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7/12/2006 – News


Volume 123, Number 23             Wednesday, July 12th, 2006



New historical exhibit in Churchs Ferry
Thanks to support from the North Dakota Legislature and the State Historical Society of North Dakota, travelers and tourists will better understand the history of early settlers and the buyout of Churchs Ferry.
Earlier this month, an interpretive exhibit was erected at gardendwellers Farm in Churchs Ferry. The sign was purchased with grant funds the Devils Lake Joint Basin Water Resource Board received from the State Historical Society. The exhibit is a weatherproof sign placed in the gardens at gardendwellers Farm.
The exhibit outlines the westward migration from Larimore to the Mauvais Coulee and its settlement by early pioneers such as Irvine Church, H.D. Orvis and Henry Noltimier. The story goes on to relate the building of the ferry, the settlement of the area, the importance of the railroad and some of the significant industries in the village’s history. A piece of the text tells basic details of the FEMA buyout of the community in 2000 and the beginnings of gardendwellers Farm. Along with the sign, the flower bed adjacent to the exhibit is planted with flowers from the gardens of previous residents. Each resident’s contribution is identified by garden markers. gardendwellers Farm is open and free to the public from sunup to sundown, May to October. The historic exhibit and flower garden are easily accessed from Orvis Avenue in central Churchs Ferry. For more information on gardendwellers Farm go to
www.gardendwellersfarm.com.



Elks Band performs at Esmond parade
An institution at area parades and community gatherings, the Devils Lake Elks Band made an appearance at the Esmond All-School Reunion Parade on Saturday, July 8. There were 61 entries in the parade and the weather was nearly perfect, although quite warm. The event was termed a success with large crowds in attendance at all events.


The Stav Kirke of the Sons of Norway Heim Lodge of Devils Lake was brought to Esmond for the parade. Art Rice of Devils Lake, a native of Esmond and a member of the lodge, did much of the carpenter work on the float. Rice, age 99, was the parade grand marshal. The float was pulled by a pickup furnished by
the Churchs Ferry Alumni Assn.


Even though the temperature was in the 90’s, the Esmond Eagles Alumni Association had perfect weather for its 2006 All-School Reunion. There were 61 entries in the parade, which was announced by John Rice of Maddock. Grand Marshal Art Rice rode in this vehicle. Rice is 99 years old.


The Esmond Post Office entered this float, complete with the eagle emblem of the USPS.


This 1941 Allis-Chalmers is pulling a two-bottom plow. All the tractors in the parade belonged to Wayne Jensen. A wind gust raised cain with the umbrella.


The Benson County VFW Post 4251 of Esmond had this float in the parade.


This BR John Deere was driven by Art Streifel.


The Esmond VFW Auxiliary entered this float in the parade.


Wayne Jensen is seated on the fender of this 10-20 McCormick-Deering.


This Jeep was entered by the Maddock Memorial Home. Esmond natives Leo and Bennie Marquart are seated in the rear and Mike Fritel is in the passenger seat.


This W4 McCormick is pulling a Huber threshing machine. Larry Jensen, son of Wayne Jensen, is the driver.


Walter and Ann Streifel are on this float which states, "Walter & Ann (Lauinger) Streifel, Esmond Alumni Graduates, Farmed 60 years west of Esmond, Married 62 plus years."


This four-wheeler is pulling a trailer which proclaims "Wolfe Farms 5th Generation." The fifth generation is on the trailer.


Esmond native Ed Lauinger of Devils Lake brought his Cadillac parade car to Esmond.


Dennis Leier drives the four-wheeler pulling the Leier Construction float.


LeRoy Rieger drove the pickup which pulled this replica of LeRoy’s Quonset.


This Oliver HG tractor on tracks is one of Jensen’s restored tractors.