David’s 55th March 10, 2009

Family and friends came together to celebrate David’s double-nickel on February 28th at my place.  We enjoyed harrassing him about his ‘Over the Hill’ status and the cake backed that up. We also played a game called ‘Over The Hill Finish my Phrase’. We are still puzzled over the ‘tired butt’ phrase but I guess that is what happens when you give paper and pencil to an old timer. Happy Birthday David! 

David holding a pic of him as a boy and his pig, Lil Orphan Annie

Over the Hill at 55

Deb, David and Anne waiting for cake and ice cream

Robert and David's sisters Shirley and Donna

Shirley, Donna and BIL Chuck checking out David's new dishes. This means he will have to cook.

He doesn't let me forget that I am a few years older than he

Pastor Anne Behind the Scenes at Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church Youth Dinner February 16, 2009

Had a ‘date’ with my friend David for the Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church Youth fundraising dinner last night.  Church members helped the youth raise money for a youth activity by cooking and baking up a storm for local attendees.  The prime rib, twice baked potato, rolls, salad, and cupcake were elegantly served by by the church’s youth.  You couldn’t set you coffee cup down without an eager young waitress or waiter wanting to refill it.  It was fun to visit with a lot of folks I knew amidst the beautiful Valentine decorations.  Of special interest is catching Pastor Anne working behind the kitchen counter. I do recall her kind words when she caught me taking her picture. “Go Away!” You go girl!

Doesn't matter if you are Presbyterian or not. We all love Pastor Anne!

Wash those dishes, scrape those plates, toss that plastic ware.

Dean Celebrates 8th Birthday February 14, 2009

Dean, friends and family celebrated his 8th birthday today at the local bowling alley. Pizza, cake & ice cream for all. And unlimited quarters for the game machines. Wheeee! 

Dean and friend play pool

Grandma Gayle looks on as Dean admires his wild animal cake

Yummy cake! Dean wanted the jumping fish piece and he got it.

Gayle & Glenn wait for the party to begin

Grandma and Auntie awaiting cake & ice cream

Gayle & Kathy serving up the treats

Mr. Zane Zieman January 30, 2009

Mr. Zieman was an English teacher and librarian at Bennett County High School during my high school days.  I credit my love of reading and books to two people, my mother and Mr. Zieman.  I can still picture him at the front of the class, open book in hand, looking out over the class and waxing elequently on a deep subject. I’m glad he realized his life long dream to open a book and what not shop on Martin’s main street. Every time I came home for a visit, I dropped in to buy local history books and chat with Zane. Several of his students are going to his funeral this morning and I just wanted to let him know how much I appreciate everything he did for me. 

 ’Zane Zieman, 85, Martin, died Monday, January 26, 2009 at Bennett County Senior Center in Martin.’ 

Jeannie emailed me with this remembrance, “Hi Roseanna, I was just on your Prairie woman site and read your comments about Zane Zeiman.I will tell you this about him from my own dealing with him.When I worked at the College Center, he taught an English class and I was a student.I loved having him as a teacher of an adult class as well as my kids having him in high school.When he opened the store, whenever I needed a book to read, he would order it for me if he didnt have it.He ordered me many sets.We are all avid readers in our family and its hard to get books here that you want.He provided that for me.I will be forever in his debt and will miss him greatly.Thank you so much for expressing that on your site. Love Jeanie”

This was an interesting find on the internet from the University of Alabama : Zane Zieman Letters, 1945, 3 letters, 2 postcards, 8 pages
Letters written by Corporal Zane Zieman of the 89th Field Artillery Battalion in Luzon, Philippine Islands during World War II, to his mother Mrs. W.A. (Winnifred A.) Zieman and sister, Enid Zieman, of Midland, Haakon County, South Dakota.
  http://www.lib.ua.edu/content/findingaids/indexsql.php?alpha=z

You can also sign a Rapid City Journal online Guestbook for Zane at:

http://www.legacy.com/RAPIDCITY/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=123568277

Folks left some very nice memories about Zane in the Rapid City Journal Guestbook:

Page 1 of 1

February 4, 2009 Dear Mrs. Zieman and family: I also was a student at BCHS from ’68-72 and remember how Mr. Zieman was liked by many students and how he was always so helpful to us during our days of learning. I had not seen him since I graduated from high school until I came home for my mom’s funeral and I stopped in his shop on main street. It was such a pleasant surprise to see him again and we had a nice visit. (We talked about Colorado as I had lived 18 years in Colorado Springs.) My sympathies to you and your family.    Shirley Schlack (Webster City, IA) Contact me    February 4, 2009 Dear Mrs. Zieman and family, Mr. Zieman also taught me English and supervised the high school library where I was an assistant during my high school years (1968-72). (I can still hear him asking, “Questions? Thoughts? Ideas?”) It’s a measure of his influence that I still remember his comments on term papers I submitted. I know he submitted a stellar recommendation for me as I sought college scholarships, for which I was and am very thankful. I was a hospital librarian in Pierre for nearly 20 years, so you can see the influence he had. I am so sorry for the loss your family has experienced and join you in celebrating Mr. Zieman’s life.    DeAnn (DeKay) Hilmoe (Pierre, SD)    February 3, 2009 See my tribute to Mr. Zieman at http://www.prairiewoman.net/ I credit 2 people with my love for books and reading. My mother, and Mr. Zieman. A wonderful teacher who made a big impression on my life.    Roseanna Renaud (Martin, SD) Contact me    February 3, 2009 Dear Ziemans, I knew Zane as the father of one of my very best and loyal friends, and the more I heard about him the more I wished I’d known him better. He lives on in the creativity, compassion, and integrity of his children and students and everyone he influenced. Rest in peace, and in rest we will join you.    Lisa Bentz (Colorado Springs, CO) Contact me    February 2, 2009 I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Zane in the early 60′s in Midland when his store was open. I thought it was a wonderful place to “girl” shop, and Zane was so nice. May God be especially close to you at this difficult time. Beryl (Addison) Geer, Gillette, WY    Beryl (Addison) Geer (Gillette, WY)    February 1, 2009 Dear Mrs. Zieman and family: Mr. Zieman was my English teacher at BCHS from 1966-1970, and one of my favorite teachers. I hope you know how much he was admired by many of his students. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.    Rosemary (Vavra) Hayward (Pierre, SD) Contact me

Happy Birthday Rosemary January 21, 2009

Auntie Fern joined me on a trip to Rapid City for Rosemary’s 79th Birthday.  A great group of ladies met at a Mexican restaraunt  for lunch followed by cake, ice cream, and conversation at the Carriage Green Community Room.  A good time was had by all.  Happy Birthday Rosemary!

I wonder what joke Opal told Rosemary & Fern

Lois shares her musical birthday cake plater with Rosemary

79 Years YOUNG! You go girl!

Glenn Turns 50 !! January 10, 2009

Hard to believe that baby brother has reached the big 5-0 milestone.  Seems like just yesterday he was wearing footsy pajamas and my brothers and sister & I were all blaming everything on him.  The family gathered for supper at my house and we didn’t razz him too much. Anyone who knows Glenn, knows he is an excellent and avid fisherman.  So it is no surprise that I made him a fisherman cake.  Note the ‘tiny tiny’ little fishy on the fisherman’s pole but the BIG one that got away is still in the pond.  Of course I just had to add black candles that never seemed to blow out.  No matter how many times  little Dean blew on them.  I just want to close by saying “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”  little brother.  I think you would still look great in footsies!

The fisherman standing over his pond

Note the tiny tiny orange fishy on the pole

Now why won't those candles flame out?

Dean takes a turn at the candles

Mother & daughter in deep conversation

Dallas Officer Norm Smith Killed in the Line of Duty January 7, 2009

 Thank you Norm for your service to the City of Dallas.  I will miss you. My heart goes out to you Regina.

The funeral was Friday, January 9, 2008. If you’ve never seen a big city police funeral, it is very impressive.  Those of you who wish to view the funeral or see more pictures of Norm’s family can visit myfoxdfw.com

Senior Corporal Norman Smith, Dallas Police Department

 

 

 

Senior Corporal Norman Smith, Dallas Police Department

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dallas police identify officer

killed after being shot in the

face

 12:04 AM CST on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 By TANYA EISERER and SCOTT GOLDSTEIN / The Dallas Morning News
teiserer@dallasnews.com
sgoldstein@dallasnews.com

 

 A veteran Dallas gang-unit officer was shot and killed Tuesday night while trying to make an arrest at an apartment complex in east Oak Cliff.

Also Online

Link: Read a 2006 Dallas Observer article about Senior Cpl. Norman Smith’s work

Smith was married to Dallas police Lt. Regina Smith. They met when Norman Smith was working at the Dallas County Jail.

“Norm was working there, and he came up to her and said, ‘You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,’ ” Kunkle said.

Lannom said Smith was an expert on the gangs in the southern sector, where Tuesday’s shooting occurred.

“He worked that area in patrol,” she said. “He knew that area. It made sense when he came to the unit to become the expert on the gangs in that part of town.”

Kunkle said Smith “could go into the toughest neighborhoods and be respected.”

G.J. McCARTHY/Staff Photographer

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert (center) and Deputy Mayor Dwayne Carraway (right) console a member of the Dallas Police Department gang unit outside the Baylor Medical Center emergency room after the shooting death of Senior Cpl. Norman Smith.

View larger Photography Photo store

On Tuesday, Smith and about six other gang-unit officers were in search of a violent felon at the Oak Wood Place Apartments, police said.

Smith, flanked by two other officers, approached the door and knocked. Someone inside asked who was there, and Smith responded with a fake name, police officials said.

When the suspected gunman opened the door, Smith yelled that they were the police, according to the preliminary investigation. The suspect then tried to close the door, and Smith pushed back. That’s when he was shot.

Officers returned fire, frantically trying to pull their fallen comrade out of the line of fire as the gunman opened the door and continued shooting. No one else was injured in the gunbattle.

The three men inside the apartment then surrendered, one at a time, within minutes of the shooting.

Hours afterward, a SWAT unit remained at the scene, and police officers roamed the complex on the northeast corner of Wadsworth and Loop 12.

Surrounded by a black wrought-iron gate, the apartment complex has long been known as a haven for drug and gang activity.

In 1998, it was the scene of a gunbattle between police and drug suspects. Someone fired through an apartment wall, hitting Dallas police officer Edward Menchaca in the hip. A second police officer was grazed by a bullet.

The officers were investigating a tip that a drug deal was going on inside the apartment.

Kunkle said Regina Smith, who works in his office, was devastated by the news, just as he was.

“These are just people that I have tremendous love and affection for,” he said. “They’re all tough, but for me this is a really difficult situation.”

Built like a middle linebacker, Smith stood well over 6 feet tall and was known to be even-tempered, opinionated and even sentimental. Lannom said she was introduced to her husband by Smith.

“I still remember Norm standing there all embarrassed, asking me if I wanted to go out with Jon,” Lannom recalled. “I owe my husband to Norm.”

Lannom said Smith’s mother is from Europe, and he spent a portion of his youth there. Before joining the Dallas police, Smith worked as a Kaufman County sheriff’s deputy.

The Smiths have two teenage children, a boy and a girl. Those who knew the couple well said they enjoyed antiquing, collecting fine china and traveling in their off-hours.

“They were just magical together,” Kunkle said.

Staff writers Marissa Alanis and Joanna Cattanach contributed to this report.

 

 

Senior Cpl. Norman Smith, 43, was with about six other officers serving a felony warrant in the 4900 block of Wadsworth Drive. Smith knocked on the door of an apartment about 6:15 p.m. and came under fire almost immediately, police said.

He was shot in the head and taken to Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, where he was declared dead about an hour later.

Three suspects were taken into custody, police said. The men were being questioned and had not been identified.

Police Chief David Kunkle said the officers serving the warrant were attempting a “ruse to try to get the suspects to the door without announcing that they were police officers.”

 

KYE LEE/Staff Photographer

A Dallas police officer was shot in the head at an apartment complex in east Oak Cliff.

View larger Photography Photo store

“This was a high-risk situation,” Kunkle said. “The officers were tactically well-positioned, but they were immediately met with gunfire.”

Smith joined the department in 1991 and would have marked his 18th year on the force today. Smith had an extensive knowledge of Dallas’ gangs and was described by Kunkle as one of the department’s finest police officers.

“I would have thought he was invincible,” Kunkle said Tuesday night, choking back emotion. “He was a great, great street officer. He had the heart of a warrior.”

Smith’s death was believed to be the nation’s first fatal shooting of an officer in the line of duty this year. He is the first Dallas officer shot to death in the line of duty since Mark Nix in 2007.

Lt. Sally Lannom, a former member of the gang unit, described Smith as a hard worker who knew his job well and would be sorely missed.

“It’s a huge loss for the department and a huge loss for those of us who knew and loved Norm,” Lannom said.

A 4-legged Christmas January 5, 2009

Rookie helps David open his present from Pastor Anne after Christmas breakfast

Rookie and LuLu really enjoyed their gifts this year from Santa, Judy,  and Grandma & Grandpa.  Grandma thought they needed a new hair brush and foo foo spray but also some treats.  You can see LuLu took off with hers before Rookie could take it away.  Rookie is enjoying one of his new toys on the couch.  They each got one but of course each one thinks the other’s is the best and they play steal-away.

Even more Christmas January 5, 2009

Roseanna working on a winter project

Roseanna and I spent some gal time together and put together some pine cones, peanut butter, and bird seed for our feathered friends.  Then we sped around town and hung the cones at friends and family places as a surprise.  It was collllllllllllllllllld fun!

Happy New Year 2009 January 4, 2009

Since we are well into the new year, I thought I had better post some Christmas 2008 photos.  These photos are from the gallery of Christmas trees inside the Bennett County Courthouse. Local groups and businesses decorated the trees and it really turned out well. The party pictures are from the Christmas program at the Inland Theater.  I took a short video of the Presbyterian Choir singing but for some reason it wouldn’t load on YouTube.  They sounded beautiful.  The Claussen family really did a nice thing putting together the program.  Thank you Shirley, Bob, & Steve.

Howdy from New Jersey November 18, 2008

Well here I am in New Jersey and it is NOTHING like what I thought New Jersey would be like.  Chris is letting me use his at home MAC and I haven’t used one of those in years.  I recall how long it took me to give up my first MAC and now here I am using this one.  So having a hard time putting pics up here.  So if you are reading this I suggest you go to Chris’ site as he updates daily with all our antics.

www.ctclark.com

I do have a few pics here before it all went haywire.  Will put the rest up when I get home  I guess.

Took a couple of pics of signs that said ‘Long Valley’ as there is a Long Valley not far from my hometown in SoDakLand. Of course this Long Valley has power and I’m hoping that Long Valley, SD has recovered from the blizzard and the folks there now have their electricity back on. 

Another Long Valley, New Jersey sign. Woods & mountains everywhere covered in Autumn colors.

Budd Lake near Chris

Took a pic of the lake while at the gas station.  Did you know that in New Jersey you cannot self-serve at the pumps.  An attendant does it for you.  Very nice when temps are in the 20s. 

Chris decorating the tree in his

Chris & I decorated the tree with the ornaments we got in all the locales we have visited.

OBAMA WINS November 4, 2008 November 11, 2008

What a great Election Watch party at my place.  Nothing like sharing a momentous day with food and good friends.  We ate, played Scrabble, and watched history being made.  Didn’t matter if you were Republican or Democrat.

Roseanna Can’t Drive 55 aka: The Double Nickel Birthday November 3, 2008

I think birthdays just keep getting better the more you age, er I mean mature.  On Saturday, Nov 1st, Sis Connie & I went to Phillip to watch Roseanna #2 play in a basketball tournament.  She is a 7th grader but plays with the 8th grade girls.  Roseanna made a basket and they won a game so it was great fun.  Lots of great game food at the concession stand. Phillip is a cute little town right on the Bad River.  Roseanna came back on the bus and Connie & I stopped In Kadoka (right on I90) and had a wonderful dinner, then headed home. Great to hang out with my Sissy.  On Nov 2nd, the big Double Nickel Day, Connie & Jackie left me  Happy Birthday songs on my voicemail.  Mom called and sang Happy Birthday, so now I know where Connie gets her singing voice.  Very well done.  As usual, I always thank my Mommie for having me 55 years ago.  Don’t want her to still hold a grudge because I weighed 9 lbs 1oz at birth. Then I called up Deb and said lets go to breakfast at the Auction Cafe. They have great breakfasts.  The pancakes are as big as a trucker’s plate. Wow!  Chris called to harrass me and said I would get a birthday dinner when I get to New Jersey in a couple of weeks. He also MENTIONED he made a birthday page for me on his web site www.ctclark.com  so I went to look and all kinds of nice folks in Texas & SoDakLand left messages.  It was so good to hear from everybody.  Brother Glenn & son Dean dropped by with a BEAUTIFUL oak shelf Glenn made from leftovers when he made my bedroom AC cabinet.  It is just gorgeous & he hung it up in the living room for me.  I’m sure he knows I can’t hang anything straight. Then there was the Cowboy game at 2:15pm but I’m not even going discuss that humiliation.  Loren, Anna & Loreena dropped by with a YUM dump cake and watched the last few minutes of the game.  Loren isn’t a Cowboys fan so he didn’t mind one bit on the outcome. David swooped me up at 6pm to go to Cho-Snazz for supper and we were joined by Deb, Anne, & Gayle.  What a wild bunch.  They all sang the B-Day song while I danced to their tune.  Of course I did this because there was no one in the restaraunt at the time. Wheeee.