Ryder News Aug. 27, 2015

Ryder News Aug. 27, 2015

    Saturday brought some much needed rain to the area with rain totals of .60 at the Bradley farm, 1.5 inches in Makoti, and Penny Wurtz said their rain gauge showed almost an inch.

   Kathy and Bruce Dunn from CA visited with Jody and Peggy Reinisch one day last week. Kathy was the daughter of Olga (Harstad) Froemming who graduated from Ryder High School in 1935.
   Penny Reinisch also came to spend the night with Peggy and Jody and to get in on some harvesting while visiting with her folks, Marlys and Wendell Hanson, in Minot.

   On Tuesday last week, Terry and Myrna Scheer took us out for a late lunch or early supper at the Homesteader in Minot. What was supposed to be lunch turned out to take place quite a bit later. Kenny had dialysis that day and he usually is done by 2:30 but that day he had two machines break down so instead of getting hooked up at 11 as usual, he didn’t get hooked up until a little after 1. So I think it was around 4 before we actually got to sit down and eat.

    A William Johnson of Rockford, IL is arriving in Ryder on Sept. 10, 2015 and would like to collect past news about his grandfather named Henry Demille. Please enjoy the following and if you recall any info about Henry or his friend named Red Martin, please connect with Faye Karna before the 10th. Thanks for your help!
   He wrote, “I know my grandpa arrived in North Dakota in 1905 and returned to Upper Michigan in 1911 and then returned to Ryder in the summer of 1914 to run the steam engines he called Dickies for threshing machines. I have several post cards from Ryder which he sent to his mom and dad and also grandma. In my grandpa's memoirs he also mentions a small town called Dogs Den; but, in my research I believe he is referring to the town of Dogden. In one of his stories he relates how he and his buddy (Red Martin) rescued a farm girl from the Midwest.  She had arrived in Dogs Den thinking she was getting a cooking job on a big ranch (Rampart Ranch) but they told her it was a "Red Light District" and she would never see the light of day if she went there. To make a long story short, they drove off the cowboys who came to pick her up and got her a job at the local hotel. I wonder what ever happened to that lady.
   Henry Demille’s memoirs sound like an interesting read. Mr. Johnson plans to leave a copy of them at the Ryder Museum.

   Many of the Mueller family reunion visited the Ryder Museums last Saturday.  Several were able to find fun information about their former family members.

   The Ryder Historical Society has sold their little church museum and its two lots.  They have moved all the church’s antiques up to their new addition and hope to get it organized shortly.

   Byron Paulson’s daughter has sent his address so we concerned Ryder folks can send him cards and encouragement. Send your mail to 9808 Helmsley Circle,  Montgomery, Alabama 36117. This is his home address and his wife will see that he gets all we send.

Cashtyn Petersen with one of his trophies

   Six year old Cashtyn Petersen has embarked on a racing career with taking part in some motocross races. He is the son of Tony and Lexi Petersen, grandson of Jerry Petersen and great grandson of Fran Franklin all of Ryder. His dad built him a practice race track east of Ryder and he has been out there practicing almost every day. So far this year he has raced in Ruthville twice and placed 1st overall both times. He has raced in MN and took 1st in the 50 open class and took 3rd in the 50 7-8 year olds. He wanted to race older kids that weekend. He raced last weekend in Bismarck and took 1st overall. This weekend was Dickinson and he came in 2nd. On Sept. 20th he will race in Sturgis and the 26th in Jamestown and that will close the season. He races 5-6 year olds in the 50 class and rides a 2015 Cobra who sponsor him along with a couple other sponsorships. He started out in 14th place then went to 10th and he will finish the year in 4th in the state as he started late 8 races into the season.

The Skotte family: L-R: Barbro Sagmoen, Ivar Skotte, Frida, Henrik, Mari, Sigrud Skotte, Oystein Skotte, Leonard, Elias

   I received the following information from Cathy Landon regarding the Skotte family who visited with them in August.
   Oystein and Sigrud Skotte brought their 88 year old father, Ivar on the dream of a lifetime trip to ND. He had wanted to visit the farm where his father’s uncle Nic had homesteaded. They started out from Norway and visited New York City and then traveled to Minneapolis to see extended family in Minnesota. They then went to Pekin, ND where some of the Skotte family had settled. They visited the cemetery where many last names were familiar to Norway. On Aug. 12th they went to Ryder, ND where Niclas Skotte homesteaded. The original Skotte house is still standing on the Tom Petz land southwest of Ryder. Stephane Hagen took them on a tour of the Ryder Museum and they donated an old hanger on which hung a wolf skin coat purchased by Edvard Skotte in Ryder in the early 1930’s. They then flew from Minneapolis back to Norway.

    Gary Hagen served pineapple upside down cake to the staff of the Prairie Rose Parish on Wednesday.

   Pastor Chuck Galloway spent a week with his son, Matthew in Minneapolis then met his other son, Joshua, who came on the train. Josh and Chuck spent another week in and around Duluth and on the Iron Range. They got home at 6:00 a.m. Saturday. Jill stayed home to tend her garden.

   June Nelson and daughter Julie from Mankato, MN are visiting in the area and staying at the Somerset Retirement Home where they have rented a room.
   On Friday the 21st Ruth Wurtz, Bev Larson, Colleen Sherven, Myrtle Thunshelle, Jeanice Office and Janice Johansen met with June and Julie for coffee and cookies at the Retirement home.

   John and Janice Warner recently took a vacation to Oslo, Lillehammer and Trondheim Norway. Several years ago John visited with some Sherven (Skjerven) cousins about a family reunion. The reunion was held in Lillehammer with about 94 old and young cousins attending. Newest baby was 8 weeks old. There was a picture and short presentation from every family member of the four brothers that lived long enough to stay in Norway and have a family or the two brothers that immigrated to the US. John and Jan spent a few days in Olso meeting a cousin from California and site seeing with their Oslo family. From Lillehammer  a train ride was in order to get to Trondheim. Very beautiful scenery! More touring in Trondheim with relatives telling stories about living in Norway, now and back before the war. They took a cruise ship from Trondheim to Bergen--a little rough sea at times. From Bergen they flew to London and spent 4 days there seeing sites they missed last trip. A short stop-over in Minneapolis to have birthday supper with Mabel Warner-Richter, who turned 3, and her parents Mallory and Mark. They had a wonderful memory filled trip, and as always, Janice says, there is no place like home.

   I received the following e mail the other day and maybe one of my readers could help out on this as I have no idea how to find out the info the gentleman wants.
   SUE: Your Ryder column is enjoyable. Thanks for continuing. As you know I am a Douglas native and I have many memories, friends and relatives from the Ryder area. The Class of '65 pictures Lee Sorenson. I played slow pitch softball in Minot with Lee and his brothers, Larry and Lars, although I graduated in the Douglas Class of 1947, 18 years earlier than Lee! The 1935 baseball team shows Jim Mahoney and a man listed as Ed Mahoney. Jim graduated with his brother Dennis and me in the Douglas  '47 Class after returning from WWII. Hope I am not having a "Senior moment", but I believe that Bernhard and Ed Mahoney were brothers. The Ed Mahoney second from left could be their father, Bernhard is sixth from left. But my question is: Could the man next to Bernhard possibly be Ed Mahoney (Jim & Dennis' father) and not Oscar Larson? As an old-timer aside, do coveralls run in families? Duane L. Edwards, Sr.,  Reddiing, CA

   The Makoti Senior Center will have an end of summer supper on Wednesday, Sept 9th  at 6:00 PM.  Brats, burgers and beans will be furnished. Bring your end of summer garden treats, pickles, relish, cucumbers, whatever grew best. Bring a friend.

   Whew…that’s it for this week. Thanks for all the great news and since you are spoiling me, I will expect more of the same for next week. Have a great week and see you next time!

Ryder News Aug. 20, 2015

Ryder News for Aug. 20, 2015

   We heard from Byron Paulson’s daughter, Gina Paulson Laney, regarding her father. She said she wanted to provide an update on his situation. He started feeling weak in June so his cardiologist had him go through a series of tests. It was determined that he needed two heart valves replaced and one bypass. The surgery was planned with a heart surgeon in Atlanta, but he was hospitalized on August 2nd as a result of complications from the heart catheterization test. This hospital stay made him weak so he is now at Healthsouth Rehabilitation in Montgomery to allow him to regain his strength for the heart surgery. She said they appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. So….let’s get to praying for him and get him on the road to recovery.

Ryder Calvary Church youth musical group, “The Furnace”: L-R: Remington Bigelow, Kaylee Capp (Garrison), Haylee Rustad, Nathanial Brown, Daniel Starks.

   The youth group from the Ryder Calvary Church took part in the “Rock the Leaves” three-day musical program at Minot. They performed on Sunday afternoon. They call their group “The Furnace”.

The Ryder Class of '65: L-R: Rod Bofenkamp, Judy Hansen, Janice Johansen, David Olson, Lee Sorenson, Gus Mueller, Bob Otteson, Joann Hansen, and Bill Jones.

   The Ryder class of 1965 celebrated their 50th Reunion in Minot on August 21st.  An impressive 60% (9 of 15) of the class were present. Also joining the festivities was former Ryder teachers, Paul and Nancy Pearson. Acquaintances were renewed, stories were told, and during the "program" class members attempted to stump each other with a series of trivia questions from their high school days--the best provided by Paul Person--who knew he was such an entertainer?  Certainly the most puzzling question of the night concerned what 50-year-old item Lee Sorenson brought in a sealed box. Turns out it was the embroidered "Jan" from Janice Johansen's 1965 cheerleader skirt. Why he had it, and kept it for 50 years remains a secret. A good time was had by all.

   A week ago Jim Zieman, Scott Zieman, Terry Scheer and Kenny Bradley loaded up some tools and headed to the Ryder Cemetery to make some much needed repairs to the ground surrounding Howard Bradley’s gravestone. The gravestone was in danger of toppling over so with the help of some gravel etc. they got it fixed.

   Getting together recently at the Doris Ann and Jim Zieman home at rural Makoti for an afternoon of visiting and reminiscing were Phyllis Anderson Townsend of Rapid City, SD; Mary Ellen Traynor  Iverson, NewTown; Delina Johansen, Ryder; Lorraine Nelson, Douglas and host Doris Ann Zieman. Phyllis had attended a year of grade school in Ryder and wanted to get together with some of her former classmates. The Anderson family lived at Roseglen and a short time in Ryder. Several of her older siblings graduated from Ryder High. The family move to Cyrus, MN, where Phyllis graduated from high school. She went on to college and taught school in various places, including Newtown. Her husband was killed in a plane crash in Iran. They had one daughter who lives in Rapid City.

   Faye Karna and daughter, Kyann, took Faye and Bud’s 5 grandchildren to Medora last week. They spent lots of time in the pool as it was so hot; but did enjoy the first half of the musical. Then, the storm chased everyone away! They played the mini-golf course there with 3 of them getting a “hole-in-one”! Fun time for Granny Faye!

   On Monday Aug. 13th I attended a very nice luncheon at the café in the old Parshall Nursing Home with some classmates and old friends. It was such fun to visit and recall old times and catch up on new things with Karen (Miller) Jorgensen, Bonnie (Kilber) Libner, Kristi (Hilleran) Cabbage, Joan (Howen) Nelson, Leona Hauge, and Nikki (Miller) Mandt. It was a little strange for me to be driving by myself as Kenny is the one that usually drives. When I do get to drive, I usually have the boat behind me and it was a little disconcerting for a moment when I looked in the rear view mirror and didn’t see a boat!

   Kenny and I have been helping with a rummage sale at daughter, Staci’s home for the last 4 days. Kenny and I managed to sell some of our “stuff” too. It sure is unbelievable what sells and doesn’t sell at a rummage sale. Ken’s old boots sold, while baby clothes hardly moved at all, a broken desk sold while brand new shirts didn’t. I guess there is just no accounting for people’s tastes on any given day! Well, we came home exhausted but with a few extra dollars in our pockets.

   Somehow I managed to get a blood clot in my arm last Wednesday so had to go to ER and have an ultrasound and all that good stuff. I am now on blood thinner for at least a month to six weeks and off of chemo for that time. My type of chemo doesn’t work with blood thinners. I guess when a person has a port to allow chemo infusion, you have a chance of getting a blood clot and I did!

1935 Baseball picture: Back Row:  Oscar Lewis, Ed Mahoney, Benny Lewis, Anthony Brandt, Herman Mueller, Bernhard Mahoney, Oscar Larson, Albert Brandt, Elmer Wilson

Front Row:  Derald Larson, Jim Mahoney, Ervin Mueller, Donald Mueller.

   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. Baseball has always been an important activity for the Mueller’s, and in the 1930s, it was common to have baseball games every Sunday afternoon at the Mueller Farm (see photo from circa 1935).  In keeping with this tradition, the old baseball field has come alive, and part of the Centennial Celebration will be Wiffle Ball games--fun for young and old alike, with an ice cream social as a bonus. And besides ball games--there will be some great music happening on the farm too. Mid-Afternoon: The talented Jeremiah 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--Come early-Stay late!

   I have reached the end of this week’s column. I appreciate the news everyone is getting in to me. How about some combine pictures and stuff like that. Tell me  your adventures out there in the field, the almost mishaps, etc. Our readers will enjoy hearing about your lives to relive memories from theirs.

   See ya next week, watch out for the big machinery on the road and the farmers that are always in a hurry. Move over for them and try to stay out of their way.

Ryder News Aug. 13, 2015

Ryder News for Aug. 13, 2015

 

Colleen Sherven Family Reunion

   The Colleen Sherven Family celebrated a reunion over July 13-18 at Peters Sunset Resort, near Glenwood, MN. Festivities included water fun on the trampoline, jungle gym and aqua mat in the swimming area on the lake, golfing on the 18 hole course behind the main lodge, lawn games during the day, along with an activity room in the basement which had the whole family busy with pool, shuffle board, ping pong and air hockey in the evenings! We all fit into a large cabin on the resort, which allowed for many laughs and stories to remember as the years go by. Photo family members include: Scott, Hunter, Chad Sherven; Alexis and Liam Solomonson; Audrey Sherven; Jaxon Solomonson Ross; Joan Stafslien; Wes Sherven; Quinn, Alison, Eden, Jared, Ella, Isaac; LyNelle, Trent, Alivia, Kristi, Aaron & Shelby Anderson; Hailey Rolla; and Colleen Sherven.

   Joyce McKenzie’s Exchange Student, Anne Pia Mollenhus from Norway and her family were visiting Joyce and Pat for 9 days. She graduated from Rugby H.S. in 1986. This was her 4th time over here.

   While they were here, Joyce and Pat took them to Ryder to see Pat’s home and they were very impressed with the older homes. They also went out to Lee and Julie Brandvold’s to visit with them. The kids wanted to see a farm with cows and big tractors. It was that really windy day so the kids couldn't even play outside. Their plans were to go in the swimming pool but couldn't. They still enjoyed their day even tho the weather didn't cooperate.

   They had been traveling for 4 weeks thru Canada, Yellowstone Park in Mont., Wyo. and now ND. The kids said they liked ND the best. They were happy to get here so they didn't have to pack their suitcases every day and had lots of room to run and play out here.

   The Mckenzie’s had an Open House for them on Sunday the 26th. It was easier to do that then to take them around to see everybody they knew from before when they were here. 52 people attended the open house and the kids had a ball. A lot of visiting was done by all! They e-mailed Joyce when they arrived back at their home in Norway.

   July visitors at the Morris cabin at Deepwater Bay were: Steve and Marge Morris, and Jennifer Morris of Lake Charles, La; Jimmy Andrews and 5 children of Dallas, Texas; Tobby Morris and girls of Pierre, SD; Phylis Morris of Spearfish, SD; Donnette Strange of Divide, Colo.; Norma and Glen Berg of Minot; Corey and Wendy Parzek,  Angie and Casey Kirby all of Williston; Dean Morris and Carrie Peacock of Scottsburg, Ind.; Kevin and Carolyn Munns and family, Bob, Deanna Reikow and boys all of Bismarck; and LeRoy and Sandra Peterson, Dave and Cindy Peterson all of Ryder. There was a lot of fishing, eating and tubing done, mostly eating! They all helped Ardys celebrate her 86^th birthday on the 14^th.

   On the 27^th, LeRoy and Sandra Peterson were in Grand Forks to attend the funeral for Sandra’s uncle Gordon Hill. On Sunday, LeRoy and Sandra were in Bismarck to help grandson Jimmy Munns celebrate his 3^rd birthday at the Munns’ home. Also there were Grandpa and Grandma Munns; great grandparents Don and Ardys Morris; aunts and uncles Deanna Reikow, Cindy Peterson, Ross and Angie Munns and girls; and Angela and Greg Martel and family. The kids ha a good time swimming and playing games while the adults enjoyed visiting and eating!

    The Ryder Community Club is trying to downsize the book inventory in the gym. If you are interested in any books, leave a message on Deb Peterson’s answering machine—758-2518, and she will open the gym up. Otherwise they are going to the recycling plant.

   July was membership month for the Ryder Community club and cards were sent out. If you did not receive a card and wish to be a member, contact any Community Club member: Deb Peterson, Barbara Miles, Dave and Kathy Kimball. Dues are $20 for a couple and $15 for a single.

    August 18th from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Registration for Pre-K thru 6^th grade at the Plaza School. All registration forms and fees can be paid on that day.

      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. 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!

   On August 24th from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. there is an OPEN HOUSE for parent and students to come and meet the teachers and learn about new and important things for this upcoming school year.

   August 26th is the first day of school for the Lewis & Clark School District with early dismissal at 1:30 p.m. 

   Mark your calendars for Oct. 10th for the 1st. annual Ryder Harvest Pig Roast. More information to follow as it becomes available.

   There, that’s it…the news is done for another week. I appreciate all the news items that people are getting to me. I had 2 notes stuck in my screen door and that’s great, plus the e mails. 

   Have a great week and let’s share some more news next week. Watch out for the farmers, they are combining and swathing their fields right now!

Ryder News Aug. 6, 2015

 Ryder News for Aug. 6, 2015

   The windstorm that roared all day long through Ryder last Tuesday left a lot of damage in its wake. Downed trees littered the entire town and I think every resident of this town had at least storm damage of some kind whether it be downed trees, lost shingles, skirting torn from trailers or something else. 

 

Tree damage behind Ryder Post Office.

Damage in Ryder Park.

   Tony Petersen had a large tree fall over in his yard, luckily missing his house. Ardell Folden lost a large tree, a downed tree, large limbs and branches of trees littered the Ryder park, part of a tree was down behind the post office, Gary Hagen had part of a tree littering his yard, Rick Sprinkle had tree limbs and branches all over his yard as did Jody Reinisch, and a tree toppled over and was uprooted on the east side of the Calvary Church buckling the sidewalk. A beautiful 75 foot evergreen at the home of the late Ted and Hazel Simmons home was completely uprooted and narrowly missed the house (“75 feet, 75 mph wind, 74 great years thanks to God” said by Phyllis Simmons Ketter).  There was a large city-wide clean up on Wednesday with many people pitching in to help.

Daryl Simmons and Josh Reinisch helping with city wide clean up after the wind storm.

Huge evergreen uprooted in Simmons’ yard, (75 feet, 75 mph wind, 74 great years).

Wes Sherven’s crumpled grain bins.

Trees down in Bryon Schenfisch’s field.

 

Not only was there a lot of damage in the city of Ryder, some area people had damage and loss as well. Two grain bins east of Ryder owned by Wes Sherven were blown over and destroyed, several large cottonwood trees near the old Otto Janz farm were blown over and lying in Bryon Schenfisch’s field and Marvin Franklin’s had a large sliding door blown off their rigid frame building with it landing in a tree. I asked Marvin how he was going to get it out of the tree and he said since Byron Larson is the one who built the building and put the doors in maybe he should call him and have him figure it out!

Door from Marvin Franklin’s rigid frame building lodged in trees.

Grace Magandy’s T-Ball great grandkids, Kaylee Magandy, Andrew Hagen, Ethan Hagen

    Great Grandma Grace Magandy must have quite a time of deciding which team to cheer for when she goes to a T-Ball game between Garrison and Max! Kaylee Magandy (daughter of Chris and Carrie Magandy of Garrison, granddaughter of Alvin and Joetta Magandy of Douglas) plays on the Garrison team and Andrew and Ethan Hagen (sons of James and Misty Hagen of Ryder and grandsons of Clinton and Bonnie Magandy of Williston) play on the Max team. At least with T-Ball games there are no winners and losers so Grace was able to cheer for both teams.

 

Concert in Makoti Park by Daniel Starks of Ryder

    I went to Makoti on Sunday to listen to a concert in the park given by Daniel Starks of Ryder to entertain the CANDISC bike riders. Makoti made quite a day of it with lots of entertainment, food sold by the Close Up Kids, and then the concert. I was told that there were around 145 bike riders this time which is a little smaller than previous years. Hunter Andes became a tour guide for one of the riders, Daniel Patterson from Franklin, Tennessee and showed him around the threshing grounds in Makoti.

 

CANDISC Rider, Daniel Patterson from Franklin, Tennessee with Hunter Andes of Plaza

   Get ready for another night of Bingo at the Ryder Gym/Community Building. Yes, that’s right, it is the first Friday of the month and that means bingo at 7 o’clock and don’t worry about supper as you can always get a snack right there.

   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!

   That’s it for this week…enjoy the pictures and I will share more news next week. Have a great one, stay dry and cool.