Caledonia Argus

Local couple survives east coast black-out

Posted: 8/26/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

For someone who has never been east of Chicago, driving out to New York City seemed like an adventure to Jean Mindrum of Caledonia. She had always wanted to visit The Big Apple and even had a plane ticket at one time: a ticket dated September 12, 2001. Driving definitely had appeal.

Jean and her husband Ellert were moving their daughter Natalie to East Harlem in New York City for her new job teaching in the Bronx. Natalieís job is part of a ìTeach for Americaî program of Americorps which places college graduates in the nationís most underprivileged schools. New York City was Natalieís first choice. She will be teaching 30 high-need sixth-graders representing 14 different ethnic groups.

Jean said the plan for her and Ellert to drive to New York City was ìa little far-fetched for us country bumpkins,î but they planned their route with the help of Mapquest, allowing two days for the trip. The three set out on the morning of August 13.

As the first day wore on, Natalie suggested that they drive straight through to the city in order to avoid the crush of semi-traffic during the day. They decided it was a good idea, and with Natalie and Ellert switching off for driving, they arrived in the city about 4 a.m.

Jean and Natalie caught some sleep on the floor of Natalieís apartment while Ellert slept in the truck. When it began to get light, they started moving Natalieís belongings up four flights of stairs in the renovated brownstone building that was her new home.

In mid-afternoon, just as the last items were moved into the apartment, the power went off for a short time. It came on again briefly, then shut off completely.

Neither the Mindrums nor anyone in the neighborhood seemed too concerned at first, thinking that the power outage was isolated and would be short-lived. But when they listened to reports on the truck radio, they learned that a large portion of the eastern power grid was down, leaving millions of people in eight states and Ontario, Canada, without power.

There was, of course, no food in the apartment. So the three decided to walk around and see if they could find anything open that was serving food. What they found was a lot of locked doors, since few restaurants could operate without electricity. They finally came across a pizza place that used gas for cooking, and the customers were three-deep at the counter, said Jean. A vendor on the street was selling pop for $1 a can, which was a reasonable price. Natalieís roommateís family arrived later in the day and by the time they set out to search for food, there was nothing available.

Back in Natalieís neighborhood, most people were outside on their front stoops trying to stay cool in the absence of air conditioning or even fans. Someone opened a fire hydrant, and the children in the neighborhood played in the spray. They noticed a woman and her daughter walking by who were covered in sootóthey had been in the subway when the power went out.

The evening was extremely hot, and Ellert spent another night in the truck while Jean and Natalie slept in the apartment. The heat was almost unbearable, said Jean.

The power came back on about 6:30 a.m., and when the stores opened, Jean and Ellert bought an air conditioner for Natalieís apartment. They went grocery shopping, too, being careful to avoid buying items that might have spoiled during the black-out. The subways were closed, and the entire New York Police Department had been summoned to duty. Even Con Edison, the power company, was closed.

On Saturday, things were getting back to normal. The Mindrums took a bus from Harlem to Manhattan and visited Central Park, the New York Public Library, Times Square, and Broadway, and then boarded a ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty. They also visited Ground Zero. After their tour, they took the subway back to Natalieís.

Jean said she enjoyed the visit, but added, ìI wouldnít want to live there, thereís too much activity.î

But making the trip helped calm her fears about Natalie moving to a large city and a neighborhood that for many years was in decline. But the area is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, and Jean found it to be a welcoming place. She said she expected big-city people to be unfriendly, but found that the people she came in contact with were very friendly. She said that throughout the ordeal, she never felt fearful, despite the unusual circumstances and unfamiliar surroundings.

ìBut you still have to be on your guard,î she cautioned.

Natalie, a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, will be in New York for two years. Although not a certified teacher, she went through a rigorous training program to prepare her for her assignment. She is paid by the school district, and through Americorps gets money for graduate school. However, President Bush has cut the program, so the scholarship money will probably not be available the second year, said Jean.

Despite the blackout experience, Jean said sheíd be willing to take another trip to New York City. She doesnít think itís anything extraordinary that they made the trip from Minnesota.

ìIf we can do it, anyone can do it,î she said.

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