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Sunday, September 6, 2009
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LeRoy Dake, July 5, 1928-September 1, 2009
Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell

LeRoy Dake Funeral Saturday, September 5th.

LeRoy Dake, age 81, of Erskine, Minnesota, and formerly from Blaine, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, September 1st, at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 5th at 2:00 p.m., at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine with Richard Raschke, Caleb Dunham and Suzanne McCorkell officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before the funeral at the nursing home. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery, rural McIntosh, Minnesota, and the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston, Minnesota, is in charge of the arrangements.

LeRoy Ervin Dake was born on July 5, 1928, in Howard Lake, Minnesota, to William B. and Amy (Mellon) Dake. He grew up on the family farm near Howard Lake, and graduated from Howard Lake High School.

As a young person, he chose to live for God, his creator, and was faithful to that choice all through life.

He was united in marriage to Yvonne Thomas on August 30, 1948. They lived at Dassel, Lester Prairie and Blaine, Minnesota. He farmed for a short time, and worked as a welder and millwright. LeRoy and Yvonne moved to the Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, Minnesota, together in July of 2008.

LeRoy loved his family, enjoyed observing nature, working with his hands, traveling and photography.

On Tuesday, September 1, 2009, LeRoy passed away at Pioneer Memorial Care Center at the age of 81 years.

Survivors include three children, Ernest (Carolyn) Dake of Duluth, Georgia, Virginia (Larry) McCorkell of Blaine, Minnesota, and Larry (Sherry) Dake of Brooks, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Gregory (Sonja) Dake of Durham, North Carolina, Suzanne McCorkell of Greensboro, North Carolina, Jennifer (Chris) Horne of Madison, Alabama, Sarah (Michael) Steinhauer of Wannaska, Minnesota, and Amy (Ken) Harrison of Crookston, Minnesota; four great-grandchildren; brother-in law James Miller, Bradenton, Florida; and sisters Dorothy (Donald) Anderson of Alexandria, Minnesota, and Gert (Don) Pettit of Howard Lake, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Yvonne Dake; his parents, William B. and Amy; a brother, Bill and Lois Dake; and sisters, baby Mildred Dake, and Blanche Miller.



Howard, left; Heidi, middle; Loren Sigman II, right.

FAMILY UPDATE -- Loren Sigman family
by Ardis Sigman Quick
Roseville, MN

A number of you know my dad, Loren Sigman, from years ago. He remarried Dorothy Pospischil and they had four children: Loren, Lori, Howard and Heidi.

On March 31, my brother Loren passed away. A year prior he was lifting some boxes and he suffered a tear to his aorta. He survived surgery, four months in a coma, and extensive therapy to try to remove the ventilator he was on. He had gotten to where he could be off the ventilator for 6-7 hours at a time and was strong enough that they moved him from Syracuse, New York, to Barrington, Illinois. My dad and stepmom had already made 14 trips over 10 months to be with him in New York. The move to Illinois put him within an hour's drive of their home.

While at the therapy facility, Loren came down with a cold that progressed into pneumonia. He was unable to fight this off and lost his battle in the end.

Loren received his dental school degree and went on to specialize in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. He practiced dental and facial reconstruction at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse for the past 11 years and will be greatly missed by many people he touched there.

Memorial Weekend, Charlie, Travis and I drove to Illinois and met up with Jason (flew into Chicago and bused out to South Beloit). We went to my sister's to have a family and friends picnic as a celebration to Loren on his birthday.


Sister Lori, sons Jason & Travis, Dad (Loren) & Stepmom (Dorothy).


Dorothy & Loren, left; father & daughter, Loren & Ardis, right.


Heidi & Duane's kids: Lauren & Kenny.


UPDATE -- Rachel returns!
by Rachel Henderson
Minnetrista, MN

This last year (perhaps it's been that long since I've come out of my hole into The Bulletin world) has been wonderful, full of whirlwind days and lazy days, all with their own special charm.

After getting back from a seven-month stay in Ecuador this last March, I started the "re-entry process" (as the "study abroad" handbooks call it) back into home culture. I can't say that I'm totally accustomed again, but think that I'll never really feel quite the same about cultural things ... my stay down south definitely had a changing effect.

Home again, I finished writing my senior capstone (a mini-thesis with a fancy title) and graduated in May with a degree in Spanish, International Studies, and a Business Administration minor, after which I entered the realm of the newly graduated in the job search. It's been an interesting ride, but I finally accepted a position in Waconia, Minnesota, working with an aviation recruiting company.

The real story, however, filled a lot of my time between the schoolwork and job search. And it's a good story.

There's this fellow. A good fellow...

Damon Olson is from Windsor, Colorado, but has been in Minnesota this past year as a medical student at the University of Minnesota. David and Lenore Olson have three boys, of which Damon is the second. Colin, the first, lives in Washington, D.C., working for a naval research lab, and Evan, the third, recently graduated from high school and is starting at the University of Northern Colorado this semester. Damon did his undergrad mainly in Lincoln, Nebraska, and moved last August to Minneapolis to start medical school, which, I must say, was a wonderful decision ... I got to meet him. :D And so, we've had wonderful days together.

August 9, I found myself north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, in a canoe on Lake Superior, surrounded by a cool lake wind and the hint of a harvest moon, listening to a very special man say four life-changing words. And so, I came back to Minnesota, having said an emphatic "Yes!" (which he says he doesn't remember), looking forward to the day, four months off, on which I would get to marry Damon.

Grandma asked for an official engagement announcement. And so, here it is. Damon and I are engaged to be married Friday, November 27, 2009, in Chaska, Minnesota. It's coming up, and, wow, is it ever an anticipated day!


Photo © Bobbi Murray
Engaged: Rachel Henderson & Damon Olson.


FAMILY UPDATE -- the Ostendorfs
by Lori Chap Ostendorf
Rogers, MN

Things are busy and exciting at the Ostendorf household. It pretty much falls into two categories: our girls and our lake lot.

Our Girls: Kierra is turning 8 months on the 6th of September and has been growing up WAY TOO FAST. She has her first official tooth. It's been working its way to the top for a while now but popped through this past weekend. She wants to chew on everything! She is also now crawling and pulling herself up to stand! My, oh my, I think she’s going to be even busier than McKenna ... if that's possible. The crawling officially happened yesterday and, once she gets going, she doesn’t stop! She is also pulling herself up to a kneeling, or sometimes standing, position whenever she can find the opportunity.

Another change is that Kierra has now upgraded from the carrier car seat to the toddler seat and she thinks she's pretty cool stuff. The first morning in her new seat, Shawn reported to me that she "loved it" and was "talking" up a storm in the back seat. We are sure she was telling McKenna all about it.

McKenna turned 2 in June and is our little motor mouth. No fault of her own; she comes by it naturally. Shawn was known as quite the talker at a young age and I have never lacked in this department, either.

She is singing songs constantly! She has a full repertoire that she's been known to break out while traveling in the car. This includes, but is not limited to (as I'm sure I won't remember them all): Tomorrow (from the Annie soundtrack), Hey Good Lookin' (compliments of Hank Williams and her daddy), Zip-a-dee-do-dah, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, B-I-N-G-O, Ring Around The Rosie and her newest and favorite at the moment (compliments of Grandma Johnson) is the Sweetie Pie song. She is still learning the words, which go as follows:

You're my Honeybunch, Sugarplum
Pumpy-umpy-umpkin, You're my Sweetie Pie
You're my Cuppycake, Gumdrop
Snoogums-Boogums, You're the Apple of my Eye.
And I love you so and I want you to know
That I'll always be right here.
And I love to sing sweet songs to you
Because you are so dear.

Our Lake Lot: The building has begun. I have attached pictures taken by my mom this past Tuesday (9/1). They are starting block already tomorrow and the timeline is to complete the entire project by mid-November! I will keep you posted on this as it progresses. We are thankful to have family in the area that can take pictures to update us. What did we ever do before digital cameras and the Internet?


Photos © Donna Johnson
Two views of foundation for Ostendorfs' lake house near Alexandria.



Photos © Kristi Indermark
Alex's room before, left; during, middle. All is paint, except the cars, right.

UPDATE -- Indermarks spend weekend painting
by Kristi Indermark
Litchfield Park, AZ

We spent a weekend painting Tyler's and Alex's rooms. It is very interesting trying to paint a room and watch the kids while keeping them out of the paint and the room you are attempting to paint. Nevertheless, we managed to finish the rooms by midnight on Sunday evening.


Photos © Kristi Indermark
Alex's room finished, left; Tyler's room before, middle & during, right.


Photos © Kristi Indermark
Tyler's room with stripe, left; finally finished at midnight, middle & right.


UPDATE --school begins for the Hills
by Brenda Anderson Hill
Dwight, ND

Jazmine started first grade this week! I started my 14th year of kindergarten! So far everything is going quite well but the hardest part is to get up and get going in the morning. (None of us are morning people!) Jonathan and Jaxon will have the same teacher for their Speech and Language preschool but will go opposite afternoons. Jonathan starts the week after Labor Day and Jaxon starts right after he turns three (in about four weeks).


Photo © Brenda Hill
Jaxon, Jazmine & Jonathan Hill.



Photos © Lori Ostendorf
Rylie Johnson: goodbye, summer vacation -- it's time for school.


Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN


Photos © Donna Johnson
Jayce with four kittens, left; in uniform for first year of football, right.

Jayce found kittens in the barn; here he is with four of them. He also found one that is a little bigger, white with a few black spots. They have been handled daily, so are adjusting to people nicely. I have a feeling, come winter, he is going to be wanting them inside. Anyone need kittens? Price is right ... FREE!

Jayce is beginning his first year of football! He is very excited.

During the move to Wyatt and Jolene's new home, I took the group of kids to the park to play. It is very nice having it only a block away! It was such a gorgeous day and I enjoyed watching them playing, almost as much as they were enjoying themselves!


Photo © Donna Johnson
Jayce Chap, Vincent Finkelson, Brooklynn Johnson, Hannah Finkelson, Rylie Johnson, Connor Finkelson.


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. Don Anderson 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.

Those would be my sweet nieces, Kimberly Johnson and Rachel Henderson, playing dress up. Appears they may be posing in front of a newly painted tractor, done by Grandpa Don.

Donna Anderson Johnson
Ashby, MN


Awww. That picture is one of Kimmie and Rachie all dressed up! Cute.

Marlene Johnson
Meridian, ID


I couldn't help but laugh when I saw that picture! It's my biggest little sis, Kimberly, and Rachel all dressed up for something in front of Granpa's Allis Chalmers tractor. I love it!

Heidi Henderson
Albuquerque, NM


These two little princesses are Kimberly Johnson and Rachel Henderson. Grandpa Don has them posed beside his Allis at Rich and Marlene's home at Game Farm Road.

Patty Henderson
Minnetrista, MN


The one with the blue "outfit" would be me [Kimberly Johnson], and the one in the pretty princess dress would be Rach. :) Doesn't it seem to counteract our backdrop a bit?

Kim Johnson
Eagle Bend, MN

Editor's comment: The colors are a bit "jarring" and the attire probably wouldn't be the best choice for a ride on that chariot!


That's Kimberly and Rachel. :)

Mark Johnson
Meridian, ID


The GUESS picture makes me think that is one of the restored tractors Don did in Howard Lake. Is the little girl on the left Marlene? And is the other little princess Sharon (Shari) Miller? It is such a fun feature in The Bulletin. Usually, I am so far wrong, but that doesn't take the fun out of it.

Betty Weiland Droel
MoundsView, MN

Editor's comment: It certainly is Don's work ... but this was done when we lived in the apartment in the lower level of Marlene and Rich's home in Maple Plain. Don worked in an open spot in the woods by the pond, lower than the hill where the home was. Those are two of the gaggle of grandkids we had then ... one is Marlene's daughter (Kim) and the other is Patty's daughter (Rachel) ... so your guessing is not really that far off the mark. A long time ago -- but not quite as long ago as you guessed.


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.

A Change In Plans And How It Will All Work
by Dorothy Dake
Howard Lake, MN

Things don't always work out just as planned and I must admit my travel plans surely didn't! But you do not have to feel sorry for me -- quite the opposite.

Two weeks ago, Ken was asking me how my plans were working out. I mentioned the schedule I had settled on ... to be off at noon and then to leave on the 4:45 bus and arrive in Minneapolis at 10:35 p.m.

He thought that over a bit and then he made it clear he did not approve of my plan. I felt a little twinge of irritation. Just why not? came to mind!

Then he told me his objection: "First of all, what if there is a mix up in your being met? I have been in that part of Minneapolis at night ... there are just too many shady characters hanging around the depot. Secondly, why wait a half day here in town when your vacation is so short? Why don't you give me a little time to look into this situation and see if we can't help you get home at a better time than that?"

I must admit that what he had said made sense ... but it isn't something I would have thought to complain about. So I am glad he took the initiative on fixing things up!

The next day he informed me that there is a much better bus to take that leaves at 10:45 a.m.

Well, of course, I knew that. But how can I take the 10:45 bus? Harold won't be here to watch the shop until noon.

"Now here is the way we will get you there on time: Mary Lou says she will come and help me out from 10 o'clock until Hal arrives. Dad says he thinks it would be great to be your chauffeur again, as he didn't get much opportunity to visit before. He wants to get you safely aboard the bus and that way you will arrive in Minneapolis at 6:35."

I must say it was pretty easy to say a big, "Yes, Thank You!" to everyone involved in their master plan! May it be an auspicious beginning to a perfect vacation!

My part then was to call LeRoy and tell him about the change. I called him that night, and I think it pleased him. He says he thinks Aunty may pick me up, as she likes to get out of the city in the daylight and, now that I am arriving in daylight, she can pick me up and we can be out of the city before the dark sets in. And that way he and Vonnie can get their packing complete (which will pretty well fill the car) and go on out earlier.

We are having a lovely fall here, with the leaves just starting to turn. I asked LeRoy what it is like there. He said this is a late fall for them; they haven't even had hard frost yet. The garden is still producing beans, and lots of plants are still green. So most of them haven't started picking corn but they have most of the plowing on the grain land done. I guess the sumac and some of the willow trees are turning but the big trees are still green. Sounds perfect to me!

This week has really seemed to drag, but we kept busy enough getting the work all caught up, so there wasn't much time to be bored.

Finally, my work week is about over and I am ready to start the final preps. I finished checking out in the Day Book, closed the door behind me, locked it and went across to have a sandwich at the Corner Drug Store for supper. I knew I had to fill the empty space! (I really will be glad for some home cooking, as I am getting a bit tired of peanut butter sandwiches!)

I walked back to the apartment and hurried upstairs. I had one more important thing I had to do before I started to get my baggage ready. I took down my suit and slipped it on. I had wanted to let down the hem and finally I had taken care of that last night. So I decided to wear it over and have Louella check to be sure it is even. I slipped it on and then I hurried back out and dashed across to their rooming house. I knocked a couple times, opened the door, and announced, "It's Dorothy." Then I walked in, as usual, and went to Louella's door, which is usually open, and knocked.

When Louella invited me in, I noticed she had company -- but as we greeted one another I recognized someone I knew: Lavina Swenson. So then I had to inform the girls what I had come for. They had me turn around slowly ... and then Louella made her announcement.

"Dorothy, you did a nice job on the hem! But, dear friend, please check your stocking seams when you are all dressed up. KEEP THEM STRAIGHT!"

Oh, my ... someday I hope they will come up with stockings that don't have seams to check every time you put them on. "Yes, dear, I will try hard to remember!"

Next point of business -- the girls told me they had just been going to come over so Lavina could see my cute room. So we trotted out and made a quick tour before they had to leave to visit the Holmans. Lavina is driving a car. I really didn't ask if she owned it, but my what luxury to even get to drive one. (Wouldn't I like that to get home with!) It was great to see the girls, but now it's back to work for me.

I must remember to clean up my room, after I finish getting my packing done. I intend to take my suitcase and garment bag along in the morning. I have decided I will take the bus, as carrying everything for four blocks could be a chore! (I hope I don't mess up getting on and off!)

When I get to work, I will try to get everything arranged to make it easy for Mary Lou and for Hal. I can hardly wait till Bill Foley arrives -- which should be at about the same time Mary Lou does. It should be somewhere between 9:30 and 10 o'clock ... and then I will be "off to the races."

Now then, I must be sure to press my suit and then pack it in my garment bag -- and I mustn't forget the garment bag!


Lavina Swenson & Dorothy, left; Louella Smith & Dorothy, right.


Travelogue t


Photo © Sheldon Swenson
Kjirsten & Mitzi savor tea with a spectacular view.

Annapurna
by Mitzi Swenson
Dickinson, ND

Words are inadequate to describe the mountains. I could begin with: amazing, awesome, breathtaking, dazzling, gorgeous, incredible, magnificent, spectacular, splendiferous, stunning, stupendous, unbelievable ... you get the picture. It was simply amazing to spend 15 days walking in those beautiful mountains.

The village of Kalopani actually has a 360-degree view and I wondered if the local people gazed at the view every day or took for granted the beauty which surrounded them. I could easily be talked into spending a summer there!

To be continued...


Photos © Kjirsten Swenson
Hiking narrow trails with care on the Annapurna Circuit.


Photo © Kjirsten Swenson
High in the Himalayas on the Annapurna Circuit.


Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of
5
Hetty Hooper

This Week's Special Days
September 7---Labor Day
September 11---Patriot Day

This Week's Birthdays
September 7---Brendan Aydelotte (10 years)
September 12---Lindsay Dawn Hellevang
Happy Birthday!

This Week's Anniversaries
September 7---Tim and Colette Huseby (13 years)
Congratulations!

More September Birthdays
' 
September 2---Patty Anderson
September 2---Vicki Anderson
September 2---Stanley Wm. Dake
September 3---Jacob Mendoza Dake
September 3---Eric Printz
September 3---Charles Quick
September 4---Wiley Nelson
September 5---Genelle Mogck
September 5---Lori Chap Ostendorf
September 5---
Gabriella Ruth Boltz (1 year)

September 15---Carolyn Miller Dake
September 15---Shari Miller Larson
September 19---Nathanial Kurtis Seaman
September 21---Jessica Aydelotte
September 23---Abigail Mae Henderson (
1 year)
September 24---Wyatt Johnson
September 25---Keith Mason
September 26---Jaxon Dwight Hill (3 years)
September 26---Alexa Ann Gauderman (
1 year)
September 28---Donald L. Anderson
September 30---Sheldon Swenson

More September Anniversaries
Z
September 2---Michael and Sarah Dake Steinhauer (7 years)
September 4---Ernie and Carolyn Miller Dake (38 years)

September 18---Jay and Sandy Miller Smith (10 years)

September Special Days
September 7---Labor Day
September 11---Patriot Day
September 13---Grandparents' Day
September 22---First Day of Autumn

Miss Hetty's Mailbox:

Dear Miss Hetty,

Thank you for helping us celebrate our anniversary by sending your greetings in the lovely e-card last week. We had a nice meal together to celebrate 27 years.

Ken and Merna Hellevang
Fargo, ND


Cinnamon and Sugar ... Cookies and Cream ... the full official names of the newest members of the Weiland family. They are called Cinnamon and Cookie for short.

Krista Weiland loves animals; she even went dressed as a Veterinarian for Hallowe'en. She has been so anxious for her mom and dad, Steve and Marci, to consent to her having a dog; instead, she had to content herself to play with any and every dog she saw. The animals immediately recognized her love for them and they became instant friends.

There was a special (neighbor) dog and cat she visited often -- Spud and Oreo. Eventually, Oreo had some kittens. Then the pleading began in earnest, and "Mom, can I please have one of Oreo's kittens?"

The Weilands decided it would be nice for the kitten to have company so that meant TWO kittens for the Weilands, who had never had a pet of their own in the house before. This was major. But Steve and Marci couldn't resist any longer, so Krista brought home Cookie and Shalana brought home Cinnamon. The Weilands' household would never be the same. There were never two kittens so pampered before, ever.

Great Aunt Betty and Great Uncle Roy made a special trip to Weilands' to meet the kitties and had a picnic of grilled brats and a special dessert. They approved highly of the choices, and keep trying to think of little toys they don't already have.

As you can see, they are irresistible.

Betty (The Great Aunt) Droel
MoundsView, MN


Cinnamon (the calico) & Cookie, black & white son of Oreo.


Now then, Miss Hetty, I'm not going to tell you where I heard this juicy bit of cat gossip, because I don't want to get anybody in trouble, but ...

Tabasco, one of "the grandkitties," had a bit of a rude awakening this week. Kyra was rearranging things and opened up a slot that she used to go through to get into a hidey-hole where Kyra and Ken couldn't reach her (always the most desirable place for a cat to explore). It had been blocked for a couple years, but it didn't take her long to notice that the passage was open again. She hopped up to the slot -- only to find that she didn't fit anymore. How embarrassing!

Her jump was perfectly aimed, but she only got in as far as her shoulders before she was thrown back on her hiney. "The boys" pretended they were looking the other way when it happened because she was pretty upset and they didn't want to get in trouble.

Since then, Tabasco's been using a more cautious approach, carefully checking to see if she fits when she turns her head this way or stretches a paw that way. She has no intention of letting her "wide shoulders" get in the way of true kitten fun!

Miss Kitty
Anchorage, AK


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

Just wanted to say I've been enjoying The Bulletin publications this summer. Thank you for all your time and effort in putting this out every week. A wonderful way to keep up on family happenings. I feel like all The Bulletin subscribers are family, I've gotten to know so many names and faces.

THANK YOU!

Donna Richards
Eden Prairie, MN


I need to say "Thank You" for all your hard work you do with The Bulletin. I read it every Saturday. I look forward to getting it and keeping up on the news. You do such a wonderful job, along with every one else that contributes to The Bulletin.

I am doing very well. I am planning my last daughter's wedding; it will be held in November of 2009. Coming up very fast...

Carol Pokornowski
Hutchinson, MN


We want to send our condolences in the loss of your special brother, LeRoy.

Thank you for all the information and stories we receive through The Bulletin each week. We look forward to them.

Ken and Merna Hellevang
Fargo, ND


Dear Dorothy,

You are in my thoughts and heart afresh since reading Donna's note of LeRoy's passing.

I am just now catching up on the e-mail that came while I was out in California, helping Twila and family settle into their new location and get through the first week of school. Six children going to four schools and Twila working at yet another school make the logistics challenging.

The day I arrived back in Minnesota, my friend Wendy flew in from Alaska and we are traveling around Minnesota and Wisconsin, pausing for a couple nights here at home. In the morning, we are heading for Lake Superior.

I am a couple weeks behind on reading The Bulletin, because of the intensity of my time in California, but I am really looking forward to catching up, reading and savoring them next week.

I have so enjoyed reading what you write of your younger years and the family and friends. I do hope you continue to share your memories with us.

Your memories of times with LeRoy may be achingly fresh now. I'm sorry for your sense of loss of his physical presence.

Please be kind and gentle with yourself these days.

Love to you,

Kathlyn [Johnson Anderson]
Breezy Point, MN


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

As I watched the first picture scroll up, I knew I had the first line of my LTTE already decided. I was going to have the first words be "Dr. Kjirsten Swenson busy charting." Then, to my surprise, when the title scrolled into view it wasn't Kjirsten after all, but her MOTHER, and she was jotting in her journal the very things we have been reading in the Travelogue. So, now I have to start from scratch for a beginning line to my LTTE for The Bulletin #376. I have to believe it is number 376, as last week it was number 375. Time is going just that fast. Unbelievable.

So, now that I am past that famed first picture, I can comment on that lovely cabin that proved to be a "magical place." What an unselfish five days for the Johnsons to share it with their family. It would be so much fun to have the children enjoy it with them, as they always find something to discover and play with and fill in the hours with entertainment, just by being themselves. I see all those familiar faces, and I see Weston is not at any game, but right there front and center. I try to imagine all the wonderful meals that would have been served.

I loved the story about the 6th anniversary, and the big bulletin board announcement for all to see. Nearly a packed stadium, and they would wonder who this Eric and Leona were. Very few would ever have that kind of story to tell of their special day.

Keith and Lori are always doing something extraordinary, and they are to be congratulated to have won two of the blue honorable mention ribbons, with as many entries as there were. Thanks for taking time to share this with your Bulletin "family."

Janie's Mystery Trip, part 2, was very well described, and sounds like every minute was full of unforgettable fun and sights and smells, too. I think it would have been as much fun for the surprisers as for the surprised. We have not been to IKEA yet, but our granddaughter and family came from Des Moines, Iowa, with plans to be sure to shop there. It must be a "don't miss this one" place, but we are limited in walking, so we choose not to take in that kind of shopping. We have gotten their big, thick catalog in the mail, so we have an idea what type of things they sell. Actually, I don't think we have ever seen the Showboat, either. I hear it is well worth the effort to get there and take their little tour.

Oh, that new bedroom of Don and Patty's looked so cozy, and Donna Mae has already initiated it with a glowing report for the rest of us. I loved the yellow walls. I have heard about Don's gourmet skills, so I am not surprised the turkey was the best Donna Mae had ever eaten. Sounds like Hannah is well able to fill in for Grace, but I am sure Grace will always be missed in many ways. The beautiful flowers and garden would take a lot of time. When does Red Chair Antiques open for the year?

Seeing Beaver enjoying the comfortable guest suite makes me think it wouldn't be easy to have to leave again. Especially with that gracious hospitality.

In the Memory Lane, I was very anxious for this story of the dinner with the boss and his wife and riding in their big car. I am positive they were as nervous as our Dorothy was. Thanks for all the little details to set the scene for us. For instance, the gloves and the chauffeur breaking the ice with his introduction.

Then that box would have been very priceless to Ruth, as you described where it originated, which meant you were someone very special for them to consider sharing it with. BOOTS. What more could you have wished for there in the frozen north of BERmidji? Knowing you would return them to her let you off the hook for finding a way to say thank you that would ever have been appropriate. I smiled as I read that you had thanked them "prettily," as I am sure it was very prettily.

It seems all worked out in your favor, Dorothy, and it would have felt so much easier working very hard for those folks that were so thoughtful, with the bonus you needed so desperately. This special story is about LeRoy getting married, and now just yesterday we hear he is not very well at all. A whole lifetime past.

The Travelogue continues to hold our attention with the account of the hike and the pictures to illustrate it. It looks utterly impossible to come to the end of a trail like the Thorong La pass by just simply walking. Good that there were three of them together. The way they are dressed, they looked they would have welcomed a hot cup of tea at the top of the pass.

So, Cinnamon and Cookie made headlines this week! We wait now for the next bit of their story you promised us, coming "next week."

CHUCKLES proved to be Ethan Horne, but I would never have recognized him. He has really g r o w n, and maybe it's my imagination, but I thought I could see a feature or two that reminded me of Ernie.

That was quite a thought provoking Quotation for the day this time. To see the past, present, and future in the faces of family is actually very true. I know I can see my mother in the mirror, and I know what I will look like in 20 years.

Thank you for The Bulletin once again. We never grow tired of anticipating it as Saturday draws near, and we try not to take for granted all the work that has gone into putting it together.

Betty Droel


CHUCKLES


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Jennie Horne
Carrie Horne loves Grandma Carolyn Dake's cozy quilts.


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: Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If you're alive, it isn't. --Richard Bach

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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