Rush City nice isn’t just a cute phrase

 

By Mary Helen Swanson  

http://ecmpostreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3070&Itemid=1

Talk about your Minnesota nice. Forget that, let’s make that Rush City nice. There’s one happy retired New York firefighter that is ever so grateful for the helpful people he encountered on a recent weekend passing through one small Minnesota town.
Jim Lupino, now living in the Minneapolis area, was towing his boat heading north on I-35 with a buddy, to go to the cabin of another friend, when his truck’s transmission blew just before the off ramp at Rush City.
With his car smoking and limping, he managed to coast into the Holiday station lot believing that any idea of a good weekend of fishing was over.
He noticed that he was being followed, and it turned out to be a Rush City volunteer firefighter doing his job, of course, following the smoke.
Lupino asked the firefighter if he knew where he could get some help.
That’s when the whole “nice”  response went into action.
The firefighter, Dave Schroeder, said his captain was a mechanic and might be able to help out.
Schroeder helped Lupino get a tow truck. While Lupino and his friend were assessing the situation at the Burger King, Schroeder came back 15 minutes later and said he had done some phoning and found a transmission.
Not only did he find the transmission, but went down to Blaine to pick it up.
Local mechanic Dan Volk made time that weekend to install the new transmission. and check over Lupino’s vehicle from top to bottom.
Meanwhile, Lupino’s buddy from up north had came down and picked up Lupino and his friend and the boat they were towing and they enjoyed a weekend of fishing.
On Sunday, when they returned to Rush City, the truck was ready and it’s been working “beautifully” since then, according to Lupino.
Lupino has nothing but praise for the volunteer fighters of Rush City, the tow truck driver and auto mechanic who all went out of their way to help a stranded traveler.
“It really reflects the small town atmosphere,” he said, adding that he was so grateful for all the help he received and he wanted these fine folks in Rush City properly thanked.
So thanks guys, from Jim Lupino.