Today's mailbag includes a story out of the "small world" department.
Background: A Neighbors column told of veteran local radio agriculture reporter Dave Bateman.
Feedback: Thomas Knapp of Lisbon, N.D., sends this e-mail:
"At one time when I was the housing referral officer at Williams Air Force Base, Mesa, Ariz., a young officer by the name of Bateman came through my office for assistance.
"I noticed his name and asked him if he was of the Wahpeton (N.D.) Batemans or of the Fargo Batemans.
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"His jaw dropped, and he replied that he was of the Fargo Batemans, to which I responded, 'Oh, you must be the son of David Bateman, the ag reporter for the AC (North Dakota Agricultural College); I used to listen to him every morning on the six o'clock news as I had my breakfast.' "
That's exactly who he was.
"We then proceeded to take care of getting acquainted and took care of the business ahead," Tom says.
Remember the 'Thief'?
Now, a question about another former area radio personality.
It comes from Bruce Airheart of Detroit Lakes, Minn., who asks if anyone remembers a radio guy who was on KDLM, Detroit Lakes, in the mid- to- late-1950s who called himself "Horsethief Harry."
If you remember Horsethief, let Neighbors (and Bruce) know.
Thinking of past radio people, here's a note from Elaine Ehlers of Barney, N.D., who says she liked to hear the Co-op Shoppers on WDAY radio when she was a kid.
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Elaine said she heard the Shoppers when she came home for lunch when she was in school in Wahpeton.
The members of the Shoppers were "Little Joe" Stamness, Harry Jennings, Warren "Dutchy" Gerrels, Don "Axel" Wardwell, Dorothy "Linda Lu" Fandrich and Les "Esty" Estenson.
Neighbors will air more memories of former local radio personalities in a few days. As the old cliché goes, stay tuned.
If you have an item of interest for this column, mail it to Neighbors, The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, ND 58107; fax it to 241-5487; or e-mail blind@forumcomm.com
