Historical society events seek to preserve the past

Our 2012-2013 History Sunday season continues, but with a change in the scheduled program.

The program this weekend for History Sunday is a photo share of Tower Avenue and Superior. Do you have photos of Tower Avenue in its bustling heyday — photos of people shopping or just “hanging out”?

Other photos of Superior would also be welcome. We’ll have a scanner set up for scanning your photos and refreshments while you’re waiting for us to scan them.

The program, which is free and open to the public begins at 2 p.m.

You’ll also be able to take a free tour of our current exhibit, “Open ‘til 9: Thursday Nights on Tower,” which refers to the days when stores in Superior’s downtown stayed open late for shoppers.

Join us Nov. 11 when Doris Magdzas talks about her 20 years working as a waitress at Bob’s Chop Suey House.

Our History Theatre begins its season with an original play by Teddie Meronek. Called “You’ll Find it at Roth’s,” it’s a comedy that takes place at Thanksgiving in Superior during WWII. Ruth and Alfred have been “going together” since high school — over 20 years.

Ruth, who is the head of the advertising department at Roth’s Department store, is busy with holiday ad layouts for the Telegram when Albert returns on leave from the war with news for Ruth — Big News. Sponsored by Mediqwest, “You’ll Find it at Roth’s” premieres at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 20 and a matinee begins at 2 p.m. Oct. 21.

Tickets are on sale now. Get them early — they’re $10 until 2 p.m. Oct. 18.

After that, tickets are $12 at the door.

Tickets are also on sale for the fifth annual 1943 USO Canteen Radio Show on Dec. 8 and 9. Join Bob Hope and friends, along with Randy Lee and the Northland Youth Music Group, and swing to the music of the 1940s. Tickets to this event are $12 in advance and $14 at the door.

Construction work to put in a new elevator lift is in full swing. We appreciate the good work underway by LaPorte General Contracting, Access Lifts and Tower Plumbing, as well as city of Superior employees. Although most of the funding for this project is from the city’s Community Development Block Grant, we still have a way to go to raise the money to cover extra costs. If you would like to help with this, donations are welcome or stop by and take a look at our list of possible material donations. You can also help our fundraising by buying raffle tickets to win one of three beautiful prizes. Third place is a basket of merchandise donated by DCHS; second prize is a Pam Dull print of the Lift Bridge, donated by Mick MacKenzie and framed by Kelly and Gary Reed and Barb Mattson; and first prize, a handmade quilt and rag rug donated by 4-Corners Crafters. The winners will be chosen Sunday.

During construction, we’re still be open to the public if you have a research request or want to stop in our museum shop. If you are doing some Superior genealogy research, pick up a copy of Pioneers of Superior, WI. You can also find enlarged photo prints and warm DCHS sweatshirts.

The Douglas County Historical Society is at 1101 John Ave. Contact us at dchs@douglashistory.org or 715-392-8449.

Kathy Laakso is the director of the Douglas County Historical Society.

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