Vacationing With Family

Hello Folks! — We are back from our vacation and a fine one it was. It is one that the children will never forget. Romping in the Badlands, driving along roads full of switchbacks, hairpins and pigtails. Going through long tunnels where the kids tried to out shout each other and failing that, insisted on having the horn honk so they could hear it echo through the tunnels. Visiting museums. Sliding down snowbanks barefooted and having snowball fights. Camping out and having picnics in the mountains. Swimming in the hot springs until they were tired. Renewing acquaintances with cousins and getting acquainted with others. Visiting lumbering camps over 9,000 feet elevation in the mountains and a host of other things makes this summer one to be remembered.

This was a vacation where rest was almost at a premium there was so much going on. The night we go home the children went right to bed and slept until late the next morning.

Grandpa and Grandma Barnes celebrated their Golden Anniversary. It was a grand success. The families of each one of the eight children put on the program and entertained with poems, skits and songs.

There is a lot of talent in the Barnes family and they proved it. I was asked to MC the program. The show lasted one and a half hours.

The work was waiting for us when we got home and we are back in the swing of it. The children are already getting up ideas for another day.

On our trip we spent a good half day in Cody, Wyoming. It is one of the most progressive cities I have ever seen.

Any one visiting the town should plan on spending at least a day there. It is named after William F. (Buffalo Bill) Cody and much of its history is tied up with him.

Cody was a showman and I don't believe that he intended for a minute that the town should ever forget him. I don't mean that to be a slam, for he was truly a man of high order. He left a heritage for America that we can all be proud of and to tell of his many accomplishments would fill a number of books.

He established a museum in Cody that is the finest anywhere. A full day could be spent there viewing all the relics and sights to be found in the four large buildings occupying the sight.

Another benefactor of Cody is Mrs. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. She sculptured the "Buffalo Bill" statue at the west edge of town and bequeathed a wonderful museum that is worth anyone's time to visit. It is a huge thing and many hours could be spent there, profitably.

Today's great benefactor of Cody is Glenn Nielsen, founder and president of Husky Oil Co. Through his generous contributions the Whitney museum has received many valuable art and museum pieces.

Also as a result of Mr. Nielsen and the deceased artist Edward Grigware Cody has another important art attraction.

Petersens Visit British Columbia

HELLO FOLKS!

It is vacation time again for the Petersen's. By the time this column is being read we will have about finished our leisure time for the summer. We are visiting in British Columbia about 1,900 miles froth home, in the Okanaga Valley.

This is a beautiful valley of fruit, fishing, boating, skiing, hunting, lumbering and cattle. It has a beautiful climate with the warm Japanese current warming up the breezes to give it a temperate climate of few severe extremes.

We took Highway 10 from Fargo to Glendive, Montana; cutting north and going through Glacier Park, Calgary and over the Trans - Canadian to Vernon. It is a beautiful drive. The Canadian Rockies are unsurpassed in beauty.

All along the way, the grass and crops are looking good; with bumper crops coming along. The children were especially impressed with Glacier Park, where they played in the snow. Some of them played their bare feet.

Canada is a young country for the most part in the first stages of a booming economy. Calgary gives the impression of being a city with a tremendous growth period. Everywhere you look buildings are going up, and expanding. The annual Calgary Roundup is the second week in July. This extravaganza is currently being held for five days, however understand that next year it will be extended to 10 days.

It is obvious that the Trans-Canadian highway was a tremendous engineering feat but even so some of it is obsolete almost before it is finished. It has really opened Canada to the tourist trade.

Before completion of the road Canada was almost divided between the West — of the Rocky area and the East; this except for the railroad. No doubt there will soon be much more road building. Tourists are flocking into the area taxing every available, facility. As roads are being built they will flock to move tourist areas. Eastern Canadians obviously want to see what the province to the west of them is like... judging from the license plates.

Canadian farmers have had it hard in the past. They are far behind United States farmers. This is due to the inavailability of credit. Now, however, they in have a Federal Land Bank and Production Credit system. This gives them a chance to expand into efficient units and get the necessary machinery to produce efficiently. They still do some of the work the hard way, however.

Canada having just made a tremendous wheat deal with Russia is urging the farmers to grow all the wheat they can. The government is going all out to encourage farmers to clear land and plant more.

Some farm leaders are complaining that the price doesn't encourage enough incentive for production, but I don't believe this complaint is justified. Farmers are in the drivers seat in many ways. There are no taxes on personal property. There is a 5 per cent sales tax on all commodities except food and medicine. Farmers wanting machinery do not have to pay the sales tax either.

I believe that the Canadian farmers in the plains area could nearly double their production in one year. This through use of nitrogen and other fertilizers and forgetting about fallowing, which I understand is no longer needed with modern farming methods.

Fond Memories Of Cold Snow

Hello Folks! Just a year ago we visited Virginia City, Montana. I hadn't heard of the place before, so I wasn't too excited about going there, but this was our vacation and it was hot in the Gallatin Valley where we were staying with my in-laws. We left early one morning. As we looked westward we could see snow capping the mountains over which we were to pass. With the temperature over 90 degrees in the valley it would seem good to throw a few snowballs.

Virginia City is not on a main highway. We left No. 10 and took state highway 34. It is a new road and very good except for a few miles that is rough and gravely. As we climbed the mountain range the temperature became very comfortable; finally we even rolled up the windows. We got very close to the snow but didn't get to throw any snow balls.

Virginia City lies right in the heart of the Rockies. A gulch goes right through the town along side the street (there is only one street). The sights we were to see that day I will remember for a long time. Virginia City has a fabulous history. Silver was discovered there is such quantities that is became a boom town and, at one time it was one of the largest towns in Montana and its capitol. As happens in any boom town prices were exorbitant. Most of the equipment and clothing had to be shipped be stage over poor roads from Salt Lake City, 300 miles away.

Most of the mining was placer or surface mining. Huge equipment was moved in to do the work. The results of the big machinery is still evident as whole hillsides were moved to get at the silver.

A brewery was built and was the next largest industry. A theater was established and New York players were engaged to perform. Of course when the silver gave out everybody got panicky and the town was deserted overnight. Values dropped to nothing and nearly everything left as tho the proprietors had just stepped out for lunch. Hauling costs were too high to warant moving anything out. I'll tell you more about Virginia City next week.

—o—

"Why won't you marry me?" he demanded. "There isn't anyone else is there?"

"Oh Edgar," she sighed, "there must be."

—o—

Sometimes we hear the argument that our surpluses are not so high and that we should prepare for famines just as the pharoah of Egypt did under the direction of Joseph. I think it is a good idea to follow good examples whenever and wherever possible, but we should also analize the conditions and determine whether they apply to us or not. For one thing today we have swift means of transportation, we have knowledge of the use of soils, how to preserve moisture and fertilize them for maximum production. In other words our conditions today do not apply to requirements of ancient days. We know from past experiences about what the needs are for the days ahead, barring any unforseeable conditions. Production by irrigation can be speedily stepped up to meet urgent needs. It doesn't take much surplus to deaden the market and until we have good reason to build up wasteful supplies, I think we ought to keep them within proper bounds.

—o—

You can't kill time without injuring eternity.

—o—

Heaven must be in us before we can be in heaven.

—o—

It seems that congress insists on limiting the flexible program so much that it won't flex off rock bottom. If it won't flex that means we could get lower prices than ever.

Humor Ends The Tension

HELLO FOLKS — We were traveling over one of the roads near the Mississippi river in the eastern part of the state. It had been a constant suspense of up hill, down hill, around sharp curves, through canyons, along streams and over ridges. Some of us were car sick and most of us were getting a bit tired of it all.

As we came around one of the last sharp turns staring us in the face was a sign, crudely printed and nailed to a tree. It made us us all laugh. It read: "SOMETHINGS GOTTA GIVE".

—o—

WE HAVE all heard the expressions, "You have to have the bitter to enjoy the better." and "It has to be dark before you can see the stars" and quotations of such nature. At the Petersen home we have found the truth of such sentiments.

We had our share of problems the past summer. Problems that I am sure we have profited by. We had a sweet, new daughter in August, and about six weeks later our queen (meaning my wife) developed a severe infection and was confined to the hospital. That and an operation kept her there three weeks, with another couple weeks for convalescence at home.

With a large family and lots of special problems we were hard put to fund the answers to them. This is where we saw the "stars" or should we say the "better"?

All of a sudden the neighbors started bringing in food. Relatives came to clean, cook, bake and wash and friends took care of the baby, along with the relatives. Without even asking if they could neighbors came into the fields to pick corn.

One lady who had just retired from 40 years of teaching and had raised a family of nine, besides, called and said that she wanted to keep house for us while Vera was unable to. She did a magnificent job of management and we are so grateful to her and all the friends, neighbors and relatives who did so much to show their kindness.

Things are pretty well back to normal and we are convinced that there is really a lot of good in the world, and I am convinced that there is no lack of charity.

Twisting Words Changes Meaning

HELLO FOLKS — Words turned around can mean entirely different things; take these for instance.

A Jeweler sells watches, but a jailor watches cells.

A Teacher trains the mind but an engineer minds the train.

—o—

IT IS VACATION time again and while this reminder may be a bit late for early planning it is still not too late for any or nearly all of us to plan a bit of relaxation while the weather is warm and outdoor recreation pleasant.

Farmers are, I believe the greatest violators when it comes to 'getting away' from it all. Some of the best farmers I know haven't had a vacation for a long time and few farmers take as much time off for relaxation as they should

On the farm there are always many things to do and I have yet to see a farmer that has all his work done up. On top of that we generally have bills to pay and equipment that needs replacing. With such facts staring us in the face it is hard to justify the spending of a lot of money and time in seemingly non-profitable pursuits. However, I think vacations can be one of the best health factors outside of good food and a relaxed mind. There is not a better way to give the body and mind a chance to rejuvenate than a good 'get away from it all' session.

—o—

AN AFRICAN chieftain flew to London for a visit and was met at the airport by newsmen. "Good morning, Chief," one said. "Did you have a comfortable flight?"

The chief made a series of raucous noises-hank, oink, screech, whistle, zzzzz-then added in perfect English, "Yes, very pleasant indeed."

"And how long do you plan to stay?" asked the reporter.

Prefacing his remarks with the same noises, the chief answered, "about three weeks, I think."

"Tell me Chief" inquired the baffled reporter, "where did you learn to speak the english language so flawlessly?"

After the now standard honk, oink, whistle and zzzz, the chief said, "short-wave radio."

—o—

THERE ARE A lot of problems, troubles, woes, pain, heartaches and general difficulties in life. It is hard to see the aged infirm, the crippled child, life taken in its bloom, or any other such things. About as tough a thing to see or know about is a hard working man with a new farm, a wife and four small children to care for, taken down to his bed with out a chance to earn a living for a while.

Such a man is Francis Miller. I drove into their farm a while back, and his good wife was out in the barn doing her best to care for the livestock. Francis had been carried to the house the day before. He has had a lot of trouble with his hip and was coming along pretty well with it when all of the sudden it started acting up again. He is now in the Cities with the doctors working on him. I know you all join with me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

A lot of you know the Millers. They are a big family of Moscow township, top-notch livestock m... and specialists in pure-bred hog... They are nearly always at the County fair with the hogs.

____________

Stephen Hopkins, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was 10 times governor of Rhode Island.

Petersen's Use Family Bus

HELLO FOLKS! — The Hollywood idea of love can probably best described as, 'Lust at first sight'.

—o—

THE FINAL report concerning our vacation is in regards to our family bus. When we bought it, it was between that and a station wagon. We let the children decide and the vote was unanimously for the bus. I had reservations about it but though it would be interesting to have one for a while. I had asked several families who had one and the report was all in favor of the family bus.

Before starting on the trip we thought it would be tiresome to drive long distances. We were pleasantly surprised in that is seemed that it was even easier to drive the bus long distances than with a conventional car. That bus is not as resiliant as a car but what with the roads in the condition that are in today it is not a factor and they do ride easier.

In loading it for the trip we found that there was more room in it than we had anticipated. The suit cases all fit in behind the rear seats and on top of them was room for a comfortable bed. It was generally in use; and large enough for two small children. With the suitcases in the back there was plenty of room under the seats for the water jugs, picnic baskets, and incidentals.

We were 10 in the bus and found ourselves very comfortable. The children could move around, change positions and the smaller ones could stand up if they desired.

A nice thing about the bus is that we sit up two feet higher and thus can see the traffic coming and going.

After the first day we found that it was almost as much fun to lunch on the go as it was to picnic. The back of the motor cover became a table when we were eating and a seat always occupied otherwise.

The jump sear over the front of the motor cover was always occupied too, so with four in the front, one sleeping in the back there was often a seat vacant for lying down for someone else. It was easy for the children to play games as we traveled thus they did not get travel or get car weary. This was unusual to us considering that we traveled 1,900 miles three days going out.

In closing I urge you farmers who haven't had a good restful vacation for two years or more to get plans rolling for one. I know as well as anyone how hard it is to get away. There is always more to do than can be done.

However, a vacation has to be planned as much as anything else. Make plans and stick to them. The work will still be there when you get home.

We all have to get away and see things from a different perspective. I don't believe a vacation costs, it pays, at least if it is done right. It gives one a new lease on life. One gets new ideas that make up for the cost of the vacation.

Actually, a vacation does not have to cost a lot. Food we have to eat anyway and that would not have to be much more than what we eat at home. If you have a good auto, the extra cost is only part of the total per mile operating cost. You don't lose any work at home in the long run as one feels more like working after a good rest. Make it a full two - week vacation at least every two years.Pe

A Long Trip With Family

HELLO FOLKS! — It is vacation time again and that is just what we are doing at this writing.

A long distance telephone call from Grandma Barnes brought us to the realization that this was the year of their Golden Wedding anniversary and that they were expecting us all to be there.

Our family is so large that we hadn't expected to take another long trip together. However, this was to be no ordinary visit. After all, 50th wedding anniversaries don't come often.

We talked over a number of different plans and finally decided that the most practical plan was for us to pack all twelve into the station wagon, hook a trailer behind for all the luggage and take off. We would be crowded, but with proper planning and schooling the discomfort would be held to a minimum.

Haying delayed us a bit. We finished haying the afternoon of the 15th, then packed the luggage and took off.

We had decided to try traveling through the night. The children had tested out the idea of all sleeping in the car and felt that it would work. With Vera and I taking turns driving we got along pretty well.

The weather man cooperated perfectly and gave us the weather we wanted. We got to the Badlands at four a.m. The day was just beginning to break, Mark woke up and said, "It it getting daytime?" "Yes" said his mother, "Good, then I won't have to go to sleep again."

The trip was planned with the children in mind and especially for them. After all we don't expect to take such a trip again with most of the family.

They Enjoyed It

THEY ENJOYED the romp around the Badlands immensely. The sun was not yet up and I think that is the time of day when they are the most beautiful. The sun peeped over the horizon just as we left the place and the shadows of the car and trailer could be seen away over on the further slopes. The children got a real charge out of looking for them.

The drive through the Black hills was most memorable. The children had not been there before and by knowing what to expect we could prepare them for each exciting episode. The tunnels were the most exciting for the younger ones and the Cosmos was what the older ones enjoyed the most.

We picnicked along the way and for the benefit of those of you who are planning to take a trip and want to do a lot of eating out, remember that all along the way there are picnic grounds and that are really nice with many of them having water and modern facilities.

Roads are very good too, for the most part. A good share of the new roads are being built on new routes and do not interfere with the roads now used.

We spent several hours in Cody and went through the Yellow Stone Park. I'll tell you about it next week.

Commies Want 100% of Parity

Hello, Folks! We have two little boys at our house. Dana 1 and Randy 2, who are about as different as brothers can be. My wife said Dana is like me, always into something, while Randy is a lone-wolf type of boy. They quite often get into fights and the only time Dana wins is if he can use his teeth as a weapon. Never-the-less he always comes back for more. One night we all went to the Drive-in theater. Randy probably had fresh in his mind the battle of the day. When the hero grabbed the heroine and planted a torrid kiss, Randy exclaimed, "He's a biting".

—o—

The Butcher was weighing up a roast when his customer observed, saying "You're giving me a lot of bone there, aren't you? "Oh, no," answered the butcher "You're paying for it".

—o—

I have had the opinion that the idea of high price supports were slipped from under the "Iron Curtain" however I never had any proof of it. Now I have the Communists own word for it. Before me I have a pamphlet put out by the Communist Party, with their ideas on "The American way to jobs, Peace and Democracy" (as they call it).

The ideas expressed in it are captivating and sound alright, UNLESS you know the catches in them. Among the many views expressed (which by the way are all ideas that would destroy the nation) is a government guarantee of 100 per cent price parity and crop insurance. I am not going to tag anyone a Communist just because he recommends policies identical to the Communist beliefs, (after all they may have some good ideas) but we know that they are setting up nights thinking up good was to destroy all that is good and progressive, and I think we ought to weigh very carefully any program that is as contrary to the American way of life as 100 per cent of parity guaranties.

We all have neighbors, friends, and possibly relatives who believe in the idea of high price supports, they are for the most part sincere in there convictions and certainly have a right to their views. To criticize them and possibly involve personalities and cause hard feelings is the worst thing we can do.

What we should do, however, is to be so well informed in American economics and principles that we can talk it over with them and show them the right way, then if they are open minded we are gained, if we just believe in a flexible program but don't know why then, if I may quote Roger Flemming "Brother you are a part of the problem."

—o—

At the annual meeting of the "Minn. Spring Barrow Show" July 20th, we had a delicious dinner served by Wilson & Co. After the meeting we were invited to play golf or it you want to put it in the vernacular "cow pasture pool." I don't think any farmers stayed for the game. I guess they figure it is tiresome enough chasing cows out of the pasture, let alone a tiny ball.

—o—

Some men thirst after fame and some after money. But I know something all men thirst after. What? Salted peanuts.

—o—

President Eisenhower has signed into law the "Trade Development Act of 1954" This is principally Farm Bureau's baby. It is a big step in the right direction and one that every Farm Bureau member can be proud of. This is just one of the ways that Farm Bureau serves you and makes your $10 dues pay big dividends. There are few places outside your church where $10 will be better spent. We need foreign markets and we need friends. The Trade development Act promotes both. Joining Farm Bureau is one way to help keep America strong and free.

—o—

That P.M. at Virginia City we visited the stores. At the barber shop the barber was sharpening his straight-edge and singing merrily while the patron leaned back in the chair with his cigar between his fingers and harmonized with the barber, thru the lather. All the old perfumes and shaving mugs were lined up neatly.

Upstairs a woman was looking out the window, clad in a negligee. The hardware store was well stocked with all sorts of mining equipment and looks common for that day. The shelves in the Dry-goods store were lined with long-flannels and piece goods that made you almost forget that you were living in the 20th Century. The Stage coaches were on the street and we all had a "ride" in them. The livery stable where the Vigilantes met to plot there strategy to catch the outlaws was also fascinating. Club foot George Harris was one of the Outlaws gang that invariably follow the boom towns and live as parasites off the populace.

It seems that the outlaws got so powerful they were terrorizing the town of Virginia City, consequently a Vigilante group was organized and plans were formed to capture the desperadoes. The outlaws had informers as did the Vigilantes, so it was a life and death struggle. Finally the ringleaders were caught and hanged to death. They were buried on boot hill along with all other vagrants. Wooden markers were placed over their graves with the engravings burned into the wood.

A few years ago when the town was restored the grave of Club foot George was dug up to ascertain the fact that the markers were correct. As a result George's Club foot was carved off and preserved in a huge glass jar of alcohol. It is now at the museum.

The most interesting of the stores was the drug store. It is full of old time articles to stimulate the imagination. We had an old fashioned drink of mint julip. In the basement of the drug store was many more interesting things. In one corner of the basement was a closed door. On the door was a sign saying that in the closet was a skeleton of a man. Of course we had a look. It seems that one of the outlaws was a Negro, he was captured separately and hanged. The druggist was also somewhat of a doctor, he needed an anatomy to study on so he received permission to use this convict.

The story goes into the gruesome detail of how he boiled the meet off the bones and rebuilt the skeleton. At the lower end of the town we found a log cabin that also has weathered the years. Vera and I decided that when if ever we retire we are going to stake a claim to it. Thus ended a long and enjoyable day at Virginia City. When we got back to the Valley it was still 90 degrees.

Oh yea! Meet an honorary member of the Virginia City Vigilantes Organization, and I do mean yours truly. I have a cirtificate to prove it.

—o—

Captains for the 1955 membership campaign have been selected. They are Fred Miller for Freeborn, Carlston, Hartland and Manchester townships. Webster Lair for Mansfield, Alden, Nunda and Pickerel Lake townships. Marlin Brandvig for Freeman, Albert Lea, Bath and Bandroft townships. John Nordby for Geneva, Riceland, Newry and Moscow townships. William Lyle for London, Shellrock, Oakland and Hayward townships.

Canadians Have Driving Respect

HELLO FOLKS

My neighbor tries to tell me that high society is a bunch of crumbs stuck together by their dough.

This issue of One Farmer's View is being written at Vernon, British Columbia, the heart of Western Canada. The climate here is beautiful, at least where I am at now. It varies a lot within a few miles.

At the Barnes Ranch the temperature changes very little within a day. This ranch is 15 miles from Vernon. The temperature is an average of three of four degrees cooler than in Vernon with about three of fours inches more precipitation annually. A few miles from Vernon the temperatures get hot with about half the rainfall.

There is quite a contrast in the driving habits of Canadians and Minnesotans. If a pedestrians starts across a street, whether he is in the cross walk or not, the motorist had better stop. Pedestrians have the right of way here anytime they are walking.

There is a lot of walking here and also a lot of hitch-hiking. The Canadians are not as affluent as Americans. The cars are generally older and there are less teen-agers driving the streets and roads. The saloons are strictly licensed and drunkerness is not tolerated in public. Drunken driving is a serious offense as is open bottle possession.

The newspapers here do not have a comic section. They do have a lot of news from around the world. Seldom does Canada have a news broadcast without mentioning something from England, France or some of the Commonwealth nations.

It seems to me that the news media goes into more details on scientific information and business details than do the United States publications.

Everywhere one goes he cannot but be impressed with the fact that there is a terrific amount of American money in Canada. Were it not for this fact Canadians would be far behind where they are in personal wealth. However as I mentioned last week Canada is on the march. I expect to see a tremendous amount of growth in their economy in the next decade, and it is not apt to slow up too much in the near future.

Back Yard Trip is Interesting

By: EDWIN B. PETERSEN

HELLO FOLKS!  We took a day off recently and went for a drive around the country.  Went through Austin, Grand Meadow, Preston and Decorah.

We stopped at one of the caves over that way and got into Decorah at noon.  Decorah has two museums, both operated by the college; one on the campus, the other in a large building down town.  The main one is called the Norwegian – American Historical museum.  The title, of course, suggests what you might expect to find there.

We had a delightful time at Decorah.  A person can easily spend a day there just seeing the sights.  Having taken out picnic lunch along, including some raw hamburger, we inquired about picnic grounds.  We were directed to Phelps park.  It is situated on a hill (and I do mean a hill) overlooking the valley below.

We saw neither fly nor mosquito there.  There are kitchens with gas stoves available, plenty of tables and swings, slices and trapeze.

—

THE NEXT STOP was at the Little Brown Church near Nashua.  We got there just as a wedding was about to be held.  I noticed a justice of the peace had his shingle out by the road.  It was too big to hang so he had it staked.  It was interesting to see the church that inspired the song “Little Brown Church in the Vale”.  It was well taken care of and in good state of preservation.  The ole kerosene lamps with the reflectors behind them are still there on the walls.  The ones in the ceiling have been converted to electricity.

We had purchased a water melon along the way but for obvious reasons we didn’t eat it until we were started home.  Even so, we had to make one unscheduled stop.  Got home in time to get the milking done before dark.  One cow had gotten tired of waiting for us and gone down into the pasture.  She sure had a lot of milk the next morning.

—

THE CHILDREN had a grand time there.  We liked it so well we would like to have stayed, but we had planned for only a day and wanted to see other places before returning home.

The next stop was at Spillville, Iowa.  There we saw the Billy brothers clocks.  Words cannot describe the amazing array of clocks in the museum there.

The Billy brothers are farmers by trade.  They spent the summers farming, and the winters making clocks.  They are now in their 70’s.  They have deeded their museum to the town of Spillville, and it is always to remain there.

It is amazing the amount of intricate work that has been done by these two men.

—

WE REALLY enjoyed the trip.  It was a cool day and a fair breeze.  A suggestion to you folks who travel with small children:  We have some old sofa pillows.  They are stuffed with cotton and therefore quite firm.  We take them along.  They are good to sit on so the little ones can see out better.  If they get tired, they can put them in the bottom of the car and curl up for a nap.  That way they don’t fuss for the seat.

—

THERE ARE a lot of interesting sights to be seen, such as the ones we took in that day.  For those of you won’t get away on a vacation, why not plan to see a number of these things across your one back fence.  You’ll be glad you did.

More About Son Brent

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS — I've been told that a successful old age depends on a proper beginning.

There is nothing more harmful to a man's progress than to think he is in the grave when he is really in a rut.

—

I DIDN'T FINISH telling you about our episode with Brent, when we were on our vacation last summer.

When we found Brent and didn't realize that he had had such a good time on shore we didn't want to waste his ticket and deprive him of the opportunity to ride on a river boat. Therefore, we put him on the "Bemidji Belle" which was supposed to be leaving for another excursion soon: while we went to visit Paul and Babe.

The Bemidji Belle didn't leave as scheduled and by the time we had seen most of the sights in the park she was still there, tied up at port.


We were anxious to get to Itaska Park before dark so we decided to get Brent off the boat.


No Refunds


He was getting tired of waiting too, so Vera went over to the ticket office to see if we could get a refund on the ticket. The ticket agent was reluctant to refund the money, but offerend to give each of the children a ball of cotton candy. This made good business, so each of them received the biggest ball of cotton candy they had ever eaten.


It wasn't until then we found out what Brent had been up to and why he seemed so happy despite the fact that he had been left behind. Who wouldn't be happy if they could get free rides in a park just by telling a sob story.


We discovered one thing on the trip. The children had a way of getting us to let them go swimming, whenever they wanted to. One of them would 'accidentally' fall in the water or at least get very wet. Then this 'leader' would say something about changing to a swimming suit or staying in the water as long as he or she was already wet. Soon they were all in the swim.


One of the things the children won't soon forget was bathing in the headwaters of the Mississippi. The water was warm and the bottom sandy, and just deep enough for fun. All in all, we had a very lovely time.


I hope that most of you busy people — especially farmers — will take off a few days and see Minnesota 'first'. A trip through the Twin Cities Duluth, North Shore Drive and across through the Iron Range is worth anybody's time and trouble.


HISTORY
Paul Bunyan Park - Click HERE

A Lost Boy Has Fun

By Edwin B. Petersen

HELLO FOLKS! — Election time coming up next week. Be sure and vote.

Remember that the constitutional amendments are as important to vote on as are the candidates. Study the issues well, regarding them. My recommendation is to vote yes on both of them. Not voting on them is the same as voting no.

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I HAVE DECIDED to tell you about an incident that happened to us last summer while we were on a vacation trip to northern Minnesota. The reason I hesitated to tell you sooner is because you will probably this we are terribly slothful parents; but here goes anyway.

We took a trip to Superior-Duluth and the Iron Range the second week in July and took six of the children along. These included Randy, 12, Zina, 9, Adell, 8, Mark, 7, Brent, 6, and Linnea, 3.

We had a wonderful time visiting with Uncle Pete and Aunt Georgia at superior, seeing the Duluth harbor, climbing boulders in Lake Superior, wading in the pools below Gooseberry Falls along North Shore Drive, seeing the taconite plants and the Messabi Iron Range in Bemidji, and bathing at the head waters of the Mississippi River in Itaska Park.

It was while at Paul's park in Bemidji that the incident took place.

Lost Brent

We had just arrived at the park and decided to take a ride on the Bemidji Belle, (a river boat) on Lake Bemidji. Armed with 8 tickets, we boarded the boat.

When we had been out about 10 or 15 minutes Vera asked me where Brent was. I just then remembered that I hadn't seen him on the boat. Our first thoughts were, of course, that he might have fallen off. We quickly dismissed that idea because it didn't seem possible with the high fence around the edge of the boat.

The next thought was if he had slipped when boarding the boat. That too was ruled out as I had personally helped each one aboard.

Knowing Brent and his independent ways, we decided he had struck off on his own when we entered the park and hadn't seen us board the boat. We felt better with that conclusion and didn't worry to the point that it spoiled our outing.

When we got back to shore an hour later we set about finding the boy. I sent Randy to the car to see if he was there and the others checked around the park. All came back with a negative report.

As we stood there wondering where to look next we spied a small boy darting across the street about two blocks away. From the way he acted I was sure it was Brent and detailed Randy to go after him; post haste.

Instead of what we supposed would be a worried and disappointed boy we found one with the air of the car who has 'swallowed the canary'.

He had apparently had a great time seeing the sights. When he had run out of things to see and do in the park he had visited shops around town. At times he had rushed back to the car to check if it was still there and if we were worried about him; then he would visit some more sights.

The story gradually unfolded. When he missed us he decided that we had either gone on the boat or the sea plane. Instead of griping or moping about it he took advantage of it. He had gone the rounds and told the concession men about his plight, and they, out of pity, would offer him rides.

MAP
Map of the areas visited on the trip to Northern Minnesota
HERE


DICTIONARY
posthaste |ˈpōstˈhāst|

adverb

with great speed or immediacy: she would go posthaste to England.

HISTORY
The constitutional amendment Grandpa is speaking about 
Making a poll tax unconstitutional - Click here for more info.

A Big Contrast At Petersens

–By Edwin B. Petersen


Hello Folks – It had been so noisy. There were always doors slamming, children screaming, talking, singing, laughing, whistling or playing. Then all of a sudden quiet; so quiet that we could hear a pin drop (or should I say 'bear myself think.')


You see it is this way – Vera and the eight youngest went for a visit with the home folks in Montana. They left Thursday morning at six o'clock, and things started happening right away. They got to the end of the driveway and discovered that little Mark was not with them. He was still sleepy and the bed felt sooooo nice so he quit the car when they were delayed a bit in getting the car packed.


With him back in the car they were on their way. About 11 o'clock there was a phone call from Adrain, Minn. They had stopped at the roadside fountain near there and the car keys had gotten lost. Vera wanted to know what to do. She had to get a new lock put on the car. After this we will remember to take both keys along when we go on a trip.


I imagine she was delayed about three hours. Through a phone call I found that they got to Bozeman, Mont. about 7 p.m. Friday and everything else went all right.


This is the first time I won't be there for their family reunion. Just too mant things to do this year. I expect to attend a few conventions this year so I get my vacations then in short intervals.


It was little Mark who had taken the keys out of the ignition and lost them. Looks like he was the fly in the day's ointment.


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IN 1959 the average person in the United States used 345 pounds of fluid milk and cream. That's four pounds less than in 1957 and nine pounds below 1956. We would all be better off it we drank twice as much milk as we do. Milk is the natural and cheapest source of calcium and vitamins. Drink more of it – it's good for you.


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I hear that Webster Lair proposed to his wife in the month of February. Pearl being the careful one that she is, said, 'I won't marry you until you have $1,000.00 in the bank.' Buss didn't press the question for a while and Pearl got curious. In June she asked, "How much have you got in the bank now?" "Oh, about 35 dollars," said he. "That's near enough, let's get married."


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They were giving him a farewell party and the compliments had been coming from all sides. He got up to make a few acknowledgements and found it hard to get out the right words. Finally he said "All that I owe, I owe because of my wife.:


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So live that when the summons comes to join
That innumerable caravan that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustatined and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach they grave
Like one who wraps the draper of his couch
About hom, and lies down to pleasant dreams.


–William Cullen Bryant, in "Thanatopsis."