Ryder News July 30, 2015

Ryder News for July 30, 2015

Stan Hjelmstad celebrating his birthday with his grandchildren

   We want to wish Stan Hjelmstad a “Happy Belated Birthday” as his birthday was July 20^th. He used to be called “Dewey” during his time at Ryder High. One of his followers on Facebook stated that he was known as Ryder’s slam-dunker when it came to basketball! This picture shows him with his grandchildren as they celebrated with him.  Happy Birthday from any of us older Ryder folks that live in ND!

   Congratulations to the Makoti Mavericks Legion baseball team. They will be playing in the class A state tournament in Beulah this week. Austin Schenfisch, grandson of Byron and Donna Larson and Lue Schenfisch plays for the Mavericks. There are 2 boys from Plaza and the rest of the team is from Berthold. I hope to have their names and a picture for next week’s news. It’s kind of sad...Austin Schenfisch is the only Makoti kid playing...hopefully more of the area younger kids keep playing baseball!

   Kenny and I arrived home from Minot just in time for the area storm to be right over Ryder on Thursday, July 23rd. We made a bee-line for the house with a crack of thunder and lightning right on top of us. Lots of rain in that storm, our rain gauge showed 2 inches. We also had some pea-size hail. My brother was pretty sure our crops sustained some damage. On another note concerning the storm, our dogs had been in the house since 9 that morning and we got home a little after 5. Have you ever tried to get 4 dogs to go potty outside in a rain storm? I had 1 out of the 4 go and the rest just decided to “hold” it.

   We managed to arrive home from the lake this Sunday evening just as a storm was over the top of Ryder again. We were chased into the house by wind, thunder and lightning. Our rain gauge showed .90 from that one and again there was pea-size hail in the storm, which I am sure means more crop damage! I wonder where we will be when the next one dumps rain right over the top of us in Ryder…hope we are in the house.

Corbin Reno Larson, son of Jade and Brittany

    I have another picture to share with you. Corbin Reno Larson born on May 8, 2015. He is the son of Jade and Brittany Larson and his grandparents are Neal and Cherlyn Biwer of Stanley, and Galen and Lynell Larson of Ryder. Great-grandparents are Derald and Beverly Larson of Minot. I had the announcement in the news column when he was born but had no picture…now I have one!

Upcoming Events:

   August 14th:  Ever wonder if David Olson had a secret reason for moving out of Arizona? If Lee Sorenson looks younger wearing a toupee? Or, if Gus Mueller really has been married 5 times? You can find out the answers to these questions and more on the afternoon of August 14th, 2015. The Ryder Class of 1965 will be having their 50th reunion in Minot. Prior to their Reunion Dinner, they will be having an informal “Meet & Greet” where they hope to be able to say “Hi” to many of you in the Ryder/Minot area who were not lucky enough to be in the Class of ‘65. Stop by and say hello, have a beverage, and tell a story or two from the past.  The event will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 at Off The Vine, 15 Main St S, Minot.

   August 22nd:  The Mueller’s will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of their family farm.  Join them on the farm for a day of mirth, music and merriment on Saturday, August 22nd. Mid-Afternoon: The talented Jerimiah James will be performing your favorite songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s on the Lakeview Patio. Sundown: The dynamic “Highway 6” band takes the Lakeview stage for a night of rockin’ and dancing. The Mueller Centennial Farm is 2.5 miles SE of Ryder—Follow-The-Tracks!

   Okay, that’s it for this time, send me your news items, e-mail me, call me, visit me, shove a note in my screen door, just get your news to me so we can let everyone else know what you have been up to! Have a great week, stay dry and watch out for those storms!

  

  

Ryder News July 23, 2015

Ryder News for July 23, 2015

   Tina-Gary Lee sent me a link to the Ryder Western Edge Bull A Rama 2015 video. I watched the video and it was great.

L to R: oldest grandchild, Donna Iglehart; youngest grandchild, Pat Petz of grandparents Jacob and Josephine Petz and Aunt Hildegard Davis at Petz family reunion.

   The descendants of Jacob and Josephine Petz gathered for a 3 day reunion of camping, fishing, and fun hosted by the Elizabeth Larson and Larry Petz families July 3-5 at Hiddenwood Lake. The event started off Friday night with karaoke by DC Entertainment from Minot. Saturday was a fun filled day with games for the kids and adults, fishing, and a chili contest with 14 entrants and Donna Larson taking first prize. Brent Larson provided an afternoon fish fry followed by a chili feed. Saturday ended with dancing to the music of the Dakota Rose Band and a beautiful display of fireworks. Sunday started off with a church service with Father Corey Nelson and Deacon Tom Magnuson officiating. A potluck dinner was enjoyed with 308 relatives in attendance. An anniversary cake was served by the Arnold Olson family in honor of Kitty Ann and Arnold Olson’s 60th wedding anniversary. The highlight of the weekend was the surprise visit of one of 2 living children of the Jacob Petz family, Hildegard Davis of Minnesota.  A short program followed the 1:00 meal honoring the children of the Jacob Petz family. The winner of the family heirloom quilt made by Stephanie Hagen was Emmie Sjol. Laurie Stuart won the beautiful cane made and donated by John Christensen. Maureen Hagen was the lucky winner of the hand-painted mailbox of the Jacob Petz homestead, painted by Kara Jacobson. Mary Katherine Anderson won the television.

Visiting at Rod Officer Estate sale were: L-R: Hal Severance, Derald Larson, Russell Semmen

   There was a fair sized turnout for the Rod Officer Auction Sale on Monday the 13th of July. Kenny was there but I opted to stay home. Sara Schmidt was busy taking pictures of the local folks that attended and I managed to get one from her. Of course, Derald Larson is in the picture, but he seems to show up in the pictures no matter if I take them or someone else does. Hmmm? Wonder why that is!

   This turned out to be a very short news week and I don’t even have any news from Johnny to share! Please get your news items to be by Sunday evening so I can get them put into my column and sent off to the paper. Send news to sbradley@restel.com    or mail to Sue Bradley, Box 113, Ryder, ND 58779

    Have a great week and I hope to hear from  you.

Ryder News July 16, 2015

Ryder News for July 16, 2015

   Dene Dale Karna, 81, of Makoti passed away Sunday, July 5^th. He was the son of Leo and Evelyn Karna. Dean married Pearl Guttormson June 23, 1955. She passed away on March 4, 2006. Dene is survived by his daughter, Darla (Michael) Rensch; son, Mickey (Mary) Karna; 7 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; a sister, Wanda Bjordahl and brother, Darrell Karna. His funeral was held Friday, July 10^th in the North Shore High School Gymnasium in Makoti with burial in Rosehill Memorial Park of Minot. 

Prairie Ryders 4-H Club. Front Row: Lora Rockwell, Carson Rockwell, Lainey Rockwell, Raelyn Williams, Emily Miles, Jacob Miles -- Back Row: Garrett Williams, Daniel Starks, Trent Willams, Cole Quillin.

   The Prairie Ryders 4-H group participated in Ward County Achievement Days, held June 23-25 at the State Fair Center in Minot. The 4-H’ers showed their projects to the judges and were interviewed. It was an exciting experience for the youth to be judged on their entry and win ribbons, as well as a wonderful intro for the Cloverbuds to see the process and begin to participate. This year’s Prairie Ryders 4-H’ers did great with their static displays! The following is a list of the youth and what ribbon they earned: Garrett Williams – Reserve Champion for catapult, Blue Ribbons for cookies, photography, engineering, aerospace, and electricity, Red Ribbon for Rhubarb; Trent Williams – Reserve Champion for sweet bread loaf, Blue Ribbons for woodworking, aerospace, engineering, and photography, Red Ribbon for drawing and eggs; Raelyn Williams – Cloverbud awards for truck model and peanut butter cookies; Emily Miles – Blue Ribbons for string art, bars, photography and knitting; Jacob Miles – Cloverbud award for mosaic picture; Cole Quillin – Blue Ribbons for wood working, photography and BBQ sauce; Corinne Quillin – Blue Ribbon for photography; Daniel Starks – Reserve Champion and 3 Blue Ribbons for baking projects, and Grand Champion, Outstanding, and Blue Ribbon on photography projects; Lora Rockwell – Outstanding  on Scrapbooking, Blue Ribbons for drawing, wood art, horticulture, clothing and textiles, and arranging flowers, Red Ribbon for Baking; Carson Rockwell – Cloverbud awards for shotgun shell shelf and freestanding shooting target. Article submitted by Lora Rockwell, age 10. Prairie Ryders 4-H Club.

Carson Rockwell riding sidecar in the Annual Bikers Diabetes Run.

   Carson Rockwell was selected to go with the Norsemen MCs 5th Annual Bikers Fighting Diabetes Run on June 27. The ride started at 11am in Rugby & ended that evening in Upham, with supper and a band. The Norsemen is a 35 year old MC which donates money to diabetes research and community. Carson had a blast! He got to ride in a side car for about 35 miles! We are truly grateful for the sincerity & generosity of this group. Now Carson is really working his dad for a bike!

Larson Potluck Picnic: Frank and Inga (Larson) Bradley family: Bradley siblings: Front Row—L to R—Lorraine Nelson, Doris Ann Zieman, Myrna Scheer, Lois Nogosek; Back Row—L to R—Don Bradley, (photo bomber Derald Larson), Ken Bradley

 

Larson Potluck Picnic: (Arnie & Elizabeth Larson family): Larson siblings: Front—Richard Larson; 2^nd Row L-R: Nancy Larson, Linda Jacobson, Eileen Ehlert, Joan Christenson; Back Row L-R: Mike Larson, Sylvia Thompson, Ron Larson, Byron Larson

   Kenny and I attended a Larson family get-together on Wednesday at Oak Park. Lots of relatives, food, fun and picture taking. I am not going to attempt to name all the people as I know I would miss some. All of Kenny’s siblings were there and many of his cousins, uncles, aunts, etc.  Lorraine Nelson, Karen Bradley and Myrna Scheer went for a walk and I am not sure if they were herding the geese or if the geese were herding them. I am amazed at the amount of these birds hanging around Oak Park. You sure have to be careful where you step!

   John, Staci and Johnny are in Texas attending a wedding that John is a part of. They have been very, very busy sight-seeing as well. They took in the space center in Houston and she took a ton of pictures which she posted on Facebook.

   Their next adventure was at the Gulf of Mexico. They went to the Coast Guard Station in Galveston, Texas and a Federal Customs Agent was getting ready to take a boat out. He was kind enough to give them a little tour of the 2 boats and Johnny got to turn the steering wheels in them. The first boat had 3-300hp motors and the second had 4-225hp motors! Too bad they didn't get to go for a ride! 

   It looked like Ryder’s annual Bull-a-Rama was a success judging from the amount of people in the bleachers. Kenny and I didn’t take it in as there was no way we were gonna sit in the hot sun in the bleachers, and I did see some sunburned people later in the day.

David Kimball with Mike Haugen cooking for the Rod Officer Memorial Supper in the Ryder Park

   There were quite a few people at the Rod Officer Memorial Supper where steaks, beans, potatoes and buns were served. The price of beef has gone up quite a bit so the price was kind of a sticker shock to some of the people who hadn’t bought a rodeo ticket to get a discount on their meal. I did hear that they ran out of some of the food before it was over. David Kimball and Mike Haugen did the cooking while some of the other Jaycees did the food serving. 

   Aug 22…Mueller Celebration at the Mueller farm, located 2.5 miles southeast of Ryder. Things will get going in the afternoon, and continue well into the night with the band “Highway 6” performing. There will be several out-of-state Mueller’s coming to Ryder for the event, and the Mueller’s are looking for houses, rooms and/or campers to rent for that weekend. If you have some type of lodging near Ryder for a Mueller or two (most are well-behaved) please contact either Kirby (701-340-5172) or Gus (701-223-7474).   

   It looks like I have come to the end of the column again for this week. Have a great week and stay cool.

  

Ryder News July 9, 2015

Ryder News for July 9, 2015

   I received word that Dene Karna of Makoti passed away Sunday morning. He had been quite ill with cancer. He will be very much missed by the people in Makoti as he was such a big part of that town. This is all the info that I have at the moment.

   We received around an inch of rain on Tuesday and then .60 on Sunday. I heard there was also some storm damage to fields in the area with some crops lying down.

   Sally Bruns, 85 of Bismarck, formerly from Makoti passed away on Monday, June 29th. Sally is survived by her children, Beverly (Donnie) Janz, Duane (Kerry) Bruns, Mary (Jerry) Petersen, Carol Wurtz, Darrell (Lori) Bruns, Lola (Finny) Meyers, and Rodger (Julie) Bruns; 17 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband Paul, 5 sisters, brother, and a grandson. Her Celebration of Life was held on Friday, July 3 in Hope Lutheran Church in Makoti with burial in the Hope Lutheran Church Cemetery, Makoti.

Damaged soldier statue in the Ryder park.

Damaged soldier statue in the Ryder park.

    Please Help!!! There has been more damage/vandalism in the Ryder Park with someone breaking off the rifle barrel on a soldier statue at the Veteran’s Memorial Wall. This can be fixed if the broken piece can be found. Please contact Daryl Simmons, Legion Commander at 743-4305 if you have any information regarding this senseless act. This Memorial honors our veterans so it is very important to keep it whole! Thanks for your help!

   Our son Rick had a major heart attack on Wednesday of this last week. He is very lucky to be alive as he had what is known as the “Widow Maker”. He went to Bismarck by Garrison ambulance, had stents put in and came home on Friday. Kenny and I, along with John, Staci and Johnny went to Bismarck to see him after Kenny’s dialysis on Thursday.

   By the time we got around to getting ready for camping for the 4th of July weekend, everyplace was pretty full so we just stayed home and the kids camped in our yard. We all enjoyed shooting off our fireworks at Rick’s home and then having a late meal afterwards.

   This is actually all I have for news this week…but…my grandson Johnny has decided he is going to write news too and he gave me about 5 sheets of paper with the news he had written for Sue’s News. So in order to bore or entertain all my readers with his news with the original spelling, here goes:
Page 1: Johnny has a babby cuson, He is so cute! Come see him. (He of course is talking about Levi here)
Page 2: Did you know Sue has a grandson, her grandson help’t her on a weekend. Thanks Johnny!
Page 3: (Now this page has fireworks graphics in each corner) Sue’s grandsun has class teaching. He dose everything! Good jobe Johnny McGrath!
Page 4: Sue’s Fireworks news. Happy 4th of July everyone! Staci and Johnny found fireworks in our backyard!
Page 5: Sue and her family went camping for fuor days. Sue, John, Staci, Johnny, Kenny. Do a cookout, go to the beach. Visit grandparents, go camping, have silly tv sleepover, take picers of fireworks.
   That’s all from him. Now you see what kind of stuff I will put in if you don’t send me some news. Surely your news is just as good as his!!!

    Remember July 12…Ryder’s 10th annual Bull-a-Rama is on a Sunday this year; Mutton Busting at 1 p.m., Calcutta 1:30 p.m., Bull Riding 2 p.m. Held at the new Ryder Rodeo grounds which are right south of Ryder’s SunPrairie Grain Elevator on the old Olson farmstead. There will be Refreshments and Concessions sold. No coolers allowed! There will also be a Rodney Officer Memorial Steak Supper in the Ryder Park at 4:30 p.m. Music by D.J. David Ludwig’s 16 Tunes in the park, a dunking booth and inflatables on Main St. from 4-8pm. The Museums open at 5:30. Pick-up pull at 6:30! This is all hosted by the Old Ryder Jaycees Community Club. Everyone is welcome!

   July 13…Rod Officer Estate Sale in Ryder starting at 11:00 a.m.
   Aug 22…For the past 100 years, the Mueller farm, located 2.5 miles southeast of Ryder has been owned by a Mueller, making it an official North Dakota Centennial Farm.  To celebrate the event, and thank the people of Ryder for their support over the years, the Mueller’s are having a little party (maybe a big party) at the farm on Saturday, August 22nd.  Things will get going in the afternoon, and continue well into the night with the band “Highway 6” performing. There will be several out-of-state Mueller’s coming to Ryder for the event, and the Mueller’s are looking for houses, rooms and/or campers to rent for that weekend. If you have some type of lodging near Ryder for a Mueller or two (most are well-behaved) please contact either Kirby (701.340.5172) or Gus (701.223.7474). To find out more about the Mueller Clan and their party, go to: kmueller87.wix.com/muellercentennial.

      Have a great week. I will be back to share news next week…hopefully it will be your news as Johnny won’t have any.

Ryder News July 2, 2015

Ryder News for July 2, 2015

  The Makoti Senior Center will have a supper on Wed, July 8 at 6:00 PM. The main dish is furnished and the rest will be pot luck. All area seniors are welcome.

   I have some sad news to share regarding Sally Bruns. Her granddaughter, Janelle Miller shared that Sally had recently fallen and broken her back and now has passed away. I will have more info on her obituary in my next news column. Our sympathy goes out to the Bruns family.    

   I have a little more to add to the Ralph Hjelmstad obituary information. Some of the family members traveling to Phoenix for the service on June 27 were Lester S. Hjelmstad (Ralph's brother), Lois Hjelmstad, Robert Hjelmstad, Vicki Hjelmstad, Karen Hjelmstad Martin and Emily Martin, all of the Denver, Colorado area.

  Since we have been trying to go camping on the weekends with just sporadic visits back home to get stuff we forgot or to check on the animals, I haven’t been able to chase down any news stories. Had to make a trip home to see if my chemo meds had been delivered by Fed-Ex and they weren’t here but my Avon was…so had to have Staci and John stop after they made a trip to Minot to get stuff they forgot. Luckily it was here by then and I was able to take my medicine on time!

  There were some pretty good storms in the Douglas Creek area when we were camping…lots of wind, rain, lightning and thunder. We had some scared dogs and we were just happy the wind was from the other direction so we didn’t get blown into the lake! It seems there is excitement where ever I go!!

Dragonflies at lake

Dragonflies at lake

  The dragonflies were huge today (Sunday) at the lake and they were flying together like they were going to bomb the mosquitos. We would see groups of 10 or more at a time. AND do you realize how hard it is to take a picture of said dragonflies. I took lots without even seeing them in the viewfinder and managed to capture some “helicopter” images. Hope the paper can print them so you can see them. We will just submit them and see what happens.

Levi Sprinkle, grandson #2 of Ken and Sue Bradley eating his cheese puffs

  I have a picture of my other grandson, Levi Sprinkle to show you, we have to make him famous too like his cousin, Johnny McGrath. Levi is 14 months now and quite a big boy. He has learned to walk and has even made a game out of it by going in circles. We don’t know if he is trying to get dizzy or what… He has even learned to walk up and down the little inclines in their yard without tumbling down. He is now eating big boy food, like cheese puffs, pizza and all the good stuff!  

  Events happening around Ryder:

  July 6, 7, 8---Vacation Bible School Monday-Wednesday at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Ryder. This is for all kids who are Kindergarten on up to those who have just completed 6th grade. 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Bring a sack lunch.

  July 12…Ryder’s 10th annual Bull-a-Rama is on a Sunday this year; Mutton Busting at 1 p.m., Calcutta 1:30 p.m., Bull Riding 2 p.m. Held at the new Ryder Rodeo grounds which are right south of Ryder’s SunPrairie Grain Elevator on the old Olson farmstead. There will be Refreshments and Concessions sold. No coolers allowed! There will also be a Rodney Officer Memorial Steak Supper in the Ryder Park at 4:30 p.m. This is all hosted by the Old Ryder Jaycees Community Club. Everyone is welcome!

  July 13…Rod Officer Estate Sale in Ryder starting at 11:00 a.m.

  Aug 22…For the past 100 years, the Mueller farm, located 2.5 miles southeast of Ryder has been owned by a Mueller, making it an official North Dakota Centennial Farm.  To celebrate the event, and thank the people of Ryder for their support over the years, the Mueller’s are having a little party (maybe a big party) at the farm on Saturday, August 22nd.  Things will get going in the afternoon, and continue well into the night with the band “Highway 6” performing. There will be several out-of-state Mueller’s coming to Ryder for the event, and the Mueller’s are looking for houses, rooms and/or campers to rent for that weekend. If you have some type of lodging near Ryder for a Mueller or two (most are well-behaved) please contact either Kirby (701.340.5172) or Gus (701.223.7474). To find out more about the Mueller Clan and their party, go to: kmueller87.wix.com/muellercentennial.

  Looks like this is the end of the news for this week. Hopefully I will have more next week so I won’t have to bore anyone with the stuff I have been doing! Have a great week.

  Remember the old adage: It is easier to catch flies with honey then it is with vinegar!