Benjamin's cat nap
Photo © Dorothy Anderson
When all was ready for Don's birthday, Mr. Benjamin, the cat, took a nap.


Photo © Dorothy Anderson
It all looked so nice when we arrived...

UPDATE -- Donnie Anderson celebrates 50th birthday
by Dorothy M. Anderson
Alexandria, MN

On September 28 of 1956, our second child was born. That boy, who was named Donald LeRoy Anderson after his dad and uncle, is now 50 years old! We gathered at the cabin to celebrate. If you check the pictures and captions you will see that we had an enjoyable day with great weather and good fun.

The festivities started early and lasted late. Donnie spent a lot of time doing the meat (smoked salmon, a turkey, barbecued chicken legs, a roast and I may have missed some) for the evening meal. Patty made lovely salads. There was also hot food and desserts supplied by the guests. Of course, there was a birthday cake in the place of honor under the birthday balloon!

Guests included friends and relatives of Donnie and Patty. I think we all came to see how they looked eight months after they joined a Weight Watchers group and Donna's support group. They have changed to a new and healthier lifestyle and they are looking just great. They gave themselves a lovely gift. So, a very Happy Birthday, Don, and congratulations on your new lifestyle, Don and Patty.

Your Mother
The Editor


Photo © Donna Johnson
Don & birthday feast, Ashley, Rylie, Ben J. & Beaver behind him.


Photos © Donna Johnson
Donnie & carrot cake, left; cooking meat on barbecue, right.


Photo © Donna Johnson
Chris Chap & Jessy Wolff with Max, flanked by grandparents Don & Dorothy.

Enjoying the crisp evening air around the bonfire when I got out there (by walking down a path into their woods to get to the firepit), were Leona, Eric, Zach, Emma, Weston, Doug, Caity, Jayce, Ben, Ashley, Beaver, Charlie, Patty & Don. Charlie and Ardis left at that point and Beaver went in to bed. I sat out with the rest for a while more and listened to the visiting going on for some time. Very lovely evening. --Donna Johnson


Photo © Donna Johnson
L-R: Leona Anderson, Zach Bratten, Eric Anderson, Weston Johnson, Doug Anderson.


UPDATE -- Jaxon Dwight Hill makes his debut


Photos © Janie Anderson
Brenda, Jaxon, Jazmine, Nathan & Jonathan Hill, left; Jaxon, 1-day old, right.
Born September 26, 2006, at 8:25 a.m. -- 8 lbs., 4 oz. -- 19-1/2 inches
Proud Parents: Nathan & Brenda Anderson Hill


UPDATE -- Mason is 6 months old
by Heather Henderson
Hastings, MN

Mason Henderson turned 6 months on Saturday. He's turning and rolling over very professionally now, and he's getting his two bottom teeth...


Photo © Heather Henderson
Mason Taylor Henderson -- go for it!



Photo © Kimberly Johnson
Whitney Johnson

STUDENT UPDATE -- "class pictures"
by Whitney Johnson
West Yellowstone, MT & Long Lake, MN

Mark and I are still plugging away at Connections Academy, the on-line public school. I am a freshman in high school and Mark is an 8th grader. We are really enjoying our teachers. We have a teacher for each subject this year. Our science and biology teacher is a medical doctor. They are very easy to reach by telephone and e-mail. Our curriculum is much better this year, too. It is much more interactive. They are getting more advanced each year we are with them.

Kimberly took our school pictures for this year near Hebgen Lake in Montana. It's nice to have a photographer for a sister!

Thanks again for the great Bulletin, week after week.


Photo © Kimberly Johnson
Mark Johnson


Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN

That best portion of a good man's life? His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. --William Wordsworth

When I read this quote, it made me think of Beaver and all the VERY MANY things he does, for so many people and even animals. I want to make sure that he realizes how much we all appreciate his actions.

Beaver still amazes me; he does not let anything stay on the "honey-do" list for any length of time ... gets it done, sometimes in record time.

So, my wish this week is to publicly acknowledge my thankfulness for not only all the big things Beaver does for me, our children, grandchildren, numerous other relatives and friends, but include even the smallest things. And, he does these things without complaints!

I do notice, appreciate and love all those things he does, even those that may appear to be little! Thanks, dear!


Photo © Donna Johnson
Beaver sits where Brooklynn requested, "Sit here, Grandpa!" as they check out some balls from one of the games.


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


Photos © Dorothy Anderson
One of the first things Don and I did was to follow Donnie and Patty on a walk through the woods and down a path to see "Kristin's Garden"... and the little memorial they keep for Lexie and Kristin ... so peaceful among the trees.


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. Thanks to Betty Weiland Droel, Verlaine Weiland and Ruth Weiland Swanson Kitto for sending last week's mystery pictures.


How many can you identify?

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

My guess is the first little girl is a great niece of Betty and Roy Droel and the second picture is the editor, Dorothy Mae Dake Anderson.

Mavis Morgan
Hope, ND

Editor's Note: The first answer is correct but the second is not. It is rather tricky. We ran a similar picture of me ... the husband of the lady in this picture thought that my picture was of her. Now we will see if anyone tells us who the lady really is, in the photo from Memorial Day 1945.


I was full of thanks and thrill and surprise and happiness to see the pictures in the GUESS. My dear sister, Ruth Weiland Kitto, who looked like Dorothy and that's why I sent it, and then Krista Weiland waiting for the bus on the first day of first grade. Oh, I was so happy to see those pictures. It did me ole heart good that you would do that.

Betty Droel
MoundsView, MN


AHA! Krista Rae Weiland, our youngest granddaughter, plopped down on the steps just home from her first day of school this fall. The OTHER adorable picture is of her Great Auntie Ruth Weiland Swanson Kitto. (P.S. That picture was NOT taken this fall!)

Grandpa Rich and Grandma Verlaine Weiland
Coon Rapids, MN

Editor's Note: No, the one of Ruth was not taken LAST fall, either (nor was mine! :-)


I know who the first picture is ... Krista! The other picture is a guess ... three guesses and I am out. My first guess was Dorothy but no, I don't think so ... then I thought it might be Betty ... but my final guess is Ruth Kitto.

Ginny McCorkell
Blaine, MN

Editor's Note: Third time's the charm!


Ruth, left, & Dorothy, right. They really did look alike in 1945.



Poem ©Rich Johnson overlaid on NASA satellite image of the Jordan River


o In Service To Our Nation j
Gert Dake Pettit is compiling information on family members and friends of the Dake family who served in the armed forces during and after World War II.


SP 4th-E4 Robert Gordon McNeill

Robert Gordon McNeill, U.S. Army

Robert Gordon McNeill was inducted into the U.S. Army on September 28, l967. Bob completed his basic training at Fort Camphell, Kentucky. During Bob's enlistment he was a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic.

In October 1968 he was stationed at Camp Raum Chit Chai, Thailand, and returned to the U.S. in September 1969. He attained the rank of SP 4th-E4 of the 54th Engineering Company.

He received three medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In September 1969, at Oakland, California, Bob received his honorable discharge.

Bob was a member of the Howard Lake Fire Department and the American Legion Post 145.

Bob McNeill and Peggy Blackstone were married February 14, l975. They were blessed with four sons: Derrick, Darren, Darryl and Derrod (Roddy). Bob died February 25, l984, at the age of 36; he was preceded in death by son Darren in 1982.


Darren, Derrod on Peggy's lap, Darryl on Bob's lap & Derrick McNeill.


Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of
5
Hetty Hooper

This Week's Special Days
October 9---Columbus Day (observed)

This Week's Birthdays
October 10---Hannah Aydelotte (5 years)
October 10---Cody Printz
October 11---Jay Smith
October 12---Muriel Wold Rodriguez
October 12---Tami Anderson Hunt
October 14---Douglas Anderson
Happy Birthday!

More October Birthdays
' 
October 1---Brooklynn Ann Johnson (2 years)
October 1---Carolyn Amy Horne (2 years)
October 4---Wesley Sigman
October 5---Leona Anderson
October 5---Steven Miller
October 7---Steven Anderson

October 18---Lori Anderson
October 18---Adriana Stahlecker Brown
October 18---Diana Mellon Martin
October 18---Dan Mellon
Octber 20---Wade Morgan Printz (7 years)
October 22---Rich Johnson (from MN)
October 24---Eric Shockey
October 24---Ken Kitto
October 26---Ardis Sigman Quick
October 27---Marlene Anderson Johnson
October 28---Derrick McNeill
October 29---Sami Larson (12 years)
October 29---Tom Miller
October 30---Anne Mellon Montford

More October Anniversaries
Z

October 1---Keith Mason and Lori Anderson (1 year)
October 4---Don and Patty Bratten Anderson (9 years)
October 5---Tom and Lou Miller (33 years)

October 17---Troy and Marlee Morgan Freesemann (12 years)
October 27---Don and Gert Dake Pettit (16 years)

October Special Days
October 9---Columbus Day (observed)
October 29---Daylight Saving Time Ends
October 31---Halloween

Miss Hetty's Mailbox:

Dear Miss Hetty,

You may want to add Lori (Anderson) and Keith Mason's first wedding anniversary, October 1. It does not seem possible it's a year already.

Elaine Anderson Wold
Wahpeton, ND


Thanks for the birthday greeting! I loved the princess card!

We spent Saturday night at Shawn and Lori's house in Rogers, and stayed there most of my big day. We're having my real birthday party at my Grandma Donna and Grandpa Jack's house next weekend, since we were already celebrating a birthday for Donnie this weekend. Lori, Shawn, Chris, and Jessy gave me a really funny monkey for my birthday present. Uncle Westy gave me a sleeping bag with a blow-up mattress under it. I really want to camp in it tonight!

Auntie Becky, Caity, and Jayce gave me a Care Bear that has a movie with it, and Grandma Donna and Grandpa Beaver gave me some fun kitchen stuff to cook with and an awesome Dora the Explorer trike that makes neat sounds like Grandpa's 4-wheeler but plays better music! I sure am a lucky girl!

It was really fun to see you this weekend. Thanks again for the card!

Love, Brooklynn Johnson
Moorhead, MN



Photo © Donna Johnson
Zach Bratten introduced Emma, his new girlfriend, at Don's birthday party.


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

Editor's Note: From some bloop, Shari has missed several of the last issues. I sent her #224 separately and offered to send whatever else she was missing ... but she doesn't need that as she found the Archives contained them all. So she settled in and read them ... and this is what she has to say...

Well, I am now cross-eyed ... with a few tears and lots of smiles ... as I read the newsletter you sent ... then discovered the link for "read last week's Bulletin" ... clicked on it ... and kept reading from top to bottom ... then "going back" to read the one before, etc. Wow! I am in information overload!

What awesome Bulletins! I love Aunt Gert's military remembrance ... how special ... and isn't it amazing how many of our men have served their country?

Rich and Marlene are sure off on one awesome adventure. I envy them.

Jerrianne's flowers were so beautiful ... Alaska sure has a corner on growing magnificent flowers and vegetables.

What spectacular babies we have in this family (and extended family)! Wouldn't Grandma and Grandpa Dake have enjoyed seeing this new generation?

Becky's new home looks so inviting ... Beaver made just the right setting for her "cabin in the woods." I wish my grandchildren could be within walking distance of my house.

Betty's reviews are so special ... her warmth and love come shining through.

I will attach a couple of recent pictures and try to write a quick update for one of the next Bulletins.

Shari Miller Larson
Bradenton, FL


Shari Miller Larson, with grandson Nathan Seaman, left.


You did a nice job on The Bulletin again; it is so interesting to see all the young ones, as well as the old folks, too!

Rich's poem was so very touching and inspiring.

I hope the Andersons are saving the stories Don reminisces about to add to the family history I wrote for them at one time. Don has a great memory of the "olden days." These stories become more cherished by the younger set as they get older.

Elaine Anderson Wold
Wahpeton, ND


I love the quote you put with my cloud photo!

Rich did a superb job ... Suzanne said his poem just sent chills up her spine ... very touching. Kimberly did a GREAT job on the Montana photos! Haven't had time to finish the whole Bulletin yet...

Ginny McCorkell
Blaine, MN


Finally had a moment to read the entire latest edition of The Bulletin. Often have to skim the first time through, then read completely when I have more time. I'm always excited to see each edition, always so much information, travels, smiles and tears. Had to drop a line to say thank you for all your work in putting The Bulletin together each week. I know you hear that often, but thought it is my turn to add my kudos to the others.

What a great deck Grandpa is building for Becky, Caity and Jayce. How wonderful to have someone with such skill willing to do the job. I miss my dad whenever I have those kinds of projects that need doing. He was a farmer and jack-of-all-trades who could build almost anything.

Also enjoyed Steve Miller's story about going to "The Cities." I have those same memories of planning for days and leaving early in the morning to make the trip. Never would have believed that I would someday drive some of those "city" streets on a daily basis. Steve is right; much has changed in The Cities since those trips as a child.

Keep up the good work. The Bulletin is always a bright spot in my week!

THANK YOU!

Donna Richards
Eden Prairie, MN


I'll have to tell you that coming home from Rochester, when we got west of the Missouri River and toward Rapid City, we followed the most fabulous sunset we've ever seen, except one time in Australia.

Sure enjoyed Rich and Marlene's story in The Bulletin. I think this is a terrific, unforgettable experience for their family. I've long been convinced that people who only stay in their "comfort zone" become static and introverted. (What if you'd never ventured to Springfield for a few years? I don't think you regret that at all!)

Going to Rochester, I happened to see a MONTANA 5th wheel going west and did a quick double take to make sure it wasn't a red truck in front! Guess they were already in Montana by then. Yes, we've been to West Yellowstone (in Montana!) and they had a great IMAX there. We remember a very clean, nicely laid out town and it's probably grown a lot since then.

Jess Cloyd
Rapid City, SD


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

I think I just may have to excuse myself from an LTTE for this week. I had written quite a detailed one that I was satisfied with, and I was just putting the last sentence onto my LTTE for #224 when the typing didn't show up on the screen ... and it froze. Well, I waited forever and still had the hourglass sign, so then the message came that it was frozen and it shut down AOL. OH I WAS SO DISGUSTED as my whole LTTE was GONE!

It is Saturday night, and I have things I must be doing. Then, tomorrow, company will be coming for overnight, and Monday -- and then I have appointments and things lined up to get ready to leave on Wednesday for convention at Eagle Bend...

It doesn't sound like I can get one done in the length of time I have to do it. So, I will have to say I am sorry, and hopefully someone else will fill in so you'll be glad the space is free to use for them.

Betty Droel


CHUCKLES


Photo illustration © Douglas Anderson; photo of Addison & Max by Donna Johnson

Click here to find out Who's Who in The Bulletin 1

Click here to find out Who's Where in The Bulletin l

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.

Click here for past editions in the searchable web archive

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Quotation for the day: Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time. --Leo Buscaglia

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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