Growing up in the small town of New Leipzig, North Dakota was an experience, for sure. It was small (still is), it was quaint (still is). But most importantly from my perspective - it was home. Although I now live in Colorado, the memories of days gone by in this very small hamlet still come to mind quite often. It's kind of strange, though, some of the things I remember. Each of us who grew up there have our own memories. That's what makes any community unique unto itself. My memories of growing up in New Leipzig are what make my experiences there unique to me. There are a thousand things I could say, but won't. There's simply not enough room in one post to include everything. So, this is a condensed version of things.
As I go through and list a few of my own memories, I'm sure those who may be following this blog will suddenly find themselves thinking about their own. I hope you decide to share in the comments, be you from New Leipzig, Elgin, Carson, Flasher, or somewhere else in that particular area.
My very first memory, a very faint memory indeed, was moving across the street into our new house. I couldn't have been more than three years old at the time, but what an adventure.
Hopscotch on the sidewalk in front of the house.
Rheumatic fever and missing school for a couple of weeks in first grade. Scared to go back to school for some insane reason. I remember "hiding" behind a telephone pole in front of the Dub's house across the street from the school until my teacher came outside to "retrieve" me and to reassure me everything would be ok.
Sledding down the middle of the street in winter trying to make it all the way downtown. Some made it, but not very often. Snow storms in those days could be, and sometimes were, absolutely brutal. The photo below is taken from the New Leipzig website linked to above.
Winters in New Leipzig were probably the most memorable of all things. At least they were for me. We used to joke that North Dakota had two seasons: hot and cold - brutally cold! Add snow into the mix, and there you have it. Summers were hot - not all the time, but I still remember times when the heat was almost unbearable.
Digging caves in snow drifts in the railroad cuts on the north side of town after the blizzard subsided and we could finally get outside once again. Parents cussing because we "wasted" so much energy digging caves while not expending nearly enough on helping them clear driveways and sidewalks.
The Cannonball River. Coolness in the trees - some of the only trees outside of town anywhere other than in scattered shelter belts planted by farmers and an occasional lone cottonwood out in the middle of nowhere. Wading in the oftentimes shallow waters, skipping rocks, and even sometimes swimming in some of the deeper spots.
Gravel streets until they were paved I'm not sure what year. I just remember thick clouds of dust wafting up as cars passed by, and, unless there was a breeze to carry away the dust, it would just hang there for what seemed like forever.
Elementary school. Eating paste, following rules, being in love with some of the teachers, but certainly not all. Being in awe of the high schoolers one floor up from us - really cool. Finally making it to eighth grade knowing the next year would be a really big life event going into high school in a new building, no less. Yep! Brand spanking new.
Friends and relatives from around the country coming to visit. Mostly in the summer months, but sometimes in winter, too. My brother, Clayton, brought one of his friends home from college more than once in the middle of the winter. Bob Meier was pretty much adopted into our family as a result. Hey, Bro!
Bible school in the summer. Every church had their own Bible school. Sometimes we'd get to go to more than one session in another church. What a big deal!
Christmas programs and family gatherings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Watching the World Series and college football at Neyla and Wilmer's on their color TV.
High school sports. I didn't play football because of my knees. Basketball was my favorite anyway. New Leipzig always had strong basketball teams with a very strong basketball tradition. I remember how disappointed the town was my senior year when we barely had a winning record. My Dad used to say if we'd only have scored like 7 more points all year in different games we would have won 5 more than we did. I don't know. It doesn't really matter now. But the teams before and after that one single year were something to be proud of.
Hunting. Getting up at 4 am to join friends and go out into the country to see if we could scare up some ducks. I never went deer hunting, but duck hunting was fun - that is, until I actually hit one and had to wade into the water to retrieve it, and then wring its neck because it was still alive.
Going with my Dad on his mail route on Saturdays. He'd always have his 22 rifle along with him, and whenever he spotted a rabbit in the snow (I was never able to pick them out like he could), he'd rest the gun on the edge of my open window, sight in, and POW, followed by a rabbit in death throes flopping around in the snow.
I also remember his VWs, but that's another story for another blog post.
Warm summer nights on top of the water tower (the old one, of course). Just sitting there looking out at the glimmering lights of that small town dreaming of things that were to come. Also knowing we could get into big trouble just for being up there - too dangerous, don'tcha know!
Riding bikes all over town. Playing football - no, not touch football. Tackle football - on the lot between the old movie theater/roller skating rink and the house next door. I can't remember who lived there, but they must have been pretty frustrated with all the noise going on.
And so much more. Gosh, I didn't think this was going to get to be this long in this short of a time frame. When I think of all the very close friends and relatives, neighbors and townspeople, it's heartwarming beyond measure. Since I moved away, there have been many changes. Some of the older generation are no longer with us. Even some of my own generation have passed on way too soon. But, this town, these townspeople, are hardy, that's for sure. They've endured over the years, and I have no doubt they will continue to endure.
Normally, when people ask me where I'm from, I joke with them by saying New Leipzig, North Dakota - a good place to be from. But, when it comes right down to it, the reality is New Leipzig, North Dakota is, in fact, a really, really good place to be from!
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