Miracle Whirl

In the early 1950s the Miracle Whirl on the Lincoln School playground was one of the most popular pieces of play equipment.  Up to 40 kids could fit on the ten-foot diameter platform. By 1953 more than 4,000 of these had been manufactured in Grinnell, Iowa, and were in use nationwide until the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission declared them unsafe.

This "miracle whirl" in the Lincoln school playground is one of the most popular pieces of play equipment there.  It was bought and installed just a few weeks ago by the school’s PTA.  At the extreme left are Pamela McDonald and Randy Randall, and at the extreme right are Karen Nichols and Bobbie Stander.  In the center are Sharon Lorentzen, Archie Lou Greene and Keith Wilkens.

Tribune article published May 20, 1952:

It's "fun night" or "fun day" every day for the children of Lincoln school -- especially since a new "miracle whirl" was installed in their playground a few weeks ago.

The new piece of equipment was purchased by the Lincoln PTA from proceeds realized from their annual "Fun Night" last month.  As far as the children are concerned, they couldn't have received a better present.  Whirling has become their most popular pastime.

The PTA members always purchase something for the school from the proceeds of their "Fun Night."  In past years they've bought a movie projector, a slide projector, a coffee maker, silverware for the kitchen, dishes, a utility cabinet.

This year they decided to put the $172 proceeds into something that would belong entirely to the children.  Mrs. Wallace Gray, who has been president of the Lincoln PTA for the past two years, said that the "Fun Night" idea started about eight years ago.  Mrs. William Nelson was president when the first "Fun Night" was held.

Previous to that, the PTA had been sponsoring annual bingo nights which eventually turned into the popular "Fun Night."

The annual affair is an all-out one.  The top floor is given over to entertainment including a movie, TV, and a talent show.  The first floor usually has skill games such as cake walks and fish ponds.  Eats are on the lower floor and include hot dogs, pie, cake, ice cream, candy, popcorn and soft drinks.

Only the coffee, drinks and hot dogs are bought.  The rest of the eats are prepared and donated by the parents.  The Purity Bakery donates the buns every year and this year Gulliver's Radio and Television Service donated the use of a TV set.

Mrs. Kate Mitchell, principal at Lincoln, recalls that at the first fun nights, admission was charged at the door and everything else was free.  "We've learned a lot since then," she said,  "We charge for everything now."  But the charge is only a nickel or dime for any of the events.  Fun night is for the children as well as the parents -- it's actually a family night and it draws a good size crowd every year!