CAPITOLETTER

November 4, 2024

Tie Creek and Capitol got some rain this week. It was actual rain, and the soft drizzle lasted all day. There were even puddles that the cats stared at, in surprise, and avoided with curiosity.

Dick and Erma Albert had eye doctor appointments on Tuesday. Their prescriptions did not have to be changed, but Dick’s scratched lenses needed to be replaced. On Friday, they went to the Senior Citizen Dinner, and were glad to visit with Delores Sperle and some of her family. Church on Sunday was early. It was also the day for the church’s bazaar, at the Buffalo Community Center. Their dinner was at noon, and they always have the most delicious meal. There was bingo in the afternoon, and many stayed for that, too. Some even won those delicious pies.

Alvin and Marlee Cordell had eight-tenths of an inch of rain by Wednesday. That is big news for the Tie Creek area that has been in a terrible drought. Alvin went to Buffalo, on Friday, to get more supplies for insulating his water tank for winter. Rod Bisgaard came out, that day, to help with the Saturday cattle drive. On Saturday, Wade, Gavin, and Cade Pearson, all of Ryan’s family, Ashley and Shannon Secrest and their kids, Terry Cordell, and Kent and Ashley Williams were on hand to help drive the cattle out of the Sheep Mountains. Things went well, and their crew of nine on horses and four with ATV’s, did a good job.

Bruce and Lynn Gustafson had three ‘trick or treaters’ visit on Thursday. The whole Wilcox family came along. Bruce and Lynn got to join in a birthday party for Keegan and Dawson Wilcox, too. They turned six and two. Bruce and Lynn went to church at the Little Missouri Church on Sunday.

Doug Davis had an FSA meeting in Belle Fourche on Tuesday. Doug and Julia had planned to ship calves on Friday, so they got up nice and early to a fog, so thick that they were not sure there was a chance to find any cows. Luckily, they were in a smaller pasture, and the cows did appear, one by one through the dense fog. Julia knew when the truck was arriving only by listening. It, too, finally came in to view through the mist, and they got things in order. Doug spent the next two days helping Latham’s ship their calves.

Junior and Shirley Melum had a quiet week, but got some company on Sunday evening, when Ernie, Rachel, and Tom brought them some groceries from town.

Dorothy Padden had an unusually quiet week. She spent lots of her time working on jig-saw puzzles.

Allyn Marshall has been visiting at Dawn and Bryce Padden’s. On Halloween, Brayden Padden and JC Turbiville, stopped by. Brandon, Ashley, and Kanyn came, too, and got some Halloween treats. Dawn spent Sunday, helping do carpentry on BJ’s new house. They are hoping to get it enclosed so the work won’t be so cold. Then they can enjoy working on the inside later.

Ronda Cordell and Clint Zolnoski got their shipping done last Monday, and sent cattle to St. Onge, because getting help and working on a Thursday and Friday was easier. Diane Wear came from Ekalaka on several days. They had a good crew to help ultrasound, gather and load calves.

The trailer house siding and skirting is completely finished, and gives three western Montana hunters a spot to camp for a few days. Linda Bergstrom Blanc's son-in-law, Jason Spaid, his brother, and a friend, came on Saturday from Missoula. With Diane’s help, Ronda got much of her garden produces is in. Tomatoes have been steamed, strained and frozen. This week, Ronda had headed to Rapid City to stay over at Westling's, because she had a morning appointment with the dermatologist. Diane came to do chores and sit with the dogs. Ronda visited Curt Zolnoski, before heading home. This week, Ronda and Clint Zolnoski sorted more cows to send to a bred cow sale. Clint's gauge registered a half inch of rain. A dense fog hung around on Halloween morning. Dell Dague and Peter Tenold hauled cows to St. Onge Friday, and Ronda drove down for the Saturday sale. Sunday ended with a call from the hunters. Two cow elk were on the ground in precarious areas, and they needed a ride.  

On Monday, Rachel and Tom Melum came to Karen Odell’s to ride with her to Ekalaka to Community Choir practice at the Lutheran Church. It was a good practice and fun to sing with a choir again. Karen had sung in choirs on the East Coast, the West Coast, the middle of the US, the Bahamas, the South, across Europe and in Gymanfa Ganus. She still keeps in contact with past friends that remember wonderful memories from choirs. Karen remembers sitting on the beach in the Bahamas with the waves rolling over her feet. The next day at the choir concert, her feet were so sunburned and swollen that she could not march in with the choir. Karen had to wait backstage, and have the men in the back row lift her up onto the back risers, where she could join in singing. She had to purchase woven slippers to wear for a day or two, because her shoes didn’t fit.

This Tuesday, it actually rained all day. It was the first real rain in six months. In the evening, Karen got to see grandson, Carson Odell, in the Mitchell Kernels Fall Choir Concert, on YouTube. Karen let Rachel know about the concert and she got to watch it, too. They were both so impressed with the concert that included high school and junior high boys’ choirs, girls’ choirs and mixed choirs. The finale was spectacular with the entire stage and risers in front of the stage filled with music students. There were so many that both directors directed the final song that was absolutely wonderful. What lucky kids.

Karen also got to see her grandson, Murphy Hinds earn a purple belt in Karate, because Micki sent a video of the event. She got pictures of grandchildren, Kyia Smith, Rowan and Murphy Hinds dressed for Halloween. Karen’s black cat was her only other Halloween visitor. At church on Sunday, Karen learned that Alan Loken had delivered 40 pounds of chicken gizzards to his brother, Eric, so there may even be some left for next year’s Wickham Gulch Picnic. Alan conducted the service at the Methodist Church. Lynnette Wolff gave the children’s sermon. The Wolff and Cordell children rang the bell, did the candle-lighting, and served as ushers. Karen accompanied the singing on the piano.

Don’t forget the Little Missouri Ethnic Supper, next Sunday from five to seven at the Camp Crook Community Center.

Doesn’t it make sense to put a ringer on your glasses so you can call them when they are lost?