This Day in History

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Faribault County Board refuses to deal with union

Jan. 7, 1960

As the new year unfolded, county commissioners in Faribault County were determined not to deal with the union representing the county’s road and bridge workers. Janitors received a wage increase, as did clerical workers, some judges and some department heads.

But in a statement released by the commissioners, they said: “We have a surplus of labor in this county. We have been approached by many men … willing to accept nearly any kind of job.” The statement continued, “We know these men have never been refused an hour off for haircuts.”

The board chair told the workers the board was willing to meet with the workers regarding salary increases but would not bargain through the union.

Gumballs net Super Bowl win

Jan. 15, 1983

Debbie Joerg bought a pack of gumballs for her son Craig’s birthday party. She spent $1.29 for the pack. The package included a form to enter to win a trip for two to the Super Bowl in Pasadena, California. She bought the stamp needed, and entered in her son’s name.

When the phone call came from Chicago that Craig had won the trip, she had to wake him up to tell him the news. As the sleepy boy roused, he looked at his mother and said, “I’m sorry, Mom, but I’ve got to take Dad.”

Not a football fan, Debbie was not disappointed. But she went along on the trip to sit by the pool while the “men” went to the game.

Tattoos for women gain in popularity

Jan. 12, 1994

Tattoos made a comeback in the 1980s. But the 1990s brought new forms of tattoos, new colors and a new group of people wearing them — women.

A North Mankato tattoo artist estimated 70% of his customers to be women. He said the artform was “adornment” and was being embraced by women. It was no longer the domain of the drunken sailor.

Another tattoo artist noted that most of his female customers were between the ages of 20 and 35, but also said he had recently recolored a tattoo on a 75-year-old woman.

What in the name of winter is going on here

Jan. 9, 2012

Winter weather in southern Minnesota was breaking records in droves, with an extended bout of “January thaw.”

Old records for the date saw 46 degrees in 2002, and 39 degrees in 2007. The forecast was for highs near 50 for the coming days.

A KEYC meteorologist explained that “weather has a tendency to feed on itself.” Usually, he said, that means more cold air. But for the first time in history, southern Minnesota experienced 60 degrees in the first week of January.

It was more mild in Marshall than in Madrid, warmer in Canby than Cairo, and as pleasant in Appleton as in Athens. It wasn’t as balmy in Benson as Bermuda, but it was close.

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