Anamoose, ND

We have been getting newcomers in Anamoose, but Sandy & Ron Cartwright are unique Previously they lived in Los Vegas & spent the past 5 summers in Anamoose, but now since June they have made Anamoose their permanent home.  Sandy was born in Anamoose, and Ron in Martin. 

In Ron’s career with Boeing they moved 38 times.  He first started out with the Minuteman & they have been in all 6 Air Force bases.  The longest they lived any place was 6 years in Wichita, Kansas; and 6 years in Huntsville, Alabama.  One year they lived in 3 different states.  Sandy worked for Boeing for 8 years after raising their 3 children (and probably packing and unpacking).  In 1998 after retiring, they moved to Los Vegas, Nevada.  

Ron stated “The growth of Los Vegas was so rapid, (approximately 6000 people moving in per month).  The population explosion choked the whole city-traffic became a daily chore.  We decided to move back to ND-(Anamoose) because of our families here, the life style and the pace is wonderful.  People are very friendly, cost of living is cheaper, quality of life is excellent.  Sandy & I only wish we would have come back (10) years ago!”

Sandy & Ron even put on their Anamoose sweatshirts for the picture. 

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. 

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!!

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. 

   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!

Last Saturday this story was read at my aunt, Doris Smith’s, 100th birthday celebration.  It is humorous, but true, so hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

George Carlin’s Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to Get old is when we’re kids? 

If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions.  “How old are you?”  “I’m four and a half, going on five”! You’re never thirty-six and half. You’re four and a half, going on five.   That’s the key

You get into your teens,now they can’t hold you back.  You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.  “How old are you?”  “I’m gonna be 16!”  You could be 13, but hey, you’re gonna be 16!  And then the greatest day of your life..you Become 21.  Even the words sound like a ceremony..YOU BECOME 21.  YESSS! 

But then you turn 30.  Ooooohh, what happened there?  Makes you sound like bad milk!  He TURNED; we had to throw him out.  There’s no fun now.  You’re just a sour-dumpling.  What’s wrong?  What’s changed?  You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you’re Pushing 40.  Whoa! Put on the brakes, it’s all slipping away.  Before you know it you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone. 

But wait!!!! You MAKE it to 60.  You didn’t think you would.  So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.  You’ve built up so much speed that you HIT 70!

After that it’s a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime.  And it doesn’t end there.  Into the 90s, you start going backwards, “I was just 92″. 

Then a strange thing happens.  If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again.  “I’m 100 and a half!”  May all of you make it to a health 100 and a half!

I can hardly keep up with all the changes in Anamoose.  Yesterday Frieda Ehrman’s house was sold to a man from Wisconsin.  

Tottie Ziebarth’s house has been sold to Joe & Cheryl Linardon from California. They are here this week working on the house. 

Missy, Rick Lucas, & 2 children-Gavin & Katie-bought the Bertha Kuckich house & are busy painting, working on the yard, etc.  Gavin is showing the empty space where he just lost a tooth. 

Mr & Mrs William Wellstad from Arizona were here this past week or so working on their home, the former Ruth Helm house. 

Katie & Zach Fitzgerald & their 2 children-Cullen & Kaydence-have purchased the former Edgar Rath house & are just moving in.  Katie says everything is in boxes yet. 

I took this picture of Barb & Tony’s house a couple weeks ago when they added on a triple garage.  Ryan Bruner is carrying supplies from Heringer Lumber Yard which is conveniently located only 1/2 block away.

This past week the Catholic Church & rectory were re-roofed.  That is only 1 block from the lumber yard. 

We live to ripe old ages in our Anamoose area.  Saturday I attended Wes Michelson’s 80th birthday party.  Then yesterday I went to Andrew Striefel’s 106th birthday party, and Pauline Cartwright’s 100th birthday celebration.  They are both in the Harvey Nursing Home, but are from Anamoose.  Andrew is the second oldest person in ND, with the oldest being 107.  Pauline sports some birthday glasses & seemed to enjoy having her picture taken. 

It’s not every day that I get to hear a presidential candidate speak.  Barack Obama was at Fargo on Thursday at the Yonker Children’s Farm.  Obama mainly spoke to the Veterans, but took many questions from the audience.  He stated “The most important thing in the 21st Century we can do to compete is to educate our children”.  He talked of our 9 trillion dollars in debt, which is $30,000 for every man, woman & child.

 I didn’t think to get up in front fast enough to shake his hand.  But later I was visiting with a minister from Seattle who we met earlier in line.  He said he had shook Obama’s hand & then shook my hand so I got a “secondhand Obama handshake”.   

We all need to listen to what our presidential candidates have to say, so we are well informed by election time. 

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.                                                                                                                          

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. 

Last week 8 Anamoose seniors received their high school diplomas.  All have plans for their future with college the main short term goal.  Kelsie Fahy was valedictorian, and Brianne Johnson salutatorian. 

Pictured is Riley Walker entering the gym, and the senior class outside being congratulated after the graduation. 

I discovered there are quite a few people in Anamoose who help out the birds-summer and winter.  Bonnie Dockter uses a heating device in the winter to keep her bird bath thawed out.  Her grandchildren wanted to be in the picture too. 

Emanuel Kesler moved this purple martin house over to his yard when Wes Michelson moved to Harvey.  He even made a hoist so he can take it up and down to clean it out-or get the sparrows out of it. 

Janice Buchholz took this picture of the finches eating from a bird feeder in her back yard. 

Phyllis and Dennis Zimmerman have welcomed this rose breasted grosbeak to their feeder.  They also have seen a baltimore oriole. 

Needless to say, we have caring people in our community who are concerned about the birds. 

     A small group of crafters met at the Anamoose Senior Citizens Center today for the April Craft’s Class.  The ladies made a photo display using 6 of their personal photos and hanging them on fishing line and chipboard from a 7″ wire ornament hanger.  Participants this month were: Leela Springer, Marlene Whitaker and Kathy Rademacher.  Instructor was Mardi Helm.  Classes are open to everyone and are held monthly.

     St Francis Xavier Catholic Church participated in the First Annual World Wide “Run With Passion” walk from the church to the cemetery on Saturday morning.  Bruce Bachmeier of Fargo, formerly of Anamoose set up the walk and has a web site set up @ http:www.passionistvolunteer.org.  The Passionist are a family of Roman Catholic religious vowed for Gospel life and service.  They are committed to keep alive in people’s hearts the memory of the passion and suffering of Jesus.  Prayers were recited during the walk.  A kind benefactor has sponsored the walk which is a fund raiser.

The Anamoose Seniors again served food on Sunday when they served Spaghetti and meat balls for their annual spring Sunday event.

There are always plenty of willing workers as you can see in the picture.  Pictured are: Lillian Schmidt, Dorothy Thomssen, Angie Kesler, LaDonna Goodwin, Esther Doubek, Theresa Rudnick, and Janice Buchholz. 

The Senior Citizens had a raffle of two table clothes and napkins.  Pictured are the winners: JoEllen Ehrman(left), Esther Weigelt(center) who made and donated the table clothes, and Angie Kesler. 

Janice Buchholz and I attended a tourism conference in Cooperstown last week.  I just got a new computer so I am finally able to blog on the conference.  Annette Schilling, ND Tourism Dept, told us that ND tourism brings in 3.8 billion dollars.  The average visitor is 41 years old with 64% married & 1/2 are college graduates.  I just heard on TV that a college graduate makes one million dollars more in his life time, so over 1/2 of the tourists have a good income.  Later we learned from Sara Otte Coleman, Director, ND Dept. of Tourism, (pictured below) that we would be paying $636 more in taxes if not for tourism.  For every $1 spent on tourism, we get back $1.35.  ND is promoting the “Legendary theme”. 

Web sites are important to attract tourists.  Fifty two % of the visitors book on the Internet and only 4% book with travel agents. 

Ben Klipfel, UND Marketing Director, gave an excellent talk on Innovative Marketing.  He stressed “know thy community” and know what you are good at.  One place in Alaska charged $5000 a night for a shack to watch the northern lights and people were very willing to pay that amount.  One lady in the audience told how she heard that they were promoting that Japanese children conceived under the northern lights are smarter.  If only we could think of a good promotion like that in Anamoose. 

Tuesday I took this picture of Jonathan Asmus who lived in Anamoose from 1960 to 1957.  He is a typical visitor who comes back to visit friends or family.  Jonathan was on his way to serve as a pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Bank, BC. 

The Drake/Anamoose boys basketball team outscored Bottineau last night in a District 11 Region play in a game at Bottineau.  They earned themselves the spot of District 11 number 4 seed in the Region 6 Tournament.  The Raiders will take on the District 12 champions Minot Bishop Ryan Lions at 6:15pm Monday, March 3rd in Minot.  The Raiders boys basketball team has not competed in the region tournament since 1996.  Good luck boys!

Picture 1;  Riley Walker, Andrew Rott, Kyle Wangen, Nathan Martin, and Brandon Martwich listen to coach Doug Martin give instructions during time out.

Picture 2:  The score board showing Drake/Anamoose beating Bottineau by a score of 37 to 31

Thanks to Shonella Lemer for the article and pictures. 

Wednesday was the first time the Baptists were out for blood—the Anamoose Blood Drive, that is!  The United Community Baptist Church of Anamoose held a blood drive at the Senior Center.  Darlene Frueh said they got 29 units, which Rich Larcombe of United Blood Services said was very good.  The Anamoose Senior Citizens will hold their annual blood drive in June.

Then last night our Anamoose Area Endowment committee met at the Senior Center.  Amy Warnke, ND Community Foundation Development Director, helped us finalize our brochure, guidelines, mission statement, and letters to be sent out to potential donors.  We will be starting visiting in March.

Just wanted to put together a few pictures from the last few months in Anamoose to practice how to make a picture album and to get it on this blog site. 

I had heard that Matt Rudnick had a lot of miniature wooden replicas, but I was surprised

   
when I saw his large collection.  The 4 wheel drive tractor has 875 custom made peices. 

Matt has only been making wooden replicas for 6 years.  He said he was holding a hammer one day and thought “I can make one like that”.  He took a 2×6 and within a few hours, he had a wooden hammer replica.  “When I took it to the cafe to show they asked ‘what’s next’.  He made his oun blueprints for the wind generator and oil pump that “carry out a ND theme”.  They operate on electric motors. 

All of Matt’s toys are operational.  He gave an example that his scissor and tim snipes can cut paper. 

My neighbor, Emanuel Kesler, likes to collect lots of things like radios (over 100), toy cars, 3 restored Studebaker cars, approximately 50 bikes from the 30s to the 50s, and other smaller collections. 

Emanuel has been restoring a 1928 Whippet car.  He has had to get parts all over the US.  Matt Rudnick and Emanuel made the steering wheel out of wood. 

My husband, Vernon, is another big time collector, but he collects John Deere toys.  He has a room just for his precision toys and collectibles, plus some smaller ones in our basement.  He likes everything John Deere from toy tractors to puzzles, planes, sun catchers, pens, belt buckles, plates, and on and on. 

Last week I remembered to take my camera along when I went to the open houses at the Post Office and First State Bank.  It took me till a few days ago to figure out how to get the pictures on this blogging site, but wanted to show the togetherness and community spirit in Anamoose.  People were standing around, or sitting, and visiting with whoever came in the door.  The goodies, hot apple cider and coffee were great, but the friendliness left you with a great feeling of belonging to our Anamoose community.  (Double click on pictures to enlarge)

I’ve been dreading this moment when I started blogging, but today I decided that I really am excited.  Just think–a new adventure for me-and for you!  I hope Mardell Helm and I will be able to keep this blogging site interesting, so you will return again–and again. 

You can see by the picture that we at least can smile after spending an afternoon at Harvey trying to learn the basics of blogging.