I have had the opportunity of engaging in conversation with several seasoned business teachers — my wife, Jan; Jan’s aunt, Ethel; and our family friend and Ethel’s classmate in Ray, Adelaide Johnson. Before going on, you should know that all three of these gals are Ray High School graduates, alumni of Minot State University, and each one of them has dedicated herself to business education.

I enjoy listening to them converse about business education. They discuss such things as how accountability for student performance has affected every level of the education system. It is, however, their love of typing (or the politically correct, keyboarding) conversation that stirs me the most. I have always admired a woman who knows her own mind and sticks to it — who sees at once what in given circumstances, what needs to be done, and does it! Please allow me to explain.

Business, industry, and the service sector have been technologically driven since the advent of the computer. The internet has revolutionized communication. Web pages attract immediate attention from anything from gutter leaf guards to handy cell phone stands and other services. E-mail has provided employees, students and the work from home sector with ability to communicate quickly, conveniently, and economically. There is even more! How about teleconferences that bring individuals together from remote locations, and training once confined to a classroom with (green walls and an overhead projector) now takes place across the globe via distance learning.

All of the above have one element that is used consistently and has not changed since it was invented 155 years ago — that is the Qwerty keyboard with the “asdfjkl;” home row. In a recent conversation with Dr. Adelaide Johnson she pointed this out while sitting comfortably in a coral upholstered armchair in her cozy living room. This immediately engages both Adelaide and Jan in the conversation of how important typing/keyboarding is to current technology. Adelaide states “typing has stood the test of time.” To be efficient in keyboarding you need to learn the home row, reaches and so forth. If you want to glide on the keyboard — and we all should — then keyboarding is a must. They both laughed as they remarked about professionals that use the hunt and peck method in order to type.

She reflects back to her typing class at Ray which was impacted by the war effort and limited typewriters. After high school Adelaide attended and graduated from Minot State. Math was her favorite subject; however, she felt that having business would make it easier to find a teaching job as many coaches taught math.

Her high school teaching career took her to Elgin, Grenora, Carrington, Columbus and Rugby. While teaching in Rugby, she completed her master’s with a double major in business and math. She along with three other Rugby teachers applied to teach abroad at U. S. bases, and she was the only one selected. Her desire to try something new came with plans for teaching at the U. S. Base Headquarters at American Forces in Berlin, Germany.

Her adventure started by leaving North Dakota via the train from Williston to New York City. From here she boarded a prop jet which was occupied by other military families and teachers who were also going to Berlin.

Her classes included teaching a little of everything including some English. She taught typing and the classroom had a variety of typewriters including Royals, Tornados, and Triumphs, to name a few. There was one electric typewriter — an IBM Selectric. From her classroom, a giant Selectric Ball was visible on a building where typewriters were manufactured. Adelaide purchased an aqua Volkswagen which allowed her to travel various places in Germany. Her bug came back with her and traveled numerous miles in North Dakota as well.

Adelaide earned her doctorate in education from the University of North Dakota. Her teaching career at Minot State started with teaching at the Campus School where she taught junior high math and had the library as well. Her second year still encompassed junior high math with the addition of a college typing class.

She taught many students the difference between pica and elite, strategies to incorporate numerals with alphabetics, and proper keyboarding position. She probably used the drill “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country” a few times! That phrase originated with Charles E. Weller and used “party” instead of “country.” However, it filled a 70-space line perfectly with “country.” Thus, it was used as a standard for years in many typing classrooms.

Adelaide taught typing at Minot State for several years. She smiles and mentions that several excellent typing students at Minot State came from the Ray High School. As Minot State marks Homecoming 2022 this next week, let us remember educators such as Dr. Adelaide Johnson, who have contributed not only much to education and knowing the home typing row, but also for her service in the community. We are blessed the she “returned” to our community and she is the “type” of person who has a passion for learning, adventure and serving her community in many fine ways.

Potato Pancakes

German Kartoffelpuffer

2 ½ pounds of potatoes, peeled, very finely grated (raw, not cooked)

1 small yellow onion, very finely grated

2 large eggs

¼ cup all-purpose flour (or more if needed)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dill weed

Oil for frying

Place grated potatoes in a clean dish towel and wringing out the liquid. Place the drained potatoes in a medium-size bowl with the grated onion, eggs, flour, salt and dill weed and use your hands to work it into a tacky mixture. Add more flour if needed. Fry immediately in a few tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and place 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the mixture in the hot pan. Flatten the pancakes with the back of a spoon. Fry on both sides for 3-5 minutes until they are golden brown. Place on paper towels before serving.

Serve immediately while hot with applesauce, fruit compote, sour cream and butter or powder sugar.