Albin News 5/24/10
This week in Albin, is the first week that I (Monte Lerwick) have written the Albin news column. For most folks I'm sure, the Albin news is something that simply happens each week without them pondering the particulars of how it comes to print. Like food at the grocery store or electricity in the light socket, as long a person can have dinner in the Albin Cafe on Thursday night with enough light to read the Albin News, there's no need for further investigation. As it turns out, this little piece of home town journalism was the product of our dear friend and former Albin news reporter, Norma Jean Anderson. For years, Norma Jean kept her finger on the pulse of the Albin community by faithfully calling, visiting and wringing the news out of various Albin locals. This she did, like caring for her invalid husband for 20+ years and cooking for the Albin school kids, with an uncommon amount of strength and humor. It seems to me that people that strong usually don't laugh that much. As school cook, she was the last person to bake fresh bread for the school lunches. As a news reporter, her reports were timely and comprehensive. All that is and was Norma Jean's Albin News suddenly came to an end Sat May 14 before she could submit her news for last week's paper.
Like most constants that suddenly end, Norma Jean's death came as a shock to us all. The Pine Bluffs Post was shocked Tuesday morning, having just learned of Norma Jean's passing and needing to go to press the next day. Also shocking I'm sure was the 20-something farmer in front of them who volunteered to take on the job of writing the Albin News until a replacement could be found. Now that you know why I'm writing the this today, here's the news!
First in news was the celebration of life ceremony that was held at the Albin High School gymnasium for Norma Jean Anderson. Pastor Blomberg of the Albin Baptist church presided over the ceremony which was organized by Dixie Malm. After a social hour with coffee and refreshments, attendees were given the opportunity to share some of their memories about Norma Jean. First to share was Bette Lu Lerwick who told of when she was helping Norma Jean cook at the Albin school. Bette Lu was sitting on the counter during a break in the action. Norma Jean asked her if her feet were tired. When Bette Lu replied “No” Norma Jean said “Then get off the counter!” Of course she laughed. Wanda Moore shared about all the times she clipped news from the Pine Bluffs Post to add to memory albums. Dixie Malm and Stacie Malm talked about how much Norma Jean's weekly chats had meant to them. Many of these chats resulted in weekly news items. Michael Lerwick told about the three distinct laughs that routinely came from the school kitchen. They were distinct enough to be named Click, Clack, and Cluck. Clack was Norma Jean. In the words of the late Norma Jean, a good time was had by all.
The day after the service, Norma Jean's relatives were invited for lunch at Ron and Bette Lu Lerwicks.
In attendance were Norma Jean's brother Wayne and wife Marty Scharnharet from Douglasville, GA; sister Dorothy and husband Kenneth Saunders from Kennewick, WA; brother Ray Scharnharet; and grand daughter Lana Bahruth from Canyon, Texas.
Also, this week, several students from the Albin area graduated from high school.
Frankie Vosler plans to attend Black Hills State University to pursue a degree in Kinesiology and Sports Science. He also plans on playing the position of line backer for the Black Hills State Yellow Jacket's football team. Frankie received a Hathaway scholarship as well as a sports scholarship.
Tanner Eastman plans to join the National Guard and attend LCCC and learn how to service wind turbines.
Landon Lerwick plans to attend LCCC to major in diesel mechanics. To celebrate, a barbeque was held at the home of Rod and Jill Lerwick on Sunday afternoon.
Bethany Malm plans to attend the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO. College of the Ozarks is considered a “hard work” university where all of the students are required at least 15 hrs/wk and try to graduate with little or no debt. Much of the college's operational tasks, from janitorial work to care of the animals in the ag college, is carried out by the students. Her major is undecided. A graduation party for her was held on Friday and was well attended.
Lee Peterson plans to attend EWC in Torrington and pursue an associates degree in Farm and Ranch Business. Lee received several scholarships including the rural electric scholarship, the Hathaway scholarship, and the Kyle Barret scholarship among others. A celebration was held at the home of Mike and Cherry Peterson Sunday afternoon. Cherry's sister Tina Busby from Fayatville, Arkansas and Mike's Uncle Jim Harper (who will be 95 in June) were notable guests in attendance.
Finally, another milestone was reached this week by one of the oldest members of the community. Phyllis Lerwick turned ninety years old on Saturday May 22. She received nearly a bushels of cards and many phone calls throughout the day from her numerous friends and relatives. The following day, family members had a pot-luck birthday party for her in Cheyenne at the home of her grand daughter Kosha and husband Brian Olsen. A good time was had by 83% (the kids had a great time since they got to play with all their cousins).
In ag news, it has been abnormally cold and wet for May. Although most of the corn is planted in the Albin area, growth has been slow. Corn planted two weeks ago is just beginning to poke through. Much of the rain has come in the form of good soaking rains and has fostered a promising wheat crop. The hail season has officially kicked off by sending severe weather patterns containing tornadoes and hail storms near the Albin area this week. Farmers should be thinking about purchasing their hail insurance early this year. Wet, windy, and freezing conditions have also made it difficult to control weeds with tillage and herbicide applications. Some may consider using aerial application or chemigation to get herbicides on in a timely manner. Those who own livestock have had to delay working, shipping, and branding cattle because of the mud. The branding at the Rabou Ranch had to be delayed a week. Despite these challenges, all farmers and ranchers are very grateful to have so much moisture banked for the coming summer months.
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