There will be a bridal shower for Jessa DeMars who is marrying Jonathan Youngers on August 9. The shower will be held at Saint William Catholic Church basement on August 6 at 7:00 p.m. Anyone wishing to be a hostess, please contact Cathy Odden (463-2410) or Betty Brumwell (476-3201). Jessa is registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, and Herberger's.
The Dutton Fun Day Chairmen will declare the 2008 Dutton Fun Day celebration a huge success. By all accounts this one could be one of the best as a fundraiser, for a number of years.
Photo: Cars line up outside Dutton's Legion Hall for the car show, which brought in 85 entries. Photo by Shari Suek for the Dutton Country Courier. For more photos of Shari's from the day, click here.
Continue reading "Preliminary Report: Dutton Fun Day 2008, Could Be The Best in Recent History" »
Keepsakes; we all gather them. Some are silly, some follow our accomplishments, some lead the way to our dreams, but we all have a box or a drawer full of them.
I asked Vickie Maurer to give me a list of the hostess’s of my mother’s funeral luncheon. My first impression was surprise by the number of people who contributed.
I was truly humbled by what their contributions meant to our family: People setting aside of their normal tasks to bring a favorite dish to a funeral luncheon to be shared by a grieving family and community. A last act of kindness given to my mother.
Click here or watch below to see Shari Suek's photos from Fun Day.
Dutton Fun Day, held this year on July 12, featured all the things that make Fun Day so fun: Parade, candy, silent auction, live music (the band, Hit and Run got great reviews all around), food, mud runs and those spectacular fireworks.
Above is a slideshow from Shari Suek from the day. If you have photos or stories to share from the day, we'd love you to share. Email duttoncc@gmail.com.
Cooling off during Fun Day 2006.
Photo by Keith Graham
Dutton Fun Day is almost here. Saturday, July 12 is the big day, chock-full of food, swimming, music, events and of course, those legendary fireworks.
Dutton has been holding a summer celebration for decades, but it's only been called "Fun Day" since 1968, when the swimming pool and recreation complex first opened and an article in the Great Falls Tribune declared "Dutton Holds Fun Day Program to Open Recreational Complex." Since, we've called the day "Fun Day."
Read more for this year's schedule and you can always find more information at www.duttonfunday.com.
Continue reading "Dutton Fun Day July 12 Offers Food, Games, Music, Mud and Fireworks" »
There will be a bridal shower for Courtney Lowery, who is marrying Jacob Cowgill Sept. 20, at the Dutton School July 13 at 1:30 p.m.
All are invited and if you'd like to hostess, call Betty Brumwell or Chris Proff.
Jessa DeMars and Jonathan Youngers and will be married on August 9, 2008 at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Power, Mont. with a reception to follow at the American Legion in Dutton.
Jon is a diesel technician at Tractor and Equipment Company in Great Falls and Jessa is a Registered Dietitian at Benefis.
Courtney Lowery and Jacob Cowgill will be married in September 20 outside of Helena, Mont.
The wedding will be at 5:00 p.m. at the Kleffner Ranch, which is just south of East Helena on Highway 518. The address is 305 Highway 518, East Helena, MT and more information, including maps and other information is at www.courtneyandjacob.com Lowery, a graduate of Dutton High and the organizer of Dutton Country Courier, is the daughter of Julie Remington of Great Falls and Clyde Lowery of Dutton. Cowgill is the son of Mar ty and Bruce Cowgill of Sand Coulee. Cowgill, a graduate of Centerville High School, is a farmer and researcher at the Quinn Organic Family Farm in Big Sandy, Mont. Lowery is the editor in chief of NewWest.Net and the New West Magazine.
All of Dutton is invited to the wedding, but RSVPs would be very much appreciated. You can RSVP by calling Courtney 406-531-4794 or emailing rsvp@courtneyandjacob.com A wedding shower is being planned for July 13th at the Dutton School.
Several youth from around the area, enlisted in the Babysitter Bootcamp sponsored by MSU Teton County Extension on June 13. Young would-be babysitters learned first aid skills from Nikki Patten, R.N. The babysitter troop learned that safety of the children in their charge is the first priority. Participants learned how to handle situations from cuts and scrapes to larger emergency-type situations. Repeatedly it was stressed that being prepared and preventing injury makes for a top-ranking babysitter.
Continue reading "Area Youth Get the Basics of Babysitting at Camp" »
The Dutton Town Council in May approved the Summer School Program to use the Pool & Rec Park again this summer. The school program begins June 16th and runs through July 31st. The Council also reviewed applications and hired 3 general summer help employees and 4 lifeguards.
Councilman Dave McDunn announced that he would be moving to Bozeman. Mayor Fleshman will appoint another community member to complete his term.
Carissa Storle, Breanna Dahlman and Garet Johnson all took home first place awards at the Diamondback track meet at the Dutton/Brady School Saturday.
In the team competition, Dutton/Brady girls took 2nd with 113 points to Chester-J-I's 160 points. The girls also won the 400 meter relay and took second in the 800 meter relay. Carissa led the team with four first place finishes. Carissa won the 100, 200, 400 and 800 meter events. Breanna won the discus competition with a throw of 85 feet and 4 inches.
The Dutton/Brady boys finished fifth in the team competition, with 10 of those points coming from a first place win from Garet in the discus with a throw of 122.1 feet and another eight from his second place finish in the shot put.
Read on for more results from Dutton/Brady athletes.
Continue reading "Storle Leads Dutton/Brady in Diamondback Track Meet" »
Maizee Anita Mae Ries was born in Missoula on March 25, 2008, to Dan and Brandi (Kauk) Ries. Maizee was born weighing 7 lbs, 14 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long.
Dan is surrounded by girls now, as Maizee joins her three year old sister, Emma Ann. Maizee's grandparents are Les and Bitsi Wells of Caldwell, Idaho, and Curt and Mary Ann Ries of Conrad. Great-grandparents are Harvey and Joan Weikum of Brady and Jim Dellwo of Choteau. Maizee's great great grandmother, Lelah Kauk, resides in Conrad.
There is a mindset among some folks that suggests that partying is something teens need to do – a right of passage on their way to adulthood. Brain research shows just the opposite – that partying can actually cause brain damage to the developing brain. I have just a few examples of how alcohol affects the developing brain, from information provided by Gateway Community Services specialist, Collette Steiner.
Different areas of the brain develop at different rates in humans. The brain stem is the most developed at birth because it allows us survive – it’s where our most basic survival instincts reside, but other areas of the brain continue to develop into early to mid-adulthood.
While the brain is maturing is can be affected either positively or negatively by environmental factors. Alcohol and drug use can cause lasting damage, while positive experiences can help the brain develop to its full potential.
Due to circumstances at the Teton County level and beyond our control, the Dutton Cemetery Board has been notified that funding for our cemetery and the other county cemeteries will be severely restricted for this year and probably the next two to four years. This is unfortunate, but an opportunity to do what we can with what we have. The expenses that will be paid are water, electricity, essential repairs on equipment and wages for our sexton. We will not be funded for flowers, fertilizer, new equipment or any other expense.
We would like to have flowers in the brick planters so last night at the regular board meeting, we voted to accept donations to cover this expense. There will be a container at the Dutton Public Library for this. The approximate amount to cover the flowers for the planter is $150.00. We need to buy flowers by May 21st. We thank you for your spare change and will spend the summer being frugal! Donations may also be sent to Jean Harman, our very patient and hard-working secretary-treasurer. We welcome visitors to our meetings, which are held every 2nd Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Dutton United Methodist Church.
For the Dutton/Brady Prom of 2008, short dresses have been in style, but as I asked students around the school, most girls preferred a more poofy and longer dress.
Sarah Workman said, “I prefer a long poofy dress over a short dress because its prom and you need to go all out. You need to dress royal and if you’re in a short dress you don’t look as nice, you look more skanky then royal.”
When you get a longer prom dress it looks a lot nicer and it’s more elegant. A majority of the girls did prefer a longer, yet poofy dress, but there were a few who preferred a long but tight dress.
Maria Thom said she preferred a tighter prom dress because she said it showed her curves more. I would rather wear a poofy dress because I feel that it looks nicer then a short one. Maybe for a homecoming dance I would wear a shorter one, but not for prom.
This year’s prom will be held on April 19th at the Dutton Legion Hall.
A photographer will be available to take portraits at 7:00 PM and the Grand March will occur at 8:00 PM. The theme is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
To partake in the magical mood of the acclaimed Chocolate Factory, contact a junior for your personal invitation and golden ticket. Ticket prices are $25.00 for a couple and $15.00 for a single. Picture packages are either $25.00 or $35.00. Forms will be at the prom to fill out.
Sue Workman, a Dutton resident for the past 7 years was named Social Worker of the Year for 2007-2008, by the National Association of Social Workers Montana Chapter, for the State of Montana.
Continue reading "Dutton Resident Honored as Social Worker of the Year" »
To celebrate the opening of its new facility on 2nd Avenue, the Dutton Emergency Medical Services and Training Center is holding a free-will donation barbeque lunch Sunday, April 20.
The event will run from noon to 3 p.m. and all proceeds from a raffle, 50/50 drawing and donations will go toward finishing the remodeling of the new facility. The Teton County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is matching fund.
All EMS members are selling raffle tickets for a drawing that will be held at the end of National EMS Week, Saturday, May 24. Tickets are $5.00 each and prizes are: 1) 32” Member’s Mark Gas Barbeque Grill w/ Rotisserie and Cover; 2) Weekend Retreat at Boulder Hot Springs Resort; 3) John Deere 21-Speed 26” Adult Mountain Bike.
The 100th anniversary of the Town of Dutton is fast approaching. The Dutton Centennial Celebration will be in 2009. We are asking for everyoneʼs help in making this a great event.
It will be held on the second weekend in July which will be July 11th 2009. We are hoping to have a great collection of the history of the town, both new and old. Not only will we look back at the last 100 years, but we hope to determine the vision of Duttonʼs future.
What is the dream of this town for the next 100 years? How can we preserve the history of the last 100 years?
Editor's Note: The February Dutton Town Council Meeting covered a variety of topics, including discussions on how to work with the Teton County Conservation District, an update on the status Dutton's cable TV provider and Ann Park's appointment to the local library board, to replace Joan Goodell.
The minutes from the meeting, which took place Feb. 4, are below.
The Dutton/Brady Board of Trustees has called for the annual school election to be held on May 6, 2008.
The at large Trustee position held by Reid Michel is the seat that will be open this year.
Anyone in the district interested in running for this seat may pick up a nominating petition from election administrator, Betty Brumwell, in her office at the Dutton campus. The deadline to file for the seat is Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 5:00 PM.
Anyone wishing to vote absentee ballot in the election should contact the election administrator for a ballot no later than May 5, 2008.
You may send your written request to Betty Brumwell, 101 2nd St. NE, Dutton, MT 59433.
Voter registration for the school election closes April 6, 2008.
Editor's note: We were all so saddened to hear of the passing of Dan Doheny, a longtime Dutton resident and beloved son, father and husband. He was a fixture in our community, giving his time and energy to the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, his church and other community organizations and events. Below is Dan's obituary and I invite people to use the comments section below to remember Dan in your own way. -- Courtney Lowery
Daniel F. Doheny, 59, of Dutton, a lifetime farmer and a Montana Air National Guardsman, died on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls due to complications from liver failure.
Services were held at Hillcrest Lawn Chapel on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 10 a.m. Burial took place in Dutton Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the American Legion Hall in Dutton.
March 12, 2008 at 1:00 Dutton/Brady School will host Marion Lazan, a Holocaust survivor. This will be an incredible piece of history from the perspective of someone that has lived it. It is a touching and informative presentation. Books are available for students on the day of the presentation.
At an emotional meeting this week, the Dutton-Brady School Board voted 3-2 to close the Brady school this next school year.
Dutton-Brady School Board members Sandy Birch, Reid Michael, and Eric Doheny were the members who voted to close the Brady school after Birch proposed the idea. Earl Cunnington and Kurt Dyer opposed the closing.
About 80 residents from Dutton and Brady were on hand at the meeting and voiced their opinions on the matter as well.
The Dutton Town Council would like to invite all residents of Dutton to a Public Needs Assessment Hearing on Monday, January 28th, at 7:00 PM at the Dutton Senior Center. The purpose of this hearing is to solicit feedback about what you think the Town’s biggest needs and concerns are and to help us find ways to make our community a better place to live. The Town mailed out surveys to each resident and is asking you to complete the survey and return it to the Town Office by the 28th, or bring it to the meeting with you. Completed surveys will be entered into a drawing, and the lucky winner will receive one free month of water and sewer services! If you have any questions, please call the Town Office at 476-3311 Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you on the 28th at 7:00 pm.
Pray Without Ceasing (1 Thes. 5-17)
In a world where we experience great division among countries, between political parties, and even within our own families, there has never been a greater need for Christians to come together for a week of prayer. This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Friday, January 18th through Friday, January 25th). The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity emphasizes the importance of coming together as a community. Since prayer is something all Christians have in common, we need to focus on
what unites us as Christians rather than what separates us. This week gives us the opportunity locally to open ourselves up to our community while people across the country and around the world are doing the same.
With this week before us, I felt it would be a good time to share my experience of meeting a young man who has dedicated himself to praying and walking for Christian Unity.
Continue reading "Honoring the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" »
Grant Melvin-Charles Brumwell was born in Great Falls on Jan. 13, 2008 to Amanda Brumwell. Grant was 6 lbs, 8 oz and was 19 3/4'" inches when he was born.
Grandparents Ron and Betty Brumwell report that Mom and baby are doing well.
And to boot, we just posted the news of Grant's cousin, Kipling Charles Olson, born to Melanie (Brumwell) and Kyle Olson.
Congratulations!
Kipling Charles Olson was born on December 21, 2007 to Kyle and Melanie (Brumwell) Olson at 9:36 a.m. in Froedtert Hospital in Minnesota. Kipling weighed 7 lbs and 9.2 oz and was 19 inches long on his birthday.
Congratulations of Melanie, Kyle and grandparents, Betty and Ron Brumwell!
January 15
Teton County Fair Committee
Teton County 4-H Council
6 & 7 pm Fairfield
The Teton County Fair Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on January 15 to discuss plans for the upcoming Teton County Fair scheduled for June 25-28. The Teton County 4-H Council will meet at 7:00 p.m. and will hear a presentation from Stacy Pilgeram on her trip to National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia in November. Location will be announced for both meetings.
Continue reading "Upcoming Teton County Extension Classes" »
The Town & Country Club women will meet on Thursday, January 10 at 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. The program will be presented by Joan Elser: “A Book Review.” Bev Pedersen will be the hostess. Roll call: “Do you make New Years Resolutions?”
Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Dessert
Thursday: Salmon Patties, Potatoes, Veg, Dessert
Friday: Cabbage rolls, Potatoes, Dessert or Groppy Daks
Monday: Swiss Steak, Potatoes, Veg, Roll, Dessert
Tuesday: Tater Tot Casserole, Salad, Dessert
Wednesday: Chicken, Potatoes, Veg, Dessert
Menu and cooks are subject to change.
The online Dutton Country Courier follows a long history of print newspapers in Dutton. Three other periodicals have been published in Dutton over the last century. The first paper, which was published in late 1920, was “The Dutton Sentinel.” “The Wheat Center News” was published in late 1950, and “The Dutton Dispatch” debuted at the end of 1980.
"Dutton of Yore" is a new feature on the Dutton Country Courier. The Dutton Library has preserved the original copies of these newspapers, which serve as windows into Dutton’s past. This month, a look back through the windows of the original two newspapers reveals the naming of the second newspaper and a visit from European royalty.
My family and I would like to thank our community of friends for all of the wonderful cards and prayers that have graced my mailbox. After having triple bypass surgery on Oct. 24, I am at home and on the mend.
Special thank you to the Dutton EMS crew for your fast and professional decisions regarding my transportation to the hospital.
P.S. The ride in the helicopter was a little shaky. HA!
A very special thank you to the Mike’s Club Crew for taking good care of our business while my family was with me in Great Falls during surgery and recovery. As a family it is very comforting to know we live in such a compassionate and thoughtful community.
Thank You,
Mike Bayala and family
Glen Joseph Laubach, 82, of 1816 13th Avenue S., Great Falls, passed away of natural causes on Sunday, November 5th, at a local health care facility.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 8th, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1226 1st Ave. N., with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery, with military rites.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Thursday, at Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory.
The Dutton EMS building (the old Library) is now being rented by Marci Kremer. She's setting up a sewing shop. Marci invites you to stop in and see what's happening!
On the 11th and 12th of October, the Dutton/Brady and Power Schools hosted the Class C Junior High volleyball tournament. For many 8th grade students these were their last games. We have worked for many hours putting time and effort into this last Junior High tournament.
There were a total of nine teams this year. These teams included Belt, Highwood, Augusta, Stanford, Power, Dutton/Brady, Centerville, Geraldine, and Geyser.
Going into the tournament the number-three team was Highwood, the number-two team was Stanford, and the number-one team was Geraldine. Dutton/Brady went in as number six. On Saturday night the top three teams were close to the same. Highwood was third, Geraldine was first; however, Dutton/ Brady came out with the number two seating at the end of the tournament.
On Friday, October 12, the elementary and high school choir put on a special program to honor grandparents. Kindergarten and preschool sang the song that I am sure most of us know, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” The first grade students read poems about the adjectives they loved most about their grandparents. The second graders read acrostic poems about their grandparents, made puzzl
e picture frames, and sang the song, “Montana.” The third grade students wrote poems, made cards, and showed their grandparents around the classroom. In addition to eating lunch with their grandparents, the third grade students baked some tasty zucchini bread, and brewed up some amazing hot cocoa. Finally, the third grade pupils gave their grandparents gifts of candy inside recycled orange juice cans. The fourth graders wrote and read poems about their wonderful grandparents, made pumpkins, and once the grandparent’s day program was over the grandparents helped the students make tombstones for a Halloween project. The high school choir also sang “Flying Free,” by Don Besig. The elementary teachers and students would like to thank all the grandparents for joining them in their school program!
Make a difference day was alive and well in Dutton on Thursday when many women gathered at Marci’s place to make lap quilts.
Those taking part were Marcia Kramer, Mary Schuler, Gwen Goodell, Bev Loch, Chris Proff, Doris Habel and Bonnie Powell.
The lap quilts will be donated later this month.
Many thanks to all who donated material to the project.
There will be a baby shower to welcome Jamie Nowlin Sieler’s daughter, Gracyn Danielle, to the world.
The shower will be Tuesday, October 9th at 6:30 PM at Bethany Lutheran Church in Dutton. Salads and desserts will be served. If you’d like to be a hostess, please call Betty Brumwell (476-3201 or 476-3468) or Pinky Thaut (753-2287).
Mandy Tharp, an eighth grader from Dutton-Brady Middle School, was chosen by The Great Falls Tribune to write a monthly article for the teen panel, a section of the newspaper that features writing by regional middle school and high school students.
"I love to write," Mandy said when asked why she applied for the position on the panel.
Matt Ochsner, the features editor at the Tribune, said panelists write about everything from music and book reviews to issues that are important to them.
The Dutton Senior Center is hosting a clinic for community members to get flu and pneumonia shots Thursday Oct. 11 from 1-4 p.m.
There is no charge for the flu shot with a Medicaid card. Without the card, the flu shot will be $20. For the pneumonia shot, there is a $32 fee with or without a Medicaid card.
The Teton County Health Department will be providing the shots to the community.
"The Hat Lady" Janette Holm will be coming to Dutton with her hat collection, which dates from the 1860s to today.
She will present her hat show on October 7th at 1 p.m. at the Dutton School Multipurpose room. The ladies of St. Williams Catholic will serve a Salad-bar Luncheon along with the show.
The price will be $10.00 per person. So ladies, come to the luncheon and hat show and be sure to bring your man, for fun, food and laughter.
See you there, St. Williams C.C.W.
The members of the Dutton Fun Day Committe would like to thank everyone who helped in any way with another successful Fun Day. There are many who helped with items for the silent auction, the food court, kids games, car show and mud run.
Everyone deserves a special thanks. Many gave cash donation, which we greatly appreciate and the larger donors will be listed in the local papers. We will have a tally on the profit a bit later when all the bills and receipts have been posted.
Once again a great community came though to help the swimming pool, park and rec complex.
There will be a wedding shower for Missy Wells and husband-to-be, Kyle Kakalecik on Thrusday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Dutton Senior Center. Those wanting to help can contact Lynn Habel or Peggy Doheny.
Missy and Kyle are getting married Aug. 11.
She is the daughter of Laurie Wells of Florence, Ariz., and Les and Bitsi Wells of Brady. He is the son of DeEtte and Bill Weber and Mike Kakalecik, all of Great Falls.
Wells graduated from Dutton High School and Kakalecik from C.M. Russell High School. Both attended Montana State University-Bozeman. Wells is employed at Stockman Bank and Kakalecik in the signal department of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad.
Fireworks from Dutton Fun Day 2006.
Photo by Kirk H.
A good friend of mine from across the mountains in Missoula ("Go Griz!" if that's what they still say) really made me laugh when I told him about Dutton Fun Day back in 1995 or so.
"That's really what you call it?" he asked.
"Yes," I told him. "One town, one day, loads of fun... Fun Day."
"I just can't believe that your whole town only gets one day of fun and it has to last for the whole year."
Continue reading "Notes from a Dutton Boy Abroad: One 'Fun' Day" »
Richard Proff and his fiancee Andrea Trenary are to be married on Sept. 1 at the Missoula Country Club. Rich is the son of Chris and Alan Proff of Dutton and Andrea is the daughter of Teresa and Guy Trenary of Missoula.
There will be a bridal shower on Saturday, Aug. 18th at 2 p.m. at the Dutton United Methodist Church for Andrea. The couple is registered at Target and Macy's in Missoula. If you wish to be a hostess, contact Vickie Maurer (476-3583) or Joan Elser (476-3353). Please leave a message.
Matt Shaffer and Amanda Babon will be married in Missoula, August 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Christian Assembly Foursquare Church.
Matt is the son of Rod and Barb Shaffer of Dutton and Amanda is the daughter of Jack and Cindy Babon of Missoula. Matt and Amanda will host a reception following their wedding at the Linda Vista Country Club.
Adam and Nicola Maurer are the proud parents of a new baby girl. Isabella Grace was born Sunday, May 6th at 6:09 central time. She weighed in at 7 pounds and 7 ounces. Her grandparents are Larry and Cheryl Maurer and Don and Zell Derryberry of Sheridan, WY. Great grandparents are Mary Maurer of Brady and Joan Elser of Dutton. Adam, Nicola and Isabella live in Eagan, Minnesota. Adam works for the US Bancorp in the Twin Cities and Nicola teaches kindergarten.
June is full of happenings in Dutton. From a wedding shower for Nicole Odden and Colin Stephens to a baby shower for Mandy Gertzen and her new son, there's much to do.
Read on for the list of upcoming events and announcements, and email any events you'd like to highlight to duttoncc@gmail.com or give me a ring at 406-531-4794. Many thanks to Janet and Gwen Goodell for helping compile this first list.
Cooling off during Fun Day 2006.
Photo by Keith Graham
When I first sat down to write a preview of Fun Day, I tried to be very clever- thinking of quick one-liners and thrilling statements that would make everyone want to read it. Then I thought to myself, “What are you doing, Cheri? You don’t need to work so hard at this – Dutton Fun Day sells itself!”
I am confident in saying that anyone and everyone who has been to Fun Day knows how “FUN” a day it really is. I mean it’s right in the name, isn’t it? With that in mind, I am just going to give it to you straight. Dutton Fun Day is held on the second Saturday of July so as not to interfere with the Fourth of July holiday. This year it’s scheduled for July 14.
Bev and Arne Pederson, the former owners of the Cafe' Dutton.
Photo by Sarah Welliver
On Wednesday, the day before the business would be turned over to the new owners, Arne woke up at 2 a.m., went into the bathroom and discovered the water was turned off in the house. Then, when we went to the café at 6 a.m., we discovered the cold water line that feeds the coffee machine had froze because no water was circulating through the pipe; the temperature had dropped to nearly 15 degrees below zero in the region that day, according to the National Weather Service.
The water was eventually turned back on and we solved the problem with the coffee machine by getting another one at home. But just before opening the café an hour later, we discovered the monitor to the gaming machine that we planned to sell to new owners, Jeff Baringer and Rebecca Wakkinen, with the business, was broken.
In many towns, newspapers are taken for granted. In a town with a newspaper, citizens can grab a copy each week and expect to find local news that is important to them and their communities. But in Dutton, where there hasn’t been a newspaper for several years and Duttonites have had to find other ways to spread news and stay connected.
When I showed up for my haircut at Verna Schluter’s salon, I had an ulterior motive.
“Oh, you’re not going to take pictures, are you?” Verna said as I pulled a camera from the gear bag I’d just lugged into her hair salon. It’s what photojournalists do, I replied.
I took a few shots and, when my turn came, sat in the barber’s chair for a much-needed trim. I was primarily there to hear Verna’s thoughts on Dutton and what role she thought her shop played in helping people stay in touch with the community’s news and happenings.
She quickly hacked apart the notion that her salon was a source of community chatter, adding that she disliked the association people make about hair salons and gossip. Her point was simple, getting the news out was a job for, well, a newspaper.
“That’s why we need a newspaper,” she said.
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