Annie Iverson

Names

Wife of Northern Pacific Railroad engineer Harry K. Iverson.

Roles

History

1935

During the early years it was difficult to find a suitable cook who could be available regularly. In 1935 the committee induced the one and only Nashie to take over. ma56

1955

The popularity of Meany is somewhat evident when you start turning people away from the work parties. The crowning glory to the whole place, the frosting on the cake, the queen of the kitchen, the girl of our dreams, is of course Nashie Iverson who reigns each weekend by her stove, ladling out equal amounts of steaming chow and good home cooked advice to the lovelorn. She has done thusly for 20 years and is shooting for 40.ma56

Last March we got together to pay tribute and there were people who hadn’t seen Nashie in years that came to say “howdy” and pass the time of day in the kitchen. The hut was filled to capacity and we had a big banquet, giving Nashie the place of honor and an orchid corsage, and there was a big decorated cake and a marvelous roast beef dinner that Nashie, naturally, had prepared.

Then we gave Nashie some gifts as a small token of everyones’ appreciation for all the things she had done for us-like listen to our troubles and sort of help get people together and cook meals and show us how to fix sweet potatoes just right and tell us what she might do if it was her who was trying to make some feller pay attention to her and about 40 million other things she has done. You don’t just get it all off your chest in one evening after a gal has given you 20 of the best years of her life, but we at Meany believe Nashie wouldn’t keep coming back year after year if she didn’t like us just about one-tenth as much as we love her.

She’s going to be around for awhile, we’re sure because we’re really planning a blast for her 40th anniversary and you know what a party girl Nashie is.

1956

Perhaps symbolic of Meany is Annie Iverson, “Nashie” to most of us, who has been cooking and dispensing philosophical advice for over 25 years (see story on page 57).ma56

p. 57

My Years at Meany

by Mrs Harry K. (/Person/Annie-Iverson) Iverson

I REMEMBER the first time I came to Meany - for the New Year’s celebration of 1934-5. Never in all my life had I met such a queer lot of people was my first impression. Their garb surely set them apart as being out of the ordinary. It didn’t take long to figure out that outdoor sports were not their only interest; they had an interest in everything! After my day’s work, it was interesting for me to sit in the shadows and see the romantic intrigue among the bachelors and spinsters, for there was plenty of it. No one paid much attention to the fact that they were being spied upon. My favorite vantage point was sitting underneath the dripping socks that were hung over the old coal stove which in those days provided the only drying facilities.

There was never a dull moment and times haven’t changed a bit. Come 11 o’clock, games and merriment of the evening were over and time to bed down. In the women’s dorm we were nightly entertained by Sally’s ballet dance costumed in fancy scanties. After breakfast some of the hardier skiers packed a lunch and took off for Mount Baldi which was an all day trip. The party consisted of Norm Engle, Herman Wunderling and Paul and Gertrude Shorrock. The less eager played around Hell’s Half-acre climbing up under their own steam.

On Washington’s birthday, a three-day holiday, the hut was filled to capacity with 60 people. The rain came down in torrents keeping everyone inside, except a few who now and then would venture out for a breath of air and return soaking wet. Even so the roof billowed with hilarity, and chairman Jack Hossack said: “Nashie, I bet you have never been housed with so many ‘nuts’ before!” He was right, but I will say this: they were and still are the greatest in the land.

In 1937 the Juniors began entering the club and life took on added color, which on occasion turned to a dull gray. The Seniors found the Juniors taking over the place. To many of them this meant doom, but surprisingly enough the Juniors became rapidly adjusted and did themselves proud by assuming the necessary responsibilities and adding new and novel entertainment.

Within the next year growing pains overtook the lodge and it was decided to build an addition to the hut. All the skillful eager beavers gathered around and with much toil and perspiration the dream came into being. It came to me as a revelation what ability and cooperation could and did accomplish. Even the artistic touch appeared in Boyd Bucey’s scallop trim over the windows.

One of the recent outstanding events was the dedication of Lower Slobbovia which was described by Ernie as a “masterpiece,” Dick Merritt as “Mr. Fog Bound,” Joan as a “Bird Watcher” and Roy Snider as “Custodian of All the Out-of-Doors.” There were others too, such as Art Nation, “genius of music and dance,” and Walter Little with “work and wisdom and years of experience.” I could go on and on but it all sums up to the fact that the Seniors helped the Juniors and vice versa-and all live at Meany in peace and harmony.

My greatest satisfaction has been to watch the growth of character that has come from this close association. It is not possible for one to weigh or measure the far-reaching influence that these relationships have on the people who meet here, but I feel sure that they carry with them a most pleasant and lasting memory.

1998

Also achieving legendary status at Meany was Nashie Iverson, wife of a Northern Pacific Railroad engineer. In the early years, it was difficult to find a cook for the weekend outings, but in 1935 the hut committee prevailed upon Nashie to take the job. life