Maggie Hjelm interviewed by Ressie Watts
I taught school at Norden, Minnesota, a log building with windows and a swivel chair, also a grandfathers clock - real up to date. The flag was raised and lowered every nice school day. All the children were proud to take part in this ritual.
One day at school, a strange noise approached the school. We looked to see what was happening. A Model T Ford came chugging along. It was the mail man, Mr. Bean, with the first car that had ever been seen up at Norden. The children and I went out to see and admire this wonderful sight.
One afternoon a man knocked at the school door and asked me to excuse his son. It was Mr. Walgreen of Walgreen Drug company of today.
After Norden school I taught at Belle. While they erected the new school, I taught in Frank Kosbau's homestead shack. There was seldom a dull moment teaching a country school with about 20 pupils and 8 grades.
One day, Arnie Hill got the eraser up his nose. Arnie was a Finnish lad and didn't understand English. Finally, with the help of his older brother, he blew his nose and ejected the object.
The County Superintendent Miss Berg came to visit our school. She had introduced herself and a silence followed- then a crash- Jennie Taimi had fallen out of her seat trying to see Miss Berg's shoes. Jennie loved pretty clothes.
Miss Berg asked the children their names and all answered properly until she asked little Arnie Hill. He shifted around from one foot to another and said, "Arnie Heikkinen". Of course everyone laughed - his name was Arnie Hill.
A question asked of the whole school, "Name the greatest man our country has known." I felt quite proud, we had just been studying about our great statesmen in the upper grades. Miss Berg asked Little Walter Taimi. He rose and answered proudly in a loud clear voice, "Santa Claus".
We had many good programs in our schools. People came from miles away. It was entertainment and we performed to a full house. I remember one Christmas, Miss May (Vera Blanchard) was a guest at our program. She liked a little song Raymond and Margaret Larson sang so well she asked for a copy. She was teaching at Waskish then.
The Runnberg Family had moved up to Belle and had a piano. Myrtle was a good pianist. Ole Hoglin played the violin and cornet so we had good music and good dances. The mothers provided the lunch and no one had ever heard of a baby sitter. Children and babies seemed to be quite good and acceptable. They were nice people, those early settlers.
One day at school, a strange noise approached the school. We looked to see what was happening. A Model T Ford came chugging along. It was the mail man, Mr. Bean, with the first car that had ever been seen up at Norden. The children and I went out to see and admire this wonderful sight.
One afternoon a man knocked at the school door and asked me to excuse his son. It was Mr. Walgreen of Walgreen Drug company of today.
After Norden school I taught at Belle. While they erected the new school, I taught in Frank Kosbau's homestead shack. There was seldom a dull moment teaching a country school with about 20 pupils and 8 grades.
One day, Arnie Hill got the eraser up his nose. Arnie was a Finnish lad and didn't understand English. Finally, with the help of his older brother, he blew his nose and ejected the object.
The County Superintendent Miss Berg came to visit our school. She had introduced herself and a silence followed- then a crash- Jennie Taimi had fallen out of her seat trying to see Miss Berg's shoes. Jennie loved pretty clothes.
Miss Berg asked the children their names and all answered properly until she asked little Arnie Hill. He shifted around from one foot to another and said, "Arnie Heikkinen". Of course everyone laughed - his name was Arnie Hill.
A question asked of the whole school, "Name the greatest man our country has known." I felt quite proud, we had just been studying about our great statesmen in the upper grades. Miss Berg asked Little Walter Taimi. He rose and answered proudly in a loud clear voice, "Santa Claus".
We had many good programs in our schools. People came from miles away. It was entertainment and we performed to a full house. I remember one Christmas, Miss May (Vera Blanchard) was a guest at our program. She liked a little song Raymond and Margaret Larson sang so well she asked for a copy. She was teaching at Waskish then.
The Runnberg Family had moved up to Belle and had a piano. Myrtle was a good pianist. Ole Hoglin played the violin and cornet so we had good music and good dances. The mothers provided the lunch and no one had ever heard of a baby sitter. Children and babies seemed to be quite good and acceptable. They were nice people, those early settlers.
