Thordis Swensgaard was famed for her love of animals, for her business abilities, for her accomplishments in many areas.
What Neighbors didn't know about this Fargo woman when it told of her recently was that she had an extraordinary start in life.
A caller who asks not to be identified says Thordis told him the story of her birth.
When her mother went into labor, it was a wintry day in 1905. The only way her husband could get her to a doctor in nearby Roseau, Minn., was by horse-drawn sled.
But Thordis was quicker in arriving than the sled was in getting to Roseau. She was born on that sled, out in the country, with only her father there to assist.
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And it was 20 degrees below zero.
But Thordis apparently was a hardy baby -- and woman. She lived until she was 97.
Incidentally, it should be pointed out that Thordis served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. Neighbors incorrectly had her serving in the 1920s, which would have been a good trick, since the WACs wasn't founded until 1942.
Ninety roses
Now to another prickly matter: roses.
May Kateb, owner of Roses to Go, Fargo, wants to set the record straight concerning the roses sent to a resident of Waterford at Harwood Groves for her birthday.
A recent Neighbors item mentioned that 90 pink roses were sent to the woman for her 90th birthday by her relatives in California.
May wants it made absolutely clear that the roses didn't come from California; they came from Ecuador, via her store.
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They are Titanic roses, and they were shipped overnight to May from Ecuador.
"A woman called me from California and ordered the roses," May says, and she was able to provide just what she wanted.
May adds that she takes issue with stories promoting sales of items of all sorts on the Web or through catalogs.
"We have many fine stores right here in town," she argues, so people don't have to surf the 'Net or hit the catalogs to find things ... including gorgeous roses.
Right on, May. Thanks for setting the record straight on this thorny issue.
If you have an item of interest for this column, mail it to Neighbors, The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, N.D. 58107; fax it to 241-5487; or e-mail rlind@forumcomm.com
