This is a Blog site created by Bob Reed (in Florida) for folks who live--or used to live--in Marcus, Iowa. Its purpose is to exchange notes, news, remembrances, and thoughts about life in and about Marcus, or news about one's family, friends or acquaintances.
Monday, August 01, 2005
August 2005 Discussion
This discussion thread is closed. You may click below to read and catch up, but go to the current thread to continue the conversation.
Watching the space walk this morning and the repairs taking place on the spacecraft makes me wonder what Denny and Dorothy Peavey must be thinking knowing that Denny's son "BRIAN" and Dorothy's grandson played such a vital role in this walk. To my understanding Brian specializes and is an expert in the spacewalk uniform and every aspect of how it functions............it must be a rush to watch one of your students out there walking in space and knowing you trained him. Congrats to the PEAVEY family.
George Meylor of Seal Beach, CA phoned me to catch up on happenings. His youngest daughter, Mary, was married last summer on Catalina Island. He and his wife had been traveling extensively. George was planning to attend the Marcus Fair this year but he found out his family was planning a surprise birthday party Sept. 2 for his 80th so all his family, including Iowans, will attend. On Sept. 13 George is undergoing prostate cancer surgery. His attitude is optimistic and he was fortunate it was discovered in time to operate. George plays golf with Lyle and Iris Schmillen, also of Seal Beach. He sees Bob Stowater and several other Marcusites in the Long Beach area. Said he's been to Phoenix often and saw Earl Rae there. George's children presented him with a computer so he will soon be posting on this Blog. Bonnie Morgenthaler
It is well known that the majority of Marcus residents can trace their ancestry back to Germany, along with a few Swedish and Norwegian relatives thrown in. In the intrest of a new thread, I am curious how many can place where in Germany (as it is today) their ancestors came from. As an example, my fathers family came from Passade, a village in the Probstei part of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany. The village is ESE of Keil. I am intrested in trying to establish how deep the roots in Marcus go. Many of the names in the Probstei area are familiar to anyone with a memeory of Marcus. Did our ancestors know each other back in the "homeland" and then slowly regroup back in NW Iowa, or was there a deeper connection? If any readers can shed more information on this subject, I would really like the help.
It’s pretty well known that John Blair, an eastern railroad tycoon, named Marcus and Aurelia after his sons in 1871. The two were supposedly named after a Roman emperor. But who was that ancient guy?
Marcus Aurelius ruled from 169 to 180 A.D.—a pretty average time for emperors in that day. He was a Stoic and a humanitarian, but also a persecutor of the Christians. For decades he gazed calmly down from the heights of the Campidoglio—Rome’s town hall square. His is the only equestrian statue in Rome.
His pose atop the horse was spared the destruction that befell so much of ancient Rome’s art, because early Roman Christians mistakenly believed it was a statue of Constantine, the emperor who legitimatized Christianity in 312 A.D. The statue gained prominence in the 16th century when Michelangelo redesigned the area and placed it in the middle of the square.
It has been recently refurbished. For legend has it that only as long as the gilding on the statue’s surface lasts, Rome will escape destruction. Which is more than can be said of John Blair’s son, Marcus. He died two years after our town was named for him.
Bonnie, thanks for the information on George. We have sporatically run into each other over the past 50 years.In 1952, while stationed at Camp Pendleton, I was wandering around the streets of Long Beach trying to find an honest used car salesman. Obviously this was taking a considerable amount of time and searching, and in the midst of my trials I bumped into George and his brother walking down the sunny side of the street. We met later at a Marcus Picnic in Phoenix, and then some time later, my wife and I were viewing a Russian Exhibit at a hotel in Las Vegas, stopped to study a display and found we were standing next to George and his wife. Maybe they will be coming to the Marcus Picnic in February, it is about time we meet again. Good luck George. Bob Reed: did Marcus Aurelius ever work on the section crew in Marcus? Maybe I am thinking of Grover Morning. Earl Rae
Thanks, Kurt, for the pictures of the old home town. Things downtown have really changed. It was so interesting to see all the new and old buildings. Craig, the beautiful red hair is gone! But the same smile is there. Bonnie M.
Earl Rae's mention of Grover Morning made me think of another great Marcus name that I love! Who can forget the Grand Meadow Larks---what a basketball team! They beat us in our senior year in 1949 and tweeted all the way home!
As for class reunions during the fair, the class of 1990 is celebrating their 15th... It will be nice to come back and show my kids where I grew up. Until then...
Just surfing the net here at work and stumbled upon this. I am Donna (Hansen) Mertz, youngest of Ray & Peggy Hansen and little sis of Chuck and Linda. I am currently living in Hartford, WI, and am a veterinarian. Linda is married and has 1 son (5yr. old Paul). Chuck is married to Karen (Cronin) and they have 3 kids (Brett 18, Derek 17, Jena 13). Was home to Ray & Peg's this spring, it was nice to be home. Wish I could make it home this fall to help with harvest. Well wishes to all
Dan Steffen: much of the settlement of Iowa came on a space available proposition. Dyersville, in eastern Iowa was settled by German and Luxemburg natives. As relatives made the trip in later years they found the area already settled and moved on west, setling in Remsen and Bob Reed's favorite spot, Oyens. Check the phone books of those three towns and you will find many names that match. I have eight nieces and nephews who grew up as Willenburg's with Remsen origins, and only last year found out they had cousins in Dyersville named Willenberg. I gave them a name I picked up on the internet white pages, they made a call and established the blood line. Boxholm, Iowa was settled by Swedes who traveled up the Des Moines River by steamboat. A later group looking to join them hired a guide, got lost, and settled in Swedesburg, Henry County, Iowa. The Germans there had settled on the timbered hill ground that also provided ample water as well as building mataerial. The poor Swedes were doomed to the flat swampy land available, which they immediately tiled, and their descendents now sit on probably the most high priced in the State of Iowa. My ancestors just kind of wandered in, I guess. My great-great grandfather was born James McCrea in a place called Glasgow, changed his name to Rae when he married, probably so they couldn't convict him of stealing sheep. My mothers migrating ancestor was Toussaint Deschamps, born in another little one time German community, named Paris. He was employed in 1653 to come to Canada with 149 other ablebodied men to protect French settlers from the Iriquois indians. The family migrated to New York and later to eastern Iowa. My great-great grandfather worked for Jacob Astor's company as a fur trader. Out of twenty members of my graduating class I could only find five with definite German sounding names; hope the North Irish don't get into their backgrounds. Earl Rae
Margaret, the only reason for my rambling was tht I never thought of Marcus as a community with a dominant cultural background. The North Irish I made mention of were the Irish farmers that lived north of town and went to the Catholic church. They were not North Irish in terms of having been residents of Belfast or a part of the Protestant areas of Ireland. When I was a kid we referred to them as the North Irish, we didn't even know there was a Northern Ireland. You were totally on target with the migration of Irish and Scots. There is alot of red hair in both countries. The Rae's, McRea's, McCrea's, and a number of other families were all septs, or allied families, within the MacRae Clan. I always felt one of the strengths of Marcus was that we were a blend of nationalities; Irish, Swedeish, Danish, German, Luxemburger, English, you name it. Remsen was German-Luxemburger through and through. We were a little more "all-American". I figured Clark was probably English or Irish, but you would have been a great teacher if your name had been anything diferrent. At 76 I still think of you as my English teacher, but please don't correct my grammatical transgressions. Earl
I have just "stumbled" across this site, and I have scanned some of what's here--very interesting. One of the names I recognized was that of Roger Rae in New York.
My name is Karen (Hoyt) Bellas. I lived and grew up in Marcus, Iowa. Graduated from Holy Name High School in 1960 and left Marcus in 1962. I cared for and travelled with Mary Ellen Kelly all during my high school years at Holy Name. To make a very long story, short. My husband Jim and I live in Washington, DC. He is an addictions counselor and I'm a nurse and we work in a health care facility for homeless men and women and live in an apartment building with men in recovery. The good news is that we are planning to return to Iowa probably Marcus or perhaps LeMars. DC is a beautiful city and we love what we are doing but it's time to come home. My sister Linda Spieler still lives on a farm near Marcus and my sister Rita Nuebel lives on a farm near Remsen. I have a brother Randy and his family living near Des Moines. So Iowa is where my roots are and hopefully soon we will be touching the green green grass of home.
I guess I could consider myself a Marcus expatriate. My parents farmed west of Cleghorn until I was thirteen, when we relocated to South Dakota. Although South Dakota has been very good to us, I will always feel that I have some strong links to Marcus. My grandparents lived most of their lives in the community, and we still have friends and relatives around. I now make my home in Columbus, Ohio. But, I must say that I enjoy visiting Marcus whenever I'm able. I was back in late July for an afternoon visit. I hope to return before long. I think that this blog site is a fine idea and I plan to check in regularly.
My name is Sherry Stevenson from Ankeny, Iowa. My grandparents, Clarence and Hildegaard Beck, lived on Ash Street in Marcus, and I spent many summer vacations there as a child. My dad was Dick Beck. He graduated from high school in 1941. He had two brothers, clare and Paul. I enjoyed reading about someone's memories of the popcorn stand on Main street. My dad, Dick Beck, started Beck's Popcorn Emporium to help support his family when he was still in high school. Dad later served in the army in Europe for almost 3 years, went to Iowa State, and settled and lived in Chicago area for 50 years. He passed away last year. His younger brother, Paul, lived in California and was Ronald's Reagan's press secretary while Reagan was Governor of California. My other connection to Marcus, was the jewlery store on Main street that was owned by my aunt and uncle, Louise and Ray Nieman. Another aunt, Ann Meinert, used to work in the Marcus Drug Store.Id love to hear from anyone who might have known any of my family!
Kurt, thanks for the picture and article about Bob Waller. That Life magazine was in the San Jose Mercury News so I gathered up several copies from my neighbors to send to my sisters in Davenport and friends in Marcus. Since this was posted on the blog I can stop collecting and sending. Our two largest newspapers in this area are the Mercury and the San Francisco Chronicle. I talked to Georgianne Waller (at the fair) on one of my last visits to Marcus. (It was the year Bob Reed had his book signing.) She and I discussed the books her husband had written. I had enjoyed his second book citing tales of living in India, I having visited a large part of that country. In that story, Bob was standing with a tourist watching shoppers at an Indian "mall" when his wife passed by. The tourist asked "do you think she is Moroccan?" and Waller answered "no, she's Iowan". Georgianne was deeply tanned and had long, long black hair - a very exotic-looking woman. I loved that comment. Bonnie Morgenthaler
I remember your aunt and uncle, along with your uncle's sister Helen. Helen owned the farm that my parents rented near Cleghorn. As a child forty years ago, I accompanied my grandmother when she patronized their store. I took a liking to a cuckoo clock they had for sale. To amuse me, your aunt would wind the clock up for me. One day, we came into the store and the clock was gone. Sold, your aunt told me. Oh well, I guess that they couldn't keep their inventory around just to entertain me!
Your uncle's sister was also very gracious. She lived in a grand house just west of Holy Name Church. I recall trotting along with my father when he had to discuss some business with her. She had two very large dogs -- labradors, I believe -- that I liked. They were named Jetta and Pecos.
I thought you might find these anecdotal snippets interesting.
Sherry: We lived just a few houses away from the Nieman and Beck families. Both families were well respected and they were very nice people. (We had a house full of boys who ran all over the neighborhood. I don't know how they remined so kind to us and our parents in spite of all of our shenanigans, but they did. I remember shooting a slingshot in Mrs. Beck's back yard. She came out to "discourage" me, but did it in such a great way that I left feeling bad that I'd done it.)My mother, Margaret Dorr, who regularly posts at this site could tell lots of stories about your relatives, I'm sure - and as far as I know, all good. She knew them very well.
Both families always seemed to me, as a kid, to be very "classy". They dressed well, kept their homes and yards in great shape, appeared well educated and were very articulate. They just seemed to have high personal standards. I think my mom was in a "book club" or two with one or both of the ladies.
Speaking of which - that is another small town institution that has largely gone the way of the buffalo - book clubs. People (largely, if not exclusively, women) used to read more and get together for exchanges of ideas and experiences more often, in the era before we all became wired to the same information sources. Now people rarely write letters, engage in community discussion groups or otherwise communicate as they once did. Sad. (One writer whose column I read over the weekend stated it best. We aren't "multi-tasking" as they like to say now, by communicating on a cell phone, while driving and/or checking a Blackberry/Treo, but rathering suffering from the current, wide spread condition of "continuous partial attention." Remember what it felt like to sit down and read a letter or write one, without feeling obliged to keep an ear out for Fox or CNN updates, or being interrupted by the ring tone of your cell phone or the chirp of your computer announcing an incoming email?)I especially enjoy reading the letters from front during the Civil War, WWI and WWII. So many could write so well then. It's a communicative art form largely lost.
Your relatives, Sherry, were an extension of that great legacy in Marcus. I especially remember Mrs. Nieman. (I still think of these ladies as "Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Nieman" all these years later.) A bright, engaging, upbeat, sweet and very kind lady. You've much to be proud of in her. Fred Dorr
Hi Shirley Stevenson! Everyone in Marcus knew the Becks. I remember your dad's popcorn stand on main street which he labeled "Beck's Popcorn Eporieum" in the '40's. My brother Warren (a classmate of Dicks at MHS) tried to compete with his stand by labeling his place "Graveyard Reed's Popcorn Joint" in an attempt to bring in "the more common trade". Those high school seniors of '41 competed to see which one could sell the most of the delicious stuff on Saturday nights. Your Uncle Paul (and Joe Niemann)were members of my Flameing Arrow Patrol of the Boy Scouts in 1944. We lasted about a year and then discovered girls. We later connected when Paul was the press guy for Reagan--but that's another story. Your Uncle Clare helped make up the entire trombone section of the Marcus High School Band in 1945. It consisted of Earl Rae, Clare Beck and Bob Reed. When we got together at a reunion in the 1990's, we threatened to get some horns and play. Wiser heads prevailed. Clare--a fine artist--married Donna Lou Olson--that beautiful dream--and professional vigin-from (gasp!)Cleghorn that we all had crushes on. And I, like many others bought engagement and wedding rings from Nieman's Jewelry. Sure we remember the Becks--Niemans---nice people from a great town.
Fred Dorr, would you list the names of your brothers and sister in the order of their ages? You mentioned there was a house full of boys but I saw your sister at a bridal shower in Marcus once. All I know is that your Dad said he wanted a baseball team. Bonnie M.
Sherry, I lived across the street from the Beck's for a number of years, until moving to the farm during WWII, when my brothers were both in the service. Clare was a year ahead of me in high school and Paul a year or two behind me. The three of us all went To Drake University; Clare and I majored in Art Education and Paul in Journalism. Clare got his Master's at the University of Nebraska and went on to teaching in California. You probably know he had a great talent as a jewlery maker, and in retirement continued to make fine jewlery under the name "Claire", Donna Lou says because it had a more artistic flair to it, and goes by Claire rather than Clare today. I knew your Dad as an older member of my sister Harriet's graduating class, if memory serves me. Sorry to hear he passed away; I know claire and Donna Lou were going to Ames a couple summers ago to visit. Also was surprised that Paul had died of cancer a number of years ago. I suppose you know it was somewhat of a burden for the Beck family, knowing there was a Republican in the family. Contributors to this Blog have made fond references to the delicious buttered popcorn they devoured from the Beck enterprise. I wish to tell them at this time, by word of Claire, that those dripping wet sides of the popcorn bag were a result of pure old palm oil, not old fashioned butter. One last chance to check the arteries. Earl Rae
I'm curious about NW Iowa town reputations from other eras. Speaking only for myself, and at the risk of stepping on toes, my recollection of community reputations in the mid-60's was as follows:
1. Remsen - drinkers/party town - home of a great little dance hall
2. LeMars - college town/respectable
3. Paullina - good place to meet girls
4. Cherokee - river town/ had a great A&W drive-in and good steak houses
5. Oyens - Bob R. says it best - mysterious/unknown
6. Orange City/Sioux Center - "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much"
7. Cleghorn - sports rival
8. Quimby - fighters
9. Sioux City - smell of the stockyards and "big city" environment - by small town standards.
10. Ashton - Steak house.
11. Storm Lake - The Cobblestone Ball Room
Any thoughts?
Wonder what others associated with our home town? Fred
Shirley - now deceased Tom Fred Jon Ann Karl Paul Philip Kurt
I hope I don't offend anyone with this story, but in a recent conversation with Bobby Garvin, classmate of mine from Marcus who now lives in Chicago, his wife asked about the number of brothers and sisters I have. Her follow up question was the predictable one - is your family Catholic? Bobby followed that up with a great comeback "No, they weren't. But that reminds me [Bobby] of a great Groucho Marx story. On meeting a lady he found out she had thirteen children. He asked if that was quite a burden. She responded - Well, I love my husband. He answered: 'Lady, I love my cigar, too, but I take it out of my mouth once in a while.'"
My mom would/will undoubtedly blush on hearing this, but my dad would have roared. They got to seven boys (and two girls)- not quite a baseball team. Fred
Thanks Fred for the chronological listing of your family. I had moved to California when you came along. Your story reminds me of a true story - my neighbors had six children spread out over twenty years. The parents attended a class reunion and when asked how many children they had, a startled classmate asked if they were catholic and the proud papa replied "no, just passionate protestants". I, too, hope this doesn't offend anyone or make Margaret blush. Bonnie M.
Luther College in Decorah is doing the same exact thing currently - putting up a wind tower to generate its own electric power. If someone in Marcus wants some help on how that happened they should contact that school's business office. More of these alternatives are being considered around the state right now. Fred
I was talking with John Sand, who said he and others have looked into the feasibility of putting up a wind tower in Marcus for residents' energy needs. The start-up costs were exorbitant. But now I am wondering (after reading the article) if there are grants available or alternative funding sources that he and others just didn't know about. The optimist inside me thinks wind power could be our salvation.
While driving across Iowa a week ago, I found I had to stop to look at the turbines and listen to them turning ... always a bit overwhelming to see hundreds of them looming on the horizon.
John also noted upcoming long-range plans to build more turbines north of Marcus ... quite interesting as the technology of wind towers continues to become more efficient.
Had a wonderful time in Marcus!!! A 30th class reunion ... a surprise birthday party for my mother ... a visit with fellow word-lover Margaret Dorr (how gracious and kind you are!!) and book lover Mavis Diment ... lots of visits with family and friends ... broasted chicken in Germantown ... visits to the Panhead, JBs, Pizza Ranch and the Family Table ... a few quiet hours at the library ... walks on the track and around town. Marcus is still a great place to visit!!! Thanks to all who made my stay so enjoyable.
Jack Clarkson told me he is trying to get the Holy Name All-School Reunion organized with the help of a good group. It would be great if he could use this forum as a place to help do that. From what I hear he is a granddad once again ... so congratulations!!!
Many of you young ones won't remember me at all. But I certainly recognize many of the contributors. I'm sure that Jack Clarkson will remember me. And Hi, Jack and Fern. As you may know or not that I reside in Scottsdale now in a lovely retirement community. I have heard that there is a rumor that I am in a 'nursing home'. Nope, I am still very independent here and hope to stay that way for a few more years. I graduated from high school in 1942--same as Thelma G.After reading so much from Bob Reed, I recall that his brother, Warren, escorted me to the Junior-Senior Banquet in my junior year. We did not have proms then. If this entry goes through as I am hoping, I will plan to make some additional contributions. Phyllis Sand Moore
Here's my take on nearby towns when I was in high school in the '40s.
Remsen—the Paris of Northwest Iowa with 17 bars. Thursday night dances were cool and the girls from Akron and other northern climes came but refused to dance (at least with me) . Cherokee—great looking, sophisticated girls and two movie palaces and two high schools. Big town.
Sheldon—Calm, proper, orderly. Home of the Orabs, a most unusual name for teams (Orange and Black)
Cleghorn—historic rivals
LeMars–named after the initials of 6 ladies, where you learned to swim in the man-made lake. Camilla Jewell lived there.
Meridan—A pass-by place
Washta—somewhere south
Quimby—somewhere south
Grand Meadow—The Grand Meadow Larks
Fielding—Lawrence Welk once played there
Larabee—named after a former governor. They won the state basketball tournament in the '30s.
Aurelia—"consolidated" school
Kingsley—almost always beat us
Movile—we almost always beat them
Sioux City—big town with the Orpheum Theatre and a large department store and restaurants and the enormous Central and East High Schools and a stadium where the Morningside Maroons also played.
Marcus—Second largest town in Cherokee county with two high schools. A "big" town with good-looking girls, according to the kids from Cleghorn, Meridan, Quimby, Washta who came for "Youth Dances" in the Municipal Building.
I think the other blonde in that picture might be Mary Nielsen. It was great to be home for the fair. Kurt, I've enjoyed the pics and am anxious to see the rest of them. Phil did a great job on them. Julia, can you believe we ate at the same places you did while we were in Marcus? Germantown is becoming a trip every time I'm home. I am off to school today, although we don't have students until the 23rd. Guess that means summer is over my family! As ever, Marcia Steffen Pavey
For those who may not know, the "Locator Online" - billed as "The Nation's Leading Used Auto & Truck Parts Magazine" operates out of Whiting, Iowa. The proprietor, John Holmes, has his business on main street in that community. Another Iowa example of a small town figuring out how to compete with the world using available technology. Fred
Thanks to all who contribute to this fine blog. I certainly enjoy reading all the thoughts posted here! I'm also quite fond of the Marcus Fair pictures. They're truly a taste of home though I'm far away.
Regards, Jennifer Smith Hoesing Tallahassee, FL (daughter of Steve & Linda Smith)
I have not been on the Blog for a while. Been very busy with our moving to a new home in Marcus. Lived on 104 N. Oak St. for 40 yrs. so you can imagine how many things had to be moved or pitched.
Sherry Stevenson: My parents John and Lorene Clarkson lived next door to your grandparents and were great friends. Dad played a lot of golf with Clarence. I also knew them very well. Dick and Clare always stopped to see them when they were back. I knew Paul had passed away several years ago but did not know about Dick and Clare. Sorry to hear about your Father. I would like to know about Clare too. Nice that you are on the Blog.
Phyllis Sand Moore: Sure I remember you, Phyllis. How could I forget. I also remember your Mother as I did a lot of business with her when I was in the feed business. That was back in the 60's. Glad you are doing well. Our kids are in Cherokee, Ia., Bozeman, Mt and Chicago. Tammy in Cherokee is a medical secretary, Bob in Bozeman is building two golf courses in the mountains at Big Sky, Mt. and Al is with United Airlines. Thanks to Al we get to see them quit often. Phyllis take care and best wishes from Fern and I.
Julie Meylor Simpson: Nice seeing you during the fair. Yes we have the All Holy Name Class Reunion in the works. It will be during the Marcus Fair next August. We have another meeting coming up and will do more planning. Keep in touch.
Ok, my turn for a few comments. Since the Dorr brothers appear to visit this website a lot: (1) I spent a few days in Waco, Texas a couple weeks ago at the Little League Regional. (My son was playing for Tulsa). Baylor looks like a nice campus, Phil, but Waco isn't much to look at. (2) (and this is for Bob Reed too) Is it true that Bob Reed and his fellow class of '47 hoodlums, including my aunt Anita Dose, were the reason Margaret Dorr gave up teaching? I think my mother told me that story once...of course, she was smiling, but, it's a funny story. Bob Reed and company were so rotten, Margaret was driven into retirement. (3) I have become the self-appointed custodian of the Flanagan family tree, and I was wondering if some of the older folks could clarify something for me. My great uncle, Christopher (Christie) Flanagan once owned the drinking establishment where the Hawkeye now stands on Main Street in Marcus. He owned it from 1927 to 1945 when he turned it over to his son Howard, who later moved to California in 1953. I can't get much information from my family, but, I ask the questions: Was the name of the place "Flanagan's Place" or "Christie's Place"? And does anybody have any stories about Christie? I assume that Mr. Reed and friends may have visited the establishment once or twice. Thanks, Kevin Flanagan
Kevin: Speaking of Family Trees was that your family that had to take the big old Cottonwood tree down in your front yard or was it the Busch family. That tree made more noise than you could imagine on a stormy night!!! BTW.......did you ever hear the story about "GUS" and how he crawled over to the house one day or night after having a bad accident? I don't have all of the facts straight but hopefully my mom or brothers will share a story about GUS and that ordeal. He was an amazing guy and built a few neat old homes in Marcus which our home was one of if memory serves me correctly.
Regarding Waco......well it wasn't built on OIL money like Tulsa but Baylor on the otherhand has had its share of oil donors over the years. If your son plays baseball then he most definitely was impressed with the baseball/softball complex but then again since we went to Omaha this year I don't imagine there is anything a Texas school can have to offer that an Okie can appreciate!!!!! Next time drive around Lake Waco and see the elaborate subdivisions on the lake........sure is a lot cheaper than living on Lake Austin or Lake Travis down the road a bit in Austin........even our good President knows value when he sees it thus the move to a suburb of Waco!
Hi Jack Clarkson, I am Donna Beck, Claire Becks wife, and wanted to tell you what wonderful neighbors your parents were to the Becks. When they were unable to get around very well,John was always there to lend a helping hand. When we flew back for Grandpa Becks funeral he so kindly took us to the airport. Claire has not chosen to spend time on the computer but is very interested in the Marcus blog and hearing all the latest on old and new friends.
I’m pretty sure that my buddies and I weren’t the reason that Margaret Dorr left the teaching profession. I think her new husband Melvin was probably responsible for that—but you’ll have to ask her.
And all of us liked those fine Dose girls! Anita was a year ahead of me in school and a cheerleader. I graduated in 1949.
The Hawkeye was known as “Flanagan’s Place” then. We had grown up in a time when there were three stable sureties in life—(1) God was in His heaven, (2) Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President of the United States, and (3) Joe Louis was the heavyweight champion of the world! It had been always thus and would always be so.
The tavern was managed by Howard (we kids never called him Howie) Flanagan. (I was too young to go in there when Christie ran it.) It was a pool hall with a snooker table and a pool table in the back. No billiard table. For that, you had to go to the Victory Billiards across the street and under the sidewalk.
In Flanagan’s, there was a long bar where the habitués pondered the state of the world and what coulda’ or woulda’ or shoulda’ happened. And there was a handwritten sign that advised them that “If you are drinking to forget, please pay in advance.” (Maybe I made that up—but if it wasn’t there, it should have been).
It was an all-male joint. No woman and few Protestants ever darkened its hallowed door. The fellas at the bar were occasionally joined by the guys at the tables playing pinochle. Many of them were farmers who came to town when it was too wet or too dry to do anything in the fields, and they stayed till chore time.
Others were the town’s professional loafers. They’d spend some time there, alternating between going down to Gray’s Garage to watch someone get their oil changed or over to Chels Metcalf’s barber shop to watch a buddy get a haircut.
Flanagan’s was dark and full of the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke. No hard liquor was sold.
In the daytime the little radio behind the bar was tuned to the St Louis Cardinals game. On Friday nights, it was tuned to Madison Square Garden and contests like the Joe Louis-Billy Conn fisticuffs. It was dreadfully hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
Flanagan’s was a grown-up place and we high school boys were allowed in to play pool, but we were never served anything but pop. A “game” cost 25 cents and a Coke was a nickel. We were not really “regulars.”
But all in all, it was a sorta’ warm, homey, familiar retreat, full of masculine camaraderie. We boys picked up a lot from the conversations around us. I guess we tried to sort out how to act like a man in Flanagan’s.
My mother was horrified that I occasionally went into the place and constantly repeated her pleas to me to avoid it. I did feel a bit guilty about disappointing her, but not enough to keep me away.
I used the setting in a story once, calling it “The He Ain’t Here Pool Hall.” That about said it all.
Bob Reed: Love reading your words. You've a gift. And whether, as you suggest, it's fact or fiction, it is wonderful to read.
As I read it, I thought of a review I read last night of a new book to be released next month: "The Tender Bar: A Memoir" by J.R. Moehringer.
The book industry has given it rave reviews. It is the story of a guy whose dad wasn't around when he was growing up, so he turned to the bar on the corner - "a grand old New York saloon that was a sanctuary for all types of men - cops and poets, actors and lawyers, gamblers and stumblebums." The characters provide him with a "kind of fatherhood by committee".
When I read your words this morning, evoking much of the same imagery, it sounds like you could have written the book.
Keep on telling your stories. They're wonderful. Fred
I appreciate the responses from Bob Reed and from Margaret Dorr. I laughed when I read what Bob wrote about the Protestants being in Flanagan's Place. And for Julia Meylor, a bit of trivia regarding Snyder's Tap: There's a family connection between Snyder's Tap and Flanagan's Place. My great uncle Christie owned the place from 1927 to 1945 until he handed it over to his son Howard. Howard ran the place until 1953 when he moved to California. My first recollections of that wonderful establishment occurred when it was known as Ernie's Place. I have no idea who Ernie was, but I do remember going in with my father a few times. He, my brother and I would all sit at the bar, eat beer nuts, and Dad would drink a Schlitz, a Hamm's or Falstaff. I was thrilled to get an Orange Nehi. Then the place became Snyder's Tap. Sometime in the mid-60's, I recall one Sunday morning when I was serving as altar boy with Mike Snyder that he came in and couldn't control himself. His parents had purchased the beer joint the day before! The little piece of trivia is that Mary Jane (Bird) Snyder is also a descendent of William Flanagan just as Christie and Howard are. So, for most of 50 or 60 years, my family has provided alcohol to the citizens of Marcus. Is that a good thing? From Bob Reed's description, it would appear that the joint didn't change much for many, many years. The long bar was on the south side of the building, and along the north wall I recall a giant mural photograph of a lake, that I always assumed had to be in Minnesota. In the middle were the 3 or 4 tables of card players. Again, thanks for the information.
Kevin: you asked if anyone had any stories about Christie Flanagan. Christie was a fine gentleman, short, a bit rotund, and bespectacled with a quick smile. He did have one nagging problem, he suffered from a a wee bladder problem. Christie owned, probably, the only car in the State of Iowa that had a relief tube built in. Christie had a hose in the fron seat area that emptied to a hole in the floorboard. It was crowned with a funnel. That is what we could term, thinking ahead. Anyone who ever shot snooker in Flanagan's Pool Hall kneew you had to be lighta on your toes when Christie called from the bar to get out of the way, he was headed for the little room in the northwest corner of the building. Christie did enjoy Protestant money equally with money of any other secular background. After all.the Flanagans raised no dummies. Howaard Flanagan was probably the most gifted baseball player that I know of with a Marcus background. Earl Flanagan was jewel of a man, and a capable golfer. Now, to the Class of 1947. They were not hoodlums; high spirited perhaps, and perhaps under motivated. but not, gasp, hoodlums. Your aunt, Anita, played basketball and was just plain nice, as were all the other girls in the class. Well, almost all the other girls. The boys; well, with the likes of Don Peters, Ken McQueen, Dick Dorr, Craig Dorr, James Bradley [Apel], Lynn Simons, Don Geringer, Leon Ebert, and myself, what could one expect. I purposely omitted Charles Christiansen's name, as Charlie never caught on to being a little obnoxious. We meant well. I am glad Margaret set the record straight. Margaret was dedicated, gifted, liked by everyone as a teacher, and certainly strong enough willed tht no one would have "driven" her out of teaching. Having been a teacher for seven and one half years, I can appreciate not finding teaching a group of semi-misfits totally rewarding, especially with an eye to life's work. Don't know that raising a short baseball team is less challenging. Anyway, now that I have vindicated the Class of '47, I wish you good luck recording the lives of the Flanagan family. Earl Rae
Just returned from west lake Okoboji after 15 days. The time with old friends (30 years on that lake) raising 3 kids and raising he.. sort of. Great time of healing as I enjoyed the time with my youngest daughter, Molly. And to...Bob Reed....The Glen Miller orchestra was at Spirit Lake (roof garden gone via tornardo, of course)on Sat, August 13. So....this was the 5th and last year of the Miller band at the lake...for many of us depression babies...attended Welk Theatre here in Escondido (42nd street) and again noted the large poster advertising Lawrence Welk pictured in a hugh, and long station wagon (in early 30s)..must of been a special order) out in front of the Antlers Hotel in Spirit Lake...so..the big bands are through yet..
If you are going to post you have to play by the rules of the "BLOG" or you will get severely chastised by the powers that be and I would hate to see that happen to such a sweet woman.........No ANONYMOUS POST!!!!
Watching the space walk this morning and the repairs taking place on the spacecraft makes me wonder what Denny and Dorothy Peavey must be thinking knowing that Denny's son "BRIAN" and Dorothy's grandson played such a vital role in this walk. To my understanding Brian specializes and is an expert in the spacewalk uniform and every aspect of how it functions............it must be a rush to watch one of your students out there walking in space and knowing you trained him. Congrats to the PEAVEY family.
ReplyDeleteKurt
ReplyDeleteOf course I know "Little Bobby Swanson"! Lived down the street from us! Give him my reagards and tell him to post!
bob Reed
George Meylor of Seal Beach, CA phoned me to catch up on happenings. His youngest daughter, Mary, was married last summer on Catalina Island. He and his wife had been traveling extensively. George was planning to attend the Marcus Fair this year but he found out his family was planning a surprise birthday party Sept. 2 for his 80th so all his family, including Iowans, will attend. On Sept. 13 George is undergoing prostate cancer surgery. His attitude is optimistic and he was fortunate it was discovered in time to operate. George plays golf with Lyle and Iris Schmillen, also of Seal Beach. He sees Bob Stowater and several other Marcusites in the Long Beach area. Said he's been to Phoenix often and saw Earl Rae there. George's children presented him with a computer so he will soon be posting on this Blog. Bonnie Morgenthaler
ReplyDeleteIt is well known that the majority of Marcus residents can trace their ancestry back to Germany, along with a few Swedish and Norwegian relatives thrown in. In the intrest of a new thread, I am curious how many can place where in Germany (as it is today) their ancestors came from. As an example, my fathers family came from Passade, a village in the Probstei part of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany. The village is ESE of Keil. I am intrested in trying to establish how deep the roots in Marcus go. Many of the names in the Probstei area are familiar to anyone with a memeory of Marcus. Did our ancestors know each other back in the "homeland" and then slowly regroup back in NW Iowa, or was there a deeper connection? If any readers can shed more information on this subject, I would really like the help.
ReplyDeleteDan Steffen
MARCUS AURELIUS
ReplyDeleteIt’s pretty well known that John Blair, an eastern railroad tycoon, named Marcus and Aurelia after his sons in 1871. The two were supposedly named after a Roman emperor. But who was that ancient guy?
Marcus Aurelius ruled from 169 to 180 A.D.—a pretty average time for emperors in that day. He was a Stoic and a humanitarian, but also a persecutor of the Christians. For decades he gazed calmly down from the heights of the Campidoglio—Rome’s town hall square. His is the only equestrian statue in Rome.
His pose atop the horse was spared the destruction that befell so much of ancient Rome’s art, because early Roman Christians mistakenly believed it was a statue of Constantine, the emperor who legitimatized Christianity in 312 A.D. The statue gained prominence in the 16th century when Michelangelo redesigned the area and placed it in the middle of the square.
It has been recently refurbished. For legend has it that only as long as the gilding on the statue’s surface lasts, Rome will escape destruction. Which is more than can be said of John Blair’s son, Marcus. He died two years after our town was named for him.
Bonnie, thanks for the information on George. We have sporatically run into each other over the past 50 years.In 1952, while stationed at Camp Pendleton, I was wandering around the streets of Long Beach trying to find an honest used car salesman. Obviously this was taking a considerable amount of time and searching, and in the midst of my trials I bumped into George and his brother walking down the sunny side of the street. We met later at a Marcus Picnic in Phoenix, and then some time later, my wife and I were viewing a Russian Exhibit at a hotel in Las Vegas, stopped to study a display and found we were standing next to George and his wife. Maybe they will be coming to the Marcus Picnic in February, it is about time we meet again. Good luck George. Bob Reed: did Marcus Aurelius ever work on the section crew in Marcus? Maybe I am thinking of Grover Morning. Earl Rae
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kurt, for the pictures of the old home town. Things downtown have really changed. It was so interesting to see all the new and old buildings. Craig, the beautiful red hair is gone! But the same smile is there. Bonnie M.
ReplyDeleteKurt, your pictures just keep getting better and better. I always wondered where the Family Restaurant was located - now I know. Bonnie M.
ReplyDeleteEarl Rae's mention of Grover Morning made me think of another great Marcus name that I love! Who can forget the Grand Meadow Larks---what a basketball team! They beat us in our senior year in 1949 and tweeted all the way home!
ReplyDeleteAs for class reunions during the fair, the class of 1990 is celebrating their 15th... It will be nice to come back and show my kids where I grew up. Until then...
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteJust surfing the net here at work and stumbled upon this. I am Donna (Hansen) Mertz, youngest of Ray & Peggy Hansen and little sis of Chuck and Linda. I am currently living in Hartford, WI, and am a veterinarian. Linda is married and has 1 son (5yr. old Paul). Chuck is married to Karen (Cronin) and they have 3 kids (Brett 18, Derek 17, Jena 13). Was home to Ray & Peg's this spring, it was nice to be home. Wish I could make it home this fall to help with harvest. Well wishes to all
Dan Steffen: much of the settlement of Iowa came on a space available proposition. Dyersville, in eastern Iowa was settled by German and Luxemburg natives. As relatives made the trip in later years they found the area already settled and moved on west, setling in Remsen and Bob Reed's favorite spot, Oyens. Check the phone books of those three towns and you will find many names that match. I have eight nieces and nephews who grew up as Willenburg's with Remsen origins, and only last year found out they had cousins in Dyersville named Willenberg. I gave them a name I picked up on the internet white pages, they made a call and established the blood line. Boxholm, Iowa was settled by Swedes who traveled up the Des Moines River by steamboat. A later group looking to join them hired a guide, got lost, and settled in Swedesburg, Henry County, Iowa. The Germans there had settled on the timbered hill ground that also provided ample water as well as building mataerial. The poor Swedes were doomed to the flat swampy land available, which they immediately tiled, and their descendents now sit on probably the most high priced in the State of Iowa. My ancestors just kind of wandered in, I guess. My great-great grandfather was born James McCrea in a place called Glasgow, changed his name to Rae when he married, probably so they couldn't convict him of stealing sheep. My mothers migrating ancestor was Toussaint Deschamps, born in another little one time German community, named Paris. He was employed in 1653 to come to Canada with 149 other ablebodied men to protect French settlers from the Iriquois indians. The family migrated to New York and later to eastern Iowa. My great-great grandfather worked for Jacob Astor's company as a fur trader. Out of twenty members of my graduating class I could only find five with definite German sounding names; hope the North Irish don't get into their backgrounds. Earl Rae
ReplyDeleteMargaret, the only reason for my rambling was tht I never thought of Marcus as a community with a dominant cultural background. The North Irish I made mention of were the Irish farmers that lived north of town and went to the Catholic church. They were not North Irish in terms of having been residents of Belfast or a part of the Protestant areas of Ireland. When I was a kid we referred to them as the North Irish, we didn't even know there was a Northern Ireland. You were totally on target with the migration of Irish and Scots. There is alot of red hair in both countries. The Rae's, McRea's, McCrea's, and a number of other families were all septs, or allied families, within the MacRae Clan. I always felt one of the strengths of Marcus was that we were a blend of nationalities; Irish, Swedeish, Danish, German, Luxemburger, English, you name it. Remsen was German-Luxemburger through and through. We were a little more "all-American". I figured Clark was probably English or Irish, but you would have been a great teacher if your name had been anything diferrent. At 76 I still think of you as my English teacher, but please don't correct my grammatical transgressions. Earl
ReplyDeleteI have just "stumbled" across this site, and I have scanned some of what's here--very interesting. One of the names I recognized was that of Roger Rae in New York.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Karen (Hoyt) Bellas. I lived and grew up in Marcus, Iowa. Graduated from Holy Name High School in 1960 and left Marcus in 1962. I cared for and travelled with Mary Ellen Kelly all during my high school years at Holy Name. To make a very long story, short. My husband Jim and I live in Washington, DC. He is an addictions counselor and I'm a nurse and we work in a health care facility for homeless men and women and live in an apartment building with men in recovery.
The good news is that we are planning to return to Iowa probably Marcus or perhaps LeMars. DC is a beautiful city and we love what we are doing but it's time to come home. My sister Linda Spieler still lives on a farm near Marcus and my sister Rita Nuebel lives on a farm near
Remsen. I have a brother Randy and his family living near Des Moines. So Iowa is where my roots are and hopefully soon we will be touching the green green grass of home.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI guess I could consider myself a Marcus expatriate. My parents farmed west of Cleghorn until I was thirteen, when we relocated to South Dakota. Although South Dakota has been very good to us, I will always feel that I have some strong links to Marcus. My grandparents lived most of their lives in the community, and we still have friends and relatives around. I now make my home in Columbus, Ohio. But, I must say that I enjoy visiting Marcus whenever I'm able. I was back in late July for an afternoon visit. I hope to return before long. I think that this blog site is a fine idea and I plan to check in regularly.
Regards,
Charles H. Rieper
My name is Sherry Stevenson from Ankeny, Iowa. My grandparents, Clarence and Hildegaard Beck, lived on Ash Street in Marcus, and I spent many summer vacations there as a child. My dad was Dick Beck. He graduated from high school in 1941. He had two brothers, clare and Paul. I enjoyed reading about someone's memories of the popcorn stand on Main street. My dad, Dick Beck, started Beck's Popcorn Emporium to help support his family when he was still in high school. Dad later served in the army in Europe for almost 3 years, went to Iowa State, and settled and lived in Chicago area for 50 years. He passed away last year. His younger brother, Paul, lived in California and was Ronald's Reagan's press secretary while Reagan was Governor of California. My other connection to Marcus, was the jewlery store on Main street that was owned by my aunt and uncle, Louise and Ray Nieman. Another aunt, Ann Meinert, used to work in the Marcus Drug Store.Id love to hear from anyone who might have known any of my family!
ReplyDeleteKurt, thanks for the picture and article about Bob Waller. That Life magazine was in the San Jose Mercury News so I gathered up several copies from my neighbors to send to my sisters in Davenport and friends in Marcus. Since this was posted on the blog I can stop collecting and sending. Our two largest newspapers in this area are the Mercury and the San Francisco Chronicle. I talked to Georgianne Waller (at the fair) on one of my last visits to Marcus. (It was the year Bob Reed had his book signing.) She and I discussed the books her husband had written. I had enjoyed his second book citing tales of living in India, I having visited a large part of that country. In that story, Bob was standing with a tourist watching shoppers at an Indian "mall" when his wife passed by. The tourist asked "do you think she is Moroccan?" and Waller answered "no, she's Iowan". Georgianne was deeply tanned and had long, long black hair - a very exotic-looking woman. I loved that comment. Bonnie Morgenthaler
ReplyDeleteDear Sherry,
ReplyDeleteI remember your aunt and uncle, along with your uncle's sister Helen. Helen owned the farm that my parents rented near Cleghorn. As a child forty years ago, I accompanied my grandmother when she patronized their store. I took a liking to a cuckoo clock they had for sale. To amuse me, your aunt would wind the clock up for me. One day, we came into the store and the clock was gone. Sold, your aunt told me. Oh well, I guess that they couldn't keep their inventory around just to entertain me!
Your uncle's sister was also very gracious. She lived in a grand house just west of Holy Name Church. I recall trotting along with my father when he had to discuss some business with her. She had two very large dogs -- labradors, I believe -- that I liked. They were named Jetta and Pecos.
I thought you might find these anecdotal snippets interesting.
Regards,
Charles Rieper
Sherry: We lived just a few houses away from the Nieman and Beck families. Both families were well respected and they were very nice people. (We had a house full of boys who ran all over the neighborhood. I don't know how they remined so kind to us and our parents in spite of all of our shenanigans, but they did. I remember shooting a slingshot in Mrs. Beck's back yard. She came out to "discourage" me, but did it in such a great way that I left feeling bad that I'd done it.)My mother, Margaret Dorr, who regularly posts at this site could tell lots of stories about your relatives, I'm sure - and as far as I know, all good. She knew them very well.
ReplyDeleteBoth families always seemed to me, as a kid, to be very "classy". They dressed well, kept their homes and yards in great shape, appeared well educated and were very articulate. They just seemed to have high personal standards. I think my mom was in a "book club" or two with one or both of the ladies.
Speaking of which - that is another small town institution that has largely gone the way of the buffalo - book clubs. People (largely, if not exclusively, women) used to read more and get together for exchanges of ideas and experiences more often, in the era before we all became wired to the same information sources. Now people rarely write letters, engage in community discussion groups or otherwise communicate as they once did. Sad. (One writer whose column I read over the weekend stated it best. We aren't "multi-tasking" as they like to say now, by communicating on a cell phone, while driving and/or checking a Blackberry/Treo, but rathering suffering from the current, wide spread condition of "continuous partial attention." Remember what it felt like to sit down and read a letter or write one, without feeling obliged to keep an ear out for Fox or CNN updates, or being interrupted by the ring tone of your cell phone or the chirp of your computer announcing an incoming email?)I especially enjoy reading the letters from front during the Civil War, WWI and WWII. So many could write so well then. It's a communicative art form largely lost.
Your relatives, Sherry, were an extension of that great legacy in Marcus. I especially remember Mrs. Nieman. (I still think of these ladies as "Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Nieman" all these years later.) A bright, engaging, upbeat, sweet and very kind lady. You've much to be proud of in her. Fred Dorr
Hi Shirley Stevenson!
ReplyDeleteEveryone in Marcus knew the Becks. I remember your dad's popcorn stand on main street which he labeled "Beck's Popcorn Eporieum" in the '40's. My brother Warren (a classmate of Dicks at MHS) tried to compete with his stand by labeling his place "Graveyard Reed's Popcorn Joint" in an attempt to bring in "the more common trade". Those high school seniors of '41 competed to see which one could sell the most of the delicious stuff on Saturday nights. Your Uncle Paul (and Joe Niemann)were members of my Flameing Arrow Patrol of the Boy Scouts in 1944. We lasted about a year and then discovered girls. We later connected when Paul was the press guy for Reagan--but that's another story. Your Uncle Clare helped make up the entire trombone section of the Marcus High School Band in 1945. It consisted of Earl Rae, Clare Beck and Bob Reed. When we got together at a reunion in the 1990's, we threatened to get some horns and play. Wiser heads prevailed. Clare--a fine artist--married Donna Lou Olson--that beautiful dream--and professional vigin-from (gasp!)Cleghorn that we all had crushes on.
And I, like many others bought engagement and wedding rings from Nieman's Jewelry. Sure we remember the Becks--Niemans---nice people from a great town.
Fred Dorr, would you list the names of your brothers and sister in the order of their ages? You mentioned there was a house full of boys but I saw your sister at a bridal shower in Marcus once. All I know is that your Dad said he wanted a baseball team. Bonnie M.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I lived across the street from the Beck's for a number of years, until moving to the farm during WWII, when my brothers were both in the service. Clare was a year ahead of me in high school and Paul a year or two behind me. The three of us all went To Drake University; Clare and I majored in Art Education and Paul in Journalism. Clare got his Master's at the University of Nebraska and went on to teaching in California. You probably know he had a great talent as a jewlery maker, and in retirement continued to make fine jewlery under the name "Claire", Donna Lou says because it had a more artistic flair to it, and goes by Claire rather than Clare today. I knew your Dad as an older member of my sister Harriet's graduating class, if memory serves me. Sorry to hear he passed away; I know claire and Donna Lou were going to Ames a couple summers ago to visit. Also was surprised that Paul had died of cancer a number of years ago. I suppose you know it was somewhat of a burden for the Beck family, knowing there was a Republican in the family. Contributors to this Blog have made fond references to the delicious buttered popcorn they devoured from the Beck enterprise. I wish to tell them at this time, by word of Claire, that those dripping wet sides of the popcorn bag were a result of pure old palm oil, not old fashioned butter. One last chance to check the arteries. Earl Rae
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about NW Iowa town reputations from other eras. Speaking only for myself, and at the risk of stepping on toes, my recollection of community reputations in the mid-60's was as follows:
ReplyDelete1. Remsen - drinkers/party town - home of a great little dance hall
2. LeMars - college town/respectable
3. Paullina - good place to meet girls
4. Cherokee - river town/ had a great A&W drive-in and good steak houses
5. Oyens - Bob R. says it best - mysterious/unknown
6. Orange City/Sioux Center - "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much"
7. Cleghorn - sports rival
8. Quimby - fighters
9. Sioux City - smell of the stockyards and "big city" environment - by small town standards.
10. Ashton - Steak house.
11. Storm Lake - The Cobblestone Ball Room
Any thoughts?
Wonder what others associated with our home town? Fred
Bonnie: My sisters and brothers in birth order -
ReplyDeleteShirley - now deceased
Tom
Fred
Jon
Ann
Karl
Paul
Philip
Kurt
I hope I don't offend anyone with this story, but in a recent conversation with Bobby Garvin, classmate of mine from Marcus who now lives in Chicago, his wife asked about the number of brothers and sisters I have. Her follow up question was the predictable one - is your family Catholic? Bobby followed that up with a great comeback "No, they weren't. But that reminds me [Bobby] of a great Groucho Marx story. On meeting a lady he found out she had thirteen children. He asked if that was quite a burden. She responded - Well, I love my husband. He answered: 'Lady, I love my cigar, too, but I take it out of my mouth once in a while.'"
My mom would/will undoubtedly blush on hearing this, but my dad would have roared. They got to seven boys (and two girls)- not quite a baseball team. Fred
Thanks Fred for the chronological listing of your family. I had moved to California when you came along. Your story reminds me of a true story - my neighbors had six children spread out over twenty years. The parents attended a class reunion and when asked how many children they had, a startled classmate asked if they were catholic and the proud papa replied "no, just passionate protestants". I, too, hope this doesn't offend anyone or make Margaret blush. Bonnie M.
ReplyDeleteLuther College in Decorah is doing the same exact thing currently - putting up a wind tower to generate its own electric power. If someone in Marcus wants some help on how that happened they should contact that school's business office. More of these alternatives are being considered around the state right now. Fred
ReplyDeleteI was talking with John Sand, who said he and others have looked into the feasibility of putting up a wind tower in Marcus for residents' energy needs. The start-up costs were exorbitant. But now I am wondering (after reading the article) if there are grants available or alternative funding sources that he and others just didn't know about. The optimist inside me thinks wind power could be our salvation.
ReplyDeleteWhile driving across Iowa a week ago, I found I had to stop to look at the turbines and listen to them turning ... always a bit overwhelming to see hundreds of them looming on the horizon.
John also noted upcoming long-range plans to build more turbines north of Marcus ... quite interesting as the technology of wind towers continues to become more efficient.
Had a wonderful time in Marcus!!! A 30th class reunion ... a surprise birthday party for my mother ... a visit with fellow word-lover Margaret Dorr (how gracious and kind you are!!) and book lover Mavis Diment ... lots of visits with family and friends ... broasted chicken in Germantown ... visits to the Panhead, JBs, Pizza Ranch and the Family Table ... a few quiet hours at the library ... walks on the track and around town. Marcus is still a great place to visit!!! Thanks to all who made my stay so enjoyable.
Jack Clarkson told me he is trying to get the Holy Name All-School Reunion organized with the help of a good group. It would be great if he could use this forum as a place to help do that. From what I hear he is a granddad once again ... so congratulations!!!
Hi, everyone
ReplyDeleteMany of you young ones won't remember me at all. But I certainly recognize many of the contributors. I'm sure that Jack Clarkson will remember me. And Hi, Jack and Fern. As you may know or not that I reside in Scottsdale now in a lovely retirement community. I have heard that there is a rumor that I am in a 'nursing home'. Nope, I am still very independent here and hope to stay that way for a few more years. I graduated from high school in 1942--same as Thelma G.After reading so much from Bob Reed, I recall that his brother, Warren, escorted me to the Junior-Senior Banquet in my junior year. We did not have proms then. If this entry goes through as I am hoping, I will plan to make some additional contributions.
Phyllis Sand Moore
Here's my take on nearby towns when I was in high school in the '40s.
ReplyDeleteRemsen—the Paris of Northwest Iowa with 17 bars. Thursday night dances were cool and the girls from Akron and other northern climes came but refused to dance (at least with me)
.
Cherokee—great looking, sophisticated girls and two movie palaces and two high schools. Big town.
Sheldon—Calm, proper, orderly. Home of the Orabs, a most unusual name for teams (Orange and Black)
Cleghorn—historic rivals
LeMars–named after the initials of 6 ladies, where you learned to swim in the man-made lake. Camilla Jewell lived there.
Meridan—A pass-by place
Washta—somewhere south
Quimby—somewhere south
Grand Meadow—The Grand Meadow Larks
Fielding—Lawrence Welk once played there
Larabee—named after a former governor. They won the state basketball tournament in the '30s.
Aurelia—"consolidated" school
Kingsley—almost always beat us
Movile—we almost always beat them
Sioux City—big town with the Orpheum Theatre and a large department store and restaurants and the enormous Central and East High Schools and a stadium where the Morningside Maroons also played.
Marcus—Second largest town in Cherokee county with two high schools. A "big" town with good-looking girls, according to the kids from Cleghorn, Meridan, Quimby, Washta who came for "Youth Dances" in the Municipal Building.
And then there was my wonderful Brigadoon--Oyens.
Kurt, on the photo of Mike Hoover, Chuck Nielsen, etc., the blonde lady standing next to Mike is his wife, Kaye. Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI think the other blonde in that picture might be Mary Nielsen. It was great to be home for the fair. Kurt, I've enjoyed the pics and am anxious to see the rest of them. Phil did a great job on them. Julia, can you believe we ate at the same places you did while we were in Marcus? Germantown is becoming a trip every time I'm home. I am off to school today, although we don't have students until the 23rd. Guess that means summer is over my family! As ever, Marcia Steffen Pavey
ReplyDeleteKurt,
ReplyDeletecould you direct me to the discussion for putting photos on this website? I remember seeing it, but not sure what month it is under ... thanks.
For those who may not know, the "Locator Online" - billed as "The Nation's Leading Used Auto & Truck Parts Magazine" operates out of Whiting, Iowa. The proprietor, John Holmes, has his business on main street in that community. Another Iowa example of a small town figuring out how to compete with the world using available technology. Fred
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who contribute to this fine blog. I certainly enjoy reading all the thoughts posted here! I'm also quite fond of the Marcus Fair pictures. They're truly a taste of home though I'm far away.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Jennifer Smith Hoesing
Tallahassee, FL
(daughter of Steve & Linda Smith)
I have not been on the Blog for a while. Been very busy with our moving to a new home in Marcus. Lived on 104 N. Oak St. for 40 yrs. so you can imagine how many things had to be moved or pitched.
ReplyDeleteSherry Stevenson: My parents John and Lorene Clarkson lived next door to your grandparents and were great friends. Dad played a lot of golf with Clarence. I also knew them very well. Dick and Clare always stopped to see them when they were back. I knew Paul had passed away several years ago but did not know about Dick and Clare. Sorry to hear about your Father. I would like to know about Clare too. Nice that you are on the Blog.
Phyllis Sand Moore: Sure I remember you, Phyllis. How could I forget. I also remember your Mother as I did a lot of business with her when I was in the feed business. That was back in the 60's.
Glad you are doing well. Our kids are in Cherokee, Ia., Bozeman, Mt and Chicago. Tammy in Cherokee is a medical secretary, Bob in Bozeman is building two golf courses in the mountains at Big Sky, Mt. and Al is with United Airlines. Thanks to Al we get to see them quit often.
Phyllis take care and best wishes from Fern and I.
Julie Meylor Simpson: Nice seeing you during the fair. Yes we have the All Holy Name Class Reunion in the works. It will be during the Marcus Fair next August. We have another meeting coming up and will do more planning. Keep in touch.
Jack Clarkson
Ok, my turn for a few comments. Since the Dorr brothers appear to visit this website a lot: (1) I spent a few days in Waco, Texas a couple weeks ago at the Little League Regional. (My son was playing for Tulsa). Baylor looks like a nice campus, Phil, but Waco isn't much to look at. (2) (and this is for Bob Reed too) Is it true that Bob Reed and his fellow class of '47 hoodlums, including my aunt Anita Dose, were the reason Margaret Dorr gave up teaching? I think my mother told me that story once...of course, she was smiling, but, it's a funny story. Bob Reed and company were so rotten, Margaret was driven into retirement.
ReplyDelete(3) I have become the self-appointed custodian of the Flanagan family tree, and I was wondering if some of the older folks could clarify something for me. My great uncle, Christopher (Christie) Flanagan once owned the drinking establishment where the Hawkeye now stands on Main Street in Marcus. He owned it from 1927 to 1945 when he turned it over to his son Howard, who later moved to California in 1953. I can't get much information from my family, but, I ask the questions: Was the name of the place "Flanagan's Place" or "Christie's Place"? And does anybody have any stories about Christie? I assume that Mr. Reed and friends may have visited the establishment once or twice.
Thanks,
Kevin Flanagan
Kevin:
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Family Trees was that your family that had to take the big old Cottonwood tree down in your front yard or was it the Busch family. That tree made more noise than you could imagine on a stormy night!!!
BTW.......did you ever hear the story about "GUS" and how he crawled over to the house one day or night after having a bad accident? I don't have all of the facts straight but hopefully my mom or brothers will share a story about GUS and that ordeal. He was an amazing guy and built a few neat old homes in Marcus which our home was one of if memory serves me correctly.
Regarding Waco......well it wasn't built on OIL money like Tulsa but Baylor on the otherhand has had its share of oil donors over the years. If your son plays baseball then he most definitely was impressed with the baseball/softball complex but then again since we went to Omaha this year I don't imagine there is anything a Texas school can have to offer that an Okie can appreciate!!!!!
Next time drive around Lake Waco and see the elaborate subdivisions on the lake........sure is a lot cheaper than living on Lake Austin or Lake Travis down the road a bit in Austin........even our good President knows value when he sees it thus the move to a suburb of Waco!
Hi Jack Clarkson, I am Donna Beck, Claire Becks wife, and wanted to tell you what wonderful neighbors your parents were to the Becks. When they were unable to get around very well,John was always there to lend a helping hand. When we flew back for Grandpa Becks funeral he so kindly took us to the airport. Claire has not chosen to spend time on the computer but is very interested in the Marcus blog and hearing all the latest on old and new friends.
ReplyDeleteFor Kevin Flanagan:
ReplyDeleteI’m pretty sure that my buddies and I weren’t the reason that Margaret Dorr left the teaching profession. I think her new husband Melvin was probably responsible for that—but you’ll have to ask her.
And all of us liked those fine Dose girls! Anita was a year ahead of me in school and a cheerleader. I graduated in 1949.
The Hawkeye was known as “Flanagan’s Place” then. We had grown up in a time when there were three stable sureties in life—(1) God was in His heaven, (2) Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President of the United States, and (3) Joe Louis was the heavyweight champion of the world! It had been always thus and would always be so.
The tavern was managed by Howard (we kids never called him Howie) Flanagan. (I was too young to go in there when Christie ran it.) It was a pool hall with a snooker table and a pool table in the back. No billiard table. For that, you had to go to the Victory Billiards across the street and under the sidewalk.
In Flanagan’s, there was a long bar where the habitués pondered the state of the world and what coulda’ or woulda’ or shoulda’ happened. And there was a handwritten sign that advised them that “If you are drinking to forget, please pay in advance.” (Maybe I made that up—but if it wasn’t there, it should have been).
It was an all-male joint. No woman and few Protestants ever darkened its hallowed door. The fellas at the bar were occasionally joined by the guys at the tables playing pinochle. Many of them were farmers who came to town when it was too wet or too dry to do anything in the fields, and they stayed till chore time.
Others were the town’s professional loafers. They’d spend some time there, alternating between going down to Gray’s Garage to watch someone get their oil changed or over to Chels Metcalf’s barber shop to watch a buddy get a haircut.
Flanagan’s was dark and full of the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke. No hard liquor was sold.
In the daytime the little radio behind the bar was tuned to the St Louis Cardinals game. On Friday nights, it was tuned to Madison Square Garden and contests like the Joe Louis-Billy Conn fisticuffs. It was dreadfully hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
Flanagan’s was a grown-up place and we high school boys were allowed in to play pool, but we were never served anything but pop. A “game” cost 25 cents and a Coke was a nickel. We were not really “regulars.”
But all in all, it was a sorta’ warm, homey, familiar retreat, full of masculine camaraderie. We boys picked up a lot from the conversations around us. I guess we tried to sort out how to act like a man in Flanagan’s.
My mother was horrified that I occasionally went into the place and constantly repeated her pleas to me to avoid it. I did feel a bit guilty about disappointing her, but not enough to keep me away.
I used the setting in a story once, calling it “The He Ain’t Here Pool Hall.” That about said it all.
Bob Reed: Love reading your words. You've a gift. And whether, as you suggest, it's fact or fiction, it is wonderful to read.
ReplyDeleteAs I read it, I thought of a review I read last night of a new book to be released next month: "The Tender Bar: A Memoir" by J.R. Moehringer.
The book industry has given it rave reviews. It is the story of a guy whose dad wasn't around when he was growing up, so he turned to the bar on the corner - "a grand old New York saloon that was a sanctuary for all types of men - cops and poets, actors and lawyers, gamblers and stumblebums." The characters provide him with a "kind of fatherhood by committee".
When I read your words this morning, evoking much of the same imagery, it sounds like you could have written the book.
Keep on telling your stories. They're wonderful. Fred
Great story! So what's the history behind the bar that was Snyder's Tap during my younger years? Notice a theme running through here? :)
ReplyDeletecould you please put the picture of the Meriden Fire truck at the fair on soon? you have had alot of good pictures Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the responses from Bob Reed and from Margaret Dorr. I laughed when I read what Bob wrote about the Protestants being in Flanagan's Place. And for Julia Meylor, a bit of trivia regarding Snyder's Tap: There's a family connection between Snyder's Tap and Flanagan's Place. My great uncle Christie owned the place from 1927 to 1945 until he handed it over to his son Howard. Howard ran the place until 1953 when he moved to California. My first recollections of that wonderful establishment occurred when it was known as Ernie's Place. I have no idea who Ernie was, but I do remember going in with my father a few times. He, my brother and I would all sit at the bar, eat beer nuts, and Dad would drink a Schlitz, a Hamm's or Falstaff. I was thrilled to get an Orange Nehi.
ReplyDeleteThen the place became Snyder's Tap. Sometime in the mid-60's, I recall one Sunday morning when I was serving as altar boy with Mike Snyder that he came in and couldn't control himself. His parents had purchased the beer joint the day before! The little piece of trivia is that Mary Jane (Bird) Snyder is also a descendent of William Flanagan just as Christie and Howard are. So, for most of 50 or 60 years, my family has provided alcohol to the citizens of Marcus. Is that a good thing?
From Bob Reed's description, it would appear that the joint didn't change much for many, many years. The long bar was on the south side of the building, and along the north wall I recall a giant mural photograph of a lake, that I always assumed had to be in Minnesota. In the middle were the 3 or 4 tables of card players.
Again, thanks for the information.
Kevin: you asked if anyone had any stories about Christie Flanagan. Christie was a fine gentleman, short, a bit rotund, and bespectacled with a quick smile. He did have one nagging problem, he suffered from a a wee bladder problem. Christie owned, probably, the only car in the State of Iowa that had a relief tube built in. Christie had a hose in the fron seat area that emptied to a hole in the floorboard. It was crowned with a funnel. That is what we could term, thinking ahead. Anyone who ever shot snooker in Flanagan's Pool Hall kneew you had to be lighta on your toes when Christie called from the bar to get out of the way, he was headed for the little room in the northwest corner of the building. Christie did enjoy Protestant money equally with money of any other secular background. After all.the Flanagans raised no dummies. Howaard Flanagan was probably the most gifted baseball player that I know of with a Marcus background. Earl Flanagan was jewel of a man, and a capable golfer. Now, to the Class of 1947. They were not hoodlums; high spirited perhaps, and perhaps under motivated. but not, gasp, hoodlums. Your aunt, Anita, played basketball and was just plain nice, as were all the other girls in the class. Well, almost all the other girls. The boys; well, with the likes of Don Peters, Ken McQueen, Dick Dorr, Craig Dorr, James Bradley [Apel], Lynn Simons, Don Geringer, Leon Ebert, and myself, what could one expect. I purposely omitted Charles Christiansen's name, as Charlie never caught on to being a little obnoxious. We meant well. I am glad Margaret set the record straight. Margaret was dedicated, gifted, liked by everyone as a teacher, and certainly strong enough willed tht no one would have "driven" her out of teaching. Having been a teacher for seven and one half years, I can appreciate not finding teaching a group of semi-misfits totally rewarding, especially with an eye to life's work. Don't know that raising a short baseball team is less challenging. Anyway, now that I have vindicated the Class of '47, I wish you good luck recording the lives of the Flanagan family. Earl Rae
ReplyDeleteFrom: Don Peters, San Diego
ReplyDeleteJust returned from west lake Okoboji after 15 days. The time with old friends (30 years on that lake) raising 3 kids and raising he.. sort of. Great time of healing as I enjoyed the time with my youngest daughter, Molly. And to...Bob Reed....The Glen Miller orchestra was at Spirit Lake (roof garden gone via tornardo, of course)on Sat, August 13. So....this was the 5th and last year of the Miller band at the lake...for many of us depression babies...attended Welk Theatre here in Escondido (42nd street) and again noted the large poster advertising Lawrence Welk pictured in a hugh, and long station wagon (in early 30s)..must of been a special order) out in front of the Antlers Hotel in Spirit Lake...so..the big bands are through yet..
Don P
Thanks to the Dorr boys, who continue to terrorize me after all these years. My motto: Don't get mad, get even.
ReplyDeleteBobbi:
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to post you have to play by the rules of the "BLOG" or you will get severely chastised by the powers that be and I would hate to see that happen to such a sweet woman.........No ANONYMOUS POST!!!!