DHA LIX
(4/15/2004)

The DHA monthly board meeting was the 7th at Kountry Kookin' Cafe at noon. Board present included Melanie Parsons, Toots Peterson, Lester Lauritzen, and Grant Petersen, Sr. Others included Palmer and Marjorie Peterson and Dale Straney.

A special meeting was set for Wednesday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the museum building. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. Attendees should bring a "brown bag" supper and drink. Meeting in the museum will permit better discussion of further developments and arrangement in the building.

Much paneling, including wainscotting and perf-board, has been installed. Ceiling and upper walls have been painted. Shelves are at the top of the display board.

It was noted with thanks, that Rasmussen Farms have purchased and donated trim for the top of the wainscotting.

It was voted that electrical work needs to be done immediately.

It was voted to order some siding to use on the south side of the building. Also to replace the sidewalk in front of the entrance. This latter is already in progress, with the old concrete having been removed, and forming for new being installed. Grant Petersen reported that boys from the high school are working with the forms.

It was reported that the Boy Scouts have cleaned up a room or two in the basement, and have installed a handrail on the basement stairway. They will be using a room there as their permanent meeting place. This will permit permanent installation of their materials, and they have offered to pay DHA the equivalent of costs paid for monthly storage while meeting in temporary locations.

They have offered to remove and cut up the old dock at the rear of the building.

Thanks were also expressed to Dakota Ace Hardware in Viborg for the donation of some glass show cases, which will be moved into the museum when refurbishing permits.

It was noted that response to DHA's December-January solicitation for funds had about trickled to a stop. Sources of grants are being investigated, but this is a long, slow process, with uncertain outcome. Recent repairs, both material and labor, have totaled over $1800. Insurance is $265 per quarter. Electricity and water bills are lesser. The proposed siding is estimated at over $1000, and the cement for the sidewalk around $800.

THus for the museum building's development to continue, there is further need for individuals and businesses to continue with regular and substantial contributions.

Regarding the latter, it was noted that a museum in Viborg will be a tourist attraction, bringing visitors to Viborg from a wide area and off the major highways, of which Southeastern South Dakota has several.

Additional volunteer workers are needed, including for installing the siding. Four at a time was deemed appropriate. Anyone interested is to call Palmer Peterson.

The afternoon after the meeting, Shirley Oswald, from west of Center Point, called the DHA news with a request for people to inform us of information about the Freya Community southwest of Viborg, continuing into the '40s and ? The building, community, and activities, etc. (LRL query: Was there a church and/or a cemetery, school, store, etc. there also? I believe the Dickersen family lived in that area. Right or wrong?)

Mrs. Oswald also promised to provide DHA with news pertaining to one of DHA News' most interesting topics. Mrs. Oswald has been researching Freya for some years. Welcome to the club.

Minga Tak

For Contributions: Gladys M. Paulsen; Rita Buch; Helen Jensen; Carlyle K. Nelson; Ruth Kiewel.

For Memorials: Elaine Andersen, memorial for Wayne E. Peterson.

For News: Mrs. Oswald; Paul Jensen, and Ada (Rasmussen) Oakland; among others. "Stay tuned, same time, station."

Contributor's comment: "Viborg is a nice town. I still have a lot of relative in and around there. I'm Norwegian. I enjoyed my education in Viborg." --Ruth Kiewel.

Minga Tak

Comments of sentiment, emotion, feelings, and similar abstract efforts are out of the modest capabilities of this writer. Also, except for any possible surviving historic records, not usually appropriate for this DHA News and Information feature.However, there are exceptions to many rules, and so with the practice normal for DHA news.

Such a time seems to have arrived with the death of Wayne E. Peterson. Ruth's, Wayne's wife, many years' efforts to record history as it happened, for future generations, in the Viborg Enterprise, makes this exception seem appropriate.

Wayne Peterson had great interest, enthusiasm, and pride for Ruth's writings in the Enterprise, and great welcom it received from readers far and wide. May she long continue.

Minga Tak

To Grant Petersen, for the Viborg promotion book and two large advertising displays of Viborg scenes and businessmen. From which comes photos of the museum building when it was the Gross Hatchery. Compared with a current photo of its Veterinary Clinic dress. The old white is visible under the current brown covering.