Sheyenne: Feb. 5, 2024

On Monday, Jan. 15, Patti Larson snuck off to England with daughter Sandra and sister-in-law Judy LaBonne. Patti returned to Sheyenne on Sunday, January 28. They enjoyed nearly two weeks of sightseeing and taking in the food, culture and traditions of the United Kingdom. When they arrived in London, it was easy to get around using trains and buses. In four days, they took in the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Museum, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower of London and a service in St. Paul’s Cathedral. After the Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Palace and Victoria and Albert Museum, they took in a performance at Royal Albert Hall. Patti said, “It was incredible to see the royal pomp and circumstance. And I still can’t believe we saw the Rosetta Stone and Crown Jewels of England!” On Saturday, they got adventurous and rented a car (only $147 – for the week for a Mercedes) to explore the countryside. Patti said she hasn’t seen prices that cheap for rental cars since she was traveling for work 20 years ago. Their first stop west of London was Stonehenge. How did people build that stone circle 4,500 years ago? They stayed in Bath and toured the Roman ruins that were built around hot springs when the Romans conquered Britain in 70 AD. From there it was a beautiful drive through the Cotswolds where the wool industry was huge in medieval times. The quaint villages are pristinely cared for like a fairy tale land. The hillsides were covered in lush green grass with so many shrubs and trees. That was surprising, being January. From there, they drove through the industrial city of Birmingham on their way to Liverpool. They loved being immersed in the Beatles’ birthplace. The magical mystery tour took them down “Penny Lane” and past “Strawberry Fields” on their way to the Cavern Club where the Beatles got their start. It was unusual to see blue skies and sunshine in Liverpool. The next day it was raining on the way to Hadrian’s Wall where they drove north, almost to Scotland. Driving back south to historic York, they got a new perspective on the meaning of antique. York’s first church was built in 627 AD. They enjoyed authentic afternoon tea at Betty’s Tea Room. Next stop was a very small farming town half-way down the coast of England called Mumby. Judy’s great-grandfather apparently immigrated from Mumby. Patti’s ancestors, the Cudworths, came from near London. Near Mumby, they drove by fields of cabbage, broccoli and sugar beets in very wet, clay, brown soil. The small fields were framed in shrubs. It was a long drive to Canterbury from there. England’s many small villages and narrow roads made for a slow drive. The last morning, they got up early to see the sunrise on the White Cliffs of Dover; unfortunately it was foggy, but they still got a glimpse. Patti said, “Sandra did a good job adapting to driving on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right! It was a great adventure.”

Last Wednesday, Patti Clifton and Jan Loe were in Carrington where Patti kept an appointment at Carrington Health Center clinic.

On January 23, Joanna Larson participated in SAGES (Sustainable Agriculture Guidance, Education and Support), a grower advisory council convened to identify ways that FARRMS programming can continue to support local food in North Dakota. FARRMS (Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability) teaches farm business management courses for beginning farmers and also provides a host of resources like grants, loans and informational webinars. Other growers on the SAGES council included Adam Mawby of Gardendwellers Farm and Ranch in Souris, Mike Pretzer of The Double Batch bakery in Rugby, Lois Martin of Roving Donkey Farm in Bismarck and Steph and Wes of Messer Family Farm raising beef, chickens and lambs in Richardton. Discussion was had on useful educational resources and formats, challenges smaller scale producers face with loans and NRCS grants, and avenues for social support networks among local farmers. Some discussion was also had around getting younger growers plugged into resources and opportunities early on during school. Retaining young people in our communities is important!

Jan Loe and Patti Clifton attended the bridal shower for Mallory Westby, daughter of Neil and Laurie Westby, at the Sheyenne Senior Center on Saturday afternoon.

Bonnie Deegan and Jan Loe attended worship at Calvary Lutheran Church in Oberon on Sunday morning. After church, they drove to Minnewaukan for the American Legion breakfast.