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The memories of 13 Ely Memorial High School graduates are featured in a film that will be unveiled Wednesday in a program that begins at 6:30 p.m. at Ely’s Historic State Theater.
In conjunction with the Ely All-Class Reunion, which begins later in the week, the film is part of an oral histories project funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
The project was developed by Ely’s Heritage Preservation Commission and brings 13 Ely graduates together.
Those featured attended Ely Memorial High School over a span of eight decades, and they share an array of stories about how the high school served as the cornerstone for community life.
Graduates in the film range from the class of 1942 through this year’s class of 2024.
Those interviewed were:
• Dave G. Anderson;
• Mike Forsman;
• Virgie Strukel Ivancich;
• Theresa Zupancich Jamnick; • Kelly Klun;
• Betty Markovich Kunstel; • Bob (Chick) Maki;
• Gabi Omerza;
• Josephine Spreitzer Pruse;
• Karl (Beans) Scheuer;
• Steve (Stove Bolts Junior) Smrekar;
• Frank Udovich;
• Grace LaTourell. City council members got a brief glimpse of the movie Tuesday, during their regular meeting, after a presentation by Pam Turnbull of the Ely-Winton Historical Society.
13 graduates share their stories about Ely Memorial High School
The movie trailer offered scenery of the high school and school campus interspersed with brief snippets of interviews with Klun, Smrekar and others.
“It’s important to preserve these stories to pass on to future generations,” said Turnbull.
The film’s debut is part of a special Ely History Night presentation at the theater.
Reed Petersen, a 2001 Ely graduate and a history teacher at Vermilion Community College, will begin the program with a presentation on the history of the high school, followed by the film.
The “meet and greet” at the theater begins at 6:30 p.m., with the program to follow at 7 p.m.
Admission is free. Turnbull’s presentation was part of a brief council meeting at City Hall.
In other business, the council
• Ap p oi nt e d Tom Conaway to the Gardner Trust Board.
• Noted that the July 3 Library Board meeting has been canceled.
• Approved a purchase agreement for the East Spaulding First Addition between the city and Thomas H. Holzmer.
• Approved an amended joint powers agreement with the Ely Area Lodging Tax Board.
• Granted the Ely Winton Rod and Gun Club a temporary liquor license for July 1 and July 2 events at the Miners Dry.
• Approved various inkind services to be provided by city crews for Young Life related to the July 4 activities at Whiteside Park.
