Wabeno landmark leveled by storm

WABENO - A piece of history in the Northwoods town of Wabeno is in need of repair.

High winds from Sunday's storm leveled the band shell that anchored the town's park since World War II.

• ReportIt Photos: Severe Weather May 20, 2012

Now town residents have to scramble to clean up the damage.

Their annual Memorial Day celebration is one week away.

Diane Borchardt says she can't believe the band shell is gone.

"I was shocked. We live five miles out of town. We had like five minutes of rain, and that was it," said Diane Borchardt, Wabeno resident.

Sunday's high winds battered the band shell and knocked out power to the entire park. Larry Rummel is on the Wabeno park board.

"I'm thinking it's pretty much trashed. The deck and everything might be salvageable, but the back is pretty much crashed in," said Rummel.

Built around 1940, the band shell had been a mainstay for entertainment in downtown Wabeno.

"On any given night. Tuesdays, Thursdays, they would have 100-150 cars here with people," said Rummel.

The band shell is also the site of Wabeno's annual Memorial Day celebration. Park leaders say they may have to adjust, but they're not ready to cancel any plans.

"If we can get the emergency power on or by generator, or whatever it takes. The show must go on,” said Rummel. “We will, one way or another.”

And talks are already in the works to rebuild.

"We're going to wait until the insurance adjuster tells us what we can do. Then we're going to see if we can't put it back together. I don't know if we're Humpty Dumpty, but we're going to try to put it back together," said John Gregg, Wabeno Parks board member.

Until then, people may have to rely on another familiar symbol.

"It's been a landmark for Wabeno, but Larry, he's still standing. Larry the Logroller. He made it through the storm. Yeah he did," said Borchardt.

The Wabeno Parks Board is meeting Monday night to explore its options.

An insurance agent is expected to be on site Tuesday.