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Sunday, July 1, 2007
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Happy Birthday, USA!

Independence Day parade
Photo © Jerrianne Lowther
Fourth of July parade, Anchorage, Alaska.

Updates -


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photos by Larry T. Dake
A wedding shower for Ken Harrison and Amy Dake.

Update -- a bridal shower, guys included!
by Ginny Dake McCorkell
Blaine, MN

Yes, there is another wedding coming up! Sherry's cousin Carmen and Zach Fore hosted a shower for Ken Harrison and Amy Dake recently. (You can see the hostess and host just below the glowing couple.) Sherry (Amy's mother) made the quilt that Amy, Ken and Grandma Bergit Swenson are looking over. They had lots of little hands helping to free those gifts from their wrappings. And yes, there were plenty of goodies to eat. Beyond the story that the photos tell, I can't report on the event as they are waaaaay up there in the north country and I am here.


Update -- Welcome, Braden Mitchell Miller
by Steve and Marian Miller
Coral Springs, FL

We have a new grandson. Mitch and Kim Miller are the proud parents. Braden Mitchell Miller was born May 31, 2007, weighed 7 lbs. and was 21 inches long.

We are flying up to see them Wednesday, June 27, and we come home July 4th.


Braden & Mitch Miller, left; McKenna, Kim & Braden, right.


Update -- Hurricane Wilma
by Steve Miller
Coral Springs, FL

As of two weeks ago, our roof is totally finished Yippee! The people are coming to rebuild our screen pool enclosure just after we get back from Michigan, but I'm not getting my hopes too high, since with the frequent rains, their schedules often get delayed.



People waiting on the driveway for us to open at noon.

UPDATE -- great garage sale
by Janie Anderson and Brenda Hill
Wahpeton, ND

We had a GREAT garage sale last week. Thursday was a beautiful day and people came without stopping from noon (11:30, actually!) until 8:15 p.m.

It rained Friday and Saturday, so the crowd was somewhat thinner, but as Brenda says, "Our garage sale was very, very good! We got rid of loads of 'stuff'!"


North end of garage just before we opened the doors, left; south end of the garage. right. If you look carefully, you can see people peeking in the windows.


UPDATE -- introducing Wyatt William Meyer
by Angela Stahlecker Roberson
(first-cousin to Wyatt)
Hico, TX

Wyatt is my Aunt Patricia and Uncle De's 7-year-old son. He is Lois and the late William (Bill) Dake's grandson. He lives in Moody, Texas.

I am writing to tell you about Wyatt because he is one of my kids' favorite cousins, because he is full of mischief and humor, and because he is smart and cute. Wyatt is such a special part of his family and our whole family's lives. Life with Wyatt is full of surprises and unexpected triumphs, just ask his parents or his siblings. Our family thinks Wyatt is remarkable and unique for all of these reasons.

However, someone looking in from the outside will notice something else about Wyatt first, before they have a chance to get to really know him. They will probably notice that Wyatt has Down's Syndrome. Most of us in Wyatt's extended family first learned that Wyatt might have Down's when it was close to his due date. When he was born, we celebrated his safe delivery and were delighted to have another baby in the family. It was confirmed that he did indeed have Down's, and thus began a journey in our whole family of learning and discovery, of love and acceptance.

Wyatt's family learned to deal with frequent hospital visits as Wyatt had heart surgery and then multiple respiratory troubles. More importantly, though, they learned that Wyatt's love has no bounds.

Our whole family has been reminded again how to see the world through the innocent eyes of a very extraordinary boy. Every milestone met holds significance and joy. Wyatt has already achieved so much. He truly is a special gift to his immediate family and to our whole family. My kids look forward to each time they get to play with "Quiet," as they call him. He is funny, smart, and charming. He likes to joke and tease, just like his daddy.

Once you look past his syndrome, he is a typical boy living an ordinary life. However, that life is made extraordinary by his playful spirit and innocent soul. Anyone who has the opportunity to get to know Wyatt will not leave with a heart untouched. Seeing how much he loves his family, and how much they love him in return, is a gift in itself. So, if you're ever in Texas, I hope you'll get a chance to meet Wyatt and discover for yourself how amazing he is.

I asked Aunt Tricia to tell us a little something about Wyatt. Also, her daughter Ashley wrote two poems about Wyatt. I've included both of those in a little feature -- More About Wyatt William Dake -- for next week's Bulletin.


Trevor Roberson & Wyatt Meyer, left; Wyatt & Trevor, right.


Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN

Nathan and Devan Visit Beaver's Gravel Pit

Nathan and Devan Seaman visited us again this weekend and their favorite thing is to do anything with Grandpa Beaver! This day was probably "tops" on their things to do list!


Photo © Beaver Johnson
What a view! Nathan is the one on the left, throwing something.

Note the "small" gravel pit equipment down below in next picture. Also notice ... not one ounce of fear at this height. No wonder climbing in the house is not one bit a challenge!


Photos © Beaver Johnson
I'm glad I was NOT along to watch them go up and down that hill behind them, left; (Beaver's gravel pit is directly behind them); up the hill they go, right.



Photos © Donna Johnson
Progress on Beaver's new shop: May 30th, left; June 22, right.


Photos © Donna Johnson
The concrete floor is poured and smoothed, framing goes up next...


The Matriarch Speaks W
by Dorothy (Dake) Anderson
Alexandria, MN


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Sarah Steinhauer


Who Is This?

Let's Play a Guessing Game: Whenever it is handy to do so, we will run a picture of someone of the subscribers or staff members of our e-magazine. Tell us who you think it is -- we will let you know who was the first to guess it right -- and the correct guess -- in the following week's Bulletin.

(Send us some to run; we will line them up in our staging area to take their turn. Kristi Larson Indermark supplied last week's mystery pictures.


How many can you identify?

That is Grandma Amy Dake with Kurtis Larson and Penny Miller.

The picture on the right is Mike and Susie, Sandy and Mitch Miller.

Donna Johnson
Ashby, MN


The first mystery picture is my beloved Grandma Dake holding my niece Penny [Miller Kramer] and my son Kurt [Larson] ... how cute! This picture sure brings back sweet memories!

Shari Larson
Phoenix, AZ


My GUESS is, of course, dear Amy Dake, but for some reason I just can't imagine who the children are. They would be precious pictures to the now adults remembering back to those times. Memories of Amy do not get old.

Betty Weiland Droel
MoundsView, MN


Mystery photos: The one on the left is Grandma Dake with Kurtis Larson and Penny Miller. The one on the right is our four: Mike, Sandy, Sue and Mitch. I don't think I have ever seen that picture of them before. Either they are dressed up for Hallowe'en or they are playing "dress up" with Grandma Dake's famous wardrobe box. The only clue for that idea is the Levi Jeans Dolls of Grandma Dake's on the bureau in the background.

Steve Miller
Coral Springs, FL


I recognize my adorable husband, Kurt Larson in the photo on the left! I am guessing that the other two in the photo with him are his Great-Grandma Amy Dake and maybe his cousin Penny (Miller-Kramer).

Jeni Larson
New Prague, MN


I only can tell you who they are in the left hand picture 'cause I don't recognize the little girls in the other one -- maybe I should and my face will be red when I get their names.

That is Great Grandma Amy Dake holding Kristy and Kurtis Larson. Kurtis is the give-away for the children. And our Dear "Mom" Dake will always be held in our memories.

Tom Miller
Madera, CA


Travelogue t


Chris & Jessy by the fountain.

Chris and Jessy's Jamaican honeymoon
by Chris & Jessy Chap
West Fargo, ND

We arrived in Jamaica early in the afternoon. While waiting for our bus to the resort, we met a couple from Colorado who had been married the same day as we had. Along the rest of the trip we met a few more who were married the same weekend.

After about a 20 minute wait, we finally boarded the bus. We were both a little nervous for the bus ride to the resort, as we had heard from many people that this was the worst part of the trip. Just after leaving the airport, our nerves were calmed a little as the driver assured us that they don't get into accidents while transporting the passengers to the resorts, but rather they have "near misses."

After about a two hour drive, we finally arrived at our destination. Even though all the hours awake and traveling for what seemed an eternity, we discovered it was well worth the wait.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a couple of resort workers who helped take our suitcases off the bus. They gave us damp washcloths to cool ourselves down. After we received our keys to the room, we were off to explore the resort. We thought, after all of the travel, that we would be quite overwhelmed with exhaustion, but it was just the opposite feeling. We walked around the resort for about an hour or so and then we decided to head back to the room and get ready for supper.

There were six restaurants to choose from and some were only open certain nights. We made our plans for the week accordingly, as we wanted to experience the fine dining each place had to offer. This was an all-inclusive resort; we didn't have to worry about carrying money around or worry what to order off the menu because of the price.

Our first restaurant stop was Bayside, an international restaurant that offered many different items. Chris started off the night with a lobster bisque soup and then for an entrée had rack of lamb. Jessy went for the house salad and then a New York strip sirloin for her entrée.

After a wonderful meal, which left us both extremely full, we decided that we still had room for dessert, especially since we didn't have to pay for it. On the way back to the room, we stopped at Café De Paris. This ended up being one of our most frequented stops on the resort as they offered many assorted pastries, pies, ice creams and more. There were even nights that we would stop at Café De Paris and bring the sweets back to the room, because we were both too full after our wonderful meals.

We could go on and on about all of the wonderful foods that we tried at the resort, as we were there for five nights, but we'll just give a quick rundown of all of the restaurants and what kind of specialties they offered from the dining information that the resort printed off.

On Wednesday night we went to Jasmine's. This was traditional Oriental cuisine, stemming mainly from China, serving à la carte style dinner.

On Thursday night we tried out Guiseppe's. Guiseppe's offered a Northern Italian cuisine. Friday night, the choice of the night was Elanor's, which specialized in Caribbean meals. And then on Saturday night we went to Arizona's, which had Tex Mex style dinners with a nacho buffet, which we deemed as our favorite snack of the trip (besides the sweets from Café De Paris).

Most of the trip, during the day, was spent relaxing by the pool or the ocean. Our room was poolside on the first level and right on the other side of the pool, not more than a 50 yard walk away, was the ocean. It was so nice to relax outside, not to be bugged by cell phones or traffic. Everyone at the resort was so nice and so helpful; the theme there is no worries, and that is truly how we felt throughout the stay.


Photos © Chris and Jessy Chap
Jessy playing shuffleboard, left, and Chris playing chess, right.

Every day it would rain for an hour or two in the afternoon, and we found this was the best time to catch a quick nap, so we could be well rested to go back outside by the pool or ocean again to, well, relax.

We did manage to go snorkeling out in the ocean. It was quite nice to see the different fish and other things that the ocean had to offer. Another water activity that we tried was the aqua tricycle. We found that to be a lot of work and took way too much energy, so we didn't go too far on that.

It was very difficult for us to come home and especially difficult to go out to eat and actually have to pay for a meal. It was a beautiful trip and we would recommend it to anyone.


Photo © Chris Chap
Our most favorite place: Café De Paris.


$  A Long Time Ago   !


Photo © Jerrianne Lowther
Valley View from Independence Mine; the roadhouse is in the valley.

My Incredible Journey To Alaska
Part 7
by Donald B. Johnson
Ashby, MN
This story was published in The Ashby Post, October 2, 1980. The author died in 1982.

The Little Susitna River runs through the Hatcher Pass area and we stopped at the Little Susitna Roadhouse down the road a little way from the mine.

The Glen Miles family, from between Erdahl and Elbow Lake [Minnesota], who used to raise bees, bought that old roadhouse six years ago. Although it had been idle for 10 years, they have completely restored it and are running it now. They are so far back in the mountains that they don't have electricity or telephones. They run a diesel engine 24 hours a day for power.

Mrs. Miles was quite surprised to see us; she served us coffee and the most delicious blueberry pie I have ever eaten. [She extended and enhanced wild blueberries with rhubarb she grew.] Next year they are talking of putting in a hydro-electric plant to get electricity from the river.

The two youngest Miles kids were up the road a ways, riding a Honda three-wheeler. The road we took up there was so narrow we had to wait on a wide spot to let someone go past. Little waterfalls came down the mountains in many places and ran right across the road, making washouts that you just have to creep through.

They have a shorter distance out to the highway on the other side of the river. This comes out near Palmer and the Matanuska Valley.

To be continued...

Photo Editor's Note: Although the Miles family had kept beehives on Dad's farm in Minnesota a few years before his Alaska trips, in exchange for honey, I had never met them until we stopped in for pie and coffee and a visit on this trip. A couple of years later, when I became a field editor and advertising representative for The Milepost, they placed advertising for their roadhouse through me. I saw them every year thereafter, first at the Little Susitna Roadhouse, which was sold to new owners and became the Motherlode Lodge, and later at the Miles's Lake Louise Lodge. Truly, it's a small world, even in Alaska. Mrs. Miles told me that Dad had sent her an antique, cast iron waffle iron from his antique shop, The Treasure Cove, after our visit. He sent me one, too.


Greetings from the Netherlands
by Frans de Been
Oosterhout, The Netherlands


Koen at the left, Frans at the right.

UPDATE -- Koen becomes a soldier
by Frans de Been
Oosterhout, The Netherlands

Hallo Dorothy and all the friends in the world.

Here impression of the introduction day of our son Koen. He is now for seven weeks a professional soldier. This is what he always wanted and now his dream come true.

Now, after seven weeks, he gets his CAP as a phase of basic training. The parents and family or boys or girls have received an invitation to come and see how they do in this learning process.

Today it was a fantastic HOT day of 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) and fantastic weather. Here are some pictures from this day.

Have a nice day, you all.

Frans


Koen with his mum, Rian, left; Koen with his sister Marloes, right.


Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of
5
Hetty Hooper

This Week's Special Days

July 4---Independence Day

This Week's Birthdays
July 1---Suzanne McCorkell
July 1---Zachary Elliot Smith (3 years)
July 3---Vonnie Dake
July 4---Brian Lehtola
July 5---LeRoy Dake
July 5---Jennifer Dake Horne
July 6---James Miller
July 7---Kimberly Johnson
Happy Birthday!

More July Birthdays
July 8---Trenton Loredo Roberson (4 years)
July 13---Zach Bratten
July 13---Ginny Adair
July 15---Tom Morgan
July 15---William Earl Dake
July 15---Sherry Dake
July 18---Callie Printz (6 years)
July 19---Patricia Dake Myer
July 19---Marlee Morgan Freesemann
July 19---Devon S. Stewart
July 20---Michael Miller
July 20---Susie Miller Smith
July 24---Jeni Larson
July 26---Tytus Joshua Myron (12 years)
July 27---Wyatt Timothy Mellon (10 years)
July 29---Heather Henderson
July 29---Colleen Mellon Scott
July 30---Justin Printz
July 31---Tim Myron
' 

July Anniversaries
Z
July 8---Shawn and Lori Ostendorf (1 year)
July 19---Dan and Nancy Mellon (38 years)
July 21---"Capt." Jack and Ginny Adair (45 years)
July 27---Larry and Sherry Dake (29 years)
July 29---Charles and Ardis Sigman Quick (35 years)

July Special Days

O
July 4---Independence Day

Miss Hetty's Mailbox:

Dear Miss Hetty,

Thank you for the nice wedding card.

Steve Miller
Coral Springs, FL


Sunday, we were invited to a birthday "tea" by Rich and Verlaine Weiland, and Marci, Shalana and Krista Weiland for Edith [Carlson] Anderson's 99th birthday. (Edith is Verlaine Weiland's mother; Steve Weiland, Edith's grandson, was working that day.)

Though Edith was not feeling very well and seemed extremely tired, along with having a very bad cough, she was very pleasant. She was so tolerant of all the activity, but very thankful when it was time came to go back to her room in Park River Estates care home in Coon Rapids where she lives.

On this 99th birthday, many of us remembered her in her prime when we would drive up to her well kept, homey, farm home. She would come hurrying out to meet us with a smile and a "Come on in ... have a cup of cawfee." Those were the Good Old Days, which are precious memories for many of us today.

Betty Droel
MoundsView, MN


Photo © Betty Droel
Marci, Verlaine & Rich Weiland, back; Shalana, Edith & Krista, front.


Here is a picture of Ken and Amy's wedding shower at my cousin's home. Levi and Abby enjoyed helping open the shower of gifts. I made the quilt. It was a pleasant occasion -- approximately 40 guests attended.

Sherry Dake
Brooks-Oklee, MN


Photo © Larry T. Dake
Amy & Ken with cake at shower; the wedding will be Monday, July 2.


Keep Us Posted!

Please drop Miss Hetty a line and tell us who, and what, we've missed. And how about a report (photos welcome) of YOUR special celebration?

'Many Thankse
Everyone!

Miss Hetty


+ LETTERS TO THE EDITORS?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to Jeff and Jessica! Looked like a beautiful wedding and I really liked the picture with the horse and carriage!

Welcome to little Kira Steinhauer. (That picture makes it look as though she and our McKenna may look a lot alike. Will be fun to see other pictures.)

Jettison has gotten so big! That's where you see time flying ... how fun for Grandpa and Grandma!

Whitney, your story made me cry. Well written and I thank you so much for sharing. Great picture, too. So, where did the chair find a home?

I've enjoyed your trip and pictures, Ginny! Don't we all need others to catch us occasionally?

And, I don't think I've mentioned how much I've enjoyed reading the Alaska trip story, either, so thanks for publishing that for a second time around; needless to say, I missed the first version in the Ashby paper.

Like the kitten's names ... good choices. (But hard to decide when you had so many good ideas to pick from!)

Hoping I didn't miss anyone, as I enjoy each and every piece written and picture shared!

Donna Anderson Johnson
Ashby, MN


Great issue! Whitney's story was first rate and the photos by Bitzi and Jerrianne were an eyefull! (I especially liked the old stove!) Thanks for the entertainment and information ... keep up the great work!

Douglas Anderson
St. Cloud, MN


I thoroughly enjoyed Whitney's account of salvaging the blue rocking chair! I can certainly identify with her feelings, as our family has an old blue La-Z-Boy rocker with a history, also. It has been reupholstered once. Originally it was a tweedy green (late 1960's, early 1970's).

Not only were our boys rocked in it, but as they grew older, Justin (the youngest) and I somehow managed to sit side by side in it each morning when our family read a Bible chapter together before the boys left for school. He mentioned recently remembering when we could both fit in it that way!

As the boys grew older and went out in the evening, they teased me about always knowing I would be sitting in the rocking chair crocheting on an afghan when they got home. (I never could get to sleep till everyone was home, even if I wasn't particularly worried about them being out!)

These days I enjoy rocking a second generation in it. The attached picture is Justin's daughter Amy and me enjoying time in the old chair recently.

Every now and then Harold tactfully mentions that we really should get a new chair ... but this one is so comfortable and filled with memories that I haven't been able to entertain the thought of getting rid of it. Whitney would understand!

Carol Dake Printz
Sidney, NE


Carol rocks granddaughter Amy in her old blue rocking chair.


Last Week's Bulletin Review JKL
by Betty Droel
MoundsView, MN

What a refreshing picture of those unusual yellow flowers with the title of "SUMMERTIME." Here in Minnesota, that word "Summertime" is revered. I was impressed that the simple yellow, unfamiliar (to me), Arnica flower was so responsive to the sunlight. They almost look like they could be weeds. Forgive me for saying that, I mean it very complimentary that such flowers, or even weeds, could beautifully grace our first picture of The Bulletin.

The Gaudermans had a beautiful wedding, it looks like. I first heard the name Gauderman when I was with Carol Sorenson. Would this be Jim's son or maybe grandson?

I loved the picture of Levi assessing this new little baby sister. His mommy still has room in her arms for them both so it is acceptable for Kira to stay.

It was touching to see Grandpa Morgan and little Jettison. He's making that book very interesting, by the looks of it. What a joy to be grandparents!

But then the very next picture is of the joy of being parents. I remember their wedding -- it was the one with the lemons. Could it be they look happier on this picture than even on their actual wedding day? We will be interested watching McKenna grow.

What a lucky little girl for Caity to be able to bring her friend Emma along to the Mall of America to celebrate her 11th birthday. It's usually "the more, the merrier." Oh dear -- from now on, things will get interesting as Caity nears her teenage status.

I didn't think too much of it when I saw the old blue recliner in the dumpster, but as I read the story, I actually got chills. It is so well written, and descriptive of the deep down feelings, probably never voiced, until that blue chair perched in the dumpster before their eyes. I read the story and then studied the picture and then read it over again -- actually, a couple more times. What a story!

A chair that has similar meaning to me is one Mother had for a few of her last years. It sits in our living room as "my chair" now. It was destined for anywhere, too, but somehow I just couldn't part with it. It can't compare in any way to the blue recliner, but I had just a twinge of understanding of their feelings. I am so thankful that the picture is lifting it out rather than dropping it into the dumpster.

Virginia/Bitzi, I am having a hard time making sense out of the Sand Fence picture. Just what is the fence doing? Standing or laying? Interesting artistic photography, with the angle and the shadows and the sand. Quite a pose of the Shutterbugs! That's the way it gets on a vacation. We see the scenery through the viewfinder, but thanks for sharing all these pictures. Looks like that is the last chapter of the Outer Banks story.

Very interesting to see the ruins of the gold mine in Alaska. "There's gold in them thar hills" drives people to do the almost impossible of living and mining in places like that. I am glad this "incredible story" is to be continued. I looked up the links mentioned, and found Jerrianne had all the historical details in order to be easily read and with the pictures before and after its demise. With the links throughout The Bulletin, it gets to be a goldmine of history for us Bulletin readers.

I always read the names of the birthdays and anniversaries. I see so many I would love to acknowledge, but they will have to take the will for the deed, as they say. I see Capt. Jack and Virginia will have a 45th anniversary. They are making a vacation trip to Alaska, leaving today with their daughter Jane and family.

I keep watching to see what the kittens are finally named. Marshmallow, Caramel, and Rocky Road... However, that would be way too complicated when they were dumping over the milk carton.... "NO" is a much better name, like Kyra says. Thanks to Miss Kitty for telling us about the kittens, and about our photo editor's return. We have been curious to know how Miss Kitty fared, running the house all by herself, except when Kathlyn dropped by with FOOD.

Thanks again for another edition of The Bulletin. We can't even realize what a lot of time and expertise went into getting it out right on time. I heard the lights went out about 3 a.m. in Jerrianne's office... I am sure we will be seeing a lot of very fine photography of scenery and animals as soon as Jerrianne gets her life back to order, after being gone so long. We can wait, but I won't add "patiently."

Betty Droel


CHUCKLES


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell
Levi and that other kid celebrate the 4th harmoniously!


To search a name in Who's Who or Who's Where: click on the link to open the page, then use CONTROL F on a PC or COMMAND F on a Mac. To search for a second occurrence of the name, use CONTROL G on a PC or COMMAND G on a Mac. (This works on ANY web page with text, unless the text is converted to an image. Chances are, it works in your e-mail, too.) HINT: Search by first name only, as most entries list the family name once but do not repeat the last name for each family member. In Who's Where you can search on state or city names, too.



Quotation for the day: Freedom is never free. --Author Unknown

EDITOR'S POLICY: If you wish to subscribe to The Bulletin, simply send me a statement of that fact. If you wish to keep receiving it I hope you will contribute to one of the columns that are running in this family epistle (at least occasionally!). My e-mail address is dma49261@juno.com


This Bulletin is copyright Dorothy M. Anderson; the contents are also copyrighted by the authors and photographers and used with their permission, and the contents are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the explicit consent of the creators.