Anamoose, ND

           Leela Sprenger & Tami Miller were the leaders for the June Craft Class on 6/15/09.  The ladies painted wood stars red white and blue.  The wording -”United We Stand for America” was then painted on the wall hanging before they were put together in the signs you see the ladies holding.  Those in attendance were: Tami Miller, Leela Springer, Barb Martin, Janice Buchholz, Phyllis Zimmerman, and Angie Kesler.  The craft classes will not be available for the months of July and August as the leaders are having a busy summer - see you again in September for some GREAT classes!

Geocaching is probably a new word to most of you.  It is high-tech treasure hunting using a GPS device.  Last Thursday four of us women from Anamoose-Phyllis Peiler, Mardi Helm, Janice Buchholz & I-wandered the grounds of the Red Willow Bible Camp near Binford with our GPS devices hunting for hidden treasure.  What fun to find an ice cream pail with odds & ends where you can take one item, but then need to leave something in exchange.  geocaching.com is a web site to find out more.  Last week there were 857,590 sites throughout the world. 

This was just one portion of the day long Profit from the Prairie Tourism conference.  We learned about touring the National Scenic Byways, Mosasaur & Dinosaur Digs, tourism opportunities to capture wealth & people, & culinary & agricultural tourism opportunities in ND.  Tourism is the second largest industry in ND next to agriculture.  It brings in 3.96 billion dollars a year.  For every $1 spent on tourism, we get $123 back.  Triple A calls ND the most affordable state, and we are called the most friendly. 

Mike Shaw, a “kite addict” gave a presentation on making & flying kites.  He said he capitalizes on the wind that we complain about.  His largest kite sells for $5-7,000.  Mary Ann & Jim Miller make Prairie Bilt Dog sleds & sell them all over the world. 

Sue Balsam, Dept of Agriculture, stated that one third of our travel budget is spent on food.  44% of travelers want unusual & different tours.  There are tours to farms where you “feed it, pick it, cook it & eat it”.  Farmers Markets are being promoted that include food, recipes, events, fun & festivals.  We should be promoting our cultural, ethnic foods.  I am Scandanavian, but I am outnumbered by Germans here in the Anamoose area.  So guess we should be promoting knepfla, sausage, sauerkraut, potato dishes, etc rather than lutefisk & lefse.

I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the little boy shown after he saw his first baby calf.  He is so cute!   

Anamoose once again will be having a Farmers Market & Community Garden.  If you are interested in selling or buying homemade crafts, baked goods, fresh fruit or vegetables contact Bonnie Dockter at 465-3088 or email at bonniedockter@yahoo.com 

       Today eleven crafty ladies participated in this months craft class at the Anamoose Senior Center.  We made snowmen out of a paving brick, paint, and parts of an old sweater.  As you can see each of them took on their own personality.  Those participating were: Lillian Schmidt, Leela Sprenger, Mardi Helm, instructor, Shirley Nitz, Angie Kesler, Marlene Whitaker, Kathy Rademacher, Tami Miller, Sandy Cartwright, Reannie May and Phyllis Zimmerman.  Our next class will be March 30th at 1 PM at the senior center and we will make a cute bunny wall hanging.  The class will be taught by Leela Sprenger and Tami Miller.

     WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?  Seven ladies attended the January craft meeting given by Tami Miller and Leela Sprenger today at the Anamoose Senior Citizens Club.  Cupids were cut out of wood by the leaders and the ladies painted them.  Each has it’s own special personality and most carry a message of “Happy Valentine’s Day, I Love You or Be My Valentine”.  Craft classes are held monthly -at our next class we will make snowmen out of paving bricks. COME JOIN US - WE HAVE ALLOT OF LAUGHS AND GO HOME WITH A CUTE CRAFT ITEM!    Pictured are Angie Kesler, Mardi Helm, Phyllis Zimmerman, Kathy Rademacher, Michelle Vaughn and Leela Sprenger, not in picture is Tami Miller (took the photo)

Our goal was $50,000 & we made it!  Our Anamoose Area Community Foundation was started in May with $10,000 from the Horizons Leadership program.  We raised another $25,000 in order to get a $15,000 match from the ND Community Foundation.  We plan to award grants this spring. 

 The largest single contributor was the Anamoose Civic Club.  Pictured is Linda Dusek, treasurer (left) giving me (Alyce Heer, Chairman AACF) a check for $5,000.   

The Anamoose/Drake grade school students ( K-6 ) held their annual Christmas concert in Drake on December 11th. It was an evening of entertainment with piano, vocal, and instrumental selections led by Valerie Holler. Good job musicians!!!!!

             Eight ladies made “Christmas Swags” to decorate their homes this afternoon at the Anamoose Senior Citizens Club.  The monthly gathering has turned into a fun event for all and many friendships have developed. The following ladies participated in this month’s craft class: back row=Tami Miller, Angie Kesler, Leela Springer, Mardi Helm, Leader, front row= Phyllis Zimmerman, Kathy Rademacher, and Marlene Whitaker.  The class is open to everyone - just call to reserve a spot.  We will make Valentine Cupids on January 19th.  Call Mardi Helm for more information @ 465-3746.

   We have had 12 classes this year and 103 individuals have made 103 craft projects.  We have allot more ideas and plan to continue this great project in “2009″.  We will welcome anyone that would like to show everyone how to do their creative crafts and remember YOU are welcome to join us in Anamoose!

Since some of us are on both committees, we decided to have the Horizons Steering committee & Anamoose Area Community foundation meetings Wednesday evening.  We are continuing many projects that we started during the 18 month Horizons program.   A few of the many things that we plan to continue are: improving the cell phone service, promote Sunday meals in Anamoose, promote present & new businesses, Anamoose brochure, Farmer’s Market & Community Garden, keep Anamoose attractive, & an ice skating rink next year. 

The Anamoose Area Community Fund has reached $33,000 which included a $5000 bonus from the ND Community Foundation.  The Foundation is now matching $ for $ up to $10,000.  We would like to raise another $8100 before the end of the year.  Donations can be mailed to: Anamoose Area Community Foundation, PO Box 17, Anamoose ND 58710.  In March we will be giving out our first grant money to community organizations. 

             Nine “Crafters” met at the Senior Center to make the cutest pair of snowmen with a warm holiday greeting this afternoon.  This wooden plaque or wall hanging class was given by Leela Sprenger & Tami Miller.  Those ladies that created them included: back row -Angie Kesler, Lois Rott, Tami Miller, Marlene Whitaker, Kathy Rademacher, Marlene Whitaker, and Leela Sprenger ; front row - Mardi Helm, Phyllis Zimmerman and Lillian Schmidt.   Our next class will be on the 8th of December and we will make a Christmas Swag.  Open to everyone - call to reserve a spot - 465-3746!

             Ten crafters made large tin Pumpkin Luminaries to get ready for Halloween Night and light the way for the the many “Trick or Treaters”.  Those participating were:  Phyllis Zimmerman, Judy Derrickson, Melissa Lucas, Leela Sprenger, Janice Buchholz, Sandy Cartwright, Angie Kesler, Kathy Rademacher, Nina Hellund and Mardi Helm, instructor.

          Janice Buchholz taught the ladies how to crochet using the basic skills of double and single crocheting.  Those participating were: Agnes Faul, Judy Derrickson, Melissa Lucas, Phyllis Zimmerman, Angie Kesler, Kathy Rademacher, and looking on and giving guidance were Nina Hellund and Mary Schatz.

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. 

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!

  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. 

    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.

Twelve ladies made the glass decorated block lights as shown ( click on picture to make larger).  As you can see there were as many variations as there were ladies making them.  Mardelle Helm was craft leader this month.  Craft classes are offered monthly to anyone interested, for the cost of materials.

   Participants at the first class were Kathy Rademacher, Marlene Whitaker, Arla Mae Vanette, Phyllis Zimmerman, Janice Buchholtz, Angie Kesler, Barb Martin and Lois Rott.    Participants at the make up class were Lillian Schmidt, Leela Sprenger and Alyce Heer.                                                                                                                          

It’s a little early yet with this cold weather for garden vegetables.  But we had some vendors at our Farmer”s Market Monday evening.  We hold it Monday evenings as the VFW has Bingo at 8pm. 

I found a great idea when I visited the Gackle blog site.  Gackle, ND will be adding a Summer Arts Program “Capture the Coteau” to their Farmer’s Market.  They will “look at all the wild life and Flora which surrounds Gackle, study it, draw it, sculpt it, photograph it, and then use it to adorn banners, planters, benches, or what ever we can think of to help us beautify the town”.   Go to gackle.communityblogs.us   to learn more about this program and the grant they received. 

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. 

      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.

Another of our Horizon goals has come about.  Woody and Kathy Selzler purchased land next to them that was called “the stockyards”.  They have been getting rid of old buildings and trees, and put part of the land into a community garden.  Anamoose area residents can put in a garden at no cost.  USDA is offering free seeds for a study on new varieties.  If anyone is interested please contact Bonnie Dockter at 465-3088. 

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.

That’s what we need to get our Anamoose Area Foundation Fund moving. The Foundation concept is simple-to create a fund where gifts from many people are pooled together and professionally handled through the ND Community Foundation.  Each year the income will be used to fund projects in the community.  Through a matching grant program in the ND Community Foundation  we need to collect $25,000 in the first year, and the ND Community Foundation adds $5,000.  In subsequent years, the ND Foundation will match dollar for dollar up to $10,000, with a bonus if we can raise $25,000.

To start, we are using the $10,000 that we will receive at the end of June for our 18 month committment to the Horizons Leadership program.  We have received over $7,000 from businesses and individuals, so we have less than $8,000 to go to reach our goal for the year.  We have mailed out letters to Anamoose area people and businesses, and made some personal contacts.  This week we are mailing out letters to all alumni that graduated before 1971. 

Dennis Zimmerman and Bill Goodwin will be putting up a thermometer on Main St. that will keep track of our Foundation Fund.  Pam Heim is our artist for the project. . 

The city of Anamoose is happy to announce the wedding of Ana and Joe on June 28th, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at the city park.  Ana is at last joining Joe on the welcoming billboard as you come into town.    A program is planned with speakers, music, poetry, pictures  in the park, mock wedding and a free catered supper.  Shirts and buttons will be sold and the proceeds will go to the Anamoose endowment fund.  We certainly hope that you will mark this day on your calendar and help us celebrate  this great event.

EVERYONE WELCOME!!!!!

  Nine crafty ladies learned the art of making their own greeting cards today at the Anamoose Senior Citizen’s Club.  Lesson was given by Mardi Helm.   Everyone went home with 5 cards and envelopes ready for giving to some lucky recipient.  The lesson will allow them to make more of them at home as we wait for summer to come.  (Participants:  Tami Miller, Janice Buchholz, Phyllis Zimmerman, Leela Sprenger, Angie Kesler, Lillian Schmidt, Kathy Rademacher, and Marlene Whitaker)  The Classes are open to everyone - check the Anamoose Senior Citizen’s Club door for the next class, cafe or call Mardi Helm @ 465-3746.