OPINION ‘Little House’

When I was growing up, every Monday night my sisters and I would gather around the TV to watch our favorite show — “Little House on the Prairie.” It premiered on NBC in 1974 and ended in 1983. The show was one of the most watched shows on television. Today, the show is still popular spanning generations of fans.

Set in the late 1800s, the show follows the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the Ingalls family—Charles, Caroline, Mary, Carrie and Laura (later adopted children Albert, James and Cassandra) —who settle down Walnut Grove, Minnesota on the banks of Plum Creek.

Noelle’s Notes

Noelle Olson

The townspeople are a big part of the show. Mrs. Oleson is the rich snob, her daughter Nellie is the “mean girl” (mainly because she was raised that way) and you have the beloved Dr. Baker, Rev. Alden and school teacher Miss Beadle among others who come and go throughout the series.

The show is loosely based on the “Little House” books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and dealt with conflicting issues such as child abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism, financial struggles and racism. The show also was very emotional at times and in almost every episode, it’s hard not to tear up. A friend of mine used to call it, “Little Ball Baby on the Prairie.” It’s funny because I caught him watching it a few times and guess what, he had tears in his eyes.

I don’t have a favorite episode because they are all so good. Here are three of my favorites.

“If I Should Wake Before I Die”

A woman named Amy Hearn is about to celebrate her 80th birthday and she wants to see her children. She decides to “fake her death” and have a funeral in place of a birthday party. Hearn states that it’s OK for someone to miss a birthday or a holiday but heaven forbid you miss a funeral. She wanted to see her children when she was alive, not when she was dead. This made sense to me because when children leave the nest, they go off and live their own lives. Our busy schedules keep us from spending time with the elderly people in our lives and someday it might be too late.

“I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away”

This one is an emotional roller coaster. Charles and Caroline are devastated to learn that their eldest daughter Mary is going blind. Charles struggles to find the words to tell her. Mary soon goes blind and feels sorry for herself. She is sent away to a school for the blind where she learns to accept her blindness. Back in Walnut Grove, the town is dying and people are being forced to pack up and leave. Charles tells his friend Jonathan Garvey, “Life is a funny thing. If you would have told me a couple of weeks ago that the mill was shut down and the grange was collapsing, I’d be the most upset man you ever saw. Now, I don’t even care. It doesn’t mean a thing. I just wonder how much our lives are spent worrying about things that just don’t mean anything.”

“The Legend of Black Jake”

This is a light hearted and funny episode involving two dim-witted bank robbers, a kidnapping and a man with a black hood. Mrs. Oleson’s husband Nels is kidnapped and the robbers/kidnappers send her a ransom note (I think $100) which she refuses to pay. Needless to say, Nels is not happy. He feels his life is worth more than $100. The events throughout the episode will make you laugh. I know I did.

I saw an interview on CBS Sunday Morning with Melissa Gilbert who played Laura Ingalls on the series. She said the keys to the show were four things — compassion, community, faith and love.

So, if you need a little comfort in your life, tune in to “Little House.” I guarantee you won’t be disappointed (just keep a box of Kleenex nearby). The show has been in re-runs since the series ended, can be streamed on Peacock and has never been off the air. That is truly an amazing feat.

Noelle Olson is editor of the White Bear Press. She can be reached at 651-407-1229 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com.

These are the good times

started to change. I saw people who had more money and bigger houses, but I noticed they weren’t any happier than I was. I had friends whose marriages fell apart, and I began to appreciate that my continuously deepening love and friendship with my wife was such a gift (37 years now). When we moved to Circle Pines 26 years ago and found nice neighbors, surrounded by a beautiful natural environment, and great teachers for our son Kyle, I began to take a different look at how I was defining the ‘good times’.

Dave

Bartholomay

Ioften hear people say, “when I get a job with a better boss,” or “when I retire,” or “when I find the right partner / house / career / whatever the marker,” then I will be truly happy. That will be the “good times.” But not until they’ve reached that particular place. For a long time, I was part of that very large group. Life was always going to get better when I had more success, made more money, made my family proud, felt more accomplished or satisfied. It was always just over that horizon, maybe when I hit a certain age (30 then 40 then 50) then I will be happy.

But over time, as some of these markers happened, there always seemed to be people who were more successful than I was. Had more money, a higher-level job, and lived in a bigger and nicer home. The good times were always elusive, especially the way I was measuring them.

As I got older, my fascination with some of the success markers

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I realized, perhaps like you have, that these measures and goals for good times and happiness weren’t right. A favorite author of mine, Arthur Brooks, says that the four bad habits most of us chase — money, power, pleasure and fame — won't satisfy us in the long run. Instead, he says we need to substitute these with four good habits which will satisfy us — faith, family, friends and work that serves other people.

The transition from bad habits to good habits happens over time. There’s a belief that the only way you really learn anything is through reflection. That reflection happens bit by bit: a friend has relationship trouble and you are grateful for your solid relationship; a bigger house with higher mortgage payments doesn’t seem so necessary as you turn your current house into a home; you realize that serving people through church and the community makes you feel pretty darn good deep inside and you want to do more and more of it; and your career (with all of its ups and downs) chugs along and will work out just fine in the long run.

All of this seems much different when you are in your 20s and feeling the pressure to figure out who you want to be when you grow up. And then life keeps rolling along, and you find happiness is like a puzzle where piece by piece it comes together. Except in this case the picture on the box keeps changing, just like yourself. So you really can’t put it together when you’re young – you need the experiences, the mistakes, the losses (and the gains) in order to create your final story.

I’m so glad I’m where I’m at. It wasn’t easy, but I feel like I’ve finally gotten to the four good habits. My wish for you is that your journey and reflections will guide you to also realize that today is indeed the good times.

Dave Bartholomay is the mayor of Circle Pines.

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If you are an active person or have an active family, and you are looking for a companion that can keep up with you, then meet Owen. Owen, according to his foster, is the most fun, loveable, occasional ball of chaos, that you will ever have the pleasure to know. Owen is about two-and-a-half years old. He is a Pit Bull Terrier/Bull Terrier mix and weighs about 45 pounds. He is social with other pets, with kids, and he is friendly towards everyone he meets. Owen is house trained and knows his basic commands. He is very smart and a quick learner. Owen is playful and eager to please. He is goofy, likes to play with his toys, enjoys swimming and likes to play fetch. Owen has a high energy level and would do well in home with another active dog. When he’s not busy, Owen is a very affectionate lap dog and likes to chill with his people.

If you are interested in learning more about Owen or adopting him, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue.org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon

Gregory Paul Iden

Gregory Paul Iden, age 65, of Lino Lakes, passed away peacefully at his home on July 18, 2023. Greg battled pancreatic cancer for 5 years and had celebrated his 5-year Whipple Surgery Anniversary the day before he passed and was just briefly on hospice.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 26 from 11:00-12:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Kasota (141 S. Rice St., Kasota, MN). Burial will follow at Kasota Hill Cemetery at 12:00 p.m. and a reception will take place after burial at First Presbyterian Church of Kasota. St. Peter Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Greg was born in Iowa Falls, IA to Norman and Mary Catherine (Ahart) Iden and raised in Brookings, S.D. He was a very proud Marine. After serving his country he came home and found his life’s vocation on the golf course. He came through the ranks beginning as a night waterman at Brookings Country Club and serving as Superintendent at several courses in Iowa. He received his degree from the University of Minnesota, Waseca and upon graduating he was hired as Superintendent at Shoreland Country Club in St. Peter where he found his wife, Mary and began his life as a family man. Greg accepted the Superintendent’s position at Anoka County’s Chomonix Golf Course and moved to Lino Lakes in 1995. He retired in May of 2022 after 27 years. Greg was proud of the course and always did the best he could to treat the golfers to the best playing conditions possible. He was a proud father and grandfather.

Church Brief

Our Savior’s hosts ice cream social

To celebrate 75 years, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church will host an ice cream social at 9:45 a.m.

Greg is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mary Anne (Warrant) of Lino Lakes; daughters, Tiffany (Nick) Sedillos of St. Paul and Cassel of Tacoma, WA. He was ever so proud of both of his girls and all they have accomplished to become the beautiful, strong women they are. His grandsons, Warren and Sterling brought great joy to him, whether it was watching them swim, playing Legos, eating the best pancakes in the world with them or hosting the Annual New Year’s Eve Party with his boys, it was a joy. Greg is survived by his sisters, Paulette (Jim), Denise, Michelle, Renée (Ryan), Colette, Rochelle (John), Andrée (Gil); brother, Trent (Shannon); and Lynette; father-in-law, George; brothers and sisters-in law, Lois (Casey), Charlotte, George (Rhonda), and David; and many nieces and nephews and other family and friends of all kinds. Greg enjoyed the comradery of his golf course family, especially, Mike and Fred and so many crew members that became lifelong friends.

Greg will now be enjoying the early morning solitude out on a heavenly course watching the deer, fox, and eagles from his special vantage point. Rest in Peace. Semper Fi.

Sunday, July 30 at Golden Lake Park in Circle Pines. A worship service will feature live music by the Cornerstone contemporary band. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. A free ice cream social will follow the worship service.

Saturday at 4:30 pm Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville Sunday at 8:30 am St. John’s Site 14383 Forest Blvd N, Hugo

Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville

Sunday 10:00 AM

Call 763-784-1607 for Together Times