Last night Janice Buchholz & I went to an informational Horizon’s meeting in McClusky. We gave a power point presentation on what we had done in Anamoose under the Horizon’s program. Patti Patrie also presented what Bowden had done. McClusky did decide to join the new Horizon’s session that starts this fall.
Our Horizons Steering Committee met last night at the Anamoose Senior Center. We went over our Strategic Plan again to see what we still needed to do. We have accomplished many things in the 18 months that ended June 30th, but we still have quite a few projects to pursue.
Some of us still have poor cell phone service in the Anamoose area. Call me at 465-3476 and let me know how your cell phone service is. The Public Service Commission is willing to come to Anamoose if we feel a need for them to come and discuss our service.
Pictured: Dennis Zimmerman, Joe Weninger, Bill Goodwin, Shirley Nitz (kneeling), Janice Buchholz, Mardell Helm, and Bonnie Dockter. 
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!
Six ladies in Anamoose took plain T-shirts and transformed them into fashionable tops under the leadership of Janice Buchholz, today. The July craft was a make-over of something we already had in our closets and now we have a new looking top. The participants were: Marlene Whitaker (displaying a top for her lucky granddaughter), Kathy Rademacher,Lois Rott, Mardelle Helm, Alyce Heer, and Janice Buchholz (leader). The August Craft Class will have us making felt wall hangings - check the posters or call Mardi to register. The classes are open to everyone - come join us!
The final touch to the new Anamoose Fire-hall was the adding of the sign last week by Midwest Graphics of Martin. The Fire-hall is a 70×70 building located on the northwest end of Main St. It includes a kitchen, truck bay, & meeting room.
The equipment consists of: 2003 Freight-line pumper, 79 Chevy 4×4 Brush Truck, 88Chevy panel truck, & a 66 International tanker.
The officers are: Fire Chief-Jeff Lemer, Assistant Chief-Mike Rudnick, & Secretary/Treasurer-David Gienger. There are 30 members on the roster, & 3 honorary members.
The July 15, 2008, McHenry County Homemakers Tour was planned by the Ideal Homemakers Club of Anamoose and 27 participants enjoyed the many points of interest after coffee, juice and homemade muffins at our new fire hall.
The first stop was at the Otto Geigle Farm, formerly know as Moorhead Farm #2. Otto moved to the farm in 1973. The huge milking barn and the rock walls were very impressive as was the history that Otto shared with us.
Our second stop was at Pete’s Tractor Salvage where everyone took a great interest in “Pete’s Toy Shed”. Everyone knows he has the part your looking for and he sends them all over the world!!! We didn’t get to see Pete as he was fishing but his daughter took good care of us.
The Premium Gold Flax Processing Plant was our next stop out at the farm of Randy and Debbie Miller. A gift of “DashO’Flax” (pre-ground Golden Flax Seed) was given as token of appreciation for coming to their fine business as well as fresh lemonade & cookies made with their products. They were delicious. Many of us made onsite purchases and we heard about the many benefits of flax in our diets from Debbie. We were able to see the many processing machines and how they get everything together before shipment to many countries and states. They plan to have Flax Cookies for sale sometime in October - we can’t wait for them to come out!!!
From there we returned to the Anamoose Bakery/Cafe for a delicious buffet dinner made by Connie Rudnick and her staff. Everyone left there feeling VERY satisfied and full - it was an excellent meal!!
Then it was back to the Anamoose School bus driven by our very experienced driver - Lisa Ponzer. 
Our first afternoon stop was at the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area Office, where Scott Peterson gave us an overview what they are all about and what they do to preserve the wildlife and vegetation in the area.
The “After Thoughts Gallery”, where Dora Heil paints and shows her remarkable artistry in a “1923″ church was our first stop in Harvey. Many purchases were made by the tour group. 
From there we went to the Dakota Prairie Organic Flour Co. The expansion project going on right now is remarkable as they acquire many more customers from all over the world. We were given a fine tour and explanation of the whole process from the grains down to the shipping of the finished product of flour. We all felt really cute in those capes we had to wear!
The Tour Group then proceeded to Rue 54 for some wine and chocolate tasting as well as shopping. Sorry no pictures taken as the photographer was to busy tasting and forgot!
We also shopped the Que’ Sers’ and “Sew Wild and Woody” while in Harvey. The bus then returned to Anamoose with some tired passengers as that was really a FULL and FUN day of activities. Everyone received a package of homemade egg noodles from the Anamoose Farmers market and made by Alma Rau. Many door prizes were given out throughout the day and we heard allot of interesting answers to Phyllis Zimmerman’s ND Trivia questions.
Thanks goes out to the planning committee it was a great tour! 
We had our final Horizon’s celebration today at Bismarck. All 21 communities got to “toot their horns” and tell what they had done, either by a presentation, a display, or both. I gave a power point presentation for Anamoose, & we had a display. Janice Buchholz put together a scrapbook of our 18 month program, ending with our wedding of Joe & Ana Moose. Rutland told that they have their first woman on their city board, just like here, Bonnie Dockter just started Monday on the board. Wallhala told that “Horizons for Walhalla was like a pep rally”. They have a Pumpkin Fest every year & had a 792 lb pumpkin. One seed can cost up to $60-unbelievable!
We received a large impressive plaque with a picture of our Joe & Ana Moose Welcome sign on it. We also received our final $8500 that we will put in our Anamoose Area Community Fund. Pictured with the plaque are: LaDonna Goodwin, Janice Buchholz, Dr. Coston, NDSU; myself (Alyce Heer), Phyllis Zimmerman, Pam Heim, Shriley Nitz & Mardell Helm. Back row: Bill Goodwin, Kevin Dvorak, ND Community Foundation; Dennis Zimmerman, Tana Walker, _____, and Gov. Hoeven.
We had our 8th annual Moose on the Loose July Fun Run/Walk. There were about 45 participants. Winner of the 5K Run was Tyler Shaver from Chicago at a time of 20:45. He said he came to Anamoose because he heard about our moose wedding in the Chicago paper, but I think he came to see Whitney Buchholz, Bismarck, who won the woman’s 5K. Whitney’s mother, Tami, took 2nd place, & sister, Sidney, took 3rd place. Her grandparents, Dorothy & Vernon Kesler, took part in the 5K walk.
Second place winner in the 5K was Alex Holen from McClusky with a time of 21:29. Third place winner was Scott Holen, Alex’s dad. Scott told me to say “Alex’s old man was 1/2 minute behind & next year will catch him”.
Winners of the 1 mile run were: Men-Clay Bachmeier, Fargo; Women-Mackenna Bachmeier, Fargo
There were more relatives taking part.. Some that I know of were my granddaughter Honor, & her mother, Jeanne Prom, who took 1st & 2nd place in the 5K walk. Kathy Selzler & her 2 granddaughters participated. Kathy run the 5K Run, walked the 5K walk with me (we came in 9th & 10th), and run the 1 mile (I walked). In May Kathy took part in the 13 mile Fargo 1/2 marathon where there were 13,000 registered runners. Wow!
All participants & helpers got a bright yellow t-shirt (Tyler has his on) that was designed by Pam Heim, organizer of the event. Proceeds from the run go to the Anamoose Fire Dept.
I woke up yesterday morning sure that it was going to rain on our outdoor moose wedding, but the sun came out and we had a great crowd that gathered for our program & wedding. The program was first with Danelle Olson as MC. Richard Derrickson read a poem “The Tale of Joe & Ana Moose” composed by Judy Derrickson. Speakers were: Senator Ryan Taylor from Towner; Lynette Flagge, Horizon’s Director; & Eleanore Dossenko, who spoke on the 3 R’s of Marriage. The men’s Centennial singers entertained the large crowd.
The wedding party arrived by Ron Bartz’s horse & buggy. There were quite a few protests to the bride & goom getting married, but the marriage went on with the groom presenting the bride with a HUGE “ring” & the happy couple nuzzling after they said their “I do’s”. Around 200 people enjoyed the picnic meal of barbeques, potato salad, beans & wedding cake.
The video shows some of the events of the day. (This is only the second video I have ever made, and some of the pictures got deleted & I couldn’t figure out how to get them back in. ). Dick Hauser & his crew set up chairs (pictured), while Steve Heim & helpers set up the sound system The wedding cake was made by Marceline Hoaglund. The next 3 pictures show the speakers: Ryan Taylor, Lynette Flagge, & Eleanore Dossenko. The wedding party was led by the ring bearer-Donna Hase & flower girl-Doug Rademacher. The bridesmaid,LeRoy Becker, shows her(or should that be his) open backed dress & the groomsman, Judy Derrickson, sports a white shirt & tie. They are followed by the bride, Ron Cartwright, carrying her beautiful arrangement of wild flowers; & moosegroom, Barb Martin, dressed in his best attire. Ted Sitz & his back up singers provided a moose musical rendition for the happy occasion. Maurie Becker, the moose minister, tried to keep the wedding ceremony on track. We even had a moose hunter (Curtis Hase) in the crowd. The bride & groom fed each other wedding cake. The bride posed by herself, while the groom posed with the flower girl. Ryan Taylor got a moose kiss from the bridesmaid, (I wondered why LeRoy had a ton of lipstick on). I got some of the wedding party to pose for me, but some disappeared to change clothes. Marceline Hoaglund, Pam Heim & Bonnie Dockter (not pictured) served the cake. Bonnie & Pam told me they were aunts of the bride. Missy Lucas helps little Katie show off her Joe & Ana T-shirt. Judy Derrickson held games after the picnic lunch. The meal was served in the park shelter by Bill Goodwin & his crew. The last few pictures just show the groups of well fed people that stood around visiting.
Reannie May was officially welcomed to Anamoose today by the Welcoming Committee. She recently moved back to Anamoose from the state of Washington where she moved to after graduating from Anamoose High School in 1966. She received a packet of important information with phone numbers, history, business listings, emergency protocol, etc, as well as gifts from the city, including a “Welcome Sign” she is pictured with. We are so glad she has returned to our little city!
Ten Anamoose crafters made welcome signs for their doors today at the June craft class. They each had a “MOOSE” displayed on them with the warm welcome. Please click on the pictures to see them in action and the final product held by each crafter. We had 2 Bottineau crafters that joined us today, after seeing our handiwork on this blog site. They are Byrnae Feight and Betty Lund and are pictured in the top picture with Kathy Rademacher. Other participants in action are Alyce Heer & Phyllis Zimmerman (see bottom picture). In the middle picture back row is Leela Sprenger, Marlene Whitaker, Kathy Rademacher, Byrnae Feight, Lois Rott, Betty Lund and front row seated are Phyllis Zimmerman, Alyce Heer’s sign being held by Chloe Gunderson (Lois’s Granddaughter), Arla Mae Vannett and Mardelle Helm (instructor for this lesson).
We have many volunteers in Anamoose. I will show just a few. 1. Janice Buchholz planting 4 barrels of petunias on Main St. 2. Wayne Vanette goes to Granville to get commodities from the McHenry Co Food Pantry during his 6 months in ND 3. Pam Heim painting in the park 4. Phyllis Zimmerman organizes the annual Blood Drive. 5. Myself & Angie Kesler were helpers for the Blood Drive. 6. Mardell Helm gives monthly craft lessons at the Senior Center. 7. Community Foundation Fund thermometer painted by Pam Heim & Phyllis & Dennis Zimmerman keep it current.
Some other examples of volunteerism are: workers at Monday night bingo, taking care of flowers & shrubs by Anamoose sign, delivering Monday meals to shut ins, cutting grass for others, changing the marque, senior quilters, and the list goes on & on.
Today was a busy day at the Anamoose Senior Center as 39 people participated in the annual senior citizens blood drive.
Pictured are: 1. Brad Rosel-Drake 2. Elroy Stotz-Anamoose 3. Rose Weninger, Judy Derrickson, Joe Weninger & Richard Derrickson
I attended an excellent workshop, Rural Community Forum, yesterday at Bismarck at the Heritage Center. Many communities shared their stories about reusing school buildings, community operated businesses, using local foods & starting community endowment funds. Annette Schilling, ND Tourism, also talked on Learned Based Vacations.
The facilitator, Cher Hersrud, in introducing the Community Foundation Funds topic, stated “If I ruled the world, every town in ND would have one”. Patricia Bowen, Ellendale, stated “People can give back to their communities”. This topic was of great interest to me since we just started an Anamoose Area Community Fund. We have over $13,000 so far.
Several city residents gathered together at the future home of Katie & Zach Fitzgerald and children, to plant a garden as a surprise, when they arrive in Anamoose in July. Katie loves gardening but just had a baby girl in Jamestown recently (in fact after the garden was planted). Seeds and labor were donated by these caring people of Anamoose. I’ve been waiting for pictures of the actual action but have not received them to date - (they will be added if I get them as I didn’t have my camera with me). The picture is of the planted plot waiting for the little seeds to sprout.
Usually when I go to Minot I am lucky if I see a couple of people that I know, but yesterday at the annual Verendrye meeting there were many people from Anamoose and other area communities. Maybe the free meal and a chance to win $3000 attracts us! I didn’t win the money, and nobody won the $3000 either.
They had many interesting vendors, with four from our Anamoose area, and one from McHenry County. This is a good way to promote our small businesses & our county. Booths pictured are: 1. Deb Reinowski-Park Lane jewelry 2. Keith Reinowski-Midwest Graphics & Signs. Also Angie Mack, Brenda Kenney, & Kristin Reinowski. 3. Jackie Fix & Brad Mincher-Sage Hill Bed & Breakfast 4. Mabel Forschen-Home made gifts & Watkins. 5. Maria Effertz Hanson-McHenry County Also there were people there like Shirley & Bill Nitz who were there just to enjoy the food, etc.
Yes, Joe Moose is patiently waiting for his marriage to Ana-Lope on Saturday, June 28th. The Ana-Day committee met last night for final plans for the wedding when Ana will join Joe on the Welcome sign, and change her name to Ana-Moose.
The program will start at 3pm in the Anamoose Park. Rev Danelle Olson is the MC. The men’s Centennial group will sing; Helen Nolden, Eleanore Dossenko, and Senator Ryan Taylor will speak. Richard Derrickson will read a poem about Anamoose and the wedding that was written by his wife, Judy. A mock wedding will be held after the program. The wedding party consists of: Minister: Maurie Becker, Bride: Ron Cartwright, Groom: Barb Martin, Bridesmaid: LeRoy Becker, Best Man: Judy Derrickson, Flower Girl: Doug Rademacker, and Ring Bearer: Susie Littrel. Following the wedding a free picnic meal will be served along with wedding cake and moose nugget favors. You will be able to have a photo shoot with the wedding couple, or Joe and Ana cutouts in the park for a small fee. There will be a Moose Shoe Contest and some games for kids.
Plan to join us for the wedding Saturday, June 28th.
First picture: around the table from left to right-Maurie Becker, Pam Heim (behind),LeRoy Becker (trying on antler), Doug Rademacker, Fern Reinowski, Judy Derrickson, Richard Derrickson, Susie Litrell, Phyllis Zimmerman(behind), and Bonnie Dockter.
The first night of the Farmer’s Market brought vendors and customers to the Anamoose park shelter. A wide variety of items were for sale: fresh eggs, homemade noodles, cookies, handicrafts, painted mailboxes, jewelry, canned fruits and vegetables and fresh rhubarb to name a few items. I left with arms full and a promise to be back next week! Vendors present this week were: Rosemary Vollmer, Wayne Vanette, Gertie and Alma Rau, Mabel Forschen and Gladys Schnase. It will be held every Monday from 6 PM to 8 PM - come out and get something fresh, homemade and home grown. Contact Farmers Market Chairman - Bonnie Docktor @ 465-3088 for information.
As you drive down main street in Anamoose you can see the new Anamoose Area Community Fund sign. Dennis Zimmerman made the sign and painted the background. Phyllis Zimmerman and Pam Heim worked on the wording, and Pam spent hours on her hands and knees painting the design. Then Joe Weninger and Dennis dug the post holes and put the sign in place. It was definitely a group effort!
Several Anamoose Horizon Board members brought out their paint brushes today and brightened up the front of the former grocery store that now stands vacant waiting for a new tenant. Members on the painting team were: Alyce Heer, Janice Buchholz, Joe Weninger, Bonnie Dockter and Mardelle Helm. One Anamoose resident, Rudy Wohl, came to check out the job while the work was being done. Sorry Bonnie - bad photographer!
The Anamoose Memorial Day Program, to honor the Veterans, was well attended. The Memorial Address was presented by Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Sells from the Minot Air Force Base. Rachael Rott and Kaya Engen sang “Song for the Unsung Hero” and “Sleep Soldier Boy” and the honor guard marched to the City Park where flags flew at half mask and the gun shots were heard as well as the taps that were played by Andrew Rott and Brandon Rudnick. This was followed with a delicious potluck lunch at the Oswald Wohl VFW Post #6931.
Saturday evening 5/17/08, Anamoose High School celebrated their commencement with 8 graduates. As usual, it was a beautiful ceremony. It has been a tradition for many years that the graduating class invites the 50 year graduates. Eleven members ( and some of the spouses) of the class of 1958 participated. They gathered at the senior center for reacquainting, remembering and conversation, had a delicious meal at the Anamoose Cafe prepared by Connie Rudnick, and then on to graduation. After the ceremony all alumni were invited back to the senior center for cake, coffee and punch.
Thank you graduating seniors for remembering us ( I, too, have been there and done that) on your special night. It also brings back and gives us memories we will forever cherish.
Pictured below are sitting from left to right, Dorothy Berndt Leier, Rose Hornbacher, Frances Lemer Lageson, Gilbert Gienger and Ramona Buxa Bender. Standing are, Eileen Wick, James Essig, Vernon Wick, Dalton Kohlman, Terry Roe and Harold Spletto.
Mardelle Helm just spent last week in Fargo taking a course to become a Parish Nurse. She was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and St Francis Xavier Altar Society. A Parish Nurse is a melding of nursing and ministry. She ministers wholistically to individuals and families, in and through a faith community, using her health education and spiritual maturity to promote wellness of body, mind and spirit.
The functions of a Parish Nurse are: 1. Integrator of faith and health 2. Health educator 3. Personal health counselor 4. Referral agent 5. Trainer of volunteers 6. Developer of support groups 7. Health advocate. She is not expected to provide home health-care nursing. When such care is needed, she makes the appropriate referral to a community agency.
Mardelle will be serving St Francis Xavier Catholic Church at Anamoose, St Margaret Mary Catholic Church at Drake, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Orrin. She already has been helping give communion to shut-ins.
