The last big Poplar Pow Wow of the year.

This Pow Wow held near Labor Day every year is called Poplar Days and it is the biggest one.

Participates must have come from a great distance.  There were many tepees, tents and campers on the grounds.

The Atmosphere at a Pow Wow is somewhat like a country fair with a very loud drum beat.  Drummers take turns drumming the beat and chatting. Groups of them are located in 4-6 areas of the arena, and they seem to know when it is there turn to beat out the rhythm for the dancers.

 It is difficult to get good pictures with the lighting low and the dancers all moving.

 The event goes way into the wee hours of the morning.  We never can stay long enough to see much of the competition with the various dances: the Shawl dance, Jingle dress dance and the Traditional.

Some day I will get there early enough before the sun goes down to get some great pictures.  The outfits they are dressed in are indescribable.

More new Baptisms

August 30, 2014 Baptisms

 This was a special Saturday with two different baptisms.
At 10;00 AM:
Redwillow Joy Brown and her two children Lilly Channelle and Mitchell Raymond Lewis Brown were baptized by Elder Wyatt who had special permission to return from his assignment as Assistant.

They have the potential to be an awesome family in our Branch.

At 4:00 PM:  Stephanie Cloud was baptized by Elder Wyatt.
Stephanie is the mother to Preston and Hayleigh who were baptized May 29th.  We feel this has all come about because of the children attending Youth Survival night and become acquainted with the missionaries.  They are dear friends.

Elder Lynch did the confirmation of all of them on Sunday in Sacrament Meeting.

Celebrating our 47th. Anniversary

To celebrate our Wedding anniversary we broke away and drove to Regina, Canada.  It is 198 miles and about 4 hrs.  As long as you have your passport, the Port of Entry is no problem, and we did.

We visited a Science Museum and viewed the IMax showing of wild life in Africa.  We attented a 6:30 pm Temple session at there lovely small temple, enjoyed dinner out and a un-rushed evening at the Holiday Express Inn.

Cub Scout Summer excursions

In the summer we held Cub Scouts just once a month.  We used this opportunity while the boys were out of school to visit some museums.

Poplar has a small museum which also houses the old once used jail. 

On the grounds is this monument of a famous chief.  It is located right in front of the Ft. Peck College bookstore.

          Wolf Point also has a museum.  It is much larger and has a wonderful display of memorabilia including pioneer, native Indian, cowboy and even some from Poplar High School.

 The volunteers

there were very 
helpful and the boys were courteous

Glendive Stake Youth Temple Trip and more Elder's leave us.

On August 16 the Glendive Stake had a Youth Temple trip to the Billings Temple.  We were pleased to take two recent converts from Poplar, Nelson Onley and Preston Ones-pipe.

We made arrangements to take them alone for Baptisms on Friday night as well as meeting up with the Stake on Saturday morning early.

The Temple grounds were beautiful.  These beautiful flowers near the entrance looked like something from a tropical island.

Youth Survival Activities

Fishing Day

 The Elders got permission to help with the fishing days.  They were a big help baiting hooks and untangling lines.  I must admit that a couple of them helped reel in a catch when the little fisherman couldn't quite do it alone.

Fishing Days:  July 15th. and    August 12th.

Our August fishing trip only brought about 10 youth out/  Most of the kids were younger.  It was a hot day.



James Scott caught a few.



And Alara Parshall helped her cousin

Elder Allsop used our little trailer to carry the supplies in and with a sheet of plywood on the top, it made nice table to set the tackle boxes and lunch on.   Sister Allsop made sack lunches for everyone and there was needed much bottle water.   The only thing we didn't have were complaints.

July 2014Transfers

Transfers are sad but part of Mission Life.

 Elder Fuifatu as been in Poplar or Wolf Point as long as we have, 10 months.  His time came and he was transferred to Kalispel. Everyone loves this big hearted Samoan.  We will miss his cheerful positive attitude.

Others saying good-bye:  Elder Lynch a Zone Leader who stayed in Poplar, Elder Fui, Elder ?, Elder Brewster and Elder Frost in front.

 Because of one wrecked Elder's car, and the Glasgow truck in the shop for a new engine, we offered to help with July Transfers.  It is a two day process.  We took Elders and luggage to Miles City, stayed overnight and brought our vehicle back full of luggage.  The Poplar Elders were able to get a different car to replace their totaled one.





We enjoyed Elder Black's from Neola, Utah
service in Poplar for the short time he was here.  He was transferred to Glendive.

Youth and our Backyard Gardens

We have been gardening even on our mission.  Putting together a Youth Garden for part of the Native American Initiative inspired us to also put one in our backyard.  We enjoyed many yummy vegetables from our efforts out of our pallet garden





This is the Youth Garden that Elder Allsop and Bro. Hank Nelson planned and constructed.  The best economical fencing was using dog kennel panels.  We didn't get it all done and planted until 2nd week of June.  Except for the watermelon plants the Youth planted from seed in April, all plants did very well.  The watermelon got an aphid and suffered.

 Elder Allsop did most all the work tending the gardens.  He eventually constructed a irrigation system with pvc piping and set it on a timer for watering.  The garden required very little weeding.

In late August and September when most of the plants were producing vegetables, we invited anyone who came to Youth Night to pick and take home anything they would truly use and eat.

We were delighted at the enthusiasm as they loved the cucumbers, carrots, onions, peppers and zucchini.  They weren't too interested in the green beans, but that was understandable.

It was sad to pull up the plants and dismantle the fencing to put things away because of our transfer to Colstrip in September.



Our backyard garden has also been so much fun and enjoyment.

There was a cement pad in our backyard where a shed use to stand.  Also a stack of cinder blocks.  Our landlord allowed us to use them.  We also saw a queen size bed frame at the city dump that we brought home turned upside down, drilled holes in the bottom and used it for a planting bed.  Our garden was planted a couple of weeks before the Youth Garden and some of the plants were the results of seed planted months before and  nursed through the winter. Elder Allsop did amazing.

A Funeral, and a Family visit

A Sad Time

We were called to come to the hospital at 1 am on July 4th.  A gentle man we knew had been badly beaten.  His family was there knowing he would soon pass.  Elder Allsop was able to give a prayer in behalf of the situation.  One of comfort and hope that Byron would would be free of pain suffering.

His funeral was done in the tradition Native way with a wake the evening before and the funeral

the following day.  We offered our help to his auntie Joilyn Loves Him whom we know well.  We helped with serving the food and storing it in the church frig for the feeding the family after the funeral.

My friend Joilyn pieced all five of these Star quilts just for the services.  Others helped quilt them.  These along with many gifts that were purchased were given away to those who were important in the decease's life.  I was given a small lovely blanket just for helping with the food at the wake and funeral.

 We were delighted to have a short but wonderful visit from Seth, Becky and the five girls.  They arrived to commemorate July 24th Pioneer Day in Utah.
We gave them a walking tour of the town stopping for ice cream at Andy's and visiting the "Treasures" gift shop where I let the girls get a small gift.

We took them to our church meeting house to show them and also the Youth Gardens we built, planted and tended.



Some of my friends knew my granddaughters were coming so they showed up to meet them.  Artie and Jessica were here several hours before they arrived hang'in out.  They had dinner with us and visited with the white girls from Wyoming.

Friday Hayleigh Eagle came, played with Ava and joined us for dinner off the girl.  Pres. Hollom and the Missionaries also were invited to dinner.


A Poplar Pow Wow was taking place this weekend so we all went down to the Pow Wow grounds and saw some of the dancing, and heard the loud beat of the drums.  Later back at the house the girls practiced their Indian dance steps and moves.