Vic Thorstenson

@vthorstenson

East Bank, Minneapolis. Former long-time MN legislative and state government staffer. I take pictures.

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Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 17d

My signs seem to follow a pattern

Granite tablet in a brick pathway is inscribed "YOU ARE HERE."

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 17d

What’s your sign?

Round sign on floor directly in front of a wall says WAIT HERE. Two male shoe prints make up the rest of the composition.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 19d

This weekend, pour one out for Chad Burr, who died. (Shawano Shopper, www.swedbergfuneralhome.com)

Obituary section with obit for Chad Burr that reads: Chad wrote his own Obituary.
Chad Burr died. Now you know.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 22d

When spatulas fart. @pareidolia.bsky.social

Slotted spoon with three openings that form a shocked expression in a copper container with other kitchen utensils.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 22d

These "patriot" levels are ok I guess but the bubbles always seem to settle on the right.

Front cover of the Acme Tools catalog advertising "Patriot Series Limited Edition Levels, celebrating USA's 250th anniversary." The levels themselves are painted red, white and blue.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 22d

*Does not contain kitty or kitty by-products*

Store display for Hello Kitty limited edition Spam.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 23d

The @eastbankmpls.bsky.social coyote stopped by our backyard pond on his rounds this morning.

Coyote licking it's murderous lips after taking the waters.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 24d

The air outside is unhealthy again.

Poster for the 2007 movie The Mist showing a man and a woman looking out across a misty nighttime streetscape. A giganric many-tenticled monster can be seen emerging from the haze.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 24d

The last newspaper mention of the event is from this 2019 Strib piece.

Two photos by Richard Tsong-Taarii with this caption: "Svenskarnas Dag festival braves the rainy weather / Katy Jo Johnson, Miss Svenskarnas Dag 2019, led children to dance around the maypole to celebrate midsummer, It's the Scandinavian Summer Fest, a celebration of Scandinavian music, dancing and handicrafts. This year marks the 85th edition of "Midsommar at Minnehaha Falls" event. Dale Petrowski as the "Swedish Chef" made mashed potatoes and gravy. His daughter is a member of the Svenskarnas Dag Girl's Choir. Festival enthusiasts couldn't be stopped by intermittent showers throughout the day Sunday.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 24d

It was the tricentenary of Swedish settlement in America, (runestone evidence notwithstanding.) Svenskarnas Dag used to be a big midsummer deal in Minneapolis, but I haven't heard much about it lately.

A collection of five Svenskarnas Dag buttons from the 1930s. The one in the middle, sporting a sailing vessel festooned with Swedish flags, commemorated the tricentennial.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 26d

Enjoy it in 3-D (you need red/blue glasses.)

Anaglyph image of the Big Fish Supper Club in Bena, MN.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 27d

Via the Shawano Shopper, milk now comes in "white."

Ad says Food Club White Milk 2 for $3.00 half gallon.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· 27d

Couldn't quite muster this level of enthusiasm when I went out this morning.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 12

I basically grew up in that forest, my dad was a ranger. You can access the trail from Forest Road 199 at the Morgan Creek Bridge. It will take you on a trail along the creek to both Morgan Falls and "St. Peter's Dome." My 15-year photo doesn't do the falls justice, it was a period of low water.

Clip of a Google map of the Chequamegon National Forest showing a single road and pins for the bridge, the falls and a high point.

Morgan Falls, taken in September, 2011. A thing rivulet of water cascades over a winding series of rocks over a near 100-foot drop.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 11

I shot that one in stereo too. Requires red/blue 3D glasses.

Anaglyph photo of the same log cabin being discussed.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 11

I've been there - still standing, (at least when this picture was taken in 2015.)

A log cabin made with exceptionally thick logs. A large stone chimney rises from the center of the left side.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 10

Mad Magazine Spy vs. Spy character holding a classic round bomb with a lit fuse.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 10

We've had the same experience, but they were right up to the road today.

Bison grazing on grass. Side view, facing right.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 10

Since folks are asking, this is at Minneopa State Park near Mankato, MN. In addition to its stately shithouse, there's a gorgeous natural prairie with an early stone windmill, a wild bison herd and a lovely waterfall.

Small herd of bison resting in a mudpit under a tree.

Black-eyed susans and other native plants in the foreground, and the Seppman Mill on a hill.

Minneopa Falls. A single arch bridge spans the run and visitors are looking at the upper and lower sections of the falls.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 9

Man, nobody could build a shithouse like the WPA.

Large limestone lavatory building built by Works Progress Administration workers in 1938. Located at Minneopa State Park near Mankato, MN.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 8

"Changed time zones, gotta reset the briefcase." bid.auctionmasters.com/ui/auctions/...

A sort-of steampunk leather briefcase with a big clock on one side.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 5

They just like the vibe.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 5

There was another air directional on a tank between the 10th Avenue Bridge and Bridge 9. digitalcollections.hclib.org/digital/coll...

Large fuel tank with sign that says "Courtesy of Minneapolis Gad Light Company" along with arrows pointing towards the airport and due north.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 5

It points to the North.

Close up of rooftop airport directional sign. An arrow extends with the letter N above the arrow point.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 5

Found a nice perspective view of much of the same scene: the rooftop sign is visible on the left, and the water levels at the Stone Arch Bridge are more clearly revealed. Source: JR Quiqley Photograph Collection, digitalcollections.hclib.org/digital/coll...

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 3

Here's an example from 1938 atop a grain elevator on the West Bank near the Stone Arch Bridge, "courtesy of Gold Metal Flour." Source: MHAPO, apps.lib.umn.edu/mhapo/

Image has South on the top. Black and white aerial photo showing the Minneapolis West Bank milling district and railroads along with the 10th Avenue Bridge (demolished) on left and the Stone Arch Bridge on bottom.

Zoomed in section of the same photo shows a sign atop a hrain elevator that reads "courtesy of Gold Metal Flour" with an arrow pointing to the southeast that says "airport 8 mi."

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 2

The magazine and poster both came out in 1927. A design coincidence?

November 1, 1927 issue of "Minneapolis" showing a collage of local hotels stacked upon each other.

1927 French-language poster for Metropolis (1927) showing stacks of buildings and the movie title spelled out as giant letters atop those buildings.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 2

They had their own definition of "northwest."

Detail of the graphic showing a map of the "northwest territory" consisting of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota North & South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 1

Godzilla-sized ladies with big silver trays. It's how they used to move stuff in this town.

Cover of the February, 1929 issue of "Minneapolis," an organ of the Minneapolis Civic and Commerce Association. A big young woman in a standard-issue diaphanous gown bearing a gigantic tray laden with cars, trucks, flour sacks, tractors and crates. In the background is the Minneapolis skyline in 1929 along with a zeppelin.

Vic Thorstenson@vthorstenson· Jul 1

Big list of additions to the @hclib.bsky.social list of digitized Minneapolis community newspapers! digitalcollections.hclib.org/digital/coll...