Bio: Novobielski, Bernard (TV Repair Life – 1963)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Novobielski

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 14 Mar 1963

There is a Spanish proverb which goes, "Enjoy the little you have while the fool hunts around for more." But the energetic American reverse is this: "While the fool is enjoying the little he has, work hard for more." Bernard has a nature which refuses to take it easy. Until four years ago, he never walked…he always ran. Then he received medical orders to slow down or else…

Perhaps this kind of energy is good in his profession. Television has become a vital necessity.

The phone calls come day or night, and once the voices says, "Is Bernie there? I just called to report that our TV is acting up. We would like it fixed tonight, but if he can't be sure to get it tomorrow. I will be up until 10:00 or so if he cares to call." Or somebody may say on Monday, "Where were you yesterday? I called a half dozen time, and couldn't get an answer. Our TV was broke, and there are good programs on Sunday."

But there are real satisfactions, too. At Christmas, Bernie plays Santa Clause, delivering TV sets, stereo consoles and equipment. TV service offers real opportunity to learn to know people and how they feel. It is a constantly changing field, offering new problems and challenges.

His entry into the world of TV services seems a miracle to him. He was advised by his doctor that his allergy to dust and hair required he leave the farm. His wife, Marilyn, replied to a mail ad, and a representative of DeVry Technical Institute called. Bernie enrolled in a correspondence course. When he graduated, he set up a shop in Greenwood (Clark Co., Wis.), and farmed at the same time. Three months later he sold out his personal property and went full time.

Marilyn had graduated from Green Lake County Normal, and had taken a contract to teach . But she and Bernie were married in August, so Bernie explains this is why we have a teacher shortage. Marilyn was the only child in her family, and she maintained that she would have more than one child, even if they had to adopt one. But, that was unnecessary, since…(some of the article was unreadable)…by Dale and Avid, Raymond and Kathryn entered the world singly.

Bernie and Marilyn lost a son, Glenn, in 1953. He was in the hospital a month. During that time their hopes would soar one day, and flop the next. They learned the meaning of suffering.

One of Bernie's greatest thrills, outside of family and work, is "to shoot the South Dakota pheasant." He also shoots the deer with a bow and arrow. And in two and a half years, I have never seen him or his wife when they were not smiling!