Villagers continue to clip articles in old Crescents for the scrapbook to be placed at the Museum. There is always some interesting article someone finds that she shares. For example: classes at H-BC were larger, more students overall. Then there was the ad offering 13.4 percent interest from the banks in 1968. Alice thought we should send a copy of that one to Mr. Bonander. There were always lots of ads from the grocery stores in Hills. We once had three, Don Shelstad’s, Don Toms, and Elmer Ruud’s. How prices have changed. This prompted me to remember our Maureen (now Helgeson) having 50¢ she received as a birthday present. With the money in her fist she headed to Don Shelstad’s store to buy candy. There Don talked her out of spending the whole 50¢. "That’s a lot of money and it will provide you with treats for a long time," he told her. She finally agreed, made her purchases, and left with her change, heading straight for Don Tom’s grocery where she spent the remaining funds. Earl met Mary in the hall one morning and quoted Paul Harvey, "We’re not here for a very long time so let’s have a good time." That’s one reason she said for having a tasting party. There were unusual crackers with lingenberry and rhubarb jams offering new tastes. We not only tasted but experienced new smells as well. Not all pleasant odors like bread baking or fresh cookies but the smell of Joan giving Ruby a permanent or the most recent, the "stink" of the little black and white skunk. Tenants having their windows open the last couple of nights noticed it the most. We’re wondering how we can correct the situation. The animal’s not been seen but he’s made his presence known, probably living in the Helgeson grove. Once again the Crawfords have been very generous in giving a high chair for use in the garden room as a memorial to Howard. It’s a wooden piece of furniture that slides right up to the table. It’s very nice and the Villagers thank them for being so thoughtful. We’ve experienced the longest day of the year. Two thousand three is half over. We’ve visitors: Signe’s son from Philadelphia, and Loretta Hamann of Luverne. Loretta brought Joan and Wayne Goodwin of Raleigh, N.C., with her. We had an auxiliary picnic. We ate peas from our garden. We’ve been doing some side stepping hoping to stay out of the way of the painters and the movers. Bonnie is moving her office back to the Tuff Home across the street. Mary now occupies Bonnie’s office and Mary’s office becomes the activity office and staff lounge along with the beauty shop. When looking at our garden you see brightly colored spots in the tomatoes. Arnold T. took strips of material and tied up the tomato plants. Makes the garden look cheerful and the plants will be off the ground. I’ll keep you posted.
