Anamoose, ND

The following is a poem written by Judy Derrickson for our Joe and Ana wedding on June 30th.  It is a great poem and she wrote it in about 20 minutes!

This is a tale of love that is vast

It is strong and patient and bound to last.

It’s the story of Joe, a sport loving moose

Who came to North Dakota basketballs to set loose. 

He was honest and kind and had talent to boot

That the town wanted him to stay was a point that was moot

Joe loved his new home place and the friendly people therein

But he longed for a life’s mate that was much more like him.

He looked to the South and was disappointed to find

There were distant family members, but none of his kind.

He vowed that his search would continue anew,

For his heart was telling him, “There is someone for you”.

He spent years seeking love in the East and the West,

To find just the right partner was Joe’s single quest.

Then one day as he boarded a train to go back

He saw a beautiful young thing crossing the track.

Joe tried to disembark-to chase after this dream,

But fate was not with him that day, it seemed.

So he leaned out the open window in hopes he’d be heard.

What is your name DEER he shouted his plea,

As she turned and their eyes met they were both filled with glee.

For she too had been searching for just the right male

She’d turned many down, but now her heart sailed.

She shouted, “Ana’s my name and I’ve been waiting for you

Tell me where you are going, and I’ll come there, too.”

The train whistle blew as Joe shouted back

And when the whistle silenced Ana was gone from the tracks.

Joe hurried off the train at the very next stop

And rushed back to the town…..hoping Ana to spot.

No one seemed to know of Ana.  She didn’t live there,

He searched and searched, but she’d vanished like air.

He vowed to wait and find the right way,

To help Ana, his life’s mate, find him some day.

He put up a big sign for passersby to view

In hopes she would see it and know his love was true.

The sign stood for years with Joe standing along

Emblazoned with her name, (Anamoose) declaring it home.

For 5 years Joe waited believing in Fate

That Ana would come and their vows they would take.

And now on this day we are all gathered here

To join them forever

   And toast them

       And cheer!!

I visited the Kindergarten class yesterday. With much patience, their teacher, Julie Fahy, got them to stand still, place their hand over their heart, and recite the pledge to the flag. 

Anamoose has a large kindergarten class of 11 students (1 missing in the picture).  There are 6 boys & 5 girls.  Half of the boys have the first name of Josh.  The class runs the same schedule as the rest of the school. 

Things are booming in Anamoose with 3 babies born in 23 days.  Baby Girl Giselle Mayer (pictured) was born July 30th to Heather & Glen Mayer.  Baby Girl Caprice was born August 18th to Jodi & Zack Ponzer.  Baby boy Jordon was born to Kim & Scott Meckle on August 21st. 

I just spent Tuesday & Wednesday at the Governor’s Rural Community Summit in Bismarck.  It was a good 2 days listening to the US Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Schafer(pictured); Gov. John Hoeven,  Lt Governor Jack Dalrymple, 2 authors: Jack Schultz & Jim Ditto, Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr & several networking sessions.  Dorr stated ” Due to Internet, we can live locally & compete globally”. 

A few interesting quotes from Ed Schafer were “This year Agricultural exports are 109 billion dollars”.  “ND exports 50% of the overseas export products.”  “Agriculture is the only positive balance in trade.” 

In our breakaway sessions each community gave suggestions or told what problems their community has.  Most communities, other than those in the oil producing communities, were wanting to attract new families.  Several communities stressed that a clean, quality community is necessary to attract new people.  Each community should have a goal-build their own brand.  Yogi Berra stated” If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up someplace else”.  There are 1,440 minutes in a day, of which we sleep about 600, so we don’t want to waste any of them.  You don’t want to have any CAVE people in your community-Citizens Against Virtually Everything, as a positive self image is necessary. 

I came home motivated to continue on with the programs that we started under the Horizons program. 

         Six ladies participated in the August craft class lead by Mardi Helm.  Pictured left to right: Agnes Faul, Delores Gienger, Angie Kesler, Arla Mae Vannett, Leela Sprenger & Mardi Helm.  They made these very attractive felt hearts with yo-yos, buttons, wire, embrodery floss and a little stuffing to add dimension.  The September 29th craft lesson will teach us the different methods of applique, with Agnes Faul as leader.  The craft classes are open to everyone - call 465-3746 to register.

   Jerry & Barbara Helm were raised in Anamoose and come to us for the summer months from Lago Vista,TX (close to Austin).  They are both retired but are working very hard to remodel the home they purchased.  They are graduates of AHS so have many relatives and friends in the area.

Lillian Rost came to us from Kulm, ND,  to be closer to her daughter Pat Sieg.        She is camera shy so we are including her sign without her. 

   Rick & Melissa Lucas and children, Gavin & Katie are from Shreveport, LA, and  moved to Anamoose when her mother told them how great living in the small town of Anamoose is.  Judy (mother) and Richard Derickson have been in Anamoose 2 years  and have convinced other family members as well to make ND their new home.  They are also doing allot of remodeling inside and out as well as changing the look of the yard.  Melissa is a lover of the peony and has planted several in her landscape.

  Lucas & Julie Martin and boys, Ivan and Sebastian, moved to rural Anamoose from around Bozeman, MT.  The interesting thing is they bought the Tony Martin Farm so the last name did not change on the mailbox!  Lucas & Julie are both teachers and Lucas will be the business teacher at AHS this fall as well  farming.  Julie will take some time off from teaching to care for the boys and help with the farm work.

   Zach and Katie Fitzgerald and children Cullen & Kaydence have moved here from Jamestown, ND, to be closer to his job and her parents.  The work they are doing on there home inside is remarkable.  We have many new residents that are very good with remodeling homes!!

All the families received a welcome sign made by the “Welcoming Committee”, a folder telling about what Anamoose has to offer as well as all the information necessary for a new resident.  They are given Anamoose coupon’s to spend in town as well as meal tickets and individual business coupons.  We want to WELCOME each and everyone of them and we are honored they have chosen Anamoose as their current home town!