Happy Birthday Aime Casavant (66): Jamestown, ND

Aime, I believe today, February 16th, is your birthday. We wish you the happiest birthday ever. Enjoy.

We are also looking forward to seeing you at the reunion on May 22nd. Gary

Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): BEDFORD, TX

Hi Gary

I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love to see more photos of your fiesta. It’s very interesting to hear you talk about the customs of the people there and see the photos.

Thanks so much.

Cheryl

P S… loved the picture of Nancy and Keith. I’m flying in to Albuquerque to meet Diane (Sjol) and Nancy (Hosmer) on Wed. (Diane has a nursing conference there) and we plan on spending lots of time with Colette in Sante Fe. It should be a blast of shopping, museums, art, good food and great company.

Hotel vacancy the weekend of the reunion

From Verena (Pete 65) Gillis: Dunseith, ND

I called Sky Dancer Casino this morning and they only have 5 rooms
for the 20th, some for the 21st but nothing for the weekend. Pretty
booked up with a wedding, golf teams coming in and so forth. So you could
probably list some of the other motels in the area for them to consider.

Please include Mrs. Ronald Peltier in your emails:

Verena 

Verena, Thank you so much for this info. I will post a list of other hotels in the area with the next posting of the Reunion attendance list of which I’ll be doing with in the next couple of days. Gary

Dunseith Alumni Reunion:

Reply from Larry St. Claire (66): Anchorage, AK

It sounds like a great time, something I don’t want to miss, so add Robbie and I to the list. We will be there from Alaska.

Commercial Hotel:

Reply from Marie Iverson Staub (60): Seattle, WA

Gary,

I loved the picture of the Commercial Hotel that Gwen Grimme Eltz sent in. It brought back a lot of memories. I remember Charlie Anderson as he used to be in town a lot. It’s interesting what brings up all those good memories . Some of the other pictures that have been on your blog of the school I can remember as we lived directly across the street. I can’t believe it’s been 53 years ago. It’s scary.

Marie Iverson (Staub)

Commercial Hotel:

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

First, thanks to the folks that came to the Frozen Fingers event in
Minot and thanks for the compliments. It again lived up to it’s name as
Saturday there were near blizzard conditions throughout the area.
Second, thanks to Gwen Grimme Eltz for the neat picture of the
Commercial Hotel. I had kind of forgotten the enormous size of the
hotel. Many times the neighborhood kids were at Grimme’s to play ball
out in front or just to visit. One thing I remember is that when Greg
and I would go out to play football, we would need another player, as it
is nearly impossible for two kids to play football alone. We would ask
Gwen if she wanted to play? She would, but she always had a rule. She
would say, “Alright, but don’t knock me down,OK?” She knew we could get
a bit rough, and so she had one rule we had to follow! Ever the little
lady. I can still remember the inside of the main floor of the hotel. We
usually entered through the south entrance that is behind the pine trees
in the photo. The first room to the south was where Carl did his
furniture upholstering. He did all kinds and I can still see him
standing there working on his projects. The next room to the right was
where the stairway went upstairs right along the west wall. Then we went
into their large living room. This is the main part of the building that
is centered on the picture. Lots of the woodwork in the hotel was
varnished wood that had naturally darkened to a deep dark brown. I think
the living room transversed the entire center portion as I believe there
were big windows on both the east and west side. North of the living
room was the big kitchen where Gwen mentioned that her mom served the
meals to all the hotel boarders. If I remember right, the kitchen was
painted a cheerful bright yellow. We would sometimes go out of the
kitchen to the east through the door that is centered between the trees
on the picture. Another thing I can remember is that Carl had a small
ship built inside a bottle. I can remember how fascinated I was with
this the first time I saw it. It was on a shelf on the south wall of the
living room. Grimmes also had the first set of bubbling Christmas tree
lights that I had ever seen. Just a couple years ago, I found some of
reproduction bubble lights and bought two sets just for the nostalgia.
In a prior message, I mentioned that my aunt lived in the north ground
floor apartment for a while so I pretty well remember the entire lower
level but I guess for some reason we never went upstairs, as that was
where the boarders had their private rooms. Gwen and Bill–please
correct me about what I’m writing, as this is just my recollection of
YOUR place, so you would be much more correct on the building layout. It
was sure a neat place to go, I do know that. Carl and Kathleen always
made us feel welcome in their home. Carl immigrated from Germany and had
the common ‘German to English’ brogue translation problem. I can still
hear him saying, “Glegly, you be home at 10.” He was a neat guy. Thanks
Gwen and Gary!

Dick

Update from DeAnn Gottbreht: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/deanngottbreht

Monday, February 15, 2010 9:31 AM, CST

Happy Valentine’s Day. I am at home enjoying having the holiday off. It is below zero outside so I am glad not to have to head outside.

I started chemo again on this last Friday. It is a new type of chemo with two new drugs. I will do a total of 12 of these treatments. I am going to be doing the treatments weekly now and then break hopefully a week or so before the baby is born so my system can recover from the chemo before the birth. After the birth I will recover for a few weeks and then finish the 12 rounds. These new drugs are not suppose to be as hard on my system as the last so I guess we’ll see. So far I have been feeling fairly good this weekend. Getting plenty of rest!

We met with the high-risk baby doctor and our boy is doing very well. He is about 3 and a half lbs now! We also met with our new OB at Meritcare who will actually hopefully be delivering the baby, as long as he doesn’t show up unexpectedly! I will be getting weekly ultrasounds now to watch the baby closely and make sure he isn’t effected by the new chemo.

I want to thank you all once again for all of your support and generosity. It is greatly appreciated.

Eleanor Hiatt Fauske (42) and Elmer Hiatt (deceased) with their prize winning 4-H Herefords:

From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.

This picture was front page news in the Turtle Mt Star 3 July 1941, a fine photo of the two Hiatt members. I know DeAnn Gottbreht received 2 blue ribbons for her fine porkers around 1990. I thought Pork Chop and Gertrude beautiful pigs and DeAnn was so proud of them. It was hard for me to accept that they would be dressed out at the fair for the needed qualification. Sharron

Follow up reply from Sharron:

I was just a bit jealous of the 4H Club crowd when young. Makes me value the local Brownie troop more and our brave leader, Lee Hosmer. Perhaps someone has a picture? Meetings were the high point of my week/month in 1st and 2nd grade. I can no longer remember how often we met!

Sharron

Turtle Mountain Star – July 3, 1941

Thompson Family Pictures:

Posted by Kay Hildebrandt (Granddaughter of A.C. & Esther Thompson):

Gary,

These photos were collected by one of the Canadian Pritchards. Missing are Alfred and Harry. If anyone has a photo of Alfred, I’d like to have a copy. Thanks, Kay

Thank you Kay: A.M. & Esther Thompson would be grandparents to Corbin, Robert, Lincoln, John and Winifred (Eurich) Pritchard. Will & Ida (Thompson) Pritchard in the lower left of the this picture were their parents. A.M. & Esther Thompson were also grandparents to Ella (Thompson) Pladson and Esther (Thompson) Tangen. Their father was Ulysses Thompson, center right, in the picture. Gary

Old Bottineau High School:

Posted by Ken Striker: Dayton OH.

Saw this neat pic at ebay. Ken Striker of Dayton Oh

Dunseith Baskeball Team:

Reply from Janice LaCroix Kester (59): Fargo, ND

In answer to the question of whether there was a girls basketball team in Dunseith – yes, there certainly was in the early to middle 50’s at least. There was Millie Grem, Joanne Kester Boucher, Elaine Schneider, Marlene Schneider, Ellen Graff, Arlene Lamoureau I think and I can’t remember anymore. I’m sure there is people out there who can give a more detailed list of players. Thank you so much Gary! You are unbelievable in the way you have kept this blog going!
Jan
Janice Kester
746 Elm St. N.
Fargo, ND 5r8102
701-237-6385
701-239-5657

Bob Lagerquist (58) & Kenrose Medlang: (701) 263-4232 Dunseith, ND.

From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

Hello Gary,
Today I zipped into the Family Bakery for soup to go.
Kenrose and Bob.were eating dinner. I was delighted to see them
because they are always so happy and enjoy even a little visit. I
hadn’t seen them since before Thanksgiving.

Bob told me, “This past week he was very sick. He was very
dizzy, so he telephoned Mark Bernstein (Joanne Millang’s husband).
Mark drove he and Kenrose into Bottineau. Bob ended up staying in
the Bottineau hospital for over two days. Kenrose was very
concerned about him and was able to stay at the hospital in Bobs
room. She said the staff at St.Andrews took very good care of Bob.
And were very good to her too. While away from the farm, Loren
DuBois came over and cared for the dogs. Bob and Kenrose were so
grateful for the friendship of Mark Bernstein, & Loren Dubois and
the care of the Bottineau Hospital Staff!

Bob now will go into Minot these next few weeks for further testing.
I asked Bob if I could let Gary Stokes and the folks on the
Dunseith blog know about his recent stay in the hospital. Bob said,
that it was fine with him. Kenrose said,” Why wouldn’t it be? I
said to Kenrose because some folks get upset about people knowing
their stuff” She said, “Hmm, she did not mind at all that Gary
posted her birthday information, she received over 30 birthday cards
and was was happy to hear from everyone! Bob was happy that folks
would be interested in him.
Thanks, Vickie

Norman Pritchard & Leslie Harmon:

Newspaper article posted by Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.

Outstanding Pictures! I really do not want to recover from the high of Stokes/Thompson/Pritchard entries. Thank you – pictures are truly worth a thousand words. And I would add that the Hanson/Pritchard romance is surely the right “thousand”. Thank you Dorothy Pritchard and Mary Knutson. In browsing old issues of the Turtle Mt Star I have noted items about Norman Pritchard but never enough of his career and destiny. Would Dale or Dorothy sing of Norman? Thanks Gary. Sharron

Frozen Fingers Festival & Dunseith News:

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND

Hi Everyone,

A final reminder of Frozen Fingers Festival to be held at Sleep Inn, Minot, this weekend. If you enjoy old time/bluegrass/gospel music, this is an event for you.

I sell tickets on Saturday/Sunday, starting at one o’clock. If I haven’t met you before, and if you attend the festival, please say hi and tell me who you are.  I’ll also be selling tickets for the dance on Saturday night.

I hope to see many of you this weekend.

Neola

Pictures from Dianne Rober’t Johnson (76): Rolla, ND.

Gary,

Yes, that’s me, holding a White Bass caught @ Pelican Lake, part of Devils lake. The guy that is all the photos is my husband, Kevin. In the 1st photo, holding a White Bass, @ Pelican, taken spring 2008. The 3rd photo was taken same year, along Hwy 19 going to DL, Mauvee Coulee, Kevin is holding a Perch, only one caught take year for us!!. In the 2nd, Kevin is holding a walleye caught @ the bridge south of Churchs Ferry, same year, in the spring.

In the last photo, that is Kevin’s youngest brother(from Texas) & his Dad, (from KS) taken in Plains, KS, down for Pheasant season. I did try to send you some more photos, but not sure if you received them.

thanks – have a nice day,

Dianne

Kevin Johnson – Pelican Lake

Kevin Johnson:
walleye caught @ the bridge south of Churchs Ferry

Kevin Johnson:
Along Hwy 19 going to DL, Mauvee Coulee

Dianne Rober’t Johnson:
White Bass caught @ Pelican Lake

Kevin Johnson’s brother (from Texas) & his Dad, (from KS)

Class of 73:

Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73): MIssoula MT

Pictures provided by Mary Eruich Knutson (62): Dunseith, ND.

Mary, these Pictures are absolutely wonderful. I have added my guess to several of them as who may be who. It’s a pure guess on my part. Hopefully someone can make a better positive identification than me. Thank you so much for sharing. We are looking forward to seeing any more pictures that you may have too. Gary

Folks, Mary has solicited the services of Karen Larson at the Spectrum in Bottineau to scan and send these pictures to me. She does a great job and her fees are very reasonable. Gary

Leona Metcalfe Oswell DHS Class of 1939.
October 13, 1921 – November 2, 2006

Clint Anderson 1881- 1969 Hattie Anderson 1885-1971

Clint & Hattie owned & ran the Cream Station in Dunseith. They were married for 66 years.

Dunseith Centennial book – page 7

I think Mary has the above picture labeled correctly and in the right order, Gary

This is a pure guess in the above picture, Gary:

Far left: Alice Stokes Thompson sitting in chair with Ulysses Thompson behind.

Center: William Stokes sitting with Oscar Rendahl standing behind and Rebecca Stokes Rendahl Standing in front. Oscar & Rebecca’s daughter standing to the right.

Standing to the far right I have no clue.

Newspaper articles provided by Neoal Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND

I’m not sure which Metcalfe Family Trenten belongs too?

Folks,

I got a message from Al & Kathy (Barbara) Kalk (65) Lopez letting me know that they plan on attending our reunion on May 22nd. Kathy was unable to attend our 2007 reunion, so it will be nice to see her and Al. It’s been 45 years since most of us have seen Barbara.

Kathy (Barbara as we all remember you), It will be so nice to see you again. Gary

Kathy (Barbara) Kalk & Al lopez

Kathy & Al’s children – 2008

History Memories:

From Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO

Hello all, I guess one opinion is as good as another, so here goes some opinions. I believe the one trait that most people on the blog can thank the early settlers for was sheer nerve and spirit of adventure. Without the PP&MM book we would have lost contact with the past in so many ways. I read somewhere that Louis Bergan was the oldest child and came from Norway at one year old and that there were about six or seven other children. Then I could not remember where I had read this so I looked through the PP&MM again and saw were three or four of the Bergan’s went to Willow Lake School. Then I found an early settlers, Hans Bergan who settled in Holmes Twsp. where we lived.

Then I found a George Hack, who was an earlier settler on land that Boardman’s and Sal Schneider occupied in our later years. This might explain your mystery man, Emil Hack.

I read about people like Jim Penny, Joe Renauld, and others just like them in that area south of Dunseith. My mother lived neighbors to them in the old days. She was fascinated with Joe’s ability to roll a cigarett with one hand, he blew the other off with a shot gun. Read his story in the PP&MM.

You can find a story in there about my old friend, Maggie Cassidy’s hubby when he was 9 years old, written by a supreme court judge. Tom was a hero. So to the Wenstad girl who bought the book, PP&MM, it may take you 10 years or more as it did me to really get into it, but that is alright.

To Allen Richard, Pete Richard’s store was known as the Variety Store to us. He was always on the job with his bolo tie and big rings on his fingers. Norman Richard spent the winter of 1945 or 46 up on our farm. Tough duty, no electricity, snowed in while we went back to Seattle for the winter.

Read about Frank and Julian Peltier’s grandfather. He had money and did not need to move to ND. Dakota was not much different than when I lived there, frozen solid in the winter and mosquitoes in the summer. We had to build a smudge to even have a 4H meeting in those days. One person had to weild a dish towel so the crew could eat dinner, flies you know.

Bonnie Awalt Houle if you read about your grandparents and also Clint Anderson, you will see why you are a survivor. I will talk about Clint Anderson later.

We haven’t even mentioned the guy who always said, “Holy Baldheaded” when he got excited. He also would say, “Holy Cat”. I have a feeling Floyd Dion will know who I am talking about.

This is getting too long. Thank you Gary, sure do appreciate you and all you do for us. Gary Metcalfe

The old lumber Yard & Story:

From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.

Gary,

One old story about a deal at the old Great Plains lumber yard, is
worth telling, I think. This is the lumber yard that was mentioned in
recent messages and was located where the Dunseith post office is now.
The back side of the lumberyard building was right up against the alley
behind the bank. I remember how cars would splash mud against the
building when they went down the alley. There was a time when Isadore
(Zike) Boguslawski bought scrap iron and batteries at the old lumber
yard building. There was a little kid ( won’t mention his name) in
Dunseith who found a few old batteries and brought them to Zike to make
a few dollars. One day someone had turned into the alley and slid their
car into the back wall and knocked a hole in the wall right behind the
batteries. This kid was coming up the alley with a battery in the box of
his wagon and found the hole, with the batteries just sitting there for
the taking. He crawled in and set a few batteries out in the alley and
loaded them in his wagon and then went around front and sold them to
Zike. He did this several days until Zike figured this kid sure was
finding a lot of junk batteries for a young kid, so Zike marked a few
batteries and sure enough, they showed up! The part of the story that is
interesting is that the kid had a given name but since that day in the
’60s, he has only been known as ‘Potlicker’. This is what Zike was
calling him as he chased him around town trying to get close enough to
give him a whooping! To this day, he is called ‘Potlicker’! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion:

Posted by Linda Gardner: Washington, DC

Hi Gary – I had a call today from Tom Hagan. He asked if you could rerun the announcement about the Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion as he had lost the original e-mail. The announcement is attached.

I’m also attaching a picture of the snow we had over the weekend. I live about 20 miles west of Washington, DC and for the second time in the last couple of months we got hit with a bad snow storm – a little over 3 feet. The mound of snow you see in the attached picture between the lamp post and mail box is my car!! Looks a lot like ND don’t you think. Federal Government is closed tomorrow as public transportation is still not up and running!!!

Thanks, Gary for all your help!

Linda, That is quite a snow storm you guys had. The snow is piled up pretty high on the mail box and the cars.

I have pasted the Reunion annoucement and registration form below. Gary

Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion

July 10, 2010

Plans are underway to hold a Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion on July 10, 2010, at the Twin Oaks Resort & Convention Center atLakeMetigoshe.Anyone who attended a country school in theTurtleMountains or is interested in celebrating an educational life style of the past is welcome to attend.The cost is $42.00 per person.Reservations and advance payment are required.Please fill out the form below and mail to:

Linda Gardner

3059 Sugar Lane

Vienna, VA22181

Checks should be made payable to Linda Gardner and mailed with the registration form to the address above by June 1, 2010.

Registration will begin at 3 PM; Social Hour 4-6:30 PM and dinner will be served from 6:30 – 8 PM.

If you are interested in helping organize this event, have memorabilia to share at this event, or have questions, please contact Linda at:

Telephone:703/636-6392

E-mail:lgardner9@cox.net.

DeAnn Gottbreht Picture: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/deanngottbreht

Posted by Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.

The pixie girl attached is DeAnn Gottbreht at age 5, Clear Lake Canada! It seems right to send a second posting today in view of the generosity of Verena and Pete Gillis who know full well the rough road of cancer. I spoke with Ernie and Cheryl yeaterday; DeAnn and Patrick and the kindness of Verena and all volunteers were the first and foremost subject. Praise God, all continues well. Thank you friends. Sharron

Daughter of Ernie Gottbreht (65) and Brenda Hill Mueller (70):

DeAnn Gottbreht – 1987

Dick Johnson & Sharron Gottbreht – Conversation about the Schneiderman’s Haagenson’s & others.

Posted by Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.

Kind of Dick to think I could incorporate this data on the Haagensons and Schneidermans. I reviewed what I sent and see several typos and grammar problems. I doubt I can be trusted, Dick! Besides, you have first hand knowledge of the terrible events that affected their lives. I should have mentioned that the Schneidermans had moved to Rolette County sometime after the 1930 census. Their centennial entries appear in the Bottineau County book. Obviously, Art Schneiderman and family belong with us! I cannot pinpoint the “Beaver Dam” area, but it must be as Dick ably describes. Many thanks, Sharron

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:35:22 -0600
From: djcars@hughes.net
To: sharron_shen@msn.com
Subject: Re:

Thanks Sharron! One local input item, Schneidermans lived on a farmstead in the Turtle Mts. just south of Rendahl Church. There is still a house standing there. It is located one mile west of the Willow Lake Road and just a short distance north of Elvin Haagenson’s farmstead. I got to know Earl Schneiderman while I was over in my wife’s home town of Sherwood. He was Art’s son, I believe. He rented a trailer house site from my father-in-law and later built a new home right next door to them. Earl said they/he lived in the Turtle Mts. on this farm until he entered the army in 1961. He gave me a ’56 Chevy car that he had left on the place and so that’s how I knew where it was located. Earl died a few years ago. He was divorced and lived with his son, Tim. Tim was one of the young fireman who were burned terribly in an oil field fire several years ago. His face is disfigured but he was one of the lucky ones. Two died from burns and one other is very disfigured. It was on the same land that my wife’s uncle farmed and he was there when the final explosion happened. Terrible tragedy for such a small town.The lightening caused the fire and Brenda’s uncle saw the primary fire and called the fire dept. He was really traumatized by the accident, as I’m sure most people would have been. Just thought that you could maybe use this information while doing the research. Thanks.

Dick

Sharron Shen wrote:

Thank you Dick Johnson for expanding on what we now know of the Schwabe family. In addition to Hans Schwabe who was 19 in 1930, his brother Christ, absent from home, was age 30. This rings a bell and I will check for a Christ Schwab in the TMS. I too made the association of Schwab/Schwabe. Although the father Wm Schwabe, of Louis, Christ and Hans was born in Denmark, his parents were born in Germany. Wm P Schwab, salesman at the lMarchand/Watkins lumber yard for many years, was born in Iowa, parents born in Germany. Many families altered the spelling of there names on arrival USA – Gottbreht/Gottbrecht. The Schwabe/Haagenson names were often associated. I only checked the family of Hans and Ida Haagenson who lived in Gilbert Twp. Hans was 54, Ida 56; children still at home in Gilbert Twp were Willard age 24, his wife, Erma 20, their baby Raymond 11/12; and Alvin youngest son of Hans, age 17. The Haagensons were neighbors of Lillie Kotchevar on one side and Anton Gunville followed by Gilbert Rude on the other; Art Rude was age 6. I sure want to take a second look for teachers, neighbors, ministers who lived near Art Rude; a man among men and anchor of his community.

According to the centennial bio of Wm P Schwab and Hattie Hurst, they had 2 children. Ethyl, 23 in 1930, was married to Wm Gottbreht Jr, also age 23. They lived next door to Ethyl’s parents with their baby daughter Marilyn. I did not note Bill’s employment listed in the census but he did work at the hardware store Higgins and Gottbreht and he also served as USPS carrier from time to time. I must check other files to see of all 3 of their children were born in ND. Their 3rd generation Bill was about EJ’s age. Dale Gottbreht owned the home south of Wm P Schwab and may have purchased it from Wm Jr. This house may have been known as the Thomas home prior to 1930? Mom talked about making sauerkraut with Grandpa Geo G in the small structure at the back of this house! The sloping garden area behind the homes of Gottbreht/Schwab/Tennancour were huge per my childish assessment – Wm P Schwab’s cabbages were amazing.

I found Arthur H Schniederman renting in Bottineau Co, Wheaton Twp in 1930. He and his parents were born in MN. His wife Marie E. age 29 was also b in MN as were her parents. You may remember that Charlotte, age 37, wife of Louis Schwabe was born in MN. I went after the name in MN and have misplace the notes! What surprised me about the census taker in MN of that lost work, his record of towns in Norway where folks haled from! What a boon to historians who try for data after a century or more.

Thanks Dick and Gary. Sharron

Tour the Rolette County Museum on Friday, May 21st

From Mel Kuhn (70): St. John, ND.

Gary,

Dick and I were talking and if anyone that is coming home for the reunion would be interested we would open the Rolette County Museum in St. John for people to go through. Friday the 21st. works best for us. We would just have to pick a time. We don’t have it open for the season yet so we may come across some dust.

Mel

Folks,

We have decided on the time to be 1:00 PM

Thank you so much Mel & Dick for doing this for us.

What a great opportunity for us that Mel and Dick are doing enabling us to see this site.

We’ll see you guys there at 1:00 PM on Friday, the 21st.

Gary

I found this on the Net. Gary

One of the most interesting sites in Rolette County is the Rolette County Historical grounds located on the south edge of St. John as you come into town from the South. It consists of 12 lots, part of which is surrounded by a chain link fence.

The Rolette County Historical Society was organized by a small group of interested people in 1974. Its goal and purpose as an active organization is to help preserve some of the relics of the early pioneers–historical monuments, landmarks, buildings, etc., that have historical value. The initial grounds were donated to the Society in 1975 by the Mill Lake Cemetery Association and consisted, at that time, of 6 lots and the Mill Lake Lutheran Church, which was built in 1911. There are now several buildings on the site; the Church, a little one-room school house which dates back to early 1900’s; a little pioneer log cabin; a display building containing many different memorabilia; another display building with larger antique machinery; an immigration building, toy shop, boxcar, caboose, and an outdoor stage.

Dunseith Sr. Citizens will be serving lunch on Sunday May 23rd.

Posted by Jackie Peterson Hansen: St. John, ND

Folks, Jackie’s parents are Jack (deceased) & Nettie Peterson.

Jackie, this is wonderful that the Sr. Citizens are doing this for the community and those of us visiting the area. In 2007 they had some of the best home baked goodies ever. Their pies were out of this world. I had several plus pieces. I was reminded of this by non other than Larry Hackman. Larry we’ll have to pay them a visit again for some more of those great home baked goodies if they’ll be serving them again. Bernadette and I plan on attending the Sr. Center for lunch on Sunday May 23rd. This is another great opportunity to see more of the Dunseith Alumni folks. Thank you so much Jackie for this posting. Gary

From: jackie hansen
Phone: 701 477 5780
E-mail: jackie.hansen@sendit.nodak.edu
Message:
Would you please post this for my mom {Nettie) and other Sr. Citizens:
A lunch is being served at the Sr. Citizens’ Center on May 23, starting at 11:00 AM. The seniors in the community welcome visiting alumni as well as those from the area.

Baptismal of Connor O’Hara, DeAnn Gottbreht’s son:

Message from DeAnn Gottbreht O’Hara: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/deanngottbreht

We are going to be getting Connor baptized on Saturday May 15th at 11am at Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith, ND. All are welcome. We will be having a meal afterwards at the church. Thanks Cheryl for the reminder to get it posted on here. Take care everyone

The Conroy’s

Reply from Paula Fassett (71): North Branch, MN

Thanks to Don Martel for the great photo of the principals – brings back memories! I wonder if Don & Colleen have photos of Mrs. Conroy, too, that they would like to share? I remember learning to count money in her 4^th grade class by playing “store” with a cash register and toy money – buying cans of soup, etc. that she had brought from home just for that purpose. We had singing in her classroom on Fridays – with Mrs. Elsie Schneider coming in to play the piano. Mrs. Conroy also had the best arts & crafts – we made candles, plaster wall-hangings, corsages for Mom at Christmas and grew petunias in paper cups for Mother’s Day. She also read aloud to the class every day after noon hour – “Little House On the Prairie” was always my favorite.

And remember the “sick room” between the 3^rd and 4^th grade rooms – upstairs in the old Dunseith School building. I think we hung our coats in there and I remember lots of bookshelves, but there was a bed in there so if you got sick there was a place to go until the bus came, or your mom came to get you………..

Paula Fassett-Pfuhl

Joy Bashara (Teacher)

Question from Diane Fuger (75): Minot, ND.

Gary:

I have a question for the class of ’75. Does anyone remember Ms. Bashara(sp?) or know where she is nowadays?

Diane Fugere

Ronald Oswell, son of Leona Metcalfe, passed away:

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

Ronald George Oswell
August 07, 1947 – May 01, 2010

Ron Oswell passed away May 1, 2010. He was born in Seattle on August 7, 1947 to George and Leona (Metcalfe) Oswell. Ron grew up in Seattle, and graduated from Shorecrest High School, where he was the school’s first bagpiper and gave himself the rank of Pipe Major. He attended Shoreline Community College before receiving his draft notice in 1967, precipitating his enlistment in the U.S. Army, where he served four years in the Army Security Agency. [He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967, serving four years in the Army Security Agency] He also served four years in the Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer II. He married Christine Gaston, a former Shorecrest Pipe Band member, in Basle, Switzerland on November 10, 1970. After returning to Seattle in spring 1971, he worked in construction, first as a union carpenter, then as a foreman, and in due time as a superintendent. He was generous with these carpentry skills, helping family and friends with household projects.
Ron always had many interests, and was talented in many areas. He had a beautiful tenor voice, and learned musical instruments easily. He had a lifelong love of photography, and always had a darkroom to work in, wherever he lived. In recent years, he was working to master PhotoShop. He also continued his interest in bagpiping and things Scottish. He played with the Washington Scottish Pipe Band for many years and was a very good piper. He also spent time over the years dirt biking and trap shooting. He coached a girls’ soccer team for 15 years, bringing a core group through three team name changes and from mod soccer to high school graduation.
He always dreamed of owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and finally purchased a beautiful bike a few years ago that was his pride and joy. He always had a big smile on his face as he drove into the driveway after a ride.
Ron is survived by his wife Chris, and two children, Bergman, born in 1974, and Katie born in 1978. Also by his brother Ken Oswell and sister-in-law Carol.

Funeral Information

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 10:00 to 8:00 PM in the family service suite in Evergreen Washelli. Graveside service at 3:00 PM in Evergreen Memorial Park.

Gary,
Ron has many Metcalfe cousins in Turtle Mtn.area.
Ron Oswell was a kind, compassionate, honest ,hard working man,
with a wonderful sense of humor. Aunt Leona at times, when he was 17
often slipped and called him Cliff. She felt he was alot like my dad
at that age. Each of my nephews and nieces met and spent good times
with him. He always took time to get to know and mentor kids. Ron
was also a double first cousin to the children of Emil and Ann
(Oswell) Metcalfe. Our family mourns. Vickie

Bobby Pigeon:

Memories from Brenda Hoffman (68): Greenville, SC

Dear Gary,

Following recent posts, Paulette LaCroix (Chisholm) and I reminisced about our fourth grade interactions with the “much older” Bobby Pigeon. With his duck tail haircut and The Fonze stride, he made Paulette and I “swoon” at the sight of him walking to or from lunch in the basement of the white school house. Could anyone be more handsome?

Once in a great while, he might smile at us or even SAY SOMETHING. We discussed him for hours comparing him to Cookie on the television series Seventy-seven Sunset Strip and the songs “Cookie, Cookie Lend Me Your Comb” and “Runnin’ Bear….Loved Little White Dove with a Love That Wouldn’t Die.”

Amazingly, I interacted frequently with the song writer and singer of Runnin Bear at Dave’s Brainerd, MN satellite office. He is now in his 80s and continues to be invited to Europe frequently where his Rock a Billy sound remains extremely popular. He’s a very nice man.

Brenda Hoffman Class of 1968

1955 Football Team Picture:

Reply from Larry Shirk (58): Naperville, IL

Gary:

Some are wondering about which class the 1955 football team picture
represents. If you note, the football in the picture has 55 on it. It was
the fall of 55, the start of the 55/56 year The seniors in the picture
would graduate in the spring of 56. So in reality, the picture doesn’t
represent the class of 55 which graduated 3 months earlier, but the 1955
football season. (and the class of 56) Hope this makes sense.

Larry Shirk

Reply/Picture from Marshall Awalt (51): Newport, NC

Gary

I am sorry but I do not know the girl standing next to me in the picture.I sent you another photo shot in front of the same tree with the commercial hotel in the back ground.It is of Dave Eurich and myself.

Marshall

Marshall, I have reposted that picture below. Hopefully someone can identify the girl in the picture with you and Eleanor?

This is a wonderful picture of you and Dave Eurich. Dave never changed over the years. He was such a young man too, when he left this world. He was a wonderful man. I remember him well.

Dave Eurich & Marshall Awalt

Eleanor & Marshall Awalt and ??? Schwabe

Buildings on the north end of the Commercial Hotel:

Larry Hackman, Dick Johnson, Bill & Gwen Grimme are looking for the rest of the story from some folks probably a little senior to them.

Please read from the bottom up.

Gary

I’m just trying to find out the rest of the story?

Larry

Bill, Gwen, & Dick:

I’m thinking we went as far as our youth permits us to go on this story. Don’t you also think we should have Gary put this out there to see if we can find out the rest of the story. I’m sure there are some around that know what the out buildings on the north end of the Commercial Hotel were used for?

I didn’t mean to insinuate that Dick was older then us ( Bill and I), just that he might know more then us. “God, I hated to say that!” I hope that sentence makes him feel better.

Larry

—– Original Message —–

From: Dick Johnson

To: larry hackman ; Bill Grimme ; Gwen Eltz

Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 11:28 PM

Subject: Re: Rabbits?

Larry,

I can remember the building just north of the Commercial hotel. It was a storage building when I first became aware of it. My aunt Joy Nordquist rented the north ground floor apartment in about 1957. This was before she married my uncle Cliff Johnson, but I was over there often. She worked with Mom at the bank and had to raise her younger brother and sister. She was only twenty in ’57. Tough job. Back to your question–the rabbit deal. Maybe the people who ran the Hotel before Bill’s folks, had rabbits. I think this was the building where Greg had stored his old bike. I mentioned to Greg that I really liked old bikes, as we were driving home from UND, and Greg said he would give me one. We went over to that old building and he dug out his old bike with the mud flaps with reflectors and he gave it to me. It was maroon and white with big balloon tires and had a couple chrome springs on the front fork much like an old motorcycle. Like an absolute FOOL, I traded it to a guy who collects bikes and have regretted it ever since! To this day, I am trying to get it back but he just won’t let go of it yet. He still has it in the same condition as it was in 1970. Oh, yeah—rabbits–I don’t have an answer as to who would have had rabbits in the white building north of the hotel. I don’t think there were rabbits there in ’57. I caught the old joke that Larry was hinting at about smart pills. The old Indian got the Indian kid to taste a smart pill. The kid said it tasted like rabbit crap. The old Indian says, “See your smarter already.”

Dick

larry hackman wrote:

Dick

Maybe you know more then the rest us? You have to read this from bottom to top to make sense out of this

Maybe not?

Larry

—– Original Message —–

From: larry hackman

To: Bill Grimme

Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 8:37 PM

Subject: Re: Rabbits?

Bill

I don’t believe this. Most older people respond by saying they don’t remember droppings. But You do?

Bill, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist making a joke out of the memory. I remember how it was with rabbits. They did produce a lot and droppings too. We always called the droppings smart pills and tried to convince others that they would get smarter if they ate them. I don’t think I ever got anyone to bite on that one. Pardon the pun.

We are going to have to ask someone with a few more years behind them and see if they remember what the buildings were used for and if they remember who kept rabbits in them.

Bill I’m not a psychiatrist but your folks ditching you like that, could be the cause of you being the way you are. Which is not a bad thing?

If nothing else, it gives you an excuse. I don’t know what else I can say to make the hurt go away. Except maybe that Jack Daniels might help. Thats right you said you tried that. Maybe they were right, You just weren’t listening. You know how kids are? If you don’t have an excuse, make one up.

Have a good day and hope the Saints win.

Remember; Laugh and the whole world laughs with you.

Larry

—– Original Message —–

From: Bill Grimme

To: Gwen Eltz

Cc: lmhackman@bis.midco.net

Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 4:45 PM

Subject: Re: Rabbits?

That’s what was rattling around in my head – the rabbit droppings. They must have been there before we moved in. Speaking of moving in, Larry, every time a comedian tells that old joke about “my parents moved and never told me”, I think about Dunseith. You see, that’s what happened to me when the folks moved to the Commercial Hotel. I was in the fourth grade and I came home from school to a dark, locked house. I sat on the front porch until dark and the woman that lived across the street from us (can’t remember her name, now) came over and took me to her house and told me my folks had moved to the hotel. I eventually got over to the Commercial Hotel and found it to be true. The folks swear they told me and I wasn’t listening – again, but, I’m sticking to my story that they were trying to ditch me!

Bill

From: Gwen Eltz

Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 10:29 AM

To: Bill Grimme

Cc: lmhackman@bis.midco.net

Subject: Re: Rabbits?

Bill and Larry,

I remember the rabbit droppings, too–you’re right…the building was full of them–but I have no idea why rabbits had been housed there either. The droppings were there when we moved into the Commercial Hotel in the fall of 1955 ( I was in 1st grade), so I don’t know who would have been raising rabbits. The building was divided into about four parts; two parts on the north end were outdoor biffies. I sometimes wonder why the south wall had an opening with a small wooden swing-out door that looked like a drive-up window.

—– “Bill Grimme” <wgrimme@charter.net> wrote:
>

Larry,

I remember the buildings, but, I don’t remember the rabbits, exactly. There is some memory of something in there, but, I don’t recall any details. Maybe one of our boarders kept some rabbits. Ole Melhouse comes to mind as a possibility, but, I’m not sure. Gwen probably has a much better memory – she didn’t soak it in quite as much DAMN ALCOHOL as I did.

Bill

Philippine & SE Asian Vacation tours:

The Philippine and SE Asian Vacation tours that Bernadette and I put together can be customize to your liking. Tour packages to countries and cities in SE Asia, from the Philippines, are very reasonably priced. With us living here, we feel this is an opportunity we can offer those of you wishing to visit this part of the world at a very reduced rate, customized to your liking. We are not collecting any commissions or fees from any one doing this. This is something we have chosen to do with absolutely no profits or kick backs. Please click on the Dunseith Alumni link below to see the latest updated info for these tour packages. We’d love your company too. Gary

http://garystokes.net/PhilippinesSEAsiaVacation2.aspx

Dan Morgan:

Reply from Bob Lykins (Teacher): Hutto, TX

Gary,

Sorry to learn that Dan Morgan is not well. He and I began teaching in Dunseith at about the same time (1962) and I recall him being a rather quiet, thoughtful individual with a winning smile. He had a tendency to be a calming influence in any storm. I wish he and his family the very best.

Bob Lykins

Dan Morgan:

Reply from Toni Morinville Gredesky (68): Farimount, ND

My prayers are with Dan Morgan and his family as they go through this challenging battle. I consider myself so fortunate to have had Dan for a teacher. He and Dennis Espe were two of the best teachers I had. They were such positive influences during our junior high years. My friends and I spent a lot of time in their little office correcting papers for them. I have evoked their names so many times over the years in my high school English classroom. I have often told the story of the day President Kennedy was assassinated. We were in the big assembly room when the announcement came over the intercom that the President had been shot. Somehow two or three of us girls asked Mr. Morgan and Mr. Espe if we could sit in their office and listen to the radio. We were all sitting in their listening when we heard that the President had died.

These two men were both master teachers and knew what it meant to use a “teachable moment.” They had high expectations for our achievement and treated us as whole human beings. I know that they were very influential in my decision to become a teacher myself.

Toni Morinville Gredesky

Randy Davis (Deceased)

Reply form Denise Lajimodiere: Moorhead, MN.

For Mark Schimetz,

Randy Davis is my first cousin. His mother was Theresa Lajimodiere Davis, my father Leo’s sister. Randy’s brother is Kenny Davis, his Belcourt gas station/off sale is called LaDot’s, after a nickname he acquired in high school.

Denise Lajimodiere

Reply from Larry Liere(55): Mesa, AZ & Devils Lake, ND

Thanks Janice I had the same question a week ago (blog 1-23-10). I had a gut feeling that some of my 2nd. grade class would be on the 1955 footbal team. I was worried that the class of 55 had a beer bust and they all became ineligible to play sports. I hope some boys from the class of 55 will reply to this and send in a picture of the 1955 team! Larry Liere

Reply from Janice Leonard Workman (55): Auburn, WA

Gary, I think that football picture is from 1956, instead of 1955. Of the boys that were in the class of 1955,Barry Shelver, Gordon Neameyer, Wally Hiatt, Marlin Williams, Dennis Brennan somebody must have played football and surely Gary Woodford would have been team manager????? Janice Leonard Workman

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.

Gary and Friends,

Thanks to Mona for the info on the Dunseith Independent Team. Maybe
the name was just ‘Dunseith’ on the warm up jackets and the red color is
what confused me, knowing that Dunseith was always blue and white.
Thanks for the reply. I did watch Chuck Johnson play independent
basketball in the old city hall. They usually played on Sunday
afternoons, if I remember right. Les Greener was before my time but I
heard lots about him from Dad. The ‘Harlem Stars’ came to Dunseith once
too and played in the city hall. Some of the players were originally
with the Harlem Globe Trotters and then joined up with knock off teams.
Some of the craziest basketball games were the ones the Dunseith
Businessmen played against the Boissevain Businessmen. The Canadians had
never played basketball before and would run with the ball and
hopelessly try to dribble—we were rolling on the floor laughing. The
laughing changed places though when the Dunseith guys had to put on
skates and play hockey in Bossevain! Those guys could skate circles
around the Dunseith guys and the Canadian folks nearly died laughing!
Dad took me up to one game and I felt sorry for our guys!

The Randy Davis that passed away is not the son of Joyce Poitra Davis
Fandrick. This Randy is from Belcourt and is the brother to Ken Davis.
Mark Schimetz was trying to remember Kenny’s nickname—LaDot. He has
the c-store and lounge in Belcourt that is called ‘LaDots’.

Thanks to Mary Eurich Knutson for the remarkable pictures! I was
thinking about an earlier one that had Bergan, Pritchard, and very
young Bob Pritchard by a log building. Dale Pritchard said it could be a
cabin or smokehouse. My grandpa had a similar short log building with a
dirt covered roof and kept ice blocks from the lake, packed in sawdust
from his old mill. The building stayed cold enough to keep ice for the
ice box nearly until the next fall. I have his old ice saw and a couple
large sets of his ice tongs. Everything was hard work for the folks in
those days. Thanks again Mary, and Gary!

Dick

Dan Morin House fire:

From Vickie Metcalfe (68): Bottineau, ND.

Gary and Friends,

The following information came in an e-mail this morning provided by a source at Benchmark who works with Dan Morin.

“Dan Morin and his family lost their home in a fire Tuesday night. Dan and Punky and their granddaughter were living with his mother-in-law. They will be able to salvage very little from the remains of the home and have been provided temporary living quarters at the Casino and will soon be moving to a two bedroom home. Their most immediate need is clothing. The family is in need of all things for the home. Furnishings including beds, kitchen items – tableware, cooking utensils, etc.“

Dan works at Benchmark in Dunseith. His wife is “Punky” Parisien the daughter of Tootsie Delorme. Toosie, although past retirement age continues to work, I think with head start. Toosie’s mother was the first Mrs. Ralph Poitra, Toosie’s uncle was Alcide Lajimodiere. Punky is also the sister of my classmate, Carole Ann Parisien Lavallie (widow of Andrew Lavalle).

I am so relieved and thankful to hear this family did not suffer any burn injuries, despite the devastation of a home fire in the sub zero North Dakota weather this past week. Vickie Metcalfe

If anyone would like to contribute to this family please contact Dan’s supervisor

John Hardy

Logistics Supervisor
19 2nd ST SE

Dunseith, ND 58329

701 244 6878 (tel)

Great snow Pictures – Click on the link below:

From Ellen Graff Myrick (58): Grand Forks, ND.

These pictures show snow collected in southwestern N. Dakota. Even though it’s not about your realtives can you post on the email.

http://www.slopeelectric.coop/About_Us/Storm_Photos/index.html.

Reply to personal message in reference to picture below

From Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA

Just a couple of comments on your email, Gary. First, the photo in question has to have been taken in 1937, 38 or possibly early 39 as Mom looks to have been around 15 or so. Since she was born in 1923, that would give us a year of 1938 – which is why I said in my earlier response that is was probably 1938. Thus, there is no way it could be Frank Stokes in the photo. Second, I don’t recall Jim Cain being called Jimmy. And as far as tracking him down, that would lead you to his grave. Jim died a few years ago. He was married and he and his family lived in Western Tenn. Finally, I’m sure it was just a slip on your part, but in your first paragraph below, you say that Rebecca (Reba) was the daughter of “Frank” and Fanny. I assume you meant “William” and Fanny.

One further comment: I’m well aware of where Reba lived as we also later lived there. I believe that is where Mom and Dad lived when I was born and though I don’t have any memory of the place, both my Brother, Floyd and my Sister, Florence do. And yes, Mom always referred to her Aunt as Aunt “Reba.”
Keith

Keith, Rebecca (Reba) Stokes Rendahl was the daughter of William & Fanny Stokes. Yes, I remember well my folks referring to her as Reba too.

Folks, This is another one of the pictures that Mary Eruich Knutson sent. I held off a day posting this while we got the identities of the folks in the picture correctly identified. Between Mary, Keith Pladson, John Tangen and myself; I think we finely figured out the correct identities of those in the picture.

I remember well, as a kid, seeing Reba Stokes Rendahl’s old house sitting on the county line, on the south side of road, below the Rendahl hill on Highway #43 also known as the Peace Garden Road. Common Sence would tell us that is how the Rendahl hill got it’s name. I’m sure Rendahl church was named after this family too? Willaim Stokes, My great Grandfather, had 2 daughters, Reba Rendahl & Alice Thompson and one son Frank Stokes.

William Stokes was 91 years old when he died in 1946. He was in his mid 80’s in this picture.

Standing L to R: William Stokes, Esther Thompson Tangen, Ulysses Thompson,Rebecca Stokes Rendahl, Lillian Thompson Cain, Ella Thompson Pladson & Lester Cain
Sitting in Wheel chair: Alice Stokes Thompson holding Jimmy Cain

Bertha Kittleson’s passing

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (68): Bottineau, ND.

BERTHA KITTLESON, 86, Bottineau, died Thursday in a Minot nursing
home. Funeral Tuesday, 2 p.m., First Lutheran Church, Bottineau.
Prayer service Monday, 7 p.m., Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.
Visitation Monday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to noon,
in the funeral home.

Gary, This was posted in the Minot Daily today January 29, 2010.

Bertha is fondly remembered. As, a honest hard working classy
country lady, friend, excellent school cook, grandmother and great
grandmother to many, and former country school teacher in Rolette
and Bottineau County.
Vickie Metcalfe

Bertha’s Obit is now posted on Nero’s Web site too. I have pasted a copy below. Gary

Bertha Kittleson
(May 28, 1923 – January 28, 2010) 

Sign Guest Book | Send Private Condolences
Send Flowers

BERTHA IRENE KITTLESON Bertha Kittleson, age 86 of Bottineau, died Thursday at a Minot nursing home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 2:00 P.M. in the First Lutheran Church in Bottineau. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery of rural Bottineau. Visitation will be Monday beginning at 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 and Tuesday 9:00 until noon in the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. A prayer service will be held on Monday at 7:00 P.M. in the Funeral Home.

Bertha Irene Kittleson, a daughter of Ivar and Regina (Haugen) Peterson, was born on May 28, 1923 in her home in the Turtle Mountains north of Bottineau. She was reared and educated near her home. She was confirmed in the Salem Lutheran Church of rural Bottineau. Bertha attended Minot State and received her teaching degree. She then taught at the Happy Hill School in Homan Township for two years and then at the Strong School in Rolette County. On June 16, 1946 she was married to Milan Kittleson at Bottineau. She returned to Bottineau County and taught at Whittering #1 until 1950. Bertha remained home to raise her children and help on the farm until 1971 when she began working at the Bottineau Public school as a cook. She retired in 1977 and helped Milan on the farm. Milan passed away on June 20, 1999. In the fall of 2009 she moved to Minot where she has resided since.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Bottineau. Bertha was also a member of a quilting club and was a Mission Aide member.

Bertha is survived by 5 daughters, Ann (Harold) Roseneau of Willow City, Connie (Charles) Tollefson of Surrey, Judy (John) Slater of Minot, Marla (Carl) Lee of Bottineau, and Penny (Edwin) Krumweide of Sarles; 4 sons, Donny (Darlene) Kittleson, Ted ( Kathy), Kittleson, Jamie (Kandis) Kittleson all of Bottineau and Terry ( Marilyn) Kittleson of Minot; a daughter-in-law, Lori Kittleson of Bottineau; 27 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren;

She was preceded indeath by her parents, two sons Dennis and Larry; brothers, Pete Peterson and Oscar Peterson; a sister, Dorothy Peterson.

Arrangements are with the Nero Funeral Home of Bottineau. Friends may sigh the online register at www.nerofuineralhome.net

From Wendy Strietzel, Dorothy Eurich Strietzel’s (75) Daughter: Minot, ND.

Gary,

I received this e-mail from a friend and thought you might like to share it with all of the North Dakotans you blog to every day.

Wendy

Reply from Jim Metcalfe: AZ.

Hi Gary, About the Dunseith independent baseball team from the early ’50’s. I was the catcher in 1953 and we were the Dunseith Gardners. Junior Melmar was the playing manager and we had great times and good parties afterward.

Jim Metcalfe, I attended Dunseith HS in 1949-50 but graduated from Rollan in ’52. (Gary’s brother)

Reply from Janice Leonard Workman (55): Auburn, WA

Gary, I think that football picture is from 1956, instead of 1955. Of the boys that were in the class of 1955, Barry Shelver, Gordon Neameyer, Wally Hiatt, Marlin Williams, Dennis Brennan somebody must have played football and surely Gary Woodford would have been team manager????? Janice Leonard Workman 

Dan Morgan:

Reply Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (68): Dunseith, ND.

We are saddened to hear Dan Morgan is not well– he was one of the best teachers I ever had. He maintained great discipline and yet was very personable. He and his family are in our prayers!-Lola Metcalfe Vanorny

ps- Ole Bursinger was one of the finest persons I ever met-

Dan Morgan:

Reply from Cheryl Haagenson (71): Dunseith, ND.

Dunseith Ball teams:

Reply from Mona Dionne Johnson (48): Lake Metigoshe, ND.

Dick: The Dunseith team at the time – late 40’s/early 50’s, just went
by “Dunseith Independents”, as most of the small towns around did. Some
of the larger cities, like Bismarck had names like the “Bismarck
Phanthoms” which we played and beat . Dunseith played the Harlem
Globetrotters, and some other colored teams, and they really drew the
crowds. One colored team they played in Dunseith and the team played
them again that same week-end in Willow City. They really drew the
crowds – of course Les Greener drew crowds to watch and also some pick
up teams back home from college on break, who “thought” they could best
him, but they just embarrassed themselves in the process. That in
itself was fun to watch. Paul McCloud and Chuck were fun to watch in
their ball handling, especially when the team thought that Devils Lake
deserved to be shown how to play ball short of fellows.
Seems one year they would only let VFW guys play in the tournament –
that left Darrel Fassett, Leo Murray, and Chuck sitting on the sidelines
and — left Dunseith with only 6-7 players, and Devils Lake wouldn’t
agree to give them more fouls, so they ended up playing with only four
guys and lost. The next year the rules were changed and all could
play. In the tournament, Dunseith was playing Devils Lake, and we were
ahead. Our team convinced the coach, Kenny Morgan to let Paul McCloud
and Chuck Johnson play alone against the Devils Lake team. At that
time, the rule during the last few minutes of the game was if you got
fouled, you took a foul shot and then took the ball out at half court.
Well these two ball handlers were passing it through their legs, past
their ears, etc. and would get fouled and go throught it all over
again. Pretty soon, the Devils Lake team got so mad they one by one
went and sat down on their bench, and the game pretty much ended. So
goes it, when you take advantage in sports rather than be sportsman
like in setting up the game — it may come back to taunt you. Those
independent games were fun to watch and many followed the team when
they went to Canada and to other towns.
Mona Dionne Johnson ’48

Message from DeAnn Gottbreht posted on her Carringbridge site:http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/deanngottbreht

Hello everyone from Rochester, Mn. I got done with my appointments for the day about an hour ago and am back at the hotel resting before we head out to supper. So far the appointments have all went really well. Yesterday we met with my medical oncologist and went over my cancer treatment plan for the future. What it looks like is surgery tomorrow, followed by a few weeks of recovery and then start a different type of chemo for a couple of weeks. Then break for a couple of weeks from the chemo, deliver the baby, recover from the birth for a few weeks and go back to chemo. We would do around 12 rounds of that chemo and then recover a little and start around 6 weeks of radiation treatments. Well that is about the jest of the plan so far. It is up for change.

Yesterday we also met with the OB here that will be monitoring throughout the surgery and weekend after. He was a very great doctor and very informative. He deals with about 3 pregnant patients a year that have cancer so he had a great deal of experience with it. It was all very reassuring. I also received a steroid shot yesterday and today to help speed up the development of the lungs of the baby just in case I could end up in labor from the surgery.

We met with my surgeon this morning and went over all that. I will be heading to the hospital about 6 tomorrow morning for some pre-op and then surgery around 9 or 10. Surgery will take 2 to 3 hours and then I will be in the hospital for 1 or 2 nights. They will be monitoring the baby throughout all of this and he will be the biggest deciding factor on how long I stay in the hospital.

We also met with a doctor in the genetics department today. There is a blood test they can send away to do that will show if I am a genetic carrier of breast cancer. If I am they can test my parents and find which side of they family it came from. Those of you in my extended family reading this can certainly e-mail on your thoughts of this testing. My e-mail is over on the right of this page. I have not done the test yet.The screening tests are only done at one lab in the country and it can be quite expensive if insurance won’t cover it. No matter what I hope all of you women out there are doing at the least self-breast exams. If you think something seems at all a little odd don’t wait. If I would have waited to do something and not got it checked I probably would have been very sick or dead before I made the age 40 mammogram requirements. Please take your health seriously!

What more can I say. Tonight will be a stressful night but I and ready for the next step and tomorrow I will take it. I appreciate all of your support and caring. It really means a lot. I feels so great to know I have so many people in my life who love and care about me. Take Care Everyone!

Love, DeAnn

Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): BEDFORD, TX

Hi Everyone:

I always get a kick out of poems about North Dakota because people here in Texas don’t have a clue about how cold it actually gets and that people can still function in that type of weather. I kept a little poem on my desk for a long time (with a picure of a snowstorm in May 2008 when we were there). It says: It’s Winter in North Dakota and the gentle breezes blow

30 miles an hour at twenty-five below.

Oh how I love North Dakota when the snow’s up to your butt;

You take a breath of winter and your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful so I guess I’ll hang around.

I could never leave North Dakota ’cause I’m frozen to the ground!

Hi to Susan in Alvarado. We’re in the Hurst Euless Bedford area.

Cheryl Larson Dakin

P S. It’s also fun to bring back sample crops (wheat, canola, soy beans, sunflowers) to show these city-slickers. They were especially amazed at the canola.

Randy Davis Condolences:

From Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.

The Randy DAVIS in the obituary, was a good friend of mine, his older brother Ken ran the Redman Gas Station years ago in Belcourt, he know operates and possibly owns the bar and take out at Belcourt. Just cannot think of the name of it. Randy had a beautiful flathead Harley tricycle. We did a lot of riding, in years past. He would often be called up to sing as he had a wonderful voice, He sounded like the lead singer of Alabama, well, after a few drinks any. lol, we had a lot of fun, Randy will be sorely missed by many as he was a very likeable person and oved his music. My Condolences to his family.

Message & Pictures:

From Mary Eurich Knutson (62): Dunseith, ND.

Hi Gary

Well we survived anaother winter storm in ND. We got about a foot or more of snow in the hills. I didn’t move from Friday till mid morning Tuesday. The county truck came through and opened roads and the blade came yesterday and winged open the roads really good. Sure can get the job done better and faster than 40 – 50 years ago. Maintainers are 10 times bigger and I don’t remember trucks way back when.

Made me remember a storm we had in about 1964 or 1965.It was a terrible blizzard and I was stranded at the San and Bud was stranded in Bottineau and the kids were at my folks. I don’t remember how long it lasted but as soon as highway 5 was open Bud came from Bottineau and picked me up and we went for the kids. Old number 5 was blocked but we could get as far as Chester Hill’s on the Willow Lake road where we called Dean Parrill and he came with snowmobile and picked us up and we went to Dad’s and got the kids and the cream can was full so we loaded that on the sled to take to the creamery for Dad. Bud and the kids road the sled hanging onto the cream can and we made it back to the car ok. We left the cream off with Minnie Alvin and went on home. Keith Pladson was staying with us that winter and when we got home the water was froze up at the barn The pump was in the cellar and the cellar had a dirt floor and he had been working between the barn and the cellar to get the water working. What a mess. Mud from the cellar door to the kitchen door. I can’t remember how long it took to get the water going again but they finally did.

Do you remember that Keith?

You can tell we’re getting old we enjoy spending more time in the past than looking to the future.

Pictures: I don’t know who the kids are by the hayrack. I doubt if anybody can tell me either. Notice the wheels on the hayrack and are those caps Canadian?

The people sitting on the rocks are identified as Stokes, Oscar Rendahl’s and daughter and Ulysses and wife. That’s not a real specific identification. I think theres some not accounted for. Wasn’t Ulysses killed over at old Kelvin or in the little praire area. He backed into the propeller of his airplane.

The picture with the 2 girls and the little guy are Eleanor Awalt and Marshall and the girl ??? Schwabe. Maybe Bonnie or Lloyd could fill in the gaps on that one.

The people on the stairs, again, are F. Stokes and Ulysses and I can’t find the picture and can’t remember who they are but I do think it was taken in Oregon.

The baby in the photo with the old phonograph is Esther Thompson Tangen. Must be almost 100 years old.

Just thought you’d enjoy. Thanks Mary K

Mary, These are some very precious photos to me. This is the first picture I ever remember seeing of my Grandfather, Frank Stokes. He died in 1932. Dad was 16 years old at the time. That’s a neat picture of your mother, Winifred. with all her brothers too. I’ll bet the Awalt siblings will figure out who the Schwade girl is too. I have heard of this Engalls family, in the picture below, being related to Laura Engalls Wilder too. I think this Engalls family is related to the Thompson’s, but I’m not sure how? Thank you Mary, Gary

Eleanor Awalt and Marshall and the girl ??? Schwabe

L to R: Frank Stokes, Ulysses Thompson, Keith Ingalls and either his wife or sister.

Somehow this family is tied in with Laura Ingalls Wilder but it carries off into another branch

William & Ida Thompson Pritchard’s children:

L to R: Robert, John, Lincoln, Corbin, Winifred and Norman

Esther Thompson Tangen

I don’t know who the kids are by the hayrack. I doubt if anybody can tell me either.

Notice the wheels on the hayrack and are those caps Canadian?

Randy Davis and the Davis Family:

Posted by Eileen Brudwick: Fargo, ND.

Dan Morgan former principle in hospice care: Edgeley, ND

From Ardys Bakken Horner (Teacher): Detroit Lakes, MN.

Gary what a beautiful office to work from….continue to enjoy the news, esp like photo of Orvin Hagen…a dear man.
We heard that Dan Morgan former principal and instructor at DHS is on Hospice care, he and Judy read your blog. Ardys Bakken Horner

Alice Vandal Leonard’s reply to the football picture: Minot, ND

From Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

Hi Gary,

I sent the “football” picture to Alice Leonard. Here is her reply: Thanks, Neola: My brother-in-law is Duane Woodford, #3, also in the front with bro Lowell Leonard. Duane is married to my sister Grace and they live in Winston-Salem, NC. All is well here and we’re keeping warm. Alice

Iver Loe and Softball memories:

From Kenny Nerpel (65): Rugby, ND.

Gary,

In post 694 Larry Liere asked about Iver Lo. He at one time owned the
Gambles Store in Dunseith. In the early 1940’s my Mom worked there. They
had a hardware department and I think they also sold furniture. She worked
there briefly before she traveled to Portland, Oregon to work as a welder
during the war. Later, I think the store was owned by the Anderson family.
The photo of Dunseith’s south main street cleared up some the fog for me
about the businesses there. I knew that there was a barber shop and a
restaurant on that end of town but I couldn’t remember much about them. How
could I forget Hank the Barber and the Gateway Café. Every two weeks,
whether it was needed or not, I stopped in at Hank’s for a haircut and if
I’m not mistaken Mrs. Hackman worked at the Gateway.

Larry Hackman’s softball memories also brought back some memories for me. I
played on a team in the late sixties that also traveled to Canada to play
some of the fast pitch teams there. I remember most of the players. The
infield was Bill Grimme at first base, Allen Houle at second, and Jim Berube
third. I was the weak link at shortstop. The catcher was Eddie McCloud and
the pitcher was the legendary Leonard McCloud. We made at least two trips
to Canada and although we had some pretty good hitters I don’t think we got
a hit in any of the games we played there. We were used to the slow pitch
stuff and some of the pitchers in fast pitch softball can throw the ball
underhanded as fast as baseball pitchers and they are about 30 ft closer.
Not too many of us managed to get the bats off of our shoulders.

The highlight of those years was the tournament in Rolla. The final game was
played under the lights and one year we advanced to the finals and played
the Dunseith J.C. team for the championship. The only player I remember for
sure that played on that team was John Morgan. I remember him because I
happened to overhear some trash talking between him and Jim Berube. He was
telling Jim that all they had to do to beat us was to hit the ball hard at
the shortstop. Jim made a halfhearted attempt to defend me, but that is
basically what happened. I don’t know if it was the playing under the
lights or if the trash talking had the intended effect. I was getting hard
shots hit at me all night and Jim couldn’t pick up enough of the ricochets
to bail me out. Social activities (banquets and such) for the team
generally took place at the country home of Garrett Myers, located somewhere
along the gravel pit road north of town. I think we were much more adept at
partying than we were at softball. Great memories!

Kenny

Ole Bursinger:

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

Thanks to Gary Metcalfe for the insight on Ole Bursinger’s life. He
was quite a guy. I can still hear him playing ‘Rubber Dolly’ on his
fiddle and singing ‘Little Footprints in the Snow’. You mentioned how he
liked Hank Williams. He also liked old Jimmy Rogers songs. Ole was
really lost after Glenice (Granny) passed away. He spent hours every day
just driving around in his pickup for no reason. It was sad to see. He
was pretty much one of a kind. Thanks to BOTH Garys !

Dick

Wrong Randy Davis:

Correction from Evon Lagerquist (77): Dunseith, ND.

Gary, I don’t think that this is the Randy Davis from our class of ’77 in Dunseith. Seems a little bit older than the rest of us and I don’t believe those were his parent’s names. I know his mom’s name is Joyce…..

Evon

Evon, I for sure didn’t do the math with this one. The Randy Davis from your class would be about 8 years younger. Thank you so much for this correction. Gary

School Memorabilia:

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

During all my school years, I had John Boguslawski for a constant
pal and cohort. We were at each others places nearly every day and he
and I were always doing mechanical things with cars and motorcycles.
John came along to the farm and worked with me when I needed help.
Another thing that we did was help his dad, Eddie Boguslawski, do things
at the school. We hauled out discarded junk and piled coal and other
jobs. One time we were told to clean out the storage area under the old
concrete bleachers in the old gym. To many of you, this was the area
under the temporary typing room that was built over the bleachers. In
the boxes we were hauling out, I found the old leather football helmets
we just saw in the picture of the ’55 football team. There was also a
box of basketball jerseys and trunks that Dad said were from the
independent basketball team that was from Dunseith in the late ’40s and
early ’50s. The jerseys were red and white and had a name on them. I
have tried to remember that team name for years, but can’t come up with
it. I was wondering if Mona Dionne Johnson or ANYONE else can remember
the name of this team? I think Virgil Vanorny and Chuck Johnson were
both on the team. The name wasn’t the ‘Dragons’ and that’s what puzzled
me when I opened the box. We hauled nearly everything up to the old dump
ground and gave it a toss. Also included in the haul were the band
uniforms we saw in the band picture from 1956. I kept one band cap, one
football helmet, and a box full of old papers and letters dated back to
the ’20s. Everything else got buried in the trash. This was in the mid
’60s and I still have all the stuff! There was also many feet of steam
pipes under the bleachers and they were wrapped with asbestos. The
system was changed so they told us to clean up the pipes and then take
them out. John and I cut the wrap off with linoleum knives and ripped
the covering off with our bare hands. It was so dusty from the asbestos
and dust that we could hardly see each other with the light on! They
always talk about Mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos! If that’s the
case—we didn’t even have a mask and would cough until we gagged, but
never quit until we were done. Wouldn’t OSHA and the EPA love this
deal?? Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick, You are right. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to Asbestos. It’s an abdominal cancer that is virtually 100% fatal within a few months of detection. Asbestos was very prevalent in the insulation materials aboard the naval ships I worked on. Until 1970, there were few controls. Following my apprenticeship in the Pipe covering and insulation trade in 1974, I became an instructor in the Shipyard for asbestos controls. With my knowledge of the asbestos trade and controls, I was hired into the Production Scheduling department of the shipyard in 1978. I was a supervisor in the Scheduling department when I retired in December 2003. Prior to being inducted into the Service, from Feb 1967 to June 1968, I worked in the asbestos trade with few controls. When I returned to the Shipyard following my active duty service in 1971, there were many controls. I have minimal plural thickening of the lungs as a result of having been exposed to asbestos. I have never smoked, so my chances are 85% greater than those that smoked, for not having asbestos related problems. Gary

Allen Richard (65) birthday:

Reply from Nathan Richard (2000): Fort Greeley, AK

Gary,

In regards to my fathers birthday. Some may know about his illustrious ’74
Dodge charger. This summer we went home to North Dakota and met with dad in
Minneapolis. He drove the old car to see us as we spent a couple days in
town. I had the great opportunity to take a few pictures of all of us
together. The best part however, became a gift I gave him for his birthday
this year. All in all the picture turned out great in the form of a 24″ x
36″ print. I am attaching a small sampling.

Nathan A. Richard

Ulysses & Clara Stokes Thompson

Photo from Mary Eurich Knutson (62):

Folks, I received 7 old photo’s from Mary Eurich Knutson. Karen Larson at Spectrum scanned them for her and sent them to me with a note not to publish until Mary gets in touch with me. Since this one is labeled and I know the picture, I will post this one today and wait for Mary’s reply before posting the rest.

Clara Stokes Thompson was my great Aunt. Ulysses and Clara were the parents of Ella (Eldon) Pladson, Esther (Edmar) Tangen & Lillian Bergstrom. Lillian is living Wisconsin. Ella and Esther are deceased.

Mary Eurich’s grandmother, Ida Pritchard, was a sister to Ulysses Thompson.

Ulysses & Clara Stokes Thompson homesteaded about a mile or so north of the Ackworth Cemetery on the east side of the road. When you turn west into Fauske’s from the Willow Lake road, I believe the Ulysses Thompson homestead was to the east of that turn? If not, it was in that general area.

Mary, These are some great pictures. This is the first picture I have ever seen of Ulysses & Clara Thompson. Their names were mentioned many times in my growing up years too. If Lillian does not have a copy of this, I’m sure she’d love to have a one. I’m sure Keith Pladson or John Tangen can touch base with her on this and get a copy to her.

Thank you Mary. I’m excited to see the labeling on the rest of the photo’s you sent too. Gary.

From:

Ivy Eller Robert (74): Everett, WA

Susan Malaterre Johnson (69): Alvarado, TX

Hi Gary…….

I got this from Susan Malaterre Johnson, who lives in Texas. I though it would be great to share it with others that have experienced the great North Dakota weather…………

Ivy Robert

COLD IS A RELATIVE THING

65 ABOVE ZERO:

Floridians turn on the heat.

People in North Dakota plant gardens.

60 ABOVE ZERO:

Californians shiver uncontrollably.

People in North Dakota sunbathe.

50 ABOVE ZERO:

Italian & English cars won’t start.

People in North Dakota drive with the windows down.

40 ABOVE ZERO:

Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, and wool hats.

People in North Dakota throw on a flannel shirt.

35 ABOVE ZERO:

New Yorklandlords finally turn up the heat.

People in North Dakota have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20 ABOVE ZERO:

People in Miami all die.

North Dakotans close the windows.

ZERO:

Californians fly away to Mexico .

People in North Dakota start looking for their winter coats.

10 BELOW ZERO:

Hollywooddisintegrates.

The Girl Scouts in North Dakota are selling cookies door to door.

20 BELOW ZERO:

WashingtonDC runs out of hot air.

People in North Dakota let the dogs sleep indoors.

30 BELOW ZERO:

Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.

North Dakotans get upset because they can’t start the snowmobile.

40 BELOW ZERO:

ALL atomic motion stops.

People in North Dakota start saying”Cold enough fer ya?”

50 BELOW ZERO:

Hell freezes over.

North Dakota public schools will open 2 hours late.

Bobby Pigion (57):

Reply from Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM

Hi Gary,

Just wanted to tell you that I received a nice note from Bobby
Pigeon. He IS the one living in Columbia, South Carolina. It’s
always surprising when I realize that someone who never actually
shares a comment on your blog is still present — reading it every
day. That is somehow beyond amazing … I love knowing that all of
us are silently connected to one another every day.

Thanks,
Colette

PS. I also love it when you share something about your life in Cebu
in with us. We are all enriched when we are exposed to cultures
other than our own.

From Bob Pigeon(57): COLUMBIA, SC

Gary,

Kenneth Pigeon is in the 1955 football picture. I’m sorry if I confused things. Since I’ve already erased that e-mail, I would like to see it again with all of the names. I remembered the faces but could not remember the names.

Thank you for all that you do because you’ve helped bring back fond memories of the past.

Bob Pigeon

Bob, I have reposted the football picture with all the correct names near the bottom of this message. Thanks and it’s great hearing from you. Gary

Ted Brodek:

Reply from Carmen Leonard Richard: Rolette, ND.

Ted Brodek was the photographer at our wedding back in 1954. He drove out to the Thorne church where we were married, and then drove to my parents farm where the reception was held, took lots of pictures and only charged us $10. Isn’t that unreal ? As I remember , he had been a patient at San Haven, and then was a photographer for the Dunseith news paper.

Reply to Allen Richard (65):

From Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM

Hi Cousin,

Happy Birthday, Allen. You’ll always be younger than I am (though not by much!).

xox

Colette

Reply to Allen Richard (65):

From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.

Gary and Friends,

Good detective work there Allen. I had no idea that Curtis and
Kenneth Pigeon were twins. I knew they were brothers but not twins.
Thanks! Curtis called me a few years ago about old cars. I think he was
living in Utah or Nevada, or somewhere like that, at the time. We never
got together on a deal and then just a short while later I heard he had
died. Small world! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Joe Link and George Gottbreht Story:

From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.

Gary and Friends,

I have a story that Sharron Gottbreht Shen might find amusing. When
I was in the lower grades in the old white school, I witnessed my very
first fist fight. It happened one day when we were all out for recess.
Two older guys, probably early high school age, stripped down to their
white T shirts and mixed it up over by the basketball court. The
combatants were Joe Link and George Gottbreht. I have no idea what the
disagreement was about but they smacked each other a few times before
Mr. Conroy and Mr. Jerstad arrived and ended the confrontation. They
both had a few scuffs and one got a bloody nose, although I don’t
remember which. I wonder if George remembers what they were fighting
about? Growing up in old Dunseith, I might have seen a couple more
scraps if my memory serves me right! Saturday nights were usually good
for a round or two uptown! We used to cruise Main street and watch for
fights. The wildest fights were the women after they had been in the bar
for an hour or two. ‘Cat fights’ were nasty although there was
another name (politically incorrect) that these were referred to back
then! Thanks Gary!

Reply from Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI

Thanks, Gary–I was doing my best to forget today–even blocked a move by my staff to take me to lunch–I have another meeting. Never fear–I planted a “bug” on one of them!

Only have one question–who the hell is the good lookin dark haired guy with Clinton?????? — Oh — sorry– I dug the picture out of a box in the basement. It was me in ’94 at a meeting at the White house. The woman in the background was my boss at National Farmers Union.

Randy Davis (77) Passed away:

Obituary posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.

Gary,

As you know, I include mailing addresses along with many obituaries, so people can send cards to the family. I found this address for Christy Davis.

Christy Davis

PO Box ??

13 Third St W

Dunseith, ND 58329

Randy Davis

PO Box 733

Belcourt, ND 58316

Neola

Ole Bersinger:

Memories from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO

Musings from Gary Metcalfe…..I am writing this story about a guy who got a lot out of his music. For the new people on the blog, we have already talked about Ole Bersinger. Ole had a better than average story to tell. So here goes, the first time I remember seeing Ole, he was backed up to the ice cream cooler at Kelvin Store along with his wife and a couple of kids. Ole was in new territory for him. This was in the hayday of Kelvin the five years that Mac Williams ran the store. Mac was buying cream, selling groceries and beer like crazy. I guarantee if oak trees were killed by too much urine, that old oak tree by the corner of the bar would be dead! Just about everybody east of the highway went to Rolla, including Ole. Ole was so far back in the woods they had to pump daylight back to him.

Now Ole was an orphan, a German kid, raised by Norweigans for which he seemed thankful. The first year he was married he told me they lived on carrots! When Ole went to Seattle in the 40’s, I am not sure it worked out for him like it did for most of the people who made that move. He told me he had gone to work out in a gym in Bremerton and that big black guy put welts from boxing, all over him. So he turned to the fiddle, lonesome for home, he learned to play.

So here he is back in North Dakota, he must have heard about Peterson’s Hall, south of Kelvin. He met old Max Peterson and his boys and Ole became a celebrity. Ole really thought he was Ole Hank Williams himself, he said when it came to Country Western, none of them compared to Hank. I’ll bet if Ole had not learned to play that fiddle, I would have missed out on three or four of the best working years of my life. He had an absolute love of life and we had a hoot. He had a high respect for our working partner, Robert Rivard. Ole called him “Rhubarb”.

Alan Campbell told me once we don’t all necessarily get to do what we like to do. Ole would have said, “I did!”

Because of the hard times Ole is in the same class as Alcide Lajimodiere….all heart…genuine.

Gary Metcalfe

Orvin Hagen: (701) 428-3125 Kindred, ND.

Folks, We got this lovely Christmas card from Orvin Yesterday. Orvin did not have our FPO address, so he mailed it to our local address. With the Christmas rush it took 5 1/2 weeks to arrive, but we got it. As you can see, at 88 years old, Orvin is still very much into flowers with all his flower gardens. I called Orvin this morning his time. It’s just like old times talking with Orvin. Orvin is very much involved with community affairs and the church. He doesn’t drive at night, but folks pick him up to take him to different events after dark. He attends lots of functions at the school. Orvin told me that when he was about 10 years old he lived with his grandparents for several years. They spoke only Norwegian, so of coarse he had to learn the language of which he has never forgotten.

Orvin would very much like to attend the Dunseith reunion in May, but he has no way of getting there. It’s too far for him to drive. Linda Gardner is picking him up for the Turtle Mountain Country School reunion in July. Orvin lives in Kindred, ND., near Fargo. Gary

Gottbreht Family picture label

From Sharron Gottbreh Shen (59): Everett, WA.

You Gary and the readers may smile when I tell you that the Gottbreht girls are all dressed in outfits sewed by Mom. The fabric was some weird green from drapes that Sister Rose reserved for her friend Alma. Very frugal partnership there! The boys had store bought awful western the girls suffered Sears Roebuck envy.  Mom had an old pedal Singer and did all parenting and seamstress work with such care.

L-R Dale Gottbreht with Ernie on foot stool; EJ and Sharron on floor; George on stairs; baby Marc on armrest; then Alma with shy Evie at her side. Don’t tell EJ, Evie, that I posted this picture!

Sharron

L-R Dale Gottbreht with Ernie on foot stool; EJ and Sharron on floor;
George on stairs; baby Marc on armrest; then Alma with shy Evie at her side

Football picture Identification:

From Bob Pigeon(57): COLUMBIA, SC

Gary,

Please resend the photo of the 1955 football team with a correction. Kenneth Pigeon was mistaken for Curtis Pigeon. Also, please thank Larry for sending it in.

Bob Pigeon

Back: Coach Ray Stark, Marvin Aamodt, James Robillard, Vince Kalk, David Lo,

Gerald Anderson, Larry Shirk and Coach Lincoln Jerstad.

Middle: Lowell Williams, DuWayne Lang, Dennis Espe, Don Conroy, Kenneth Pigeon, Bob Pigeon.

Front: Val Bott, Bob Lagerquist, Lowell Leonard, Curt Halvorson, Mick Kester, Duane Woodford.

Happy Birthday Allen Richard (65):

Folks, Today, January 26th, is Allen Richard’s birthday. We won’t tell his age, but we all know he was born after 1946 and before 1948, the same as the majority of those of us from the class of 65. It’s so hard to believe that we have grandchildren and some great grandchildren too. These daily blogs make me feel so young.

Happy Birthday Allen. Enjoy. I’ll be catching up to you in July. That SS check is nice too. It all comes with age. Gary

Dorothy Pritchard celebrated her 97th Birthday: activitynd@yahoo.com

Folks, Dorothy Pritchard celebrated her 97th birthday yesterday, Jan. 25th. The picture below was taken last year.

Dorothy, I got rushed yesterday and forgot to make note of your Birthday. I am hoping you had an enjoyable birthday. Did Darald send a cake like he normally does for you birthday? Yes Dorothy, you have a few years behind you, but you are still going strong in spirit and mind. You may not move as quickly as you once did, but again, that comes with age. I hope I’m doing half as well you are when I reach your age. I intended to get there too. I sent you a card too, of which I know has not arrived yet. Gary

Folks, Dorothy gets all these daily messages. The hospital staff prints them all out for her. I have pasted her email address above. You can send her a message using the email address posted above. Just print “Attention Dorothy Pritchard” in the subject line and she will get your message.

Reply From Ruby Krause: Dunseith, ND.

Thank you for the birthday wishes. When I approached the entrance to my church–Peace Lutheran–I notiaced the entire congregation had assembled in the narthex. I thought maybe the heat was off, but when I opened the doors, they all burst onto a “happy Birthday” song! It seems Peggy Espe had seen the greeting on your blog, so she arranged the serenade. So you are responsible for two

School Cooks – Stella Schimetz:

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.

Gary and Friends,

LeaRae told of the wonderful cooks at the school in Dunseith. We had
lunch for hundreds of kids that two or three cooks made on a couple four
burner stoves under the stairway. This is the most amazing part to me.
It seems nearly impossible. I think these older women were used to
preparing meals for large families and also must have known how to
‘time’ the preparation in order to get that much food out in that little
space. One thing I am personally grateful for was how Stella Schimetz
knew that our son, David, couldn’t eat some things because he would get
sick. On the days she was serving any of these items, she would make up
a plate of something that David could eat without a problem.This of
course was years later. She is a queen, as far as our family is
concerned. Dave always used to go and hug Stella whenever he saw her,
even years later. He grew out of his allergies to certain foods and now
can live on gut bomb hamburgers and whatever liquids available it seems!
We remain forever grateful to Stella for her wonderful extra help.
Thanks Gary!

Dick

Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion:

Reply form Linda Gardner: Vienna, VA

Hi Gary – The $42 for the Country School Reunion includes registration, happy hour appetizers (cash bar) and a buffet dinner (supper). Let me know if anyone has other questions.

Brodek Family & Pictures:

From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.

The Brodek family became our neighbors just north across the street from former Link home about 1948. Ted and Tessie Brodek were married in Dunseith about 1943, Alice Tennancour Evans was a witness. Ted and Tessie may have met while he was a patient at San Haven. I think their oldest, Ronnie, was about the same age as Ernie born 1946; Yvonne, Vonnie or Sissy was born about ’49. This great couple actually trusted me to babysit their children! I was probably 10 going on 7! These dear people would try to wake me when they returned home, put my boots on for me and set me out the door. I would wake the next morning at home without a clue as to how I got there.

Ted did WITH THE DUNSEITH REPORTER – TMS for a few years, very polished job. Then on to Rugby for a short time before moving to Pontiac, MI. Ted died in ’70s. I gather that Tessie later remarried since her name change in Mom’s address book is Tessie Meade, 580 Grand, Cold Water, MI. We had no reply from Tessie after 2001 and I tried to find Ron without success. His last known residence was Mesa, AZ. I know Tessie and children returned to Dunseith a few times when Ron and Yvonne young adults. George may have more info.

Someone was always snapping pictures around our home but quality photographs were rare. Ted changed that with the addition of his classy work – we treasured his priceless work then and today. Tessie often tinted sepia or black and white portraits. Maybe Evie will scan her’s when she was about age 3. The scans attached are Ted’s work.

Sharron

1950

This has to be the Gottbreht family.That sure looks like Evie on the far right. I believe Ernie is the

little boy on the far left. Sharron, can we get you to correctly identify everyone. Thanks, Gary

Football Picture: