News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Monday December 29th 2025
Ornate tree trunk tombstone: Recalls All Saints Day death and symbolism
A six-foot tree of sandstone with ferns and ivy has concentric rings etched at sawn-off branches. There is a cross near the top and a scroll carved with the birth and death dates.
By Sue Hunter Weir
Nels H. Nelson Russell died on November 2, 1898. His marker, a six-foot tall tree carved from sandstone, is one of the most distinctive in the cemetery. Stone ferns grow at the base of the tree and ivy is twined around its trunk.  Concentric rings are etched at the ends of the tree”'s sawn-off branches. There is a cross made of interlocking branches near the top of the tree, and beneath it, suspended by a stone rope, is a scroll that is carved with the birth and death dates of Mr. Russell and his wife Christina.
Mr. Russell died on All Saints Day, a fact that is inscribed on his marker. It is a holy day that is observed in many forms by a variety of religious denominations throughout the world. Regardless of where or when the observation takes place the intention is the same””to acknowledge the goodness and love of those who have gone before. It is about more than merely remembering, it is about renewing the connection between the living and the dead.… Read the rest “Ornate tree trunk tombstone: Recalls All Saints Day death and symbolism”
The Burma Shave Historic Vine Church Legacy
By Steve Sandberg
The City of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission voted 7-2 Tuesday to approve the Minneapolis Public Schools application for demolition of the historic Vine Church/Hugnad Hall/Winget Manufacturing/Burma Vita building at 2019 East Lake Street in Minneapolis. Commissioners Hunter Weir and Olson voted no. Save the Shave is considering an appeal.
Save the Shave reps Steve Sandberg, Shari Albers, Erin Berg and David West all presented various, historical, environmental, educational and cultural reasons for saving the building and other neighbors spoke up and showed up as well but in the end the politics of money and convenience prevailed over history and imagination.
Many of the Commissioners voiced respect for the rich history of the building and were not aware that the Winget Manufacturing started there with its owner Nell Walter Winget who patented several hat, clothing and undergarment designs and built a predominantly women employed company into a growing and successful concern. At the same time as women got the right to vote Nell Winget was running a nationally recognized business and later developed the Kickernick Building in downtown Minneapolis. The Commissioners seemed to agonize over how to preserve tangible history or possible artifacts from the demolition site even as they voted to destroy it.… Read the rest “The Burma Shave Historic Vine Church Legacy”
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