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2002 status: There is no longer a senior citizen club. There
are few members left in Hampden, having either passed away or moved to
nursing homes or larger towns.
from Ramsey County History: vol 2, p 599; published 1983
(submitted by Mrs. Herbert Martin, Secretary)
A group of seniors met November 1, 1974, in the Zoar Lutheran Church
with Roger Wetzel, Trudy Ertman and Jan Christie to organize a senior
club. Election of officers resulted as follows: President
Pearl Aanstad; vice-president, Henry Timm; secretary, Mrs. Herbert
Martin; treasurer, Mrs. Carl Mortenson. dues decided on were $2.00
per member. Meetings were held alternately in the three churches;
Faith A.L.C., Methodist and Zoar Free Lutheran, twice each month.
The first Friday a business meeting and the third Saturday evening a
social meeting.
The first years there was a great deal of business, but it has
tapered off. The social meetings have been varied. Birthdays
and anniversaries are special. Each person reaching 80 years of
age is given special recognition with a decorated cake. Glora
Logie, Trygve Pollestad, Carl Mortenson (deceased), Nellie Wolf, Oscar
Borg (deceased) and Emma Dahl have received theirs.
These social meetings have provided much in the way of
entertainment. There have been slides shown by people who have
traveled, as Geo. Tokheim, Fritjoph Lunde, Mr. Tonnes Pollestad; talks
by visitors, educational programs and much else.
In 1975, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O'Brien reigned as King and Queen of the
Devils Lake Mardi Gras, and a year later Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Hoiland
were runner ups. Also in 1975 the club had a float in the Sons of
Norway Parade May 17. A living room scene was depicted on a
flatbed, appropriately decorated. A grandma and grandpa were in
rocking chairs.
Bylaws were adopted and the club became incoporated. In order
to receive any government funds our treasurer was bonded. The
first Board of Directors elected at theis time were: Carl Mortenson, Ted
Hoiland and Leon Ohma.
There has been monthly county nurse's service since February 21,
1975. Marion Moen was the first, now Mary Lou Kowalski.
Monthly bus service to Devils Lake began in October 1976. This
enabled members to make doctor appointments, shop , etc. Now
Edmore and Hampden will be together and have two trips each month.
Gustina Solberg is our present coordinator.
In 1976 Storlie School No. 4 was moved into Hampden. It was a
gift to the club, and a bill of sale from the school district was signed
by Richard Hoiland, clerk, and Ordale Morstad, member of the school
board. The town board and the Senior board agreed to have it
placed in the northeast corner of the city park. Carl Mortneson
contacted a house-mover and attended to the cement work. He, with
George Tokheim, built the chimney and Leroy Wolf painted the
interior. The school has several of the original student desks,
with the teacher's des and most of the books, pictures, etc. A
pretty young teacher stands at the front of the room, a mannequin purchased
from a Devils Lake store and given by Mrs. Carl Mortenson.
March 4, 1977, the club met for the first time in the Mini Mall, of
which it has a large room with a sign in front "Senior
Center." There has been paneling, carpeting, cupboards,
air-conditioner, electric appliances and all such appliances
added. A well was dug at the cost of $3,000.00 which furnishes
water for all the business places.
The club has donated to all the county programs as Meals, Bus,
Nurse. We are grateful for all Federal grants, the State Matching
fund, Ceta fund and the County Mill Levy. Our first monies were,
however, truly earned. Supper and lunches were served before the
Mall Cafe opened. A potato dumpling (kuml, klub) was served,
amounting to $150.00. There were rummage sales and raffles.
The first gift was an afghan from Margaret Severeid. It was won by
Ordale Morstad.
Many gifts have been received, including a pool table from Mr. and
Mrs. Trygve Pollestad; a combination television-stereo-radio from Mr.
Burnell Myhre, a former Hampdenite in memory of his wife, Doris; a piano
from the Methodist Church. A thermometer in the Center designates the
monetary gifts received.
We were introduced to the Seniors United by Hazel Skaar, county
chairwoman, who explained the benefits, stressing discounts in
drugs. Thomas O'Brien and R.G. Reimer represent our district on
the State Board of Directors.
In 1981 Thomas O'Brien was elected to the Silver Haired Legislature
with Harry Anderson from Ramsey County. There were re-elected in
1982.
Hampden Club has had members attend every County Coucil
meeting. Pearl Aanstad has served as secretary, Theodore Hoiland
as treasurer and Henry Timm as president and vice-president.
Noon meals are served three days each week, with four to six Meals on
Wheels. The meals are catered; first by Betty Boatman Kummer
1978-1981 and by Mrs. Bob Haprestad, Sr. 1981.
Many members belong to the RSVP program; to serve the meals, to visit
nursing homes, telephone calling etc.
We also have a Green Thumb, Mrs. Henry Timm, from 1980-.
Trees have been planted each and each summer members plant and tend
to flowers planted in front of the Mini Mall, purchased by the Mall
Association. This adds to the appearance of the entire street.
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