated the people on the porch—but that would imply that Bluffers were using fireworks even before the Legislature had the courage to decriminalize sparklers. 
   Cornelius T. Hogan, a 1902 patrolman at the Margaret Street station was on his way home at 7 a.m. A passing streetcar conductor reported an electric “feed wire” down at Sixth and Maria. Fearing that some could get hurt, Hogan tried to move it from the pedestrian area with a wooden club, but it kept slipping off. Then, said the paper, “the officer finally became exasperated and seized the wire with his hands, supposing it was insulated. The wire carried 2,000 volts and knocked the officer down as soon as he touched it.” 
   It was initially thought he had been killed and that “attempts at resuscitation” had been futile, but he was still breathing. Hogan remained unconscious until noon ”and started to feel better by the afternoon.” That night he was fully conscious and seemed to have recovered except for numbness in his extremities. Hogan remembered little of the event.
   What’s the deal here?  The schoolgirls of the German Catholic Church gave ice cream socials on Friday and Saturday at Seventh and Maple in mid-July. According to the paper, music was furnished by The Hibernian Band. Why would Sacred Heart have an Irish band? 
   Most people are familiar with Swede Hollow, but another lost community, nicknamed Connemara Patch, used to exist along the banks of Phalen Creek. Many of its turn-of-the century residents came from the Connemara area of Ireland. The settlement was mentioned after a major thunderstorm hit the city in early July. “Phalen Creek, from Fourth to Seventh Street, overflowed its banks during the storm and caused consternation in the Connemara Patch,” the paper reported. “The road bridge across the creek at Fourth and Commercial Streets was washed out, cutting off an easy escape for the sixty or more families concerned.”
   Only two families had to abandon their homes. “Patrick McDonough fled with his wife and five children as did the family of John O’Toole, also consisting of seven members.”
   The foundations of their two houses “were washed out by the torrents of water that flowed through the shanties... it was these evidences of collapse that caused alarm along the creek, and the families began to move…other homes on the creek were flooded to a depth of two or three feet and the families sought safety by standing on chairs and tables.”

Ghosts Found in Mounds Theater
By Greg Cosimini
 

Photo by Greg Cosimini This is a poster for the 1924 silent movie "Ghosts" that was recently found in the Mounds Theater.

   After years of speculation as to whether or not the old Mounds Theater was haunted, absolute proof of ghosts was recently found during the theater’s renovation.  Ric Reichel, an electrician for Muska Electric, was working in the attic space above the stage when he came across evidence that there were definitely ghosts in the theater as far back as 1924, just two years after the theater opened.
   Before anyone starts calling for Ghostbusters, the evidence consists of a poster for the 1924 silent movie “Ghosts” that must have been shown at that Mounds that year. The film is described as “Hilarious Happenings in a Haunted House” and stars Bob O’Conor and Eddie Boland. 
   Three other movie posters and several Minneapolis and St. Paul papers from December 1924 were also found in the attic.  The other posters were from “High Flyers”, “Nerve Tonic” and “Her Boy Friend”, all silent, black and white movies from 1924.
   Maybe real ghosts weren’t found in the theater but several mysteries remain.  For example, why where these items in the attic and how did they get there? As far as can be determined, this part of the attic was basically unreachable until this year when most of the ceiling was removed and a lift was brought in. 
   None of the posters or newspapers are in very good condition.  Time, dirt, moisture and an occasional mouse have taken their toll.  However the posters are still valuable from a historical viewpoint.  Two of the movies, “Ghosts” and “Her Boy Friend” can’t be found in any list of old movies.  No posters or photos exist for any of the movies so the information provided by these posters will be added to the little that is known of the early days of silent movies.
Pictures and Christmas Shopping in 1924
   The newspapers are interesting in their own way.  While the articles aren’t all that exciting, the photos and especially the advertisements provide insight into life in 1924.  For example, on the front page of the Sunday December 7, 1924 (17 years before this day would live in infamy), Rotogravure Section of the Minneapolis Journal there is a full-page photo of “America’s new monarch of the sky”, a hydrogen filled dirigible named the “Los Angeles” circling the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.  It had just been christened by Mrs. Calvin Coolidge. 
   On the inside, a not exactly politically correct photo shows an extremely skinny, 50-pound man with his decidedly not skinny, 467-pound wife. There are, not surprisingly, the Skinny Man and the Fat Lady in a New York Side Show.  Another picture shows America’s only “plane carrying ship”, the USS Langley passing through the Panama Canal.
   The papers were filled with ideas for Christmas gifts.  Nagel’s in Minneapolis was selling radios at prices from $23 to $208, complete with headphones.  A loudspeaker cost $22.50 extra, $25 with a mahogany finish. Across the river in St. Paul, Linehan Phonograph Co. could sell you hand cranked phonographs, no electricity needed.  A top of the line Victrola was on sale for $119, marked down from $225. 
   The Twin City Motor Car Co. had these new cars for sale: Essex Coach - $895, Hudson Coach - $1345, Hudson Five-Passenger Sedan - $1795 and the Hudson Seven-Passenger Sedan - $1895.  The fine print reads, “All prices freight and tax extra.”  Some things never change.
   At Powers, Men’s knitted neckwear (what we now call neckties) were only 39 cents.  Men’s wool reefers (apparently some sort of scarf) were $1.  According to an ad from P. Schlampp & Son, Manufacturing Furriers, “Every woman’s irresistible desire for genuine seal skin is undeniable.” They were selling Alaska seal coats for $470.  The sealskins were obtained from the U.S. Government in a special purchase. 
    The Friday, December 12, 1924 St. Paul Daily News contained ads from the Emporium and the Golden Rule, stores that still existed in downtown St. Paul well into the 1960s.  At the Emporium you could buy a men’s suit for $21.75 or women’s “Balloon Shoes” for $6.  The Golden Rule had men’s shirts for $2 to $6, silk, brocaded lounging robes for $15 to $40, and nightshirts and pajamas for $1.39 to $3.50. Over at J.C. Penney, women’s wool dresses were going for $7.90 and $14.95 while fur trimmed coats cost $14.75 and $19.75.
More Theater Mementos
   Other assorted items were discovered in more accessible parts of the theater.  An opening in one of the organ pipe chambers appeared to be covered with pieces of cardboard. It turns out these were also movie posters.  One was for the 1929 movie “Close Harmony” starring Buddy Rogers.  He plays a drummer and the poster proclaims, “Hear him sing and play.”  This was in the early days of the “talkies” so that was a big deal. Another poster advertised “Ramer’s Chocolates”.  It showed a somewhat scantily clad woman going through the curtains and onto a stage.  She is saying, “For unusual Candies try Ramer’s.”  There were also some January 1930 newspapers found with these posters. 
   Mounds Theatre movie tickets of unknown vintage were discovered but judging from their prices of 10, 20 and 25 cents, they were from a while ago.  A large burlap sack that once contained 100 lbs. of  “Genuine Reddy-Pop Golden Grain Popcorn” was also found. It was “Fresh! Tasty! Crisp! Wholesome!”  At least that’s what the clown giving the big “OK” sign appears to be saying. 
   No one cleaned up when the theater closed in 1967 so lots of old candy wrappers were still lying on the floor 33 years later.  Some are still common such as Hershey’s Kisses, Tootsie Rolls and Nut Goodies but others aren’t so familiar.  These include things like Boston Baked Beans, Spearmint Leaves, Guess What?, Dots and Walnettos. There were also some cups featuring “Mr. Dee-lish” pushing soft drinks and “Butterkorn – Popcorn with 100% Pure Butter.” Remember, “It’s Dee-lish.”
   Visit www.theportage.org and check the Mounds Theater section to see pictures of many of these items and others not mentioned in this article.

Tips on Staying Safe... For Women

   I learned from my children's karate classes that the elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do! 
   If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back taillights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives. 
   I recently attended a personal safety workshop and it jolted me. It was given by an amazing man, Pat Malone, who has been a bodyguard for famous figures like Farrah Fawcett and Sylvester Stallone. He works for the FBI and teaches police officers and Navy SEALS hand-to-hand combat. 
   This man has seen it all, and knows a lot. He focused his teachings to us on HOW TO AVOID BEING THE VICTIM OF A VIOLENT CRIME. He gave us some statistics about how much the occurrences of random violence have escalated over the recent years, and it's terrible.  Something like 99% of us will be exposed to, or become a victim of a violent crime. 
   Here are some of the most important points that I got out of his presentation: 
(1.) The three reasons women are easy targets for random acts of violence are: 
  (a.) Lack of Awareness: You MUST know where you are and what's going on around you. 
  (b.) Body Language: Keep your head up, swing your arms, and stand straight up. 
  (c.) Wrong Place, Wrong Time: DON'T walk alone in an alley, or drive in a bad neighborhood at night. 
(2.) Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc). DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK 
THE DOORS AND LEAVE. 
  (a.) A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. 
  (b.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. 
  (c.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.) 
(3.) ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot). 
(4.) If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN! 
(5.) As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. 
  (a.) Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim. 
  (b.) Pat Malone told us the story of his daughter, who came out of the mall and was walking to her car when she noticed 2 older ladies in front of her. Then she saw a police car come towards her with cops who said hello. She also noticed that all 8 handicap spots in the area were empty. As she neared her car she saw a man a few rows over calling to her for help. He wanted her to close his passenger side door. He was sitting in the back on the driver's side, and said he was handicapped. He continued calling, until she turned and headed back to the mall, and then he began cursing at her. In the meantime, she wondered why he didn't ask the 2 older ladies, or the policeman for help, and why he was not parked in any of the empty handicap spots. As she got back to the mall, two male friends of hers were exiting, and as she told them the story, and turned to point at the car, the man was getting out of the back seat into the front and the car sped away. DON'T GET CAUGHT IN THIS TRAP. 
   PLEASE BE SAFE AND NOT SORRY! JUST A WARNING TO ALWAYS BE ALERT AND USE YOUR HEAD!!!