Greetings:
I'm Ozzie Tollefson, and you might have seen
me on Moen School moving day trying to catch all the excitment with my video camera. It was great sharing the joy with
former students and rural school teachers as the school came to town. I'm one of those old-timers who actually walked
two miles to school. And this was in northern Minnesota where the temperature in my home town of Fosston was recorded
at 50 degrees below zero a few years ago. And that's not wind-chill. Back then we didn't need another number to
tell us it was very, very cold.
I've
volunteered to help a good friend, Dean Vikan, my niece, Judy Newton, and a host of other local people realize a dream.
The Moen Schoolhouse has sat on the corner of old Oliver Moen's field three miles south-east of town for more than
100 years. On July 9th Mohler Movers of Bemidji moved the building into Fosston. The foundation was
built and waiting for the building on the grounds of the East Polk Heritage Center, where Dean serves as president.
Dean Vikan is a guy willing to take on a challenge and so am I. He has done more than anyone I know to preserve the
history of our community. To the left is a link to the Heritage Center. I hope you'll check it out.
Moving the school was the first step in this important preservation
venture. There's more work to be done and we need your continued support. The building needs repairs and there
will be additional expenses when the school is turned into a living history museum. Our goal is $25,000.
We are grateful for the generosity
of hundreds of people across the country. They have recognized this project for its role in preserving a part of American
history. If you have not done so, please consider making a donation. Any amount, large or small, will
be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a bunch!
Ozzie, Dean, Judy, Linda and Vicki
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
"Moving Moen School," an 82 minute
DVD documentary is now on sale for $15.00.
All proceeds will go to benefit the EPHC.
Shortly the work will begin to repair
the building
and turn it into a museum.
Click below for "UPDATES."
