Max News 3-15-04

The annual prayer service of Christ Lutheran Parish of Garrison and Max was held recently at St. Matthew’s Lutheran in Max. The prayer service was conducted by the members of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Members and several guests enjoyed the fellowship and the salad luncheon which was served following the service.

Friday, March 5th., Richard Kostenko celebrated his birthday at the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison. His two sisters, Raome Johnson and Renelle Johnson, both of Bismarck, along with his wife Vi, and daughters Charlene and Marian helped him celebrate.

Civic Club had a supper meeting on Monday, March 8th. with several dozen attending. The next meeting will also be a supper meeting. It was voted to give $500.00 towards the Post Prom Party at the Max Public School. Civic Club also sponsors Cub Scouts in Max. They have ten leaders. Change of date – the Annual Civic Club Steak Fry will be held October 30th., instead of in December this year. Wayne Kabanuck (Wayne Douglas) will be the D.J. and will honor all with his singing.

Sunnyslope Homemakers was held on Tuesday, March 9th., at Linda Krueger’s in Minot.

The annual Max Enterprise meeting was held Monday, March 15th. Ticket sales for the pop can plunging into the water have ended. During the months the pop can isn’t sitting on the ice, it is stationed by the Max Cenex Station and tickets may be purchased and guesses made during those months too. The very durable yet light-weight Jack-Pads are still for sale at 4 for $50, which includes a sturdy bag to store them in. Contact Edward Hauf at 679-2644 or Edwin Schmidt at 679-2422. These are presently being used to set under camper jacks to keep them from sinking into the ground. One may find many other uses for them too, though.

Elaine Kohler’s cousin’s son was featured on Channel #13 out of Minot in a report by Jim Olson from Washington, D.C. Admiral Mike Miller is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller of Minot. Admiral Miller is the Director of the White House Military office, having command over 2300 people under him, in protecting the President of the United States. Admiral Miller’s office is in the West Wing of the White House, across the hall from the First Lady’s office.

Ed. and Idamae Hauf returned recently after spending several days touring areas of southwestern U.S. They visited Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico and Gila Cliff dwellings near Silver City, New Mexico. At Alamogordo they toured the Museum of Space History, the Museum and Missile Park at White Sands Missile Range, and viewed and drove through a portion of the dune drive at White Sands National Monument. Enroute home they visited their family at Ankeny, Iowa; Minneapolis, Waconia, and Sabin, MN.

Elaine Kohler visited her sister, Harriet Evenson at Manor Care on Tuesday. She is getting better and walking more.

The Annual Firemen’s meeting is this coming Monday at 8 P.M. Directors will be elected.

George Huettl has been moved to Swing Bed at the Garrison Hospital. His room is #223. George hopes people will call and come to visit him. He recently broke his hip but in time plans to return to Brentmoor Assisted Living facility in Minot. George’s address now is Garrison Memorial Hospital at P.O. Box #39; Garrison, N.D. 58540-0039. The phone number there is (701) 463-2275.

Mrs. Arlen Miller, Sandy, is presently in Trinity Hospital in Minot. Sandy and her husband live in the former Marko home at the S.E. edge of Max. We wish Sandy a speedy recovery.

There is a grocery store in Max now – the Cenex Mini Mart. They are carrying a complete line of groceries, except for fresh fruits and vegetables. Their freezer there is full of pizza, meats, and much much more.

The City of Max is in need of a Laundromat though. If anyone is interested or knows of someone who would be interested in establishing one in Max, please act on it. What a wonderful quiet small town to retire in, with a little side income from a Laundromat!

Our little town is growing, though, with the births of two new little ones. Bernard and Tamra Huesers are the proud parents of Annika Grace, born March 4th. Annika was 6# 15 oz., and 19 ½ inches long. She lives with her parents in the former teacherage, Supt. Batterberry’s home. Grandparents are Karen and the late Maynard Huesers and Nyle and Arlene Burchill.

Little Wyatt Kenneth Kersten joined our community about six weeks early, in the worst blizzard of 2004! His parents are Holly and Allen Kersten, living on the former Chris and Lois Olson farmstead Holly was involved in one of the many vehicle accidents on Highway 83 Wednesday evening, March 10th. Holly is home and doing fine while Wyatt remains in the hospital in stable condition. Wyatt has a brother Colt waiting for him to come home.

Many from Max and the surrounding area were involved in chain reaction accidents on Highway 83 that afternoon and evening. The following morning there were still dozens of disabled vehicles lining the highway. The Max Rescue Squad was out for approximately 6 hours that afternoon and evening. As written in the Minot Daily Newspaper,’Highway 83 near Max was closed by N.D. Highway Patrol in the mid-afternoon, due to zero visibility and icy road conditions.’ They reported 300 to 400 cars ed up for almost 8 hours on the highway going south because of drifts and accidents blocking the road. Vehicles were also ed up at the Garrison Six Mile corner due to accidents in the northbound lanes. The winds during this time were reported to be gusting at 60 mph.

Because of the many accidents blocking the road, both north and south of Max, the Patrolmen were pulling everyone into Max. It was reported that about 30 semi trucks lined the streets and many more vehicles, bringing the count to a near one thousand extra vehicles in Max. One person commented that the population of Max must have grown to 5000 that day!

Both cafes in Max had standing room only with many meals being served. They also served breakfast to many of the 25-30 that stayed overnight in the Max Civic Center. The old wrestling mats were brought out of storage and blankets and pillows were brought in for the stranded. There was food served at the hall also and reports have come in that they all were treated very nicely.

No one was being let out of Max so that also meant the school children and all who work at the school. Many children were bused directly to the door of ‘storm homes’ in Max while others remained at the school overnight. Many ‘storm homes’ had children who did not know them, although their parents knew them. One home had eleven children there, besides their own three. Some homes gave beds and breakfast to stranded adults too.

These March storms come up fast. The sun was shining in the morning and by noon snow flakes were falling and wind was blowing at 60 mph. Elaine Kohler had two granddaughters at her house, Tom and Lauri’s girls from Benedict; and also the two little boys of Alan and Kathy Westman. They all got along good. The girls helped Grandma and the boys were really good.

“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes to us.” Flora Edwards