Visit to Ekalaka, Plevna enjoyed
Two of my favorite towns are Ekalaka and Plevna and we visit these communities each time I go to Baker. We claim Baker is located in West Dakota as it is just 50 miles from the North Dakota border.
Ekalaka is about 35 miles from Baker. Attractions for me include the Ekalaka Eagle newspaper office. There's a linotype and hand-fed job press, unused now. Town's namesake was Ekalaka, an Indian princess.
The Carter County Museum is fascinating with exhibits including a dinosaur. Sign on the front states elevation is 3,427 with 436 population.
When I reach Plevna enroute to Baker I know it is only 12 miles to Janet and Jerry's home, 720 miles from Columbia Falls. Plevna was named after a Russian general.
We always go to Ekalaka for pie at the small cafe. Last year they only had one slice of butterscotch pie, which we ordered. The obliging waitress brought us the pie on one plate with two forks.
Our other mission this year was to purchase some honey from Ekalaka. We were successful as the tiny mercantile had Montana Rangeland Honey complete with a label stating Ekalaka, Montana. Roxane Mitten is beekeeper.
Legal notice in the Ekalaka Eagle that week explained an increase in rates for water and sewer improvements. The Town Council anticipates issuing a water system revenue bond of approximately $ 313,000.
A senior citizen friend told us she now pays $50 and it would increase to $75 per month. Main street was torn up with construction underway.
It was interesting that three grants plus funds from a state revolving loan were listed on the sign with a total of $1,556,369 to finance projects.
A classified ad in the same issue advertised the LaBree Nut Fry with potluck picnic at the Lee and Cam LaBree ranch July 13. Fun included pasture golf and volleyball.
It brought back memories when I took two unsuspecting friends to the Testicle Festival at Clinton. We were enroute to Billings and Baker when I decided it would be an interesting stop. It certainly was.
My fellow mother-in-law, Ruth Townsend, resides at the Quality Care facility in Baker. There was a potluck dinner for families that evening so we did not go to the Nut Fry.
I enjoyed visiting with Ruth Sieler at the tiny Plevna Post Office. Ruth said she had been a post office employee for 63 years. She is efficient.
The beautiful large Community Center in Plevna was a project of the fire department. In addition to the community room, the building has a beautiful state-of-the-art kitchen and a large exercise room with every type of exercise equipment. The Center is adjacent to the fire hall.
Interesting sideline of the Community Center was a sign indicating a building capacity of 175 persons. Plevna's population is only 75 residents.
Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News