Bloomington 1963 - 1964

The Move	We moved on the 31st of December 1962. Steve Newstrom helped and when we were done I went to his house to bring in the New Year. I don't remember but believe we must have used a professional outfit to do the shift.
The Property	The yard was gigantic - three to four times larger than the Richfield one. And that meant that my father bought a power mower! The driveway was shorter so that meant less shovelling in winter. The garage was attached so no going out into the cold or wet.
The House	It was like going from the 40's to the 70's. A modern home with a very chic fireplace upstairs and another one in the finished basement complete with a bar. Everything was clean and in great condition. Gas forced air heat. At the back of the garage was a 3-season room (screened - we put plastic sheeting over it to keep the snow out). The upstairs bathroom even had a laundry shoot - talk about cool. My room was in the basement and I put shelving into the under-the-stairs closet. Using what ever colours we had on hand I painted the cinder (concrete blocks) on the exterior wall with no neighboring blocks being the same of 4 colors (Jun 23). Horrible to the average human being, but I thought it was reasonably cool. No windows so it was perfect for sleeping. I liked the work room even more. Nice clean workbench, good lighting and warm. No more in the cold garage back in Richfield. I was enthralled by the glass jars hanging from a shelf to hold nut, bolts, screws and nails. I was able to turn the furnace room into a place for my weight lifting.	Upstairs Fireplace
The Basement	Jan 2, 1963. We began putting up a tile ceiling by nailing skeets to the joists.
The Bus	A bus ride from downtown Minneapolis and school to Bloomington (12 miles or so) cost 30¢.
The Relatives	Feb 3, 1963. Ralph, Aunt Angela and grandparents visit. Chris, Mama and Grandma were twisting.
The Basement II	Feb 16, 1963. Joe and Gary Hoff helped mom put up plastic 3D brick wallpaper in the basement.
The Basement III	Feb 20, 1963. Joe and Gary Hoff helped mom put up full length curtains over the walls that weren't "bricked".
The Club	In February 1963 Bill, Kincy and I formed the Night Owls. Read all about it at: WebPage.
The Party	March 16, 1963 we had a housewarming party in the basement and I reckon 50 people showed up (mostly from Holiday Inn), including the Newstroms, some arriving at midnight. The main activity was doing the Limbo. A fellow fell down the stairs. It went on until 4AM.
The Friends	Mar 5, 1963. I made a friend with Lyn, who lived behind us. We would play basketball at his place and baseball at a nearby park with him and his friends, Tim Fisher, Bill M, Frank Holly and Carl. He also worked at the stadium and we sometimes went together. The Thomases, next door to us were mostly girls. Angi didn't become a friend with Karen who was her age, but I would play in the back yard with Kathy and Grant. Across the road was Donna Jamesgaard and she did become a life long friend of Angi's.
The Clubhouse I	Apr 6, 1963. Started building clubhouse behind Breth's garage. Bill, Kincy and I dug the holes and built the platform.
The Car	Apr 11, 1963. I managed to get my learners permit and then full license. Mom sold me her 1953 Pontiac Chieftain flat 8 for $50 and a whole new world opened up for me.
The Clubhouse II	Apr 15, 1963. Bill and I bought the wood (44 pieces of 1x8 redwood for $8.82) and put up the walls. He rode over and had a look at our new place - we roasted hot dogs. Rode our bikes back to Richfield and put the roof on including tarred roof tiles. Then to the Hub to buy screening, paint and a trouble light at Warner's. We drilled a hole into the eave and blew a fuse when we put the light in.	Peg-leg Bill
The Clubhouse III	Apr 20, 1963. Bought an extension cord for the clubhouse and a basketball net for Billy. Bill and I put the screen onto the window and layed the linoleum. Had a Night Owls meeting and put a rug in and worked on the cupboard.
The Scouts	Apr 26, 1963. Went to Scout show at the Mpls auditorium with Kincy and Chris.
The Lawn	May 15, 1963. Because the lawn is aso large, Dad bought a power mower. Mowed the lawn for the first time and it is a BIG, long job.
The Meal	When got back from Church Dad would make us a meal (Mom working). One time the roast and potatoes burnt smoking up the house. I recall a large plastic serving spoon melting and making a smell that I shall remember forever. I felt so bad for him, as he had to head of to work at 2:30PM without eating.
The Fish	Jun 16, 1963. Fishing with Dad and Chris at Lake Nokomis - we caught one!!!
The Divorce	In June Mom and Dad took a bus to Brainerd. When they returned they told us that they were getting divorced. Dad moved out to an apartment in October and bought the building. I, at age 16, became the man of the house.
The Window	July 1st I broke Jefferson's porch window while playing catch with Frank and Kincy. He was nice about it though concerned as his baby was in there - but not hurt.
The Carpool	Bob Howard lived in Bloomington and he drove me about 5 other guys to and from school. I was the first one to be picked up so I got to sit in the front, great in winter to be by the heater. And since I would get to the car first after school, Howie gave me his keys and once again I was first in and avoided to crowded back seat.
The Fire	On way to Church one winter day we had to rubberneck and drive past a garage that was on fire.
The Job	Because I happened to be in a carpool to school I went along with the others when they signed up for jobs at Metropolitan Stadium in April 1963. The concession manager had a son at De and in my class, so it was easy to get in early and I managed to get hotdogs, which was a good earner. You worked when you wanted. Got to see some of the Twins baseball games and the Vikings football games. Hot dogs sold better in the winter. I made enough in the summer and fall to pay gas money. But come Viking games the stands filled and I made enough to buy clothes and records. My best friend, Gary, also sold hot dogs. After games we would hang around because what ever didn't sell was given to the vendors for free. After night games I would drive Gary home and we would share a large Coke and watch the Tonight Show. On slow days we would go to left field and watch the game from behind pillars. Somedays I biked over but most of the time I drove the short distance. I even walked it once or twice. Being at a Catholic school, we got off religious days and I thought since most of the vendors would be in public school for the afternoon game I would make a killing. Crowds were sparse those weekday afternoons, so I didn't. The worst game I ever had was "Nuns Day" who were let in free. The whole place was a sea of black and white and not one of them with any money. They just sat there politely watching the game and it felt like I was at a funeral. Could only sell 20 dogs that game which earned me 75¢ at 3.75¢/dog. I averaged $5/game. On hot days I would buy the chocolate malt cup, a frozen thingie that you ate with a wooden stick.	Not me
The Job II	First paycheck = $25.90, clear $22.66. Worked the Twins 8 - Chisox 6 game. At the game were Slater, Breitenbucher, Labiak, Tom Olson, Mark Plasha and Dick Bastyr.
The Departure	On October 30 1963 dad moved out permanently to an apartment near downtown Mpls.
The Beatles I	Dec 1963. I remember exactly where I was when I heard them for the first time. I was in the workroom in the basement - yes, I did have a radio in there. I can't explain it in words, but it was like falling in love. I was 16 and had been listening to rock/pop for at least 10 years. But this was something so fresh and different.
The Car	Dec 24. In a bid to stop the divorce, Dad gave mom a red 1960 Bonneville convertible.
The Car II	Dec 25. Bobby Piram, Rodney and Rhonda Brooks over for the day and I got to drive the Bonneville to get them back home. Donna and Angi helped entertain them - sang carols.
The Beatles II	Like the rest of America, we were glued to the TV in the basement on Feb 9, 1964. We were watching the Sunday evening Ed Sullivan Show on which the Beatles made their first appearance. It was electric, but I took it with my usual calm.
The Job II	In Feb 1964 I started as a bellman at the Airport Holiday Inn. Worked 4 hour shift on school nights and a few more shifts on weekends. WebPage.
The Church	Even though we moved to Bloomington we still went to St Peters in Richfield but once in awhile we went to Assumption Church which is in Richfield right on the border of Bloomington. Since we were usually late we ended up in the balcony.
The 45	Won a copy of "My Boyfriend's Back", by the Angels from KDWB.
The Grad	In June 1964 I graduated high school. WebPage.
The Car III	As a graduation gift Dad helped buy a '58 Chevy Impala. Traded in the Olds and paid $500. That came in handy as a few days later we moved to North Minneapolis and I needed a more reliable car to get to work and University.
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