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2003 Reunion Thoughts - John Sahli
The Sahli family reunion went very well. Not only was it great to see and meet so many cousins at one time, it was also a once-in-a-lifetime event. I picked up Aunt Julie and Don in Minneapolis, and then cousin Marcella (Hummel) in Avon, Minnesota and headed on to Hague, North Dakota, where we rented a house for two days. Some relatives came in RV's and parked them in the City Park where they had RV hookups. Some of the Glatt family had prepared food for the Friday night early arrivals at the KC hall. The evening meal which included a great noodle dish, fit our appetites well. They are so thoughtful. We got up early on Saturday and went to Linton to visit my cousin Mary (Sautter) who runs the Model Bakery. The baking aroma was great and we stocked up with their popular German Kuchen. Then back to Hague. Saturday was the big day and we all met at the KC hall for 1:00 registration. You couldn't get in the front door without first having a shot of genuine North Dakota "red eye". With wonder and warmth, we met and greeted each other, buzzing into conversation. At 3:00 we had individual introductions by family groups along with photographs. I had noticed that my brothers were getting cozy next to the beer barrel along with many others. There also seemed to be endless rounds of more "red eye". By 5:30 the food was being set out and lines began to form. The turkey breast and mashed potatoes were as close to mothers cooking as you could get. Don't forget the homemade sausages with old-fashioned wedding rice and German coleslaw. A beautiful cake was baked and decorated by a great-granddaughter of Joseph and Magdalena Sahli, Joyce (Hulm) Pfeifer. Wine was served in special reunion keepsake glasses. We already had our Sahli reunion hats that were passed out on arrival. After dinner we had shots in another keepsake "shot glass". Then it was over to St. Mary's church for 8:00 mass, which had a dedication to Joseph and Magdalena Sahli. After mass it was socializing on the steps for awhile and then many made it back to the hall for more doings. Later is was back to our rented house for a good night sleep. Next morning we went over to St. Mary's cemetery and looked at all the headstones. Grandpa and Grandma Joseph and Magdalena Sahli, Martin and Margaret Sahli, Mike and Elizabeth Glatt, Ben and Katherine Hulm and many others of local recognition were buried here. We then went to look at the houses that Grandpa Joe built. Adam and Viola Buechler live in one home and gave us a tour, pointing out the original formed metal ceilings in the living and dining rooms among other features. Some of the backyard ornamental items that grandpa made are still there. Then it was back to the KC hall for morning brunch of home-made sausages, egg soufflé and German kuchen. We took more pictures and began to say our good byes. We headed out to the old Sahli farm, where we had a good time seeing the original barn and root cellar. The Martin Sahli Guernsey Farm original sign was brought out by Duane Wald for all to see. We took some pictures and then made one more stop at the Mike Glatt family farm, which passed on to son Pete Glatt and is now run by third generation Pam (Glatt) Meier and husband Leo. From there we set out for home. It was hard to believe it was ending. We'll treasure the memories for a long time. Thanks to everyone who attended and made this event possible and so successful. - John |
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