There should be plenty of time to pack suitcases later today so I give you my first minutes. Many of your readers will find the 1938 list of teachers for Rolette County of interest. My cousin Mildred Gottbreht Solomon taught summers in the rural schools near St John at this time – she married in ’39.

The picture of Ernest Boucher, Ronnald Tennancour, George Gottbreht and Sharron Shen was taken at Bob’s Cafe near the Missouri River front Sept 23. We then adjourned to Uncle’s apartment to enjoy a very delicious birthday cake. George was on the road to pick up Ronnie in Bottineau when he remembered CAKE! He called Wayne Barbot who arranged a beautiful cake with a baker he knew in Williston. It was all ready when Geo and Ron arrived – George keeps the controls at 2mph over speed limit, always!

Uncle regaled us with several stories that evening. This is one I should tell before I loose it. North Dakota voted Dry when she entered the Union. Back in the early 30’s when Ernie delivered beer in East Grand Forks, it was always draft beer sold in kegs. The only bottled beer sold was to the bootleggers. Special boxes were built to fit under the car seats which held one layer of large bottles side by side. No one local in the industry thought bottled beer and cash and carry sales would be a success. But when prohibition and state law changed a Jewish gentleman opened a market in GF selling bottled beer take away. His huge success made the local retailers take notice and the rest is history.

Uncle certainly enjoyed the visit. He teased Ronnie about the “strong” language he probably had learnt in the plumbing business and poked a bit of fun at the Mayor of Dunseith. Every niece and nephew was recalled and inquired about. Amazing man. Must run but wish to bring this visit to everyone at least one more time.

Sharron