DHA LXIX
(6/24/2004)

MINTA TAKE: TO Dr. Ray. E. Jensen, voting member; Gladys Paulsen, memorial for Kathryn Nelson; and to the Viborg Schools for over-the-counter cabinets for the museum office area.

Viborg may be the "center" of the Greater Daneville "universe," but its "satellite" communities continue important roles in the Daneville "Solar System."

A group of historic preservationists of the Hooker satellite orbit met Sunday, June 13, at the Rick and Sue Jensen Home in Hooker. Guests present included: Martin Nygaard, Viborg; Larray Wallace, Hooker; Lester Lauritzen, Centerville; and Richard Gors, Tea. Purpose of the meeting was to continue planning for a historic marker for Hooker, to be placed at the "point" at the north end of Hooker. Previous discusseion had focused upon a bronze plaque attached to a large boulder. Such a rock as been brought to the location.

During the group's discussion, it was suggested that a large steel sheet be used instead, with a Hooker silhouette across the top, and something like "HOOKER, S.D.: Established 1894" cut out of the lower portion of the plate. This to be suspended above the boulder by horizontal beams between two pipeposts. The sign will be placed along side the existing "Hooker Exit" sign.

This location is at the north end of the Hooker area, a short distance south of the east-west Turner County gravel road; at the Junction of the N-S Turner Township gravel road, with the nort-south street in Hooker joining the former at the sign's location. The grade of the former Chicago and Northwestern railway right-of-way is east of the Hooker street.

Designing of the sign, and its constructionare being researched. A fund for the sign has been established by donations from friends of Hooker, and some memorials.

The morning of June 16th bordered on the exciting for the writer of this DHA news.

First, John Ebbesen of Yankton called. He will provide the DHA museum with a framed 1910 sale bill, of which he has made copies for his children and grandchildren. He also has very early information about the Fraternal Burial Association, with which his relatives were involved. Also, he will give DHA some single- and double-strength window glass.

About an hour later, Candice Beery, of Anchorage, Alaska, called from the "only public payphone in Viborg." She informed me that the motel in Viborg has closed, and she has to stay at Beresford. She is in the area to research relatives and burial sites, etc. Her relatives include the J. Martin Lauritsen, Ibsen, and Smith families of the Viborg and Irene areas. Though no specific information could be given Mrs. Beery, she was given names of individuals to contact. She was invited to drop in on that evening's meeting of DHA at the museum.

The DHA board and others met at the museum building at 6:30 p.m. June 16th. Present include: Melanie Parsons, Toots Peterson, Lester Lauritzen, and Grand Petersen, Sr. Also: Palmer and Marjorie Peterson, Donna Petersen, Everet Fredricks, and Grant Petersen, Jr.

It is anticipated that the Board will meet every Wednesday through Danish Days, to July 21, same time and place.

A rural school is available, and locations to which to move it are being investigated. Moving cost has been estimated at $5500, plus foundation.

The Boy Scout plan to start meeting in the museum basement Monday, June 21st.

The post card souvenir/fundraising project continues, and final selection for a couple set of four will be made soon. In addition, Viborg artist Grant Petersen, Jr., presented a number of sketches he has made of businesses of his memory, with a few to having such sketches placed on the backs of shirts for sale.

Does anyone have an unwanted "Velcomin" sign (for outdoor use) that would be donated to the museum for use on the door?

And, finally, it is necessary to report that some of the photos from DHA news, that were sent and used in the computer version of DHA news, were lost when they were returned and not received. With outgoing cataloguing all photos used in the paper, and those among the news files, missing photos cannot be identified.