The Late General Mills

Here an image is displayed of the fabled Duluth General Mills facility located in the great city of Duluth. So named after its founder the late General Cadwallader Mills, a rough and tough veteran of the War of Westward Expansion often forgotten in American textbooks. Known affectionately throughout the Nation of Minnesota as “Granpappy Pillsbury”, General Mills established many grain-smashing facilities along the Mississippi River. These grain-smashers, now known as “mills” allowed the general public to process their coveted grains though an early 19th century form of hydro-electric power.

Readers of “All Things Historical”, a quarterly circular published by the General Assembly of the Nation of Minnesota, will remember of the adventurous spirit of the white haired General. For instance, did you know that he publicly condoned the 1870 proposal to dig a tunnel underneath the Falls of St. Anthony? As a matter of public record it should be noted that he personally funded the construction of the current “apron” seen today by the visitors to St. Paul.

Yet the majestic General Mills facility is not without its own problems. Few there are who know the function or purpose for such a large structure. You might ask, “Why the large cylindrical shapes?” The answer is easy: to protect the flakes of corn from rats. You might also ask, “Then why allow the corn to cool in large piles outdoors?” Again, a simple answer: to allow the corned flakes to absorb essential nutrients. Though some may feel that this “air grazing” method is in poor taste, General Mills found it to be the most effective method to imbue his Corn Flakes with precious carbonated oxygen. Plentiful in the vast forests of the Nation of Minnesota, carbonated oxygen later proved to be a valuable resource in trade with the United States during the Second War to End All Wars.

Now a relic of a bygone society, the General Mills facility still stands proud of its heritage and importance to the Nation of Minnesota.

Abstract for November Conference

“How to live and be somebody”: Fellowship and Lessons of Black manhood in the NYC Jazz Community

Eddie Locke has been a fixture of the New York City based jazz world since he arrived in 1954. His oral histories and extensive collection of photographs provide a unique window on the community of NYC-based professional jazz musicians, and describe a world of rich friendships, professional support and family life.

While entering NYC as a member of a younger generation, Eddie was mentored by mature musicians who had created a close knit community and social atmosphere. It was in this community that Eddie learned the ethics and lessons of how to live a vibrant, successful, and productive life.

Eddies memories tell us how this community of black male musicians supported, taught, and encouraged each other in their professional and social lives. Far from the memories of drugs and bars, the stories and photographs depict a group of friends working together in concert halls and clubs, and relaxing with family and friends in apartments and restaurants. The community was held together by bonds of professionalism, friendship, and in the end, the music itself.

Although an emphasis is sometimes placed on the active and politically divisive elements in jazz music of the late twentieth century, a community of working professionals continued to thrive through an era of great musical, political, and economic change. This research contributes to the understanding of Jazz musicians in the 1950’s to the present, and adds a unique voice to its colorful history.

Me

Need a Forum to Post Ideas

To whom it may concern,

This is in an effort to post my ideas historical. Be they important or negligible, I have found that I need to have an outlet or they will stop reproducing.

Best of luck to myself.

Regards,
-Increase Mather