WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     Something new, something old, something deceased and something broken...and all of it Wonderful!

    Recent donations to the Westbrook Heritage House Museum Complex deserving words of appreciation are:

    Something new

    The Westbrook VFW Post 5098 has generously donated a new flagpole, and a flag, to the museum grounds. The pole was installed near the street last week and promises years of service.



    Something old

    Glance onto the museum grounds to see our new out-door display, A RECLAMATION DITCHER, donated by Alan Cohrs. Then drive on in for a closer look! This is no run-of-the-mill road grader, no siree! It is a marvel of mechanisms designed to rebuild a road by reclaiming dirt from the ditch and putting it back where it belonged.

    One wonders how just one man could operate all the levers, pedals, wheels and devices that allowed the monstrous machine to work its wonders.

    Something deceased

    An ancient bison skull, discovered in the creek beyond his house by Duane Byers was presented to the museum last winter. Veterinarian Dr. Ron Kuecker estimated the age of the skull at 2,000 years old.

    Display of this item requires the construction of proper support and background. A central display location has been designated this ancient Westbrookian’s new home.

    Something broken

    Sometime, nearly 100 years ago, the inventive Edward Hubin of Westbrook, created a four-legged stand, about 4 feet tall, upon which he attached the head of a windmill. When activated by breeze or hand this turned a crank that moved a carved wooden bird, that, with its bill, stroked the strings of an oil-can violin!

    This Rube Goldberg type hand-made contraption was later rescued from a farm sale and stored for several years by Gene Duerksen of Delft. It eventually landed in the garage of Ed’s son-in-law Ivan (Bud) Carlson, Westbrook, who gave it to the museum. While in Mr. Duerksen’s hands the windmill was somewhat restored, but its further journeys and its venerable age  - caused wooden parts to shatter. All have been carefully saved.

    Perhaps somewhere among our readers there is another inventive woodcarver who will take on the task of carving another fiddle-head and other parts so that this amazing musical instrument can sing again.

    Appreciation to all!