Photo © Larry McCorkell
Rock Violet.

Shari & Wes with beach basket gift.

UPDATE -- Florida is home again
by Shari Larson
Palm Harbor, FL

It has been a busy couple of months. After residing in Arizona for over three years, Wes and I were presented with the opportunity to return to Florida in March. Once the decision was made to take advantage of this opportunity, it has been a whirlwind of activity for the month of April. Everything from finding a house in Florida, to moving garage sales and packing a moving van, not my favorite activities! Every deadline was met, but not without a lot of late nights and LOTS of help from Jim and Kristi and Mike and Kelly. Attached is a picture of a fun (and thoughtful) going away basket Kristi assembled ... with beach towels, flip flops, magazines, a wide-brimmed beach hat and many other beach assesories.

Photo © Shari Larson
Jim Miller in Arizona with Jim Indermark & Kelly Seaman

We are now living in Palm Harbor (near Tampa), which is about 10 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 40 miles from my dad. We shipped my car and the moving van of furniture, but drove the 2,300 miles with a SUV and small trailer ... and Sammy (a Siamese cat). By the time we had our clothes and other essentials packed in the SUV and were ready to embark on our journey, it dawned on us that we had not left a spot for the cat carrier. So Sammy ended up riding in her carrier squeezed in behind the driver's headrest or on a beach towel by my feet. By the end of four very long days of driving, I felt like I was covered in cat fur.

When we reached Florida, we spent one night here, put a deposit on a condo we had looked at a few weeks previously, and headed for a much needed vacation in St. Lucia. We returned from St. Lucia well rested and ready to move into our new home, only to find that the owner of the Condo had decided not to move out after all ... which left us in the "homeless" category. Needless to say, it was a hectic few days of house hunting, but with a happy ending. Last week our moving van was finally able to leave Phoenix and deliver our furniture to Florida. We are now moved in, but have lots of boxes yet to unpack.

We were able to spend a night with Dad and to take a day out to relax on Anna Maria Island with him. We are looking forward to many more weekends and beach days with Dad. I have also attached a picture of Dad from his visit to Arizona earlier this spring (with Jim and Kelly).

It is hard to be so far away from the girls and their families. I was used to seeing them almost every day in Arizona. Here's hoping their futures will include a move to Florida!

Photo © Shari Larson
Wes, Shari & Jim Miller on Florida beach.

Kayla Bagaason, Brandon Hellevang & Josh Nelson

Grand Forks, N.D. -- A trio of Fighting Sioux student-athletes were recently honored by the faculty of the Marketing Department for the College of Business and Public Administration at the University of North Dakota for their outstanding achievements in the classroom.

Due to their strong academic performance, admirable work ethic, and demonstrated leadership abilities, Fighting Sioux seniors Kayla Bagaason (women's basketball; Clearbrook, Minnesota), Brandon Hellevang (football; Fargo, North Dakota) and Josh Nelson (baseball; Apple Valley, Minnesota) each were selected as Outstanding Seniors in Marketing.

The honorees were given their awards and a special plaque at a luncheon earlier this week that was attended by the faculty at the North Dakota Museum of Art.

As impressive as their accomplishments were in the classroom, these three student-athletes also excelled in their respective sports this season.

Bagaason was named the Great West Conference Player of the Year and earned first team all-conference honors in helping lead the women's basketball team to a regular season conference title. Bagaason, who was also named UND's Female Athlete of the Year, averaged 14.6 ppg and finished her career 21st on the all-time scoring list with 1,107 points.

Helevang was a first team CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District and All-America honoree and earned a spot on the FCS/ADA Academic All-Star Team. He also was named to the All-Great West Conference second team for his play on the field.

With 27 successful PATs in 2009, Hellevang tied Jeff Glas for the top spot on the UND career list in that category. He also connected on 15 field goals to finish his career with 49 -- a total that ranks fourth on the all-time charts.

Nelson is currently winding down his senior season on the baseball diamond where he currently leads the Fighting Sioux in batting average with a .358 clip and he also leads the club with a .403 batting average in Great West Conference games. Nelson was recently named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine All-District VII first team.

 
Photos © Gina Henderson
Len & Leah Crouse with Alexis, left; "Lexi" & "Abby," right.

UPDATE -- Mother's Day
by Gina Henderson
Watertown, MN

We hope everyone enjoyed a special Mother's Day last weekend ... we did! Dan, Abby and I headed up to Fargo-Moorhead to visit my sister, Leah, and her family. Len and Leah's little girl, Lexi, is just about 5 months old. So it was a treat to be with Leah on her first Mother's Day.

My folks (Jim and Kathy Edwards from Hector) were able to come up for the weekend too, so we were glad to have Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate with, as well. Abby had a great time "taking care of" her little cousin. I'm sure they're going to be great friends, and Abby will likely be the ringleader into some mischief.

We enjoyed a delicious brunch together at the Ramada on Sunday.

To top off a nice day, we were lucky enough to stop in and visit Grandpa Don and Grandma Dorothy on our way home! We had a nice visit between shouts of "giddy up!" as Abby got to know the rocking horses! Last, but not least, Grandpa Don fixed up the perfect Abby-sized strawberry ice cream cone (which she enjoyed very, very much!). :)

 
Photos © Gina Henderson
Dan & Gina Henderson with Abby, left; Abby enjoys ice cream cone, right.

 
Photos © Donald W. Anderson
Abby rides a rocking horse, left & shows off her muscles, right.

Photo © Ken Hellevang
Standing: Tim Myron, Tytus Myron, Ryan and Jessica Hellevang, Lindsay Hellevang, Mikaela Kleeb, and Brandon Hellevang, and Ken Hellevang. Seated: Char Myron, Tom and Mavis Morgan, and Merna Hellevang.

UPDATE -- Mother's Day in Hillsboro
by Mavis Anderson Morgan
Hope, ND

Hillsboro, North Dakota, was the "center of the hub" on Sunday, for three mothers on Mother's Day. The Paddle Wheel had a lovely buffet, which we all enjoyed very much. After we ate, we gathered by the wheel for a group picture to have as a memory of our day together.

Photo © Ken Hellevang
Tytus, Ryan, Jessica, Lindsay, Mikaela, Brandon.

Photo © Donna Johnson
The grandkids: Camryn, McKenna, Brooklynn, Kierra, Riley, Jayce, Caity & Grady.

Mother's Day

We had our traditional Holiday Inn Mother's Day brunch, with many mothers joining us: Shirley Ostendorf, Donna Thoennes, Lori Ostendorf, Jolene Johnson, and first time mother Jessy Chap and myself.

Photo © Donna Johnson
Grandkids helping me opening my Mother's Day gifts from our "kids" -- each had made me a Shutterfly book. Lori made a book from our summer 2009 vacation, Weston made one of our 2004 trip that we'd been waiting to finish, one from Wyatt and Jolene and family, Chris and Jessy and Grady and a wedding book from Ben and Ashley.

Photo © Donna Johnson
Shutterfly books. I loved every one of them ... such a very special gift from each!

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.

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 am guessing the guess picture to be Bergit Swenson with her great granddaughter, Kira Steinhauer, enjoying time together! I am wondering if the grown-ups will be having the potatoes and gravy and the special casserole of mac and cheese is for Kira and other children who may be there.

Mavis Anderson Morgan
Hope, ND

This is at a wonderful Thanksgiving feast 2009, prepared by Sarah Steinhauer. My mom, Bergit Swenson, is holding Kira, with Jake looking on for some good-smelling scraps. The corner cupboard and old dishes we used were handed down from the Dake/Thomas relatives.

Sherry Dake
Brooks-Oklee, MN

The GUESS picture this time is so easy, for once. My good friend Bergit Swenson and her little Kira on her lap. Bergit is certainly qualified to be in this Mother's Day issue as she has an extraordinary family of children on down to the great grandchildren. Sherry Swenson Dake and her daughter Sarah and her daughter Kira being among them.

Betty Droel
MoundsView, MN

Photo © Michael Steinhauer
The rest of the Thanksgiving feast at the Steinhauers' in 2009. Clockwise from left: Kira Steinhauer, Bergit & Earl Swenson, Levi & Sarah Steinhauer, Sherry & Larry Dake.

This week's Guess picture

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

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.

Spring In Howard Lake
by Dorothy Dake
Howard Lake, MN

We Visit The Dassel Dakes

I think Mom and I are going to advertise our laundry services. At least we are getting lots of experience!

When Vonnie called last night, she did want us to come -- and she really thought that today was the only day this week that she could have us. She is to go to work this evening, so if we wanted to visit while she did her laundry, well she would be glad to have us. Of course, we had no intention to go and watch her work -- and I would think she knew that, too.

It didn't take us very long to give her our answer. After all, I was the only one of the family that hadn't seen it, so the sooner the better. We told her we would be there by 9:30. Then we made our plans for today.

Grandma chose to stay home "and get Bill's dinner for him." Truth was, she has visited LeRoy's not too long ago and thought she would not be interested in the tour. Walking is not her game. And besides that, she is busy working on a new scrapbook. She does them and Aunty takes them to a lady down near her who delivers them to hospitals and nursing homes. She has made some very pretty ones with old cards she had collected.

So then it was just Mom and I who planned to go.

I must say that this evening I am even more tired than last night. At least I am quite sure I am not putting on any weight, in spite of that good "country eating" that we have been doing ever since I came home.

After greetings were over, I did a tour of the whole farm. Part of the time, LeRoy was my guide. (Mom stayed and helped Vonnie while LeRoy and I did all the exploring she has already done.) We saw all of the "out" buildings.

I saw the barn and was shown how Ivan and he are going to get it ready for a milking herd. I saw the chicken coop where they would keep chickens for their own use. I saw storage sheds, then went to the pasture and looked out beyond that to the fields where the crops would be -- and the one that already has hay growing. Then, last of all, he took me to the machine shed where he is busy working on the older machinery that is usable. He is busy with that right now. I stayed a bit there and then decided to go and explore the house a little more than what I had observed when we arrived. I supposed that I could probably find something useful to do, too. LeRoy told me to call him when dinner was ready, and I left him to his work.

Mom and Vonnie had already gotten some of the laundry into the basket to hang. I grabbed the clothespin bag and a rag to wipe the clothesline wires and went out to the side yard, where Vonnie told me I would find them. After the cleanup of the wires, I hung up that batch and headed back for the dark clothes. I had to wait a bit until they were ready, so that took up my next few minutes. When I got back, I could smell the aroma of the beef stew, and the fresh baking bread. Oh my, how great to be home!

Mom watched the baking and wrung out the last batch as Vonnie and I went through every nook and cranny of their old fashioned and interesting house. I could see that it was becoming a home, as panels were on the windows and some pictures were hung. The living room had a piano as a focal piece; on it were some photos: high school graduations, family groups, wedding ... all making it friendly. Vonnie is not a fusser, so lots of the decorating waited for her mother's help. (Unpacking takes a while when you want to be organized.) It was clean as a whistle, but most of the rooms were pretty empty yet.

When we got down from upstairs, Mom was just coming in from hanging the last batch, so we all went out for a quick exploration of the garden. Interesting to note there is some garden already in use. There was a nice bunch of rhubarb and some onions that come every year ... and Ernie Nieman told them there will be asparagus, too. Vonnie hasn't had time to do any gardening yet, but thinks her mom will help her with that. Mom would have liked to start in on that, but really the garden needs to be dug up first -- and that, Vonnie didn't allow her to do!

Before I followed the other two in, I took down the clothes that were dried and carried them in and folded them. Mom and Vonnie finished up the dinner. (Remember, we’re in the country now and that is the middle meal of the day!) And then I went out and got LeRoy in for a little time to visit, while we ate!

We had such an interesting visit. I suppose you will find this hard to believe ... but it really happened and Vonnie was the main speaker of the visit. She ended up with that position because I asked her about the emergency. Now you understand she did not tell us any personal details about their patient, but she did tell us something VERY interesting.

The case was a rupture of some of some farmer's "innards." Of course, we now have these (horse) pills that you take, called Sulfa. I have taken it for pneumonia, and I think taking them is almost worse than the disease.

But here is the test of ingenuity ... the doctor needed to put a tube in from the surgery to drain it. He needed it to be open for the next few hours, or maybe even days, and he did not want anything to do damage to the open wound. He sent the assisting nurse (probably Vonnie -- but she didn't really say) to get a cigar box from his office. I guess they swabbed it with disinfectant; anyway, he took the drain out the corner of the upside down box as he taped the box over the incision and to his belly. She said it will come off tomorrow as his temperature is down to normal and he is raring to get "out of there." I guess it is referred to as a cradle ... at least he has not guessed what he has taped over the open incision. He maybe doesn't know it is still open.

Mom and I Knew Vonnie needed to get some rest before going to work, so we helped a bit more after LeRoy went back out to work. Those two did the dishes while I went out and brought back all the dry clothes to fold. Then Vonnie came in and told me she had a letter she thought I would enjoy reading and she handed it to me. (I will tell you about that some other day). We had a few more minutes of a great visit, but time was fleeting, so we gathered our things together.

We packed up and Vonnie waved to us as we left. I took a picture of her, dressed for work, but I wished that she had had her nurse's cap on, as she looks so perfect in it.

Mom and I finished up our afternoon by stopping in at Theilander's Department store. I did make a purchase or two, and Mom did, too. What a nice day! And though I know Vonnie was rather shocked at her doctor's methods, I chuckle when I think of his ingenuity. After all, this is a small town and can't afford fancy equipment ... but people get sick here, too, and they appreciate having their own doctor! I think he will be plenty busy and maybe someday new equipment will be the standard for Cokato Hospital!

Photo © LeRoy Dake
Vonnie Dake in nurse's uniform, in 1949.

 
Photo © Kjirsten Swenson
Silk workers in Ban Xang Kong, Luang Prabang, Laos.

Southeast Asia Extravaganza 2009
by Kjirsten Swenson
Albuquerque, NM

This Week's Special Days
May 15---Armed Forces Day

This Week's Birthdays
May 16---Angelique Freesemann (11 years old)
May 17---Dwight Anderson
May 19---Ryan Hellevang
May 22---Dan Henderson
Happy Birthday!

This Week's Anniversaries
May 16---Nathan and Brenda Anderson Hill (14 years)
Congratulations!

More May Birthdays
'
May 1---Frans de Been
May 4---Beau Birkholz
May 7---Ben Johnson
May 7---Kim Mellon (Tim's wife)
May 8---Kira Lynn Steinhauer (3 years old)
May 10---Curt Henderson
May 12--James Dake
May 14---Ernie Dake
May 14---Bridget Larson
May 14---Tyler James Indermark (5 years old)
May 15---Nathan Alexander Smith (2 years old)

May 23---Don Pettit
May 25---Amy Ellen Dake Harrison
May 26---Rick Anderson
May 27---Tracer Scott Roberson (12 years old)
May 28---Jazmine Jane Hill (7 years old)
May 28---Jason Hunt
May 29---Kristi Kay Larson Indermark
May 30---McKenna Blanche Miller (6 years old)
May 31---Mavis Anderson Morgan
May 31---Braden Mitchell Miller (3 years old)

More May Anniversaries
Z
May 2---John and Penny Pesta (2 years)
May 12---Chris and Jessy Chap (3 years)
May 14---Roddy and Alisha McNeill (5 years)

May 27---Dwight and Janie Anderson (39 years)
May 31---Tom and Mavis Anderson Morgan (53 years)

May Special Days
May 1---May Day (hanging May baskets day)
May 8---VE Day
May 9---Mother's Day
May 15---Armed Forces Day
May 30---Memorial Day

I didn't have time to read The Bulletin until today ... and once again I am so glad I did. Perfect. Each week is so fun ... the Mother's day questionnaire from a child, and Donna's poem were great Mother's Day tributes-observances.

The spinning wheel and history. Red Chair Antiques looks like a spot not to miss this summer.

The travels with pictures we get to enjoy from Weston and Kjirsten and Frans's showing of the Battle of the Bulge memorial, which I wasn't aware of -- my uncle Fred fought in that battle. And Dorothy's life biography chapter.

Love it all. THANKS again and again for your efforts.

Barb Dewey
Ashby, MN

To Donna -- what a beautiful tribute to your mom for Mother's Day ... and for all mothers! Keep that up.

Elaine Anderson Wold
Wahpeton, ND

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

MOTHER'S DAY: This day holds so many feelings that only the heart can feel, and no words describe. Each one has their own individual feelings on this day.

I am so fortunate in having Roy's two boys being so kind and thoughtful to accept me as their "Mother" on this day and every day. One brought lovely flowers, which emit the Lily scent I am smelling. The other sent a very extravagant box of huge strawberries with different coatings. I measured one being two inches across -- just the berry, itself. Also a most precious card I hardly feel I deserve.

Now this afternoon we will treat ourselves to a fine dinner someplace for "Mother's Day," but want to wait until the crowd thins.

In the meantime, I have time to write this LTTE that I have been anxious to write ever since I turned over the last page of reading The Bulletin yesterday.

What an unusual and simple colorful first picture to the Mother's Day Bulletin! Of course, it is a Bitzi creation. The colors give it away, pink and purple, as well as the unique creative design. Pansies for thoughts is so very appropriate for this special day.

It was especially welcome to see an update from the Browns in Texas. We were astounded at the way the children have grown, and it's a good thing the picture had names. What a fun questionnaire Sully completed! It is the expression of a happy boy in the Brown home.

I don't know which is the most precious: the rose from Sully or the glass container reminding you of Gramma Lois? Wonderful of the teacher to suggest the "Muffins for Mom."

Ahh, I see where Sarah inherits her old time skills and interests. There is the ancestor with a spinning wheel -- the very one that is pictured with Sarah. For some reason, it is very touching to think of these ladies six generations apart.

I just spent too much time looking at the links in the story of the spinning wheel, and I hope others will take the time to look at it. So interesting, and Sarah's room looks just like an old-fashioned, comfortable home.

From Texas to northern Minnesota to western Nebraska. Our Bulletin has so many devoted subscribers. Thank you, Carol, for your interesting recap of things in your life we are interested in. I have a friend, Karl Vogt, in Boise ... at least I knew him as a little boy at home.

We just needed those beautiful spring flowers, Photo Editor, to keep us in the mood for Spring, as looking at the thermometer does nothing toward that mood.

That story about Jaxon needing to be in a cast was sad. To have so much happen simply by jumping off the couch should be a lesson. Usually, they can get away without a break, but this time it was just the wrong landing. That would be a lot of care for Mom and Dad, to handle their dear little boy in a big cast. I hope it will heal without incident.

Weston, it sounds like you are winding up your trip story. We laughed at the sign about the "No Dogs," but so many little pets have been lost to the alligators. We were happy to take your walk with you, and see the cactus and nature trail views. It's back to work for you, but no one will erase memories of your great experiences in Florida together.

Glad for the Olive Oil Soap and the artisan bread information. I think we will wait for the scented version of the soap. Thanks for the details of the Red Chair Antiques schedule.

Donna Mae writing about Mother's Day was so very beautiful. She being a loving, devoted mother herself, and having one also, was knowing from experience the incomparable joy of being a Mother. I truly valued each and every verse of that.

THEN we come to the Memory Lane, which we always feel relieved to see is still being continued. Right now, Dorothy is back home, and the sights and smells of home are almost hypnotizing.

That would be one time that helping with the washing you would be more than glad to do, Dorothy. You were home and you were working with your mother. Precious moments, regardless of all the work there was to be done.

What a nice story with pictures from Frans de Been! We get things in this Bulletin we would never see otherwise. Including the Travelogue travels of Kjirsten. I see you had a birthday May 1st, Frans. You were 58. Actually, you and Rian look younger than that. Is it the Netherlands' effect?

Roy has a brother who was in the Battle of the Bulge, so it was extremely interesting to us. Thank you.

Unusual to have so many Smoothie glasses prepared. They must sell a lot of that, and it sounds delicious. I loved looking into the background of the pictures to see all the details of their way of life there in Laos.

Thank you for including my Miss Hetty letter about the girls baking cookies. You can see how nicely they work together (at least when Great Auntie is watching), and the perfectly round, evenly spaced cookies. Points toward their being top students.

I really had to laugh when I finally caught on in the LTTE's when Doug asked if you had a spare room handy. I was thinking he actually did need a place to stay, until I realized that issue was about parents letting the children come back home, ha. Doug picked up on that, but it sounded like his family only had room for hockey equipment, and none for him. That is what really tipped me off that it was a joke ... Dorothy couldn't play much hockey from her wheelchair.

After just glancing at the CHUCKLES, that pansy face just haunted me. Those eyes! That was one excellent work of Bitzi's talent, and the caption was hilarious. Insanity is hereditary: You get it from your children.

That Quotation for the day is just too true -- that parents and children will wave at each other a million times in just the right setting.

Well, I had better quit right here and use the rest of Mother's Day doing something else. Thank you for another full to the brim Bulletin.

Betty Droel

Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Jennie Horne
Ethan Horne receives sage advice from a parrot.

Quotation for the day: There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. --Chinese proverb