.jpg)
by Mike Turnbull
Not really sure where this is going, so if you do get a chance to read this, please indulge me and hopefully enjoy the read.
I have been participating on the Ely All Class Reunion committee and helping with the Ely Sports Hall of Fame. I have had the opportunity to do a lot of reminiscing and amateur researching pertaining to both endeavors. This particular topic is near to my heart and I wanted to share it with the hopes that it sparks some fond memories for some of you.
I am sure Scott Nelson was probably a Mills Man but I could not find proof. I did find a magazine cover he appeared on later. Scott was definitely the ultimate Mills Man.
Let’s start with a definition from Wikepedia: A Supermodel is a highly paid fashion model who has a worldwide reputation and background in haute culture and commercial modeling. The term became popular in the 1990s.
I have no idea what haute culture is but I do know Ely has always been ahead of the curve. Several years prior to the 1990s, fall of 1976 to be exact, Mills Clothing started a weekly advertising campaign in the Ely Echo. It featured male high school students from Ely Memorial High School. Boys featured in the advertisements were from the classes of 19771980. I think the advertisements ended sometime in 1979. The models chosen were referred to as the “Mills Man.”
Each week the Mills Men were featured modeling clothing, shoes, gloves, hats and even luggage. Sam Cook wrote up the advertisements for the Echo. There was also a short biography provided and sometimes a question the chosen model was asked to answer. Each model wore or displayed different products for Mills Clothing.
While looking through some of the archives I wondered why Bobby John’s never did a female version of the advertising campaign. I am not a marketer but I think it would have been a hit.
As I was researching this article I was able to find several images in newspaper article archives. I know there were many others that I didn’t come across but here is some of the tidbits I was able to gather from the biographies in the Mills Man advertisements.
I will start with the class of 1980. Chris Harristhal, nickname “Sparrow,” wore Morgan Quinn lined hiking boots in his photo shoot. Participated in football, swimming and track.
Mike Hellerud, participated in football, track and choir. Wore Lee Lumberman wide wale cords and held an attache case in his advertisement.
Mike McNeal, nickname “Pick.” Participated in football, hockey, track, student council and band.
Keith Kramer, participated in football and track. When asked for a nickname, he said, “Nothing printable.”
Konrad Schumacher, swimmer and played tenor saxophone in the band. Worked at Kat’s Liquor stocking shelves. Hobby: Vermilion Amateur Ham Radio Club.
From the class of 1979: John Schiltz, swimmer and band member. Sam Cook was quoted as saying, “John makes music as well as waves.”
Steve Saari, nickname “Speep.” Participated in football, hockey and tennis. When asked about hockey, he said, “The competition has been tough but it has been fun.”
Tom Chimielski, Minnesota State ski jumping champion in 1976-77. Started jumping at age five. Wore a Pendelton Cardigan.
Mark Newman, nickname “Filbs.” Participated in basketball, tennis and student council. Wore Lee corduroy pants, turtleneck and a leather- look jacket. The advertisement stated, “The look of leather without paying for leather.”
Mark Stepec, participated in hockey and golf. Golf team was district champions. Work: Dishwasher at Sir G’s. Jim Koski, participated in track and tennis. His Mills Man biography read, “Who is that?”
Jim Koski of course. “Any Elyite would recognize him. He is the friendly fellow working at Zup’s this summer.”
Bill Wavrin, football, basketball, track and was on the yearbook staff. Wore Lee Dungarees.
Doug Wiermaa, participated in football and hockey. Works at Canadian Waters. Favorite class in school: electronics.
Randy Skube, football, hockey and baseball. Wore a Rugby shirt and Morgan Quinn shoes called “The Scoop.” Randy was quoted as saying, “Most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever had.”
I am not sure if Scott Nelson was a Mills Man, I could not find proof. He probably was. I did find a magazine cover he appeared on later. Scott was definitely the ultimate Mills Man.
The class of 1978:
Jim Lesar, football and track. district discus champ in track. “Tough to fit at six foot and 225 pounds but Mills can do it!”
Ed Church, worked at Mills Clothing. Participated on ski and golf teams. Quote: “recent snows have me psyched up for skiing but practice doesn’t start until next month.” Ed’s advertisement ran in the Echo in October.
Bob Maki, nickname “R.V.” Wore pile lined corduroy coat. Participated in band, hockey, track and rifle team.
Brad Wick, middle linebacker on first Arrowhead conference football co-championship football team. Was also in the band.
Dave Gerzin, wore a plush denim suit. Was a diver in the state swim meet. Work: Projectionist at the Ely Theater.
Steve Chelesnik, wore a Lee natural denim suit. Participated in baseball and Track and was on the honor roll. Future plans: Attend college and law school.
Jerry Skubic, participated in football, ski jumping and rifle team. When asked about his ski jumping he responded, “Our coaches are really great. Always helping us and without pay. Lenny Nappa helped me a lot this year.”
Tim Anderson, nickname “Coolie.” Participated in band, choir, theatre and was the boys’ basketball manager. Tim was described as an “Active Actor.” Played Helen Keller’s dad in the Miracle Worker school production. He also was a Russian spy in See How They Run during the Winton Sawmill Days production. “Coolie” wore a paisley shirt from the Caimbridge “Dude” collection, made of acelate nylon. He said, “Feels good and slinky next to your skin!” The Class of 1977:
Joe Shere, 6’6” tall. (I think he was taller). Played football and basketball averaged 22 points a game his senior year.
John Miklaucic, nickname “Mona) Played football and was quoted in the advertisement, “It has been a tough season but we are having fun.”
Mike Hren, participated in football, basketball and baseball. “Wrench is a well-rounded guy also is in student council and on the yearbook staff.” Modeled Samsonite luggage.
Bob Marolt, participated in band, student council and was senior class treasurer. Was in American Legion Boys’ State. Played tennis and basketball. Wore a Woolrich down Parka in his photo shoot.
Dean Britton, plays football and works at Britton’s. His future plans: “I want to own a supper club someday.”
Mike Turnbull, nickname “Buckles,” participated in basketball and baseball. Moved to Ely from New Jersey prior to junior year. Note: I was jealous of all my classmates that did the Mills Man. They wore really nice stuff. When my turn came up I modeled a matching work clothes, pants and shirt. Wore Sorel boots and held some gloves and leaned on a broom. Claim to fame the advertisement said “If you think Mike Turnbull ‘Buckles’ looks good on the end of a broom, you should see him playing basketball for the Timberwolves!” I don’t know about all of that, but I was proud to be a Mills Man and I was honored to have a nickname in only my second year living in Ely.
I hope you were able to spark a few memories reading this and for those of you who are Ely Memorial High School graduates, are planning on attending this summer’s Ely All Class Reunion.
If you are planning on attending and haven’t done so already please get registered on the reunion website at www.ElyAllClassReunion. com.
Even if you are not a graduate but want to attend, go online and get registered. You can also see the schedule of events.
Since the writing of this article the Echo staff discovered an archive depicting a Bobby John’s advertisement rivaling the Mills Man.
My apologies to Bobby John’s Store owners and Betsy Loushin and Mary Beth Kastelic from the class of 1978. Still don’t know why the Bobby John’s campaign wasn’t as extensive as the Mills Man. Must have been before Title IX and NIL kicked in.
