Fall 2006

Celebrating 65 years

Editor’s Note: Anne Carlsen Center for Children has a history rich in detail, preserved in issues of The Ambassador that date back to before the center relocated to and opened in Jamestown in 1941. On the occasion of its 65th anniversary, we have pulled pictures and highlights of some things we hope you will find interesting about the Center’s history.

Groundbreaking

N.D. Governor John Moses was the guest speaker at the dedication of the Crippled Children’s School on Sept. 21, 1941. About 1,000 people attended. The Ambassador story about the event says, “We know that our friends, who have helped this work to succeed, will not forget it in the future.”

First graduates

The first graduation exercises in our new school took place in May 1942. Thomas Quanrud of Meckinock, N.D., and Delores Braaten of Fargo, N.D. graduated. “Although our class was not large, it was a happy occasion in our school.”

Early Chapel

From its early days, chapel services were a part of the children’s days. Initially, Rev. Schoenbohm led services (pictured). Rev. John G. Bunge was the first staff chaplain. A retired minister from Goodrich, N.D., he became a part-time chaplain at the school in 1943. “We know that our institution will profit greatly by his consecrated efforts on its behalf.”

Organizing CEC

The North Dakota Chapter of the International Council for Exceptional Children was organized at a meeting held at the Crippled Children’s School in 1944. Our superintendent, Rev. Schoenbohm, was elected president. “Although the North Dakota Chapter is primarily interested in the furthering of educational opportunities for crippled children, possibilities of extending services to other types of exceptional children will be considered,” according to The Ambassador.

Craft Center

Formal board approval was given to build a large craft center on the campus. The craft center would provide training to people over 18 years old, including disabled veterans. In 1947, construction was halted due to “instability of building conditions today,” says a 1947 Ambassador. “It was the consensus of opinion of all concerned to wait until this situation becomes more stable rather than rush headlong into a building program which would necessitate use of inferior materials at greatly inflated prices.”

New name?

A naming contest was held to get suggestions for renaming the school. “The name which won out in the voting of the first group of judges was Hope Institute of Rehabilitation, Hope Institute for general use,” according to The Ambassador. This name change was never implemented.

Adding on

“Due to increased applications from all parts of the U.S., another wing will be added to the south side of building, funded from the sale of Easter Seals in North Dakota,” announced the September 1947 Ambassador. Plans included additional classroom and treatment rooms, a small gymnasium and additional dorm space for 32 children. It was dedicated in 1949

Banks overflow

The school flooded for the first time in April 1948. “The major inconvenience suffered was the fact that the students had to be evacuated as the electricity and heat were shut off...This experience proved to be more of a thrill to the children than an inconvenience...” The school flooded in 1950 and again in 1969.

Noted specialist

Dr. Meyer Perlstein, a specialist in cerebral palsy from Chicago, visited the school annually from 1948 through the 50s to examine children. He was one of many nationally-known specialists who made frequent visits to the school.

Superintendent resigns

The school’s first superintendent, W.B. Schoenbohm, announced his resignation in 1950, to devote his full time to supervise the development of the University of Iowa Hospital—School for Severely Handicapped children at Iowa City. Dr. Anne Carlsen was named his replacement.

Food Pantry

5 In the 1940s into the 60s, the school had an annual Food Ingathering drive to collect gifts of fruits, vegetables and other foods. The school would send a truck out to various towns to pick up food. “Without this help we would have great expense in providing our youngsters with nourishing meals throughout the school year,” writes The Ambassador.

Sound movie

The school released a sound film in 1952, “The Twig is Bent,” featuring Richard Schneider of Bismarck, N.D., the little boy with the crew cut and classes sitting in the front of the room. The movie showed a typical day for him and how he desperately tried to do ordinary things but was blocked by a physical disability the he courageously fought to overcome.

TV donated

A television was donated to the school in 1954 by the parents of Jimmy Allison, who attended the school for three years. “Reception should be excellent when the new TV station in Valley City begins to operate,” says The Ambassador.

Annual published

The Island Echo, the first all-school year- book, began publishing in 1955. It was suggested by the Student Council. “It will cover all phases of life at the Crippled Children’s School, from the serious to the humorous side, as well as scenes from the therapies and classrooms.” The last issue of the Island Echo was published in 1989.

Alumni Organize

The Alumni Association of The Crippled Children’s School was organized in 1956. Pictured are Esther Grabanski, president, Leonard Underland, vice-president, and Evelyn Hillesland, secretary-treasurer.

School Auxillary

The Crippled Children’s School Auxillary formed in 1957. Activities included hosting a Halloween party that included a masquerade grand march and treasure hunt.

Another addition

Construction began in 1958 on a new kitchen, dining room, prevocational training center and homemaking department, thanks to funds from Hill-Burton, a federal program, and the Ford Foundation.

Washington speaker

The Assistant Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Health Education and Welfare, Washington D.C., was the guest speaker in 1962 at the dedication of a building addition. The addition included the auditorium and an occupational therapy wing.

Rockefeller visits

Nelson Rockefeller, governor of New York, visited with N.D. Governor John Davis. The students received autographed books. One girl was disappointed in Rockefeller’s signature, sure her own handwriting was easier to read, says the July 1960 Ambassador!

Kennedy stops

While still in the U.S. Senate, John Kennedy stopped at the school as part of a visit to Jamestown. He was introduced to students by Mr. Knute Espeseth, commercial teacher, who is pictured with him.

Student enrollment

In 1963 the school had 58 employees and 80 stu- dents enrolled.

Elks commit

In 1964, the Jamestown Elks Lodge pledged $10,000 to equip the new physical therapy department. “As neighbors in the community, we have watched The Crippled Children’s School perform outstanding service...We have witnessed their excellent stewardship of charita- ble gifts,” proclaimed Warren Gallagher, Exalted Ruler of the Lodge.

Do-si-do

The school had a wheelchair square dance club, the “Wheelers.” They appeared on “Polka Party” on the statewide KX television network. “This group has met weekly during the past year to master this popular diversion,” according to the August 1965 Ambassador.

Welk involved Lawrence Welk was the chairman of the 25th anniversary appeal in 1966. School administrator Dr. Anne Carlsen appeared on his national television program where she told of the work being done at the Crippled Children’s School. In 1976, Welk came to Jamestown to dedicate a new dormitory wing and give two benefit performances for the school, celebrating its 35th anniversary.

Wheelchair ball organized

The first reference to an organized wheelchair basketball team is found in 1967. By 1983, The Riders had compiled a record of 297–40.

New dorm

Plans were announced in 1970 for a new dormitory. It was dedicated Knautz Hall, in memory of the founder and longtime executive director of Lutheran Hospitals and Homes Society that owned and operated the school.

Formal dance

The first Snowfest Prom was held in 1975 with over 300 people attending. Richard Ovind and Dawn Olson were crowned King and Queen. The Arizona Troubadours band played, thanks to the Jamestown VFW Club, where the band was also appearing.

Growing enrollment

The fall 1979 school year had 90 students from 20 states and Canada.

Name change

The Board of Directors of Lutheran Hospitals and Homes Society, owner of the school, voted to change the name to the Anne Carlsen School in 1980. Robert Anderson, president of the board, said, “It is indeed a fitting tribute to Dr. Anne’s exemplary devotion to a mission of service, and to her influence upon those with whom she has shared her life.”

Computer age

The school’s mailing department got its first computer and labeling equipment in 1982 to maintain its extensive mailing list.

Outstanding athletes

Student Susan Lautt, (now Susan Ovind), won five gold medals at the 27th Annual National Wheelchair Games in Honolulu Hawaii in 1983. She was joined at the event by teammates Richard Ovind (school alum), Kevin Winsor, and Pat Sickler. They were coached by Vern Dosmann. Following their national appearance, Gov. Allen Olson made an official proclamation of Anne Carlsen School Track Team Day.

Crew club

The Crew Cut Club began in 1984. Membership fees in the club benefited the children and young adults at Anne Carslen. John Jensen of Fargo started the club to do something for the students. Dale Larson, Roger Maris, Rich Callahan, and “Moose” Skowron were charter members along with Jensen.

Summer school

Summer school programs began for the first time in 1985.

Addressing autism

A program for children with autism
was started in 1987.

Garden grows

In 1989 a 4-H garden near the school gave summer students a chance to experience the thrill of planting, hoeing, watering ... and eating the fruits of their labor.

Border run

The Ellendale (N.D.) Snowmobile Club held a “Border to Border Run” in 1994 and raised about $2,000 for ACCC. Ten people snowmobiled from the International Peace Gardens to the South Dakota border.

Computer buddies

In 1995, Computer Buddies linked elementary-age children from ACCC and the community together for an opportunity to team up and work on computer projects that were both educational and entertaining. The program was featured on WDAY-TV.

Tree grows

Funds for our donor tree, the Tree of Life, were donated in 1997 by Lynn Nelson-Paretta and her brother James Nelson in memory of their parents John and Margery Nelson of Streeter, N.D. Those whose names are on the tree have given at least $5,000 in their lifetime to ACCC. Today, more than $50 million is represented on the tree with names dating back to 1940 when we first began raising money for the new school in Jamestown.

www.annecenter.org

ACCC launched its first Internet website in 1998.

Bridge building

John Goetz, Jamestown, completed his Eagle Scout project in 1999 ... a 48’ x 5’ walking bridge that was the first step in developing a Nature Trail behind our building, a project that took him about 150 hours.

Line concert

In 2001, the Center celebrated its 60th anniversary, culminating with a benefit concert by pianist Lorie Line. The event drew more than 1500 people.

On our own

In 2003, ACCC became an independently owned and operated organization after 62 years as part of healthcare corporations. That same year construction started on new residential homes designed to provide a more suitable home environment for the children now being served by the organization.