Blue Garbage Bags, Wind Rows, Calendar Parking and other Weird Stuff
Blue Garbage Bags
All garbage must be placed in "special" blue garbage bags. The policy was established to encourage recycling. Any garbage disposed of in a non-blue bag is subject to a fine.
Wind Rows
Snow Removal from the streets is done through a process called Wind Rows. Snow is plowed into a row down the middle of the street. Cars drive on either side of the Wind Row. The city then picks up the snow and trucks it out of the city.
Calendar Parking
Calendar Parking is in effect all year round from 6 AM - 6 PM. Vehicles must be parked on alternating sides of the street each day. Signs are posted as to which side you should be parked on.
Pasties
Pasties originated in France over a century ago and eventually reached the Cornish tin mines. Cornish miners who relocated to the iron mines of Upper Michigan and Minnesota carried the recipe and tradition with them.
The pasty is a meat pie. The original pasty contained beef, pork, turnips and potatoes in a light pastry crust. The pie was wrapped in a kerchief to retain its warmth and fit into the back pocket of miners work clothes. It was a convenient warm meal for the miner who often had long shifts underground. The pasty was not only convenient, it also provided the miner with the daily requirements of meat, vegetables and carbohydrates.
Today the pasty comes in all forms--depending on the cook. Finnish, Italian and other nationalities have added their touches to liven up the meal. Pasties are still a favorite meal on the Iron Range and can be served with catsup, gravy or nothing at all. They are available at local restaurants, bakeries and delis.
Potica (pronounced po-tee-sa)
A traditional European style sweet bread. Sunrise Bakery and service make great potica!!
Deer Whistles
Every Northlander wants them and lots of folks swear by this remarkable little device. What do they do? A deer whistle adhered to your car will act like a dog whistle and warn lurking roadside deer of your approach. A deer whistle is probably a good idea if you are planning on venturing through area forests and countryside.
Ya Yíbetchyaye or Yah sure yíbetchya or Okidokie
Colloquial for "yes"
Grad Parties Extraordinaire!
In the spring and summer each year, social calendars are filled with graduation parties that resemble wedding receptions. We are not sure where the tradition began or why, but it sure is fun!
Mine Dumps
Though the colloquial name makes them sound unattractive, mine dumps are actually beautiful plateaus, many of which have been reforested with pine and wild flowers.
Location
Hibbing and other mining communities had settlements of immigrants living together in "locations." Some Hibbing locations included: Brooklyn Location, Mitchell Location, Leetonia Location, First and Second Pool and Alice.
"I heard it on the street"
An often used local phrase to describe the interception of a rumor.
"Yousguys"
Two words pronounced together with local accent. Means "you folks or people." Often spoken by youth.
What is a PUC?
Not what you think. It is our local Public Utilities Commission. Call them for local utility information (water, gas, electric).
Taconite/Hematite/Hibbingite
Non-magnetic and magnetic iron ore, the Hibbing High School yearbook and person from Hibbing.
Laurentian Divide
Water flows in three directions from the Laurentian Divide, north and east. In one spot near Hibbing Taconite there is a "Triple Divide" watershed. Water actually flows in three directions, north to Hudson Bay, south to the Gulf of Mexico and east to the Atlantic Ocean due to the elevation and rock formations. The existence of the "Triple Divide" was believed to be known by the Chippewa Indians which inhabited the Hibbing area centuries ago. Pioneer Hibbing residents recall that Chippewas termed the location as "The Hill of Three Waters" and frequently held their Council meetings there for tribes living within about a 100-mile radius. The site is not publicly accessible due to mining operations. Its official platting is Section 26, Township 58, Range 21. People say the weather is different depending on which side of the divide you are on. We think there is some truth to that given elevation changes etc.
Porketta
A highly seasoned pork roast that is available and local delis, grocery stores and restaurants
Sauna (pronounce au like ow in wow)
A sauna is a Finnish steam bath. A party sauna is a big sauna that fits 8-20 people.
Pit
No it's not something to spit out. A pit refers to what is left after mining. The Hull Rust Mahoning mine pit is one of the largest mine pits in the world.
A pit can also be a depression dug for a camp fire (fire pit).
Mesabi or Mesaba
An Ojibwa term that means "giant". The word often used in business names.
Ice Auger
A tool used to drill holes for ice fishing. Tim the Toolman would love this thing!
Ice
No, not cubes! Ice is a colloquial term for a sheet of ice used for hockey, curling or figure skating.
Curling, to curl and rock
Terms used for ice sport of curling. Curling is a game played by sliding a heavy, flat, polished stone along the ice at a mark (called a tee) 38 yards away.
Beltline
Highways 169 and 73 that encircles Hibbing. Does anyone out there know the origin of this term?
The Village
A term of endearment for our town, Hibbing.
Two Hour Parking
You can park for free in downtown Hibbing in the same spot for two hours. After that period of time, you will receive a ticket unless you move your car. Downtown employees are encouraged to park outside of the core area.
Pill Hill
An upscale neighborhood in Hibbing once known for the number of doctors who originally resided there. Surprisingly enough, the homes were built on a mine dump.
Going to the Lake
A term which means going to the cabin or any number of lake areas near Hibbing. Often heard in hushed tones of Fridays.
Side Laker
A year round resident of the Side Lake chain of lakes 25 miles north of Hibbing.
Caution!
Snow plows and other snow equipment are quite large on the Iron Range. Use caution when passing or driving by.
White Out
The blinding effect of a snow squall usually used in reference to driving conditions.
Machine
Term used in place of snowmobile, i.e. What kind of machine do you drive?
HPAT
Hibbing Public Access Television, Channel 12.
Driving the Drag
Young persons phrase for driving through downtown Hibbing.
A Fraboni
Popular sausage produced locally by Frabonis Sausage Company.
Social
Young persons term for social studies class.
Harvard on the Highway
Young persons term for Hibbing Community College.
Answers or suggestions for our Weird page -- Email us at: hibbcofc@hibbing.org
