Stories from the Iron Range
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I happened upon this little gem while checking in with my hometown newspaper. Absolutely hilarious.
GILBERT, Minn. (AP) -- A group of residents is trying to make the most of this Iron Range town's notorious past, but city officials say Gilbert Whorehouse Days is a bad name for a town festival.
A group of angry citizens showed up at a City Council meeting Tuesday to protest the event, which is being planned by some members of Gilbert After Hours Inc. The festival's name refers to a time when Gilbert was known for its bars, gambling, and ``working girls'' during the Prohibition.
``The damage has been done,'' resident Fran Marolt said. ``This is not a family-oriented activity.''
The event doesn't include any of the activities that gave the festival its name, but City Council members still don't approve.
``It would give us a black eye,'' City Council member Dan Berry said.
Organizers say the festival - and its name - are meant to bring back a part of history. The festival is planned for two days in July and includes a car show, antique fair and bank robbery reenactment.
``We feel it's got some power to it,'' said organizer Lynn Sausman, who's lived in Gilbert for 35 years. ``Gilbert has been widely documented to be the biggest red light district on the Iron Range.''
Suggestions for alternative names include ``Sin City'' and ``Little Chicago.''
Opponents of the festival presented council members with a petition signed by 20 Gilbert businesses. The mayor and the council will have to decide whether to act on the matter.
I'm guessing this idea originated sometime around 12:45 a.m. on a Tuesday night in a local tavern. I bet it seemed like a pretty good idea, too, as the local drunkards were probably just finishing up their bottle of Phillips Whiskey.
Seriously - who would have ever thought that this was a good idea?
If nothing else, they managed to put Gilbert, Minn. back on the map, years after the iron-ore mining business dried up. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be amused, saddened or thankful that there are still people like this out there.
If anyone wants to attend Gilbert Whorehouse Days this summer, let me know. I'm already planning my trip.
GILBERT, Minn. (AP) -- A group of residents is trying to make the most of this Iron Range town's notorious past, but city officials say Gilbert Whorehouse Days is a bad name for a town festival.
A group of angry citizens showed up at a City Council meeting Tuesday to protest the event, which is being planned by some members of Gilbert After Hours Inc. The festival's name refers to a time when Gilbert was known for its bars, gambling, and ``working girls'' during the Prohibition.
``The damage has been done,'' resident Fran Marolt said. ``This is not a family-oriented activity.''
The event doesn't include any of the activities that gave the festival its name, but City Council members still don't approve.
``It would give us a black eye,'' City Council member Dan Berry said.
Organizers say the festival - and its name - are meant to bring back a part of history. The festival is planned for two days in July and includes a car show, antique fair and bank robbery reenactment.
``We feel it's got some power to it,'' said organizer Lynn Sausman, who's lived in Gilbert for 35 years. ``Gilbert has been widely documented to be the biggest red light district on the Iron Range.''
Suggestions for alternative names include ``Sin City'' and ``Little Chicago.''
Opponents of the festival presented council members with a petition signed by 20 Gilbert businesses. The mayor and the council will have to decide whether to act on the matter.
I'm guessing this idea originated sometime around 12:45 a.m. on a Tuesday night in a local tavern. I bet it seemed like a pretty good idea, too, as the local drunkards were probably just finishing up their bottle of Phillips Whiskey.
Seriously - who would have ever thought that this was a good idea?
If nothing else, they managed to put Gilbert, Minn. back on the map, years after the iron-ore mining business dried up. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be amused, saddened or thankful that there are still people like this out there.
If anyone wants to attend Gilbert Whorehouse Days this summer, let me know. I'm already planning my trip.
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