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10/8/2008 – News


Volume 125, Number 36           Wednesday, October 8th, 2008



Big walleye!
Troy Backstrom of Minnewaukan holds the 6.5 lb. walleye he caught September 30 while fishing near the Mauvais Coulee bridge on ND 19. The big walleye fell for a leech.



Studying Africa
Jambo! (Hello in Swahili.) The Leeds second and third grade students have completed their study of Africa. They researched various countries and animals, designed Kente cloth and made African ceremonial masks. Second and third graders are pictured with their African ceremonial masks. Kwaheri (Goodbye in Swahili.)

Showing their African masks are, left to right, back row: Luke Pepple, Keaton Nelsen, Nathan Elverud and Callie Lawrence. In the middle row are Caitlyn Blazer, Declan Ritterman, Reganne Ritterman, Kim Nelsen and Evan Follman. Seated are Hailey Gunderson and Camee Wangler.

Pictured with their artwork featuring African scenes are, left to right, back row: Braydon Follman, Arnikka Thompson, Dani Schwanke and Ryan Wangler. Seated are Rochelle Hansen, Garrett Johnson and Cody Dickey.


Reunion held in Rugby for class of 1958
A 50th class reunion was held on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008 in Rugby for the Leeds High School Class of 1958. Twenty-one brave souls ventured out in 70 degree weather under cloudless skies for the gala event in the geographical center of North America. Charlotte McCarty, class president, opened the reunion by asking everyone to introduce themselves and give a brief biography. Next a memorial remembrance was held for the 11 deceased classmates.
Awards were presented. Charlotte McCarty was given the Farthest Traveler Award for her trip by car from Richmondville, NY. There was a tie between LuWanna Miller and Gloria Bracken for the Best Preserved Award and Buddy Chalmers was the winner of the Could Have Been More Successful If I Had Hit the Lottery Award.
Teachers attending the reunion were Dorothy Anderson Kitterman and Irving Thompson. Plans are under way for the next class reunion on the third Saturday in August of 2013. Class members not in attendance this year were Elsie Eide Elverud, Thomas Graham, Kathryn Gregor Christen, Gordon Guffey, Karen Jensen Kirkland, Ross Julson, Gloria Kinneberg Mavis, Sandra Mavis Nelson, Robert Nordhougen, Janet Ose Beazie, Robert Sessions, Betsy Summers Wahlstrom and Janice Thompson Nelson. Deceased members of the class are Diane Buchta Sauter, Fred Johnson, Dix Maristeun, Kenneth Morkert, Fay Patterson Funk, Ronald Remmen, Billy Runcorn, Sandra Sexhus, Jeannette Sminesvik Ryan, Roger Thomas and Roland Thompson.

The Leeds High School Class of 1958 is pictured. Back row, left to right, are Roger Chalmers, Bill Urness, Inger Bjerke Thompson, David Ahlberg, Fern Gerald Buchta, LuWanna Brower Miller, Gloria Urness Bracken, Charlotte McCarty and Byron Brenno. Middle row: Deanna Smith Berg, Eunice Tweten Antonson, Karen Holmes Julson, Arlene Friestad Cable, Janet Ritterman Nybo, Mary Jo O’Connell Swanson, Diane Britsch Blomster and Alice Anderson Anderson. Front row: Avis Conway Anderson, Jean Helgeson Olson, Joan Lysne Gilbertson and Dennis Fogelson.



Lots of lefse
Lyle Huffman of Minnewaukan holds two large potatoes he harvested this year. Last year his potato crop was a failure, so this year he planted lots of potatoes later in the season than he usually plants them. The result was a bumper crop. The Pontiac in his right hand and the Kennebec in his left hand each weighed 2 lbs. 3 oz.



Apple Party at Maddock
The Maddock first grade class had its annual Apple Party on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Poems, rap songs, apple treats and a visit from a special guest, Johnny Appleseed, were all part of the program. First grade students and their guests from left to right are: Janine Gigstad and Logan, Ann Sears and Madyson, Cherish Lawson and Heaven, Jen Benson and Chase, Mavis Maloney and Austin Huffman, Jennifer Hagen and Gunnar, Thelma Neis and Emily Nolden, Cheryl Arnold and Jacob, Julie Tandeski and Carter and Amber Neppl and Kadin.

Johnny Appleseed (Jordan Smith) stands behind the first graders. Left to right are Kadin Neppl, Heaven Lawson, Gunnar Hagen, Logan Gigstad, Austin Huffman, Emily Nolden, Madyson Sears, Chase Benson, Carter Tandeski and Jacob Arnold.



Big squash at Leeds
Although some gardens in Leeds did not produce the usually bountiful crops this year, others did. Leeds Mayor Lloyd Himle and wife Bonnie Kay had no problem being rewarded a bountiful harvest and had a couple huge surprises when picking their buttercup squash. Lloyd had his pickup bed lined with approximately 40 squash (all from the same plant) Monday morning with the two surprises on the tailgate. Lloyd poses here with two large buttercups, a 23-1/2 lb. and a whopping 27 lb. According to an online article in the St. Louis Dispatch, October 2004, the dark green buttercup squash was developed by a North Dakota horticulturalist in the 1920s to substitute for the sweet potato which did not grow well in Great Plains climate. (Photo by Jan Lee)



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