Millang Memories
Posting from Keith Pladson (’66): Roanoke Rapids, NC
Thank you, Gary, for keeping this valuable information forum available to all of us. Having spent almost all of my adult life away from North Dakota (and more specifically the Dunseith, Bottineau and the Turtle Mountain communities) it was hard to keep abreast of events, happenings, changes, etc. that occurred in and/or effected where I came from. Your efforts with this blog have really changed that. I’m sure I echo the feelings of many, who like me, have chosen to live their lives far removed from back there, in saying again, Thank you, Gary!
I am saddened to hear the news of Diane Millang Volk’s passing. Though I don’t remember her much (I’m 11 years older) I considered her brother, Larry, my best friend during all of my High School years. And in deed I had the opportunity to communicate with both her brother, Larry, and her sister, Joanne, just last year.
Keith Pladson (66)
Gary’s comment
Thanks Keith for the nice comments
A fond Memory
Posting form Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
Gary and Dunseith Friends,
I am sharing a fond memory .
A 1983 Road Trip West
In the early eighties, Dad’s two brothers Emil and Jim within a fortnight of each other passed away unexpectedly. Dad emotionally close to each of his siblings, was left deeply bereft.
He found comfort with visiting his eldest brother, Bill, Close neighbors, Dunseith Senior Citizen’s and the last Stool at Dales.
Finally, I managed to talk him into a trip West to visit. He said, “Yes on one condition. I had to give my word, if any thing happened to him I would bring his body home to North Dakota.”
We made the decision to leave in mid July. The previous week I drove to S.E. Wyoming to bring to the farm my 11 year old nephew who would accompany us on our journey.
My father lived with diabetes, needed restful nights. We chose to leave on a mid morning on a bright summer day.
The guys were quietly non-communicative on the drive South to interstate. When with my father, I tried to be descriptive of our surroundings, “Smell the yellow clover Dad?” There is hay field to our right, a hay conditioner is moving pulled by a John Deere Green tractor.”
Initially, Dad with the seat reclined rode shotgun. The 11 year old was in the back seat. The seating arrangement swiftly changed for the remainder of our travels at the first rest area.
Getting out of the car, my nephew opened Grandpa’s door, unbuckled stepped back, gave his grandfather his right arm to guide him to the restrooms. Dad carried the white cane in his right hand.
When the two of them came back they were laughing . Dad said, “Were there the cock roaches in the ladies restroom?” I said “No why?” My nephew replied “We hit a couple in the Guys restroom.”It went down hill. Laughter and story telling continued between the two of them all the way toward Miles City for the night.
The dry Montana July heat took the breath away when stopping often at rest areas. While in Montana, we ate breakfasts of steak and eggs, dinner ‘s salads and later supper specials. The first night we ate at old Miles City Olive Hotel. ( If you watched Lonesome Dove and Gus, that place would be familiar?) Lodging across MT was usually at a Super 8 with air turned on High. We never left until late mornings.
The next three days of our journey west was filled with Grandpa telling his grandson crazy stories of his Navy Days.
I didn’t get a lick of help from either on anything. They just entertained each other. Oops, my nephew was good at packing and unpacking the Cougar.
I managed find my way through Seatle, avoiding rush hour traffic. I don’t think those people ever slow down! I found the street where my aunt’s Leona and Jean lived. Passing Aunt Leona’s house,I drove down the block to Aunt Jean and Uncle Waino who had an early supper waiting.
Aunt Jean always knew what her big brother and little boys liked to eat. And she loved spoiling everyone in her family.
My nephew now was quite comfortable bunking in the same room as his grandpa and guiding him around. Dad was quite familiar with the outlay of his sisters homes. He had previously visited both of them over the 40 years they had lived in those same homes.
After supper, on the second night in N. Seattle the phone rang. My cousin Ron asked, “Will you walk your dad up to my mom’s to visit?” My nephew was well into a wild card game called War stayed behind with his Great Aunt.
Dad wasn’t really keen on going any where as he wanted to stay in familiar place. Dad walked holding my arm, was rather stiff, ,bent, and weary. We quietly walked along, inhaling the cool, wonderful smells of evening air that can only happen in the Pacific North West.
Slowly Dad walked holding my arm guide, up the street. Click…Click. Click, went the cane. A sound…..What’s that? A drone? Yes, a drone!…faint at first… then clearly. Bagpipes piping, “Hark. Hark, the Pipes are Calling” . His demeanor changed immediately, Dad stopped brought himself up to stand straight, tall and listened. Then, with purpose he walked toward the sound of the pipes.
Ron was playing for him.
Solid steps in unison up the street we walked! Into view on the stoop stood our piper. He played on, a concert for his Uncle Cliff.
Inside the door, we were greeted by Ron’s parents. Leona and George and bit of more visiting. Uncle George retreated, off to his bedroom. He was going into work early in the morning at Boeings.
Dad continued to sit while Ron put the pipes away. Aunt Leona and I went to the kitchen sitting sat the metal dinette set, in the corner by the windows. It was quite familiar A home which hadn’t changed at all over the years.
Dad and Ron went into a quiet discussion. They spoke for an hour. Then, another hour. Then another. Finally, t’was 1:00 a.m. We all bid Leona goodnight. Ron drove dad and I down the street to Jean and Waino’s house. Jean had left the light on and the door open.
Dad never did tell me what he talked with Ron about. It was their time.
Years later, Ron told me, he never forgot the visit with my dad. Ron said, “After talking to your dad that night, I decided if Uncle Cliff could put his war away, I could put mine away too.”
Thank You Gary.
Until Later,
Vickie
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Blog (541) posted on September 5, 2009
Posted on September 6, 2009
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Request from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
Hi Gary, I just got off the phone with my sister Yvonne, I was telling her how interesting your daily e-mail to everyone is,she asked if you could put her on the list,her e-mail address is Thanks Gary – Hope You Have A Blest Day…Aggie Yvonne, I have you listed in my records with this email address, however I had some else’s email address listed for you on the master distribution list. I also have you listed as living in Bismarck. I am so sorry for the mix up. I caught one other person with a wrong email address too. Gary
Previously posted with message 164 on July 17, 2008 Reply from Alan (42) & Phyllis Campbell:
Gary: In answer to your request for the names of those at the ribbon cutting at the Grand Opening of the new Bottineau Security State Bank they are as follows: left to right: Jeff Campbell (class of 76), Phyllis, Cathy (class of 73), Jeremy (Jeff’s son who is working this summer at the Botno bank and is a Junior at U. of Mary in Bismarck),Alan, Bottineau Mayor Doug Marsden, Donovan Bertsch (a bank director), Rich (class of 68 and also a bank director) and David (class of 71). A little correction on the story – William (Bill) Campbelll came to the bank in Dunseith i n 1933 from Omemee where he, Violet and Alan were living. Several Dunseith businessmen including W.E. Hosmer, Joe Lamoureaux and Wm. Gottbreht among others asked him to come to Dunseith to run the bank. I forgot to mention above that Alan was a graduate in the class of 1942. He went to Jamestown College where eventully he and Phyllis met! These parents are very proud of all their children and the good education they received in Dunseith and thank you and others for your nice comments!Incidentally all four kids are happily married and all living in North Dakota! Alan and Phyllis have ten grandchildren – all out of high school now – plus two great-grandchildren. We do enjoy reading the emails from near and far!
Picture L to R: Jeff, Phyllis, Cathy, Jeremy & Alan Campbell; Doug Marsen, Donovan Bertsch, Rich Campbell and David Campbell
Warren Anderson – Viet Nam
Warren Anderson’s return trip to Viet Nam in 2006
From Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI Gary — I think a lot of the bloggers would like this
Allen Subject: Honor in a politician Harry Truman
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food. Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on fruit of their offices. Political offices are now for sale. Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, “My choices in |
