LISTENING PROJECT: Don Nelson & Bev Hammer

Bev Hammer interviewed Don Nelson about his life in Petersburg and he told riveting stories about what living in town was like during World War II including acompelling description of the blackouts.

Can you imagine the Main Street business windows covered with plywood, so no light would escape, and what it must have been like moving through the darkened streets of town in winter?

Don described the town’s reaction to the Pearl Harbor invasion, and the rounding up of Japanese citizens. He also told how he and Palmer Odegaard ( both age 10) were watching for enemy airplanes from the roof of the old gym, and how they got the MPs that came to guard the docks to let the boys drive their jeeps to town.

He also tells of early years in Petersburg when his grandfather arrived with Peter Buschmann in 1901 and shares some family history along with fond childhood memories. Both Bev and Don share their love of Petersburg in this delightful and informative interview.