Growing Up In Excelsior with Bob Williams

Our Program on September 18th was presented by our own Bob Williams. He told a number of stories about his experiences during the Great Depression as a youngster living in Excelsior.

            Bob touched on a lot of Excelsior history in his talk, with references to the amusement park and how the town of Excelsior was famed for the park, and how it appeared that all of the town kids worked at the park sometime during their teens. He talked about the park’s policy of welcoming company employee groups, and of discounted rides on special days where a milk bottle cap and three cents would get you on any ride in the park. 

            As an alum of Excelsior High School, he told a few stories about school days in the ‘30s, His wife, Patty, also was raised in town, and he included memories of the days when her family’s ice company provided the ice for all of the homes in town.

            Bob also reminded us that sliced bread was a new item in his youth, and admitted he spent a lot of evenings in Danceland dancing to popular bands such as Ted Weems, the Dorseys, and others.

            The Professor (aka Jim Cada) is appearing in “Old Explorers” at Wayzata Community Church. A 2-man comedy, it will be onstage on Oct 5,6,7,11,12, and 13. Contact Jim for more info or for tickets.

Next week:    District Governor Bob Stowell