DHA LXXXVIII
(11/4/2004)

Calendar

DHA Board meeting Nov. 3 and 17, noon, Kountry Kookin' Cafe.

DHA Catered Supper and metal wall-art raffle, Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m. at the Museum, also musical entertainment.

Museum open Sundays (and federal holidays) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (note time change), including Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25; Christmas Day, Dec. 25; and New Years Day, Jan 1. Also Sunday Jan. 2, 2005 museum open prior to serving of Taste of Danish at Community Building. This is also DHA's Christmas Tree Contest at the museum. (Trees are to be natural, no more that 3 ft. tall, and no lights. Entries $10 per tree; 85% of entries to go to winners. Categories: Most Danish; Most Viborg; Most Religious; and People's Choice.)

On call to open for visitors at other times, as available: Volunteer Richard Skola, in town, 605-766-5675, and in the country, Lester Lauritzen, 605-563-2732.

Meeting

The DHA met October 27, in an extra, special planning meeting Present were directors Toots Peterson and Lester Lauritzen, plus Palmer and Marjorie Peterson.

Meeting concentrated upon planning for DHA's catered supper and metal-art raffle Saturday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the museum. The museum needs to be cleaned, tables placed, covered and set, and chairs placed. Number of meals to order was due at the caterer. Meal and raffle tickets continue to be available as advertised.

The raffle's metal art was moved to the Snack Shack for additional and varied exposure, along with a supply of raffle tickets.

Mange Tak

For the new Voting Member; for the cash contributions, at the museum or elsewhere; for the souvenirs bought at the museum; for the cash and check contributions, memorials, and bequests; to the Boy Scouts for rent for their basement meeting room; and for display case rentals. A few cases remain available for rent for the display of family treasures, or for people's collections.

Additional income is needed to continue the electrical rewiring payments, routine expenses, continuing repairs and development, and, not least, the project to move the one remaining rural school to the museum site for preservation.

For the biographical history of Turner, Lincoln, Clay and Union Counties, received from Tiffanie Hoeke of Parker. Time permitting, this may be the subject of a future "book review" in DHA news.

VHS Journalism Class 1938-39

(LRL comment: During the past two years of the life of DHA News, readers have kept a good flow of interesting recollections and questions. With the current slacking of such historical information, I will include one or more personal recollections or questions. The following is the first of them.)

This topic mostly concerns the VHS Class of '42, though I believe the Class of '43 was also involved in the second part of the following. Any information from readers appreciated.

I have a strong belief that we had two, two-week classes in "journalism" during our four years of English, but I remember only the first three or four days of the first. I have many questions that I wish others involved can and will answer for me and DHA News. (And some questions they can't answer.)

First question: Did journalism class start the first days of school (1938), or did it happen after a break, perhaps Christmas?

The English teacher, Miss Hagen (?), informed us we were going to study journalism. She brought in a pile of old newspapers and large sheets of paper. We were to cut out headlines and stories (or parts of stories) and create a newspaper front page. Despite my lifetime interest in reading, and in news, I can't remember if I found it interesting or boring!

The next day she informed us that we were to do an interview and write a news story. From my alphabetical seat well back in the room, I saw a hand go up with a question: "What is an interview?" Again, I do not remember if I did or did not know what an interview was, but may have. She said something like, "You ask someone questions, and use the answers to write a news story."

Again a hand went up, "Who do we interview?" Miss Hagen didn't realize how ignorant we were on the subject, or how big a problem she would cause when she answered something like, "You could go to room two and ask Miss Swanson (or Swensen?) for information about the white mice (or rats) she has in a cage." (Correct me on what animals the were--I think this was before we heard of hamsters.)

Probably the whole class (30-40) descended on Miss Swanson, who did not expect them. Nor know what they meant by the one question we know, "Do you have any news?" I was as bad as the rest, but by the time I got there, she knew what to do. I have forgotten what I wrote.

The next day, Miss Hagen informed us of our ignorance. We had to do another interview, and ask questions. Then (brag), I started to "think"! I wondered if I could interview Miss Hagen. I found her in the school office, using the office typewriter. Yes, I could interview her, provided I asked specific questions. I don't remember if I had questions prepared, brought them along, had to go get them, or had to go write some before interviewing. Nor, alas, do I remember what I wrote after interviewing her.

There my recollection of journalism class ends for that year. I don't remember a second year, but do believe there was to be one. Nor which year, sophomore or junior, but not likely senior.

Coming: An in-school, mimeographed newspaper our senior year, 1941-1942, but may also involve students from the next year. In the Museum

Robert Lee placing a portion of his historical artifact collection in a showcase in the DHA Museum. Some of these items have Daneville area towns or businesses stamped on them. Note the Norman Rockwell advertisement for "Interwoven Socks" on the case to Mr. Lee's right. It is better seen in person in the museum. The DHA still has a few such cases (or half-cases) for rent. Contact DHA for information.