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8/9/2006 – News


Volume 123, Number 27             Wednesday, August 9th, 2006


New business at Leeds plans grand opening Sunday
BY RICHARD PETERSON
A new business in Leeds plans a grand opening this weekend. Jan’s Stall Mall and RV Park will have its grand opening and an outdoor flea and farmers’ market on Sunday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its location adjacent to US 2 on the south side of Leeds.
Owned by Janelle Engstrom, the business is in a building which once housed the late John Thornberg’s hide rendering plant. No, it doesn’t stink. Janelle and her family stripped the inside down to its steel shell, poured a new concrete floor and new sheetrock was installed.
It’s a well-lighted 2400- square foot building, complete with small kitchen and bathroom facilities.
"I’d like to have some people rent space (stalls) to sell their hand-crafted items," Janelle said. "But so far all we’ve got are consignments." Well, that’s almost as good. Besides, she’s only been open since June 22 and those stalls might eventually be rented out.
In the meantime, she’s looking for antiques and hand-crafted items produced by local artisans to place on consignment.
She’s also got 14 RV spots with water, sewer and electricity. For some reason, most of her customers have been people from Michigan and Canada. She speculates that they’re people dropping down into the US to travel on US 2 because it’s in better shape than the Trans-Canada Highway. Also, gas is cheaper in the US — even at $3 per gallon!
The RV’ers she’s had so far are only for one night stands but she thinks she might get some fishermen who will opt to stay several days. "After all, we’re only 10 miles from good fishing in Lake Irvine near Churchs Ferry and only about 15 miles to Devils Lake at the Brinsmade Road."
There’s someone at the business from 12 noon to 8 p.m. daily except Wednesdays. The phone number is 701-466-2244. RV’ers who pull in after 8 p.m. can self-register.
She’s got lots of stuff on consignment: painted buffalo skulls, china, depression glass, carnival glass, kitchen items, old postcards of area towns, Smurf glasses, crocks from 30 gallons to a half gallon, western memorabilia, trivets, sad irons, bridles, bits for horses, spurs, harness equipment, antique woodworking tools, old newspapers with major headlines such as "Japan Gives Up," cigar boxes, tobacco tins, Indian artifacts such as arrowheads and rock hammers, old Dakota Farmer magazines, farm toys, dolls, comic books, cameras (lots of Polaroids), old typewriters, a large assortment of reamers (lemon squeezers), trunks, telephone line insulators, old toys and many wall hangings. That just scratches the surface.
She’s selling fresh baked goods from Dave Strinden’s Bake Shop at Leeds. There are gift items, such as jewelry, quilted items, baby shoes, etc. There are items that will appeal to men and women.
She’s also an expert at buying and selling on eBay. Her e-mail address is jansstallmall@hotmail.com .
The grand opening on Sunday includes a flea market and farmers’ market. There’s a $20 flat fee for sellers who must bring their own tables which will be placed outside. There is no admission charge for those attending the event. She expects garage sale items, garden produce and handicrafts and will award a prize for the most unusual item for sale. There will be free balloons and popcorn all day.
Barbecued pork sandwiches will be sold by Relay for Life. "Bring your lawn chair," Janelle advises.
In case of rain or high winds, the event will be held the following Sunday. Another flea market and farmers’ market is planned for September 10. If they go over well, she plans to have them monthly next year.
Janelle and her husband, Terry Engstrom, live on a farm north of York. She is a graduate of Rugby High School and is the daughter of Minnewaukan natives Eugene and Bernadine Howard of Rugby. The Engstroms have two children, Timber, 10, and Macy, 4.
This venture is a new direction for Janelle. Before opening the mall and RV park, she attended college for occupational therapy and was a dispatcher for 911 and law enforcement in Wyoming and Rugby. "I’ve always wanted to do this," she says.

Janelle Engstrom stands in the entryway of her spacious stall mall on the south edge of Leeds adjacent to US 2. She’s having a grand opening this weekend, featuring a farmers’ market and flea market. Her business also includes an RV park.



New monument
A new monument has taken its place on the main street of Minnewaukan.
This is the bell tower which was on the roof of the fire hall for many years. When a new siren for the city came on line, there was no further need for the bell tower and when the roof was redone, the bell tower was removed. The old siren stood on top of the bell tower.
Antique fire hose holders are at the base and the bell is visible in its cradle. The monument is located kitty-korner from Dakota Spirits (formerly the drug store). Scenes from Esmond’s All-School Reunion July 7, 8 and 9


Left to right are Reuben Streifel ’61; members of the class of ’58 Jim Streifel, Jim Bengson, Larry Pace and Jerome Binfet; and Sandy Streifel, Reuben’s wife.


Ninety-nine-year-old Art Rice, ’26, seated, congratulates Art Streifel on receiving recognition for driving a school bus for 20 years. Rice served on the school board for many years.


Art Streifel,’45, left, was recognized for serving 20 years as a bus driver. Co-masters of ceremonies Dwight Leier and Stan Bachmeier presented a plaque.


Classmates from 1959 remembered old times. Left to right are Patty Oakland Brevig, Arlene Voeller Anderson, Helen Wentz Eli and Lorraine Lauinger Brewer.


Members of the class of 1965 gathered in a pickup. Left to right are David Arnold, Frank Erck, Dessie College Scott, Ron Vetter, Diane Streifel Peyerl and Carol Ness Pullen. The man on the far right is Carol Pullen’s friend.


Evie Heisler Volk ’63, and Jeannette Marthe Arnold ’62, enjoy sharing memories.


Jane Wolfe, ’55, is shown with her plaque and a bouquet.


Stan Bachmeier (background) announces for Karnak the Magnificent (Duane Leier, ’65).


The late Alice Keller, the late Betty Black and Jane Wolfe were honored by the Esmond Eagles Alumni Association for their long service as teachers at a ceremony during the Esmond All-School Reunion July 7, 8 and 9. Jerry Keller, ’61, left, accepted a plaque honoring his mother from co-masters of ceremonies Dwight Leier, ’64, and Stan Bachmeier, ’66.


Ole Wentz ’57, and Arlene Brown Hoffner ’52, recall old times.


Hamming it up for the camera are Gary Rieger, ’60, Bernetta Boser Vinje, ’66 and Roger Rieger, ’64