Imagining the Past

 

Kvam church

On Sunday, I attended the church where my paternal grandparents attended from 1910 until their deaths.    The church dates back to around 1868.  The country church sits on a hill, making it visible from a distance.  There have been some changes, but the original sanctuary still remains.   The raised pulpit, the beautiful altar and the pews were all there at the time my family attended.   

As I sit in the pews, I think of my  grandparents who I never met because they died before I was born.  I can almost visualize them sitting in the pew at each worship, their eyes on the same altar that I see today.     I wonder if grandpa served as an usher.  My grandmother surely was a part of the ladies aid.  I am sure they, along with their children, attended faithfully and arrived by horse and buggy in the very early days.   I know my grandparents raised their children in a godly home where the Bible was read daily; they instructed their children to lead Christian lives and to be an example to others.  They enjoyed hymn singing —and listening.

My dad was confirmed in the church.There is no confirmation picture of him, but I can imagine him at the altar, affirming his faith and vowing to renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways.

My grandparents are buried in the church cemetery, the headstone visible as I come into the church parking lot.   All of their children have passed, and many of their grandchildren.  Through the generations we still see growth of the spiritual seeds planted by our grandparents and parents.  

To Open...Or Close Our Churches

I am so ready for the pandemic to be over with.  I am so ready for churches, stores, shops, entertainment places, restaurants and other businesses to reopen.  It would be good for the economy and our well-being to get back to normal.   This post is about the reopening of churches.

It would be nice to listen to the sermon up close, sing the hymns and enjoy the fellowship with others.   But even with our church buildings closed,  God's doors are always open.   We can pray, worship and sing His praises even in the solitude of our own homes, it's not the same, to be sure.   And does everyone "worship" in the privacy of their homes?  Probably not as often as they should.    In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, I have reservations about opening our churches and  other places too soon.

In the location I live, the church doors were closed in the middle of March, during Lent.   We  missed our Lenten worship services, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter worship.   Now, two months later, the church doors remain closed, but there is talk of reopening.

Our church membership is comprised of mostly senior citizens, aged 65 and up.   Many of those people have health issues, such as heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, lung problems and have had cancer.   Some of them are smokers.   Should any of them contract the COVID-19, they run the risk of serious complications.     If the doors to churches (and other establishments) open too soon and this virus creeps into the doors. . . .one can only imagine.

One might argue that it should be your choice to attend or not during this time.   Of course that argument has merit.   Should the doors open before you are ready to mingle with others, by all means, stay home.  (But there will be those who will attend against their better judgement because of a certain amount of "peer pressure.")

People are tired of the isolation - that is understandable.   To those who are believers, worship is an essential part of life.  Worship nourishes the soul, it solidifies our belief.    I am reminded of the early settlers in our area:  there were no churches and no pastors for several years after coming to our area. Yet, they worshipped in their homes, kept their faith and built their congregations with a strong faith that endures to this day.   Their Sunday worship services were few and far between at first, but their faith remained strong.

In the area where I live, the COVID-19 is just now beginning to escalate. It is expected to peak sometime in June to early July.    Shouldn't we at least wait  to see how the virus hits our area to reopen?

Pray that God will guide all of us to do the right thing - His will, not ours.

Merna

Getting a cat was not really on my "high priority" list.   Oh, I always thought they were cute, and it was kind of cozy seeing them curled up at someone's house.   Then one day, my kids said they thought it would be a good idea, since I live alone - companionship, they said.  It will be fun, they said.   

We first saw Merna on a Facebook page for a Humane Society not far from here.  We went to have a look - "just looking," I said.    As we watched people come and select cute little kittens, Merna was in her cage all alone.  She was about 5 or 6 years old and had been overlooked for several months.   Amy (my daughter) went up to her and declared, "she is a good cat."   I don't know how she determined that, since I thought she looked a little ornery and she snapped at me when I tried to pet her.   But Amy was confident this was a good cat, and I nervously signed the adoption papers.   We then headed to Walmart and bought a carrier, some food, some litter, and a litter box - just the basics to start with.   Then went back to pick Merna up and drive the 35 miles home.

Holding the carrier with Merna inside, she must have felt my apprehension.   She eyed me carefully, eyed Amy carefully, and settled down to enjoy the car ride.  (She loved to ride in the car!)  

Once we got home, my nervousness increased.  After all, I had never had a pet (other than goldfish) in the house.  What in the world have I done??    We let Merna out of the carrier, and she proceeded to wander around the house, investigating her new surroundings.  She didn't run and hide, as the lady at the Humane Society said she would.    She quickly decided she was "home" and settled in.

The first night as I lay in bed, I was nearly in tears, wondering what in the world had I gotten myself into?  A cat?  What am I thinking?    Sometime in the night I woke up, and there was Merna, sitting on my bed, looking out the window.  She must have been enjoying her newfound freedom, roaming around the house.    I basically ignored her at first, not sure what she wanted, or I wanted, for that matter.   The next day, Merna jumped in my lap, and sat there content as could be for a long time.  This was the beginning of a nightly ritual - she would jump up, knead on my arm for a bit and then settle down comfortably.    After two weeks, the Humane Society  called to inquire how it was going, and would I like to keep her.   I told them I would keep her, but still some apprehension crept in.   No turning back now!

The grandkids came to visit and Merna took to them immediately.   They could do anything to her - things she would not let me do, such as putting hats on her -- layer after layer of doll/cat hats - and Merna would just sit there and enjoy it.   Who had Merna before me?   Was it a family?  Why was she abandoned?  We will never know.

Merna would also let me know if someone was at the door - often before the visitor even had a chance to knock.   She would know who was coming and greet them; if she didn't know them, she would stand on the stairs until she deemed it was safe to come and mingle.  She was my alarm clock - if I wasn't up by 7:30, she would come and tap my shoulder, making sure I would get up.  As I got up, she would wait for me to use the bathroom, then lead the way to her empty dish and remind me with a loud  meow to fill it up.

This was life with Merna for six years.    Then her health started to deteriorate.  First, she was losing her hair.  The vet couldn't determine any specific reason and gave her an antibiotic, which helped.   Then she decided to quit eating.   She would go to her bowl, look at it, look at me, and walk away.   I tried different foods to no avail.   Then one day, I tried yet another food and she began eating again, and she seemed to be on the mend.   Later, she started losing her fur again, and again, the vet didn't see any explanation, but gave her some medication.    Then the no eating began once again.  This time it was affecting her worse, she was throwing up, and had diarrhea.  Now around 12 years old, things were not looking good.    Another trip to the vet revealed dehydration and kidney failure.  She was not going to get better.  

It was hard to decide that the time had come to say "good-bye," but the vet assured me that if there was anything that could be done, she would have told me.

It's quiet around here without Merna.   She was a good cat, Amy was right.  

 

What About the Senior Citizens?

Have you ever wondered why there aren't "Senior Groups" in our churches?   We have Youth Groups, Men's Groups, Ladies Groups, Kids After School Clubs, Singles Groups, Young Families Groups, High School Groups, Post High School Groups, Bible Camps, Day Camps, sports teams..the list goes on....

To be sure, all of these groups are important.  They are good.  They are necessary.  They are there to support, teach and guide people in their Christian walk through God's Word and fellowship with one another.  

But what about the seniors?  Those who are, let's say, between 65 and 75 (or older!).  Are we assuming that because of their age they no longer need Christian fellowship (and fun) with their peers? Do we assume they don't need spiritual guidance?   We recognize that our youth are transitioning into adulthood and may need a lot of guidance as they grow up.     Seniors are also transitioning, and for many, it is not an easy thing:

• They are getting to an age where their own mortality suddenly smacks them in the face, and  have realized how quickly time has gone by.
• They have experienced the "empty nest"  - their  home life has suddenly gotten quiet.
• They may have lost a spouse - and loneliness is a real issue.
• They may feel less useful at home and at church -  partly because they are unable to do things and partly because they are not asked anymore.   They may not feel important.
• They have retired from jobs that they have held for years.
• They  are bored and falling into a routine of television or computers, or just sitting in their easy chair.  
• They, like any other age, may question their faith
• They may have  spiritual questions but are reluctant to ask
• They may not have the opportunity or the means to go out for a fun day with others (they might no longer be driving
• They have many fears  of the future (nursing homes, shut-in possibility, etc.)

Might it not be a good idea to organize a Senior's Group?  Perhaps a Bible study that results in some real discussion and a little fun besides.  Sure, the seniors aren't going to play baseball, but there are day trips or other activities that could be pursued.    

Often, the Seniors have been supportive, faithful,  Some are the  "prayer warriors" of the church.   Makes sense to develop something they would truly enjoy and benefit from.  

Relatives Discovered

I had my DNA analyzed recently, and goodness, I have a lot of "not-so-terribly-distant" relatives!  Tonight I talked with Barbara, who is related on my Grandma Melby's side.    Grandma Melby's side of the family has always been somewhat of a mystery - Possibly because so many of them had passed a long time before I was even born.   And (of course) I never thought to ask questions about them when I was young, either.

At right is my great grandmother Berthe Marie Olsdatter Hamborg Gaarder.   Berthe and her husband Anders Gaarder had 8 children:  Ole Lauritz, Marte Marie, Peder Anton, Ditlef Arthur, Mina, Berte Marie, Auline, and Ottilie.
Barbara's Great Grandma was Berte and my grandma was Mina (daughters of Berthe & Anders).  What fun to talk to her and compare notes.  She had a lot of dates and names that I didn't have, and I had plenty of tidbits that she didn't have.   We will be keeping in touch, I'm sure.

Genealogy sure is a lot of fun.    And. . .yes, Dodie, she has (she says had) light red hair!

Grandma's Spinning Wheel

This is my grandma Elsie Dahlager's (1872-1959)  spinning wheel.

She had said that this had come from her mother-in-law,

so it was not only grandma's spinning wheel,

but it first belonged to my great-grandma Sigrid Leikvold Dahlager  (1853-1942).

Great-grandma's father was Ole Leikvold (1830-1916).

Ole was a wood lathe operator and carpenter.

He made lefse rolling pins, cupboards, benches, chairs and. . .

spinning wheels.

Ole made this spinning wheel for

his daughter, my great-grandma.

So how old is it, then?   One can't be absolutely sure, but if it was made for her when 

she married Christopher Dahlager in 1874, it would be 143 years old!

The spinning wheel is obviously hand-made.

All the parts appear to be included.

The foot pedal is discolored from grandma's (and great grandma's) 

foot pumping the pedal which caused the wheel to turn.

One can imagine these women sitting at the spinning wheel, 

making the sheep's wool into yarn in order to make

mittens, sweaters, or scarves.

I am honored to have this family heirloom, which will
hopefully stay in the family for years to come.

Grandma

Great-great grandpa

Great Grandma

Mini Vacation

In June, I took a trip with Pam, Drew & Dylan to Kentucky.   What is in Kentucky, you ask?    We went to see the Ark Adventure.   It is a HUMONGOUS structure, built to the specifications of Noah's Ark as told in the Bible.    It is definitely worth going to see - they have depicted what it might have been like on the ark - the animal cages, the living quarters, food storage (for animals and Noah's family), and much, much more.  

We even spent an evening at Churchill Downs!   What fun to see the horse races.  I didn't bet on any horses, BTW.

We went to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.  Very interesting and fun to see.  I even got a (free) miniature Louisville Slugger bat.   

We also walked along the river in Louisville, and visited a garden of a mansion that was gorgeous.

FUN! FUN!

Flowers

This year, my flowers are especially beautiful - the blooms are colorful, the greens are healthy.  It's not that I do anything special - I don't have a "green thumb."    I basically just plant and hope for the best.   This year, I didn't  spend much money buying new plants.   If I had know this was the "year for flowers" I would have gone crazy at the nurseries.

I love Dahlias!

Cosmos are a no-fail for me - just scatter the seeds and watch them grow.

These are the flowers of my Elephant Hostas.

More Dahlias.

Pansy.   My Mom always liked these.

In front of the house.

Phlox.  

Update on Velgjerd Leikvold

Some time ago, I posted information about my great grandmother's sister
Velgjerd Leikvold (Velgerd, Veljerd)

She was born in Norway on April 19, 1856.

I told of the sad story of Veljerd and her death at a very
young age following childbirth.

 Velgjerd married Andre Ellingboe when she was only 19.

 In 1876 Velgjerd gave birth to a baby girl, also named Velgjerd.     

There were problems, and the baby was baptized at birth.  

 The new mother and her baby daughter died on May 22, 1876

The Leikvold family had quite a few pictures of their family, but I never could find one
of Veljerd.  There were pictures of the whole family, pictures of the girls, pictures of
just one of the girls at graduation or confirmation, but nothing found of Veljerd.
Well, don't you suppose, there was one I found on the internet that was labeled as
"Andre and his first wife Veljerd"
How exciting is that!  While there is a possibility that it is not my ancestor,
it seems as though it is a very strong possibility that it is.  (And who would
ever know if it wasn't?    😀

Here it is:

Jules & Lucille Dahlager

I just love it when I find a story about my ancestors that, as far as I know, none of my relatives have heard!  

My Dahlager ancestry includes Jules Dahlager, who has been called "Alaska's most beloved artist."   Jules was the son of my great-grandfather's brother, so I guess he is a cousin a few times removed, but he is related, nonetheless.  For any family members reading this, Jules was the son of Trond Dahlager, brother of Christopher Dahlager.   Trond lived in Iowa, but ended up in Brookings, South Dakota.  I don't think my mother ever met Trond, but she knew of him.  

Jules met his wife, Lucille in Washington state, where she was a teacher.  Jules worked for a newspaper for a time, but made his living mostly as an artist.    He especially loved painting the Alaska landscape and the people there.  I have found his paintings on the internet, but if they are for sale, they are not in my budget.

In 1944, Lucille's sister passed away due to pneumonia.  She left behind nine small children.  Since her husband was in the army, the care of the children fell to the grandmother (Lucille's mother).    Jules and Lucille very generously purchased a larger home for the family and they spent Christmas of 1944 in the new home.    [There was no mention of grandfather, so he may have passed away by this time.]   Lucille's younger sister, aged 15, also was a part of the household, so grandma now  had 10 children in her care!    

This family is not in "my family tree" but Jules is.   I found it very touching that Jules & Lucille were willing to share their success by helping out these children!  

 The article is below, but you may need to zoom in to read it.

My Mom's Poems

I came across a small notebook that was my Mom's - in this notebook she had pasted poems that touched her heart - most were inspirational, and were indicative of her faith in God.   A few poems were written by me, and a couple by my brother, Jim.   Then there were some written by Mom, in her familiar handwriting, signed and dated.    Her faith is evident in her own poems as well.    Mom didn't put her faith in the government, the neighbors, or worldly things; she shared that even as a small child, her faith was strong, and she credited her parents for the Christian home she was raised in.       Here are two of the poems written by my mom, Mabel Melby:

I was desolate and lost in sin

Then God in mercy took me in

By giving His Son to die for me

By shedding His blood on Calvary's tree.

He redeemed me and now I  see

The blessed thought that now I'm free

He took all my sins away

and now I live for Him each day.  (Nov. 1992)

"Winter Morning"

This morning through my window

I can see the new white snow.

Everything around so peaceful

In the dawning's rosy glow.

The trees were all so frosty white

The sky was clear and blue,

God gave to us this beauty bright

For our enjoyment too!

My cares and worries seems far away

as I gazed at the peaceful sight

It seemed that God had cleansed the world

and made it pure and white.

Mom lived to the age of 102 and even wrote a few poems around the time of her 100th birthday.

Ingeborg Dahlager Rovang

This is my great-great aunt, Ingeborg and her husband Nils Rovang.

Ingeborg was born in 1837, the oldest child of Jon Trondsson Myre & Kjersi Kristoffersdatter Dalaker.   In 1855, Ingeborg gave birth to a son, John.   The father of John was Ivar Madsson Brotin. (who knew?)    What happened between Ingeborg and Ivar is not known.  We can only guess.

In 1861, Ingeborg and John immigrated to the United States alone,  

and they lived in Worth County, Iowa.  

On November 29, 1865, Ingeborg married Nils Rovang of Vestre, Slidre, Norway.  

Nils came to the United States in 1850.   He served in the Civil war.

  

But what about Ingeborg's son, John?

We have never heard anything about this son, and if my mother/aunts/grandmother 

knew about him or not is not known.

He is not listed with his maternal grandparents in the 1870 census of Worth Co., Iowa.

He is not listed in the 1875 census as living with Ingeborg & Nils.

There was a "John Anderson" living with Ingeborg's parents in 1870, but this son was born in Michigan.   I believe this John Anderson is the same as John Rime, who was taken in by Marit & Ole Rime.   But that is another story.

Nils & Ingeborg eventually settled in Tumuli Twp. in Otter Tail Co., MN

Nils & Ingeborg had seven children together:   Martin, Anna, John, Julia, Christian, 

Emma & Otto.

Since they had a son named John, I believe that Ingeborg's illegitimate son died young and named their son after him, but of course this is speculation.

Nils & Ingeborg are buried in the Sarpsborg Cemetery, Rural Dalton, MN

The Grandsons Come to Visit!

It's always fun when the grandkids come to visit!

On this visit, we also "celebrated" their birthdays

with a "party of four."

Drew will be 7 on October 3.

And Dylan was 4 on August 29.

We made birthday "cakes" out of Rice Krispie Bars.

Each cake had their name on it and a candle.

Rock star Dylan with no shirt.

 But it really was a HOT, HUMID day!!

I asked Drew if he would like to be a piano player,

but he said he waned to be a hockey player.

The boys were going to play a "duet" -

 But in order to do that, they said they had

to divide the piano.  Drew got the low

notes and Dylan got the high notes.

Note the little divider they put in place!

Play-Doh keeps them busy for awhile!

They gave me specific instruction to keep their

projects and dry them out so they can get them

the next time they come up.  I checked today,

and if this humidity keeps up, it will take a LONG time!

The Dead Church?

Someone recently told me "our church is dead!"  I asked what she meant, and the reply was that we don't shout "Amen!"  "We don't dance around in the pews," plus a few other illustrations.  My first response was, "Well, we are Scandinavians and we are Lutherans, after all!"    [I made a feeble attempt at a little humor in my response. ]    At least she didn't say we were a bunch of non-believers!

But I started thinking about this, wondering what I should have said.   An "Amen" at worship service is certainly not "wrong,"  and it is certain that our joy in the Lord should be outwardly obvious to others.   But are we wrong if we don't shout out an "Amen?" Are we wrong if we don't dance in the pews?    Are there not many ways to worship?   God looks at our heart - while we often look at outward appearances.

When we were growing up, Sunday worship was very reverent - and more structured than the Sunday worship today.   The altar area was a place of confession, communion, marriage and baptism.  You arrived at worship, sat quietly in the pews (it was a time of meditation) until the service began )and and then you sat quietly, too. )  I'm sure grandpa & grandma would have been mortified if someone had started "dancing for joy" in the pews!    As a rule, Norwegian/Lutheran parishioners would not want to call attention to themselves in God's house.

Some churches have bands; they have loud, fast music; some hymns songs can barely be differentiated from rock music.    Is this wrong?    I don't think it is  "wrong" if it is done with sincere worship of God.   But it is not the only way to worship.  Congregations and denominations differ in their preference of worship structure.    But sometimes I wonder if  worship  is becoming more about "me" than about God?    Are we there to be entertained?   Are we there to entertain?   Are people staying home because they don't find it fun?    Worship should be enjoyed, it should be happy, but I am pretty sure it is not about me, but rather about God and Me!

However we chose to worship, remember the One we are there to worship; give Him the glory, quietly...or not.  

Wedding and Vacation Rolled up in One!

Lee & Hae Eun were married in San Francisco on May 29.   Not only did I get to go to the wedding, but I also saw some fun things in San Francisco!   Thanks to Lee & Hae Eun and Amy & Nick for a great time!

The Golden Gate Bridge - we were under it, by it and on it!

 Bodega - This is the same schoolhouse that was in the

movie, "The Birds"

Amy & Nick at Bodega Bay

The ocean

I even "met" Alfred Hitchcock"

 We visited a Vineyard in Napa Valley

San Francisco

The "green" building on the right is where the

wedding took place.

Wedding in San Francisco

May 29, 2015

Very happy to announce that:

Lee & Hae Eun got married in San Francisco!

Hae Eun & her Dad

It's Official!  

Selma's Diaries

I never knew my Aunt Selma.

She was my mother's sister.

Selma died at the age of 31, leaving 

her husband and two little girls.

I have in my possession some diaries that Selma kept.

One of them was written in 1928, when she

was a parochial school teach at Ten Mile Lake Church near Dalton.

I'm sure Selma never thought that someone would be

reading her diaries 80 years after her death.

I am sure had she not died to young, they might not have even been kept!

Her diaries tell of  the behavior of the children, 

who was absent, who was naughty.

There are entries of those were went home sick,

or those who had headaches.

May 11, 1928 she wrote:

"Russell and Irville went for water at recess and

they evidently forgot there was such as thing as school, 

as they came a half an hour late!  And they came in

laughing, having fun - so unconcerned!"

She tells about the flowers Pearl brought her:

"a beautiful bouquet of cowslips."

At the end of the 6 weeks, she related that she got a dime from Selma B.

and 50 cents from Bernice & Lester, and lots of dandelions from Vernon.

She noted that Mr. & Mrs. Ed Larson paid her.

The next entries of the diary are from later that same year,

when she went to Edinburg, North Dakota to teach

parochial school.   It was at Edinburg that she met

Clarence Christopherson, a parochial teacher in another

church there.   She does mention the Christopherson

family often, but there are no entries of their dating!

They were married on January 30, 1930 and lived

in Edinburg, where Clarence was a farmer.

Selma died in 1934 when her little girls were only 1 and 3 years old.

Remembering Christmases Past

When I think back to Christmases of my childhood, there is none that stands out more than the others -  Our Christmas celebrations were family oriented and traditional, yet very special.

Christmas celebrations were centered around church, home, community and school.  (yes, school!)

We got our Christmas tree right in Dalton at Rorvig's Store.  It was trimmed with

big colored lights, glass balls and tinsel.    I remember a lighted angel on the top of

the tree which I thought was beautiful.  I also remember a "tin foil" star on the

top on at least one occasion.

I remember going upstairs on Christmas Eve and looking out the east window,

hoping to see the star that the wisemen followed.  And when I saw a star that

I deemed bright enough to be the star, Christmas had arrived.

When I was very young, I remember going to my Grandma's for Christmas Eve.

The house was bustling with activity as the women prepared the meal.  There was not room for everyone to sit at the table, so one group would eat their meal at the table, and when they were done, another group would eat.   I am not sure how many meal rotations there were!

I remember going home from grandma's and it was late (or seemed late to me).

Because I thought it must be close to midnight, whenever I hear the song, 

"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" I am reminded of my grandma.

When we got home,  we would open our gifts.

Before opening our gifts, we would say our "pieces" (recitations) from the Sunday School Christmas program.     Sometimes we would do a little program - we did not forget the meaning of Christmas.

I remember after all the presents had been opened, Dad would go down the basement

and bring a big box of red Delicious apples up to share.  

I remember our Sunday School Christmas programs.  There were no microphones, and 

we were told to speak LOUDLY when we said our recitations.

We sang "Jeg er sa Glad" nearly every year.    The teachers reminded us how much

the older people would like to hear us sing one verse in Norwegian.

I remember getting a little cup with the table prayer from my teacher (still have that cup).

I remember feeling happy and relieved that the program was over and we all did so well, 

according to our teachers.

I remember celebrating Christmas in  school - a public school.

We sang Christmas songs, exchanged Christmas gifts

and even had a Christmas program. 

Here we not only sang "Jingle Bells" but we often closed the program

with "Silent Night"

I remember Santa Claus Day in Dalton, but I don't remember every believing

there was a Santa Claus.    We children enjoyed waiting for him to

arrive and give us little brown paper bags with peanuts, hard candy,

and one chocolate cream-filled mound.   There was a free movie shown in

the town hall for the children.

How great to have these Christmas memories!   Those days were indeed simpler,

and I think that it is not only because we were young.

As I started writing this - and it got way longer than I thought it would - I started

remembering many more things about Christmases past.

I hope we are making good memories for our family today, too.

Merry Christmas!

Uncle Carl, Aunt Palma, Esther, Grandma

Dodie, Me, Jim

Who Said There was Nothing to do in Dalton??

Dalton has a population of probably 250 or so, but since the restoration of the

Dalton Opera House, we have been enjoying many fun events (including

my daughter's wedding reception, but that's another post on this blog!)

Last week, Kai Robert Johanssen from Sarpsborg, Norway

presented a concert.   He has visited Dalton yearly for

the past 11 years and says he would like to come back!

He is a great trumpet player!!

(He brought with him a group from a special school

in Norway, but the pictures I took were not clear,

either due to the lighting or the photographer.)

Cassie & the Bobs entertained to a sold out crowd

this afternoon.   The concert featured the music

of Patsy Cline.    Cassie was a very authentic-sounding

Patsy Cline, much to the delight of the concert-goers.

So glad the Dalton Opera House is back in running order!!