Phyllis McKay retires
Message from Phyllis McKay (’65): Auburn, WA
Hi Gary,
I have a new email because I am now retired from teaching. Yesterday was my last day at Lake Youngs Elementary after 33 years under contract in the same building. I substituted in the Kent School District for three years before I received my contract. I taught preschool for two years at Cross and Crown Lutheran Preschool. After 38 years total of teaching, I am retiring. I am looking forward to not hearing bells ring, going to the bathroom when I have to go, and not planning the next week’s lessons. I will miss the children calling Ms. McKay, making me laugh out loud about some of the things they say, and the great teachers I have worked with over the years. It has been a great career that I am truly grateful that I was able to do for so long and enjoy so much. I had 5 different celebrations and plan on having a few more to mark the occasion of a lifetime achievement. Of course you know I have always liked having or going to a party!
I am looking forward to our 50th high school class reunion this July. I will be arriving in North Dakota Monday June 22. I will be traveling with my sisters and brothers to Wisconsin for a Lindberg family reunion. I will spend time with my granddaughter and great grandson before she begins her first job as a dental hygienist in Ada, Minnesota. I will also see my daughter in Milnor, North Dakota and then back to Dunseith to spend time with each of my siblings that live around the area. After our weekend celebration for the reunion, I will head back to Washington to spend the summer and fall. I hope to travel to Arizona this winter to check out the different areas. I have many friends that winter in different parts of Arizona.
I was sadden to hear Bernadette, had a turn for the worse. I am sorry that I won’t get to see her this summer.
Phyllis McKay
Congratulations Phyllis.
There is no doubt that the Kent district is left with a huge void with your retirement. All those students you taught over the years were so blessed to had you for their teacher in their formative years. Phyllis, you are not only a good teacher but an excellent role model too. I know your former students look up to you today for your contribution to all of their successes today.
20 or so years ago you fell into the Washington State requirement, that was short lived for only a few years, requiring all public school teachers to have a Master’s degree in education. You took advantage of the opportunities offered with that requirement, getting your Masters and nearly your Doctorate too, in Education.
Phyllis, from leaving Dunseith High School after your Junior year, you did well over coming all the hurdles, and they were many, achieving all of your accomplishments’ getting to where you are today.
You are to be commended for a job well done.
Gary
Russell Pigeon (’63) has cancer of the oesophagus and brain tumors
Message from Bruce Pigeon (’61): Garrison, ND
Hi Gary
My younger brother Russell, has been in Sanford Hospital, in Bismarck since June 1, being treated for cancer of the oesophagus, of which a large section was removed and the stomach reattached. He spent several days in ICU and then into a regular room. Was doing quite well and they were talking about possibly sending him home by the weekend. Two days in the private room he blacked out while heading for the bathroom and fell, suffered a serious head injury. The CAT Scans and MRI of his head revealed that he has several tumors in his brain. To many to attempt operating on them, so they have opted to treat them with radiation.
Those treatments he started today and will need a total of 15 of them. He has always had a positive attitude about things and is handling this as well as can be expected. But I know he very concerned but tries to not show it or discuss it.
Russell doesn’t have internet, but has a lot of friends on the list. So I thought I would send a short note in the hope that you would inform those that know him. In the hope that a few additional prayers may turn the tide in his favor.
Thanks
Bruce Pigeon
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Blog (319) posted on December 28, 2008
Season’s greetings to each and everyone of you from our house to yours. Today marks one year of continuous distribution of our daily blog. You guys have done a wonderful job of keeping this going. It’s so nice coming from a smaller community where everyone knows or knows of most everyone from the distant past to the present. All of your contributions are greatly appreciated by most. I and I know a lot of you look forward, each day, to what will be sent in. It’s always so exciting hearing from new folks and folks we have not heard from in a while too. For general info, we currently have 641 folks on our Dunseith email list and growing.
Folks, turn up those speakers and enjoy.
Gary & Bernadette.
Carol Allard Buxbaum’s (65) reply to Gary:
Patty Boguslawski
Carol Allard 7/12/07
Gary, My computer is working now, I just don’t get on it enough. I’m on the communion picture, and my brother Larry is too. He is the second from the right, in the second row. Ginger had me right. Dark hair and bangs. I like getting these e-mails Gary. You’re doing a great job. Thanks for the cheery music. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!! Carol Allard
Carol, I have included that Cajun music with today’s message for everyone’s enjoyment while reading this message. Folks turn up your speakers and enjoy. Thank you Neola for providing.
The communion photo of Ginger’s that you referenced was posted with message (312) on 12/18.
I have known both you and Patty Boguslawski Gottbreht for many years, but I never knew you were first cousins until recently. I didn’t know you and Mel Kuhn were first cousins on the other side of your family either. Gary
Rita Anderson’s reply to everyone’s articles (Former owner of the Gamble store):
I enjoy the articles that you write, they are very interesting and informative. Just want to say that you were right about the Santa Clause. Walter Hiatt and Junior Mellhmer were the Santa Clauses. The suits that they wore belong to us at the Gamble Store, I had made it for our use. We always had a Santa Clause that would pass out candy to whoever was in the store at a certain time. We also used to play records outside over a loud speaker, I am sure you would remember that. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Rita Anderson
| From Erling Landsverk (44):
DEAR GARY AND BERNADETTE: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO BOTH OF YOU FROM JO ANN AND I. AS I READ THE DAILY MESSAGES FROM THE ISLAND OF CEBU AND THE MANY FOLKS FROM DUNSEITHI AM STRUCK BY THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU HAVE MANAGED TO BRING OUT THE KINSHIP THAT EXISTS AMONG THE PEOPLE OF DUNSEITH AND THE HILS TO THE NORTH. I CAN FEEL THE LOVE AND AFFECTION IN THE WORDS OF EVERYONE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR DAILY MESSAGE. I REGRET THE TARDINESS OF THIS MESSAGE, BUT JO ANN AND I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH A VIRUS FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS. WE ARE MUCH BETTER NOW. THANK YOOU GARY FOR YOUR DEDICATED AND DETAILED WORK. IT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT A GREAT GUY. JO ANN AND ERLING LANDSVERK |
Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73):
Reply to Gary
Dennis and Dallas LaVallie are brothers but not twins. I don’t know why Dennis isn’t listed. Can someone
tell us.
Sharon Longie Dana(73)
From Janice Leonard Workman (56):
Gary,
The thing I remember about Christmas in Dunseith is that Carols were playing over a loud speaker, I think at the Gamble Store but you could hear them all over Main Street. I loved them all but especially “Silver Bells.” That song always made me sing and I am a horrible singer. Here is the Auburn area we have about 8 – 10 inches of snow and the temp was at 30 degrees a couple of days. Lots of activities were canceled and school was closed a couple of days early for the Christmas vacation. I know those of you in ND and MN are probably laughing and I don’t blame you, because I know there is more snow and it is colder there than here. But we complain anyway.
So Merry Christmas and Happy of New Years to you all. Hope to see lots of you in July,
Janice
Janice, Having lived in the Bremerton/Seattle area for nearly 37 years, I am very familiar with the affects of the snow in that area when it snows. The snow in Seattle is very heavy and wet. It packs to ice very quickly causing very slippery roads. The icy roads combined with lots of hills and inexperienced winter drivers makes for some very dangerous driving conditions. The wet snow causes peoples cars to get high centered too. Then they are really stuck, even with 4WD, chains and studs. Bremerton currently has a foot of snow, but it’s suppose to melt soon. Gary
Folks, this is a picture of Bernadette with all her siblings that we took last night. Bernadette is the oldest (60), Jose (58), Berlinda (56) & Alot (54). They are all home for Christmas. I will say one thing and that is the fact that the relatives and folks in our compound, including our helpers, had an extra special Christmas with Bernadette’s sister, Alot, being here from Japan with all her generosity. She, like Bernadette, is very generous. Gary
Back: Bernadette & Berlinda (lives next door)
Front: Jose (from Mindanao, PI) & Alot (From Japan)
Picture from Wendy Strietzel (Dorothy Eurich’s (75) Daughter):
Gary,
I thought you might get a kick out of this.
Wendy Strietzel
Spring Break in ND
