Herald Austin Daily
www.austindailyherald.com
WEEKEND EDITION
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Spotlight: World Music series to return, Page 1B
Grandpa’s cupola: RC store owner surprised with rare gift By Deb Nicklay deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com
ROSE CREEK — Rose Creek hardware store owner Fred Ulven knew his grandfather — also named Fred — was in the cupola-making business. There was a large one that sat atop a local barn near Rose Creek that he was pretty sure his grandfather either sold or made, decades ago. Cupolas, also called ventilators, were used to increase air flow in barns. They also often held light-
ning rods. The elder Fred, who died in 1979, founded the hardware which today has seen four generations of Ulvens. His son, Stan, died some years ago. His son, the younger Fred, took over and today, his son, Jamey, is also part of the business. So, when Fred’s business neighbor and friend, Dave Whalen of Dave’s Plumbing, Heating and Refrigeration, heard Fred talk about his granddad, he knew he wanted to retrieve that piece of vintage tin from
the roof of the old barn. He got the chance a few years ago when the barn’s owners, Bruce, Dave and Craig Nelsen, decided to tear down the old structure. Whalen was there to haul the cupola away, with the Nelsens’ blessing. Whalen was intent on restoring the piece, which was in four pieces. Bob Lowe, who owns Lowe’s Heating and Air Conditioning in Brownsdale, worked with Whalen on the project.
See CUPOLA, Page 10A
Fred Ulven, left, and Dave Whalen, check out Dave’s work on the cupola that might have been constructed by Ulven’s grandfather. Deb Nicklay/deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com
A Spamtastic celebration
Hearing on old Hy-Vee plan is Monday Austin Daily Herald newsroom@austindailyherald.com
The Austin Port Authority will hold a public hearing Monday to consider entering a conditional purchase agreement with a Wisconsin firm to market the old Hy-Vee building and a piece of land on 18th Avenue Northwest for a restaurant and adjoining retail space. The meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Austin City Council chambers. If approved, Slaby and Associates of Verona, Wisconsin, according to the proposed agreement, would market the building and what is known as the Farmer’s Market lot for $800,000.
See HY-VEE, Page 3A
Rush City Community turns out to celebrate Spam’s 80th birthday man gets prison Scores of people came out to celebrate the birthday of Austin’s famed canned meat Friday. Hormel Foods Corp. held a “Summer Block Party” at the Spam Museum with music, games and many Spam-related items to celebrate the meat’s 80th anniversary. Gov. Mark Dayton declared Friday “Spam Day.” PICTURED ABOVE: The Marco and Gina Montero family of Albert Lea take a selfie with the 80th birthday cake celebrating Spam during the summer block party Friday at the Spam Museum. From left, Marco and Gina with daughters Ellie, 11 and Eva, 4. BOTTOM LEFT: Councilman Dave Hagen tries on his pair of Spam sunglasses. BOTTOM RIGHT: Ruth Chamberlain of Austin with grandchildren Dylan 8, and Drew, 4, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, enjoy the Spam 80th birthday celebration. Photos by Deb Nicklay/deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com
By Michael Stoll mike.stoll@austindailyherald.com
A Rush City man is headed to prison for robbing a woman in September. Morgan Dwayne P r at t , 2 3 , was sentenced to three years and two months in prison Pratt fo r f e l o ny simple robbery in Mower County District Court on Friday. Two other charges, felony aggravated robbery and misdemeanor fifth-degree assault, were dismissed.
See PRATT, Page 3A
Chart Your Course You know when I sit and when I rise; you will perceive my throughts from afar, O LORD.
~ Psalm 139:2 ~
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