The
Ox Cart is Rolling!
December 2003 Issue
If you are searching for the perfect Christmas gift,
Drayton commemorative ornaments and autographed copies of Lauraine Snelling
books are still available at Valley News and Views and Drayton State Bank.
You may view them on our web site www.oxcarttrails.net. Lauraine Snelling
books include the 9 books of the Red River Series, Gift, Healing Quilt, Dakota and her latest, Ruby. Stop
in to pick up some ornaments and your copy/copies of Lauraine’s
books today.
Another gift , which would be appreciated, is a membership
in Ox Cart Trails Historical Society. They are: $300 for a lifetime, $15
for a family, and $10 for an individual. Send your membership to Earlene
Lasch, PO Box 263, Drayton, ND 58225. Renewals are due on July 31 and
are for our fiscal year August 1 to July 31. Check should be made out
to Ox Cart Trails Historical Society.
Several work nights at the museum were held during September and October.
Work continued on the planting of the lawn, other landscaping, skirting,
painting, floor vents, eave troughs, shelves for the shed, and accession
papers for the objects in the cabinets were started. The cataloging of
all the items in the museum is the current project.
A presentation was given to the Job Development Association board to acquire
grant funds for an ox cart. The Society was started in 2000 with 56 charter
members and we have more than doubled since that time. People that have
come to Drayton looking for their roots, including a family last year
where the grandfather was a graduate of DHS. A gentleman from New York
who had worked in Drayton in 1945 and was retracing his life and received
help from our members. A brochure and information about the Society was
sent out with the alumni mailings for the all-class reunion this past
July. There were about 400 visitors at the museum during Riverfest. Finn
Abrahamson, Cavalier, built an ox cart, which has been purchased by the
Society at a cost of $1960. A grant for $500 was received from the JDA
and another $200 from Pembina County Job Development Authority.
The Society served lunch at the Ray Hoselton Auction in Thief River Falls
on September 27, 2003, with an estimated profit from this event $350.00.
A Spaghetti Benefit was held on Saturday, October 18 and we served 106
with 6 takeouts. The menu included spaghetti, garlic toast, bars, peppermint
ice cream (donated by Cass Clay), and salad. There was also a bake/craft
sale at the same time. Thanks to those that worked, donated and attended
the meal. The profits will be used for the repair work at the museum.
Ox Cart Trails Historical Society held its regular quarterly meeting Monday,
October 27, 2003, 7:00 pm at H G Johnson Memorial Hall, Drayton, North
Dakota. Guest speaker Sandy Slater, Special Collections, Chester Fritz
Library, Grand Forks answered many questions presented by the group in
regard to preserving our records and artifacts. She is one of the 7 professional
archrivals in the state on preserving historical records. Our Mission
Statement was reviewed and Ms Slater was impressed at the wording of our
statement in that it included any situation that may come up in the future.
She asked for a copy so she could use this in her other contacts. It is
important to create ‘donor files’ for each donor and include
in these files all documents, correspondence, notes and telephone calls.
Samples of files and document preserving instructions were given to us
for our study and usage. Due to a quorum was not in attendance, a meeting
could not take place. The group discussed the electricity and winterizing
for the museum. Otter Tail Power trenched in the wire for power. Sticky
pads have been distributed in the building for mouse control. The executive
board met with the Fleckten girls Tuesday October 21 at their house to
look at the house and discuss with them the possibility of them donating
the house and other memorabilia to the Society.
Members of Ox Cart Trails Historical Society gathered on Wednesday, December
3 at 5:30 pm. A spaghetti meal with homemade ice cream and raspberries
started the evening. Two hundred bags of peanuts, candy and an apple were
packaged for Santa for the Old Fashioned Christmas on Saturday. The members
also strung popcorn to complete the decorations for the Christmas tree.
Thank you for your support! Let’s keep the Ox Cart Rolling! |
Let's keep
the Ox Cart Rolling!
|
