THE CROW’S
NEST---------January 22,
2012
A very
belated “Happy New Year” to
everyone. January is almost
over and I am finally
getting back to “taking care
of business”. I guess I
spend too much time
listening at the “Table of
Knowledge”. With nothing
else to do, many, many guys
seem to gravitate to the
table. The only way I can
keep abreast of ALL the
gossip is to be there. Jim
Kertz has been on
convalescence leave since
having knee surgery and
keeps the table “lively”.
Dale Sondeland is at the
table also. Dale just had
his second knee surgery. He
says he is doing okay and is
going through lots of rehab
therapy. There gets to be
a lot of “give and take” and
plenty of bantering back and
forth. There must be a
rotating group of at least
14 guys. There is a
wonderful camaraderie
amongst them. Thankfully
they welcome the female
gender when they come.
Jim (Kertz)
loves to “stir the pot” at
Cenex with LeRoy so there is
always lots of stuff going
on. I thoroughly enjoy
listening to Jim reminisces
about Edinburg in the past.
Jim’s remembrances are much
younger than mine as I
suppose I am about 10 years
older. He has lots of
stories to tell about
himself and his brother Joe
working at “Iva’s”
(Johnson’s Food Store). Joe
comes down also (he IS NOT
on convalescence leave) to
add to the mix of people.
Joe has stories to tell
also. It is fun to be
there.
Goodness sakes, last week we
had temperatures in the
50’s. This week we had a
low of minus 17. WOW! I
know I was very complacent
with the wonderful, mild
winter we had---until this
past week. Our first real
“snowy and wintery” day was
this last Thursday. It was
really blustery. I will not
complain as we have had an
amazing winter.
I
remember years ago when
auto-starts and such were
not even on the horizon.
Many a cold, wintery night
we left “Pa and Ma” Monson’s
home in Edinburg to drive 6
miles west of town to our
home. Our car never seemed
to warm up until we got the
to the “Gemmill” road. Then
the cars were not even that
warm!! Do any of you
remember that????-----and
then those cold, cold school
bus rides to out of town
basketball games!!
I guess
our beloved “SIOUX” logo
will now be retired. I do
not LIKE it, but I know it
is in the best interest of
the sports teams. I am sure
the apparel and the chanting
will NOT leave the “Ralph”
in the near future. Hockey
fans are more than vocal.
This is one aspect of UND
life that will not fade away
easily. I know I will be
one of those that will
continue to wear my Sioux
clothing for a while. I
promised myself I would TRY
to transition----and I will.
Our
hearts and our thoughts go
out to the families of
Lillian Troftgruben and
Verna Olson. Lillian died
at the age of 92 and Verna
was 93. Both of these
ladies gave much to the
community. Lillian was
involved with Odalen
church. She was always
there everytime “lunch”
needed to be served. The
“Odalen Ladies” was a very
small group, but they
continued to be in charge.
Memories of Lillian are
great. Again, Verna died at
the age of 93. Verna was a
very active member of the
Trinity WELCA. Verna was
also involved with the
“Quilting Ministry” of
Trinity. To both families I
offer my sincere sympathy
AND the knowledge that WE
are now the oldest
generation. To me that is
quite an eye-opener. LIFE
DOES GO ON.
Beverley Hall has been out
in Boise for a while
visiting with daughter
Connie and family.
Jackson and Tayor Hall were
out there as were Ruth and
Greg accompanied by grandson
Jase. Jodi (Jase's
mom) surprised Beverley by
also going for a weekend
visit. Fred and
Dorothy are going out now to
accompany Beverley home.
I know they have had a fun,
fun time.
Jan and
Rod Nygard are in Florida
soaking up the sunshine.
Hope
all is well and we will
talk later.
Another
picture of the guys at the
"Table of Knowledge".
starts (right hand corner)
with Larry Pewe, Dave
Monson, Mike Spanier, Chuck
Mielke and LeRoy Pederson
and Jim Kertz.
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