Soetebier Lore

A recent deluge washed out our driveway. By chance, I saw a guy on a grader equipped tractor planing the road. I dashed (yes I can still do that) up to the road to get his attention. It turned out to be Bob Soetebier, for whom the lane is named. He repaired our driveway at no charge, and we chatted for a few minutes, during which I got more background on the history of our lot. The shed I've wanted to be struck by high winds, lightning, vandalism or terrorist attack is exactly what it appears to be....a pile of junk. He said he built it in the late 60s out of used lumber and other reclaimed pieces and parts. My lust for its destruction has increased immeasurably, but I still don't want to pay the $5500 for someone to haul it away. The private road, Soetebier Dr., was so named because the fire department could not find the burning house that once sat on our lot. The county wanted a street sign on the road. Bob polled the only other resident for ideas. Mark, a fine guy who still lives next door, suggested "Bumpy Gravel Rd.' or "Dusty Lane.' While those names are more descriptive, by the time Bob made it to the county, they had already christened it Soetebier Dr. So, he has a legacy....the name of the road and that great big pile of used lumber and rusted metal. Yes, I did tell him how much I loathed the thing. He took it well. :)