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Sunday, September 26, 2010
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Photo © Jerrianne Lowther
Ducks swim on mirror-smooth University Lake.
Scroll down for more about University Lake, where Argyle & Kathlyn used to live.

Updates -


Photo © Melanie Lehtola

The new six-bedroom house is coming together.
(See Bulletin 352 and Bulletin 382 for the background story.)

UPDATE -- Melanie and Lisa's improbable new house
by Melanie Sigman Lehtola
Howard Lake, MN

Busy, busy, busy is the only way to describe our lives! I've attached a few pictures of work on the house. We are going through the final steps needed to secure the VA loan. Last week, the electrical inspector finally gave us the green light to start sheet-rocking and we just got the appraiser's report back from his inspection last week. We have a list of 21 things that need to be done before he will sign off for the loan. Our "loan guy" said it would be nice to have it done within 30 days, but the appraisal is good for six months. Ardis is trying to get a crew out to help over a weekend; if she succeeds, I think we could cross off at least half the things on our list.

My brother-in-law Brad Boltz has been a tremendous help. He has been over almost every day for the past several months with his Bobcat, doing our landscaping and cleaning up the property. He has been so kind to request only that we supply the diesel to run his equipment, asking nothing for his time. My other brother-in-law, Charlie Quick, also came out and helped, "free of charge," with some wiring that Brian was not able to do by himself. Ardis and Jason came out to help with some carpentry work ... it was quite hilarious... We had two engineers (Ardis and Jason), one mason (Brad Boltz) and a nurse (me) trying to turn a closet into a bathroom. We had to move a wall, put a doorway into a hallway wall and build a new closet. We all have a new respect for carpenters.


Photo © Melanie Lehtola
The new first floor bathroom to be.


Photo © Melanie Lehtola
Breezeway -- housing steps to basement
.

We did move into the big house, even though we don't have running water (there is a spigot in the basement) and no flushing toilet (commodes are a wonderful thing). It's not as bad as it sounds; we do have electricity and Lisa lets us shower at her place. Our grandparents made do with a lot less than that, so we really have nothing to complain about.

Brandon and Brianna are back at school at DC and Shea is finishing high school on-line. Brian is back living with Peggy and Eddie in Ashby while he attends his last year at Alexandria Technical College. I gave up my job working with pediatric patients and have started two new jobs this month. My part-time job is at New Beginnings in Waverly, a treatment center for the chemically dependent, and my full-time job is working with a gentleman who has Alzheimer's. It's all very interesting.

So, that's it, in a nutshell, for the time being.

Melanie


Photo © Melanie Lehtola
Second floor laundry room.


UPDATE -- on the mend and back online!
by Donna Richards
Eden Prairie, MN

My life has been pretty odd lately. To recap, I broke the femur in my right leg last May. I'm told the femur is the biggest bone in the body, supports a lot of weight. Further, it was a spiral facture, and my leg broke near my hip, not closer to the knee, a more typical place to break. All this adds up to a difficult fracture to mend and heal.

I had surgery; a rod was placed in my leg, going from hip to knee. I ended up in Martin Luther Care Center for several weeks of rehabilition. Once I finally got home and was recovering well, slowly but surely, I developed a blood clot in the same leg. Once again, into the hospital and back to rehab for another month.

I am again at home, living on my first floor by taking out my couch and renting a hospital bed. I'm still having pain issues, but hope to continue healing.

I got a new computer, with help from Wyatt Johnson, and am again connected to the Internet and have my e-mail back! What a treat! I'm back in touch with the world.

As you can guess, I'm way behind on reading The Bulletin, so I'll write again once I've had a chance to catch up on that, too. Thanks for all your gifts, prayers and concerns. It's nice to have family to watch out for you.



Photo © Mia Nelson
Wiley reminds me of a Viking at the helm of his ship.

Scenes from Sierra Loop hiking trip 2010
by Mia Nelson
Lowell, OR


Photo © Mia Nelson
Wiley & Arbor in snowstorm ... are we having fun yet?


Photo © Wiley Nelson

Mia & Arbor, strolling through lupine in upper Cliff Creek (Black Rock) canyon.


Photo © Mia Nelson
Arbor & Wiley enjoy fine freeze-dried dining near Tyndall ranger station.


Photo © Mia Nelson
The first thing I saw upon returning home after three weeks of backpacking. We passed in the driveway. I love you, Richard!



Photo © Wyatt Johnson
Camryn with flowers, age 3.

UPDATE -- Camryn Johnson, at 3
by Wyatt Johnson
Moorhead, MN

These were Camryn's 3 year pictures. We decided to do them ourselves this time, after struggling with her the last few times we've taken her to a studio. She's our shyest by far, and being one on one with a photographer, teacher, etc. generally makes her cry more than smile.

For her third birthday, Camryn chose dinner at Space Aliens, so we played some games and had that delicious BBQ food. She got a new pony, too ... well, kind of. Jolene found a great deal on a horse with wheels that the girls can ride by moving up and down on the seat. It's gotten some pretty good miles on it already in our basement! I'll try to send a series of updates this fall and winter as I finish my basement! I'm looking forward to it!


Photo © Wyatt Johnson
Pensive Camryn, age 3.



Photo © Greg Dake
Little William Dake rides on Ruby.

FAMILY UPDATE -- Greg and Sonja Dake
by Sonja Dake
Huntsville, AL

This is William at 7 months old, perched on our American Saddlebred mare, Ruby -- with me holding him, of course.

We are settling in on our little farm here in Alabama and adjusting to country vs. city life. We have 4 horses (1 Belgian draft horse and 2 Tennessee Walkers, in addition to Ruby), ei Nubian goats, 9 New Zealand White meat rabbits and 5 Angora fiber rabbits, 17 Muscovy ducks, 27 Rhode Island Red pullets and 1 cockerel, 3 Buff Orpington hens, 2 barn cats and 1 Great Pyrenees puppy. We get fresh eggs and goats milk now and soon plan to send 2 ducks, 2 rabbits and several goat kids to "freezer camp" for future meals.

Greg works from home full time, Samuel and Sean like their schools here a lot, and William thinks all the animals are hilariously funny.

There are many, many more pictures on Facebook -- if anyone wants to be added as a friend.


from Kim Miller, Reed City, MI -- a picture of us to share with The Bulletin Subscribers...


Mitch & Kim Miller, with Brooke, McKenna & Braden.



Photo © Jerrianne Lowther
Too many beavers are gnawing down the forest around University Lake.


Photo © Jerrianne Lowther
What to do? Restore habitat by fencing trees so they won't topple them.


Photo © Jerrianne Lowther
Volunteers fence trees to encourage some of the beavers to move on.



Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell
Mysterious Waters...

Click here to see what's new on Ginny McCorkell's Bitzidoodles blog.


A Comfy Spot for a Kitten on a Rainy Day...


Photo © Larry T. Dake
Sure beats hanging out under the floor-boards of the granary.
(See four posts on 8/1/2010 for the story of Squeak the Kitten's rescue by Harry the Dog.)

Click here for the latest news on LTD's Storybrooke Ripples blog.


Day to DayR
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN


Photo © Donna Johnson
Pretty wagon at Alexandria Grape Stomp

Grape Stomp, Alexandria Fall Festival

Jayce got a phone call from a classmate, asking him to join her and another friend at the Grape Stomp and Fall Festival near Alexandria. Being I'd already advised Lori we would be stopping by their place, figured I may as well take him.

As we've never been there, he and I decided it might prove to be fun and that turned out to be a correct guess. It was a gorgeous day to be out and about. He enjoyed the ride behind the horses, getting to sit up by the driver. I enjoyed less walking.


Photo © Donna Johnson
Jayce enjoyed the ride behind the horses.

It was fun watching the chainsaw wood carving, a magician, listening to an Irish band and walking around checking out all the variety of items for sale at the various booths. Being I'd missed out on a pork chop on a stick at the State Fair, I chose to indulge myself. Jayce chose cheese curds as his treat.

Right before we left, we got to watch his classmate do some grape stomping, along with her sister, mother and a friend. They competed against a couple other couples and, unfortunately, did not win. They shared that the grapes were very cold!


Photo © Donna Johnson
We got to watch Jayce's classmate do some grape stomping; Jayce in VIP seat.

Next we went to visit Great Grandpa and Grandma Anderson, with Lori and Shawn and their girls joining us. The girls got to eat cookies, while riding their rocking horses ... spoiling done by Great Grandpa.


Photo © Donna Johnson
Kierra & McKenna, waiting for pizza.

Kathy Anderson and I attended a funeral of a husband to one of her classmates. Afterwards, she and I got in some great visiting time. Then she mentioned we should go and visit my folks, so I gave them a call and, of course, they were thrilled to have her stop in for a visit!


Photo © Donna Johnson
Dorothy Anderson & Kathlyn Johnson Anderson.


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

Who Is This?

Let's play a guessing game: 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.

Last week's Guess pictures

 
Kelly Seaman and Kristi Indermark supplied last week's mystery photos.
Send us some mystery photos; we will line them up in our staging area to take their turn.

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.

The mystery pictures are my sweet Mike and Kelly (Seaman) and that gal with the sparkling personality, Twila Jo (Anderson Aydelotte).

Shari Miller Larson
Palm Harbor, FL


My guess: Kelly and Mike Seaman on the left and Twila Jo Anderson [Aydelotte].

Donna Anderson Johnson
Ashby, MN


For some reason, I am thinking the GUESS picture could be Doug and Bridget before this experience. And the other GUESS picture looks like Twila Jo to me. See those eyes and that smile? It just has to be Twila Jo.

Betty Weiland Droel
MoundsView, MN


This week's Guess pictures


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


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.

Changing Plans
by Dorothy Dake
Howard Lake, MN
(for a little while yet)

Do you ever take a roll of film and then let it set? (In this case, I needed to scrape together some extra cash and to take the last picture on the roll!) This week I finally sent it in to have it finished.

One picture was taken the night that Don and I went in to visit Lois and Bill. I guess it will probably be the last time I will see the inside of their dear little home -- Billy and Lois have signed the paper of a contract for deed, to buy a home on the south side of town. Isn't it surprising how much Stanley has grown since this photo was taken?

The one photo that was left to take was finally finished when Don took one of me when I went with him to North Dakota. My main reason was to have my new Minnesota Teacher's License recorded and a North Dakota one prepared for me,0 using the Minnesota credentials. It was really exciting to visit the Richland County Court House and to introduce myself to the County Superintendent of Schools, Miss Effie Muir. So here I am on the steps of the Richland County Court House in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

Miss Muir was very pleasant and appeared glad to hear that I would be available to teach in her county this fall. (That has another story with it). She walked with me to the registrar's office, we signed lots of papers, and when I walked out I was legally allowed to teach any grade from 1-8 in the elementary schools of North Dakota.

The picture was taken on the front steps of the Court House. You will please take note that I purchased another pair of the same practical shoes that Sister Kenny advised us to wear. I thought it would be sensible to appear in them (instead of my blue suede heels!).

Now then, the other part of the story: I had been hired (through the placement bureau of the State at St. Cloud Teacher's College) by the elementary school in Wahpeton for a second grade class. However, when they heard I was being married this summer, they apologized but explained that the school board there has a rule that says they will not hire married women teachers (really old fashioned, I might say!) They say they do not want to have two family providers in one family. That is their rationale, I guess, but it seems discriminatory to me!

So now Miss Muir will start looking for a place for me. I filed my application with her, and she will get me in contact with a school board and has promised to keep in mind my special needs. There are not many really modern schools, but they are all required to be very up to date in the equipment, and the schools are all kept in good shape. She assures me that she will help me find a place in a good school.

The last picture is the one that Gilbert and Jean gave to Grandma Greer. It is such a cute one of my little first cousin (once removed) Judy, that I just had to show you a picture of it.

Just in passing, both Gert and I have graduated. No big fanfare, but it does seem nice for both of us to put away the books and get at life!

 
Dorothy on courthouse steps, left; Bill & Lois Dake, Carol & Stanley, right.

 
"Aunty" Elizabeth MCalla with granddaughter Judy, left; Judy's portrait, right.


Gilbert & Jean McCalla with his mother, Elizabeth, in the middle. Judy McCalla on her Great Grandma Dake Greer's lap.


Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of
5
Hetty Hooper

This Week's Birthdays
September 26---Jaxon Dwight Hill (4 years)
September 26---Alexa Ann Gauderman (2 years)
September 28---Donald L. Anderson
September 30---Sheldon Swenson
October 1---Brooklynn Ann Johnson (6 years)
October 1---Carolyn Amy Horne (6 years)

Happy Birthday!

This Week's Anniversaries
October 1---Keith Mason and Lori Anderson (5 years)
Congratulations!

More October Birthdays
'
October 4---Wesley Sigman
October 4---Anita Weiland
October 5---Leona Anderson
October 5---Steven Miller
October 7---Steven Anderson
October 10---Hannah Aydelotte (9 years)
October 10---Greta Veronica Shockey (3 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 (11 years)
October 22---Rich Johnson (from MN)
October 22---Candice Lynn Miller
October 24---Grady Michael Chap (1 year)
October 24---Eric Shockey
October 24---Ken Kitto
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


More October Anniversaries
Z
October 4---Don and Patty Bratten Anderson (13 years)
October 17---Troy and Marlee Morgan Freesemann (16 years)
October 27---Don and Gert Dake Pettit (20 years)

October Special Days
O
October 11---Columbus Day (observed)
October 31---Hallowe'en


Miss Hetty's Mailbox:

Dear Miss Hetty,

Thanks a lot for the card, Miss Hetty! I had a great birthday, I got to spend some time at lunch with friends, then I had dinner with Jolene and the girls, Chris, Jessy, and Grady, and Jolene’s sister-in-law Joy with her two kids Hannah and Connor!

Wyatt Johnson
Moorhead, MN



Photo © Donna Johnson
Caity & Alexis had fun dressing up, so I had to grab a picture.


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

You have been on my mind lately and thanks for the reminder to write...

On August 17th, I gave Platelets at the Blood Bank and then left for Oregon. On Friday they called to say that I had E-coli and the blood had to be dumped. That started a long line of communication and some medication. Never found out where the "bug" came from but I am clear now. I questioned the doctor as to how the blood could have gotten infected and he finally admitted it may have happened after I left the Bank ... and that someone else was responsible for it.

I spent a week with the Oregonians and my granddaughter from Spokane came with her seven children, so that added to the other three and we had a houseful. I was glad for my own place to get away. Celina and her 5 year old live there, so my house is well kept.

Came back by Saginaw #2 for Convention -- my first time for an Oregon convention and less than 700 miles away. Met lots of friends and have been invited to come back next year.

Can't sell my house now as the market is TOO low! So I will just stay put until it improves or, if no sale, just lock it up! Not going to rent -- too many problems doing that.

I thought I had some pictures of our trip to Yosemite in April but they will have to come later.

Enjoyed seeing the picture of Aunty, Gib, et al., and especially seeing the picture of Grandma Greer. That was an important part of the "family." Today I got a pumpkin pie and was reminded of the pies your Mom would bake! Lots of good times at the Dake House....

Tom Miller
Madera, CA (and elsewhere)


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

I wasn't prepared for the scene that was on the first picture of the first page of our Bulletin this morning. I was expecting some well chosen, special blossom suggesting the Fall-ish feeling we have in the air here.

But, there was Sarah in the canoe, and the scenery looked like it was up in the north country, for sure. Her jacket looked like it was cold, and what a great time to be in a canoe with the water like a mirror.

It was nice that it was a picture of Sarah, seeing she has done so much to enhance The Bulletin with her unusual creativity and collection of photographs.

We are thinking of that antique store tour, but we don't feel able to make the rounds and the necessary walking it would mean. We spent a lot of time on the Internet looking at the displays of each store on the web site of the tour. Actually, we could add a lot to it from our own cupboards having kept house for 67 years -- first by Edith and then by myself here at the Droels'. However, we do love to stroll down the aisles of a neat antique store.

It was a touching story to read about Doug and Bridget Larson and their misfortune of Doug having the sore that wouldn't heal. It seems it changed life for them, and we are hoping for better days.

I can't get over the bringing up that Levi and Kira are having on their farm-like setting with all the natural products and the animals. Looks like Kira is right at home with those goats. I wonder how many wine colored mushrooms there are? I have never seen one. What beautiful, perfect raspberries! You could just reach out and pick one up by that clear picture of them. I don't like to think of autumn leaves, but we have to face reality and know they are soon to be here, too.

Isn't that the sweetest photo illustration by Virginia McCorkell of the heart with the mother and baby in it? How can you resist clicking on her web site to see more of the same?

I think of "love me, love my ox cart" when I see LTD's photo. That has to be a skunk. Who in the world ever skinned out a skunk?

Looks like Fall is in the air with McKenna and Kierra in their woolly caps and heavier jackets. That is a raging bonfire behind them. Lots of fun when that one becomes coals and they bring out the wieners. But, who would be interested in wieners when there was that table full of pot luck?

The Memory Lane was extremely interesting (as always) with the different folks written up, even to Dorothy, herself. The children's picture is precious when you consider they are grown men and women today. I worry that our Editor may run out of memories, but let's all write in to assure her we are so fascinated and interested that we don't want her to end the series.

Dorothy, could that doctor you mentioned be Dr. Houts? He saved my life one time when I had a ruptured appendix at Bill and Amy Dake's home.

There are no words to describe the surprise and special feelings that overcame me to see Sherry with little Sarah and the great big beet. Another generation has grown up to raise beets, and it is Sarah's little daughter who is holding the beet in last week's issue of The Bulletin. Isn't that just uncanny that there would have been that picture to bring forward right now? I am so thankful someone didn't just overlook that so that we would miss seeing the generation of beets story.

I think everyone can identify with the Quotation for the day this time. The easy plants to pull up are the valuable ones, and the one that is really stuck in the ground needing determination to uproot is the weed.

What a Bulletin this time! We know it would take some doing to put together all the pictures and the stories so that they were just right and not too many or not enough. Thank you for another good job.

Betty Droel


ADORABLE


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Larry Dake
Just like Mommy -- Harlie Mae & Amy Dake Harrison.

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Quotation for the day: Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. --Elizabeth Lawrence

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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