Hannaford Senior Citizen's Club

A meeting of Senior Citizens of the Hannaford community was held at the American Legion Hall on February 14, 1968, to see how many were interested in starting a Senior Citizens Organization.  Arne S. Boyum of Carrington met with the group and informed them of the by-laws, etc.  Seventeen senior citizens attended this meeting.  The first meeting of the Senior Citizens group was held February 28, 1968, and the following officers were elected: President Mrs. Phyllis Bloom, Vice President Mrs. Emma Steiner, and Secretary-Treasurer Nellie Lunn.

Names for the organization were submitted by members and the name "Friendly Fun Makers" was chosen.  It was decided they pay $1.00 a year for dues and to meet the second and fourth Mondays of the month.  The charter members still living are: Neva Hanson, Margaret Ashland, Emma Steiner, Delia Sonju, Josie Kolland, Esther Weller, Ruth Anderson and Mandy Grover.

The organization was discontinued from March 1969, until September 1976, when they met at the Millie Hareland home and reorganized the club.  Mrs. Neva Hanson was elected president, Jennie Lind as vice president, Josie Kalland as secretary, and Delia Sonju as treasurer.

On October 31, 1978, the officers met with Clarence T. Iverson at the Mandy Grover home to reconstruct the constitution and by-laws to become incorporated.  These papers were typed up by Phil Quick and were taken to the Security State Bank of Hannaford where they were signed by Neva Hanson and Josephine Kalland and were notarized by John Grover.  Two copies were sent to the Secretary of State at Bismarck to be recorded.  The meetings were held in private homes and at the American Legion Hall.

In July 1985, the members purchased the Mike Adams Recreation building for their center.  The Griggs County Council on Aging voted unanimously to give the Friendly Fun Makers the sum of $7,000, over a period of four years to be used in purchasing the building.  The club borrowed $7,000, from Security State Bank and with $3,000, from our bank account a check in the amount of $10,000, was written by our treasurer, Ruth Anderson, to Mike Adams in full payment of the building.  The club was held responsible for the interest of $1,700, to be paid over a period of four years.  Bake Sales and Rummage Sales were held to help pay off the interest.  The final payment with interest will be paid in June of this year, 1989.

Our present officers are: President Lou Romsdal, Vice President Anita Anundson, Secretary Bernice Aalgaard, and Treasurer Evelyn Fliflet.  Our present members include: Al and Bernice Aalgaard, Gert Anda, Ruth Anderson, Anita and Hans Anundson, Margaret Ashland, Evelyn Fliflet, Sylvia Fliflet, Martha Gruman, Neva Hanson, Corlyn and Mervin Haugen, Alma Hook, Josie Kalland, Louis Larson, LeRoy and Mae McCallson, Bergetta Rich, Charles and Lou Romsdal, Delia Sonju, Emma Steiner, Pearl VenHuizen, K. Hanson and Ruth Lunn.

The club meets the second Tuesday of the month for a business meeting and bingo, and the fourth Tuesday of the month for a potluck dinner and bingo.

On May 10, 1983, the members enjoyed a trip to Hatton where they visited the Carl Ben Eilson Museum and in August 1983, some of the members took a trip to Medora.  Pastor Bob Berthold drove the church bus on both outings., On August 29, 1987, 15 members and Ralph and Myrtle Howden, Elverne and Marge Haugen, Myrtle Pittenger and Charles Romsdal went to Grand Forks where they enjoyed supper and a ride on the Dakota Queen.  On September  17, 1988, members visited the Heritage Center at Bismarck and also enjoyed dinner at Bonanza.  For these outings we rented the Steele County Senior's Bus.

During the years, we have entertained the residents of the Griggs County Nursing Home in Cooperstown to an afternoon of Bingo visitation, and pie and ice cream.  Also, we have entertained the members of the Sutton and Cooperstown Senior Citizens Clubs.  We have also enjoyed having many others come and visit us.

Those who attended the Friendly Fun Makers when it was organized were: Esther Michaelson, Mabel Boe, Emma Johnson, Magnus Haugen, Al Bloom, Clara Richardson, Emma Steiner, Esther Weller, Lulu Matt, Otto Olson, Ruth Anderson.

Mandy Grover, Mrs. Swenson, Inga Palm, Millie Hareland, Sylvia Everson, Margaret Ashland, Delia Sonju, Rev. Thompson, Knute Hanson, Evelyn Johnson, Mattie Bruns, Ben Matt.

Emily Larson, Mabel Benson, Nellie Lunn, Phyllis Bloom, Edwin Everson, Conrad Fogderud, Josephine Kolland, Rev. and Mrs. Olson, Melvin Sonju, Malena Haugen and Bertha Olgard.

Source:  Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page  33