The Crow's Nest - October 28, 2017
O Joy!! Seems like old man winter decided it was time to make himself known. I suppose that is just fine considering it is the end of October, but; did he have to show his face with such horrid winds? The winds were so strong that driving home from Park River last Thursday my vehicle’s blind spot indicators on my side mirrors kept lighting up with warnings! I guess complaints are not really in order as we have had a beautiful fall. It seems we usually have at least one hard frost in September where we need to rush out and cover all our plants. We didn’t have to this year. All in all, our autumn has been perfect.
It is amazing to see how fast we go from leaves covering every branch of the trees to beautiful fall colored leaves of yellows, reds and maroons to finally no leaves at all. It most likely is old age, but I think back to my childhood and I remember spending time out in the pasture collecting oak leaves along with leaves from the other types of trees growing there. It seems like I would head out there immediately after school for many days to enjoy the sights and smells of fall. Now it seems we go almost directly from summer to winter!
On a personal note – Chuck and I spent a wonderful weekend in Minot attending our grandson’s wedding. Grandson Lane Vendsel married the love of his life, Hope Tschaekofske. Lane is in his first year of medical school and Hope is working for PATH after receiving her master’s in social work. They started dating in the 8th grade after meeting in honors band in Minot. I think 9 years of dating is a long enough period to know you love each other and want to spend your life together!! It was a beautiful wedding with lots of family there. The older I get the more often my heart just swells when loved ones near and dear to me can all get together. It was a great weekend.
A couple of weekends ago the local Sons of Norway lodge had a tour of a few of the area’s old country churches. I was asked to “host” the group when they came to the site of where Odalen Lutheran Church once stood. A group of about 25 – 30 people listened so attentively while I gave them history of the church and its pioneer parishioners. I then told them briefly about the 80-foot cross that was erected in memory of Odalen after the church burned to the ground in June of 2007. I think they enjoyed their time at the “Church by the Lake”.
There is a flurry of activity over at the home of Bob and Noella Kertz. They are adding on an addition, so heavy equipment and trucks loaded with dirt make for a busy place. It will be fun to watch the progress made.
Congratulations to Gary and Catherine Paulson. A 50th anniversary party was held at the Edinburg Community Center last Saturday for them. I understand there were many people there to wish them a happy 50th. We celebrated with them in spirit as we were still in Minot.
Brad and Darlene Hendrickson have now moved to the Borg Home in Mountain. They had spent the last couple of years living in the apartments here in Edinburg. It was fun to see Darlene whip around on her golf cart. Brad was a diligent walker around town. I bet he walked at least 5 miles every day!
A very special thank you to Steph (Forsgrem) Jones at North Dakota Telephone headquartered in Devils Lake. For the past few years it is Steph that I have turned to when I have problems with the Edinburg website. Steph got married last July and has been living apart from her husband since then as he is in Fargo at NDSU. Steph is one of those people I absolutely think the world of. She is so sweet and caring, yet so brilliant with lots of computer knowledge. I know she will be missed in Devils Lake. I wish nothing but the very best for Steph and her husband on their life together in Fargo. (Steph did whisper that if I had a problem I could call her – thankfully, we are Facebook friends). I’ll miss you, Steph.
I have written about the devastating fire in Edinburg yesterday morning other places on the website. But, I just want to also say a big thank you to the awesome volunteer firefighters who spent many, many hours fighting the flames. Units came from Mountain, The Cavalier Air Station, Crystal, Hoople, Adams and Park River plus police departments. I can only reiterate: what wonderful communities surround our special place called Edinburg. Have a great day and we will talk later.
I just learned James Haug passed away today. James was 95 years old and so very sharp. His memory was great, his eyesight not so great. Our thoughts and prayers are with Doris and all the family. James was our next door neighbor out in Tiber Township when David, Ruth and I were growing up. Memories abound of fun times at the Haug farm.
