Another Arson Fire in Poplar

 Unfortunately arson fires are a common occurrence here.  In the middle of the night this week we heard the Fire alarm go off.  This time it was the one and only motel in town, The Jolly Swagman located just two blocks from our home.


I learned it got it's name because part owner of it was an Australian.

 The story we heard was the day before there was a high speed chase toward Wolf Point.  The driver a suspected drug dealer, eventually took off on a gravel road, ran from his car out into a field, but not before he set fire to his car.  He was appended.

However the next morning there was a fire in the very motel room the suspect occupied.  We 
suspect he had a friend start the fire to cover up evidence.






For the next three days the alarm went off many times as there were hot spots flaring up. 





It is interesting that the "Vacancy" Sign still lights the smoke filled air.

To solve the problem of flare-ups in the walls, they came in with a loader and crashed the back wall down then dumped buckets of snow inside.  That seem to do it.

I always wanted to see what the motel looked like inside.  Now I can.

Grandson's Baptism

We were blessed to be able to visit our daughter and family in Charleston for the occasion of Dallin's baptism. 
In our short 2.5 day stay we were able to do a bit of sightseeing.

This is the Welcome building at Nate's work at Boeing.

 They took us on a tour of the old part of Charleston that dates back to Pre-Civil War days.

We drove down the famous King Street in downtown Charelston.

This Charleston City Market was used to bring the slaves for sale. It is several blocks long, and now is a giant Flea Market with every kind of wares to buy.

 Battery Park borders Charleston Harbor. There are many cannon displays and statues of Civil War Heroes.  

 The kids loved the cannons.

Shelby is about as big as the cannon balls.

We captured a beautiful sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

Boarding a tourist ferry we traveled out to Fort Sumter.  This is a small man made island in the middle of the harbor built as a strategic point to defend the shores.


We learned that the Confederates fired the first shots from Fort Johnson on the shore over Fort Sumter that was Union occupied.  That began the Civil War on April 12, 1861.

For almost two years the fort was bombarded in one of the longest sieges in modern warfare reducing the brick and  mortar walls from three stories to one.

After a two day bombardment the Union troops surrendered.  Then the South held the fort until it was finally evacuated in Feb. 1865.

The Flags over Fort Sumter Charleston Bay North Carolina

Over looking the harbor is the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge

Dallin Nathan Jarvis Baptism

 We were so pleased and blessed to be able to be a part of his special day with Andrea, Nate, Dallin, Lydia and Shelby.

Saying Good-bye is always hard.  We'll visit again some day.

Valentines Party and monthly Potluck

 Every third Sunday we hold a potluck meal after Sacrament meeting.  Our visiting High Councilman comes from a distance so this is a courteous way to provide a meal for him as well as have an opportunity to socialize as a branch.

Just the evening before in February we had a Branch Valentines party.  I didn't remember to get pictures that evening, but the decorations were still up for our potluck. 

It was a fun evening with tables set up with various games Valentine Bingo, Spoons, Chess, Snarff, as well as a table for filling out Valentines.  President Hollom also had a table for people to make a Valentine for our two missionaries serving from our branch Elder and Sister Pipe, Elder and sister.  Elder  Pipe is serving in Kentucky and Sister Pipe on Temple Square. 

Elder Rorick finishes his mission.

Elder Clint Rorick finished his two year mission on January 18, 2014.  As tradition we held a "send off party" at our home.  He returned to his family in Riverside, California. He was a quiet mannerly Elder, and a expert on computers and helped many out with their computer issues including ours.

The Missionaries serving at that 
time: Elder Pace, Elder Johnson, Elder Allsop Elder Rorick and Elder Salvador.

Newsflash: A Convert Baptism in Poplar

Newsflash:    A Convert Baptism in Poplar

 January 4, 2014 was a special day as Yolanda was baptized in the Poplar Branch.  Pictured are the Missionaries as well as Yolanda, her husband and granddaughter on the left.

Yolanda was taught by Elder McLaren and Elder Fuifatu.  Elder McLaren had finished his mission by her baptism date, but with the blessings of the Mission President was able to witness it via Facetime from his home in Yuma, Ariz.  Elder Fuifatu (lower right) had been transferred to another city 2 hrs. away, but was able to come back and baptize her.  Yoland will be a tremendous asset to the branch.

Cub Scout Airplane Kit Project

Our latest Cub Scout project turned out to be a nightmare.  The kits said for Age 6 and up.  It should have said, Age 16 and up.  It became more of a Cub Scout leader project that boy Cub Scout.

After 3 Den Meetings working on them the boys finally took them home.  That was after Elder Allsop and I spent 3-4 hours on the unfinished ones.  Lesson learned, don't buy Harbor Freight kits for young boys. However, the boys were please and that is what counts.

Free Computer Repair Business

Here is the sign designed my the Elder's advertising the free computer repair business.  Elder Allsop built the sign that is now posted on our front porch until we have an actual store. Our home is the drop off and pick up location.

Business has been good.  Well, you would think since it is Free that business would be good. It takes some close scheduling for the Elders to fit repairing and cleaning up computers in with regular missionary work of contacting and teaching.  Elder Salvador is our key computer repair man now that Elder Rorick has finished his mission.

Three of the four Elders were available when asked for an interview which was published in the weekly Ft. Peck Journal Newspaper recently. L-R Elder Johnson, Elder Salvador and Elder Keith. Elder Pace, Zone Leader, was on splits.