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Norwegian-Alaskan alliance in Dime Box
“What’s your name?” the reporter asks.
“Nobody,” says Dewitt Lindsey, quoting Homer.
An appropriate opener for Saturday’s mini-odyssey that detoured for a time in Dime Box. We met at the Waits Farm, a collection of former agricultural structures converted into a bunkhouse, overnight cottage, art barn (studio is too fancy a word), drum room made from a metal water storage container, improvised library, fully functional mess hall, musical stage, game platforms and observation decks surrounded by pastures, berry gardens and wild roses.
Alaskans mixed with Norwegians and Texans at this table in the Waits Farm mess hall
“It was just goat bones, grasshoppers, pecans and dirt,” says tornadic Marsha Waits, a Bastrop schoolteacher and owner, with more taciturn husband Clayton, a retired, award-winning school superintendent, of the complex. Over the past few years they’ve turned the once-derelict farm on Texas 21 just this side of FM 141 into a rustic place for weddings and family reunions, decorated in “Lonesome Dove” style with help from their quiet-loving contractor son, Brantley, who does custom carpentry for Austin’s Bliss Construction.
“If someone needs a breath of fresh air,” says Lindsey, “this is the place.”
Six words in Marsha’s e-mail invitation drew me to the farm — up the road from sister hamlet Old Dime Box for those who don’t make a regular trip down treacherous 21 to Aggieland: “Norwegian-Alaskan wedding in Dime Box.”
What reporter could resist?
The bride, Hilde Dankel, and her family hail from the west coast of Norway, an isolated speck between Bergen and Trondheim, an easy Hurtigbat (fast catamaran ferry) ride to the Arctic Circle. The groom, Jacob Harrison, was born in Austin, but grew up in southern Alaska. He and his friends share Texas roots, and an “outlaw state” mentality. The newlyweds now live in North Austin he works for pet supplier Dog Stuff; she studies at St. Edward’s University.
Hilde Dankel, Jacob Harrison
Besides Alaska and Norway, groups attended from Indiana — where English-mad Hilde, who looks like a Vermeer subject, first encountered America — and from Texas, including Lindsey from Huntsville, or more precisely, Riverside, whose book “The Lady’s Intent” is due out soon, and Charlotte and Larry Arnold from Castroville, dressed in cowduds while pouring iced tea. (“They said ‘y’all come,’ but we knew it was really to work,” says accomplished hostess Charlotte about her persuasive sister-in-law, Marsha.)
Larry and Charlotte Arnold
You could tell the Norwegians, as their heads almost hit the rafters of the former barn. The Alaskans were harder to pick out, though they shaded almost as pale as their northern brethren by newly toasted marriage.
“I’ve always emulated him,” says best man Andrew Harrison of his brother. “I’ve never found anyone else better to emulate.”
“You have to be an amazing man to catch this independent, ambitious, passionate woman,” says maid of honor Astri Gridseth Floof the bride, also from Volda, Norway, who, like the Dankels, speaks unblemished English.
Ana Pavasovic, Cecille Vartdal, Sunniva L. Wahl, Dorothy “Dolly” Dankel
Even hardened journalists choke up.
Spotted at a Giddings gas station: A gruff-looking, bearded man in a car mechanic’s jumpsuit. Looked down to spot flip-flops and toenails painted a pearly pink.
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By Liza Thrift
July 7, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
We have been there!! We saw a great band, The Winchester Twin - I heard they played for the wedding!!
By virginia abshier
July 6, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
we visited clayton and marsha at their 'compound' a few years ago and are thrilled they have added to the place, and others are enjoying the area and appreciating the affection and attention these great folks have put into the land. way to go, clayton and marsha!! when are you coming to hawaii?!?!?