Interviewer:
Schmitigal, Kathryn
Copyright Note:
Author/Interviewee:
Tominac, John
Publication Date:
2004-04-02
Description:
Born in Raber in 1930, John speaks about growing up on the family farm, haying with a team of horses, cutting wood, and taking care of animals. His dad was a farmer, and for extra money he worked as a logger in central Upper Peninsula. They lived in a log home and his family had a Model A car. A few times a year, his family made a trip to the store for goods and school clothes. He speaks about milking cows before and after school, cleaning the barn, and other chores. His mother made butter and sent him and his brother to trade the butter for things his mom needed at Fehner’s store, like coffee and powdered sugar. For fun, John made sleighs and skis out of wood from barrels, and rode animals.
Descriptive Note:
Documenting childhood in the rural Eastern Upper Peninsula, the Goetzville Oral History Collection Project, recorded thirteen stories of individuals who grew up in the region during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. The project, which took place in the spring of 2004, was funded by the Michigan Humanities Council and Raber Township, and was performed by Kathryn Schmitigal, with Barbara Schmitigal.
Title:
Interview with John Tominac