The Bulletin
Sunday, October 25, 2009
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Photo © Lori Ostendorf
Bridal bouquet: lilies, chrysanthemums & pheasant feathers.

Updates -


Photo © Wyatt Johnson
Ashley & Ben, with Brooklynn, Blake, Rylie & Brandon.

UPDATE -- Ben Johnson marries Ashley Torgrimson
by Weston Johnson
Maple Grove, MN

At 1 o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday, October 17, 2009, the Christina Lake Church was a beehive of activity. The morning fog had lifted, leaving behind a cloudy and brisk, but thankfully dry, fall afternoon. Inside the church, the photographer began snapping shots of the soon-to-be bride and groom at the altar, while preparations for the main event were in full swing throughout the rest of the church

In the basement, the bridesmaids put the finishing touches on their makeup, having already had their hair professionally coiffed earlier that morning. The groomsmen, having no need for elaborate hairstylings, were just beginning to filter into the church in preparation for their turn in front of the photographer's lens. The ushers carted folding chairs from the basement to the main floor in anticipation of an overflow crowd of family and friends.

Ashley wore a beautiful white dress with a long, flowing train, accented by delicate silver embroidery and complemented by a silver tiara, necklace and earrings. Her bouquet was a bright burst of red, orange and yellow flowers, with pheasant feathers providing a unique touch. The bridesmaids wore celadon green dresses topped with silver sequins and carried smaller versions of the bride's bouquet.


Photo © Joanna Eklund
Ashley Torgrimson, soon to be Mrs. Ben Johnson.

Ben donned a black tuxedo with a white vest and a camouflage necktie, an homage to his hunting hobby. The groomsmen and ushers wore similar designs, with the camouflage theme extending to their vests as well as their neckties. Pinned to each man's lapel was a boutonniere featuring a pine cone, sprigs of wheat, red berries, green leaves and small feathers.

The brightly colored bouquets, rustic boutonnieres and camouflage accents lent an air of autumn and country living to the proceedings, which perfectly reflected the season and the couple, both of whom grew up in the country and now share a home overlooking fields, woods and water. Even the church, by way of its location at the intersection of two country roads, contributed to the theme.

The afternoon seemed to fly by, as the photographer continued to take portraits of Ben and Ashley with every possible combination of bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girls, ring bearers, parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces and nephews. If dogs were allowed in church, I have no doubt they would have been involved as well.


Photos © Wyatt Johnson, left, and © Joanna Eklund, right
Junior bridesmaid Caity Chap, left; rustic boutonniere, right.

Soon, the guests began arriving, quickly filling the small church's pews, not to mention several rows of overflow folding chairs. Friends and relatives came from far and wide, and it was fun to see so many faces I don't see often enough.

Promptly at 4 o'clock, the ushers led the mothers of the bride and groom to their front row seats. The groomsmen then escorted the bridesmaids down the aisle, followed by the flower girls (Ben's nieces, Rylie and Brooklynn, in white dresses) and ring bearers (Ashley's cousins, Brandon and Blake, in their miniature tuxedos). As Ben stood waiting at the altar, the assembled guests rose to their feet to get a glimpse of Ashley's stepfather, Dan, escorting his daughter down the aisle to the strains of Canon in D.

The ceremony was conducted by the coincidently eponymous Pastor Ben Johnson, who provided his namesake and the bride with useful wisdom and advice to follow as they begin their lives together. Following a Scripture reading by Ben's godmother, Sue, and a duet sung by his cousins Lori and Bruce, Ben and Ashley exchanged vows and rings, and were introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, eliciting cheers from the assembled guests.


Photo © Joanna Eklund
The wedding party assembled at the front of the church.

Following the ceremony, a receiving line formed in the church's entry way, as Ben, Ashley and their parents greeted the departing guests, receiving countless congratulatory hugs and handshakes. When every last well wisher had filed out of the door, the newlyweds made their exit, discovering that their Jeep had been surreptitiously decorated with balloons, tin foil, whipped cream, small evergreen branches and even a few soy bean plants from an adjoining field. Pie tins and jar tops, strung to ribbons tied to the rear bumper, jangled along the pavement as the couple drove the few miles to Ashby.


Photo © Joanna Eklund
Ben & Ashley's Jeep, decorated with attention-getting devices.

The couple was greeted by a full house at the Ashby Legion, the site of the reception. The guests took their seats at rows of tables decorated with duck decoy centerpieces and sprinkled with confetti in the color and shape of autumn leaves. Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal of chicken cordon bleu, potatoes and green bean casserole, interrupted occasionally by the clinking of silver against glass to coax the newlyweds into a kiss.

The rest of the evening was spent celebrating the marriage of Ben and Ashley. A great time was had by all, but in my biased opinion, my family and I had the most to celebrate. It was a day to be proud of and happy for our Bennie, and to officially welcome a new family member whom we had already grown to love.


Photo © Joanna Eklund
Ben's camouflage Gophers hat was a gift from Weston & Shawn.



Photo © Rich Johnson
Baking in Bakersfield, California

UPDATE -- recovering in sunny California
by Rich Johnson
(from Meridian, ID -- for the most part)
now Bakersfield, CA

Well, by this picture you can tell that it's almost fall here in Bakersfield, California.

I have been here in Bakersfield for about two months now and I expect to be here for another month or maybe a little more (it's quite a nice thing to be here, so close to where I grew up and so close to where Mom still lives), then off again to the "Wild Blue Yonder." We have been working on the Boss's home turf while we have been here, on a couple houses he has under construction. One of the owners of my company lives here and he is keeping me gainfully employed during this slow time in the construction industry. (Bless his heart!)

To a few of you who have heard that I had shoulder surgery about 10 weeks ago, I will give you an update. To those who hadn't heard ... sorry I brought it up. The surgery I had was to correct a scapula break, full rotator cuff tear, as well as a displaced bicep tendon and a torn lateral tendon.

This surgery was partially stemming from a car accident about 9-10 years ago, but then last winter we were playing as a family on "Bogus Basin" in Boise, Idaho. This is a ski and tubing hill (6,000 feet elevation) and I was ... well, goofing off -- high marking the back wall on tubes that day when I ran into our little Whitney. She fared quite well but I did not. I rolled off the tube that day, realizing that I had lost all use of my left arm.

Within 4-5 weeks after surgery, I had regained full range of motion, using only a rope to move it, because they wanted the tendon-bone grafts to "take." Then the physical therapist wanted me to start using the muscles lightly, and build them up slowly over the next few weeks, before (recently) starting to build the muscle back to its original strength. Now, 10 weeks later, it is almost back to full use and strength.


Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN


Photos © Lori Ostendorf
Caity in her Junior Bridesmaid dress, left; Ben & Ashley, right.

Ben And Ashley Get Married

We've just spent a busy week preparing and looking forward to Ben and Ashley getting married. I managed to do it without the very detailed Ben and Ashley Wedding Itinerary Ashley had sent out. I got to see, in person, how detailed it was when ours arrived this week! Explains why I was never quite on the "right page," so to speak!

We were very happy to officially welcome the new Mrs. Johnson into our family, this last Saturday. She's already been in our hearts for a very long time. It was lovely to see her beautiful smile when she was addressed as Mrs. Johnson.

Friday, while we were starting the decorating, I witnessed how proudly she wore a sweatshirt with her new title written on the back. I commented on liking the sweatshirt; she shared that she'd worn it in spite of Ben having pointed out she shouldn't be wearing it before the big event, as she wasn't Mrs. Johnson yet. Gave me a chuckle -- obviously she knows how to handle his teasing!

Best wishes to Ben and Ashley for a long, happy marriage.


Photo © Lori Ostendorf
Rylie and Brooklynn as flower girls.


Photo © Lori Ostendorf
Kierra in her adorable outfit that she wore to Ben and Ashley's wedding.


Annual fall cookies:

LIBBY'S GREAT PUMPKIN COOKIE RECIPE
4 c. unsifted all-purpose flour
2 c. quick or old-fashioned oats, uncooked
1-1/2 c. butter, softened
2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 (16 oz.) Libby's solid pack pumpkin
1 c. real semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Cream butter, gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well.

Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in morsels. For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet; or by tablespoon if you prefer a smaller cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets; cool on racks.

NOTES: Dough may be frozen in an air-tight container. Thaw in refrigerator, bake as directed.

I find these cookies are better after having been stored in container, rather than right out of the oven.


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

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. Lori Chap Ostendorf supplied last week's mystery photo.


How many can you identify? What's going on?

Answers to last week's mystery pictures (click here to review them):

Editors' Note: Correct guesses appear in bold face type and incorrect guesses in normal type ... generally in the order we receive them, so the first guess received is on top.

I do think it will be fair for me to tell who I think this is, as I was not there when the picture was taken and did not see it before it was published in our paper. I believe it is a picture of members of our family and I think they were taking a dip in Lobster Lake at the Ostendorfs' summer home.

I will name who I think I see, from the dock sitters, starting from the top and going counter clockwise. I do believe Beaver is the farthest out ... then it is probably Ben and perhaps Ashley by his side. Weston is facing the camera and then it is my great granddaughter Caity; next daughter Donna holding great granddaughter Kierra; I guess in the nearest chair it is probably McKenna and beside her is Brooklynn Johnson headed out towards Uncle Shawn and her dad, Wyatt, is standing and surveying the rest. That leaves a little girl at the far right and I believe that is Camryn. You know it does not look much like it was very warm, as they mostly just have their feet in, but I suspect it was a good deal warmer than it is now!

Dorothy Anderson
Alexandria, MN

Photo Editor's comment: I'm left guessing, too, as we didn't receive any identification, so perhaps someone who was there will tell us whether Dorothy got them all right.


Here's my guess. I think Lori took this picture of Donna holding Kierra. Then, on the dock, it's Weston, can't tell on the next person and then maybe Ben and Beaver. Standing is Wyatt and Shawn has the other easy chair (must have been a hot day) and then it's Brooklynn and Camryn enjoying the water?

Marlene Johnson
Meridian, ID


My first glance at this GUESS picture made me think the man on the right is Lori's husband, Shawn -- the white haired lady extreme left top is Kathlyn -- there is no sign of Arg, though, and if you had watched me squint into the magnifying glass to see more features of the man or lady in white hair, you would have really laughed. I will try one more guess -- that it is Beaver. The man on the ground leaning backward is Wyatt, and the gal with the striped top is Caity, and the one holding the baby (Kierra) front left is Donna Mae, and the girl on the extreme right is McKenna and the girl standing by the chair might be a Freesemann. Angel? Can't say I didn't try!

Betty Weiland Droel
MoundsView, MN


Memory Lane

A series of recollections, of the five years when Bill and Lois Dake and their family lived in Minnesota, began with the episode in Bulletin 343. It's too soon to tell just how many parts there will be in this series, just after World War II. In Bulletin 349, I told more about polio (once called Infantile Paralysis) via two links, Polio and Sister Kenny, to minimize disruption of the narrative flow. Both documents are posted as a series of scanned images. We can't edit them or correct typos and they will not respond to font changes or printer settings as regular Bulletin pages do.


Dorothy Dake, 20, hand tinted portrait, 1946.

Autumn Arrives Up North
by Dorothy Dake
Howard Lake, MN

We arrived this morning to the most beautiful wonderland. During the short weekend that I was in Southern Minnesota, Jack Frost must have arrived in Bemidji. At any rate, the trees were painted in gorgeous colors by somebody's paint brushes! It was cool and I had plenty to carry, so I turned over to the taxi driver my clothes bag, my suitcase, the box that Mom had loaded down with goodies, and special items too important to wait for the arrival of the rest of my belongings (to be brought by car later). He kindly hauled it from the taxi to my rooming house front door for me, upon our arrival.

I stood and looked at our beautiful view but sleep was pulling at my eyes so I carried up the two loads of stuff and laid it all on the table. I had several hours until I needed to be at work, so I set my alarm, took off my coat and my shoes, and lay down just like I was -- and with a blanket over me, I had a couple hours of good sleep!

I fixed up in the "powder room" a bit, then I munched an apple from my box for my breakfast and slipped on fresh clothes. After I recombed my messy hair, I grabbed my purse and coat and headed for the walk to Photo North. The fresh, crisp air did a good wake up. I arrived just at 1 o'clock to relieve Harold ... only he wasn't there. He had left Ken to take care of the shop, as it wasn't very busy. As you probably have guessed, Harold does not stay still at one thing very long. He is talented -- but dependable? Well....

I have also discovered that Ken is very glad to have me back. He tells me that things did not work out quite as planned. The girl who was to have come to take my place got sick the second day. So Mr. Foley (Ken and Harold's dad) helped cover the front but hasn't done anything but the daybook entries. So I have my work cut out for me.

We are behind on the reprints. I have deliveries to do, and then catch the books up again. BUT -- I have determined not to get upset, take my proper breaks, keep the new shortened days, and do my work well and not worry about what may not get done. Eventually, we will be back on schedule. And I am SO glad I had time away to give me renewed energy for the overload of undone work here in the shop (and at my room, where more waits to be done!)

I will stroll home like I have all the time in the world. I know for a fact this gorgeous weather will not continue for very long. I intend to enjoy it while it lasts!


Travelogue t


Photo © Sheldon Swenson
We weren't real excited to return to "civilization" but found Pokhara a delightful city. We enjoyed nice lodging with a hot shower, lots of restaurants, fun shops, the World Peace Pagoda & the International Mountaineering Museum.

Hiking The Annapurna Circuit
by Sheldon Swenson
Dickinson, ND

Pokhara is like the anti-Kathmandu. It is situated on the north shore of a very peaceful lake. At this time of the year, it is not crowded or crazy but very quiet and relaxing. The main tourist street, just a couple of blocks from the lake, is lined with very interesting shops and even more interesting restaurants. We spend a very relaxing day here with only a short climb to the World Peace Pagoda.


Photo © Sheldon Swenson
Colorful canoes on the lakeshore at Pokhara.

Across the lake, there are a large number of hang gliders enjoying the lift of morning air currents working their way up the mountain. Our appetites are starting to come back so we enjoy a couple of good meals, as well. We buy some books, posters and a few interesting scarves and other Nepalese crafts to bring back for the emergency department nurses, friends and family. It is unfortunate that Pokhara is so far away, as this is one of the more pleasant and interesting cites I have ever visited.

To be continued...


Photos © Kjirsten Swenson, left; © Sheldon Swenson, right
Our local transportation to the World Peace Pagoda.


Photo © Sheldon Swenson
Mitzi & Kjirsten peruse the wares of Tibetan traders.


Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of
5
Hetty Hooper

This Week's Birthdays
October 26---Ardis Sigman Quick
October 27---Marlene Anderson Johnson
October 27---Rich Weiland
October 28---Derrick McNeill
October 29---Sami Larson
October 29---Tom Miller
October 30---Anne Mellon Montford
Happy Birthday!

This Week's Anniversaries
October 27---Don and Gert Dake Pettit (19 years)
Congratulations!

More October Birthdays
' 
October 1---Brooklynn Ann Johnson (5 years)
October 1---Carolyn Amy Horne (5 years)
October 4---Wesley Sigman
October 4---Anita Weiland
October 5---Leona Anderson
October 5---Steven Miller
October 7---Steven Anderson
October 10---Hannah Aydelotte (8 years)
October 10---Greta Veronica Shockey (2 years)
October 10---Cody Printz
October 11---Jay Smith
October 12---Muriel Wold Rodriguez
October 12--- Tami Anderson Hunt
October 14---Douglas Anderson
October 14---Verlaine Weiland
October 18---Lori Anderson
October 18---Adriana Stahlecker Brown
October 18---Dan Mellon
October 20---Wade Morgan Printz (10 years)
October 22---Rich Johnson (from MN)
October 24---Eric Shockey
October 24---Ken Kitto

More October Anniversaries
Z
October 1---Keith Mason and Lori Anderson (4 years)
October 4---Don and Patty Bratten Anderson (12 years)
October 17---Troy and Marlee Morgan Freesemann (15 years)

October Special Days
October 12---Columbus Day
October 31---Hallowe'en

Miss Hetty's Mailbox:

Dear Miss Hetty,

Thanks so much for the cute e-card on my birthday. Nancy hosted a small family party for me, and it was a great time. I turned 60, and a friend (I think) pointed out that on Monday, I'd be closer to 70 than 50. I was doing okay with this whole birthday thing until then.

Dan Mellon
Alta Loma, CA


Thanks so much for thinking of me on my birthday. The e-card you sent was cute. It seems like we spent the whole weekend celebrating.

On Friday, Keith sent a balloon bouquet to my office. On Saturday, Keith and I went out to dinner. And on Sunday, Mom and Dad hosted dinner at their place. Lisa, Steven, and Keith's family attended. It was a lot of fun.

Now that I think about it, we should have taken a photo or two. Thanks again!

Lori Anderson
Southern CA


What a wonderful bear concert to wake up to on my 66th birthday. (That's for those wondering how old we are!) I love to hear some say 65 or "better" ... now I've reached "better." Next comes "Better yet"!

Verlaine Weiland
Coon Rapids, MN


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?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click here to review last week's Bulletin

Your Bulletin has enriched so many, including our household. A big thank you to all who participate in sharing family and good articles.

A big hug and hello to all of you reading this today.

Verlaine Weiland
Coon Rapids, MN


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

Just had birthday dinner for Rich and Verlaine Weiland at Steve and Marci Weiland's, also Shalana and Krista and their two cats. Their two cats were hardly out of arms as they had been to the vet, so that required much more loving.

Now, back home, and I am excited to start this letter to the editor for Bulletin #383. It was 36 pages of attention getting variety again, and I wish I could do justice to expressing how much we enjoyed it again. Same ole, same ole thank you, but hopefully, you can accept that as our THANK YOU again for #383.

That first picture was so extraordinarily colorful. I didn't recognize them as strawberry leaves, but they were such beautiful Fall colors. Something about Fall colors that are so restful, so full of silent peace, and a foretaste of another winter just ahead. Somehow it sort of eases the dread of being snowed in again.

The new home, baby and wedding and birthday departments gave us another brand new baby to watch grow: Luke Bradley Boltz. I see Gert has another member in her growing family now, and we send our congratulations again.

Surely it can't be a whole year since we were seeing Abby Henderson's arrival pictures! I loved the polka dot jumper and matching tee. Children have such cute things now days. We have another photogenic Henderson to watch. Dan and Gina look almost happier than Abby on that family picture.

What a story about the storm that downed trees at Swenson's while they were gone! They would have returned home fearfully, and it would be such a relief to see only the very corner of the house affected.

We got a hint to a surprise, I think. Jerrianne asked about the new house. Well, we would like to know, too. So any stories and pictures would be more than welcome. It was good to be cautious about the pictures from "Martin," but I know Martin and he is a fine, harmless friend and photographer.

Kathlyn writes that she will be visiting the Swensons, so she will be able to get first-hand views of that new house they say they found.

What a lovely home, "Sold" -- to Jeff and Jessica Gauderman. That sounded like a lot of work to get it ready for moving in day. Young folks would find it not only fun but exciting to arrange furniture and pick colors. We older folks are so satisfied in our familiar older surroundings, but we don't forget the days of energy and achievement. They are the Good Old Days now.

Alexa is the only one that won't remember the blue frosting and songs.

Rich, we were sorry it wasn't a more recent picture of that darling little shed-house in your backyard that you called "manor project" for retirement tools. It is so nice with the window box of flowers, and the landscaping around it. Why not take a current picture for us before the snow flies? This picture in The Bulletin was before all the "feminine touch," as our dad used to say. It is really cute with the window blinds and ramp and flowers.

I was very impressed with the choice of pictures of the colored leaves that our photo editor selected. The golds, the yellows, the reds, the greens, which represent so many different varieties of shrubs and plants. No two leaves are alike, nor is any color alike. Amazing Creator we have.

The woodcutting weekend at the Ashby farm, by Eric, this time showed some husky woodsmen. Is the one sitting on the far right the groom to be?

Verlaine had gotten some fresh chickens at a farmers' market here in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and the label on it was ASHBY. They were organically grown, and so clean and nice, healthy- looking skin. Of course, ASHBY. Do you know those folks, Donna Mae?

Donna Mae did write an account for us of the Woodcutting Weekend. That new room addition has been in use constantly, it seems. What a great idea to add that with the fireplace and lots of windows.

Memory Lane. Oh, what a treasured feature in The Bulletin. We have our star on her way back to Bemidji again, with cheery memories enough to last a whole long, cold, dreary winter. I loved the descriptions in the Observations, and poor old Gramma Greer nearly 80 years old. Woops, that is exactly what I will be my next birthday. I don't believe it, either.

One thing we will be learning from the following chapters of Memory Lane is how quickly and easily Dorothy fit right back into her job, and into her home away from home. She will have learned just how cold "Bermidji" did get.

I fear the Travelogue is coming to a slow, sneaky close, but still we have some "once in a lifetime" pictures, and never forgotten memories of roughing it, as it is slowly receding behind them.

I loved the picture of Grandma Patty with the children. At first glance, I was sure it was a picture of Dorothy, but of course, it is her daughter!

I couldn't believe that Eric Printz actually had time to send in a letter to his Aunt Dorothy for the birthday card. I am sure he spends as much time as he can reading about his mother as a little baby and growing up.

The CHUCKLES was just too cute this time. It won't be long before the little sister becomes a good match for the big sister. What a cute caption! You did it again, Bitzi, and I am happy you could find opportunity to present that illustration. Maybe you have more time now that the Dake house sold.

Quotation for the day made me think that I had better start gathering all the information I can to defeat age.

Now this is about the end of the 36 pages. So, once again I will say thank you for another captivating Bulletin. We don't see all the work and deadline cramming, but we do see the results that are perfection every time.

Betty Droel


CHUCKLES


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Sarah Steinhauer
Kira doesn't choose to follow trends -- it's more fun to start them.


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: Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. --Carl Zwanzig

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.


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