One Book, One Community

Imagine if folks throughout our community read the same book. Then talked about it. And THEN invited the author here and everyone was able to meet her. Well, this is one daydream that’s coming true. The book is Minnesota 150. The author is Kate Roberts. And it’s happening this summer.  Don't forget the riddles that concide with Minnesota 150 are starting on June 25 with a $150 cash prize! Scroll Down for the trivia questions.

"Minnesota 150: The People, Places, and Things that Shape Our State"

        By Kate Roberts

Read stories from people like former Iron Ranger Brian Weber, who wrote about watching the 1980 Olympic hockey team as a young boy: “It makes me think of our neighbor, a miner with a very Finnish last name, who watched all the games with us. Thinking about it now, after the taconite expansion of the early to mid-1970s, this was the beginning of the end for the mines up there. And I think they knew it. But they felt they had a hockey team and a coach that was fighting for us. And hockey mattered.” Learn about the genesis of such iconic businesses as the Greyhound Bus Company, which got its start when Hibbing natives Carl Wickman and Andrew Anderson bought a used Hupmobile, hoping to sell it at a profit.   Through surprising, little-known stories, Minnesota 150 explores how such intangibles as personal judgment, political climate, and popular taste can shape our view of the past.

Kate Roberts holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota, is a senior exhibits developer for the Minnesota Historical Society, and directed the exhibit development for the popular Mill City Museum. She lives in Minneapolis.www.mnhs.org/exhibits/mn150/about.htm

!!!TRIVIA QUESTIONS!!!

1. SPAM was created in Austin, Minnesota in1926. It became a great staple for troops during WWII. Although there are many jokes about SPAM, how was the name SPAM originally derived?

2. What are the names of all of the establishments where you can buy SPAM in Thief River Falls?

3. Minnesota 150 is filled with great people who have influenced the growth of our wonderful state. In 1902 a group of gentlemen from, Two Harbors Minnesota came together to start what is now an international multi-billion dollar company called 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing). Although this company has flourished, producing over 55,000 products, it was not always so prosperous. When 3M began, their first item for sale didn’t sell very well… Can you name what 3M originally planned to sell?

4. Thief River Falls has also experienced its’ own international companies beginning in its backyard. Dr. Ronald Stordahl began with an interest in ham radios which lead to the founding of Digi-Key in 1972. What is the full name of the device that Dr. Stordahl developed and marketed to amateur radio enthusiasts, and later used to name his company?

5. Snowmobiles are a part of our Minnesota blood. Most years our cold air and snowy skies allow us to not only endure the snow but, also enjoy it! However, the first snowmobile patent given to R.H Muscott was not meant for recreational use. For what type of job did he build a vehicle with rear tracks and front sleds?

6. As a pioneer and leader in its field, Arctic Cat Inc. has became a great source of pride for Thief River Falls. Arctic Cat Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells Arctic Cat snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and generators, as well as related parts, accessories, and garments. In the 1970's names of Arctic Cat snowmobiles helped give them a local nickname of "snowcats". What are the names of five snowmobiles produced by Arctic Cat in the 1970’s?

7. Driving through the area farm lands we see a staple, a commodity, and a way of life for most Minnesotans, wheat. In its heyday in 1880 there were more than 4.4 million acres of wheat covering 70% of farmland in Minnesota producing 34 million bushels of wheat that year. Even though there is much less farmland covered with wheat today, approximately 1.7 million acres, due to increased technology Minnesota produces much more wheat. How many bushels of wheat (all types) were produced in Minnesota in 2007?

8. Thief River Falls provides Minnesota with its share of wheat. However, wheat was not the reason for celebration in 1923. Soon after the war wheat prices began to drop and the soil was in need of a new crop. A well known Thief River Falls pioneer stepped in to introduce alfalfa to the area. It was during the first big Alfalfa Day celebration on Dec. 11, 1924 that this man was hailed the “Alfalfa King”. What was his name?