10 years ago (2011)
•A 9-foot grand piano will permanently grace the stage of Luverne’s Palace Theatre, compliments of Gary and Janine Papik.
Janine Papik said the piano’s history began in the old Luverne High School building sometime in the 1920s or 1930s where it stood on the stage in the school’s theatre and was featured in the school’s music programs.
When the high school building was remodeled into an elementary school in the 1960s, the grand piano was stood on end and placed in storage.
It was rediscovered by high school music instructor Tom Haugen who bought it and moved it to his home.
When Haugen left Luverne in 1971, Bonnie and Harold Jordahl bought the piano for their daughter, Janine (Papik), as a wedding gift.
Papik said the piano stayed in the Jordahl home at 211 West Dodge until it was donated to the Papik Motors car dealership, where it stood in the showroom until January.
Papik said, “It was probably the only car dealership in the country with a grand piano.”
A few months ago, salesmen at the car dealership noticed a wobbly leg on the piano and worried the piano could fall and hurt someone or be ruined.
Gary decided the piano should be refurbished and donated for community use.
Janine said, “You can’t just repair a leg on a piano like this. The more you look, the more repairs it needs.” To say the piano has been refurbished would be an understatement.
It’s been undergoing a complete transformation at Bob’s Piano in Sioux Falls, where thousands of parts have been cleaned, repaired and replaced.
At 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, the piano will make its debut during “A Grand Celebration of Music” at the Palace Theatre.
Papik said part of the motivation behind donating their grand piano to the Palace was to help reduce piano rental costs.
25 years ago (1996)
•City boundaries may extend farther west to include IBP. The push behind annexation is the company’s need for extra wastewater treatment. The plant used a temporary line to the city treatment plant during spring 1996.
To connect to the city’s wastewater system, the plant must be part of the city, according to city policy. The plant already purchases city power and water. …
Under the current proposals, IBP would pay for installing the line and the city would maintain it with the understanding it could tap into the line and use it for future expansion in the area.
IBP’s wastewater treatment system uses four lagoons before direct discharge to the Rock River and irrigation.
50 years ago (1971)
•Robert Artley’s cartoon, “The setting may be different – but the mood is the same,” was singled out by the Minnesota Education Association for a merit award in the 10th annual Minnesota School Bell Awards competition.
The cartoon, drawn by the Star-Herald’s staff cartoonist, was published in the Sept. 2, 1970 issue.
The award was one of 21 given by the MEA this year. It was one of three entries in all categories which were accorded honors in the Southwest district of the MEA.
75 years ago (1946)
•Cedric Adams has consented to return to Magnolia for its school carnival again this year.
Superintendent Brynelson announced Monday that arrangements have been made to hold the carnival and program either the night of November 6 or November 14, and that Adams, who claims Magnolia as his home town, has consented to present his night news broadcast from the stage of the high school auditorium. The exact date, however, will be announced as soon as arrangements have been completed.
100 years ago (1921)
•Under a new ruling by the postoffice department at Washington, all patrons of rural mail delivery routes must, on or before November 1st, have their mail boxes erected on the ride side of the road, according to the direction from which the mail carrier arrives. …
The order further specifies that patrons must place the boxes so that the carriers can reach them without driving over ditches, or through places where there is danger of their vehicles becoming mired or lodged in wet weather. …
All mail boxes must have lids on them so they can be closed easily in order to protect the mail matter against inclement weather, the order provides. Failure to comply with these requirements lays the patroon liable to discontinuance of mail delivery service.
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