CAPITOLETTER

March 18, 2024

It was another mild week at Capitol and on Tie Creek. There was a day of drizzle and warm rain, and by Sunday, the wind had become brisk, but the sunshine felt warm.

Dick and Erma Albert made a trip to Belle Fourche for dentist appointments, on Tuesday. They discovered that all services have become exceedingly expensive. Erma had a chiropractor appointment on Wednesday, but that was in Buffalo, and she didn’t have far to travel.

Thursday was ‘Pie Day’ in Buffalo, and there were pies provided for people who visited the courthouse and the library and maybe other places, too. On Friday, Dick and Erma went to the Senior Citizen dinner, where Bobbie had corned beef and cabbage and scones, to recognize St. Patrick’s Day. Dick and Erma went to the Catholic Church, on Sunday, for mass. They stayed for a pot luck lunch, and then joined in the Bible study afterward.

Alvin Cordell fought a bout of the flu this week. He was feeling some better by Thursday, and got his chores done. Marlee Cordell went to Belle Fourche on Wednesday. On Friday, she had an appointment in town. Ryan and Tawni Cordell and Charlie Casteel and a friend moved cattle up to the Horton place on Friday. The cattle drive was good, and with the new shed at the Horton place, they can do some calving up there, and even stay over if the weather is bad. On Sunday, Marlee went to the Methodist Church in Camp Crook, where she was in charge of conducting the service, this week. She gave a very thought-provoking sermon on ‘God’s love.’

Doug and Julia Davis got to visit with Rory Davis, on the phone on Monday. They had gotten to celebrate his birthday ahead of time, when he was here for a visit, but Monday was his real birthday, so they had lots of fun talking to him, and hearing about his gifts. He is only four, but already is quite an astronomer. On Saturday Doug and Julia were glad to have Toney and Linda Hannah visit them. The Hannahs are nearly ready for a trip back to Alaska, as the days become longer and warmer.

Junior and Shirley are enjoying seeing the new calves. There are heifers at their house, now. Ernie has about twenty-five calves already. On Friday morning, Tommy and Rachel went to the Home School Group meeting at the Events Center in Ekalaka. Then, that afternoon, Tommy stopped to visit with Carson Odell, who was visiting at Karen’s. On Sunday, Tommy and Rachel went to church in Baker.

Ronda Cordell rode with Clint Zolnoski to Alzada, on Tuesday, to meet Linhart’s, who were on a bull delivering mission from Iowa to Missoula, Montana. When they unloaded at home, their three little guys made friends quite quickly, and showed the big boys around. Wade Pearson brought a load of wood chips, a little later that day.

On Wednesday, after Clint returned from Baker, Ronda, Clint and Gene Secrest sorted and poured the meadow cows and heifers. Gene commented that he couldn’t remember not having muddy corrals when they had sorted for calving in all the prior years when he was helping. Someone must’ve heard that comment, because before they had finished, it showered enough to make some mud. We need much more than showers.

They finished another sorting of cattle on Friday. There was a good layer of ice on the dam and Tie Creek, as they gathered cows. There were ten head that didn’t think they could cross the creek, so Ronda easily walked across to break the ice for them. The return trip didn’t go as well, though. Ronda ended up into cold water to her waist, and was in need of a change of clothes and muck boots. She went to get them, after they had gotten the cows north of the road.

On Thursday, Ronda took a return back to the Buffalo Hardware. Curt Zolnoski and Erik Berglund came from Rapid City to stay for a couple of days. They finished hanging doors. On Saturday morning, Toney and Linda Hannah stopped by for a visit. On Sunday, two new babies came and Darby and Abby got to help bed them down with straw in the barn, and get the maternity pen in place in the afternoon. The heifers were under camera on Sunday night.

Cody, Kylie, Kellan, Kenna and Carson Odell visited at Karen Odell’s this week. It was spring-break for the Mitchell schools for a few days, so they had some time off. One day, Kenna learned to make Welsh cakes, and the boys did some exploring for artifacts. Kylie had meals all figured out, so Karen felt like she was on vacation, too. Tommy Melum came to spend one afternoon with Carson Odell.

Another afternoon, Cody, Kellan and Carson spent some time using Ernie’s four-wheedlers for a little while. Chancey Odell and Megan came for supper on Saturday; while they all watched the Double-A high school basketball tournament on YouTube. Mitchell’s boy’s team had a great year, and the game on Friday was a really good one. Then, the Saturday game was even more exciting throughout the entire game. Cody’s family saw friends at the game, and the Kellan tried to hide a grin, because he learned the outcome from his phone, before the rest of us saw the Mitchell team win by one point. The team play had been excellent. Then everyone played a board game until late.

On Sunday, they all had on some green for St. Patrick’s day, and they all went outside to take some pictures, before Cody’s family headed for home. Karen wore green for church at the Methodist Church and played piano for the hymns. Marlee Cordell conducted the service, and many of the congregation participated by reading scriptures at different times during the sermon.

On Palm Sunday, there will be an Easter Cantata performance sponsored by The Coffeehouse at the Lions’ Civic Center in Buffalo. The Cantata will begin at 6 o’clock.

There will be an Easter service at the Camp Crook Methodist Church at 11:00 on Easter Sunday.

Both liberty and leanness require vigilance and perseverance.