When Mom, Dad and I went to Ken and Amy's wedding, we also were able to squeeze in a micro mini-vacation. We journeyed a few more miles north to pay a visit at Storybrooke Farm.

Photo © Virginia McCorkell
Old shed with character -- and probably interesting history.

In their yard is a weatherworn building that has a lot of character in its simple structure. I would imagine there is a story that could be told if those old boards could talk.

Photo © Virginia McCorkell
Ken and Amy's shiny, new bucket truck.

Ken and Amy's tree trimming truck was parked in their yard. The trailer beside it is one Dad made years ago. Ken put a new bed on it and uses it to haul away the trees that he cuts down.

Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell
Levi found a good place to start his day ... Grandpa Larry Dake's lap.

Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell
Kira Lynn Steinhauer

It was delightful to get acquainted with the littlest princess in our family ... Kira Lynn.

(The rest of the story will appear in a future Travelogue.)

Just like many days when I was young, I got to join a Miller reunion this last weekend (Saturday, July 7). This time it was Jim's family in attendance, honoring his birthday ... he said something about "70 plus 15."

We all met at Kelly and Mike Seaman's home near Faribault, Minnesota. They have a home on five acres and a place for her horses, so it works out wonderfully for them. In fact, George Larson and Kelly supervised horse rides in the ring in the afternoon. Looked extremely hot to me, but the kids had a good time. Abigail and Ava also enjoyed feeding the horses a few little green apples, which the horses seemed to thoroughly approve.

Photo © Donna Johnson
Abigail Kramer feeding little green apples to horses.

Jim Indermark set up a pool for the younger set; however, I heard lots of squealing over the cold tap water. One big difference between Minnesota and Florida: Florida has warm tap water, which would have worked much better for pool time!

There were various, changing, groups trying to find the coolest spot for visiting; some tried the tented deck, others under shade trees in the yard, many in the air conditioned home, which was struggling to meet the demand. Lots of going in and out, changing spots. However, despite the heat, we did get lots of visiting done!

Photo © Donna Johnson
Penny Kramer reading to Abigail & Ashlee (Duane's daughter).

Everyone found their way inside to "dish up," once the food was ready and, as with most of the family functions I've ever attended, there was lots of yummy food to choose from, and no lack of variety.

Besides the "birthday boy," Jim Miller, those in attendance were: Duane Miller and his family, Ingrid and Ashlee; Penny Miller Kramer and her daughter, Abigail; Candice Miller and Jay Miller with Nicole Matthiae; Rosanna Miller with Aaron Dahlinger and their daughter, Ava.

Also, Shari Larson, her friend Craig and her family: Kurtis Larson with Jeni, Sami and Madi; Kristi Larson Indermark with Jim, Jordan and Tyler; Kelly Larson Seaman and Mike with Devan and Nathan.

George Larson also came for part of the day with his mother. Caity Chap and I were there, too.

We were in town at noon on July 5 for the first firing of the restored Hope cannon, on Hope's 125th anniversary. The celebration was from July 5-8; the dedication was on Saturday, July 7.

 
Photos © Lavonne Hites
Lance Hites, who has been restoring the cannon, is in the purple shirt; someone is loading the cannon with 1lb. of explosives (normal is 2-1/2 lb.) Lance stands by the wheel with a rod; the man who pulled the rope to set it off is not pictured.

Town's Civil War Era Cannon Restored In Hope
by Lance Hites
Hope, ND

Photos © Lavonne Hites, left, Mavis Morgan, right.
The pedestal it sat on for 90 years, left; Tom Morgan & Caleb Meyer, right.

Tom Miller
Madera, CA

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Tom Miller Tells About His Mother's Illness
(as told to Dorothy Dake Anderson)

Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of 5
Hetty Hooper

July Special Days

O
July 4---Independence Day

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I have really been enjoying the articles from Carol and the relatives in that Big State of Texas.

I am always delighted to see new names added to the list... Welcome, Glenda! I thought that photo of the Millers would touch a lot of folks out there. It is so rewarding to find these photos that you know people will enjoy seeing ... whether it is for the first time or again.

Ashley's poems were so poignant. Will He? ... so much so that I get shivers when I read it. Thank you, thank you for sharing that with us. We have known a baby with Downs ... who is now a man. Stevie is a very special person, too.

Speaking of poignant ... the Blue Chair stories fit into the same category! Wonderful.

I can just see Ken and Amy making their getaway on that tractor! Hilarious! Some of you would know that the fellow driving the tractor is Gilbert McCalla ... Auntie Liz's son. Maybe someone could fill us in on the history of that tractor with the unusual tires.

It has been said before, but I say it again every time The Bulletin arrives ... How do you pull so much variety together and make it blend so well?

I want to thank Dorothy and Jerrianne again for providing the opportunity for us to share with so many.

Ginny McCorkell
Blaine, MN

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It was nice to see the pictures of Edith Anderson's old house. We went to meeting there for years when I was young, with many fond memories. I still think of Edith often and I would like to drop her a note and let her know that! How could I get her address?

We had Grandpa [Jim Miller] here last weekend before he flew up to Minnesota ... was very nice. I'll pick him up at the airport on Thursday. Sandy and Jay are coming for the week (arriving today), so we are anticipating that, also.

Hope to hear from you soon ... and thanks again for all the hard work that all of you put into The Bulletin so we can all enjoy it. I'm sure most of us have NO idea how much work it really is!

Sue Miller Smith
Plant City, FL

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I saw the Last Week's Bulletin Review and there was a remark, "What's become of Marloes and her study?"

My heart to you is given:
Oh, do give yours to me;
We'll lock them up together,
And throw away the key.

Immediately, I thought "how very appropriate for our Bulletin #264." From the very first until the last, it was giving a picture of true love and family closeness. Things that are close to the heart, and last through the years, remain precious.

We hope another issue will bring pictures of the bride's and groom's families. A unique pose of the newlyweds in the first picture! (Sarah Dake Steinhauer took the picture, looking down from the bucket of Ken's cherry picker while her dad, Larry T. Dake, ran the bucket controls. His grandma, Sherry Dake, reported that Levi was alarmed to see his mother hoisted aloft in the bucket. --Ed.)

Thanks, Bitzi, you excelled in this Bulletin, giving us an illustrated "auntie's view" of a very happy couple from start to finish. I thought the framed pictures were a work of art.

We can't forget Jettison as he turns two. Surely not the terrible twos. Larry McCorkell will be pleased to see another generation into trains.

Wyatt, what a project to fill in the ditch, but you were actually forced to, being the rest had done their property. You were fortunate that your neighbor was generous with his help. Now you'll have to dodge golf balls while you bask in the sunshine.

A very nice story about that real, honest to goodness cowboy, Kenny Kitto, with his five boys. I remember when the second boy was born that they had to watch that the big brother didn't push his stroller down the steps. Somehow, he didn't appreciate the newcomer taking his folks's attention.

Then the time Rick was at our home in Minneapolis with his folks for a meal. He was sitting at the table, getting so sleepy, and then he said, "I want my cowboy bed." Well, he was a thousand miles away from his cowboy bed. That was so sad and cute both. So now, seeing them with families in the prime of life, was very special to me.

What a beautiful cactus, but if it means having Arizona's scorching heat, I guess they should have something to enjoy out of it. I walked out of our house this morning and nearly blistered my hand on the metal hand rail, so we are having heat, too. It was a surprise to see my niece Judy's children, Rex and Lori, with my sister. We never see them, so good thing the names were below the picture or I would wonder who they were.

Donna Mae, you expressed our sentiments exactly as you described the 4th of July's real meaning. Our flag is still flying, simply because of all the deaths it has taken to keep it waving so proudly. It hurts deeply to see some desecrate our flag. It represents all we have to enjoy in the greatest country in the whole world.

I was so glad to see our Matriarch speaking, and her "best man" pictured. It won't be long until that little sleeping bundle becomes a focus in The Bulletin for birthdays and, yes, weddings. Time goes so fast. I doubt we will live to see her wedding, though.

The Bulletin really did a lot of people a grand favor to put the Miller family in as last week's GUESS. Anita mentioned only three left alive. I hadn't realized that. But we'll always have their descendants.

Glad for the low calorie recipe, Whitney! They are very tempting, nevertheless. You still haven't sent a picture of where the blue chair is now.

I didn't skip forward, but I could hardly wait to get to the chapter of "My Incredible Journey to Alaska." The chapters are way too short, but that way it will last longer. Such beautiful pictures of the berries. Who would know the difference between the inedible ones and the edible ones? Trial and error maybe. Wouldn't the red hillsides be a sight, covered with the bright red bearberries!

As with every wonderful vacation, it's always "back to work," like for Mic. But it gave the others an opportunity to pick and freeze some freshly picked berries, along with salmon and halibut, so the home folks could sample some of the incredible Alaska fare.

Thanks, too, for the second account of Wyatt, and how much he has added to the family. I have a friend with Down's Syndrome who is close to 40. Very helpful to his aged parents, who are less able. He even writes letters and does the talking on the phone for the family. So, Wyatt just may become a man, as in the poem "Will He?" Those were very touching poems, proving a sister's acceptance and love. It was especially nice to see the family picture.

We noticed all the plants in your home, Ary. Am sure they are thriving in the care of a professional. Such a neat desk. We use a lamp like that over our monitor. The older we get, the more light we need, it seems, and that is a great lamp. What a lot of work to wallpaper, and we noticed even the wallpaper had flowers on it. We haven't seen bamboo used like that in a planter.

Only Bitzi would insist that Miss Oink be featured in The Bulletin. I tried to see what Miss Oink was wearing to the wedding, but it didn't show up good enough.

Glenda, what a nice surprise to see your Letter to the Editor. That picture of the Millers surely would have inspired you to write, being your mother was on it. I remember you, Glenda, as a little girl on the farm, with the geese running around, and the delicious goose we enjoyed at the table. I suppose we slept on a goose down pillow.

I wish we would have had names for the children in the picture of Levi asking if Amy will still be his auntie. I just may have to call and ask Bitzi. I may know some of the grandparents, which would be more my generation.

Thanks to you for your dedicated work again, producing another one-of-a-kind Bulletin. I wonder if you have any idea how anxious we get as Saturday rolls around? We always can depend on some surprise and creativity.

Betty Droel