Three Corners is "Home"

The Three Corners area where Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado converge is my "Home".  My great-great grandparents migrated to the northwest corner of Kansas in 1888 and established a farm just south of the Nebraska/Kansas border near Hackberry Creek just about a mile south of the home I grew up in.  One set of great-grandparents settled on the state line just south of Parks, Nebraska. and another arrived in Haigler around 1910 where she operated a hotel and restaurant and he worked in a blacksmith shop.  My roots are in this area.  Our farm was only seven miles southeast of Haigler where we did most of our "trading"; bought groceries at Trembly's; cars and pickups at Stasser's; feed and supplies at the Co-op; welding and repairs at Douglass's shop;  Jim Dexter would pump gas, check oil, wash our windshield for us at the Texaco; took our cream and eggs to Ed Odenbach; stored our frozen fruit and vegetables from our garden at Bob Schorzman's Locker Plant; purchased hardware from Earl Trembly; occasionally have a hamburger or a soda pop at Wheaton's Cafe; go with my dad to Bill Wall's pool hall; stopped in at the Post Office where Bell McGregor would personally wait on us; (use the bathroom at Buck Ryan's Conoco station).  But we went to the BIG towns of St. Francis, Wray and Benkelman for various services not available in Haigler.  St. Francis for "legal" stuff and banking because our farm was located in Cheyenne County; Benkelman to the sale barn, skating rink and church school; Wray to visit grandparents, take piano lessons, swimming lessons and various other needs. Much of the time, we hauled our wheat and corn to the elevator in Parks because they sometimes had the best price and my mom's aunt and uncle owned a store there.  My happy childhood was spent with parents who worked hard and provided a loving and secure home for me and my 4 siblings.  Many happy memories were created within a 25 mile radius around us.  We seldom traveled outside that circle and happily spent time working and playing with relatives who lived nearby or would come to visit from far away places.  

As I get older and look back on all the places I have lived, none bring warmth to my heart and soul like the memories I have of "Home".  I so much appreciate the "Haigler Happenings" section of the Benkelman Post that my aunt Floy sends each week;  I think it is awesome what Stan and LaNeta Carlock and others are doing to preserve the history of the Haigler area with the Cornerstone Museum and what Benkelman is planning in the "Paint Your Town" project.  Preserving the "lifestyle" of this community is an important project.  

~Sherri Gregory
Editor of The Haigler Blog
Host of Genealogy Trails History Group for Dundy County Nebraska

Memorial Service

If anyone took pictures or a video of the service this morning, could you please contact me?

Contact by Email

-- Editor

Haigler Happenings - May 30, 2011

Birthday celebration

 

Karen Harford celebrated her birthday and the following week in Grapevine, Texas with her son Ty Mayo and his wife Laura.  What a treat to spend time with her two granddaughters, reading stories and collecting insects.  She also spent time with cousins, Denzil and Beverly Clegg and their daughter Ann and her family and her sister-in-law, Joan Mayo and her family.  The weather wasn't always the best with hail pounding and tornado sirens going off, but no real serious damage occurred. It was a fun week and it slipped by all too quickly. 

 

The open house at the Cornerstone Museum was well attended and enjoyed Sunday afternoon.  Stan and LaNeta Carlock are to be commended for their dedication to preserving our past history. Their many hours of restoration, record keeping and research over the years are greatly appreciated by the visitors that came for the Alumni and Memorial Day events as well as by the local residents.

 

Memorial Services at the Haigler Cemetery- began at 10:00 sharp Monday morning.  Kenny Potthoff, Adjutant General, of the American Legion, led in the services.  He gave honor to those who lost their lives for our Country's freedom and expressed appreciation to those who keep the cemetery grounds looking beautiful.  Earl Erdman placed a wreath on the grave of the unknown soldier.  4H members, Angela Crouse and Meg Peterson, led in the pledge of allegiance.  Rick Morris, son of a Legionnaire, offered the prayer.  Althea Lebow sang a solo then Pastor Farmer of the Lutheran Church gave the address mentioning that more lives were lost in the Civil war, fighting each other, than in any other war.  Althea Lebow played Taps for the firing squad.  After the services many went to the Legion Hall for Cinnamon Rolls and more visiting with relatives and old friends. 

 

A Visit to Aunt Floy's House - Leah and Dwight Brewer and Sherri Gregory spent an enjoyable time visiting their Aunt Floy Fisher on Sunday afternoon.  They inspected her garden, enjoyed the many different colored irises blooming around her yard, checked out the apricot tree and caught glimpses of several different kinds of birds visiting her bird feeders.  Sherri enjoyed a special foot treatment which nearly put her to sleep.

Floy Fisher went to Wray, CO Monday afternoon to meet her son and wife, Garry and Sharon Fisher who arrived at their summer home late Sunday night.  They had left their home in Newberry Springs, CA at 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning each driving a vehicle.  They plan to make rural Wray their permanent home now since they are both retired.

 

More Memorial Day events will be reported next week.

Guest Book

If you haven't visited the Guest Book lately; you might enjoy clicking on the guest book icon and read the latest entries.

-- Editor

A Visit to Aunt Floy's House

Leah & Dwight Brewer and Sherri Gregory spent an enjoyable time visiting their Aunt Floy Fisher on Sunday afternoon.  They inspected her garden, enjoyed the many different colored irises blooming around her yard, checked out the apricot tree and caught glimpses of several different kinds of birds visiting her bird feeders.  Sherri enjoyed a special foot treatment which nearly put her to sleep.

Another Alumni Celebration

The Haigler alumni  potluck and gathering today was a huge success for those who were able to attend.  The class of 1961 had a nice visit yesterday at the Sage Hill winery and the dinner on Saturday night in Benkelman was a success.

It is always fun to visit with people you haven't seen for years.  I enjoyed seeing Karen White Lindell, my best and longest standing friend, Karen Harford, who I admire for her ambition, kindness and love of family and home; Albert Zuege, who always makes me smile; Kay Smith Hulse who is enjoying her retirement by traveling the country with her husband in their new 5th wheel; LaVern, Mick, Danny Schorzman; cousins and friends; Ted Harford who loves reading the Haigler Blog; Freda Sass; Almeda (Bier), Russ Hoover, Joan Phipps, Jeanne Wall Zuege, Mary Lou Wall,  LaNeta and Stan Carlock and so many more.

Recognition Awards for historical contributions were given to Laura Pearl Wall and Joann Webster for their long standing preservation, collections and writings of Haigler history.

Next year the class of 1962 will host the event.

There was an open house at the country school house and the Cornerstone Museum located in the old Crabtree building on Porter Avenue.  Plans are being made to donate this building to the town of Haigler and invitations were made for people to donate items depicting the farming and ranching community around the area.  If your family has "artifacts" that you would like to share or if you would like to contribute to the restoration of the building, you can contact LaNeta and Stan Carlock in Haigler, Nebraska.

The family of Ward Wonder donated a very interesting family history shadow box that will be hung on a wall in the museum.  This gave our family an idea of something we can do - we plan to create something for a "Crabtree Corner" in the museum. Royal Woods II donated items such as a corn sheller and a cream separator. The old phone booth from the Central Office is sitting in the center of the room; the safe from the Drover's State Bank; tools from Roach's blacksmith shop; a wood burning kitchen stove from Karen Zuege's home; a horse drawn buggy from the Wall family; single trees; harnesses and a saddle.  So many memories are already waiting for us to enjoy.  I look forward to seeing the interesting historical items that other families share.

While I was at the Cornerstone Museum, I picked up a copy of the new book, "Where We Belong"  by Stan Carlock.  I am looking forward to sitting down to read it.

Everyone loves to talk about their memories of years gone by and I hope YOU will begin writing down things that you remember about growing up in the Haigler Community.  If you have stories you would like to share, feel free to send them to me; I would love to post them here on this blog.

Tomorrow: Memorial Day, the annual service to honor those who have served in the military service of our great country will begin at 10am.

Haigler Happenings - May 23, 2011

The Haigler Village Wide Garage Sales on Saturday were lots of fun and many people from surrounding communities attended.  Weather was great, and everyone got good buys. 

 

Haigler residents are anticipating many alumni to return to the place of their roots for a reunion and others for the Memorial Services this week-end.  These events also provide an opportunity to meet old friends and former residents of the area that come for the occasions.

 

The American Legion members plan a Memorial Day Service that will start at 10:00 a.m. sharp on the 30th of May at the Haigler Cemetery.

 

HAIGLER ALUMNI/MEMORIAL WEEKEND EVENTS

     Just a reminder of all the events happening in Haigler over this weekend, and that everyone is making plans to attend.  Saturday, May 28, 2-5 p.m. Haigler Alumni & friends open house at Community Legion Bldg., and also 50th class reunion hosting open house at Sage Hill Vineyard, Rock Creed Rd., 2-4 p.m.  Dundy County/Stratton Alumni Banquet in Benkelman at the high school, 4 p.m.  

    Sunday, May 29, is the traditional pot luck luncheon at the Community Legion Building, main street Haigler, and the 50th reunion class hosting the program.  That afternoon from 2-5 p.m. is open house at the Country School House Museum, and the proposed Haigler Cornerstone Museum on Porter Avenue and on Monday, May 30, Memorial Day services will be held at the Haigler Cemetery--followed by coffee and donuts at the Legion Building.  Haigler Alumni and community are invited to all of these events.

 

Dwight Wall visited his mother on Saturday.  She accompanied him to his home at Lewellen and spent the night there.  On Sunday morning they drove to Eustis, NE to attend the third birthday party of Olivia wall, daughter of Caleb and Sherrill Wall.  Her aunts, Azure and Jessica of Lincoln and Lyndsay Lashley of Palisade and her other great grandmother, Karen VanKooten, also grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ison and some neighbors were among the guests.  Dwight brought Laura Pearl to her home on Sunday Evening.

 

HAIGLER RED HATTERS TEA PARTY

     The Haigler Red Hatters celebrated May birthdays and their May meeting with a Mother Goose Red Hatters' Garden Tea Party on Thursday afternoon, May 19.  Hostesses  were the Collicott  Sisters:  LaNeta Carlock, Myrna Mulligan, and Galena Webster.  Weather cooperated with sunshine, no rain, not much wind, and warmer temperatures.  The Carlock gardens and serving tables were decorated with Mother Goose characters.  Refreshments were served "under the tent," and included Goosey Gander sugar cookies, Peter Rabbit carrot cupcakes, ants on a log; Humpty Dumnpty egg sandwiches, Twinkle Star cucumber sandwiches, Miss Muffet cherry scones, Hey Diddle fruit kabobs, Mulberry bush tea, and London Bridge lemonade.  Activities included searching gardens for the golden egg from Mother Goose, selected readings by Stan Carlock from his recently published book, "Where We Belong," and everyone sharing their favorite nursery rhyme and doll or stuffed animal.  The ladies who attended were Iona Maupin, Joann Webster, Jean Blecha, Esther Erdman, Eilene Erdman, Carolyn Rosenfelt, Kaye Kamla, Jean Moore, Belva Olson, Lois   Zuege, Marilyn Bannister, Doris Tecker, and Veda Douglass--plus the hostesses.  Everyone enjoyed the afternoon.

 

Floy Fisher is looking forward to this weekend when her son and wife, Garry and Sharon Fisher, plan to arrive at their property near Wray Colorado.  They have listed their California property in rural Newberry Springs on the Internet and plan to build a new home on their Wray property.  Sharon will have retired this year from her position in Education.  Garry retired 2 years ago and has been concentrating on finishing touches to their lovely home which they built there.  They have it listed on the internet, hoping to sell it soon.  Garry has built a solar system that gives them free heat and pumps their water from the well.   Meanwhile, at Wray, they will be living in their travel trailer beside a  steel building that was erected a few years ago.

 

Please report your week and weekend activities to Phone number 308-297-3606,  e-mailffisher@bwtelcom.net, or drop by 338 Washington Avenue. 

Sixth Annual Mikey Ride

Well it's that time of year again for th 6th annual Mikey Ride. This year we will be helping Megan (Smith) Friesen with money's for her medical bills. For those of you who don't know Megan she grew up here in Wallace. She is the daughter of Jim and Cathy Smith of Wallace. She is fighting cancer and is going though treatments right now. We wish her the best of luck and are praying for her. She just got married last summer and her and her husband live in Omaha.

As always Susie and I would love to see everyone at the Mikey Ride to either ride or come and be part of the dinner that night and look the bike over and visit with everyone. As always we will be having a live auction of items to raise money for Megan as well as a free will Donation for her.

Please pass this poster on and put it up anywhere you think it would help.

Susie has put together a Web page www.themikeyride.com  also a e-mailthemikeyride@hotmail.com as well as a Facebook page so please check these out as she has work hard on getting these set up. She has posted a lot of pictures of past Mikey rides out there.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this year.

Thank you for all your support

Mike and Susie Maupin

Haigler Happenings - May 16, 2011

Friday, May 13th, Myrna Mulligan celebrated her special 62nd birthday.  Cards and telephone calls began her day.  That afternoon she and her sister Galena Webster were guests of her other sister, LaNeta Carlock and husband Stan.  A short story about "our piano lady" was presented and read to her.  The group enjoyed a glass of wine and chocolate, and playing the piano.  Myrna received a special delivery letter from her husband Charlie later that afternoon--who also treated her to dinner at the Haigler Country Cafe that evening.  She had a wonderful birthday.

 

Duane and LuAnn Wall of Cheyenne visited Laura Pearl Wall on Sunday.  They attended church in Haigler and enjoyed visiting with many old friends.

 

MerryLu Simmons came on Sunday afternoon to help her mother with yard work. 

 

Laura Pearl Wall visited Dode and Dale Faylor on Friday.  They cut a lot of rhubarb.

 

Robert and Wanda Beck from Florida were in Yuma, CO on Saturday.  Many years ago (like 40 some) they lived in Benkelman, NE and pastored the Benkelman and Haigler SDA churches.  They have many friends in the area who were happy to have a few hours to visit with them.  Bob has a brother and a 102 year old aunt living in Brush that they try to visit every year.

 

Haigler Village Spring Garage Sales - Reminder

 

It will soon be time again for the annual Haigler Village Spring garage sales.  Date is Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  Watch for all the ads in papers, and plan now to attend.  Maps will be available at 'the station' on Hwy. 34.  If interested in being a garage sale site, please contact LaNeta Carlock @ 297-3226.

 

Please send your news items to: e-mail - ffisher@bwtelcom.net, phone - 308-297-3605, or drop in the box at 338 Washington Ave.  Your participation is very much appreciated. 

CHEER for Benkelman (DCSD)

Benkelman is back in the top #10 in the Reader's Digest "We Hear You America" contest.  Today is the last day to help them win.  Keep voting to keep us in the race.

This went viral last night and we came from trailing at #11 to a good solid #10 and closing in on #9.  Nebraska TV stations picked us up in the last few days and now people from all over are CHEERING us on!

Winning this contest will help the Benkelman, Haigler, Parks, Stratton, Max community.

Go to this link:  http://wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com  If you haven't signed up, just fill in name address and email address and fill in 69021 in the CHEER box and hit the CHEER button.

We have until 11:59 pm EDT

Haigler Happenings - May 9, 2011

Adam and Brent Wheaton were in Haigler for the Mother's Day weekend.  They brought Adam's new puppy to 'meet the folks'.  Stephanie was attending graduation for her best friend and maid of honor at their wedding.  She called to wish us Happy Mother's Day.  Sunday Jerrie's mother Clara Johnston came for dinner.  The day was spent playing card games, playing with the puppy, and visiting.

 

Lois Zuege spent Easter Sunday with Dianne and Larry Sack and family in Hudson, CO, and also a visited few days with her grandson, Jeremy, before coming home to Haigler.  Then, on Saturday night, Lois and met Evelyn in Wray for supper and were joined by Tom and Charlotte Myer and their daughter Starla and husband, also Shannon and Chris Stults and their 2 little girls.  On Tuesday, Evelyn and Lois, went to Yuma to the home of another sister, Manona, where they joined by Charlotte and Starla and spent the day visiting and copying photographs.  Evelyn and Lois returned to Haigler and on Thursday Lois's grandson Josh Zuege came for a short visit, on his way to Tennessee.  Josh had previously spent a few days with Jeremy in Firestone.

 

Mother's Day guests in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simmons were Laurie and Randy Perila and family, Quentin Simmons family, Pat Gallegos, Dwight Wall and Laura Pearl Wall.  It was a warm day so the children enjoyed playing in the lawn sprinkler.

 

Alfred Lee Zuege of Hot Springs, DS, came to spend Mother's Day weekend with Sophia Zuege and Laura Pearl Wall.  Mr. and Mrs. Albert Zuege and Alfred Lee Zuege were Mother's Day guests of Sophia Zuege.

 

Haigler Alumni/Memorial Weekend Coming Soon

 

We hope everyone is making plans to attend the Haigler Alumni/Memorial Weekend events May 27-30, 2011.  Schedule of events is as follows:  Friday, May 27, Haigler High School Class of 1961 50th reunion at The Lodge, 4:30 p.m.- Joan Phipps Luebbe is contact person.  Saturday, May 28, 2-5 p.m. Haigler Alumni & friends open house at Community Legion Bldg., main street Haigler, and also 50th class open house at Sage Hill Vineyard, Rock Creek Rd. 2-4 p.m.  That evening is the Dundy County/Stratton Alumni Banquet in Benkelman at the high school.  Doors open at 4 p.m. and banquet begins at 6 p.m.  Contact Jeanne Hansen at Parks 308-423-2245.  Sunday, May 29, is the traditional 12 noon pot luck luncheon at the Community Legion Bldg. main street Haigler, and the 50th reunion class hosting the program.  That afternoon from 2-5 p.m. is open house at the Country School House 67 South --now completely restored--inside and outside.  Open house is also being held at the proposed Haigler Cornerstone Museum (formerly Crabtree Repair Bldg.) on Porter Ave. and Hwy 34.  On Monday May 30, Memorial Day services will be held at the Haigler Cemetery--followed by coffee and donuts at the Legion Bldg.  Haigler Alumni and community invited to all of these events

 

Haigler Village Spring Garage Sales

 

It will soon be time again for the annual Haigler Village Spring garage sales.  Date is Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.  Watch for all the ads in papers next week, and plan now to attend.  Maps will be available at 'the station' on Hwy. 34.

 

Celebrate Birthdays

 

Birthdays should always be special days for everyone; but it seems the Collicott Sisters always think they should be extra-ordinarily special!  Sisters LaNeta Carlock and Myrna Collicott have May birthdays 6 days apart; and though 6 years difference in age; they have celebrated their birthdays together for many years.  Since their Mother Opal is no longer living to host their party; their younger sister Galena Webster becomes Mama II and hosts their special celebration.  Sunday afternoon, Mother's Day, the family enjoyed chocolate and angel food birthday cakes, homemade ice-cream, and fresh strawberries.  Gifts included flowers to plant, chocolates, and special T shirts.  In fact, you will probably see all 3 sisters wearing T shirts that say, "What happens with the sisters stays with the sisters!"  Later that afternoon the sisters went to Myrna's home for more gifts, piano playing, pictures, and cold lemonade.  It was a delightful day!

Where We Belong

"Where We Belong", by S. L. Carlock, from Haigler, Nebraska is a collection of short stories.  Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to The Cornerstone Museum project that Stanley and his wife LaNeta, along with other volunteers from their friends and family began several years ago.

To obtain a copy of this book, write to the Carlocks at PO Box 144, Haigler, NE  69030 or email at carlock @ bwtelcom.net.

Class of 1961

A special 50th Alumni Reunion get together is planned for the Class of 1961on Friday evening, May 27, 2011 at 4:30 p.m., at The Lodge in Haigler, Nebraska.

There will also be an 50th Alumni Reunion Open House on Saturday afternoon for the Class of 1961 with visiting, wine tasting, coffee and tea at the Sage Hill Vinyard, Rock Creek Road, Parks, NE, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (there will be a small fee).

Memories of High School Years

1958

1959

1960

1961

1961

Note from Editor:  Missing one page of senior pictures.

Alumni Weekend & Memorial Day

Friday, May 27, 4:30 p.m. - 50th class reunion (1961)

The Lodge, Haigler

Saturday, May 28, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Haigler Alumni Open House

Haigler Community Legion Bldg., Visiting, coffee, tea, goodies

Saturday, May 28., 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. - 50th reunion class open house, 

Sage Hill Vineyard, Rock Creek Rd, Parks, NE

Visiting on patio, wine tasting, coffee/tea (fee)

Saturday, May 28., Dundy County Stratton Alumni Banquet

Benkelman High school, 

Doors open at 4:00 p.m. - Dinner at 6:00 p.m.

$15 per person reserved or $20 day of banquet contact Jeanne Hansen, 308-423-2245

Sunday, May 29, 12:00 p.m. - Potluck Luncheon

Haigler Community Legion Bldg.

Sunday, May 29, 2:00-5:00  p.m - Open House

Country Schoolhouse Museum & grounds

Sunday, May 29, 2:00-5:00  p.m - Open House

Haigler Cornerstone Museum 

(former Crabtree Repair Bldg.)

Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. - Memorial Day Services

Haigler Cemetery

Coffee & Donuts after services

Haigler Community Legion Bldg.

Looking for Haigler items

I have a request from Charles Haigler -  Does anyone know where he can get a t-shirt or license plate with the name "Haigler" on it?

Suggestions? Anyone?

-- Editor

Haigler Happenings - May 2, 2011

The Collicott sisters, LaNeta, Myrna, and Galena, returned home late Friday evening.  They had spent several days in Estes Park, Colorado closing up the winter cabin.  There was still lots of snow in the mountains, and it snowed big, fluffy flakes on Friday before their return home. They were also entertained by guests at the cabin on Thursday - elk at their back door!

On Wednesday the 27th of April, three of the Faylor girls, Sherri Morabito, Yvonne Clemans and Daneen Hilger drove to Estes Park, the occasion being to celebrate Yvonne's birthday early.  On Friday they returned - Yvonne dropping Sherri and Daneen off in Wray where Daneen had left her car.  Yvonne went on to her home in Burlington, CO.  Sherri and Daneen went to the home of their parents, Dale and Dode Faylor at the Faylor Ranch.

On Saturday morning Yvonne and her foster son drove to Faylor ranch.  Dode's four girls took her to Wray for a belated birthday dinner and some shopping.  Sherri, Yvonne and Anthony returned to their home in Burlington.  Kim, Daneen and Dode drove back to the Faylor Ranch.  Daneen returned to her home near LeCompton, KS on Monday.  Dode said, "Receiving so much love and attention made turning a year older hurt not one bit".

Carol Flaming had surgery in Greeley on April 27, 2011.  She was dismissed and was able to return the her home on May 1, to help her grandson celebrate his 11th birthday.

Logan Brent Klein celebrated his 11th birthday on May 1, at the home of his grandparents, Jay and Carol Flaming in Yuma.  His parents, Greg and Heather, brother Noel and great grandmother Laura Pearl Wall attended the family dinner hosted by Carol and Jay.

Several of Violet Relph's family met in her home to honor her birthday last Sunday.  They enjoyed a good dinner together and then some of the group worked on the lawn and in the yard planting flowers, etc.  Lavern was in the hospital so could not be with them at the time but was able to go home on Monday, after being in the hospital about eight days.

Spring seems to have been slow getting here but blossoms, flowers and tree leaves are popping open at last and warmer weather is promised for the latter part of the week and week-end.

Report news items to ffisher@bwtelcom.net, Phone 308-297-3605 , or drop by mailbox or home at 338 Washington Avenue.  Your items are very much appreciated by the readers as well as the correspondent.