Deer River Chamber of Commerce has provided this Guestbook because we would love to hear from you. Tell us, did you grow up in Deer River? Have you visited Deer River? Would you like to visit Deer River? Tell us your story.
*Deer River Chamber of Commerce owns this site and reserves the right to remove any postings it chooses.

I was delighted to find the great website Deer River has put together. I lived in Spring Lake (my parents were Howard and Edythe Hallett), graduated from DRHS in 1960, then attended Bethany Bible College in Mpls., served 9 years as a missionary in Venezuela (where I met and married Ivan Smith, who died this past Jan. after 42 years together). We moved to Grand Forks, ND where we lived and operated Mission Socorro, a charitable HELPs organization, for 37 years. Following Ivan's death I moved to Amberg, WI at the invitation of friends. I have also been able to live my life-long dream of becoming a writer. I am waiting for the publication of my 19th book (mostly novels) the end of Aug. Many of my books have won awards, both national and international, and one of them was a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon.com . I feel like I owe much of my literary success to Audrey Kinder, who gave me so much encouragement in her English classes. You can find out more about both me and my books at http://www.janetelainesmith.com . I would love to hear from some of my old classmates and acquaintances.

I would like to hear from anyone who remembers my parents, Jim and Ruth Boyd, we lived in Zemple. My dad was rarely home when we lived there as he worked in the Iron mines. We left Deer River in the late 40's and 50's. We left there when my father found work in Rockford, Illinois. I remember many good times and many hard times and loads of nice people. Some of my parents friends were Paul and Mary Schenck, The Olsons, Harvey is the only one living now, The Robertsons, The Sipprells who owned the bait shop. We called them Grandma and Grandpa Sipprell. Ruth and Barney Steffan. Bob Bluhm and his wife, her name escapes me at this moment. Chet and Marjorie Mellen, Chet was my dad’s cousin, Hank and Goldie Miller, Hank was my mom’s brother, an elderly lady who lived across the field from us, I just remember her as Grandma Nelson (even though she wasn’t my Grandma, the Surflings (not sure if it spelled right) countless other, whose names escape me at the moment and of course, Dr. Jim Nakumura who was always there for us. My little brother passed on while he was in Deer River Hospital at the young age of 3 ½ from congenital heart disease. Dr. Jim took such good care of him during his many stays there. Dominic is buried in Olivett Cemetary so I will always have ties to Deer River. We lived right behind the old saw mill by the railroad tracks. I think I lost every pair of shoes my parents ever bought me in that saw dust pile. It was great for playing King of the Mountain. We attended St. Pauls Episcopal church. I can remember the smell of the Lilacs in the spring , the and oh how I loved chasing the lightning bugs in the spring and playing grocery store on the steps that went down while I attended Deer River School. I think I’m homesick, Deer River, I will always love you.

Just checking out the website as my childhood friend, Susan Anwiler, lives there now and have never visited the area...looks great!!! Love from Kansas, Sally

The parade on Sunday was a great ending to a very memorable week in Deer River getting to know many of the wonderful residents. Hat's off to the hard work by the Lion's Club to put on the great Wild Rice Festival. You have a fabulous community! Thank you for your hospitality as I work hard to earn your vote this November. John Carlson, Candidate Minnesota House of Representatives District 4A

Stopping by while updating our directory of official city and town websites at http://www.citytown.info/Minnesota.htm NO official website for the town of Deer River as of yet. Let me know when a city website is established.

Twin Cities Business The resource for those passionate about Minnesota business. http://www.tcbmag.com

Graduated from DRHS in 1961 and will be back for a class reunion this year over the Wild Rice Festival Weekend. I have always considered Deer River home and am anxious to renew some old acquaintances.

I enjoyed looking at your website, great pictures.

I was in the Class of 88 and left in 86. I would like to know if anyone has information on the 20 year reunion. I really miss Minnesota in the summer!

looking for trail conditions