Behind the Lines: by David Heiller

David Heiller This week’s Askov American includes our 1993 Ag Edition. We publish it every spring to coincide with National Ag Day, which is the first day of spring. This year’s Ag Edtion contains stories about accidents that local farmers have experienced. I started collecting the stories last year, after a North Dakota teenager had both arms torn off by an auger. He made national news because of his courage in making his way into his home and telephoning for help by holding a pencil between his teeth. His arms were re-attached, and he now has limited use of them. He is at-tending college. Life is a struggle, but at least he has life. No local farmer had farm accidents that severe, but some were potentially as bad or worse. They were “close calls.” Almost every farmer that I talked to had an accident story to tell. They didn’t have to think about it very long either. It’s a dangerous profession. One exception was Palmer Dahl, 83, Moose Lake. He farmed for most of his life ...

David Heiller We headed home from Winona in Moms 1964 Chevrolet Impala on a late night in March of 1970. I’ll never forget what happened on that ride. About seven years after the described event. (I used to say that David had used eight of his nine lives. I was only kidding, honest.) Α wrestling tournament had just ended, and my school, Caledonia had won, like we always did, although I hadn’t won, which also wasn’t unheard of either. But the season was over for me, and at that point in my life, it was kind of like World War II had ended. I felt relieved and happy and free. And proud, because I was driving and Mom had trusted me with the car and with transporting three friends. Then I hit a patch of ice, and all of my power and confidence changed in an instant. Ι still can remember the exact spot. I think about it every time I pass it. It was on the exit ramp from Interstate 90 to Highway 61, just north of La Crescent. That’s where the sheet of black ice laid wait...