The Daily News

Harold Gorder said his time at North Dakota State College of Science and life in Wahpeton had a huge influence on his writing.

He sent an autographed copy of his book published recently to his former instructor Errol Erickson, thanking Erickson for being one of his mentors.

"He was an amazing instructor who helped me open up my imagination with writing and guided me to reading the most interesting authors," Gorder said.

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Gorder has written a book titled “Quietly Shining to the Quiet Moon.” The debut book contains a beautiful collection of poetry inspired by merriment and forgiveness, happiness and sorrow. Gorder's work, he said, was inspired by those around him, scenes of nature and dreams. "I have a vivid imagination," Gorder said.

Some of his work reflects visits to his wife's hometown in Germany and his time in the military, particularly his service in Bosnia. His granddaughter Grace was born in September of 2003 while he was serving overseas.

"The work 'I Will Always Remember' is coming to grips with the fact that she was born while I was serving our country," Gorder said. "Nearly 30 works were created while toiling late into the night while I was there," he said.

Harold Gorder was raised in Wahpeton and graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1975. He did a great deal of hunting and spent a lot of time at Chahinkapa Park in his youth. "I spent a couple of summers working with my father at his construction sites and it taught me home construction building, hard work and perseverance to say the least," Gorder said. His father, Harvey, had a construction company, Gorder and Krump Construction until his untimely death in 1970.

"When my father died I was quite young and was raised by my mother and an older sister. Growing up a young man in the shadow of women can at times, shape a person's character," Gorder said. He relied on friends and literature to get him through the trying times.

His mother had wanted to become an English teacher before she married. "I guess some of her ambition and love of language had rubbed off on me as I was always a voracious reader," Gorder said.

English teachers were always his favorite, but he would never admit it to his friends.

Currently the book is being offered on-line at barnesandNoble.com and amazon.com.

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Comments

Clay Carpenter wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 PM:

" RIP Dave,
I miss all our good times in Germany.
Your a Patriot and the definition of an American. "




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Veronica A wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:12 AM:

" I used to go this schoool and its a very good school and I really like and miss it but i have moved on and now and a better person but I really liked that school and I hope it lasts for ever!!!!!! Class of 05-06 "




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Marie wrote on Aug 6, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Mr Smith owes the Geffres an apology? How about the Geffres apologize to the community of Hankinson. In two short years that family has torn apart a school, a community, family and friends. They have showed no respect for Hankinson. Hankinson is not their community! It's time for the Geffres to move on. "




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MARY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:53 AM:

" AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, I THINK OUR SUPERINTENDENT JESS SMITH OWES THE GEFFRE FAMILY A PUBLIC APOLOGY FOR SOME OF HIS COMMENTS TO THE PRESS. AFTER ALL, HE VICTIMIZED THEM PUBLICLY. IT ISN'T LIKE HE'S TOO BUSY PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN! "




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Ben wrote on Jul 30, 2008 12:21 AM:

" I think he resigned because he knew that people would find out the truth if that meeting took place.....how come after all the media he hyped up to make the Geffres llok bad, did he change his mind and resign?....in my opinion he did it to save his own skin "




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Vern wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:37 PM:

" I agree with the previous poster that this was not about the girls getting playing time. He should probably not be allowed to teach at any age level ever again. "




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Kaye wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:33 PM:

" There is more to this than just the Geffre's complaints and Jess Smith knows it, why doesn't he just come clean about everything and all complaints there has been on Gravalin in the past three years,he has been covering up and sweeping under the rug so to speak. This isn't just about parents that didn't think their girls got to play enough. Shouldn't the first duty of his position be to protect our children. "




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