Some days, the best local stories arrive quietly: in a sunrise, a community service project, or a classic car with a remarkable history.
Start with a Sunrise
An early morning drive turned into an opportunity to catch a bright red sunrise on Tuesday morning. I had an idea that this special sunrise would look spectacular over a golden-brown wheat field, and I knew just where to take the photograph.
I raced to the east side of Minot and, to be honest, I did get a nice photo, but not a great one. The time it took to reach the wheat field allowed the sun to rise quite a bit above the horizon. Maybe next time? With the smoke in the atmosphere, there will be other opportunities.
That same spirit of catching a moment carried into another local effort, where a few hours of service made a practical difference for area families.
Magic City Lions Provide Free Vision Screening
At a recent event that provided school supplies, including backpacks, to students on base, the Magic City Lions were asked to provide free vision screening. It is a service the Magic City Lions provide to organizations that request it.
Four Magic City Lions staffed the vision screening, along with Dr. Josh Meschke, an optometrist and fellow member of the Magic City Lions. In all, we provided 66 screenings in two hours. Dr. Meschke provided parents with “next step” advice when they requested it.
One young couple shared that their 3-year-old, who had gone through the vision screening, did indeed have glasses, but the parents were having difficulty persuading their son to wear them.
Josh reviewed the screening information and assured the parents that getting young children to wear glasses is indeed a challenge. However, “without glasses, I can’t imagine that your child sees very well,” Dr. Josh told the parents.
The youngster was not wearing glasses, and when he turned to leave, he ran smack into a door that was being held open for him. I hope the parents find a way to keep the young guy wearing his glasses.
From practical help for families, the week’s local color shifted to something with a little more celebrity shine.
Elvis Is In The Building
Well, at least the last car he owned is. George Masters, longtime president of the Dakota Cruisers Car Club, was contracted to detail a 1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V for Minot natives Greg and Ruby Feland. The car, documented by paperwork that came with it, was the last car Elvis Presley purchased before his untimely death in 1977.
“Elvis purchased the car on April 15, 1977, at a cost of $15,193.50,” according to Masters, “and he died in August of 1977.”
When Masters received the car at his southeast Minot shop, he decided that there was one person who would like to see it: his good friend Goldie Braaten, a long-time member of the Dakota Cruisers Car Club. Masters arranged to take the car to Trinity Nursing Home, where Braaten is a resident.
Through the Felands, Masters also gave Braaten a signature necklace they purchased at Graceland in Tennessee. For Elvis fans, the insignia of TCB with a lightning flash meant “Taking Care of Business in a Flash,” said Masters. Braaten’s reaction, of course: “I just love Elvis.”
Through Masters, the car that could have been the “last car that Elvis drove,” according to the letter that accompanied it, will continue to make marquee appearances around Minot. “And I am hoping that Elvis fans, or anyone for that matter, will enjoy having their picture taken with the car,” Masters said.
Special Note: I was able to see the car during the detailing process and, although an Elvis fan of sorts, immediately took a photo of the car in Masters’ shop. The car has a definite aura about it, and one could certainly picture Presley taking a spin around Graceland once the car arrived there. Presley gave the car to his jeweler friend, and eventually the Lincoln Continental Mark V appeared at auction, where the Felands purchased it. The car is a true treasure and already has begun to build a new legend for itself.
Sometimes, that is how local stories seem to happen: one ordinary moment leads to another, and before long, there is something worth sharing.
Special Thank You’s
First to Col. George Chapman for this recent address to the Association of Air Force Missileers who recently met in Minot. Col Chapman did a great job of thanking those in attendance, many of whom served at Minot Air Force Base, for their service to their country as operators, maintenance and security personnel in the ICBM arena.
Next, a thank you to AFA Chapter 135, David C Jones Chapter, and ND State AFA President Jim Simons for presenting a $1,000.00 check from the chapter to help with expenses for the convention. The National AFA also approved a $3,000.00 Heritage Grant to the AAFM to help with convention expenses.
Today’s Chuckle
Puppy love: the beginning of a dog’s life.
