8/15/2016 (2421)

Photo: Joe and Joyce Evans…Don and Bernice Johnson & Floyd and Luella Dion
Reply From Bill Hosmer (48):  Tucson, AZ.
Bill

Gary, I just returned from a short visit to Dunseith and Lake Metigoshe.  I just want to remark about the picture of Joe and Joyce Evans…Don and Bernice Johnson, Floyd and Luella Dion.  All of these folks were the best of friends of mine starting at a very young age, and through my aging process. They gave me friendship unmatched in my experience.  This photo is a treasure to me, and I thank you, Sir.

Bill Hosmer
Dunseith 492

 

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Blog (492) posted on June 16, 2009

Dinner Raffle tickets:
Folks,
Bill Grimme told us months ago his plans to raffle off one free Steak dinner and one free Chicken dinner, out of his own pocket, for those signed up to go to the Dunseith Seattle reunion being held at the Best Western Hotel in Seattle on July 24th. To be included in this Raffle his cut off date was to be signed up by May 31st, with payment. He actually used the post marked date of the letters to determine when folks signed up. With a previous message he gave a time line for the number of entries each person would have in the raffle based on when they signed up. Those who signed up early got 5 entries and those that signed up near the end of May I believe got one entry.
Bill has let the computer mix all the folks numbers up in the attached pass word protected spread sheet that were signed up prior to May 31st. Bill has asked Bernadette and me to pick two numbers for this raffle.
Our number selections are:
For the Steak Raffle we picked number 21 (Steak)
For the Chicken Raffle we picked number 29 (Chicken)
When Bill sees this posted today he will send me the pass word to the attached file so we can all open it up and see who the winners are. I am excited to see this spread sheet that Bill put together too. We realize that not everyone will have the capabilities to open this spread sheet, so we will be posting the winners as well.
Thank you Bill for this very generous gesture. You are always one step ahead with all of your generosities.
Gary
From Bill Grimme:
Gary,
Here is the raffle sheet for the reunion dinner. Remember, I promised a raffle for a chicken and a beef dinner for all who paid before May 31 (postmark date). I think we are safe to run this now, since the checks I am getting are all postmarked in June.
So, here is how it works:
I have divided the electronic raffle tickets into a chicken and a beef raffle. I sorted the entries in each raffle using the random function of Excel. There are 86 chicken entries and 70 beef entries. Please send the attached workbook out in your daily email distribution. Then, if you or Bernadette will select 2 numbers, one for the Beef raffle (1-70) and one for the Chicken raffle (1-86), that will be the drawing. After you send the 2 numbers (one between 1 and 70 and the other between 1 and 86) and the Excel workbook out to everyone, I will send the password for the workbook and everyone can check the winners (of course we will transmit the winners, also, but everyone having the workbook and then numbers is a quality check). Good luck, all.
Bill
Reply from Rod Hiatt (69): Bottineau, ND
Hello Gary
Wrong Brian Johnson! My classmate was Chuck and Mona’s boy. They lived
at the San Haven and Brian was the oldest of 4 boys. I believe the
others are Craig, Kevin and Ross.
The other Brian, is also a good friend, but knowing him, he would surely
tell you that he is not nearly as old as I am. He owns and operates
Johnson Hoe Service in the area. He does a lot of work around Lake
Metigoshe and is as good on a Back Hoe as most surgeons are with a
scalpel. He did some work for me up at Long Lake a number of years back.
I got up there before 7 and he had already had an hours work done. He
mentioned that the neighbors might not be happy, but it was daylight and
time for them to get up anyway. He seemed to make friends like that all
the time!
Rod, I should have known Mona’s boy Brian was the Brian Johnson in your class. When I was putting your class list together I was thinking the Brian in your class was Lester/Marian’s boy until I got in touch with Mona’s Brian who I found listed with your age group living in Bottineau. He too is on our distribution list. I believe he works at the Bank located on Thompson street across from the creamery in Bottineau. Mona or Brian, have I remembered all this right? A little common sense would have told me that Lester/Marian’s Brian was not that old. Lester & Marion purchased Lester’s dads farm located 1.5 miles, the way crow flies, west or our place in 1961, the year I started high school. Loren was the oldest followed by Linda. Loren was 3 years younger than me and I believe Linda was in my brother Darrel’s class (70) five years behind me. The rest of the siblings were all younger. At the time I knew the whole family well, but being away from them for nearly 44 years, memories fade. Lester used to bring the kids to our house to catch the bus. Lester Johnson celebrated is 80th birthday about 4 years ago. As far as I know he’s still working for Ron Bergman at the Bottineau J.C. Penny store as a small engine mechanic. Ron Bergman, I’m not sure if you manage to read all of these messages, but if you do, is Lester still working for you? Gary
Question from Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND
Rod,
When will you be having your reunion? I would love to see Ron
Rieke…haven’t seen him years. Last I heard he owned a computer type
company and lived in Texas with a couple of kid and his wife….Diane Larson Sjol

Reply from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND
Gary, Garrett Meyers had a 1960 or 1961 Red Pontiac Convertible, I wonder if that isn’t Garrett Driving ?
Reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): Battle Ground, WA
Reply to Aggie C.
You know the night about Dale’s, some of that sounds familar and if it wasn’t me that night then we had another night just about like it. The place was crazy, crazy packed and you were trying to keep up with the orders and ran out of I think it was American Fries and I was waiting on tables and all of a sudden you hollered out “NO MORE AMERICAN FRIES” and everyone just stopped and looked at you and you were standing there with this huge knife in your hand which I think you then stuck into the counter.
I looked at whoever was at the table and said “Don’t order those”. That might have been the same night because I also remember after we closed, every table had dirty dishes and we were there well past midnight cleaning everything up. The other person I loved working there with was Brian Schimitz. He was like the best cook. He was doing some hard cleaning behind the grill one time and he looked underneath it for some reason and there was a skeleton of a frog under there.
Rhonda Hiatt
Reply from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
Goodmorning Gary, The pictures of the Fauske family is exactly how I remember them all. My sister Maryann and I were best friends with Carol, Beth,and Arlinda. Beth was in Maryanns grade,Arlinda and I were in the same grade,and Carol was in Aime and Geralds grade. Maryann and I use to do overnites at Fauskes now and then. I loved staying there cuz Elwood and Eleanor were always so nice to us,made us feel so special.That whole family still holds a pretty special place in our hearts. Just a truly beautiful family inside and out. Well gotta go, it’s 6:00a.m. I’m headed to the coast on some quick business and have to be back for work tonite,so I’ll talk to you all another time. Have a Great Day Gary, Aggie
Aggie, I’m sure you realize that Rod Hiatt is a first cousin to the Fauske siblings with his dad Howard Hiatt and Eleanor Hiatt Fauske being brother/sister. Gary
Message/Picture from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
Dear Gary,
On the third of June all the Awalt Children headed for a Lake Home near Lincoln Nebraska. For 5 days we celebrated together, reminisced about the younger years, and completely enjoyed the company of our siblings. We feel so fortunate to have all of our Brothers and Sisters and their spouses still alive.
We have been married a total of 367 years:
Lloyd and Theresa…60 years, Eleanor and Leonard…60 years, Marshall and Joan 50 years, Emma and Garry…55 years, Bonnie and Keith…52 years, Bill and Eunice…48 years, John and Gerri…42 years. Our Parents John and Gertrude Awalt were married over 60 years before they entered into eternity. They taught us Love, Fidelity, Perseverance, and Devotion to children and family. What a blessing was handed down to us from our Parents.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
back row: Garry Jolliffe, Keith Houle, Leonard Stickland, Lloyd Awalt, Marshall Awalt
middle: Emma Jolliffe, Bonnie Houle, Eleanor Stickland, Theresa Awalt, Joan Awalt
Front: Bill Awalt, Eunice Awalt, Gerri Awalt, John Awalt
Awalt Lloyd 1025 Main St Bottineau, ND 58318 (701) 228-3268 lata@min.midco.net 44
Awalt Stickland Eleanor 1 Longview RD W Bottineau, ND 58318 (701) 263-3366 lenlnor2@srt.com 47
Awalt Marshall 369 Danny Garner Rd Newport, NC 28570-6725 mandj@ec.rr.com 51
Awalt Jolliffe Emma Jean Gary 2452 E Morelos St Chandler, AZ 85225 (480) 792-9221 54
Awalt Houle Bonnie 16809 127th St Se Becker, MN 55308 (763) 262-3534 houle@izoom.net 56
Awalt Bill 1331 Silver Ridge Rd Lincoln, NE 68510 (402) 327-9403 Wdawalt@webtv.net 61
Awalt John 11433 Quinn St NW Minneapolis, MN 55433-3636 (763) 755-5691C612-812-6289 gerriawalt@mac.com 65
Message/pictures form Ken Striker: Dayton, OH.
On June 13th a Striker Reunion was held in Berne Indiana. It was attended by Marlene Striker of County R.43 Dunseith, her children Deane Striker of Dunseith and Donna Striker Robinson of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and Donna’s son Trever Lund of Minneapolis. See a picture of them and also a couple pics of the area where Wm Elmer Striker was born. Wm Elmer Striker s/o Mathias Striker homesteaded at Rolette Co ND/Dunseith in April of 1900. The other picture is Connie Striker Wright of Sacramento. She is d/o Rev Dale Striker s/o Charles Ernest Striker who homesteaded in 1907 at Bucyrus, ND. Ken Striker of Dayton, Ohio
Picture 1427 that I sent was taken at Swiss Village, an area of buildings typical of earlier history of Berne. Wm Elmer Striker was born a few miles due north from Swiss Village. I am sending a picture of the log cabin where Mathias Striker and later Dennis lived. Dennis was a younger brother of Mathias. Ken Striker of Dayton
Folks, I learn something new everyday. Doing a little research I see that Marlene Espe Striker is a daughter of Art/Effie Espe and also a sister to Monte. Effie was really active with the 4-H and Monte too. Monte, I had no idea that you are an uncle to the Striker kids. You guys are pretty close in age too, so that kind of threw me also. Monte, your mother was right in there with you and your 4-H projects. I think your mother was involved with my mother and the girls too. I remember being at your house numerous times with 4-H involvement. Mary Ann Hagen, Dorothy Lamb, Marion Johnson & Eleanor Fauske were also 4-H leaders for the girls at one time or another too. We boys had Orvin Hagen all the way through. I believe he was with the Mountaineers 4-H club from start to finish. I’m not sure how many years that was, but it was a bunch. My mother along with Mary Ann Hagen and I think Dorothy Lamb started that club. I remember their first organizational meeting being at the Hagen’s at which time they discussed asking Orvin if he’d volunteer to be the leader for the boys. Orvin accepted the challenge and was one of the best leaders we could have ever hoped for. Many of you folks out there were members of the Mountaineers 4-H club. I believe at one point we had more than 50 members. We were huge. Our primary meeting place was at the Ackworth school. We actually learned a whole lot through our 4-H projects. Gary
Picture L to R:
Deane Striker, Donna Stiker Robinson, Trever Lund & Marlene Espe Striker

Folks, Vickie Metcalfe (70) included me with this message she sent to Kith and Kin Metcalfe that I’d like to share with you. Vickie, as we all know, has provided us with some wonderful stories and memories of the past. She’s a beautiful writer. I always look forward to getting messages from Vickie. Gary
Kith and Kin
This FW was sent to me by Laverne Christenson, our Metcalfe connection in Winnepeg, Canada. Reading it and looking at the photo of the hands I remember my mom’s hands. She treasured the wedding ring on her left hand never took it off, continued to wear it after our dad died…. Until the stroke ravaging her body resulted in swelling fingers and required the ring removed. That ring was causing pain in her hands but she only agreed to have it removed when I reassured her by getting a gold chain so she could wear Dads ring close to her heart which she did the rest of her life.
Mom got her nails polished and manicured every week upon entering Good Sam. They looked more beautiful then as they were well taken care of by the wonderful aides. Cyndy and I were ……..AMUSED one day when one “old bat” said clearly and very loudly to others at her table commenting spitefully about our mothers hands. “Just look at Mrs. Metcalfe’s hands, you can tell that woman never did a lick of hard work in her life!”
Cyndy and I just smiled and in silence…thought…..”Mom’s hands?” “those hands milked cows, picked rocks and sticks, delivered baby lambs, helped Art Seim and dad pull calves having tough hard delivery, planted, hoed and tended massive gardens, picked berries, canned, washed and hung clothes, cleaned calf pens, mended fences by carrying posts along with Alcide,Ward, us kids and dad, butchered and cleaned chickens, cleaned barns and chicken coops,chopped wood, carried water, scrubbed floors, cut hair for family and neighbor friends, permed neighbors hair, nurtured and nursed baby calves and lambs,…licked her fingers to clean our faces or smooth our hair before church or “going visiting”, wiped our noses, spanked our butts when discipline was required, held our heads when we were vomiting sick,harnessed and drove the old grey mare..”old Bird” and ’63 chevy filled with day old baby calves purchased in Rugby in the back, prepared meals for hired hands, wrote letters, filled our blind fathers insulin needle, made homemade bread and buns, jelly rolls and chocolate cake from scratch, sewed our clothes on a pedal machine, read books to grand kids…………. held the Bible……..folded hands in prayer……………”
HAPPY JUNE one and all. Thanks Laverne. Love Vickie

Remember when someone touches your hand in time you may forget but when someone touches your heart they live in you forever.

JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURE ( it is in the attach) A GOOD WHILE, AND THEN READ THE REST. IT WILL TOUCH YOU.

I was privileged to take a photo of ‘Five Generations of Women’ shortly

before my 93 year-old Grandmother passed away last year. The photo, shown

below, features the hands of my Grandmother, Mom, Sister, Niece and

Great-Niece. While I can’t take credit for the idea, I was so happy to

have had the suggestion & capture this moment. It inspired a friend of

mine to do something similar which turned out so beautiful and a special

keepsake prior to her father’s passing.

 

Grandma’s Hands

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn’t move, just sat with her

head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn’t acknowledge my presence and the

longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK.

She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. Yes, I’m fine, thank you for asking, she said in a clear strong voice.

I didn’t mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and

I wanted to make sure you were OK, I explained to her.

‘Have you ever looked at your hands,’ she asked. ‘I mean really looked at your hands?’

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over,

palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my

hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

‘Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have

served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled

shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach

out and grab and embrace life.

‘They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother

taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my

boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

‘They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were

uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my

wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, andshook in fists of anger

when I didn’t understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the

rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and

raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well

these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

‘These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and

take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side

and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.’

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached

out and took my grandma’s hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt

or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of

grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and

watch God’s answer to prayer work in your life. Let’s continue praying for

one another.

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both.

Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something God would

do.