By: Jake Halverson, Site Supervisor
In theory, Fall has come to End-O-Line. Despite the effects of climate change, which are bringing us these miserable 80-plus degree September days, we are now operating on reduced hours until mid-October.
Overall, it is agreed that we had a busier summer at EOL than last year — averaging around 40 visitors a day. Indeed, after tallying weekly totals later this fall, I will make available the official counts in the next newsletter.
Although two-thirds of our summer staff have hung up their red shirts for the season (after a job well done), we are fortunate to have Anna Johnston still on staff. Despite only being open to the public on Fridays, Anna is here every day, evaluating and streamlining our collection data in our antiquated collection software. Anna has done terrific work, and it is a pleasure to have her continue these extra couple of months.
It should also be said that, in addition to Anna, we had excellent support out here at EOL this summer in the form of Nancy Moberg and Lisa Siverson. Nancy’s steadfast approach to the register and the needs of the gift shop, as well as Lisa’s unwavering dedication to the beautification and maintenance of the buildings and grounds, were invaluable services that contributed to the ongoing excellence of this establishment.
Of course, we are also still available to provide tours upon request, as well as able to provide our location for private events. As it is, we have already given several private tours this fall — in addition to lending out our facilities for school tours and gatherings.
We will continue to be available for tours and events through October 17.
In terms of big news, there are two items that need mentioning. At the very end of our regular season this summer, we were happy to at last offer our new e-bike fleet to the public.
After a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a few words shared with a small gathering — which included the individuals and organizations that made the fleet possible — the bikes were then made available to rent.
In total, we have four machines, coming in two different colors and two different sizes. Although we are currently operating on reduced hours, these bikes will still be available.
The second item which I would like to mention is one that has been discussed quite a bit in these newsletter pages already — and that is the long-awaited building move.
As of right now, it is still the plan to move the buildings this fall. Nick Demuth has lined up a company that specializes in the moving of buildings, surveyors have marked out the spots where the two buildings will be moved to, we have cut the power to the buildings, and Nick and I are currently in the process of removing the boardwalk which sits in front of both structures (something that the building movers said they needed to have happen before they could get their equipment back there).
All that remains now, prior to moving the buildings, is to have new foundations put in place. This is a task which we hope to have accomplished this October. If everything goes according to plan, we hope to have the buildings in place so that we may be able to start renovating and refilling them with their displays next spring.
Until then, I hope to have a splendid last few weeks out here at EOL before we close entirely for the season. Once mid-October rolls around, I will start the process of winterizing.
After that, it won’t be long before I move my office back to the museum in Slayton, where I will be until things start warming up again next Spring.
But before all of that, I wish you all a very pleasant Autumn.
Two of the e-bikes that are available for rental at the park.