10/30/2011

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Reply fromDoreen Larson Moran (‘BHS 61): Usk, WA & Hazelton, ND

I thought maybe you would decide to include my travelogue. I tried to make clear enough where and what was going on. Figured the oil business would be of interest. I heard yesterday that they feel that ND will have 25 to 30 years of oil “boom”. Bob and I did go past your place and Bergan’s so it was good that you confirmed what we “felt” was the right place. I didn’t realize that Bergan Lake is a couple sections west of Oscar’s. But then that was probably his family during homestead days.

 

Thank you so much for this blog. It is a great connect and re-connect. It is a beautiful fall in No Dak. Doreen

Doreen,
 
Back in December 2009 we had quite a discussion about the Bergan’s. Clayton Bergan was Oscar’s nephew. He lived north of Dunseith. His children all attend Dunseith schools and are on our distribution as well. Lewis Bergan, Clayton’s dad, was the pioneer owner of the Johnny Hiatt farm now owned by Johnny’s nephew and his wife, Russell and Glenda Fauske.
 
There may be two Bergan Lakes. I am pretty sure that the lake located just into Bottineau county South of the Lester Johnson farm and NE of Jacob Bjornseth’s is also called the Bergan lake. The Bergan lake is located about 1.5 miles west of our old place. I always referred to that lake as the Johnson Lake in my growing up days, but I believe the maps have it labeled as the Bergan lake. This lake would be a couple sections east of Oscar’s. The Bergan homestead was in this area too.
 
I have included Barbara Trent Riehm’s reply to all of our 2009 discussions. I am pretty sure you know Barbara.
 
Gary

Previously posted with message 691 on 12/30/2009

 

Andrew Bergan Family:

Reply from Barbara Trent (Bergan) Riehm:San Diego, CA.

 

Gary I am enjoying all this information. I would like to clear up a few things. My Grandfather (Mother’s father) was Andrew Bergan, Louis Bergan was her Older(and I believe the oldest of the children) brother and Clayton her Nephew. Bertha Bergan was my Mother’s only sister. She married Eric Bjornseth. Oscar Bergan was the youngest in the family of 6 boys and 2 girls. I think that my Sister (Colleen Trent Baier) I am now the only living “Grandchildren” of Andrew and Christina Bergan, however I may be wrong.
Sorry I haven’t been in touch with you and all your “followers” I’ll try do better. Right now I am in the Rocky Mountains of Montana at my son’s beautiful 2nd home on Salmon Lake. Lots of snow and cold. but coming from California a few days of this is OK. I go back to San Diego on the 5th of January.

Happy New Year
Barbara Trent Riehm

 

 

Long, cold winter

Posting from Wayne Smith (’61): Bottineau, ND

 

Gary,

 

Lately, some bloggers have given signs of the upcoming long, cold ND winter. I know for sure we are in for a long cold winter because my neighbor Jade said that his wife quit shaving her legs September 1.

 

Wayne Smith (’61)

 

 

 

Picture Identification question

Reply Edna (Susie) Millang (’60): Dunseith, ND

 

Hi Gary
 
I think the first lady on the bottom row is Bonnie Poppel not Anna Fish. Thanks for all you do.
 
Edna (Susie) Millang (60)
 
Back: Jim Fulsebakke, Manvil Sebelius & Bill Peterson
Middle: Dagny Haagenson, Ardis Bakken, Mid Fulsebakke, Dorothy Sebelius, Joy Peterson.
Front: Anna Fish or Bonnie Popple, Mrs. Hugo Carlson and Murl Hill
 
 
 
 
Bottineau Holiday Arts, Craft & Bake Sale
 
Folks,
 
Neola will be selling her famous Caramels at this event too. If nothing else you can stop in to say Hello to Neola.
 
This is great community event.
 
Gary
 
 
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Doreen Larson Moran (‘BHS 61): Usk, WA & Hazelton, ND

North Dakota Ghost story – very creepy

This happened last winter just outside of Douglas, a little town in the back country of North Dakota. It sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale.

This out-of-state traveler was on the side of the road, hitchhiking on a real dark night in the middle of a snow storm. Time passed slowly and no cars went by. It was snowing so hard he could hardly see his hand in front of his face.

Suddenly he saw a car moving slowly, approaching and appearing ghost like in the snow. It slowly and silently crept toward him and stopped. Wanting a ride real bad the guy jumped in the car and closed the door; only then did he realize that there was nobody behind the wheel, and no sound of an engine.

Again the car crept slowly forward and the guy was terrified, too scared to think of jumping out and running. The guy saw that the car was approaching a sharp curve and, still too scared to jump out, he started to pray and began begging for his life; he was sure the ghost car would go off the road and into a nearby lake and he would drown!

But just before the curve, a shadowy figure appeared at the driver’s window and a hand reached in and turned the steering wheel, guiding the car safely around the bend. Then, just as silently, the hand disappeared through the window and the hitchhiker was alone again! Paralyzed with fear, the guy watched the hand reappear every time they reached a curve.

Finally the guy, scared to near death, had all he could take and jumped out of the car and ran and ran, into Garrison. Wet and in shock, he went into a bar and voice quavering, ordered two shots of whiskey, then told everybody about his supernatural experience.

A silence enveloped and everybody got goose bumps when they realized the guy was telling the truth (and was not just some drunk)

About half an hour later two guys walked into the bar and one says to the other, ‘Look Ole, ders dat idiot that rode in our car when we wuz pushin it in the snow.’