The 116th Annual Hiddenwood Picnic

The 116th Hiddenwood Picnic

Submitted by Denise Johnson

Harvey Johnson selling raffle tickets at Hiddenwood Picnic.

 

The 116th Annual Hiddenwood Picnic was held on Father’s Day, June 17, 2018 at the picnic grounds south of Makoti at Hiddenwood Lake. The crowd attendance only numbered at around 100, but everyone had a good day. An All Faith Church service led by Pastor John Warner started the day-long event. Lovely hymns and sermon got people into a good mood for the rest of the day.

Shortly after the church service, lunch was set up and what a feast it was! The potluck picnic produced tables full of a delicious variety of eats, from casseroles, salads, pizza, fried chicken and much more. The dessert table was equally impressive. Nobody went away hungry after the potluck lunch.

Doug Wurtz describing past Hiddenwood Picnics.

Doug Wurtz, a local boy, now from Bismarck, was the entire program this year. He informed the crowd of the history of the first picnic held on the grounds in the early 1900’s. Stories were not too glamorous or even civilized from that time period. Stories of fights, politicians and “blind pigs” held the attention of the crowd. Indian pow-wows were also held with local natives sharing their dances. Of course, food was also shared in picnic fashion with many people in attendance numbering into the hundreds and even the thousands in future years. Doug has put hundreds of hours into the research of the history of the Hiddenwood Picnic as it happened over the many years of its existence. He is involved as a volunteer at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck and has searched the archives for previous years newspaper entries about the picnic and other history of the area of Hiddenwood.

There were many prizes given away to those who registered for the drawings. The prizes were donated and collected from businesses at Ryder, Makoti, Parshall, Plaza, Garrison and Minot. A few more prizes came from other sources. There also were quite a few raffle drawings, including a spectacular quilted wall hanging donated by Sharleen Larson. Photos of the picnic grounds’ church, sod house, monument to early homesteaders and more highlighted this quilt. Beautiful only begins to describe the work put into this piece. 

Hiddenwood Picnic kids foot races with Johnny McGrath in the lead.

 

Kids ran in foot races with quarters for their efforts at the finish line. Not only did the kids race but a couple of women “hoofed it” to the finish line to be awarded quarters.

To finish this day, the Famous Hiddenwood Ladies’ Pie was for sale by the slice, with or without ice cream atop. Many flavors tempted the crowd. An ice cream cone was a cool option too.

Overall, the picnic has been deemed a success with hopes and plans for picnic #117 next year. We’ll keep you posted.

A Tidbit from Sue's News

A little tidbit from Sue’s News.

The old rain gauge registered 1.7 inches of rain at my house from the storm Thursday night. Lots of wind, thunder, lightning, rain and some hail. I’ve heard some reports of hail damage and rain around the area.

Brenda Nesson Novodvorsky said, “We had some hail tonight, golf ball size and lots of rain. I'd tell you how much rain but the hail tore the gauge off the post. It also blew out all of our north facing windows. We found hail stones inside the house, glass everywhere. Guess we won't be going barefoot anytime soon inside the house! Dreading going outside tomorrow. John went out about midnight to check the equipment and said the pickup looks totaled and all the trucks/tractors have shattered windshields. It's going to be a long weekend".

 

Novodvorsky pickup with its hail damage

Novodvorsky house with its hail damage.

 

Broken windows from hail in the Novodvorsky home.

At the Lee and Julie Brandvold farm they had 1.90 inches of rain and large marble size hail and lots of wind.

Folks in the Makoti area had over 2 inches of rain.

So how was your Thursday night? Along with the storm, my doorbell started ringing around 2 a.m., I got up but no one was there. I didn’t get much sleep from that time on as the stupid thing would chime every 15 to 30 minutes and since it has chimes programmed into it, it played every tune it knew from Happy Birthday, Joy to the World, Yellow Rose of Texas, Take Me Out to the Ball Game and many more. By the time I managed to struggle up this morning, I went out to ring it and see if I could make it quit...the darn thing wouldn’t ring for me...grrrr.  It chimed a few more times after that but finally quit. I’m assuming the button got wet inside.

My poor tomato plants (2 of them) don’t know what is going on. They are in planters and they move in and out of the garage on a regular basis from the time of my putting them in planters. First was the frost and I trotted them in and out of the garage for several days, then came the windy days so I once again trotted them in and out of the garage. I bet they were glad I put them in the garage before I left for Minot yesterday. They must be thriving with all the moving as I see they have some little yellow flowers on them now!!

Speaking of going to Minot yesterday, I went over to the Verendrye Elec. Coop meeting along with my brother Dick and his wife Debbie. I didn’t win any of the prizes or money (darn it) but I did see and visit with quite a few people that I knew.

Troy Alderman, wife Georgie and daughter Gracie spent a week with his folks, Don and Elaine Alderman. Donnie had a fish fry while Troy was home and I along with Dean and Lanette Schenfisch, Karen and Randy Jorgenson and several others went and enjoyed the delicious food and got in lots of visiting.

Now don’t get excited, I’m not writing the news again right now, I just felt the urge to write so that’s what I did.

Sue B.

Ryder News Feb 8, 2018

 Ryder News for Feb. 8, 2018

Yay, I am out of the hospital after 2 weeks of pneumonia. Still feel weak, coughing a lot and very tired.

I sure did enjoy the hospital food. I had a fantastic omelet with mushrooms, green peppers, and onions for breakfast plus 2 oranges. Yumm. Then I had a wonderful garden salad, cod, and other stuff. It was great to be waited on for 2 weeks!

I had the most wonderful roommate the first time, Sharon Aubol. She is from New Town and we knew several people and I visited with her and her family and it sure made the time go fast!

Next I had a roommate named Mary and she was pretty sad and scared. I tried to visit her and reassure her. She has congestive heart failure and was finally moved to the ICU.

Next was the roommate from Hell. She wanted the door closed all the time, wanted my tv off. Wanted my tv shut down, snored, coughed like crazy as she also had pneumonia. Had company all hours of the night. Yikes! Guess we can’t luck out all the time!

Dave and Kathy Kimball spent the new years with 7 of their grandkids staying out at the Kimball farm for 5 days. All the grandkids stayed up for the arrival of the New Year, except for 5 year old Colton, he gave up the fight at 9 p.m. Kathy says she still is in love with this retirement thing...she says it’s a good place to be.

The local community food pantry will be open January 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for all interested. They will also be serving free soup and sandwiches. The Ryder Community Club is also taking donations for new lighting for the gym. P.O. Box 61, Ryder, ND, 58779, with any questions or concerns.

Congratulations to the John Warner family.

John and Janice Warner are excited to announce the birth of granddaughter number five-- Martha Annie Warner-Richter. Proud parents are Mallory Warner-Richter and Mark Richter of Minneapolis MN.  Martha weighted 7#'s 14 oz. and 21" long. She was born on Jan 17, 2018. She joins big sister Mabel Joyce.  Mabel expressed she's soft and cuddly and Mabel will be the best big sister ever.

A newspaper written by the seniors of Ryder High in 1948 has recently been donated to the museum.

Some of its content will be shared at this time.  Hope you enjoy and recognize names.

The 21 students who started together as Freshmen in 1944 were Merle Anderson, Grace Arvidson, Lloyd Bofenkamp, Robert Butts, Stella Daleness, Vernon Eide, Helen Hansen, Duane and Wendell Hjelmstad, Remona Horning, Mary Inches, Raymond Johnson, Harriet Kolden, Robert Kronbach, Derald Larson, Daryl Liffrig, Robert Linnertz, Marlys Nelson, Harland Olson, Beverly Roberts, & Phyllis Sorenson. 

As Sophomores they lost Harland Olson and Robert Linnertz.  Ramona Horning and Merle Anderson went to Minot and Stella Daleness went to Garrison. But, those that had heard about this illustrious class and came to join them in 1945 were Venetia Geving, Arlan Semmen and Minnie Reinisch.  Venetia came from Zap, Arlan came from Douglas and Minnie from Heimdahl.  (Where was/is this Heimdahl located?)

There was still no hope for us so the teachers passed us on to the next teachers hoping they could do something for us.  In 1946-47 as Juniors Mary Inches left us to go to Tennessee and Harriet Kolden went to Minot.  Merle Anderson realized there was no better class so joined us again.

We played host to seniors at a banquet given May 9, 1947 at the Presbyterian Church.  The Gypsy theme was followed throughout the evening.  After the banquet we adjourned to the school gymnasium for the junior and senior prom.  This was the first prom given at the Ryder School.

Another big event of the year was the junior class play, “In Walked Judy”.  The play was presented April 17 and 18 under the direction of Miss Iva Tilderquist.  The proceeds from our play were $121.35.  We entertained a record crowd both evenings.  (Wonder what a ticket cost and where this was held.  Must have been in the old Ryder gym.  Is that correct, Derald & Bev Larson?)

Several other happenings were that we ordered our class rings and announcements from the Josten Ring Co. of Owatonna, MN, Nov. 5.  We also had the honor of having Lloyd, Wendell, Duane, Daryl, Merle and Vernon on the basketball team. (Wonder what their school colors were then?  Was it gold with green.  Maybe white and gold with green.)

We had now gone to school long enough to earn the noble title of SENIORS (1947-48).Arlan Semmen left us to go to Minot which left us a class of sixteen for the last year. We will always remember the Freshmen initiation party because Mr. Zenner announced that our class rings had arrived.  Of course, we think they are the most beautiful rings received by any graduating class. (Wonder if there are any of those rings around today!  Be a great item to add to the museum’s display.)

We Seniors were in charge of the bingo stand at the school carnival October 21.  Our candidates for carnival king and queen, Derald Larson and Minnie Reinisch, were officially crowned at midnight. (There is a poster at the museum that was made at that time in support of Derald and Minnie.)

Another event as Seniors was to present a mystery play, “The Moonstone” which was given November 13 and 14. Miss Elizabeth Gillmer directed our play. The net proceeds were $101.62.

Every year some members of our class have participated in band and glee club.  We find that Lloyd, Helen, Grace , Robert K., Robert B., and Vernon have come all the way from first grade together. Mae Kerzman joined us in our last year at semester time.

Now that you have heard the history of our wonderful class all that can be hoped is that the following classes will be able to achieve in a small measure the prominence that the class of ’48 has.

Upcoming Events:

Feb. 11: Services at Calvary  Church of Ryder at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school at 9:30.

Feb. 11: Services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Roseglen at 9 a.m.

Feb. 11: Services at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Ryder at 10:30 a.m. with communion.

Ryder News Jan 18, 2018

Ryder News for Jan. 18

See, I told you in last week’s short little column that we would probably be back in the deep freeze by the time you got your paper. Well, guess what, I was right! Ugh I hate cold weather and snow. At least this weather keeps me in the house so I can work on the checkbooks and the Thank You cards. I have lots to write out and absolutely no ambition!

How many of my readers have this crud that is going around? It’s either the flu or a sinus infection like I am battling or just a rotten ugly cold. Take care and if you have any of the flu symptoms, go to your Dr. and find out for sure. In my family, Rick and Levi have the flu, Staci has something but not sure what it is, may be the flu. Of course I have this sinus infection which is getting better but I still have this ugly sounding cough.

Charlene (Chickie) Knudson passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Jan. 10th, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the daughter of Milo and Lelah Knudson. Chickie’s youngest daughter Debra Thompson notified me as Chickie had asked her to do. She and I shared many letters and phone calls from when I first met her over the Ryder Centennial in 2006 and became very good friends. She will be missed. R.I.P. Chickie.

4 generation picture of the Magandy family: L-R four Generation Picture taken on Christmas Day 2017 of Alvin (Grandpa), Chris (Dad), Grace (Great-Grandma) and Kaylee Magandy.

Christmas Day Dinner guests at the Alvin and Joetta Magandy home at Douglas, were Grace Magandy of Ryder, Chris, Carrie and Kaylee Magandy of Garrison and Jessica Magandy and Wesley Harvey of Driscol.

Attached is a four Generation Picture taken on Christmas Day 2017 of Alvin (Grandpa), Chris (Dad), Grace (Great-Grandma) and Kaylee Magandy.

Deb and Bruce Peterson entertained the following for Christmas Dinner the 23rd of December; Curtis and Nichole Peterson, Kiera, Savaha, and Kaylee from Bismarck; Brad, Sara, Chaskee and Piper Schmidt from St. Anthony; Stewart Schmidt and Kayla Koth from Mandan; George and Jeanice Officer from Minot and Ron and Muriel Peterson from Ryder.

After church services Christmas Eve, Deb and Bruce Peterson had supper with Ron and Muriel Peterson at their home.

Christmas Day Ron and Muriel Peterson went to Minot to spend the day with Steve, Rondi, Carson and Cole Deaver. Thursday the 28th of December the Deavers and Ron and Muriel went to LaMoure to celebrate Christmas and Ana’s birthday with Scott, Kari, Ana and Tate Mart.

Sammi and Lance Cleland returned from S.D. where his family lives, and spent the rest of Christmas Day with her parents, Bruce and Deb Peterson.

Now readers, this is what I have been talking about, your Christmas and New Year’s News. It’s news and I can use it and I want it so run to your computer, laptop, smartphone or typewriter and write your news and get it to me asap. Let’s keep this column going and that can only be done with your help and input.

Kent and Heather Janz had this to say, “We received our greatest gift on 1/4/18, Kaley Joan joined our family! We are home now and doing well!"

Congratulations on that beautiful little girl!

Upcoming Events:

Jan. 21: Services at Calvary Church of Ryder at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school at 9:30.

Jan. 21: Services at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Roseglen at 9 a.m.

Jan. 21: Services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Makoti at 10:30 a.m. with communion.

Ryder News Jan 11, 2018

Ryder News For Jan. 11, 2018

Kenny had a beautiful memorial service on Saturday at our church, St. John’s Lutheran with Lay Pastor Wayne Johnson officiating. We sure do appreciate all the help from the Lady's Aid with fixing lunch and Bruce and Deb Peterson helping to get things ready in the church, Deb Peterson playing the organ, Curtis Peterson singing and our American Legion L.C. Jenson Post #99 saluting us.

We couldn’t believe how many friends Kenny had. He was a kind, gentle, warm and caring person who everyone liked. He will be greatly missed!

Dick, Debbie, Glen, and David Ludwig, David’s girlfriend McKenzie, Carmella Evanson, Staci, John and Johnny McGrath, Rick and Levi Sprinkle visited at our house after Kenny’s funeral.

Hey, guess what, our January thaw is here...yay, temps in the 30’s and it will stay for a few days. Time to get out the suntan lotion and our shorts and tank tops! Of course by the time you get your paper with my news column, we will probably be back in the deep freeze again.

I have no news to share with anyone as no one called, wrote or sent me a facebook message so that’s the way this column will be if no one sends me any news...a short boring news column. Get out there and make some news, let me know who was visiting at your house, where did you go for Christmas or have over for Christmas. What did you do for New Years?

Upcoming Events:

Jan. 14: Services at Calvary Church of Ryder at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school at 9:30.

Jan. 14: Services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Makoti at 9 a.m.

Jan. 14: Services at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Ryder at 10:30 a.m. with communion.