3/7/2007 – News
Volume 124, Number 5
BY RICHARD PETERSON
Esmond native Salvinus Hoffert got quite a surprise recently when Benson County Sheriff Steve Rohrer called him in Thief River Falls to report he had found four $100 US Savings Bonds with his name on them in a safe in the Benson County Courthouse.
At first, Hoffert thought there must be some mistake because he didnt remember anything about any savings bonds. But as soon as he put down the phone he remembered that he did buy US Savings Bonds when he was home on leave from the Army in March and April of 1961. He put them in the safest place he could think of, a safe deposit vault at the Esmond bank.
Unfortunately, the bank was broken into later in 1961 and the 58 safety deposit boxes were ransacked. Maybe Hoffert’s bonds were taken as evidence or maybe they were found somewhere and turned into the sheriff’s office. At any rate, they were put into a safe and forgotten until Rohrer discovered them.
Hoffert and his wife, Ann stopped by February 23 to pick up the bonds. The matured value of each bond is $280, so the Hofferts picked up $1,120 they didn’t know they had. The bonds collect interest for a maximum of 25 years, so the last 20 years interest hasn’t accrued on them.
He is a 1956 graduate of Esmond High School. After graduation John Keller talked him into teaching at the Rosedale School near Balta. Hoffert went to Minot State Teachers College for 8 weeks to receive the credentials to teach in a country school. He was there one year and then attended Minot State to obtain his standard degree for teaching elementary school. He taught a year at Sarles and then a year at Balta. He joined the National Guard and his unit was activated and he spent just shy of two years in the Army. After the service he attended Minot State Teachers College again and received his teaching degree in 1964 from Mayville State Teachers College.
His next teaching assignment was at Adams where he met Ann Sullivan. They were married in 1965. They were at Adams two years where he taught business education and social studies. Next they spent a year at Kloten where he taught business ed, social studies, drivers ed and drove a bus route. On weekends and one summer he attended NDSU and obtained a master’s degree in school administration.
His next teaching stint was at Crary, where he spent three years as secondary principal and taught business ed and drivers ed. They spent seven years at Wimbledon where he was superintendent and elementary principal. In 1977 they moved to Grygla, Minn., where he was superintendent and elementary principal until 1998. The last 11 years he was also superintendent and elementary principal at Goodrich, Minn.
Ann had heart bypass surgery at the age of 52 and Salvinus had bypass surgery at the age of 66. Shortly after Silvanus’s bypass, Ann had a stent installed. They figured it was time to quit the 8 to 5 grind.
Since retirement they’ve traveled to every continent on the face of the earth except Antarctica. They were on their way there, but seas were too heavy and the captain of the ship turned back. Last year they were in the Middle East — Israel and Jordan. They commented that security was very heavy there.
March 2 they left for a trip to tour Aztec ruins in Mexico. That trip had been planned long ago.
But with their new-found money, perhaps they’ll try visiting Antarctica again.
Benson County Sheriff Steve Rohrer, left, hands the US Savings Bonds he found in a safe in the sheriff’s office to Ann and Salvinus Hoffert. Hoffert bought the bonds in 1961 and they disappeared later that year when the Esmond bank was broken into.
Johnny Grann of Minnewaukan grins and gives a "Number One" for the Minnewaukan-Leeds Girls Basketball Team, which took fifth place at the state tournament last week. Johnny is being held by his basketball star sister, Bobbi Grann, who also gives the Number One sign. On the right is Johnny’s cousin, Alyssa Erickson, another valuable member of the team.
Minnewaukan-Leeds Lions
Back row, left to right, assistant coach Jason Gullickson, Kayla Bingham, Jordan Callahan, Denage Braaten, Alyssa Erickson, Bobbi Grann, Katrece Thompson and coach Travis Risovi. Middle row, Sadie Vallier, Ashley Manley and Kylee Rallo. Front row, Gina Ritterman, Brandi Weed, Dawn Teigen, Katie Clifton and Hope Keller.
Despite Mother Nature’s efforts, the ND State Girls Class B Basketball Tournament went on as planned at the Minot State University Dome March 1, 2 and 3.
The weather and road conditions made getting to Minot rather interesting, but sure didn’t keep the Minnewaukan-Leeds fans away. The sea of red and blue behind the team bench showed its pride in the girls. The cheering section, led by the M-L cheerleaders, kept up a mighty roar for the Lions throughout the tournament.
The excitement began Thursday at 1 p.m. when No. 6 ranked Minnewaukan-Leeds faced No. 3 ranked Bowman County.
Each team played in fits and starts the first half. Shooting the ball wasn’t a problem — the shots were there — but tournament jitters had the girls forcing those shots, and missing them. Lions fans witnessed something they hadn’t seen all season: Bobbi Grann missing lay-ups.
Minnewaukan-Leeds got a slow start to the second half then found its rhythm and began closing the gap in the third quarter. That’s when Bowman County realized this wasn’t going to be an easy win. With a little over three minutes left in the game, the Lions tied on a Grann drive for two.
Unfortunately the aggressiveness displayed by Minnewaukan-Leeds wasn’t enough to ensure a win. Fouls were made to stop the clock, but Bowman County ball handler Brittany Anderson wasn’t one to miss her free throws. (She was 100% from the gift stripe.) The final result was 44-41.
Quarter scores: Bowman County 9-6, 18-12 and 27-23.
M-L: Dawn Teigen 13, Jordan Callahan 12, Bobbi Grann 8, Alyssa Erickson 4, Hope Keller 4.
BC: Brittany Anderson 18, Abby Nasset 9, Allison Hanson 8, Lindsey Tivis 5, Mandi Palczewski 2, Megan Naico 2.
Three-pointers: M-L 1 (Teigen); BC 1 (Anderson).
Turnovers: M-L 10; BC 17.
Rebounds: M-L 28; BC 33.
FG percentage: M-L 37%; BC 38%.
FT percentage: M-L 25%; BC 83%.
The second game of the day was another close one. No. 2 ranked Bottineau barely squeaked by No. 5 ranked Steele-Dawson, 49-47.
The evening session began with No. 1 ranked New Salem soundly defeating Midway-Minto 41-22 and ended with New Town outscoring No. 8 ranked Kindred 54-46.
Friday morning brought sunshine and a pep rally for players and fans, allowing the girls to relax and have some fun before the seriousness of the afternoon.
The Lions again opened tournament play at 1 p.m., this time taking on the Lady Pirates of Steele-Dawson.
The defense was kicked up a notch for this game and the shots were going in better than the day before. (It should be noted that Dawn Teigen deserves an award for persistence. She kept trying her three-point shot and was close every time.)
Even so, things didn’t pick up until Grann had a number of steals in the second quarter that had Steele-Dawson watching its 18-10 first quarter lead morph into a 30-26 halftime lead held by the Lions.
The Lady Pirates tried a press that didn’t faze the fearless Lions. They were playing their game and nothing would get in the way of their 63-50 win.
Quarter scores: Steele-Dawson 18-10 and Minnewaukan-Leeds 30-26 and 49-37.
M-L: Dawn Teigen 14, Bobbi Grann 14, Brandi Weed 10, Hope Keller 9, Alyssa Erickson 8, Jordan Callahan 5, Katrece Thompson 3.
S-D: Paige Fredrickson 13, Danielle Peterson 8, Whitney Eckroth 7, Elida Benz 7, Bailey Benson 7, Lindsey Sand 6, Kayla Kubik 2.
Three-pointers: M-L 4 (Weed 2, Thompson 1, Keller 1); S-D 3 (Peterson 2, Benson 1).
Turnovers: M-L 22; S-D 27.
Rebounds: M-L 25; S-D 28.
FG percentage: M-L 54%; S-D 44%.
FT percentage: M-L 78%; S-D 52%.
Kindred narrowly advanced to the consolation game with Minnewaukan-Leeds, beating Midway-Minto 44-42.
The championship bracket had the 2006 state champs, the Bottineau Stars bumping the Bowman County Bulldogs, 50-40 and the New Salem Holsteins advancing on the wings of the New Town Eagles, 63-39.
The final day of the tournament had people scrambling to the mall for some last minute shopping before settling in at the dome.
Seventh place honors went to Steele-Dawson with its 54-41 win over Midway-Minto.
Next came the Minnewaukan-Leeds Lions against state tournament veterans, the Kindred Vikings.
The Lions defense again made its presence known, causing Kindred to commit 26 turnovers and allowing only two Vikings to score in double figures.
Sophomore Bobbi Grann once again had a good game, but she is the first to tell you that teamwork is what it’s all about.
As a unit, the Lions are a scrappy bunch who get down to business and love to reek havoc on the opponent. Of the teams they played, every one of them showed their frustration and had to call quick time-outs to take a break from the pressure.
Even the calm Kindred Vikings were not immune to the Lions peskiness. They resorted to fouls to stop the clock and then watched as free throw after free throw went in.
The Lions got a scare in the last 25 seconds when Kindred went up by one to 52-51 on a three point play, but quickly retaliated when Grann took the ball all the way down and made a five-footer. Then Teigen poked the ball away and Grann got one last chance on the lay-ups that had haunted her during the tournament. This one, like too many of the rest, wouldn’t go in, but the Lions still came away with the 53-52 win and fifth place honors.
Quarter scores: Kindred 11-9, 22-21 and 33-33.
M-L: Bobbi Grann 15, Hope Keller 12, Dawn Teigen 11, Jordan Callahan 9, Brandi Weed 4, Katrece Thompson 2.
Kindred: Mandi Bindas 25, Lindsey Jameson 12, Candace Boyer 5, Megan Talley 4, Sadie Skarloken 4, Morgan Bindas 2.
Three-pointers: M-L 3 (Keller 2, Teigen 1); Kindred 4 (Jameson 3, Bindas 1).
Turnovers: M-L 15; Kindred 26.
Rebounds: M-L 29; Kindred 34.
FG percentage: M-L 37%; Kindred 48%.
FT percentage: M-L 61%; Kindred 53%.
New Town took third place by defeating Bowman County 46-42 and the Bottineau Stars earned their second straight Class B title with a 58-30 win over New Salem.
The Lions fifth place finish for a first ever tournament appearance isn’t bad at all. Their season record is the same as Bottineau’s and New Salem’s, which puts them where they belong — with the best.
Honor Clyde team
The winter storm that blasted the Midwest stranded three members of the 1957 Clyde girls basketball team at the airport in Minneapolis, Minn. and caused travel problems for others. Pictured are those that made it to Minot to be honored during the 2007 state Class B girls basketball tournament.
Left to right are Mary Westphal Feldner and Don Feldner of Starkweather, Nancy Biby Holt and her brother, Tom of Pensacola, Fla., Dee Leonard Loken and Ardie Loken of Brinsmade, Coach John Needham (in the wheelchair) of St. Cloud, Minn., and Carter Sharff and Carole Ritter Sharff of Christine. Dee Loken was featured in an article in the Farmers Press last week.
The ladies and their spouses spent every minute together, catching up and reminiscing. There was some talk about water balloons, but full details were not shared.
Indians advance to regionals
The Four Winds Indians were the District 7 champions and will advance to the regional tournament March 5, 6 and 7. Back row, left to right are Coach Dean Dauphinais Jr., Coach Sean Gourd, Mike Adams, Reno Littleghost, CJ Ironheart, Scott Bull, Jeremy Dauphinais, Coach Doug Yankton and Head Coach Rick Smith. Front row, left to right are Demery Lawrence, Jeff Demarce, Ivan Lovejoy, Chanze Herman, Tony Ironheart, Zack Alberts, Chuck Lovejoy and Dallas Littlewind. The framed jersey in the middle is the retired jersey of Michael Mead. He died in a car accident last spring.
Lions are #1 in District 8
The Minnewaukan-Leeds Lions were the District 8 champions and will advance to the regional tournament March 5, 6 and 7. Back row, left to right are Coach Jeff Walen, Coach Charlie Bisbee, Travis Myklebust, Mike Anderson, Reid Haagenson, John Lunde, Tyson Holybull, Ben Cline, Steve Hausmann, RJ Darling, Kenny Schmid and Head Coach Ron Carlson. Middle row kneeling, left to right are Amy Otten-stats, Hannah Anderson-mascot, Shawn Swanson, Adam LaRoque, Vince Fox, Dustin Paulson, Brad Nelsen, Brendan Tarang and Logan Gunderson-stats. Front row sitting, left to right are cheerleaders, Samantha Swanson, Whitnee Streyle, Stephanie Harkness, Karlee Gronos, Amber Bracken, Ali Strand and Katie Chandler-stats.
Seniors of the Minnewaukan-Leeds Lions team are shown with the District 8 first place plaque the team received last Monday in Langdon. Left to right are Ben Cline and Tyson Holybull of Minnewaukan, Travis Myklebust of Leeds, Kenny Schmid of Minnewaukan and RJ Darling of Leeds.
Earn awards
Head coach Ron Carlson of Minnewaukan-Leeds, left, is shown with his District 8 Coach of the Year plaque. Mike Callahan of Minnewaukan was recognized as the District 8 Athletic Director of the Year. Both were honored last Monday after Minnewaukan-Leeds defeated St. John for the district title in Langdon.