Shoremen become Eskimos for a day

Kim Culp received a lot of looks driving his Ford at 30 mph across the Bong Bridge from Superior on Saturday.

That was about the best he could do. Culp's 1915 Model T, with its two-speed transmission and 178 cubic-inch engine, produces 20 horse-power.

"Twenty powerful horses," Culp said reassuringly.

Culp still got to Public Schools Stadium in plenty of time to show off his car for about 800 fans who attended the Duluth-Superior Shoremen's "Clash of the Leatherheads" throwback football game against the Northwestern (Wis.) Thunderhawks.

The Shoremen wore replica black and white Duluth Eskimos jerseys, with the signature igloo on the front, while team president George Booth, the coaching staff and even the waterboy wore 1920s-style tuxedos, despite the early June heat to start the game.

The home team didn't disappoint as the Shoremen jumped to a 33-0 halftime lead en route to a 47-6 victory over the Thunderhawks.

"I try to bring the car out any chance I get," Culp said. "I get lots of waves and smiles when people drive by."

Michele Haltli of Proctor had her 1923 Chevrolet touring sedan parked next to Culp's Model T. The touring sedan was one of the last cars that didn't conceal an engine's pushrods, while the Model T still used a crank starter. Both cars were almost entirely original.

"If it was up to me, every car would be original," Haltli said.

Culp and Haltli weren't the only people who valued history on Saturday. Nearby, a cheerful Stuart Smith of Duluth greeted fans while clapping his hands to the sounds of Duluth band Park Avenue.

Gary Radosevich, the Shoremen's marketing director, asked Smith to greet fans before Shoremen games this season.

"Believe me, he didn't have to twist my arm," Smith said. "Looks like it will be a nice crowd. Leave it to good-old George."

Park Avenue is a six-piece Duluth band headed by Jim and Kathy Bartsias. Park Avenue often performs weddings and can play anything from polkas and waltzes to 1970s rock 'n' roll. In keeping with Saturday's throwback theme, however, the band stuck to the likes of "Accentuate the Positive," "Little Brown Jug" and "Blue Moon."

"One time we played a wedding where the couple wanted five hours of Beatles music," Jim Bartsias said. "Whatever they want."

"We aim to please," added his wife, Kathy Bartsias.

As the band broke into another tune, Culp gave his Model T a crank. It fired right up.

Haltli planned on leaving early and taking back roads to Proctor because the head lights on her Chevrolet didn't work. The car was passed down in her family, with her father, Marvin, inheriting it after her uncle, Oliver, passed away in the mid-1980s. After 10 years, Marvin and his daughter had the car fully restored but only got to show it for two years before he died and passed it on to her.

"For as much work as my dad put into this car, he did not get to enjoy it as much as he should have," Haltli said. "I wish he would have had more time with this car, so whenever I take it to car shows, I bring a little picture of my dad and think of him. Every time out is like Memorial Day for me."

JON NOWACKI covers local sports for the News Tribune. He can be reached at (218) 723-5305 or by e-mail at jnowacki@duluthnews.com