10/14/2009 – News
Volume 126, Number 37
Neighbors help bring in the crop after tragedy strikes
BY LYNN PAULSON
There are times when we all wonder why we live in this part of the country. Unquestionably you could argue there are other places that offer a better year-around climate, more social options, sophisticated cultural activities and a much wider array, selection and variety of what most people would consider sought-after amenities.
The critical missing ingredient in the aforementioned set of assumptions is the character, integrity and traditional core values of the people and individuals who live and work here. It’s old-fashioned character traits you simply don’t seem to find in other parts of the country.
My brother, Lee died very unexpectedly on July 15. He was a farmer, and like many of our Choice Financial farm producers, very passionate about his farm operation. He understood if you took care of the land, the land would take care of you.
He was 56 years old and had been a bachelor all his life. That, however, was set to change. He was planning to be married three days later on July 18. What was supposed to be his wedding day turned out to be the day of his funeral. It was a cruel and twisted irony.
What has occurred in the days and weeks that have passed since July 15 has clearly reinforced my faith in the high moral fiber of people in America’s heartland. Lee’s friends and neighbors stepped up immediately, offering their "no-strings attached" help and assistance to get the crop harvested.
In early September, a couple dozen of Lee’s friends and neighbors got together on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to harvest the remaining acres of wheat. Between a couple of harvest locations there were about 13 combines (about an even split between green and red!), a whole fleet of semi-trucks and a couple of grain carts. It likely was the best crop Lee ever raised in his over 30 years of farming.
These folks gave up a precious day they could have used to harvest their own crops to come and help someone in need — with no expectation of receiving anything in return. Where in the world (literally) do you still see that type of spirit and selflessness? As I thanked these Good Samaritans for their generosity, a couple of the neighbors relayed to me — "Lynn, we not only wanted to do this, we needed to do this."
Unfortunately, we seem to live in an "it’s all about me" or "I’m a victim" type of society that seems to be filled with a whole lot more takers than there are givers.
It’s very refreshing to know there are still places, communities and good people who are right with the world.
I wish I could publicly acknowledge every single person that has helped out. They all deserve much more thanks than I or my family can ever properly convey.
The harvest bee received some very nice television, newspaper and radio coverage. It was nice to see Lee’s friends and neighbors get recognition for their good deeds. It even made the USA Today newspaper. The situation, while unfortunate in one sense, seemed to give a lot of people a renewed belief that there still are people and places that have their priorities in order and have the right core value systems deeply rooted and properly grounded.
Lynn Paulson is chief executive officer of Choice Financial, a banking, insurance and investments corporation headquartered in Grafton with locations in Langdon, West Fargo, Fargo, Walhalla, Grand Forks, Grafton, Petersburg and Goodrich. He is a 1974 graduate of Maddock High School and is the son of Carmen Paulson of Maddock.
Helping bring in the crop at the Lee Paulson farm were, kneeling, left to right, Lynn Paulson, Mike Paulson, Mike Taylor, Jeff Ellingson, Noah Ellingson, Matt Knudson, Ruth Lindgren and Jonelle Hvinden. Standing: Tracy Kallenbach, Ryan Knatterud, Jadin Kallenbach, Eric Hvinden, Mark Kallenbach, James Hvinden, Jason Knatterud, C.B. Braaten, Lonnie Anderson, Howard Jacobson, Kyle Sabbe, Matt Gilbertson, Gary Schell, Roger Sabbe, Jim Fossen, Carmen Paulson, Lorraine Sabbe and Robyn Alsaker. Not pictured are Kim Paulson, Jesse Stensby and Donnie Ystaas.
Combines, trucks and grain carts were in constant motion, bringing in one of the better crops Paulson grew in his 30 years of farming.
New owners of The Cottage come here from Wisconsin
The new owners of The Cottage took over the business in Minnewaukan October 5. Carol and Ron Worthey, who have been part-time residents of Minnewaukan for six years, have moved here to take up full-time residence. They purchased the business from Cindy Huffman.
They come from Waupaca, Wisc. where he had a taxidermy business. He retired and sold the business to his son.
Six years ago they purchased the former Hazel Sears home in Minnewaukan and used that for their vacation home prior to moving here for good.
Carol was a teachers’ aide in Waupaca and worked at a greenhouse there for about five years. She’s always wanted to have a business such as the one she will now be running as Carol’s Cottage Floral and Gift.
The Wortheys have two boys, Thomas, 15 and Jason, 13. Although retirement will be his primary occupation, Ron will probably come out of retirement to deliver flowers. Oh yes, as long as the big lake is so close, he’ll also be doing some fishing.
Hours of Carol’s Cottage Floral and Gift will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday. The phone number will remain the same, 473-5636.
Ron and Carol Worthey are the new owners of The Cottage in Minnewaukan. As of October 5, the business will be known as Carol’s Cottage Floral and Gifts. The Wortheys came to Minnewaukan from Wisconsin.
Grip of Winter
Old Man Winter’s icy grip on the mighty lake will soon tame it into submission. The area recently had its first hard freeze which ended the growing season. The corn and bean harvests are now beginning and Halloween will soon be here.
Wildcats read
Wildcats readers are found in the elementary classrooms of the Minnewaukan, Maddock and Leeds Schools every Friday afternoon of game days. Football players from this new football co-op wanted to make an impact on the younger students of their schools and decided they would promote the importance and the joy of reading. Wildcats Alex Beecroft and Jacob Cline from the Minnewaukan School are shown reading to younger students.
Wildcats team member Mitch Olson reads to elementary students at Maddock.
Wildcats readers Zyler Follman and Blake Darling from the Leeds School read to younger students.
Leeds first graders John Fischer and Blayne Anderson enjoy a book together during free time.
Five generations
Five generations are pictured in this family photo. Left to right are great-grandparents Ray and Marlys (Yri) Darling, great-great-grandparents Ted and Maxine Yri, Josh and Rachel (Keller) Schaefer, holding baby Eastyn Joshua, grandparents Raphael and Wanda (Darling) Keller and April (Keller) Anderson holding baby Rylen, Shane, Blayne and Jaylen Anderson.
Warwick School has 80% perfect attendance in Aug.
The Warwick School reports 80 percent of students at the school the last two weeks of August had perfect attendance. Awards for August and September were recently given out. Students with perfect attendance in September are pictured with Principal Steve Jacobson.
Those with perfect attendance in August were: pre-kindergarten (Mrs. Holden) — Sunnie Belgarde, Jordan Everett, Cody Greywater, Kaydence Little, Billy Longie, Jozey Retzlaff, (Mrs. Moxness) — Tayshaun Black, Khloe Cavanaugh, Alionna Lawrence, Morgan McKay, Nevada Rue and Shelby Stevenson; kindergarten (Mrs. Gjovik) — Hillary Archambault, Peyton Azure, Abigail Cavanaugh, James Charboneau, Shanese Jetty, Douglas Lawrence, Genevive Little, Maci McKay and Glenna Rue; first grade — Nathaniel Azure, Shawn Brown, Nathan Cavanaugh, Gina Demarce, Jayla Guy, Julian Hill, Kari Little, Benjamin Longie, Keyen Omen, Mackenzie Robertson, Mark Shaw and Cole Smith; second grade — Drew Cavanaugh, Jackson Delorme, Mallory Demarce, Gary Feather, Klint Georgeson, Kory Georgeson, David Mandan, Truth Robertson, Justice Robertson and Sydney Tollefson; third grade — Jordan Bertsch, Bill Brown, Tachella Feather, Trinity Hunt, Shanae Jetty, Chandler Redfox, Gionni Robertson, Markki Shaw and John Tollefson; fourth grade — Weylin Azure, Sage Bertsch, Traysen Feather, Seanna Georgeson, Jayryl Guy and Julia Hill; fifth grade — Kristina Archambault, Kaylean Lohnes, Katelyn Omen, Sydney Ramsey and Halley Tollefson; sixth grade — Jace Baker (Feather), Paul Lawrence Jr. and Isaac Owlboy.
Those having perfect attendance in September were: pre-kindergarten (Mrs. Holden) Cody Greywater, (Mrs. Moxness — Mariah Fassett, Cadence Feather, Alionna Lawrence, Nevada Rue and Shelby Stevenson; kindergarten (Mrs. Gjovik) — Dante Azure, James Charboneau, Douglas Lawrence, (Mrs. Leith) — Peyton Azure and Kylen Guy; first grade (Mrs. Freeman) — Shawn Brown, Gina Demarce, Marlin Demarce, Cole Smith, (Ms. Olson) — Jayla Guy, Julian Hill, Kalista Jackson, Benjamin Longie and Mark Shaw; second grade — Mallory Demarce, Addison Greyhorn, Mariah Redfox, Justice Robertson and Truth Robertson; third grade — Jordan Bertsch, Gionni Robertson and Markki Shaw; fourth grade — Sage Bertsch, Julia Hill and Raymond Peltier; fifth grade, Kristina Archambault.
Warwick Elementary School students who had perfect attendance in September are pictured with Elementary Principal Steve Jacobson.
Students help food pantry
Students from the Maddock School who helped unload more than two tons of food goods from the Great Plains Food Bank truck to stock the Maddock Food Pantry were, left to right, Megan Wald, Rachel Olson, Dylan Lauinger, Preston Gilderhus, Jaden Lunde, Mr. Chris Fuge, Alex Brandvold, Justin Streifel, Mason Tandeski, Trey Benson and Kirby Kallenbach.
