Posted: 8/14/02

Businessmen's picnit long-time FL summer event

(Editorís Note: The following Reflections column was first published on August 13, 1981 and is reprinted here as part of the newspaperís on-going coverage during its 100th year.)

Elsie Vogel
Times Correspondent

They say one picture is worth 10,000 words and Iíd like to believe that the picture of the group of Forest Lake businessmen, taken nearly 50 years ago, tells it all.

It is hard to get a large group of people to pose for a picture. There are always some people that wander off or are shy about being photographed (they usually hide behind someone). But for those few seconds that it took to take this picture, we have, frozen in time, a visual reminder of local men enjoying their special day: the Businessmenís Picnic.

These men and invited guests went to the picnic prepared to enjoy their day to the fullest.

There was always the big softball game, which was noisy, hilarious and extremely fatiguing as these once-a-year ball players slid into bases, caught flyballs and argued with the umpire.

The horseshoe players were equally as vocal.

The food and liquid refreshments were plentiful and more than satisfying. The big dinner was usually served at noon with additional lunch and snacks served later in the afternoon.

Playing cards topped off the day with some fellows playing the popular Norwegian Whist, while the rummy and poker players soon found their partners.

As the day ended, these businessmen felt very relaxed, had a closer feeling with the other men on the ìstreetî and even a friendlier feeling for their competitor, because they shared a good day together.

Business men pictured

Do you wonder what kind of businesses and professions these men were engaged in at that time?

Some businesses, represented by the men in the picture, are only memories now, having succumbed to progress. But we do find that some businesses are still in existence and going strong, under second and third generation management.

Attending that picnic we had owners and employees of Valentyís Pool Hall, Petersonís Gamble Store, Rex Cafe, E.J. Houle Feed Mill, Standard Oil bulk and station, Ed Johnson Electric Co., Mitchellís Ice House, Patrinís cattle buying business, Simmonís Grocery, Leheckaís Meat Market, Enquist Hardware, Dr. Poirier, Holl-Morley Transfer, Reubís Tire Shop, Emery Johnsonís United Grocery, Wagnerís Hamburger Shop, Dr. Larson the Dentist, and lawyer Rollin Johnson.

Forest Lake State Bank, Lakes Oil Co., the post office, Weisser Lumber Co., Griemanís Barber Shop and F.C. Bergh Drug Store were also represented.

Missing from the picture

For a variety of reasons we find other prominent business people did not attend the picnic. So there are no men represented from the rest of the businesses operating at the time, which were: Hendricksonís Cafe, Cody Hoekstra Garage, Forest Lake Times, Boehmís Boat Landing, Wallyís Cafe, Herzberg Hardware, Dr. Niles, Ersfeld Meat Market, Simmonís Dry Goods, Forest Theatre, Struble Insurance, Earhartís Cafe, Finnegan Hotel, Dr. Ruggles, Finbergís Garage, Mattsonís Funeral Home, cigar maker H.E. Driese, and chiropractor W.M. Lewis.

There were also absentees from the businesses across the street, including Melbostad Grocery, Boehmís Bakery,
tailor Ima Chase, Koesterís Shoemaker Shop, Judge O.A. Westin, Carpenterís Oil Co., A.V. Johnson Real Estate, Cyr Blacksmith Shop, the Creamery, Landgraverís Livery Stable, Waldo Florist, and last, but not least, Nick Mittsoff, our local photographer who undoubtedly took the picture at the picnic.

My apologies if I have omitted a business name or two. Isnít it surprising the number of businesses for that time!

The men in the picture

At present, Forest Lake is experiencing fantastic growth and development, but the businessmen in the picture also faced development problems.

They were the men who promoted Forest Lake in their time by advertising our lake, beach and fishing. They did their best to entice travelers to stop for food and lodging.

They were faced with huge problems to solve, such as street widening, and how to handle the increased highway traffic, along with the many parking problems.

They donated hours of their time for civic promotions and gave money when necessary. For instance, they donated tables and benches for the park -- another way to welcome people to our town. Many were volunteers on the fire department.

Then, as now, the business people of Forest Lake could be counted upon to enthusiastically back projects to make our city a more attractive place to live, such as the new Maroon and Gold Sports Center, or just to offer prizes for the senior graduation party.

Business persons
picnic...1981

Monday, Aug. 3, at the Forest Hills Golf Club, the business community carried on the tradition started so long ago.

Of course there are changes! First of all, the name change includes the business women in the city, of whom there are many. But no women signed up for the golf tournament which has replaced the softball game.

These business persons and invited guests enjoyed refreshments, including the newer tradition of buttered corn-on-the-cob.

Playing cards is still the finale of the day.

They still attend

I contacted several of the gentlemen who had been at the picnic in 1933 to see if they would be attending this yearís picnic. Idor Pederson, who was our Standard Oil Station owner and then our genial Washington County Commissioner for 32 years, had definite plans to attend.

Bill Enquist, owner of Enquist Hardware for 52 years, didnít think he would be going.

T.M. Houle, the bulk Standard Oil man for 37 years, wasnít certain if heíd be golfing, but he intended to go out sometime during the day.

Reub Engler, owner of Reubís Tire Shop for almost 50 years, said now that he was out of the business he didnít think heíd go.

All of these gentlemen are retired, but as one man, they all said, ìWe never missed a picnic if we could help it and we sure had fun.î

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