Memories Cooperstown ND Main Street

“Time goes by, memories last forever”

It seems like only yesterday that we were getting together for a birthday party at someone’s house or meeting after school for a cub scout meeting. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to look at my parents 35 mm slide collection with slides starting in the early 1950’s. It was a reminder that we moved 3 times during those years, all on Park Avenue in Cooperstown. It was always fun to say we lived on Park Avenue. The pictures of those Cub Scout years showed the height difference that stayed with everyone. Tom Liebel and Jeff Stone was always a head taller than the rest of us even in Cub scouts.

The Churches always provided the community centers for the town; Trinity Lutheran, Grace Lutheran, Presbyterian and the Catholic churches in town with a number of additional smaller churches in the country.

The hospital was a stabilizing part of the community as well. We lived just behind it and I made a couple of late night visits for emergency purposes. The Kjelgaard boys (Dick and Butch) liked to scare us in the heating tunnels under the hospital. Their dad was the custodian for many years at the hospital.

There are many fond memories of the people involved with supporting the scouting activities from cub scouts, girl scouts, boy scouts and explorers. The parents and community were always stepping up to provide the leadership needed to help us get the right start. Cooperstown still has the State record for most Eagle Scout awards (12) at one time from the same Explorer Post.

We can all remember those early school days at the Berg Gym watching basketball and later band practices after school. Elton Opegard was very tolerant with us as we practiced and practiced until we got it right. As a result of his teachings and some practicing by us, we enjoyed many top ratings at the state band contests in Jamestown.

There were many good athletes in Cooperstown and some would even say better than average as we won often in all sports at the district, regional and state levels. I am particularly proud of the State Championship Baseball team of 1963, but equally disappointed as we didn’t repeat as State Champions in 64 as I believe we had an even stronger team the second year. I guess the lesson is “enjoy the moments that you get”.

Cooperstown should be very proud of what they have produced and given to the rest of the world. I have always been proud to say that I come from a small town in North Dakota where the work ethic is second to none. We all get a well rounded education and are grounded in what is right and wrong which has enabled us to take our place along side the best in the world and be proud of it. I am pleased to say I come from Cooperstown, North Dakota.

Larry K. Ellingson

Class of 1964