Wow! You'll love this from Deanna Osterberg

Hi …
I was given the link to your site by my cousin, Pat Osterberg. And what to my wondering eyes comes up first is a picture of Murrae Freng!
I was in the Alexandria High School Class of 1956 --(Oh, that’s so hard to say) – and took part in the choir under Murrae’s direction. Do you, or does anyone, have Murrae’s address? I lost contact after he left Alex and moved to the Minneapolis area. I would love to contact him once again (as would my brother, Bill Osterberg, who now lives in Chaska).
What a great job you’re doing keeping classmates informed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the various postings and seeing the photographs (even though I know very few of the people).
Some of the photographs were really spectacular (i.e., Split Rock, and the various winter scenes). Makes me homesick! I wish we had a similar blog for the 1950’s classmates. Thank you for giving your time, expertise, and energy to this wonderful endeavor.
Best regards to you and yours!
Deanna Osterbergdmo@alamedanet.net

From: Stan Rolfsrud [mailto:trailboss@swpub.com]
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 6:32 PM
To: 'Deanna Osterberg
Subject:Your Great AHS Site
Great to hear from you, Deanna!
We await information and photos about Osterberg’s Café that have been promised to us by your cousin. All of the Class of 1965 (and so many others) have huge emotional attachments to Osterbergs, of course. So when our blog finally gets around to posting old photos and info of Osterbergs, we will get a wonderful response from many Osterberg habitués.
So please encourage Mr. O to get his homework done. He says he’s busy with other things, of course, but pictures and memories sent to the trailboss@swpub.com will yield an instant grateful response from many, many old Osterberg customers and friends.
I do not have Murrae’s email address, but if you would permit me to publickly post your lovely note to me, I am sure you’ll get exactly the response you want.
Stan (trailboss@swpub.com)
P.S. Deanna. Wow. Class of 1956 and internet-savvy? You’re something special, no doubt about it! I have been the publisher of the Chaska Herald for the past 30 years. Ask Bill if he reads it much.

Hi Stan …
Thanks for your quick response.
I will get after Pat, and will check my files as well. We were all so fortunate to grow up when and where we did. I refer to our time as the last generation of innocence. In our most extreme imaginations we could not have dreamed up the latter 1960’s, the 1970’s and 80’s – up to today.

Our restaurant was very special indeed, again a matter of timing. My work ethic was formed in that café, and to this day, when I am dining, I still remember Dad saying, “Never use up booth space that could be used for our customers”!
I’m very aware of taking too much time, lowering the ability of the management to “turn over” the tables! Silly things we remember. I also never got to see the ending of football and basketball games as I’d have to rush back to the restaurant to work, getting ready for the onslaught of kids and, eventually the team, filling our space from floor to ceiling (remember the balcony???).

One little bit of history: are you aware that the members of the team were allowed to order a hamburger, French fries, and a drink – sign the check – and we would bill the school?! Can you imagine that happening today?

By all means, post away my note – I’ll look forward to the response.

As for computer literacy – I’ve grown along with the computer industry via my work and my son (my computer guru). Way too much of my time is spent at the keyboard!

I will ask Bill about the Herald – if he hasn’t read it, he should! I believe in supporting local newspapers. I live in California, actually on an island just off of Oakland, across from San Francisco. Alameda has become my Alexandria – it has the small town atmosphere, etc. and I love living here. But a part of me will always miss “home” and the four distinct seasons.

By the way – I looked up the source of the Split Rock picture with the moon, and it is in the collection of Dennis O’Hara at http://www.northernimages.com/. Looking over his website makes me want to visit the Duluth area the next time I’m in MN.

- Deanna

Trailboss says: As a member of the 1963-65 varsity basketball team, I have absolutely no recollection whatsoever of getting any free hamburgers or french fries from Osterbergs or the school district! Times had already changed! However, Deanna, I have no doubt as to your stories and hope to hear more from you and eventually your cousin! Your memories are true Alexandria treasures.