2-27-2008 | Dunseith Alumni

Sharon Longie Dana’s (73) Condolences to the Evans/Berube family & question about Bev Azure:

Can someone tell me what’s going on with Clarence and
Bev Azure???/ the medical expenses part??? I have been
out of the loop.
I also send my condolences for the Berube/Evans
families, she was the nicest woman. I always remember
her when we sold Christmas wreaths, she bought one
every year and it was a special time to visit with
her.
Sharon Longie Dana(class of 73)

Sharon, For those of you in the classes of 72 & 73 and a few others that have been added to the Alumni list in the past month, I’ve pasted. at the bottome of this message, a few of the messages explaining Bev’s bout with Cancer. She is one lucky lady to have come out of this whole thing as well as she has. The messages at the bottom pretty much explaine her whole story.

Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine’s (73) reply to Gary Stokes’ phone call:

Next to visting with you last evening this news letter was great. I have
so many fond memories of Dunseith school days and the Turtle mountians. I
think of all the good times in 4-H and those hay rides. I would love to
hear from anyone and everyone. thanks for adding me to your e-mail
address. Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine class of 73.

Note: Jim, Marlys, Vickie & Lorie are all siblings of Norman & Irene Hiatt (Both deceased). They were our close neighbors to the east of us up in the hills in the Ackworth community. We did a lot of neighboring back and forth in our growing up days of which I have fond memories of. We now have all four of the Hiatt siblings are on our distribution list. Gary

Diane Larson Sjol”s (70) memory of Jack Hosmer:

I remember Uncle Jack (Hosmer) taking us kids out on the pontoon. We�
had so much fun…it was actually the first pontoon on the�
lake…complete with lawn chairs and a little cooler. He would take�
it out on the lake and let us jump off and swim. He never seemed to�
be in a hurry….When I walked in the store at about age 10, he would�
holler here comes Dinah Shore…don’t know why he called me that but I�
kind of liked the attention. Both Jack and Inie were wonderful�
people. We have lots of good memories of both of them….they are�
missed. Thanks for the picture Dick. Diane

Bill Hosmer’s (48) question for Dick Johnson (68) and others (68):

Gary, and my Dunseith Friends,

Just a quick comment on Dick Johnson’s comments about the triple 50th
wedding anniversary. Dad (Jack) and Glen took their two women to
Crookston Minnesota and had a double wedding. They used Ike Berg’s
car for some reason, maybe because it had front and back seats.In
actuality, Ike and Agnes were married that same year, 1929, but were
already married but could not reveal that fact because Agnes was a
school teacher, and marriage was not allowed in those days unless you
were a male. Some swell rationale behind all that, I suppose.

On another matter for Dick and you other musicians in our readership
I have a favor to ask and pursue, and you may have some ideas how to
approach this task: I wrote some words for a song about a fighter
airplane I flew long ago, for a reunion of a bunch of the fighter
pilots who flew it. It premiered at the first F-100 Super Sabre
Society reunion in 2007. The next reunion will be in the spring of
2009, where I would like to play it on a CD with speakers for the 5
or 7 hundred people who will be there. The two F-100 pilots who sang
it the first time could not be heard, and I’ve been asked to get
different musicians, because the words were well liked.

The words are mine, but I stole the music from an old version of
“Ghost Riders In The Sky” made popular by a vocalist named Frankie
Laine. My version is called “Hun Drivers In The Sky” “Hun” is
the nickname of the F- one hundred.

I heard Dick’s Dad, Don Johnson sing many times while we were in
DHS, and maybe some of those musical genes are maintained in the
musical repertoise of Dick, and others of you who have excelled in
the musical world.

My strategy, if there is any interest in this project, is to email
the words to the piece to appropriate and kind interested musicians
from my home town territory. I would cover any expenses, and
provide an amount of cash to make the time and effort worth while.
Copies of the disc would be available for any performers at zero
cost , as well. With copyright laws in question, I would not
intend on selling any CDs, but just use the one I get to play at the
2009 reunion in Las Vegas, NV.

I will send the words if there is any interest in this matter. I
am looking around the field of guys I flew the Hun with, but one
thing about fighter pilot singing is that it usually done in large
numbers with alot of alcolhol having been consumed, thereby making
the tonal quality “irritating” at best. A North Dakota sound from
the hills and plains would be something special and one I’d be
proud to give full credit to when the event occurs.

Gary and all the rest, all my best. Bill Hosmer

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

This is the article from the TMS in Oct of 1979. It goes with the
picture that Dick sent. The article is an interesting one, I hope it
comes throught good enough for all to read. Three nice couples, who
added a lot to the history of Dunseith. Hugs, Susan

Bev Morinville Azure’s Cancer diagnosis

Classes of 72 & 73 and a few others of you that have been added to the Alumni list in the past month:

These are a few of the messages in progression that explain Bev’s diagnosis with cancer and her present condition to date.

1/10/08: Message from Deb Morinville (70). Bev Morinville (72) has Cancer:

Hi Gary,

If it’s possible could you pass this along to the classes of 68 through 73? As you know Bev found out that she has cancer in her mouth, under the tongue to be precise. She has to have Cat scans, chest X-rays and bloodwork, but it looks like she will be having surgery on Tuesday. It’s going to be very rough for a few weeks. They told her she will lose about 75% of her tongue and will have to have speech therapy. She will also have a g-tube for feeding and drinking for a while. Also they will remove her bottom teeth because it makes it easier for radiation.

Those of you that have time I know that she would love to hear from you. Her snail mail is

Bev Azure

POB 447

Dunseith ND 58329

1/26/08: Deb Morinville’s (72) Surgery: Report from Deb Morinville (70):

Hi Gary,

Here is the first report after Bev’s surgery today. The dr. said that he didn’t have to take as much of her tongue. In fact he could leave the tip and so she will have way less difficulty talking. She should be able to very quickly. The CAT scan and other tests look like they got everything and the tumor hadn’t spread. We are all so relieved and are cautiously optimistic. When I hear more I’ll let you know. BTW thank you to all who have sent her cards and emails. She is overwhelmed (in a good way) and deeply moved. You have all helped her to face this with a lot of strength and grace. I am so grateful to you all. But what else could you expect from Dunseith’s best?

Deb

2/8/08: Bev Morinville’s (72) update from sister Deb (70):

Hi Gary,

I just finished a short but very happy phone call with Bev! She is doing so terrific that SHE answered the phone. Sent me immediately into a frenzy of crying and laughing! She will be finding out soon about radiation but she won’t have to have chemo and she is speaking so clearly. I was so amazed. She stills tires easily but will return to her computer soon. In the meantime I have forwarded to her all the private emails I have received asking about her. She wants me to tell all of you that she is so grateful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers that she has received. It really is a miracle and an amazing answer to all those prayers.

Deb Morinville Marmon 70

2/10/08: Message from Bev Morinville Azure (72):

GARY, PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO THE DUNSEITH GANG !!!!!!!!!!! HI EVERYONE FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH OF U FOR ALL THE GET WELL WISHES AND CARDS , E MAILS AND VISITS I HAVE RECIEVED IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS WOW WHAT A BUNCH OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE U ARE. I HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED AND SO MANY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.I HAVE THE GREATEST FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN THE WORLD NOT ONLY DID MY CLOSE FRIENDS RALLY AROUND ME AND MY FAMILY BUT FRIENDS OF MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS . AND ALSO THE FRIENDS FROM YEARS AGO I THANK U ALL SO MUCH. WE GREW UP IN A GREAT PLACE AND EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T SEE EACH OTHER OFTEN IT AMAZES ME HOW OLD FRIENDS COME THOUGH WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS A KIND WORD . I AM RECOVERING JUST FINE I WILL NEED RADATION 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR 7 WEEKS JUST TO MAKE SURE NONE OF THOSE NASTY CELLS RUN AWAY WHEN THEY SAW THAT KNIFE COMING LOL I HAD AN AMAZING DOC. I WAS VERY BLESSED IN MANY WAYS YES I LOST 50% OF MY TOUNGE BUT I CAN TALK AND I CAN LAUGH AND AND I THANK GOD FOR THAT. THE CANCER DID NOT MOVE FROM MY TOUNGE . I HAVE A FEELIN MY ANGELS JOE AND FRANCES WERE HOLDING THAT BACK . ANYWAYS I DO THANK EACH OF U FOR THE SPECIAL BLESSING OF FRIENDSHIP U HAVE GIVEN ME IN THIS TIME . U WILL ALL BE BLESSED SOMEDAY. GOD WATCH OVER U AND MAY HE BLESS YOU . CATHY IT WAS GREAT TO SEE U THE OTHER DAY WHAT A LIFT U GAVE ME. BEV