Argyle Citizens Achievements

*** Emil "Buck" Bedard Among Those Inducted into Mayville State Athletic Hall of Fame

Five individuals and one team were inducted into Mayville State University's Athletic Hall of Fame during a dinner that was held Friday, October 10, 2008.  The Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner was one of the activities planned for Mayville State's homecoming festivities, October 10 through 12.

Mayville State's 2008 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were as follows: the 1997-98 men's basketball team; Char Miller, Aberdeen, SD; Emil "Buck" Bedard, Las Vegas, NV; Mark McLean, Hillsboro, ND; Glenn Gwynn, Gilbert, AZ; and Mark Osland, Mayville, ND.

EMIL R. "BUCK" BEDARD- Las Vegas, NV, an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Mayville State, was a member of the 1961 Mayville State football team that went undefeated.  A wrestler as well, he consistently placed high in tournaments.  He was four year letterman in both sports.  He also participated in track in 1961-62 and in baseball in 1962.  Bedard was the leading scorer in football in 1964 and was named all-conference that season.  He place third in the conference wrestling tournament in 1965.  Bedard graduated from Mayville State in 1965 with a major in physical education and a minor in mathematics.  He coached football and wrestling in Rolla, ND, before attending the University of North Dakota in 1966-67 to earn a master's degree. In 1967 he joined the Marine Corps, where after 39 years of service, he retired as a 3-star general.  He currently serves on several boards involving national security and as a senior mentor has made numerous trips to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.  He was selected to "Who's Who in America" in 1971.

*** Tom Conway Elected Minnesota American Legion Commander

Tom Conway, a resident of Argyle, was elected commander of the Minnesota American Legion at the annual state convention in Bloomington. 

Conway, 60, who is a member of the Warren American Legion Post and an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, will lead the 104,000-member veterans service organization for the next year. 

Conway is a retired law enforcement officer.  He served 16 years as police chief in Argyle and 16 years as a deputy sheriff for Marshall County.  He served in Vietnam as a military policeman.  He has been active in the American Legion for over 34 years.  

"The American Legion is Minnesota's most active service organization, and I look forward to a great year of helping our veterans, our youth and our families," Conway said. "It's critical that we continue to provide support for all veterans, especially those being deployed from Minnesota to Iraq and Afghanistan."

Conway was elected at the 90th annual state convention of the American Legion.  Over 1,100 Legionnaires and Auxiliary attended.

Also elected for the coming year at the American Legion Auxiliary convention was Carol Barbknecht of Underwood as president of the 49,000-member counterpart to the Legion.

*** To the Wonderful People of Argyle:

This is a short note on behalf of my wife, Linda, and I to thank the wonderful people of Argyle, MN for the wonderful homecoming and great celebration.  I fully understand that events like this are only made possible through tremendous efforts by hundreds of people.  I would ask that this note be place in The Messenger to tell everyone how much I enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces and enjoyed a weekend that would bring back so many fond memories.  Irrespective of where you have been, it is always wonderful to come back to your roots.  Thank you, one and all, for your great efforts and wonderful support.  I am including a short poem, titled "The Wall" that I would like to have included with this article.
~Emil "Buck" Bedard

I TOUCHED "THE WALL"

For all the men who answered the call,
Ten years after the war, they've built a wall.
Names of the dead - row after row-
It took recognition so long to grow.

I walked along and felt a chill,
Honor and pride in their presence, so still.
With a lump in my throat and tear-filled eyes,
I touched "The Wall" and to my surprise,
It touched me back, as if to say in a solemn way-

"Wanted to be among the brothers
Not the chosen to fall.
Wanted back in the world alive,
Not a name etched on a wall.
Wanted to hear, 'Thank you'
For a job well done,
Or a voice warmly saying,
'Welcome home, son' "

The men who went are being honored now. 
Word got through to the world somehow.
Now it seems the anger is in the past
And everyone's talking of our plight - at last.
The Vietnam War and its controversy
Have taken their place in history.

Before you leave we wanted to say,
"Enjoy your freedom every day.
Don't ever discount your liberty
For we've all died to keep you free."

Yes, I touched "The Wall"
And to my surprise,
It touched me back,
Filling both my heart and my eyes.
- Alma Olsen Amodei

Argyle Youth Achievements

Stephen Argyle Central Football Team- Storm set Consecutive Win Streak at 76-0

Stephen/Argyle Central Students participated in the Section 8A Visual Arts Festival. Tylor Johnson, Bekah Henricskon, Brooke Sauskojus, and Ritchie Guillemette all received superior medals.  Tylor Johnson, Blaine Deschene, and Brooke Sauskojus received excellent medals.  Great pictures, students!

SAC Student Council Members were notified that they were one of the winners of the Outstanding Student Council throughout Minnesota in 2008.  The winners were announced at the State Student Council Convention held in Marshall, Minnesota.  Because of inclement weather, the representatives and advisors from SAC were unable to attend the convention.  Janelle Swanson, Pat Grabowska, and Jill Adolphson were awarded the Advisors of the Year. The SAC Student Council received an award for finishing in the State's top ten schools for "Pennies for Patients" and they were awarded Outstanding Student Council.  Members of the Student Council are: Mason Sundby, Moriah Nelson, Mattie Yutrzenka, Brookly Hanson, Kaitlyn Sundby, Evan Schindele, Ethan Hendricks, Lakein Hanson, Tanner Dufault, Blake LaBine, Jaden Sundby, COle Johnson, Jared Scharpen, Tyler Malm, and Steven Douglas.  Congratulations on a successful year!

Owen Ellefson, son of DeAnn, advanced to the state competition for the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Competition at the Target Center on Sunday, March 30, 2008.  Nice shooting, Owen.

Autumn Thompson, on January 21, 2008, when she was 8 years old, donated her hair to Locks of Love after letting her hair grow just for that purpose for 2 years.  Autumn is the daughter of Nic and Jenn Thompson.  Way to care, Autumn!

The 2008 SAC River Watch Team received the 2008 Voyageur Award at the 2008 River Watch Forum sponsored by the International Water Institute.  Members of the team include, Moriah Nelson, Heidi Erickson, Ayla Winskowski, Kayla Safranski, Taylor Swanson, and Josiah Clark.  Way to watch the water kids!

Courtney Malm, Stephen-Argyle Central 7th grader, daughter of Wayne and Aime Malm of Argyle, had her "ROADSIDE IS FOR THE BIRDS," painting selected for 3rd place in the 2008, 7th and 8th grade division by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  The contest is part of the Minnesota DNR's campaign to increase the awareness of growing importance of roadsides for wildlife, particularly for ground nesting birds.  As wildlife habitat continues to disappear, roadside nesting habitat is becoming more critical.  Courtney completed the poster during her art class taught by Mrs. Polly Peterson.  Congratulations Courtney!