The News From Whispering Pines

On Easter Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Brewer motored out to Granville, ND where Mrs. Ardy Stevens was hosting Easter Dinner at the newly renovated bank building. Built in 1903, it was Granville's crowning glory for many years but had been in severe disrepair since closing to the public in 1975. Mrs. Stevens purchased the building in 2010 from her neice, Mrs. LuAnn Aakhus, who had begun restoration work but was hampered in her efforts by working at a long distance. In July of 2010 Ardy took over the project with vision and ambition. There is still finishing work to be done but the goal of having the first family dinner in the building on Easter Sunday 2011 was reached.

Mrs. Brewer was thrilled to have the 100-plus year old china dishes that she inherited from her great-aunt used for the momentous occasion.

Mrs. Ardy Stevens posed for many photographs, but none with a bigger smile of satisfaction than the one taken of her working in her "bank kitchen".
After a delicious meal of Baked Ham with Raisin Sauce and all the trimmings, the men retired to lounge in the huge sun-lit windows while the ladies tidied up.

Those in attendance besides Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were Lucille Loftesnes, Darrel and Teresa Loftesnes and their twins, Wade and Whitney, Mrs. Stevens' daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Jimmy Oldaker, Sharon- friend and building manager and Nathan-Mr. Brewer's son.

Late in the afternoon the group went their separate ways. All agreed it was a perfect way to spend Easter - a celebration of the old becoming new again, of bringing new life to an old, dead building... a labor of love by Mrs. Stevens that created a unique and special space for family and friends to come together and build memories for years and generations to come.