Our group of 21 made good use of the large 6-bedroom, 5-bath, 3-level home, which is situated near the 8th hole of the Golden Eagle Golf Course. We found extra sleeping room in the loft, the game room and the family room, and two walk-in closets became cozy sleeping areas, as well.

This was a special birthday for Marlee, who turned 40 while we were together. We celebrated with two Dairy Queen ice cream cakes at an evening party to honor her, Ty, Tim and Tom on their July birthdays.

Photo © Ken Hellevang
Marlee Morgan Freesemann turns 40.

The lake was perfect for all the usual water activities. Tom and Mavis brought a new three-seat tube, which was a fabulous hit with old and young alike. All four generations enjoyed rides on the tube, from Great-Grandma Mavis to little Alexa.

Photo © Jessica Gauderman
Grandma Mavis & her grandchildren, Ty Myron & Alyssa Freesemann.

Photo © Mavis Morgan
Tubers & spectators: Alexa, Jeff, Merna, Tom, Char, Ryan, Zach, Marlee & Jessica G.

There was time for the runners, walkers and photographers to get out and enjoy the scenery. We sang and ate s'mores, and Troy gave us some great music around the campfire. Troy was joined for the first time by Ty, who is doing very well on the guitar. We played Scrabble and Settlers of Catan, and reminisced over photos from the previous six years at the lake. Marlee is arranging them in a wonderful scrapbook to preserve the memories. We made more memories this year, also, which we will treasure for a long time.

Ryan has additional pictures of the retreat on his web site at:

http://gallery.shortyr19.com/gallery/9094543_ZzUR9#605845196_HxBrG

The Morgan family reunion was held recently at Eagle Lake, between Emily and Fifty Lakes, Minnesota. Just before leaving, my brother Don Anderson told us that is where our cousin Will Berndt and his wife Glenda live. We were not aware of that. Thanks to e-mail, Glenda and I could exchange news and invitations at the last minute. After a warm welcome and invitation, it was decided that we would go to their home, which was three miles from our cabin.

The 10 a.m. appointment found us sitting around the dining room table in their lovely and spotless home. The table was graced with beautiful cups and plates to accommodate the freshly made carrot cupcakes with frosting and a number of other pastries. We had a wonderful visit, recalling some of the earlier days' memories. We last saw each other four years ago, but it was not a time to have a one-on-one visit like we enjoyed on this day.

Will and Glenda have been very busy this spring and summer making a waterfall and a pond in their back yard. The landscaping is so beautiful, with many flowers and rocks. As Glenda sits at her computer, she can see through the window all the fruits of their labors. She even showed me pictures where a deer and its fawn came walking by.

Tom & Mavis by the Berndts' backyard pond.

A lovely back deck leads out to the beautiful sight and the restful glider swing where one can enjoy the outdoors listening to the waterfall and the birds singing. The Berndts are caregivers to many different kinds of birds, as the different feeders suggested.

Our time sped by very quickly and, as we were leaving, we captured a photo of the Berndts on the front deck of their home. As we approached the home from the front, we saw three beautiful horses across the driveway. Glenda says she owns half a horse. This would seem strange but she went on to explain that her daughter-in-law, who lives next door, owns the other half. A large, portable swimming pool is a plus for the grandchildren who live next door.

Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN

Photo © Lori Ostendorf
Lori Ostendorf, Jolene Johnson and Marcy Jorda hostessed a shower for Jessy and Chris Chap last Saturday. We had a most gorgeous day; both weather and party! A low 70 degree day and a very nice turnout. They got some lovely gifts and had some fun in the process.

Photo © Donna Johnson
In the evening, many of us attended the Ashby Appreciation Days parade, enjoying the beautiful weather! Beaver, far left, marches with the Color Guard.

Photo © Donna Johnson
The kids, of course, loved the candy thrown. Here are Camryn & Brooklynn coming back with some of their goodies.

Definitely recognize those two girls ... that's my sister, Angela, and me [Adriana]!

Adriana Stahlecker Brown
Granbury, TX

A Call To Blanche
by Dorothy Dake
Howard Lake, MN

To be continued...

Photos © Sheldon Swenson
Hostess for tea & lunch, left; Kjirsten crosses stream on suspension bridge, right.

Dear Miss Hetty,

The other day, Roy and I decided to spend the beautiful, sunny day driving down to Northfield, Minnesota, to visit Lorraine Tabor. She is not feeling well lately and needs to use her respirator most of the time now. The effect is from the polio in her youth. She is such a dear friend. I remember her so well when she was young and pretty and wearing such pretty clothes and high heels. Then the dreaded polio took its toll.

Betty Droel
MoundsView, MN

Lorraine Tabor with Roy & Betty Droel.

+ LETTERS TO THE EDITORS?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to Ory Ommert, jr, for the most fascinating pictures and update from the Netherlands. So very nice to see the Queen Mary 2. What a magnificent ship, even from the outside!

It was a sad picture to hear of all the downturn of previously prosperous business. Even the garden center suffered. We hope it will reverse soon, but what will it take? Everyone is feeling the effects right down the line.

Oh, THANK YOU to our Editor and Photo Editor for the story on Houston Droel pitching in the State Tournament. It was so nice to see the way the pictures turned out. I didn't send very print worthy pictures, but somehow our Photo Editor makes something out of nothing. The one of Houston and Great Grandpa Roy turned out worthy of framing.

We were privileged to not only have an update from Ary, but also from Frans de Been. The pictures were most interesting with the roadless village of canals. The homes are very lovely, and can you imagine all the gardening work being done constantly to keep it picture perfect? We were glad for recent pictures of both Rian and Frans, too. Thank you for taking time, Ary and Frans, to give your friends in the USA such unusual and fascinating and fun pictures.

I read with great interest the story/letter by the new found cousin, Don H. McKenzie. What a nice surprise for the Dakes and descendants of the family Don is part of! The best part is that we have another subscriber to The Bulletin, and hopefully more updates and pictures.

Memory Lane. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed that story so far, and each week is so vividly describing events that you almost feel you were right there, too. I had to laugh at this Ralph Williams that was slipping into all the well set plans of Dorothy and Louella. That must have been the beginning of a family that has enjoyed very nice, successful and special friend kind of children.

Could I insert right here that Roy Droel had babysat Ralph while Roy's mother, who was a nurse, was caring for Ralph's mother. They were on a farm and Roy, 6 years old, was instructed to take care of that little boy (Ralph). He had run out onto the driveway and here came the dad with a team. Roy ran out and grabbed Ralph, saving him from being run over, but the dad misunderstood the intent and thought he was abusing Ralph. He really gave him a scolding. Poor Roy is not one to justify himself, and he has a very clear memory to this day.

Knowing Dolly and Keith as well, made the fishing story all that much more amusing. That would have been unforgettable, really, to be learning how to fish and all about the equipment, etc. What a gift to be able to de-bone those bony fish. Bones are one reason not to care for fish. Hearing about Blanche Nelson and Marjorie gave me a surge of nostalgia. Dear folks, now long gone, but not forgotten. I spent one of my best years with Carol Sorenson, Marjorie's daughter.

What a dilemma! Not feeling able to make it to LeRoy and Vonnie's wedding. I kept trying to find where you told what you had gotten them for a wedding gift, but you never did say what Blanche had chosen for you. I loved the picture of the Dake family group. I recognized all but Amy (and the two grandmas) on that picture.

The Travelogue keeps getting more interesting all the time. Imagine how they dried corn? A North Dakota boy (Sheldon) would have thought that very unusual, and we are glad for a picture of it as that is hard to imagine. I was so sorry that you had to get food poisoning, but really, it is amazing you only got it once. Pretty quaint tea house, I'd say. On the picture of the mule train, it looks like tire tracks they are walking along on. Where would those vehicles go? It looks so desolate and no man's land.

What a sanitary way to wash dishes! You must have been thankful to get home again to your modern conveniences and a good night's sleep.

Well, it is to be continued, and we are always happy to see that.

Thanks, Dan and Nancy Mellon for writing Miss Hetty that letter. I love reading her gossip column, and there are never enough submissions.

I want to write a Miss Hetty myself and tell you about our visit to Lorraine Tabor in Northfield, Minnesota. I see she wrote a LTTE, also. Thanks, too, to Carol and Larry for their LTTE's. I hate being the only one to write. If I get too long winded, please tell me to condense it. I get carried away with how much we enjoyed the issue of the week.

What a shock to see my BROTHER in the CHUCKLES this time! That was not taken in Alaska, but right in their back yard here in Minnesota. Rich has done a fabulous job of losing many pounds on purpose, and that picture shows his success.

Thanks for another keeper Bulletin. All your work is surely evident in the layout and graphics and photography, which is not just common, but professional.

Betty Droel