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Updates -

UPDATE -- keeping up with the Johnsons (we try!)
by Dorothy

Wednesday: The Johnsons -- Rich and Marlene and family (except for Kim) -- were in a caravan when I called. Whitney said they were on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon. They will be there for a time as they are planning to attend the funeral of Rex Padden, father of Rich's cousin's wife.

The next leg of their journey will be to Tacoma, Washington, where they will stay a few days. Then they will head for Burlington, Washington, which is quite close to the Canadian border. Rich has some time there on a special assignment. After that time they will return to Tacoma.

Kim is still at her Aunt Sue's and Uncle John's place in upper Washington -- where Mark was, the last time we heard. She plans to take the Amtrak to join the rest of the family later in Seattle.

As Don just said, when I told him, "They are sure having an adventure!"

I guess we won't be getting an Update from them until they are settled down a little.



Photo © Mavis Morgan
Aunt Hazel, Tom & Mavis, left; Kathy, Mavis, Aunt Hazel, right.

UPDATE -- a visit to the West Coast
by Mavis (Anderson) Morgan
Estero, FL

On our recent plane trip to the West Coast, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit my dad's brother's wife, Hazel Anderson. We arrived at her home in the early afternoon and had a good visit before going out for supper. She suggested she would drive, so without even eye glasses and 93 birthdays behind her, she took us to one of her favorite restaurants. After a lovely supper we had the evening to visit and look at old photos and reminisce. Earlier she had insisted we stay the night with her, which we did this time.

Hazel does some volunteer work in the community and works crossword puzzles. She has a very beautiful yard in which she does a lot of the work. She also has a cat to keep her company. It disappeared when we came but came out from its hiding place when we left.

The guest room was furnished with a very nice antique iron bed, draped with the most beautiful hand made quilt, which Hazel, and husband, Oswald, who passed away a few years ago, received from their daughter, Kathy, for their 50th wedding anniversary. Many small pieces were cut and sewed together, with many hours of work represented.

After a good night's rest we came to the kitchen to the aroma of coffee and waffles which were made from scratch. With all the syrups and fruits, it was a most delicious breakfast.

About mid morning, Hazel's daughter, Kathy, came in on her way to work. I had not seen cousin Kathy since she was a child. We shared family pictures and took more for memory's sake.

Oswald and Hazel's other child passed away at age 4-1/2. His name was Richard and he was born without the use of his muscles. He was a very intelligent little boy.

Our next invitation for noon lunch was to cousin Virginia's (my dad's sister Lydia's daughter). Virginia and her husband, Bob Robinson, live only a few miles from Aunt Hazel. Bob is retired from being a carpenter.

When we arrived at the Robinsons, we received such a warm welcome and sat down to a wonderful and delicious fish meal. We enjoyed a wonderful visit over family pictures and, of course, more were taken so we could have more memories. We left there in mid afternoon and drove to Warrenton, Oregon, to visit Tom's brother Bob and family there.


Photo © Mavis Morgan
Virginia & Bob Robinson, left; Virginia & Mavis, right.


UPDATE -- how about those grandkids!
by Dwight and Janie Anderson
Wahpeton, ND

This last year brought another grandson -- Jaxon Dwight Hill was born September 26th. He's really into smiling right now! The day we took the picture, however, was a bad day for him. Jazmine is 3-1/2 and would love to go to school. She can write her name, do dot-to-dots, and loves pretending. Jonathan will be 2 on December 21st and is quite opposite. He likes balls, trucks, and anything loud and rough! They are enjoying living in the country and having lots of space (both inside and outside the house).


Dwight & Janie with Jaxon, Jazmine & Jonathan Hill.


UPDATE -- Weekend in Fargo-Moorhead
by Wyatt and Jolene Johnson
Moorhead, MN

We had some visitors this weekend at the Johnson abode. On Friday evening, Lori and Shawn stopped by the farm in Ashby, to pick up Caity and Jayce, and continued to our house in Moorhead. Eric and Leona met up with Weston and they stopped at the farm, to pick up my beef, before ending up at our place.

We didn't do much on Friday night, since it was fairly late by the time they got here. Saturday morning, Chris came over and took Lori and Caity to get their dresses fitted for Chris and Jessy's upcoming wedding.

Shawn, being the loving husband that he is, volunteered to stand in for Lori for the fitting, since she'll be a bit bigger by the time of the wedding, but in the end, we decided Shawn's belly was a little too big. No, wait, it wasn't quite big enough. It was one or the other.

The Ostendorfs then met up with some friends who live in Fargo, for lunch, while Jolene made wild rice soup and ham sandwiches for the rest of us. After naps, we went bowling at West Acres Lanes in Fargo. Lori's friend Jaci, another Fargoan, joined us. The kids used a lane with bumpers and some of the adults wished they had the lane with bumpers. I forget who had the high score for the day, but I'm quite certain it wasn't me.

We had fajitas back at our place for supper. Jessy and Jaci joined us later for some evening games.

Everyone took off around noon on Sunday for the long drive back from the edge of the earth. Everyone had a great time (I think!) and Rylie and Brooklynn already miss having Caity and Jayce around!

Wyatt


Photo © Wyatt Johnson
Jolene & Rylie, Jayce, Caity & Brooklynn.


Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN


Photos © Donna Johnson
Midnight appreciates a warm lap provided by Becky.

Just Trying To Stay Warm!

Our cold snap must be coming to an end, as Midnight ventured outside today, for the first time in over a week. A couple mornings ago, I tried to coax him outside. He hit snow and did a turnabout "C" after one foot hit the ground, and flew right back in here. Well, the snow is still there, but today he wanted out badly enough to deal with it.

The main thing happening this week was working on staying warm, which meant being inside as much as possible! Which is a good thing to do on a snowy, Minnesota day. So, it proved to be a boring, slow news week from the farm!

Max has taken up residence in the spot Midnight loved as a kitten, on top of my desk, under the light. He jumps onto the chair and walks across and plops himself down when he starts feeling a little chilly. Poor little guy would be happier in Mexico!


Photo © Donna Johnson
Max snuggles up to warm monitor and basks under the light.


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

I think you are in for a pleasant surprise. With this issue of Foto-funnies Douglas Anderson takes on a new helper. Perhaps you did not know that I was Doug's assistant after Kim could not be. I am glad to give that position to Ginny McCorkell. Good Chuckles, everyone! --The Matriarch


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 Ginny Dake McCorkell for sending last week's mystery pictures.


How many can you identify?

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

Partially through reading The Bulletin, but thought I'd stop and send a guess while I remembered to do so. Would the young boy, be Uncle LeRoy Dake? I feel as though the lady on the left is Anty Elizabeth McCalla.

Donna Anderson Johnson
Ashby, MN


There is no doubt but what the GUESS picture is LeRoy, himself! But those ladies must be family members I have never met. The one on the right looks familiar, in a way, but it will be interesting to hear who they are. I saw Bitzi this afternoon and asked her who the ladies were, but she quickly said, "Oh, I guess I can't remember," so once again, I didn't get to cheat.

Betty Weiland Droel
MoundsView, MN


Well, that is LeRoy Dake in the left hand picture and I think that is Aunt Lizzie [Dake McCalla] in the other, but with whom? Maybe Helen Wrobbel? Not for sure...

Tom Miller
Madera, CA


Two Aunties With The Same Middle Name
by Dorothy Dake Anderson

The two ladies are Elizabeth Jane Dake McCalla and Clara Jane Dake Green. They were first cousins who both had been given their Aunt Jane Dake Haines's first name as their middle name. When they were young they had lived for a year or two near Kalispell, Montana. Clara had a sister, Ida, who was also Anty's good friend. Anty's brother Bill Dake (Dad) had really been close friends to Clara and Ida and their brother Charlie during that time.

After his parents, Warren and Mary Dake, moved from Montana to Minnesota, Bill kept up a correspondence with Charlie, who still lived in Montana. Bill was much saddened when Charlie got a childhood disease (perhaps measles) and died of pneumonia when he was 16.

In the picture (taken by our side steps), the two ladies, who had been catching up on family news while helping my mother, Amy Mellon Dake, do some household chore, now came out for someone to snap a photo. It was sometime in the late 1930's and Clara, a widow, had come with her son, Leslie, to visit the Minnesota relatives.

Les, as he liked to be called, was gathering information on the Dakes for his book of descendants. He interviewed my Grandma Mary Cheney Dake Greer. She had many letters handed down written by Dakes back to the Revolutionary War. (I do not know why they were in her possession, but it seems she may have cared for her husband's parents in their last years. Perhaps she inherited their things.) Les has included copies of many of those letters in his book.

After visiting Les's aunt (my grandma) and his cousins (all of us), they moved on to visit and get family information from Aunt Jane and Uncle John Haines, who lived with their son Rol in Rush City, Minnesota.

I never did see Clara again but other family members did. As a matter of fact, our record book shows that she lived until October of 1985. My Anty, who was seven years younger than Clara, died on May 25, 1991 -- so I believe, if my math is right, that they both died at 90 years of age.


LTD Storybrooke

Editors' Note: No LTD Storybrooke this week. Stay tuned.



Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Sarah Steinhauer
"It is not the cards you are dealt but what you do with them that counts."


Travelogue t


Photos © Weston Johnson
Weston surveys Diamondbacks' empty stadium from the dugout.

Too Late For Baseball, Too Early For Basketball
by Weston Johnson
Maple Grove, MN

After a hectic Monday that included a drive from Albuquerque to Phoenix, and the emotional roller coaster that was the Monday Night Football game in Glendale, I was ready for a slightly less adventurous day on Tuesday. While I found some ways to entertain myself, it ended up being the only day of my vacation that I didn't do any driving. My car had earned a one-day break!

I slept in, then spent some time working on my laptop in the hotel room. It was tough to concentrate on work with another sunny, 80 degree day waiting outside of the hotel room door, but I had some work I had to get done during my week off. I wanted to get a head start on it early in the week.

I worked until noon, ate some lunch, then made the 10 minute walk to Chase Field, the home of baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. The stadium used to be known as Bank One Ballpark, and even had a nickname: "The BOB." But thanks to the miracles of naming rights and corporate buyouts, it is now Chase Field. No word on whether the locals have come up with a new, cutesy nickname.

Prior to leaving for my trip, I had signed up for a tour of the stadium. Baseball season was already over so I couldn't actually watch a game, but I figured a tour would be the next best thing.

Like the Cardinals' stadium, Chase Field features a retractable roof. For some reason, the stadium planners must have figured fans would not want to watch baseball in 110 degree heat in August. The roof was open during my visit, allowing the natural grass field to soak up the sun.

I arrived at the stadium and checked in for the tour. I was told to wait for the tour guide by the giant baseball glove sculpture next to the stadium entrance. I waited for about 10 minutes and realized no one else seemed to be joining my tour group. Sure enough, the tour guide showed up and informed me I was the only one who had signed up for the 1 o'clock tour. I would receive my own personal tour of the stadium!

The tour began in the outfield concourse, where the tour guide pointed out various displays of baseball history and memorabilia. Because the Diamondbacks were an expansion franchise when the stadium opened, they made an effort to incorporate links to baseball's history into the stadium design, to link themselves to baseball tradition. I imagine these displays also serve the purpose of distracting fans during the Diamondbacks' down seasons or bad games. Can't bear to watch the action on the field? Just spend an hour or two walking through the concourses learning about the history of the national pastime!

The tour proceeded to perhaps the stadium's most famous feature: the swimming pool located beyond the right field wall. Groups can rent the pool area during a Diamondbacks game and enjoy views of the field while keeping cool in the pool. The tour didn't include a dip in the pool, which was OK, because I hadn't thought to bring my swim trunks!

From there, the tour proceeded to one of the luxury suites, then downstairs to the visitors' locker room. (The home locker room was off limits.) Next, the guide led me through a series of hallways. Eventually, we turned a corner and suddenly the entire stadium was before us. The bright green grass, the blue sky, the giant grandstands towering above us in all directions. We had emerged from the maze of hallways into the Diamondbacks' dugout, enjoying the view the players see when they take the field.

I had been in a Major League Baseball dugout one other time, when my Legion baseball team played a game in the Metrodome immediately after a Twins game. My most vivid memory of the Twins' dugout was the inch thick layer of Gatorade, tobacco spit and sunflower seed shells left behind by the players that night. Fortunately, the Diamondbacks' dugout looked much more sanitary.

After taking some pictures from the dugout (and having my own picture taken by the tour guide), we headed back upstairs, where the tour guide gave me a few parting gifts, including a Luis Gonzalez poster and an Eric Byrnes T-shirt, and sent me on my way.

I headed back to the hotel for a few hours, then made the same walk I had made earlier in the afternoon, except this time I continued past Chase Field to the US Airways Center, which is located a couple of blocks past the stadium. The home of the Phoenix Suns basketball team, the US Airways Center was formerly known as America West Arena, but through the miracles of naming rights and corporate buyouts ... you get the idea.


Photo © Weston Johnson
Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers play exhibition basketball.

The NBA's regular season had not started yet, but that night the Center would play host to an exhibition game between the Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers. After eating dinner at the Hard Rock Café across the street from the arena, I procured my ticket for the game -- a much easier task for an exhibition game, compared to last night's highly anticipated football game.

I ended up buying a ticket for a seat located a few rows from the court. The man who sold it to me offered a good price, on the condition I would have to put up with sitting by him and his kids. The truth was I would have been willing to sit between a crying baby and a flatulent bear in order to have those seats for that price, so I quickly took him up on his offer.

The game itself was pretty uneventful, as expected for an exhibition game, but it was fun to see the size and athleticism of the players from seats located so close to the court. The most exciting moment was the pre-season debut of Amaré Stoudamire, the Suns' star player, who had missed most of the previous season. The fans gave him a loud reception to let him know they were glad to have him back in the lineup.

Another entertaining part of the experience was the performance of the Suns' Gorilla mascot. I have no idea what a gorilla has to do with Phoenix or the Sun, but the Phoenix Gorilla has become one of the most famous sports mascots. He entertained the crowd by shooting T-shirts from a cannon, dunking basketballs off a trampoline (as demonstrated in one of the accompanying pictures), and all of the other typical mascot specialties.

Throughout the game, I talked to the Suns season ticket holder who had sold me his extra ticket. He seemed to appreciate having another adult to talk to while his two middle school-age kids ignored him and watched the game. It was fun to hear his perspective on the Suns, and I was able to provide my expertise on the current state of the Timberwolves. The advantage to being an out-of-towner was I could theorize about what the Wolves need to do to improve their team and no one there knew enough about them to argue with my ideas!

Eventually the game ended and I walked back to the hotel. Once I had gotten settled in my room, I watched a DVD of "Tombstone," one of my favorite movies. I wanted it to be fresh in my mind for the next day's activity...

To be continued...


Photo © Weston Johnson
Phoenix Gorilla shoots baskets from trampoline at Suns game.


This and That
6
by Elaine Wold
Wahpeton, ND

My thanks go to Hetty and the staff for the birthday card. It was a very special week for me! I was so well remembered by so many with plants, cards, gifts, e-mails, calls, and visitors. It was nice to have a number of visitors stop by on various days in spite of the cold weather.

Hetty's e-card featured a verse on the "Seasons of Life" and I have been thinking of that a lot, too. We have to enjoy each season and they all blend into a whole.

Like in a lifetime, we see among The Bulletin readers all seasons, too. Each one is to be enjoyed. I value all the young ones in their springtime ... their pictures, their interests and hobbies, along with school events.

Summertime readers tell of their graduation, marriage, new jobs, and the busyness of their lives, growing rapidly in all dimensions.

Then we read of the of the fall ones, those who are reaping the harvest of their lives, with their retirement and their grandchildren. They are in the sandwich generation as they are helping the younger family members, as well as caring for their elderly.

Then the oldest of us are in the winter season ... the quiet, more dormant time of life, when we get physical limitations, are more relaxed and laid back when we can enjoy the quietness of it.

Although there are both beautiful days and storms in each season, we need to enjoy each day to its fullest. As I get older, I appreciate so much those younger who show an interest in me, too. We need friends of all ages...

I am reflecting again on a prayer and want to share it. Perhaps one can save it for one's own golden years.

As We Get Older
prayer of a 17th Century nun

Lord Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening of cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint -- some of them are hard to live with -- but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

AMEN


o In Service To Our Nation j
Pearl Harbor Day
December 7, 1941

This week marked the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. This is the last year that American Veterans of World War II who were survivors of the Pearl Harbor bombing will gather in Hawaii to observe the anniversary, according to an Associated Press news story that appeared Thursday, datelined Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Survivors of Pearl Harbor have gathered every five years for four decades, according to the story, but are now in their 80s and 90s and are not counting on a 70th reunion. This year, they said, will be their final roll call.

On Thursday, Don Anderson stopped by the Editor's desk to say we ought to poll The Bulletin readers and ask all of those who were old enough to remember it to tell where we were and what we were doing on "Pearl Harbor Day" ... and moments later this letter from Ruth Weiland (Swanson) Kitto arrived:

Dear Bulletin Family:

This is PEARL HARBOR DAY! Not many veterans left from that era. I just thought ... who can remember?

What were YOU doing when you heard the news that Pearl Harbor had been bombed?

I remember it vividly -- as though it were yesterday! It was a nice, wintery day. Our family at that time was just Betty and me with our parents. Our father got a phone call from an employee -- why would an employee be calling? (Remember, this was a Sunday. We were on our way to a Sunday afternoon meeting in Minneapolis.) He was told that Pearl Harbor had been bombed by the Japanese! One could not grasp such a message!

It took many years to really grasp the message and what all has happened to the world since ... time to reflect...

Ruth Weiland (Swanson) Kitto
Apache Junction, AZ

Ruth's first husband, Vernon Swanson, who died in 2001, served six years in the U.S. Navy, 1942-1948. They were married in 1947, while Vern was stationed in Pearl Harbor. With a little prompting, Ruth added a bit more information and Betty scanned a copy of their wedding picture.

Yes -- to go WAY back -- you would remember when so many of our friends were in the service and we girls were encouraged to write to them. Harriet was a fairly close friend those years, so of course it was inevitable that I write to her brother.

Vern came home on leave a time or two -- and then we decided to get married. There wasn't much made of weddings at that time -- but we did have a nice wedding. We went to a Justice of the Peace in St. Paul and back to my home for a lovely meal. I found just recently a slip of paper where my mother wrote down a menu for that dinner! Our attendants were my sister, Betty Weiland; Vern's sister Harriet Swanson Cossentine; Leland Pontious (Vern grew up with him around Princeton and Brainerd, etc.) and his nephew, Ralph Pontius, who lived near us in Minneapolis.


Vernon & Ruth Swanson

We got married May 22, 1947. The war was over by then but Vern had one year left of his six-year enlistment. That was the end of his leave, so he had to get back to San Diego and then back to Pearl Harbor. I couldn't go until he had Navy housing -- we couldn't afford any living off base.

In October he got housing and I was able to get all the shots -- immunizations that were needed then -- and off to San Diego with his sister Gertrude (deceased) and my friend Charlotte Spangler Erickson. We went on the train. Gertrude had a friend there and we stayed with her and went to the first convention at Santee (in 1947).

We lived in Pearl Harbor until August of 1948, when Vern was discharged, and then we went back to Minnesota. It was wonderful to be in Honolulu at that time. That was when Don Garland and Sproulie Denio came to learn the Korean language! Memories! This is bringing them all back.


Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of
5
Hetty Hooper

This Week's Birthdays
December 10---Ryan Henderson
December 11---Wyatt Wm. Meyer (7 years)
December 12---Sarah Lynn Dake Steinhauer
December 13---Larry Dake
December 13---Derek Swenson
December 14---Kathleen Dake Stahlecker
Happy Birthday!

More December Birthdays
' 
December 3---Twila Aydelotte
December 4---Carol Dake Printz
December 4---Elaine Anderson Wold
December 4---Sonja Dake
December 7---Aunika Swenson

December 17---Char Morgan Myron
December 17---Austin Printz
December 19---Barb Anderson
December 19---Lisa Boltz
December 20---Jay Pierre Miller
December 21---Melanie Anderson Shockey
December 21---Jonathan Glen Hill (2 years)
December 24---Ken Hellevang
December 24---Arbor Johnson
December 24---Beaver Johnson
December 25---Angela Stahlecker Roberson
December 26---Koen de Been
December 29---Mitzi Johnson Swenson
December 30---Travis Quick

December Anniversaries
Z
December 20---Eric and Melanie Anderson Shockey (4 years)
December 23---Harold and Carol Dake Printz (39 years)
December 27---Earl and Kathleen Dake Stahlecker (32 years)

December Special Days
December 7---Pearl Harbor Day
December 21---First Day of Winter
December 25---Christmas

Miss Hetty's Mailbox:

Dear Miss Hetty,

Here are a few photos that arrived too late for Carol Printz's Update last week:


Photos © Monique Wisseman
Carol Dake Printz rocking granddaughter Amy Printz, left; Melody's sister, Monique Wisseman, reading to cousins (starting in her lap going clockwise) Wade Printz, Ivey Bassham, Shane Bassham, and Callie Printz, right.


Photo © Monique Wisseman
Justin Printz throwing targets while Melody Printz and Morgan Bassham fire. Wade Printz and Shane Bassham are enthusiastically observing the competition.


Photo © Monique Wisseman
The domino game, clockwise from lower left: Harold Printz, Dave Wisseman (Melody's dad), John Douglas (family friend), Monte Wisseman (Melody's brother), Morgan Bassham (Melody's sister's husband), Cody Printz & Justin Printz.


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

Fun picture, Ken! Thank you for sharing your adventure. So, did they treat you like a king in that sumptuous hotel? Wow!

Carol, great to hear from you. Send more pictures. :-)

Thanks, Shari, for sharing your travel time; keep them coming!

Betty, did you make that beautiful fruit centerpiece? I've never seen one like that -- how fun! Shalana is a lucky little ... strike that, big girl ... to have such a doting great aunt and uncle!

Weston, that was a well written story! And, it's the exact reason I do NOT do sports. I can not stand the suspense and generally any team I pick, that IS their story. It's much too nerve wracking for my idea of good entertainment. If I want to be depressed I don't have to PAY to do it; all I have to do is step on the scales!

OK, Marlene, Rich, Kim, Whitney, Mark ... I'm waiting to hear more of your daily life; it has to be more exciting than my mundane one. Heidi, Ryan? Anyone?

Thanks for the compliment on the ham, Little Bro!

I'd like to hear more from the other Richard Johnson family, too, by the way!

Oh, and by the way ... I had forgotten to read Larry's story. Today I'd taken out leftover Thanksgiving feast from the freezer, reheated and added cranberries. I then came in here with my plate and ate my lunch while reading the story, so not all of us are that touchy. :-) (Of course, I change dirty diapers, clean up spit up and worse on a regular basis.) I so enjoy your writing. I have a feeling that one does not have a very good ending ... a lot like that football game!

Donna Anderson Johnson
Ashby, MN

Photo Editor's Note: Here's Betty's explanation of the fruit bouquet: I made cupcakes, and then bought a fruit deal from Incredibly Edible Delights, not too far from us. Fruit in the shape of flowers. This was a small one with pineapple and cantaloupe center and grapes on skewers, and honeydew on skewers. It was unique. Different than a big cake and we used it as dessert.


What a shock to open The Bulletin and see a camel! We certainly have people doing a wide variety of things!

Ginny McCorkell
Blaine, MN


Note to Weston -- We have enjoyed your tour through the southwest to get to PHOENIX! How many times did you sing that on the way down?

However, your impressions of our Cardinal Stadium were a hoot! It has been one of those things -- one either hates it or loves it! We've been watching its progress as it was being built, so it was great to get a description from someone who was really there!

Ken's son lives in Boise -- and you'd know their team is coming down for the Fiesta Bowl. Well, he talked about coming down to see us -- ulterior motive, no doubt, checking on tickets, etc. Today he got his answer -- 30,000 tickets have been sold in Boise -- NO airline seats for the weeks before and the weeks after -- so, no trip to Phoenix to see his dad -- oh well.

Ruth Kitto
Apache Junction, AZ


I'm glad you enjoyed my football story, Grandma. It was fun to write. When I was growing up, I used to think it would be fun to be a sports writer, so I finally got to try my hand at it! This week I'll be writing about a basketball game I went to, but that game wasn't nearly as dramatic as the football game, so I'm still trying to think of an interesting angle to write about. Hopefully, I'll come up with something.

On a completely unrelated subject, I had to send a couple of pictures of my Christmas cactus. It was given to Coni as a gift last year around this time, but this is the first time it has bloomed. I remember seeing the pictures of your cactus when it bloomed. It seems like they don't bloom often, so I was surprised when I started seeing pink buds on it a couple weeks ago. Last week, a single blossom popped out, and now it has opened a few more, and it looks like more are on the way!

It was fun seeing everyone last Saturday. Hopefully I'll get a chance to stop in for a visit around Christmas time if you and Grandpa are going to be around.

Weston Johnson
Maple Grove, MN


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Weston Johnson
Coni's & Weston's Christmas Cactus


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

Imagine! Bulletin #233. And every one previous to this is readable in the Archives. What an amazing publication you have, with all the search possibilities and with all the individual information for every part of The Bulletin! What a lot of work, but it is a masterpiece that is valued by every single one of us on your address list. We will never exhaust all the Archives, Recipes, Stories, Galleries, Who's Who and Where. But it could be an interesting project for a snowbound day (week) looking them up.

I was puzzled by the first picture of Ken Hellevang riding a camel in EGYPT. I see that was not a joke, but a very serious project for his work that has a name way beyond my repeating or even understanding. I just realize he has a position few would ever be able to fill, and he must be trusted and have strength of character to ever face a seminar group as those men and women on that picture. They were all listening so intently at the table. We highly respect your position as a registered Professional Engineer since 1980. Thanks for sharing that seminar you had in Cairo.

Thank you for all the details of Cairo and sightseeing. Something we will never ever see, but we have heard of ever since grade school geography. I am sure Fargo never looked so good as when you arrived home on your own doorstep.

"From Central America" got my attention immediately. I thought, now just who is down in Central America that would write for The Bulletin? Then I see it's none other than Carol Printz in Nebraska, which certainly is central America, ha.

That picture taken on top of the Mogollon Rim in Arizona was a view of distant miles and miles from the vantage point Shari and Ronda were photographed at. If you will be there for a couple months, Shari, could we look for another update?

Thank you for printing the little story of Shalana's 10th birthday. It was such a precious evening with that family, and I appreciated you taking Bulletin space to let me share it with you.

We missed an update about Diana this time. We are interested.

It was heart touching to hear about the addition of the new member of Don and Patty's family -- Tanner. Yet, it would be so satisfying to know you had given that poor dog such kind care and a home. He likely will be staying, so we can hear how he thrives on the leftovers that would be tossed his way from that kitchen. Could it be he had heard about what great cooks Don and Patty are? Hmmm...

I am thinking of the planning and preparation and the cooking for the crowd at your Thanksgiving table, Donna Mae and Patty. I see the Matriarch at the head of the table. Was Don doing dishes? It is so astounding that Eric and Don have lost 200 lbs. since last year. Simply from encouragement and competition.

Well, since Lori and Shawn have announced their news, we can begin to anticipate the arrival of their little one, also. As for a naming contest, that sounds fun but the fine print is not going to draw many contestants at $100 per each suggestion, with a minimum of four. They might just have to do their own naming. Shawnori ... now that's original and different!

No LTD Storybrooke this week. It wouldn't be easy meeting the deadline of The Bulletin with another chapter of the Montana Sheep Ranch episode, so we will definitely stay tuned! No rush, just be sure there will be one.

Weston -- you did it again! You described in such vivid detail all about the game and your view of the stadium that we thought we were right there with you. You kept us filled with suspense from procuring the ticket to the bad score. We really laughed when you said they settled for an arm and a leg! What a sight to behold to see the stadium filled to capacity on that good picture!

Looks like Ken and Ruth Kitto made it home safely from their first Washington trip for Thanksgiving. Would be a shock to experience "winter'" as we know it for a week and then return home to the balmy south with all the fruit trees.

The Foto-funnies were really funny. Little Ethan ordering that huge Astronaut around.

I loved your LTTE, Bitzi, and hope you will produce a nice detailed one again so the Editor and the Photo Editor realize how much their night and day dedication is recognized and appreciated by their subscribers.

Betty Droel


CHUCKLES


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell & Douglas Anderson; photo by Donna Johnson

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Quotation for the day: One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. --Eleanor Roosevelt

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