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Sunday, June 17, 2007
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Happy Father's Day!

Shawn's Father's Day gift...
Photo © Donna Johnson
McKenna Christine Ostendorf with Daddy Shawn Ostendorf.

Updates -


Photo © Donna Johnson
McKenna Christine Ostendorf

Update -- McKenna makes her appearance
by Donna Mae Johnson
Ashby, MN

After a very long, anxious wait, Becky, Caity, Jayce and I were thrilled to welcome McKenna Christine Ostendorf. Her Mommy, Lori, and Daddy, Shawn, had a very long wait for this little bundle. She was past her original due date, so we were all becoming rather impatient!

I got the call at 2:30 a.m. Monday morning and we headed out at 3:30. I was hoping it would be a short labor and easy delivery for Lori. It did not prove to be the case, so we were pacing and going to get updates (waiting long enough in between, so as not to become a nuisance to the nurses).

At 5:45 p.m. I could not wait any longer, and went to the room and knocked. Shawn informed me that Lori would be having a Caesarian. McKenna was born at 6:42 p.m. on June 11th. The nurses printed her little feet and put the prints on the front of her very proud daddy's scrubs, so I had to get a picture of that ... so darling!

McKenna weighed 7 lbs., 15 oz. and was 20-1/2 inches long. The surprise to those of us in attendance: she has dark hair! (We had rather expected a bald baby.)

After we saw Lori get wheeled by on her bed, with a big smile, the nurse and Shawn came with McKenna. So we got to meet her for the first time in the hallway, as they at first wheeled her to Mommy's room. Shawn told us she'd been crying since she was born, but, as we talked to her, and Becky stroked her little head (with the little pink cap), she stopped crying and she turned and looked at Becky. Melted Auntie's heart completely!

Then we waited in the hallway, to be admitted to see Lori and McKenna. Shawn's parents, Larry and Shirley, arrived at that point and waited with us to greet their new grandchild. Lori looked absolutely gorgeous to me, as did our little McKenna! Lori later commented that she looked "beat up," but I did NOT see that at all!

Little McKenna had gotten fluid in her lungs, so she was still in the Neonatal ICU. She is improving and Uncle Chris passed on the information that Lori and Shawn had moved into a room to stay near McKenna and hopefully she might be released early in the week.

I'm looking forward to visiting her at home!


Photo © Donna Johnson
McKenna melted Auntie Becky's heart completely!



Jessica with her parents, Tim and Char Myron.

UPDATE -- Jessica's college graduation, wedding plans
by Jessica Myron
Thompson, ND

Just thought I’d write a little note on my college graduation and my summer plans to put in

The Bulletin.

May 12th was my graduation from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

After the ceremony, we had a supper for the close relatives at my parents' house at Thompson, where we did some grilling outside.

After graduation I now have a job at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis and plan to start work there in July.

I am also planning a June 8th wedding to Jeff Gauderman, which is coming up very fast! We are planning to live in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, in his townhouse.

 
Jessica & fiancé Jeff Gauderman, left; & grandparents, Tom & Mavis Morgan, right.



Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Vonnie Dake
Dad [LeRoy Dake] once spent a week on the sheep farm at New Germany while Larry and Sherry were away. Mom captured the evidence. Happiness is on the farm!
Happy Father's Day, Dad!


Update -- Jeremiah Dake visits Stahleckers in Texas
by Kathleen Stahlecker (Jeremiah's aunt)
Gatesville, TX

Jeremiah Dake recently came to Central Texas from Indiana for a visit. He is James Dake's youngest son. It has been about four years since he and his mother left Texas and it is the first time for us to see him since.

Jeremiah said he does miss family socialization, so if you could put him on The Bulletin list, he can keep up with some of us.

Editor's Note: Wonderful! Now we have someone from the James Dake family as a subscriber. I sent Jeremiah this week's edition so he can catch up on family news!


Photos © Earl Stahlecker
Jeremiah Dake, left; Grandma Lois & Jeremiah Dake, right.


Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN


Photo © Donna Johnson
McKenna & Mom -- Lori Chap Ostendorf.

McKenna's Homecoming

Lori wants everyone to know that McKenna came home today -- Tuesday, June 19th. I am here to help observe the occasion. When the news came this morning that the big event was to be today, Lori was ecstatic and Shawn was nervous.

Things are going very well! McKenna has a good appetite, and she is very easily consoled -- I hope it continues to be that way (at least most of the time).

I am so sorry that I have no way to send you any photos, but I promise a column with lots of photos next time. Lori says you are welcome to have her blog link so you can see and read about the big event!

Click here to see McKenna's web log with her story and photos.


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. Kristi Indermark supplied last week's mystery picture.


How many can you identify?

Thought I'd send in my answer, as no guess is involved with this picture!

Just hard to explain the order, so if you want them explained in a more clear manner, check the next answer.

Don Anderson, holding Alexis, then Kristin, myself [Donna Anderson Johnson], Marlene and Rich Johnson; back: Curt Henderson, holding Dan, Patty holding Ben; back again George Chap, Dad (Don) holding Heidi, and Ary Ommert, Jr., front again: Mom (Dorothy Anderson) and Lori Chap; seated: Chris and Becky Chap and Eric Anderson.

Donna Anderson Johnson
Ashby, MN


I enjoyed this week's mystery picture! I THINK I know them all! Standing (L. to R.): Donnie holding Lexie, Kristin, Donna, Marlene and Rich, Patty holding Ben, Curt holding Dan, George, Dorothy, Don holding Heidi, Lori, and Ary Ommert. Sitting (L. to R.); Chris, Becky and Eric. Was this picture taken about 20 years ago?

Brenda Anderson Hill
Dwight, ND

Editor's Note: You're absolutely right. It will be 21 years on July 4 that we had that Dake reunion at Blanche and Jim Miller's lake cottage near Paynesville, Minnesota.

The reason for Ary being with us was that he, Don, and I were leaving on the plane for Phoenix in a couple of days. We took a tour from there by rented car and had a lovely time touring the Southwest. We returned to Minnesota by plane after ending up with a visit at Jr. and Doris Anderson's home in LaMirada, California.


Well, don't expect me to add much on the GUESS picture this time. I think I see six I recognize. It does look like it could be a family picture.

Betty Weiland Droel
MoundsView, MN


What's Cooking?

We've been experimenting a bit with baking and we were quite impressed with the last recipe we tried. --Whitney Johnson


Photo © Whitney Johnson
Raspberry Coconut Cupcakes

Raspberry Coconut Cupcakes
by Whitney Johnson
Acton, CA
Cupcakes:
1 stick of butter, softened
1 cup of sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
1/4 cup of self-rising flour
1/2 cup sweetened, shredded coconut
1/3 cup sour cream
5 ounces frozen raspberries
1-1/2 teaspoons raspberry extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream cheese frosting:
5 tablespoons butter, softened
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons raspberry extract
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon milk

Decorations:
Fresh Raspberries
Superfine sugar


Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 6-hole over-sized or 12-hole standard muffin pan with paper baking cups.

2) Beat butter, sugar, salt, raspberry extract, and eggs in a medium sized bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

3) Stir in flours, coconut, sour cream and frozen raspberries. Divide among baking cups and smooth surface.

4) Bake large cakes for about 50 minuets and smaller cakes for about 40 minuets. Put cakes on wire racks to cool.

5) Make cream cheese frosting. (We made half a batch and we had left over frosting.) Beat it with the electric beaters until smooth and creamy.

6) When cakes are almost cool, take out frosting from the fridge so it'll spread easier.

7) Remove cakes from their wrappers. (We didn't, but you surely can.) When they are cool, frost them with cream cheese frosting.

8) Toss raspberries in a bowl of superfine sugar until thinly coated.

9) Decorate with 2 or 3 raspberries for each cake.

This recipe is very easy and very tasty. It makes quite a few, so make sure there is someone around to eat them besides you! (Unless you want them all yourself, of course!) :) We like having boys around for that exact reason!

Whitney Johnson
Acton, CA


Travelogue t


Photo © Virginia McCorkell
Hiking in sand dunes, Jockeys Ridge State Park.

Outer Banks, North Carolina
by Virginia McCorkell
Blaine, MN

Suzanne managed to make arrangements with some friends to meet us at Jockey's Ridge State Park near Nags Head, North Carolina, for a picnic supper. Jockey's Ridge has the tallest natural sand dunes in the Eastern United States and is a wonderful destination for all ages. I contented myself with seeing them from the observation deck that was easily reached by a boardwalk. The others all climbed the dunes and played in the sand ... filling pockets and such with sand. It was a beautiful sight with the sun hanging low in the sky and making for beautifully dramatic shadows.


Photo © Suzanne McCorkell
From the top of the Jockeys Ridge sand dunes ... ocean in the distance.


Photo © Suzanne McCorkell
Evening, Jockeys Ridge State Park, Nags Head, NC.

To be continued...


$  A Long Time Ago   !


Photo © Jerrianne Lowther
We saw Mt. McKinley in pictures only, due to early snow.

My Incredible Journey To Alaska
Part 5
by Donald B. Johnson
Ashby, MN
This story was published in The Ashby Post, October 2, 1980. The author died in 1982.

The next night we were at the Mt. McKinley National Park headquarters. The big hotel there had burned one year and the Alaska Railroad parked a bunch of sleeper cars there for the emergency. They were so popular that they left them there. We slept in one of them that night for $48 for all of us. The hotel is rebuilt but it would have cost $72 to sleep in it.


Photo © Kathlyn Anderson
We slept in a hotel sleeper car provided by the Alaska Railroad.

The park had had an extra-early snow and part of it was closed off, but we could drive part of the way. We rode on a free shuttle bus farther and saw quite a few moose and three big bears, also quite a few ptarmigan and a red fox, right by the road. None of them were the slightest bit afraid. The fox came within 10 feet of the cars that stopped.

We couldn't go far enough into the park to see Mt. McKinley and when we were out of the park it was fogged in, so we never did get a good look at it.

 
Photos © Jerrianne Lowther
Grizzly bear, left; molting ptarmigan in autumn snow, right.

That night we made Talkeetna and stayed in the Talkeetna Road House, another of the old roadhouses built during the Gold Rush and now preserved. We had to go through the proprietor's living room to get to our rooms. There were three dogs and three cats asleep on the davenport, but the rooms and showers, etc. were spotless.

We had sourdough pancakes and eggs, etc. for breakfast there and everyone sits up to a long table like the olden days.

To be continued...


Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of
5
Hetty Hooper

This Week's Special Days
June 17---Father's Day
June 21---First Day of Summer

This Week's Birthdays
June 17---Louise Cloyd
June 18---Caitlynn Mae Chap (11 years)
June 19---Doris Anderson
June 19---Ashley Meyer
June 20---Spencer Aydelotte
June 20---Roy Droel
June 20---Julian Montford
June 21---Ary Ommert Jr.
Happy Birthday!

This Week's Anniversaries
June 18---Jason and Tami Anderson Hunt (3 years)
June 19---Curt and Patty Anderson Henderson (25 years)
June 20---Rich and Marlene Anderson Johnson (26 years)
June 20---Steve and Marian Miller (37 years)
Congratulations!

More June Birthdays
' 
June 1---Jeremiah Dake
June 4---Merna Hellevang
June 5---Rian de Been van Gageldonk
June 6---Jettison Quaid Freesemann (2 years)
June 7---Shane Swenson
June 8---Ashley Huseby (4 years)
June 11---McKenna Christine Ostendorf (newborn)
June 24---Aiden Montford (4 years)
June 25---Ben Henderson
June 26---Greg Wm. Dake
June 26---De Myer
June 27---Sam Mellon
June29---Tim Huseby
June 29---Trinidy Creede Roberson (1 year)

More June Anniversaries
Z
June 3---Larry and Ginny Dake McCorkell (35 years)
June 6---Wyatt and Jolene Johnson (9 years)
June 7---Clark and Susan Miller Smith (16 years)

June Special Days

O
June 6---D Day
June 14---Flag Day
June 17---Father's Day
June 21---First Day of Summer

Miss Hetty's Mailbox:

Dear Miss Hetty,

Here is a report of what went on at our house on May 31st, 2007, our REAL wedding date and also my birthday.

On Thursday, May 31st, Grace Ferch, our niece, from LaMoure, North Dakota, called and invited us down to visit with some Oregon relatives who were visiting there and leaving again the next morning. We were pleased with the invitation and even though we had company here they had another appointment they could fill while we would be gone. So off we went.

We had a nice, full course dinner and visit with the LaMoure and Oregon people. They all sang the birthday song for me as we devoured German chocolate cake and ice cream as our dessert. We left about 2:30 and called our company when we got to Valley City. We wondered if they could come to Page, after we shopped a bit, and we all could have chicken supper together for my birthday because we have nearly always had chicken on every May 31st since 1957.

They said they could have supper with us but they already had a supper planned for us here at home and it was in the oven -- so we got here about 5:30 and they had a beautiful supper of chicken and rice and peas. They had even gone out and found some rhubarb and made a rhubarb crisp for supper. They all sang happy birthday to me (the second time in one day) pretty neat!

After a bit, we excused ourselves while they did the dishes.


Wedding outfits still fit after 50 years.

Minutes later, we came out with a surprise! We had on our wedding garments of 50 years ago. And so we had to have our pictures taken. I was glad a little later to get my belt off, as it had shrunk, hanging in the attic for 50 years. Tom's trousers needed no belt to stay up either, but the picture looks OK. And as you will notice, the tie fit fine!

Only minutes later, the florist called from Finley, wondering where we lived as she had a bouquet of flowers for us. Soon she delivered a beautiful basket bouquet of mixed flowers: roses, lilies, carnations and greens. It was from Frank and Sandra Morgan, Tom's cousin, in London, England, and it was for the two May 31st celebrations. It is lovely, indeed.

This day brought more anniversary cards, as well as birthday cards and telephone calls. So, all in all, we had a very nice day.

So, Miss Hetty, if you ever get married, you are welcome to use my dress, as my company said it looks so good yet. It ages well.

Mavis and Tom Morgan
Hope, ND

Miss Hetty's comment: You aged nicely, too, Tom and Mavis! Congratulations on your well celebrated occasions ... and I will certainly remember your offer if I ever do get married!


A beautiful basket bouquet of mixed flowers.

Tonight I got the birthday card you sent me to come through. I tried it the other day and could not get anything. It is so cute and I played it several times. Thank you for sending it. I wish I could yodel like that!

When is your birthday? I understand you send to a lot of people and I think you should receive some cards too for your special days.

Keep well and thanks for all you do to make The Bulletin such an enjoyable paper to look forward to receiving every Saturday morning. My work gets left sometimes so I can get to The BULLETIN. uff da!

Mavis Anderson Morgan
Hope, ND


Thanks a lot for the card!

We had a pretty nice evening. When I got home from work (with flowers in hand!), Rylie had colored a nice picture for me, and nice cards awaited me from my lovely wife, as well as both of my moms, and my grandma!

We went to the same Olive Garden where we went as spry young college students the night I proposed to Jolene. It was a little different this time, as we brought our two crazy daughters with us. They like eating out so much that we just couldn't leave them out!

We would have gone to the same park (Lindenwood) where I actually did the proposal, but I'm pretty sure the spot is underwater right now, so we decided against it.

Thanks again for the anniversary wishes!

Wyatt Johnson
Moorhead, MN

Miss Hetty Says:

Miss Kitty wrote and told me that Miss Jerrianne accepted an invitation to fly to Boise, Idaho, and drive up the Alaska Highway with her friend Miss Sharon (after a lady who was scheduled to make the trip had to cancel at the last minute). They thought the trip would last about a week, maybe 10 days, but it went on for two whole weeks! Meanwhile, Miss Kitty had to run the house by herself, except that Miss Kathlyn came over every evening to serve Miss Kitty's dinner, share a bite of ice cream and keep her company. I'm sure they will tell us all about it in a future Bulletin, but this one is late enough already!


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

Good Morning !!!! Oh, it's Satur------NO! it's BULLETIN day! What a treat -- I have to print -- and come and check it every few minutes -- and then run and get a few more bites of breakfast ---- and now it is stapled and ready to go along on our journey so we can read it in the car ---- SOOO much fun to turn the pages quickly and can say -- "OOOO -- I KNOW who THAT is" -- "he's looking older" -- etc., etc.

All in all, my friend, a GREAT way to start a weekend.... Thank you for ALLLLL your hard work!!!!

Ruth Kitto
Apache Junction, AZ


I've breezed through The Bulletin, so I could send my "guess" now and am planning on going back and reading more thoroughly. It looks absolutely delightful! Thanks to all, for the wonderful contributions!

Donna Anderson Johnson
Ashby, MN


Thanks for another Bulletin. And well done as usual. I just want Earl to know that he wasn't bragging at all. Aaron sounds like a wonderful young man. He has every right to be proud of him. Thanks to him for sharing.

Marlene Johnson
Acton, CA


Are Larry and Sherry in New Germany now? That's close to us and I never see them ... so I am a bit confused!

I guess I know how much I look forward to The Bulletin when I opened 'er up and found out I have to wait! You two deserve a vacation, though! Thanks for the preview of what's coming!

Patty Henderson
Minnetrista, MN

Editor's Note: Well, no, they haven't moved from between Brooks and Oklee. The picture is from "yesteryear" ... WHEN they lived near where you do now!


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

Anyone who is familiar with Ashby will get a thrill to see the very first picture of our Bulletin with its patriotic, beautiful American Flag, and the faithful Legionnaires as they parade before an appreciative crowd. I imagined I picked out Beaver, but if he isn't first on the left in the front row then I'm wrong.

We seldom see the Printz family, so that was a welcome Update about their trip to visit a son who certainly resembles both Dad and Mother Printz. It would have meant so much to Eric to see the home folks, and vice versa.

Branding time is totally out of my world, except for one time when I watched Kenny Kitto in Montana branding cattle. The sights and smell remain vivid in my mind, and to think that real honest to goodness cowboy married my sister is pretty wonderful. They are on a trip to visit his five boys, leaving Arizona and ending up in Montana for a few weeks. Quite a car trip for seniors of their age.

I would think it would be very wonderful to live in that fine building that will be Dan's and Gina's new home in Minnetonka, Minnesota. No maintenance or lawn to mow. They will find Fargo fading in their memory as they begin their working world life in earnest together. Interesting to see the picture of Don and Dan. The beginning and the other end of a life represented there -- please note, both are smiling.

Sounds like Aaron Stahlecker was a busy boy, and it won't stop once he's gotten into this next chapter of life, the University. We wish him well in his chosen profession. Nice to see his family cheering him on, though Dad and Mom look like they are feeling it, with their son coming to this final high school day. I am so thankful I have never had to face a child leaving the nest.

Thanks, Angela, for your update. Before you know it, those four cute kids will be starting school, too. Sounds like you are one very busy mother.

I remember when my sister Ruth Kitto's daughter Judy was born. Then to see this picture of Ruth and her children made me very aware of how old I am getting. Being they live in Arizona and we are in Minnesota, we hardly feel we even know them.

We can always depend on Donna Mae to update us on Jayce and Caity. They are very fortunate to have such a caring grandma and grandpa. I'm wondering how they are enjoying that lovely mobile home, moved onto the yard there at the Johnson's. We could use some pictures now with the summer time scenery around their new home.

I hope people clicked on that blue line to see the clearer, larger photo of that sculpture of the cowboy rescuing the calf that Ken Kitto wrote about. The picture in The Bulletin didn't do it justice. What an experience, as a cowboy, to go out looking for a calf in a storm.

Thanks for the continuation on the Travelogue of the trip east by Larry and Virginia, and thanks for the pictures of places we will never see ourselves. Kept me busy clicking on the links, but was worth it to see the details there wasn't room for in The Bulletin.

Then part four of the Incredible Journey to Alaska. It gets more interesting all the time. Unbelievable that the Steese Highway could have been in that condition and expect travel on it. I guess I would have chickened out about then. What a great story teller Donald was, and we were glad to see pictures, but who is that person drinking from the cup? (That was Donald --Ed.) And who were we looking at from the back by the 'tin ice box'? The only reason I think it might be Jerrianne is because she never lets a picture of herself get published if she can help it. Doesn't she know we really want one?

My 7-year-old great niece, Krista Weiland, was looking at The Bulletin. She paged and paged until she came to the CHUCKLES, which I realized she had been looking for. When she found it, she laughed and read the caption out loud. So, you see it is enjoyed and appreciated by all. It really was funny with Levi holding the stick for the sheep to jump over.

Kyra, don't leave us wondering and guessing what you named your kittens. Hope you send an update to The Bulletin to keep us updated!

A family moved out next door, and left behind seven adult cats and 13 baby kittens in a shed. Some neighbors happened to find that out so have pursued finding homes for them, rather than the humane society, but I see a big white one still running around. Neighbors have taken food over and called the authorities. We stay out of it.

Now this has to be the end. We could never tell you how anxious we get as Saturday morning rolls around. The Bulletin never gets old or ordinary for some reason. Maybe because it's real people we know. Thanks again to those who make this possible.

Roy and Betty Droel

P.S. I just spent time I don't have looking at the links in this last Bulletin. So interesting to think of the details that you can find that there isn't room for in The Bulletin. Amazing to me that the computer can do that.

Now we have had #260. I can hardly take it in how fast time flies. Imagine! 2007 is half gone.

Betty Droel


CHUCKLES


Photo illustration © Virginia McCorkell; photo by Lori Chap Ostendorf
Caity Chap shows off her muscles.


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: A father carries pictures where his money used to be. --Author Unknown

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.