Another supper-in-the-park event will kick off the Kimball Area Historial Society’s schedule of events during this year’s Kimball Days celebration. The supper, Aug. 10 from 5-8 p.m. at the Willow Creek Park shelter, features hot roast beef on a bun, chips, cole slaw, beans, homemade bars and hot or cold beverages. Hot dogs will also be available for the little folk, or for those who want a lighter fare. And don’t miss having your Saturday morning coffee with a tasty, hot cinnamon roll at Audrey White’s patio coffee nook. The unique shop is open only one day a year. It’s a good time to take a trip down memory lane, and check out the collection of Kimball High School graduation pictures, as well as other events from the area recorded by the historical society through its seven years of operation. The annual exhibit at city hall will open Friday at 4 p.m. and run through the weekend – Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday fromn 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded. While walking around the area during Kimball Days, be sure to check out the “new” exterior of both the south and north sides of the building. We’ve put your donated dollars to work over the past two years and have installed new, but “historically-correct”, windows and have tuck-pointed and sand-blasted. Restoration of the front is planned for next year. In order to apply and receive grants for the work, donations and pledges are important. The society, which has more than 160 members in 35 cities and nine states, meets every other month in city hall council chambers at 7 p.m. Interesting speakers and refreshments are always on the agenda. We’re quite proud of our achievements since coming together seven years ago. Among them are the publishing of a best-seller cookbook and having the production of a history book in progress, as well. We do genealogy research and volunteers record area history every Monday morning September through May. Periodically through the year, we share Kimball’s history with students at Kimball Elementary School. And then, of course, there’s the restoration of city hall. It is the only city hall in the county to be on the National Register – we’ve a long way to go, but with your generous help, we have made a good start. ********** Marilynn Sterling, free lance writer and columnist, designed and wrote today’s story about Kimball Historical Society’s history and is one of our talented members. Kimball’s society shares the same mission as Stearns County Historical Society, to whom we are affiliates: “To cultivate in people awareness and appreciation of local history that enhances quality of life – your quality of life. Our combined mission engages the public with the excitement of discovery, inspiring people with new perspectives on the past, and illuminates the relevance of history in our lives.” ********** “NEW OLD” will be a noticeable addition to the 2007 Kimball Days’ Grand History Exhibit in city hall. Besides all Marilynn’s story featured, one spotlight will shine on the Emil Yerks family’s numerous heirlooms donated from their history, as they were some of the early Kimball area settlers. Also, Dan Becker will be at city hall Saturday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m.-noon to visit with anyone interested in details from his extraordinary trip and history of the Chinese railroad workers buried in the 1800s in St. Anne Church’s old cemetery. Dan wrote a wonderful story you read in this column about some of his own history and their’s. Come meet this member of our society who went “the extra mile” to gather a “jewel” in our history. The full story with recent China photos will be on display all weekend. Also, many new old pictures and more. ********** “CITY HALL REVIEW”: Following Marilynn’s excellent account, words of gold worth repeating, here’s even a bit more of the history you may not know or recall: Did you know that in 1999, Kimball was visited by the Minnesota Design Team? Consisting of THE top architectural and design professionals, they assist Minnesota communities to envision and create sustainable futures. “Of all of Kimball’s main street buildings, the city hall is the one to preserve. The city hall has presence that makes it a classic main street building,” said state historical architect Charles Nelson, and the team. First on the “to do” list were installing energy-efficient windows, repairing exterior brick work, and updating the heating system to make the landmark more useable and cost-effective. Maple flooring and tall mopboards in place, the structurally sound treasure has retained its original metal ceiling. When the panel wall dividers and dropped ceiling are removed, more space can be utilized with ample light from the vast arched windows. Since the Kimball Area Historical Society, together with concerned citizens and supporters, have recognized the city hall as a community asset, 84 percent voting to preserve the building, the first phases are becoming visible. Won’t it be great in 2008 when the next improvements happen, we can celebrate its 100th birthday? Besides funding, the sequence of work done is very important for best results. Many former residents write to tell “I went through Kimball and how nice the city hall looks already on the outside. Enclosed is my donation.” ********** For more information, membership, city hall preservation donations, souvenirs, keepsake cookbooks, donations of history and photos for this column and the collections, visit our exhibit during Kimball Days or contact The Kimball Area Historical Society, Box 100, Kimball, Minn. 55353 or call (320) 398-5743, (320) 398-5250 or (800) 252-2521, if out of the area. ********** The best way to spend Aug. 10-12 is at Kimball Days and the 2007 Kimball Historical Society’s events. ********** “Reflecting our past … creating your future.”
