A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-19-03....Minnesota ~ "L'Etoile du Nord"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join us as we take a cyber-tour of another great state in this Union of ours. As we discover and spotlight each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'.

Over the coming months each "Finest" hostess will profile her own home state - I will be presenting all the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states that have been presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama
06-27-03 Maryland
07-11-03 Vermont
07-25-03 Utah
08-05-03 Texas
08-22-03 Nevada
08-26-03 Washington DC
09-05-03 Tennessee
09-17-03 Florida

Today we are visiting "The North Star State", aka: the milk and blueberry muffin state. ;-)

Mama_Bear

The White-tailed Deer -
and more Minnesota state symbols...

Click on the Loon above to hear it's call.


***********************

A bit of history.....

In 1848 the Minnesota Territory was formed by the US government. Ten years later, in 1858, Minnesota was admitted to the USA as the 32nd state. The state gets its name from the Dakota word "minisota", meaning "water that reflects the sky." Minnesota's state nicknames are the "Gopher State" and the "North Star State", and is the 12th largest state in the US.

Despite the convenient access to the state, immigration was slow until the second half of the 19th century, when people in the east started to hear about Minnesota's woodlands and fertile prairie. Between 1850 and 1857, the state population skyrocketed from 6,077 to more than 150,000. Long before that, the Ojibwa (Chippewa) and Dakota (Sioux) tribes made the land their home. For them state borders were nonexistent, so their territory extended well beyond what is today Minnesota. The French claimed the territory in the mid-1600s. It became U.S. territory through the Treaty of Paris (1783) and the Louisiana Purchase (1803).

What makes this state important? For one, its waterways are vital to the state's and the nation's economies. Besides its quantity of lakes, it is the northernmost stop of the Mississippi River and the westernmost point of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which runs through the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Minnesota today is a leader in farming, lumbering, and milling, as well as printing and iron production.

Click on the Capitol Building for some interior panoramic photos.
This is one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings I have seen.

Facts and Trivia
about our 32nd state...
(Yes, there will be a test.)

• Minnesotan baseball commentator Halsey Hal was the first to say 'Holy Cow' during a baseball broadcast.
   
• The Mall of America in Bloomington is the size of 78 football fields --- 9.5 million square feet.
   
  
• Minnesota Inventions: Masking and Scotch tape, Wheaties cereal, Bisquick, HMOs, the bundt pan, Aveda beauty products, and Green Giant vegetables
   
• The original name of the settlement that became St. Paul was Pig's Eye. Named for the French-Canadian whiskey trader, Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant, who had led squatters to the settlement.
   
  
• Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the country.
   
• The climate-controlled Metrodome is the only facility in the country to host a Super Bowl, a World Series and a NCAA Final Four Basketball Championship.
   
  
• Minnesota has 90,000 miles of shoreline, more than California, Florida and Hawaii combined.
   
• The first open heart surgery and the first bone marrow transplant in the United States were done at the University of Minnesota.
   
• Rochester is home of the world famous Mayo Clinic.
   
• The stapler was invented in Spring Valley.
   
• Private Milburn Henke of Hutchinson was the first enlisted man to land with the first American Expeditionary Force in Europe in WWII on January 26, 1942.
   
• The first Automatic Pop-up toaster was marketed in June 1926 by McGraw Electric Co. in Minneapolis under the name Toastmaster. The retail price was $13.50.
   
• Tonka Trucks were developed and are continued to be manufactured in Minnetonka.
   
• Hormel Company of Austin marketed the first canned ham in 1926. Hormel introduced Spam in 1937.
   
  
  "My friend pork shoulder
  I return to you. This time
  I've brought mayonnaise."
  
  more funny "Famous Spam Haikus"
  by Michael Lubic
  Yummy Spam Recipes
  
  
• Minnesota has one recreational boat per every six people, more than any other state.
   
• Minnesota's waters flow outward in three directions: north to Hudson Bay in Canada, east to the Atlantic Ocean, and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
   
• The first official hit in the Metrodome in Minneapolis was made by Pete Rose playing for the Cincinnati Reds in a preseason game.
   
• In 1898, the Kensington Rune stone was found on the farm of Olaf Ohman, near Alexandria. The Kensington Rune stone carvings allegedly tell of a journey of a band of Vikings in North America in 1362.
   
• Minneapolis’ famed skyway system connecting 52 blocks (nearly five miles) of downtown makes it possible to live, eat, work and shop without going outside.
   
  

More about the Minneapolis Skyways...

Minneapolis is unique in many ways, but the skyway system is one of it's most striking, one-of-a-kind assets. When the weather turns sour, you can use the skyway system to get where you need to go.

One floor above ground, this system links buildings together with enclosed walkways. It connects most of downtown Minneapolis in climate-controlled bliss.

When the temperature plummets or the rain falls, ditch the coat in the hotel room. Explore downtown Minneapolis through more than 7 miles of glass-enclosed skyways. They provide a lively thoroughfare filled with specialty shops, restaurants and services.



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Last but not least, a link to one of my
favorite teams, the Minnesota Vikings!
Good luck this season!




Thank you to the following websites for information and graphics:

Minnesota History - A Chronology
Minnesota Facts and Trivia
THE KENSINGTON RUNE-STONE

Thank you for joining us on our cyber trip to Minnesota. I am sure I have overlooked many interesting facts and points of interest, so please help us celebrate Minnesota by joining in and posting what you know about this Fine state.

Have a nice FRiday and a great weekend!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 09-15-03...Military Monday 09-16-03...This One's For You T Man 09-17-03...Florida - The Sunshine State 09-18-03...John's Two Cents - JohnHuang2

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4)If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Temple Owl]

Front lawn is better than landing on the house! Can you using the wood for firewood? You are so right! The township workers are out there now clearing the stuff away. I guess we will keep some of it for the fireplace though.

For some reason I ended up sending this to myself. I think I'm still a little groggy from Isabel.

[dutchess]

Hi Lori. A quick in and out this morning...getting ready for a meeting but had to tell you what a great thread this is today. Visually pleasing and very educational. Never thought I would want to visit Minnisota but it sounds beautiful! Will stop back later.

(((((((mama_bear)))))))

[Mama_Bear]

Never thought I would want to visit Minnisota but it sounds beautiful!

It's funny, every state I spotlight is where I want to visit next. They are all interesting and beautiful in their own way. I just can't imagine 10,000 lakes in one state!

As always, thank you for your sweet compliments. I hope you have a wonderful FRiday.

[.45MAN]

Span the other ahh, white er.. red ahhh red and white..... grey .... Well the other color meat?

[Mama_Bear]

Best of all, Minny is becoming MORE conservative and MORE Republican.

That is wonderful! I SO wish I could say the same for my poor beleaguered California.

I have found Minnesota to be one of the most interesting states. I had to leave a lot out of this profile, but I discovered there were many inventions that originated in your state. You've got some very smart people up there. And, that climate controlled skyway system in Minneapolis is a brilliant idea, especially since you spend so much of the time frozen up there.

Your state capitol building is beautiful too!

Shhhhhhh! Everybody thinks we're frozen solid up here.

Well, you're right, that's what I've always thought. I am not about to relocate there, but I will visit in the summer and bring my tourist dollars, how's that? ;-)

[Mama_Bear]

Spam the other ahh, white er.. red ahhh red and white..... grey .... Well the other color meat?

LOL!!!

Another funny Spam Haiku....

Pink tender morsel
Glistening with salty gel
What the h*ll is it?

Just makes you want to pop open a can, huh? LOL

[Billie]

Good morning, Lori - I think I have a new favorite of your state threads. Love these soft grey colors. Five years ago, my sister and her daughter - who claim shopping as their vocation :) - were given a birthday shopping spree trip to the Mall of Americas! They've shopped in every mall in Texas - only fitting they should 'do' the big one! :)

[Billie]

Texas ((((((Hugs))))) to a Few of Minnesota's Finest, Arne and Aeronaut! (Oh, and you too, T Man) :)

[.45MAN]

The house that Spam built
with cans I can count
we won't starve
but it sure stinks.

[LadyX]

"I checked out some of those recipes, but when you get right down to it, no matter what you do to it, it's still Spam. LOL."

Hey - don't knock it!
In the early 50's, it was a new military bride's salvation - cheap inexpensive, and easy to doctor.

You could fry it - cube it and mix in with macaroni and cheese - or slice it - sprinkle brown sugar on it - add crushed pineapple and bake it, and one produced 'Trew Gormay Dining'..:))

Did ya ever do that, MEG??
Oops - forgot you were an 'Occifer's Wife' and could afford Treet...:))

[The Thin Man]

Great job, Mama_Bear. Had a lot of "I didn't know that's."

You should know that we do have plenty of loons in the state and it's not just the state bird. :-) Please, no additional commentary.

Now for the important part. For a moment you had me worried but then I took out my fine-toothed comb and it appeared......

Minnesotan baseball commentator Halsey Hal

That would be "Halsey Hall." Let this be a lesson, *always* double-check your sources. :)

[Billie]

Good morning, Finest FRiends!

[LadyX]

"You *can't* do a whole lot with grits!"

WHAT??
And ruin a Perfect Food?!!

All it needs is a tad of salt and a lot of REAL BUTTER to enhance its perfection.

It surely thus is one of The Thin Man's Favorite Foods!!
(no - he is not enhanced by salt and real butter - he's just right just as he is..:))

[The Thin Man]

Interesting Minnesota Laws

Citizens may not enter Wisconsin with a chicken on their head.

All bathtubs must have feet.

A person may not cross state lines with a duck atop his head.

It is illegal to sleep naked.

Hibbing
It shall be the duty of any policeman or any other officer to enforce the provisions of this Section, and if any cat is found running at large, or which is found in any street, alley or public place, it shall be the duty of any policeman or other officer of the city to kill such cat.

Minneapolis
Red cars can not drive down Lake Street

St. Cloud
Hamburgers may not be eaten on Sundays.

Virginia
You're not allowed to park your elephant on Main Street.

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Lori - I think I have a new favorite of your state threads. Love these soft grey colors.

Thank you. I finally got smart and realized that it is much easier to create the maim welcome graphic and pick up the colors there for the backgrounds, borders, etc. I was doing it backwards and wasting so much time re-doing the background and borders after I had made the graphic because it didn't end up matching.

Five years ago, my sister and her daughter - who claim shopping as their vocation :) - were given a birthday shopping spree trip to the Mall of Americas! They've shopped in every mall in Texas - only fitting they should 'do' the big one! :)

Wow! That's a nice gift. I would love to spend a week or two shopping there. :-)

JK did you catch my not so subtle hint? ;-)

[LadyX]

Speaking of perfection, Lori, your graphics and presentation of salient facts about the states are true works of art.

They never are boring, hitting the highlights with just the right visual support - - we cannot praise you enough for them, and for all you contribute, week in and week out.

These are for you, Mama_Bear - -

[LadyX]

"Yesterday's "Two Cents" was your best.......(and will remain so until your next one which will surely surpass it.)"

Now I could lay on accolades for your essay yesterday and every time you do one - and still not give them all the credit they are due...:))

{{{{{ Hugs to JH2 }}}}}

[Mama_Bear]

You should know that we do have plenty of loons in the state and it's not just the state bird. :-) Please, no additional commentary.

LOL! Gotcha.

Now for the important part. For a moment you had me worried but then I took out my fine-toothed comb and it appeared......Minnesotan baseball commentator Halsey Hal. That would be "Halsey Hall."

Hey, that was not my mistake. When you copy and paste, you get what you get. LOL. I should have known....... Halsey Hal sounded like a kind of stupid name. It just don't have the same ring as "Halsey Hall". But, since I don't even know who the guy was, I didn't question it. LOL.

Names are my downfall, I guess....(Leonard Skinnerd?? Now, that was a good one, LOL!)

Let this be a lesson, *always* double-check your sources. :)

Yeah. :-(

Thank you so much for the lesson, TTM. I am pleased that you found a mistake to point out that wasn't actually mine. (Now, you can quit looking before you find one that actually was mine.) ;-)

[The Thin Man]

That does it! I won't stand for it! Posting a Texas graphic on a Minnesota thread. :-)

[LadyX]

"Minnesotan baseball commentator Halsey Hal

That would be "Halsey Hall." Let this be a lesson, *always* double-check your sources. :)"

Sigh.....you are so deserving of your reputation of being as sharp as a tack - - -
no, Billie and Freezee... that does not mean TMan is tacky !!! LOL