8/12/2014 (2071)

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Gary

No blog since last Thursday (4 days)

For the record I did not get a blog out the last four days. The process of transferring all the files from my old computer to the new one I recently purchased took the tech, where I bought it from, two days. That combined with Sunday being a day off for the Tech and familiarization on my part, it took 4 days.

This is the first Blog posting using Outlook from my new computer. It is a definitely a learning curve. I am getting the hang of it though.

Gary

Happy Birthday Allen Pladson (’67): adpladson@gmail.com Dunseith, ND

Happy Birthday Geri Metcalfe Munro (DHS ’59): Fargo, ND

Happy Birthday Mel Kuhn (DHS ’70): Dunseith, ND

Happy Birthday Laurie Brennan: Killdeer, ND

Happy Birthday Denice Casavant: Rolette, ND

Happy Birthday Janice LaCoix Kester (DHS “59): Fargo, ND

Happy Birthday Mick Kester (DHS ’59): Fargo ND

Almo Pladson

Reply from Allen Richard (’65): Midland, MI

Almo is looking good! Happy birthday bud! Was great having you work for us back when you were a kid!!!!! Don’t be a stranger!

Gospel Festival at the Peace Garden

Posted by Don Boardman (’60): donboardman@min.midco.net Bottineau, ND

Attached is the poster we use for the Gospel Festival coming up this weekend at the Peace Gardens. If you would like to post this to your blog we would appreciate it. Anyone that wants to see more can go to our website of www.internationalcountrygospelfest.com. We have performers from the US and Canada on Saturday evening from 6-9 and Sunday from 1-6 with a church service from 11-12. There are concessions on the grounds. This is the 10^th annual Country Gospel Music Festival we will be having.

Don

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Norway Pictures and History

From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

History is one of my favorite subjects and Norway has some very interesting history over thousands of years. One of Norway’s worst periods was during the 1940s when the Nazis took control of the country and forced the Norwegians to be subservient to their demands. There are several museums and many monuments dedicated to these years of oppression. My cousin knew of my interest in the war years and the Norwegian Resistance so he took us to some of the places of interest.

April 9, 1940 was the day of the Nazi invasion and the king and the royal family fled the palace in Oslo and headed north to try to escape to neutral Sweden. The Nazis sent a division of motorized vehicles north to try to catch up and arrest the king and his family. At the small town of Elverum, the Norwegian Army and several civilian groups of men disabled all the vehicles they could find and placed them on and in front of a bridge over the river. They then took up positions where they could get clear shots at the Nazi troops as they stopped to try to remove the vehicles blocking the road. The Nazis were in force but the Norwegians stood their ground and after much fighting and heavy losses, the Nazis retreated. They came back another day and were able to clear the road and cross the river but by then the King and the royal family and the government officials had already made it into neutral Sweden.

This site is only a few miles from where my cousin lives and the story of the Resistance fighters at Midtskogen bridge is one of their proudest stories in the area. The Norwegian Resistance acquired radio transmitter sets and would spy on the Nazi movements within Norway and then report the activity via wireless radio transmissions to Britain.

The Nazis knew this was going on and would use a tracking device to pinpoint the radio signal and then send a detachment to arrest the operator. Many were shot when they were caught but often they were only on the radio for a few seconds and then got out of the spot and moved to another safer place. The attached pictures show my cousin Terje Ottesen explaining the Midtskogen bridge battle to me. I saw the bridge and the buildings that were there and are still in use today that were the site of the battle. The second picture is of a clandestine radio set that was actually used by the Norwegian Resistance to transmit messages to Britain. The third picture is equipment used by the Resistance to build small concealable machine guns from readily available materials like exhaust pipe and sheet metal. The nickname for these guns was ‘grease guns’ because of their appearance resembling a typical grease gun. The last picture is of what I would call ‘weapons of desperation’ that the Resistance used to fight the Nazis. One is a cut down 30-40 Krag rifle and the other smaller devices are homemade grenade type and booby trap explosives. I have several more pictures on the subject of Norwegian Resistance during WWII that I can send later if others find interest in this matter. We met a Norwegian author at the Hostfest in Minot who had lived through the Nazi occupation of Norway and then wrote books about the Resistance movement. We bought a couple books and they are fascinating reading for anyone who likes this type of subject. Her name is Astrid Carlsen Scott and her books are probably listed on the internet. Thanks Gary!

Clouds, Thunder and Lighting (Part 2)

From Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

Gary and friends,

My nephew who has read the first part of the clouds, Thunder & Lightening story asked me, “What happened to the rest of the story?” Over these many years I gleaned that part of the story from people who were closely connected to that day and listened closely to my Dad.”

On the morning of July 28, while Lottie prepared noon dinner, her girls walked up to get the mail. To the North, Oliver Nelson and Duane Handeland were minding Kelvin store and gas station. To the West, Eva was in her kitchen at the big white Seim house.

In the hay meadow, Cliff drove one tractor and Sonny drove the B-John Deere. They were both mowing hay as the sun rose in the sky straight up shining overhead.

A few clouds suddenly gathered in the sky. Because it look like rainclouds forming, Cliff motioned up at the clouds to Sonny who was driving the B John Deere coming from behind.” In response, “Sonny raised three fingers of his right hand in the air and made a swooping circular motion.” Cliff nodded thought “Okay, just three more rounds.” And waved back to Sonny.

The tractors moved along, “BOOM!” Cliff felt his arm swing up and he jerked up off the seat. He thought, “Whoa, that was a big one! Sonny is going to be laughing at me for that.”

He turned around in the tractor seat to look for Sonny’s reaction. The B-John Deere Tractor with mower was traveling across the meadow over the wind rows of hay. It was moving North, toward the road ditch lined with willow trees, without Sonny driving!

Looking closer Cliff saw , Sonny who was laying splayed over the mower. Frightened, Cliff pulled the clutch, stopping the tractor leapt off and ran after the B-John Deere and mower.

Thoughts, Got … to… get.. to.. Son… ny ___… before the blades get him. Cliff tripped over piles of hay, fell, panicing, stumbled, fell again _running, running. Ran…breathing.. hard.

The B-John Deere came to a sudden STOP when it hit the willowed ditch.

Cliff ran to Sonny. He looked and Sonny was gone. NOoooooo!!

Cliff ran back across the hay field to the Black Ford pickup truck, climbed in, put it in gear, floored it, shifting, again and again, and drove over the ditch up around the curving road to Art and Eva’s.

Driving into the yard he had one thought, call, Get Sonny help!

Eva was in her kitchen when he burst into the house.

“He’s dead,” “Call _, get help, call somebody…Sonny’s dead.” Eva looked up from what she was doing and sternly said, “CLIFFORD!

CLIFFORD, Stop your joking NOW!”

She looked at Cliff whom she knew so well. He was weeping. She knew he was not joking. Eva crossed the room to where the phone was on the wall by the kitchen door.

Cliff felt relief as when Eva picked up the telephone taking charge. She, cranked it. Central…..Eva said to the operator, “Connect me to the St.Louis Rectory in Dunseith!”

Eva like Sonnys’ Morin family was a devout Catholic. She knew Emil and Genevive lived their faith. She knew what was needed for Sonny, and for his parents, Emil and Genevive.

The priest came over a winding and hilly Highway Number Three, ten miles and to give Sonny last rites.

Meanwhile at Kelvin, Oliver Nelson and Duane Handland had been sitting outside on the steps of Kelvin Store to watch a few nasty looking storm clouds gather.

“BOOM”

Oliver said to Duane, “That was a close one.”

A few minutes later a car drove up to a gas tank. The driver rolling down his window said, “The D___est thing down the road!”

“A man’s running behind a tractor.” “There’s no one driving the tractor.”

Oliver with an awareness of a bad feeling, said to Duane, “Watch the store, Cliff and Sonny are is haying the big meadow.”

Oliver got into his car and drove South and turned East at the intersection. Looking toward the big hill, he watched as the black Ford ahead was speeding up around the Carlson curve disappearing in the dust.

Oliver drove on. He saw the B-John Deere and saw Sonny. He went on into Seims to see what he could do to help.

For all many years,I never really knew what dad did for those next days after the lightening bolt killed Sonny. (A couple years ago someone e-mailed me, he had been with Dad. That person told me a missing piece to this story. Perhaps he will share again?)

When Dad was at home, He was, Oh so very still and quiet.

The next day after Martha’s birthday party, mom baked a cake. Our family drove South two miles to Emil and Genevive’s. There were all sorts of cars in the yard. Mom walked to the door with her cake .

Not long, coming back to the car,Mom said there is a “wake” going on.

We girls ‘wondered’ What is a ‘wake’? We knew to be quiet. We were knowledgable from before in our lives, because when Uncle Archie died that same feelings permeated our home, “be very quiet and still, this is not a time to be curious or questions”. All we knew a wake had to to with Emil and Genevives strong beliefs. We loved and respected Emil and Genevive and did not question their beliefs. But I with a thirst for knowledge wondered.

I listened to Dad at later years, when he said, “He went to Emil and Genevive at the funeral and said to them how very sorry he was”.

They put their arms around him, and said, “Cliff, We are fine, we know where Sonny is at now. He is okay. We are worried about you, we want to know you will be okay.”

After most time they visited. When they were driving out the drive, Dad often would in wonder and awe comment, “Emil and Genevive are real Christians, true saints on Earth!

Dad for a time, was wracked with self- guilt. He talked to understanding listeners, like his long time mentors, Art and Eva. Emil and Genevive embraced him the rest of his life with care, concern and love.

What ever happened to the Green B-John Deere tractor?

After the lightening strike, the tractor seat had a dime size shiney mark. Dad said it was where the lightening bolt passed through Sonny’s body. At haying time, I would look at that mark, touch and remember smiling Sonny Morin. I wondered what he would have become had he lived?

Our family never ever was so busy, to ignore clouds, Thunder and Lightening again. That life lesson has been carried down into the next generation.

Stop the machinery. Go for cover, no questions or explaination required just an acceptance that Thunder and Lightening are more powerful than any human.

One summer before Art Seim passed away. We took a road trip through the hills and visited about our memories of

Emil and Genevive and their only son, smiling Sonny Morin.

You know Vickie, Art said, “Sonny was working on his goal to become a teacher when he died. He was in his third year of college.”

Art said the winter before he’d asked Sonny how college was going? Sonny said he’d have to quit because he had run out of money.

Art asked him “How much do you need this quarter?” Sonny told him about $100.

Art told Eva to write out a check to Sonny.

Then Art smiled as he said, “Sonny had been working for Cliff, when he got paid. He came to me that week before he died. And repaid the loan.”

Art and I agreed that smiling Sonny Morin would have made a fine, outstanding teacher.

Thanks again for allowing me share.

Vickie

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Joke of the day

An elderly couple, who had just learned how to send text messages on their mobile phones. The wife was a romantic type and the husband was more of a no-nonsense guy.

One afternoon the wife went out to meet a friend for coffee.

She decided to send her husband a romantic text message and she wrote:

“If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you.”

The husband texted back to her:

“I’m on the toilet. Please advise.”

==========================================================================

Blog (135) posted on June 17, 2008

From Willy (60) & Al-lyn Longie:

Gary,

I don’t know if you are keeping a running head count but in case you are, we have booked 2 cabins as of today’s date.

Al-lyn (Willy’s wife)

From Phyllis McKay (65):

Thank you Gary for the up date on Dennis. I talked with him at length last September. I also made the reservations for Patsy and myself for the cruise. It should be fun.

School is almost over with for this year. This Friday will be the last day of students. I have two days next week of class and then I will be officially through. I have a wonderful class this year and it will be sad to see them go on to fifth grade.

Phyllis McKay

Folks, Phyllis is making reference to Dennis Dubois (63).Dennis does not have email, but I suggested to Bernadette, my wife, that she call Dennis and tell him about the cruise of which she did. Dennis is very interested in the cruise and asked Bernadette for Phyllis’ and Margaret Metcalfe Leonard’s phone numbers. He also asked for our travel agent (Gina’s) phone number. Dennis really aprecitated her calling him and wanted to visit. Gary

Dennis Dubois & Phyllis McKay – July 2007

From Vickie Metcalfe (70): & her sister Nancy Metcalfe Moreno (68):

Gary

“What I remember is Mom telling about how Axel Johnson would get poachers on School Section Lake & bring them to Grandpa Lamb’s while he would go get more. Grandpa fed them pancakes.” from Nancy Metcalfe Moreno(68)

” And I remember my dad Cliff telling the story about Axel walking back and forth on top of the Metcalfe manure pile expressing to the older Metcalfe boys about the illegal practice of poaching of muskrats before the season opening. He was saying something like, “I know they may have been poaching and have no clear evidence, but if he did find the evidence he would turn them in.” With this story I heard, was that the pelts in question were under the manure pile which Axel was walking back and forth over while lecturing to the uncomfortable boys! I’ve often wondered if Axel really knew what the Metcalfe boys were up to and that it was his way of giving the “boys” fair warning he was on to them!”

I do recall our parents having utmost respect for Axel Johnson as a game warden & kind, honest, hard working man. from Vickie Metcalfe

Folks, I had the identification ofthe folks in these two pictures reversed with yesterday’s message. Gary

May 1960 in the Garden Tap:

Margaret Hiatt, Joyce Evans,
Joe Evans, Freddie Hiatt.–

May 1960 in the Garden Tap:

Cliff Johnson, Joy Johnson, Bernice Johnson,
‘half’ of Don Johnson.

From Gerry Anderson (61): and Rita Anderson (mother):

Gary … My mother, Rita Anderson, received this email and asked me to respond. My name is Gerald (Gerry) Anderson – we lived in Dunseith from the late 40’s to 1957. I would have been part of the class of 1961. I attended school in Dunseith from grade 1 – 9 and then attended Willow City Academy and moved to Jamestown, ND for grades 11 and 12.

The lone male picture with all the beautiful ladies is my brother Mark Anderson who died of cancer about 10 years ago. He was 4 years younger and would have been in the class of 1965.

My mother does enjoy receiving the pictures as both my dad (Ed Anderson – deceased) and mother were very active in the community and owned the Gamble store. …Gerry…

Reply From Esther Murray Flemming (65):

Gary:

Pictured next to Patty is Mark Anderson. Very nice picture.

Esther

From Allen Richard (65):

Bottom left is Mark Anderson

Reply From Debbie Mongeon Cernohous (66):

Hi Gary,

You may have heard from a few people on the graduates for the bottom row. I think it is Mark Anderson, Patty Bogus and Me.

Great job with the emails, love looking at them when I get to work.

Debbie Cernohous (Mongeon)

Top: Margaret Metcalfe (65), Dana Henriksen (66), Cecile Berube (65), Angela Berube (65)

Bottom: Mark Anderson (65),Patty Boguslawski (65), Debra Mongeon (66)

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary,

I was just studying the old Dunseith postcard and noticed– almost no
trees! It has to be from 1935-36, the brick addition on the school was
done in ’35 and the City Hall is not there yet and I believe it was
built in ’37. The article from the fire says it was 31 years old when it
burned in 1968 so I can assume the picture is either late 1935 or 1936.
Just thought you might find this interesting. Thanks again!

Dick

8/7/2014 (2070)

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Gary

No blog tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will be getting my new computer, so will not be getting a blog posted

Gary

Happy Birthday Almo Pladson (DHS ’72): Williston, ND

Reply to Gary (’57) and Sue Metcalfe

From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

Thanks to Gary and Sue Metcalfe for thinking my old Model A was
cool. It was kind of cool and the kids at the Bottineau School of
Forestry really got a kick out of riding in it the couple times I drove
it over for class. I painted it with my dad’s old antique paint
sprayer. It had a little compressor pump and an old spray gun that had
no trigger on it. You just plugged the hose onto a barbed fitting on
the gun and the paint was already spraying! I didn’t waste much time
while I painted or my paint would all have been on the floor. I still
laugh remembering that when I walk past the old car that sits in my
building here yet. We made do with what we had and sometimes things
turned out for the best.

On the question of whether my uncle was still living—–My uncle
Cliff Johnson passed away a little over a year ago from cancer. He had
just had his 80th birthday a month before he died. His wife Joy still
lives at Flathead Lake in western Montana. They had lots of good years
in retirement and spent many winters in AZ and Mexico.

Dick

My Mother’s Story – Part 3

From Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

One January evening, Cyndy had just begun walking toddled across the living room floor carrying a glass cup, when she tripped over Uncle Archie’s boot and fell onto shattered pieces of the cup. She cried when she saw the blood running from the long, deep cut. Lottie grabbed her, quickly pressure wrapped the wrist with a snowy clean diaper. Cliff ran outside as Lottie bundled Cyndy in her little red snow suit. Terrifying was the sight of blood soaking through the pristine white now, scarlet as her snow suit! Lottie ran carrying Cyndy outside into the snowy, subzero temperature to join Cliff in the pickup.

In his haste, and worry Cliff got into the wrong side of the ’52 Ford. Finally,as the truck began to move up and around the hill, Nancy and Vickie stared through the window pane as the cuckoo clock _tic-toc ticked away. Uncle Archie off balance when he walked,still healing from surgery, took their minds off the horrifying sight. He told amusing stories, and sang “Clementine” .

The girls rather enjoyed being spoiled by Uncle Archie. He peeled oranges and fed them as he called them his little birds. He did the outside chores as he told Nancy and Vickie sternly to stay in bed. They did until the house grew lonesome………… Then with a sneak peak through a frosty peek hole, Nancy would push Vickie around the kitchen floor on her blue trike,then jump back in bed until she sent Vickie for another sneak peak. Vickie would watch him in the snow watering the team of horses.

Art Seim came, asked where there parents were. When he heard their tale he soon knelt with them and the led them in prayer for Cyndy.

Meantime at Rolette Hospital Cliff and Lottie waited while Dr. Cook’s expertise attended to Cyndy’s wrist. Lottie said, Cliff would pace,sit, then look through the window in the door to surgery”. At one point as she sat waiting, she said, “Cliff became very upset when he saw Dr. Cook started to shake Cyndy while she went through distress.” Cliff left Lottie in Rolette to stay with Cyndy at the hospital Vickie and Nancy had the mumps.

Cliff and Lottie always attributed their daughter’s restored hand and very life to the excellent ministrations of the Rolette family doctor and surgeon; Dr. Stuart J. Cook. Lottie brought Cyndy home to continue healing through the spring.

Uncle Archie left before spring turned to summer.

In the late summer of 1958 Cliff and Lottie left the farm under the care of Floyd and Ella Vaughn. They packed up the girls in the red station wagon and moved to live with Archie in his house in Marysville, WA. Cliff worked construction, Lottie maintained the home with little Cyndy, the older girls attended school, and Nancy started violin lessons with Mr. TImkins. Wise Uncle Archie gave Vickie an instrument too, a “jews harp”. It was again the most fun of times!

One Saturday January night, Uncle Archie said he was going out. He stood at the door, placing his hat on his head. He said, “Be good then gone as the door shut behind him.”

……….He was killed tragically by a hit and run driver who was drunk………… He was really gone.

Cliff was diagnosed with diabetes shortly after. And the entire family grieved the deep and profound loss.

Cliff and Charlotte’s children were fortunate throughout their childhood to became acquainted with all of the Washington cousins. They got to see Kathy, Elaine, Janice and Trav frequently. They experienced connections to ” their kind of cousins” i.e. the George and Betty Johnson family in Montana, ND cousins, extended family, neighbor friends, the Floyd and Ella Vaughn family, and special farm pets. When the family drove back to the farm the summer of ’59, it was with amazement when the black ringneck collie, Skip…..met them at the gate! Somehow Skippy in his dog wisdom knew his family had come home! They were all overjoyed to be home again.

Lottie saved and together with her family continued to build up the farm. Lottie stressed chores, school and music. She drove Nancy to violin lessons with sister Mary Anthony in Belcourt and purchased a piano, which Vickie was to begin. Vickie was not the keenest of pianists….she was more of a jew’s harp musician. During Christmas holidays of 1959-60 the girls performed a recital at Queen of Peace Priory and met many music students of Sister Mary.

The first TV was purchased. In the evenings after chores, he whole family watched T.V together until 10:00 news. Lottie turned off the T.V and turned down personal growth opportunities to earn a GED. She prioritized family first. In her home, the Ten Commandments were always displayed in a prominent place.

Cliff and Lottie purchased many Holstein cattle which also included the last of the San Haven milk herd and later invested in electric milking machines.

As the family grew, Cliff and Charlotte expanded their house, building on additions. Grandma Ingrid Seim told Cliff when he asked her, Well Ingrid,what do you think of the latest addition on to the house? Grandma with strong Norwegian brogue replied,

“Shove the damn ting over da hill Cliffert and I’ll give you da money to build a new one.” Dad laughed with delight because he knew she would! Others, when told of Ingrid Seim’s reply, felt my parents should have been insulted by Grandma’s brashness. Lottie and Cliff both said of Grandma, “We respected and loved Grandma as a wise good friend.” “Yes, She was opinionated, saying whatever came across her mind.” “But, we knew, If she said she’d do something she always followed through.” Lottie said, “Whenever she needed help with someone to look after one of the kids. Grandma Seim was one she could call on both at the farm and at her little house in Dunseith.”

Cliff and Lottie knew they were fortunate to have wonderful neighbors and hired hands who helped out so much when needed. Lottie always cooked good meals of meat and potatoes, and providing favorite foods she knew each of the hired men especially liked. It was common for neighbor’s back and forth helping. Neighbors included Carlson’s, Seims, Petersons, Smiths, Johnson’s and the Morin’s.

Among the seasonal hired help i.e. cutting wood, fencing, animal husbandry, haying, etc. were; Mrs. Evans, Clayton Bergan, Walter DuBois, Alcide Lajimodiere, Ward Anthony, Alvin Nelson, Jack Metcalfe, Larry Metcalfe, Sonny Morin, Uncle Carl Wicks, the Gunville Boys, the Nadeau Boys, Peter W. Poole, John Brennan, Swede Weaver,the Morin kids and their cousins, the St. Claires.

Many of the hired hands, years later volunteered information on the treatment they received by Cliff and Lottie. Most often comments were, “They never asked any one to do what they weren’t willing to do themselves”. “Fair and honest,kind and generous.” “They gave respect and expected respect in return for the people and the livestock at the farm.” Whenever paid, when asked by Cliff said, “How much do we owe you, would tell him.______ Cliff would say to Lottie “No, Lottie write the check for more, they are worth more than that” and Lottie would always smile and write the check for more.”

In Vickie’s memory, that shiney dime………..

On the morning of July 28.

While Lottie prepared noon dinner the firls walked up to get the mail.

To the North, Oliver Nelson and Duane Handland were minding Kelvin store and gas station.

To the West Eva was in her kitchen at the big white Seim house, and Art was gone to town.

While, on the big hay meadow, Cliff……. and Sonny driving the B John Deere, were mowing hay.

Until later.

Vickie

Joke of the day

Tiger Woods & Stevie Wonder are in a bar…

Tiger says Stevie, “How’s the singing career going?”

Stevie replies, “Not too bad. How’s the golf?”

Woods replies, “I’ve had some problems with my swing,
but I think I’ve got that right, now.”

Stevie: “I always find that when my swing goes wrong,
I need to stop playing for a while and not think about it.
Then, the next time I play, it seems to be all right.”

Incredulous, Tiger says, “You play GOLF?”

Stevie: “Yes, I’ve been playing for years.”

Tiger: “But — you’re blind! How can you play golf if you can’t see?”

Stevie: “Well, I get my caddy to stand in the middle of the fairway
and call to me. I listen for the sound of his voice and play the ball
towards him. Then, when I get to where the ball lands,
the caddy moves to the green or farther down the fairway and
again I play the ball towards his voice.”

“But, how do you putt” asks Tiger.

“Well”, says Stevie, “I get my caddy to lean down in front of the
hole and call to me with his head on the ground and I just play
the ball towards his voice.”

Tiger: “What’s your handicap?”

Stevie: “Well, actually — I’m a scratch golfer.”

Woods says to Stevie, “We’ve got to play a round sometime.”

Stevie: “Well, people don’t take me seriously, so I only play
for money, and never play for less than $10,000 a hole.
Is that a problem?”

Woods thinks about it and says, “I can afford that; OK,
I’m game for that.. $10,000 a hole is fine with me.
When would you like to play?”

Stevie: “Pick a night.”

==========================================================================

Blog (134) posted on June 16, 2008

Alaska Cruise Update:

Folks, In addition to those listed below, we have about another 20 folks or so (10 couples), that we know of, that are in the process of signing up for our cruise. We are off to a good start. Gina will be giving us weekly updates of which we will be passing onto you. Gary

From Gina Ford, our travel agent:

Greetings All,

You already have 30 passengers confirmed!

M/M Gary Stokes

Wm. Grimme and Irina Protassevitch

M/M Ronald Cavaliere

M/M Warren Anderson

M/M Doyle Abrahamson

Nancy Baldwin/Keith Kontzie

Wayne Galloway/ Leona Randall

M/M Michael Vandal

M/M Scott Sjol

Muzette Fiander/ Trish Clayburgh

Randy Flynn Family – (with 3 cabins)

Dwight Lang/ Rene Cassavant

Florence Sime/ Becky Coles (her daughter)

Thank you,

Gina S. Ford
Executive Cruise Consultant
Cruise At Will, Inc.
1-866-870-6986 (toll free)
954-578-1718 (local)

www.CruiseAtWill.com

From Cecile Gouin Craig (61):

Hi Gary, I so enjoy the chapters in the life of Dunseith. Alot of memories
have flooded back. I still have pics to send. It has been a zoo here. We had
a tornado come thru our little town May 22, we were very lucky, just roof
and siding damage.The hail that came was the size of baseballs winds were
about 120 to 135 MPH Five blocks away homes were totaly gone.
Clicked on the Red Skelton website it came up as a blank page??? Also in the
picture of the band (massege 132) is it certain that is Lowell Williams in 1st row second
from the rite? Could it possibly be Wallace Longie. Thanks for all you do.
Cecile Gouin Craig (61)

From Art Rude (71):

I still haven’t heard who the director is in the band picture.

Art

Art, In message 132 the director is identified as Charlie Ericson. Gary

Peace and Power, Art Thanks for checking out Art Rude Productions, webpage address: www.artrude.com call and leave a message anytime at 800-XRT-RUDE

Message/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Folks had fun 50 years ago too!! These pictures pretty well tell the story!

The two top pictures are in the Garden Tap–Margaret Hiatt, Joyce Evans,
Joe Evans, Freddie Hiatt.– Cliff Johnson, Joy Johnson, Bernice Johnson,
‘half’ of Don Johnson.

Bottom pictures–Cliff and Don with each others
hats[ Laurel and Hardy!]– Joyce Evans, Henry Olson, Myrtle Olson,
Loretta Johnson, Thelma Johnson, Darrel Fassett. I think this picture
was in the old Corner Bar, across the street from the Althea Theater.
The top photos are dated May 1960–The bottom left, 1962. The bottom
right had to be before Oct. 1959, as that is when Grandpa Henry Olson
died at 56 years of age. Thanks Gary!

Dick

May 1960 in the Garden Tap:

Cliff Johnson, Joy Johnson, Bernice Johnson,
‘half’ of Don Johnson.

May 1960 in the Garden Tap:

Margaret Hiatt, Joyce Evans,
Joe Evans, Freddie Hiatt.–

1962 in the Corner Bar:

Cliff and Don with each others
hats[ Laurel and Hardy!]–

October 1959

Joyce Evans, Henry Olson, Myrtle Olson,
Loretta Johnson, Thelma Johnson, Darrel Fassett

Reply From Mona Dionne Johnson (48):

The pics in question in bottom row. I’d guess that is Dale Hoffman, and the other is Debra Mongeon.
Mona Johnson (48)

Reply From Esther Murray Flemming (65):

Gary:

Pictured next to Patty is Mark Anderson. Very nice picture.

Esther

Top: Margaret Metcalfe (65), Dana Henriksen (66), Cecile Berube (65), Angela Berube (65)

Bottom: Mark Anderson (65)? or Dale Hoffman (64)?, Patty Boguslawski (65), Debra Mongeon (66)

8/6/2014 (2069)

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Friday I am purchasing a new computer with the I-7.4 processor and Windows 8.1. I am actually having it custom made. Because I use Outlook Express to manage my Email, I have been stuck with Windows XP. Microsoft no longer supports either of these programs, so it is time for me to make the painful upgrade to Outlook. The address book sub files in Outlook Express will not transfer to Outlook, so I had to back door them with flat files for the transfer. I have over 70 address sub folders too. I have now completed the file transfers to Outlook, so I can transfer them to Outlook in my new computer. I will just take my old computer to the Mall where I am purchasing the new computer to let them transfer all the files. Outlook is not nearly as user friendly as Outlook Express. Microsoft did a disservice to its customers when they discontinued Outlook express support.

Gary

Norway & Model “A” – Reply to Dick Johnson (’68)

From Gary (’57) & Sue Metcalfe: Forsyth, MO

Dick, the pictures and story from your Norway adventure has been very interesting for Gary and I to read. Thank you for letting us join your vacation.

We looked back at an older post and saw the pictures of the model A you had restored. That was very impressive. Gary was wondering if Cliff was still living? Sue

Mustang Story – Reply to Dick Johnson

From Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

Yes Dick I remember that car parked at the bank your mom loved it !!- But like you say sometimes you have to pass on or pay forward as they say !!- and make someone happy !!_ — feels good doesn’t it??- take care !!- LOLA

Dale’s

Photo from Don Martel (DHS Principal): Rosemount, MN

Guess what I had when we were in Dunseith in June??

My Mother’s Story – Part 2

From Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

When Charlotte was teenager in the late thirties, she would peek out the curtains, whenever a young, black haired, blue eyed older teenage boy, riding a black horse, through her parents yard stopped to visit her parents. He was on his way from where he lived with the Seim family to visit his older brother, Archie and his sister-in-law Bernice. Pop and mom liked the young man too, saying he was very respectful they said his name was Clifford Metcalfe, the son of William Metcalfe the man who’d died the summer of 1935.

Charlotte attended and completed 8 years of education at Hilltop Country School receiving her public school diploma in January of 1939. Charlotte was a shy, modest girl and did not like going to the big city of St. John to High School, she quit school, but she worked for area families, as a chore girl.

Mr. Floyd Vaughn, the kind and patient dear friend of her family decided that “Lottie” needed to learn to drive. He volunteered to be her teacher and used his car. Upon earning her drivers license she drove the Lamb family to the Vaughn family farm S.W. of Rolette for an Easter dinner prepared by Mr. Vaughn which included roast lamb and fresh asparagus.

Hallelujah!!

On September 1940, Charlotte was baptized by immersion at Church of the Brethren Lake (School Section Lake).

World War II rolled on and Charlotte corresponded with young men serving in the Canadian and US forces .

For about a year including 1944, Sylvia and Bob Lamb rode the west bound train to the west coast and worked in war effort. While they were gone, the Lamb family and maintaining the family farm was the sole responsibility of Floyd and Lottie.

The four Lamb’s were close as siblings and enjoyed fondly their time together. Floyd got the cream check and Lottie the egg check. They both cared for their siblings , Priscilla, thirteen years old and Willard, eight years. If needed, they could go to Grandma Wicks for guidance. She was the family matriarch, the wise woman of the family. The Lamb siblings enjoyed their year together. Sundays were social times with neighbors and relatives including the Abrahamsons,Nerpels, Brennans, Rushes, and Shroeders. Floyd would harness the working team to a sleigh or wagon to transport them to the neighborhood events such as taffy pulling and games. Lottie and Willard snuggled close in the hay and left driving the team to Floyd. If it was winter, hot potatoes kept cold fingers warm and were eaten upon their arrival.

Bob and Sylvia returned after that year with a goodly amount of money saved from their combined war effort of working in the shipyards. This enabled the family,to then pay off the mortgage incurred during the depression in the thirties, and Lottie’s hospital bill from Rolette. ( Mom always felt a guilt that the family incurred hardship because of her illness)

The winter of 1945, was an optimistic time, the war was ending, Lottie accompanied by her dear Pop as a chaperone, took the rail to Tacoma where she got a job first as an elevator operator. She ventured on a weekends with another friend on the bus to Seattle and became acquainted with former Dunseith area residents, including Mrs. Rose Metcalfe. She wrote letters to home to ND. She especially enjoyed corresponding with her little brother, Willard.

Charlotte saved her money and returned in the spring to ND. She visited then rode the train east, this time to Fargo, enrolling at a Fargo hair academy. She roomed with several other girls including a new friend and lifetime special Christmas pen pal, Ardis Larson. Her memories of that experience include, roasted potatoes for meals among the coals in the coal stove in the little apartment shared by six girls in Fargo. She then came back to Dunseith and was employed at Marie’s Beauty Shop. During that time, her dear Pop, Bob Lamb suffered a massive stroke. Since there were no nursing homes at that time, the family attended to his needs for his final eight years of life.

Charlotte enjoyed sending Christmas Cards to folks. She sent one to acquaintances in Seattle. Immediately, she started to get mail from Clifford Metcalfe. When he was released from active duty after W.W.II Cliff had enrolled on the GI plan. He became a plasterer apprentice in Seattle and was working as journeyman on and to becoming a master plasterer. In one letter, he asked Charlotte if she would marry him? Charlotte wrote him back, “You would have to ask that question in person!” He came back to Dunseith and did ask her. She said , “Yes.”

They were married on September 17, 1947, at Dunseith Lutheran Church in the presence of family and friends. Since her dear Pop was physically unable, Her brother, Floyd gave her away, , Priscilla was her maid of honor, and Jim Metcalfe served as best man. Lottie over sixty years kept her wedding cards.

Cliff was the love of Lottie’s life. They honeymooned at a little cabin on Oak Creek, in Bottineau, the area of Dan’s Super Value,now Autoparts store, and were “chivereed” at Jim and Ella Metcalfe’s. Charlotte loved Jim and Ella’s kids and had so many fond memories of them. As newly weds Cliff and Lottie traveled to Seattle by car. They lived on 49th, across the street from Wood Lawn Park Zoo and explored together, the zoo, the Cascade mountains and streams, and the Puget Sound ferries for the first three years of marriage.

Many times, Cliff and his brother, Archie sat in the front seat and Conrid sat in-between Lottie and his mom Bernice (Seim) Metcalfe. Lottie was very fond of Conrid, he was a “cute little boy” who loved to tease as much as his dad and Uncle. Cliff and Lottie also became well acquainted with Cliff’s other siblings living in the Seattle area. There oldest child was born in Seattle.

In the Metcalfe family, Lottie was a known (penny pincher) “saver”. She knew the grocer, baker and local butcher. It was the local butcher who showed Lottie how to mix ingredients to cure meat for Irish Corned Beef. She watched the sales and became quite thrifty managing her grocery money.

In May, 1950, after saving a “nest egg”,they came back to ND to visit Lottie’s family. Cliff walked through waist deep snow to purchase a little farm two miles south of Lottie’s parents. The farm was the Bill Child’s farm adjacent to the Seim farm where Cliff had spent four years. They were back to the country life with very few modern conveniences.

Together they toiled, worked, endured,and saved. Lottie milked cows, tended gardens, raised chickens, lambed and assisted in birthing of cattle, canned, sewed, and was primary caretaker of the children. Whatever, she couldn’t do physically on the farm, Cliff would do when he got home at night or on Sundays, as he continued to full time work as a Master plasterer.

In the early fifties, Charlotte’s Grand parent’s Sam and Elizabeth Wicks and dear Pop passed away. Charlottes mother not sick for long, Sylvia passed away of acute leukemia. Lottie and Clifford lost one premature baby. Vickie was born in the Bottineau hospital. And, Nancy suffered from rheumatic fever.

Friday and Saturday nights were for “going visiting”, extended family, friends or neighbors. Often Lottie would be asked to give haircuts or perms. The adults visited and the children all played together. Christmas was spent with the Lamb side of the family, usually one of the main dishes was fried oysters.

And, many Thanksgivings were spent with Mary and Bill Metcalfe.

In the beginning, Cliff and Charlotte milked cows by hand, to the light of lanterns in an old dirt floor log barn selling the cream to either of the two Dunseith creameries. In the early 1950’s south of the little one bedroom house, they built the big red barn. Louis and Clayton Bergan and Mrs. Evans worked that summer on that barn. They also raised sheep, herd cattle, pigs, turkeys, geese and chickens. Lottie sold eggs for grocery money.

In June 1956, their third daughter was born at Bottineau. In the winter of 1956 -1957, Archie Metcalfe recovering from brain surgery came to stay. Uncle Archie delighted in teasing the girls. And the girls enjoyed this wonderful uncle who sang to them, played with them and teased them. At times Lottie would scold all of them including Archie, sending the girls to their room. She said, ” the time out’s never lasted long as the girls would quietly come out and want play with him again.”

Charlotte’s little brother, Willard Lamb and Betty Schneider were wed in the Methodist Church on January 6, 1957.

That January brought more challenges to the family.

Until Later,

Thanks Gary.

Vickie

==========================================================================

Blog (132) posted on June 14, 2008

From Dale Pritchard (63):

Gary, I don’t remember Summer school at all even though I remember that
Willow Lake used that system. Dennis and Arnold Hiatt started school at
Willow Lake then transferred to Ackworth. Jump back a few years
earlier. My mother and Alice Hiatt were in the hospital at the same
time in the same room with the same problem — me and Arnold. He was
born about 2 hours before me. Because he started Summer school at
Willow Lake he was a grade ahead of me when he transferred to Ackworth.
Anyway, when I finished the 5th grade, Mrs. Phelps, our teacher at the
time, moved me up to the 7th grade so Arnold and I could graduate at the
same time. Don’t believe that happens much anymore if at all. Change
of subject: Mr. Phelps had a daughter, Arlene. In Arlene’s senior year
in St. John, she got sick one day in school and passed away that same
day (in shool). I found her obituary just a few days ago while looking
for something else.

Dale Pritchard

Note: Arnold Hiatt, son of Albert & Alice Hiatt, attended and graduated from Bottineau HS in 1963. He was electrocuted and killed in a construction accident in the summer of 1964. Gary

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

The last two unnamed band members; could the girl by Dwayne Lang be
Sandra Trevers? I think Janice Lacroix Kester would know if Mick Kester
played the tuba, or if it is Jack Spaeth. How about it Janice? Thanks to
Ellen Graff Myrick and Karen Woodford Olson for the other names! I
started band in about 1961 and Don Darling was our director. Dad taught
in Rolette at the time and came to Dunseith in the fall of ‘ 64. I
think he and Don Darling kind of traded places. Don Darling moved to
Minot later and worked at Northwest Music for many years, He passed away
about a year, or so, ago.
Speaking of Mickey Kester, can anyone else remember the basketball game
at the city hall when he was heading toward the north end of the court
for a layup and an opponent tripped him, slamming Mick’s head into the
furnace grate on the front of the stage? He hit HARD and was out cold
for a while! I bet Mick can remember! It was at one of these games where
I saw, for the first time, another kid [Jerry Wallette, I think?] pour a
bag of Planter’s Peanuts into a bottle of Orange Crush! I tried it–not
bad! Larry Hackman mentioned selling pop and candy at games. I think the
concessions was on the east side of the stairs and tickets were sold on
the west side. Am I right about that, guys? I think there was a small
ticket window opening into the stairs from both rooms and then a large
window in the main gym with an entry door beside it. It is hard to
remember as it will be 40 years ago this August, that it burned down. I
found this picture of the grade school boys team from 56-57, so will
include it. Thanks Gary!

Best Guess L to R:

Front: Bobby Robillard, John Leonard, Dave Shelver, Jim Evans, Lyle Lamoureux, Julian Kalk, Garrett Myer ?.
Back row: Coach [ Ray Starks? WILD guess], Gerald Anderson?, Dwight Lang, Billy Awalt?, Stan Salmonson,

Rod Kalk, John Morgan, Nickey Bedard, George Gottbreht.

8/4/2014 (2068)

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Pam Wenstad Lane (DHS ’78): Dunseith, ND

Birthday party today at our house for Novie’s youngest. Very independent

little guy. I told her he needs a hair cut too. His little cousins looking on.

My mothers story

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

Gary and Friends,

T’was Juneberry pickin time in the hills the later part of July 2014.

I went walking in search of a berry patch. I walked the North pasture, then the South pasture, and found an abundance of mosquitos, a few ticks, and a bee hive. I dare say that hive is still in the same place in the pasture as it was years ago,but no berries for me to pick.

It’s rather funny that I’m now searching the brush for berries, when as a kid I never cared for Juneberrys. Yes, I grew up with knowledge of all kinds of baking but never made a Juneberry pie. Juneberry Pie was mom’s specialty. She loved making and sharing juneberry pie.

I made my first Juneberry pie my mom’s last summer with us. She had stroke on the Fourth of July, 2007. She said the pie was was good, as I then hand fed her. I went wild, saw W.B. at the Dunseith Grocery, got a supply of berries, made several juneberry pies which mom shared with everyone at the St. Andrews long term on my birthday.

I began writing mom’s story that July, I asked her questions, listened and re wrote. I read it to her shortly before she passed away December 2007. She knew I have a need to write stories. Writing is my way of passing my memories on lest they be forgotten……….

I hope you will kindly tolerate my sharing her story with you.

___

Charlotte (Lamb) Metcalfe was rooted simply; faith, family,friends and neighbors, agriculture and work ethic, Charlotte was of English , and Irish-Pennsylvania Dutch decent.

Her Pop, (father) Robert Eli Lamb in the late 1800’s immigrated from St. Mary’s Ontario,Canada as a young man. His parents were David and (Priscilla_____) Lamb After coming to the USA he first worked for the White family of Bottineau, who had also immigrated from the same area of Eastern Ontario. Robert Lamb then homesteaded in the Fortuna, ND area, then finally settled on the farm, in Holmes Township, Rolette County down the road from the Sylvia Wicks homestead. His siblings were George, Priscilla, Sarah, Alfred, Albert, and Wilbert.

Sylvia Arizona Wicks was a female pioneer homesteader who proved up her land west of Carpenter Lake in Holmes Township, Rolette County. Her parents Samuel and Elizabeth (Welch) Wicks had traveled to North Dakota from Iowa by covered wagon in the late 1800’s and proved up a homestead in the Perth, ND area. Their other children were Ocie, Orville and Carl.

Charlotte Harriet Lamb was born the second of four children, of the union of Bob and Sylvia Lamb. Charlotte was born on January 10, 1925. Assisting in her birth was her maternal grandmother area nurse/midwife, Elizabeth (Welch) Wicks of Irish-Pennsylvania Dutch decent.

Charlotte was a quiet country girl. Gatherings were at, area family and neighbors, school programs and the Church of the Brethren. Almost every summer Sunday, folks coming by, mostly by horse and wagon brought ice cream freezers to the home of her grandparents, Sam and Elizabeth Wicks. Her mother, Sylvia baked cakes and mixed up the ingredients for various flavors of ice-cream. Folks would uncover the ice chips from the ice house and crank ice-cream mixers. Children played games and adults visited. Those were the days of no electricity,no running water, an out house – out back, the drawing and carrying the water from the well, hauling in wood, berry picking, big gardens and canning, and raising livestock and poultry and butchering to provide staples for the winter, and harvesting ice from lakes for the summer supply of ice. Her mother Sylvia, a prolific flower gardener, shared her bouquets with numerous people.

The thirties great depression, hit the country and life was hard. There was no easy transportation or finished main highways. Country folks persevered. And neighbors helped each other out. Pop was the cook who made pancakes and dumplings. He also made wonderful puddings. One of Lottie’s favorite recipes was for Plum Pudding, a recipe handed down through the Lamb family made at Christmas time.

Thanksgiving 1934, at age 9, Charlotte became very ill. She had a high fever. Pop had no money. He traveled miles west, cross country to visit the county commissioner, Henry Hagen and asked for the special permission, “Would the county pay for professional medical attention for Charlotte?” The answer was affirmative, Charlotte was then transported many miles, over bumpy rutted trails and gravel roads to Rolette Hospital. Doctor Hayhurst told her Pop, they would pack her in ice and if she survived through the night he would operate on the ruptured appendix the next morning. Charlotte survived the night, the operation, and remained in the hospital for two months. Grandmother Elizabeth Wicks, traveled to the Vaughn family farm south west of Rolette , and stayed for a time, and would come into Rolette visit Charlotte at the hospital. Charlotte remembers feeling very sick, no energy and very anxious. She spent her ninth Christmas at the hospital. Santa came in the form of Dr. Hayhurst who gave Charlotte, her first store bought doll for Christmas. Time slowly moved to January 10, 1935, Charlotte’s tenth birthday and Dr. Hayhurst gave her another store bought gift , a tea set to feed her doll. Dr. Hayhurst would come to her room to play-feed her doll and sip tea! Charlotte developed much of her trust and respect for doctors on her first experiences with her special doctor/friend Dr. Hayhurst , “a truly good person ” and “old time doctor”.

Later that winter, she arrived back at the farm better than she left, but still a a sickly little girl. In July of 1935, she was once again hospitalized in Rolette and had surgeries again. Her maternal uncle, Carl Wicks came by automobile to bring her home to the hills. She recalled meeting an older man in the hospital , who was sickly, with a “poor heart .” After her summer hospital stay, on Charlotte’s trip home to the hills, her Uncle Carl gave a ride to the sickly older man, William Metcalfe to his mail box. Mr. Metcalfe walked the remaining three miles to his home. She heard later that Mr. Metcalfe went back to the hospital and died there shortly after.

Another of her fond memories was her enjoyable father – daughter time with her dear dad whom she always called Pop. One warm summer day, just the two of them walked to the grand celebration at the Int. Peace Garden the day it was dedicated.

Until later

Vickie

Posted by Denise Lajimodiere: Moorhead, MN

Joke of the Day

After a long day on the golf course, I stopped in at ‘Hooter’s’ to see some friends and have some hot Wings and drinks.

After being there for a while, one of my friends asked me which waitress I would like to be stuck in an elevator with.

I told them “The one who knows how to fix elevators.”

I’m old, tired, and pee a lot.

==========================================================================

Blog (131) posted on June 13, 2008

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

I enjoyed seeing the picture of Charlotte Lang. I remember in fourth
grade or fifth she was teaching us about Champlain and his travels but
said she liked to call him Chapagne because she liked that word
better…funny the things you remember.

Diane, Charlotte was my first grade teacher in that very school the picture was taken in. She also attended Ackworth in her school days. My first grade year was the very last year of summer school at Ackworth. The next year they switched to regular winter school. Also, my 8th grade year was the last year of school in Ackworth. After that everyone was bused to Dunseith. Gary

From Bonnie Awalt Hoole (56):

Good Morning Gary,

That band picture is a puzzle, I was wondering if the young man next to Erickson was possibly Jimmy Robilard?

From Karen Woodford Olson (59):

Next to the band director Charles Erickson is Ernest Kundart, small person is Charlotte LaCroix. I think it is Mick Kester next to my brother Duane Woodford. Can’t recall the girl by DuWayne Lang. Karen

Picture L to R: 1956 DHS Band

Front row: Gayle Bedard, Caroleen Lider, Janice Lacroix, Marjorie Landsverk, Lowell Williams, Lois Hiatt.

Row two: Karen Woodford, Colleen Conroy?, Gerald Lamoureux, Marlene Schneider, Duane Woodford, Jackie Spaeth,

Shirley LaRocque, Susan Brew, Connie Bedard, Joanne Kester.

Back row: Charlie Ericson, Wally Longie, Charlotte LaCroix, Barbara Bott, Ronnie Link, Lowell Leonard, Dwight Lang,

Curt Halvorson?, Don Conroy, Neva Haagenson?, John Morgan, Ellen Graff, BIG DAVE SHELVER, Patsy Smith, DuWayne Lang

8/3/2014 (2067)

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Bill Pritchard (BHS About 1967?): Bottineau, ND

Reply to the Band Picture pasted at the very bottom of this message

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (’56): Becker, MN

In the band picture: Girl next to Duwayne Lang is Patsy Smith. The girl thought to be a Kalk girl is Barbara Bott. The boy next to Erickson might be James Robillard He was our Leader for Marching band.

Bonnie Awalt Houle 56

Reply to the Band Picture pasted at the very bottom of this message

From Ron Longie (’65): Yakima WA

Gary in the band picture the flute player is my brother Wally Longie

Reply to Dick Johnson

From Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

VERY INTERESTING DICK!!- Funny to see you in tennis shoes- !!- the first time my kids and steve and stuart saw Jay in sweat pants and tennis shoes when we were camping just about laughed themselves to death !!_ LOL!!!– so interesting to see the country where your family was – originated from !!- and Brenda’s ) — I think it was in Brenda;’s area that the Evans came from and the Svingens – (my GRamma) !!_ seems like she said her Dad talked about the fjords !!- such beautiful country !!_

Mustang Story

From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,I suppose it’s time for a car story with a happy ending. Back in
1978, I was driving into Bottineau and had been looking for a Mustang
for Mom to drive after she had asked me to find one for her. As I was
driving by the empty lot where people used to park cars for sale, Pete
Klingbeil was just turning in driving a pretty nice blue ’68 Mustang
fastback. I looked back and he was putting a ‘For Sale’ sign in the
windshield so I turned around and went back and looked it over and asked
the price. He wanted $1000 and I had just been paid for doing a couple
paint jobs so dug out my wallet and counted what I had–$830. He had a
chance to buy a black ’70 Mustang fastback if he could round up the cash
quickly. I handed him the cash and got the title and the deal was
done. Mom drove the car to work at Security State Bank and really liked
her car. When she died, I kept the Mustang kind of in memory of her
and how much she liked it. Pete has asked to buy it back for at least
20 years now every time we run into each other. It was actually his
first car and he really wanted it back. As we get older, things take
different priorities and I began to think about what really is important
and Pete having his old Mustang back is more important than me keeping
it. I have another ’68 Mustang that is of greater cash value and even a
more desirable model as it’s a red GT with a black interior. It came
from the factory with a 4 barrel, four speed, and posi-trac
differential. My son and I decided that we would sell Pete back his car
and restore the red Mustang and keep that one. So after 36 years, Pete
got his car back. It’s in nearly the same exact condition as it was
when I bought it from him as we only put a few miles on it and it has
never been out over night or in the rain in the last 30+ years. Pete
was smiling from ear to ear and said he never thought this day would
come. He plans to do a complete restoration and keep his Mustang for
life. He drove it back to his home in Langdon and called to say he had
no problems whatsoever. There is a car story with a happy ending.
Thanks Gary!

Dick

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

==========================================================================

Blog (130) posted on June 12, 2008

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,Most of the folks reading these messages will probably remember Axel
Johnson. He was my Grandpa Hans Johnson’s older brother and worked at
Dales cleaning and watching things at night. There are some things folks
may not have ever heard about Axel. He was married to a young lady by
the name of Mary Olson, who died in the flu epidemic in 1918. I think
she was only about 20 when she died. She is buried in the old cemetery
southeast of our place on the corner of Peterson’s land. Axel was
single for many years before he remarried to Bernice Kelly in the late
1930s. During that time he was a local game warden and one time chased
an illegal trapper until the guy climbed a tree. Axel told him to come
down because he was going to ‘yail’, as Axel would have said in his
Norwegian brogue! The guy said he wasn’t coming down so Axel tied his
dog to the tree [mean dog] and then went to Bob Lambs and borrowed an ax
and chopped the tree down and took the guy to jail! He used to tell the
story about when he was in the hardware store in Dunseith and saw a guy
jump into the back of his old pickup to steal a case of beer that Axel
had bought for the ‘fort of yuly’, as he would say. He grabbed a steel
scoop shovel and whacked the guy over the head with it. He used to tell
us, ” It roong like da bell on da catlic church”. One other story he
liked to tell, was when the snow got so deep in the creek coulee east of
the farm, that the rabbits ate the top branches off the trees and left
them bare. He said the next fall some hunters from Minnesota asked him
what happened to the trees along the creek? He said,”I told them it was
the hungry rabbits last vinter, and they said, what the hell kind of
rabbits you got up here!” He had the loudest laugh and ended most of his
stories with a laugh! I couldn’t get to the end of most of his stories
without busting out laughing! He was born in Norway, as was my Grandpa
and their sister Louise. Axel and Grandpa never really lost the brogue,
it was fun to hear them talk! Grandpa said, “By the time I learned to
say ‘telewision’ they changed it to ‘t-we’! I have a hundred more
stories of Axel and Grandpa Hans, but maybe later!! Again, thank you Gary!

Dick

From Ellen Graff Myrick (58):

Thank you Ellen. Hopefully we can get those other 3 identified. Gary

Gary,

A few comments/corrections in the band names. I was in the band in 1956 and have been identified.

The front row people are all identified correctly. I don’t know why there is a question mark by Marjorie Landsverk but that is Marjorie.

In row two Colleen Conroy is named correctly but her first name is misspelled. Also Shirley LaRocque is next to Jackie Spaeth and Connie Bedard is between Susan Brew and Joanne Kester.

In the back row I can’t identify the flute player, the small person, or girl, but the one between small person and Ronnie Link is Barbara Bott (NOT LOUELLA KALK). Curt Halvorson and Neva Haagenson are correctly identified. Dwayne Lang’s name is misspelled (NOT DUANE)

I’m thinking small person must be from David Shelver’s class. The flute player may be someone who lived at San Haven. The girl looks familiar – I wonder if Dwayne Lang or David Shelver remember who the female trombone player was?

Ellen (Graff – 58) Myrick

Picture L to R: 1956 DHS Band

Front row: Gayle Bedard, Caroleen Lider, Janice Lacroix, Marjorie Landsverk, Lowell Williams, Lois Hiatt.

Row two: Karen Woodford, Colleen Conroy?, Gerald Lamoureux, Marlene Schneider, Duane Woodford, Jackie Spaeth,

Shirley LaRocque, Susan Brew, Connie Bedard, Joanne Kester.

Back row: Charlie Ericson, Wally Longie, Small person?, Barbara Bott, Ronnie Link, Lowell Leonard, Dwight Lang,

Curt Halvorson?, Don Conroy, Neva Haagenson?, John Morgan, Ellen Graff, BIG DAVE SHELVER, Patsy Smith, DuWayne Lang?

8/2/2014 (2066)

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Gary

No blog Yesterday.

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Happy Birthday Florence Hiatt Dahl (DHS ’50): Anchorage, AK

Message to Dick Johnson

From Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

Awesome Dick – Yes the norwegians seem to do things in a big way – even though they seem humble!!- Bet it was fascinating !!-

Norway Trip

Pictures/message From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

After a pleasant visit with my wife’s relatives on the western
side of the country, we took a train over the top of the mountains and
down to the area where my grandfather came from in 1907. He lived in
the Veldre- Brumunddal area until he was 9 years old. The picture is of
me standing in front of the house where he was born in 1897. It is now
unoccupied but still standing. This farm is called ‘By’, which is
pronounced ‘BEE’ in Norwegian. Farms have names in Norway. Most are of
the families that have lived there for years. The current resident of
the farm is Eivind By. He is the guy leaning against his tractor in the
one picture. He let us look over the place and take some pictures. He
is in the business of rebuilding and repairing cars, mostly Mercedes,
but has a few old cars that he is restoring too and some were American
cars so we hit it off right away. The area around where my grandfather
was born is very similar to the Turtle Mountains. The hills are more of
the rolling type like here and even the trees and wild plants–weeds are
the same so I can see why he felt at home here in the hills of ND. I’ll
attach a few pictures from in and around the area of Norway where he
came from just so those of the readers who know the Turtle Mountain
landscape will see how much it looks the same as here. Thanks Gary!

Dick

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Blog (129) posted on June 11, 2008

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

My uncle Cliff Johnson bought a Ford Model A fourdoor car when he was
going to highschool in Towner, ND. He actually bought it from Jess
Hosmer’s dad, Joe Selzler, in about 1948. He owned many cars after that
and the old Model A just sat in the yard at the farm, where it was used
once in a while, to go to the field or pasture where they didn’t want to
use a good car. It had sat for a couple years without running and in the
early 60s I got it going and drove it around the farm. One day some
people stopped in and asked if it was for sale. Cliff said it was if
they had $50. They didn’t and drove off, much to my relief! He told
Grandma not to let them take the car if they didn’t have all the money!
I said I would like to buy it, to which he held out his hand for me to
put the money in! He went back to wherever he was teaching at the time
and I told Dad what Cliff had said. Dad said to send him some money and
a letter stating that I would be sending the rest when I could. It took
several months but I paid him the $50 and it was mine. John Bogus and I
put in a set of rings and ground the valves and had it running great.
Then it was time to fix up the body. I sanded the car by hand from one
end to the other and painted it green with some leftover paint I bought
from Jim’s Body Shop for ten bucks. The top is fabric and was about
shot. Where in Dunseith can you find a piece of canvas big enough to
cover the top–MY TENT, I don’t use it anymore anyway. With it tacked
down, I needed to put some tar or coating on it so I went up to Gambles
to see Art Henning. I told him I needed some tar. He asked why, and I
said for the top of my old car. Art took me down in the basement and on
a shelf sat two cans of DuPont Top Coat– the real thing for car
tops–Art said it was there for 30 years and he gave it to me!! The
interior was shot but again, where in town can you find upholstery
material that looks like 1929? I used seat covers and Mom sewed some
black cloth together for a headliner and I needed some stiff composite
material for the wrap around in the back behind the back seat. John and
I made a trip to the most logical place–the dumpground! There we found
some linoleum that we reversed and painted and we were ready for the
road! To you Model A purists, yes, the car is a 29 and the wheels and
headlights are 30, but they were all I had at the time.I still have this
old car in my collection but haven’t run it for many years. It still
looks the same as the picture but needs a REAL restoration to be
presentable! Someday, maybe, when the world slows down!!

Dick

Reply from Dwight Lang (61):

Hi Gary,

I believe the short guy alongside me could be Lowell Leonard and the girl setting in front of me is Marlene Schneider. We all played trumpets. Marlene was 1st chair and us guys in the back filled in as 2nd and 3rd horns doing our best.

Reply from Gary Morgan (54):

Gary,
I’m guessing that the girl next to Gerald Lamoureaux is Marlene Schneider, the guy with the tuba is Jackie Spaeth and the band director must be Charlie
Erickson.

Gary Morgan
Class of 54

Folks, there are only three left to identify. We are almost there. Not bad for a 54 year old picture. Gary

Picture L to R: 1956 DHS Band

Front row: Gayle Bedard, Caroleen Lider, Janice Lacroix, Marjorie Landsverk ?, Lowell Williams, Lois Hiatt.

Row two: Karen Woodford, Coleen Conroy?, Gerald Lamoureux, Marlene Schneider, Duane Woodford, Jackie Spaeth,

Connie Bedard, Susan Brew, Shirley LaRocque, Joanne Kester.

Back row: Charlie Ericson, Flute player?, Small person?, Luella Kalk??, Ronnie Link, Lowell Leonard, Dwight Lang,

Curt Halvorson?, Don Conroy, Neva Haagenson?, John Morgan, Ellen Graff, BIG DAVE SHELVER, Girl?, Duane Lang?

From Glenda (Russell [64]) Fauske:

Fantasy Fiddler Families and Fauske Fiddler Friends

PLEASE ROUTE OR SHARE WITH OTHERS!!

Info below on the “Final Fauske Fiddlers and Fantasy Fiddler
Friends Reunion Concert at Sully’s Hill National Park near
Devils Lake, ND, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2008”

DETAILS BELOW:

I’ve put together a draft concert for Sully’s Hill, see the
attached Word document.

Melanie is going to bring her Ukranian costume and dance to A &
D Kolumaka.
Tyrell Witherspoon is going to dance to St. Anne’s Reel
Trent Turner is doing the Clarinet Polka.
Amberley A. is doing Amazing Grace.
Melanie O. is doing Listen to the Mockingbird.
Amberley A. and Ashley A. twin fiddling Everett Larson’s Waltz
Ty & Austin will do 2 Norwegian fiddle tunes and the first verse
of Ashokan Farewell and Lincoln’s favorite “Aura Lee.”

Sully’s Hill is leaving the front extended stage from Friday
night on so Mel and others can dance on the stage in comfort.

Citulsky’s cannot come now at the last minute. Evan is joining
the military. Fungs, Goertzens and Randall can’t make it either.

Mark Witherspoon is bringing his financee Carol with for us to
meet!

Amanda Bopp, Tyrell’s girlfriend, is joining everyone on stage
for four numbers.

Attendees that I know of (someone surprise us – come if you can
at the last minute!):

Tyrell F. – fiddle
Austin F. – fiddle
Trent T. – fiddle
Amberley A. – fiddle
Ashley A. – fiddle
Melanie O. – fiddle
Amanda B. – fiddle (4 songs)

Tyrell W. – drums
Mark W. – bass guitar
John H. – guitar
Dorothy G. – piano
Brian G. – sound

BRING YOUR CORLESS MICROPHONES!

DRESS: Black and white – any combination

AGENDA:

11:00 a.m.    Optional Meet at Dale’s Cafe, Dunseith – Lunch
2:00 p.m.    Check into Casino Hotel
3:00 p.m.    Sound Check & Rehearsal – Sully’s Hill
5:30 p.m.    Free Supper – Sully’s Hill
7:00 p.m.    Show

ROOMS RESERVED

1 GIRL FIDDLERS – Ashley, Amberley & Melanie
1 girl fiddler – Amanda Bopp
1 boy fiddlers – Tyrell, Austin & Trent
1 room – Brian and Dorothy Granter
1 room – John and Pam Halone
1 room – Glenda and Russell Fauske
1 room – Joe and Grace Slewinsky
1 room available til Thursday night.

Mark, Ty and Carol must return home that evening.

I still have Citulsky’s room? Anyone need it? I’ll give it up
Thursday night if I don’t hear from someone.

We are all looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

Glenda
The Lazy RF Ranch (701) 263-4742
Russell and Glenda Fauske
RR 1 Box 139 rfranch@srt.com
Dunseith ND 58329

Fauske and Fantasy Fiddlers

7/31/2014 (2065)

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday

For the record I did not get a blot posted yesterday

We celebrated Lorelie’s birthday.

Gary

Happy Birthday Joan LaCroix Lannie (DHS ’67) Olive Branch, Mississippi

Dick Johnson’s Norway pictures

Reply from Jim Kofoid: Bottineau, ND

Ref Dick’s 1st picture: He could pass for a close relative of the man in a blue and white jacket standing in the front center row!!Jim K

Happy belated b,day,lorie (Hiatt)!!!
From Connie Zorn Landsverk: Bottineau, ND

Lorelie (Lai) Stokes’ 39th birthday – Yesterday

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Blog (128) posted on June 10, 2008

Folks, I would like to mention that I had a really nice visit with Sandra Zeiler Vandal (62) yesterday when I called her about messages they were not getting. Sandra and Mike are living in Elk River MN. Her parents, Arnold and Lorna are living in Rugby. She said considering their ages they are doing OK. Sandra mentioned that she plans on jumping in some day with some comments and replies of her own. I told her we’d love to hear from her. She is signed up for our cruise along with Nancy Hosmer Baldwin (62).

Sandra, I did not realize when we talked yesterday that your mother is a Casavant. Are you related to Rene, Joe, Gerald and that family of 16 wonderful siblings? Gary

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Everyone has a wild night to remember, some of us more than others, I
imagine. One such night that I will never forget was August 22, 1961. I
was staying at the farm with my grandparents and had gone upstairs to
bed after a hot day and had opened a window to hopefully cool of the
room so I could sleep. I was sleeping like any 11 year old, without a
care in the world, when all at once rain water was hitting my face and
the wind had the curtains standing straight out in the room! Grandpa
Hans came running into the room and grabbed my arm and dragged me down
the stairs and down into the cellar! He shut the trapdoor above us and
said we may be in a tornado! It roared like crazy above us for a few
minutes and then we heard a loud crashing sound followed by a boom!
Grandpa said, “That was the barn.” It got still within a few minutes,
except for a slight wind, and we came up from the cellar. Looking out in
the night we could see a big pile of debris where the barn had been! The
overhead wires were laying on the rubble and rubbing together making a
constant shower of sparks, so Grandpa ran out to the power pole and shut
off the master switch so what was left wouldn’t burn. He was soaked to
the skin within seconds from the downpour, but didn’t want to see a fire
too! Well guess what! The insurance company said he had insurance for
fire but that they had written off wind coverage because the barn was
looking old and possibly not sturdy!! There is a story about how good
guys finish last, and this sort of fits! Oh,by the way, my memory isn’t
quite as good as it seems. The date is on the back of the picture, even
though the picture was taken later in the fall. I did cut a hole in the
debris and found my saddle unharmed! Not to good for most of Grandma’s
chickens though! The picture shows the aftermath of one of the strongest
winds I can ever remember! Thanks Gary!

From Dale Pritchard (63):

Dale, that does look like your mother. Gary

Gary,

The picture is pretty dark but I believe that’s my Mother, Dorothy Pritchard, seated on Edmar Tangen’s right side. This is a good picture of your Mother, Gary. In some close ups of you, I see you inherited her eyes.

Dale

Standing: Glenda (Mrs. Russell) Fauske

Seated R to L: Elaine Stokes, Alice Hiatt, Charlotte Hiatt Lang, Esther Tangen, Edmar Tangen,

Dorthy Pritchard, Dennis Hiatt

From Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59):

Hi GARY I wanted to comment on the band picture, The girls on either side of Susan are

Connie Bedard , Susan, Shirley LaRocque. Thank you Gary

God Bless Shirley (LaRocque) Wendt

Picture L to R: 1956 DHS Band

Front row: Gayle Bedard, Caroleen Lider, Janice Lacroix, Marjorie Landsverk ?, Lowell Williams,Lois Hiatt.

Row two: Karen Woodford, Coleen Conroy?, Gerald Lamoureux, Girl??, Duane Woodford, Guy with tuba??,

Connie Bedard, Susan Brew, Shirley LaRocque, Joanne Kester.

Back row: Director??, Flute player?, Small person?, Luella Kalk??, Ronnie Link, Short kid?, Dwight Lang,

Curt Halvorson?, Don Conroy, Neva Haagenson?, John Morgan, Ellen Graff, BIG DAVE SHELVER, Girl?, Duane Lang?

7/29/2014 (2064)

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Happy Birthday Don Martel (Former DHS Principal): Rosemount, MN

Norway Trip

Pictures From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,While in the Voss area of Norway, we were invited to a home of
one of Brenda’s dad’s first cousins for a ‘small’ family gathering.
People kept coming and coming until there must have been maybe 40 or
more and they had a huge meal and even brought us gifts to remember our
trip to Norway. It was rather humbling and almost overwhelming. The
pictures are from this gathering and all those in the first group
picture are Brenda’s dad’s first cousins as their mothers or fathers
were all sisters and brothers of Brenda’s grandmother Kari Aarhus
Knutson. The picture with more people is one with wives and husbands of
the cousins and still doesn’t show all the people who were there as
there were many more kids and grandkids and others not shown. One of the
older gentlemen knew we were involved with music so he brought out a
very old Norwegian Hardanger fiddle and played us a couple old Norwegian
songs. They were all a great bunch of folks and several could speak
English so we had a good time touring the church and the cemetery and
some of the areas where the older generations had lived. The area is
very mountainous and the towns are very small and set in the narrow
valleys. The roads are winding and narrow and there isn’t much
traffic–luckily. Thanks Gary!

Dick

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Blog (127) posted on June 9, 2008

From Erling Landsverk (44):

GARY:

I OWE DEB WENSTED AN APOLOGY. I WASN’T QUITE CERTAIN ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF THE INVENTER OF THE POWER SLED, SO I TOOK A CHANCE. SORRY DEB, I DIDN’T MEAN TO IGNORE YOUR FATHER. IN ANY CASE, THOSE WENSTEDS WERE PRETTY SMART COOKIES.

I DO WISH TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT I FAILED TO MENTION THE FANTASTIC WELCOME MY SISTER, BORGHILD (BORG) AND I RECEIVED FROM FLOYD AND LOUELLA DION. THEY WERE THE FIRST TO WELCOME US, AND IT SET THE TONE FOR A MOST ENJOYABLE AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE. I WISH TO THANK BOTH FLOYD AND LOUELLA FOR THEIR HOSPITALITY, AND ESPECIALLY LOUELLA FOR THE WELCOME HUG. LOUELLA AND HER FAMILY WERE OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH, AND WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING HER BROTHER LESTER AND HIS WIFE ON OUR VISIT. NOW I FEEL BAD I FAILED TO EXPRESS MY SYMPATHY AT LOUELLAS UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT IN FEBRUARY, BUT PERHAPS I WASN’T ON TTHE MAILING LIST AT THAT TIME. AT ANY RATE I DO WISH TO WISH LOUELLA A SPEEDY RECOVERY, AND THAT HER RECENT INJURY WILL NOT PROVE TO BE VERY SERIOUS.

ERLING LANDSVERK

From Gary Stokes (65):

Picture taken in the Ackworth school in about, I think, 1992 at the annual Alumni.

Note: All those seated have passed on. Charlotte died in Jan 1994 and the rest have passed on since.

Many of you are closely related to those in this picture.

For you Pladson folks, Is that your mother, Ella, sitting on the far side of your uncle Edmar?

Glenda (Mrs. Russell) Fauske Standing,

Seated R to L: Elaine Stokes, Alice Hiatt, Charlotte Hiatt Lang, Esther Tangen, Edmar Tangen, ??, Dennis Hiatt

From Dick Johnson (68):

Dick, the only one, in this picture, that I for sure recognize is Dwight Lang. In this picture he looks like he could be related to the Hiatt’s, of which I know he is proud of. Gary

Gary,

My best guess on the names of the band kids–

Dick

Picture L to R: 1956 DHS Band

Front row: Gayle Bedard, Caroleen Lider, Janice Lacroix, Marjorie Landsverk ?, Lowell Williams,Lois Hiatt.

Row two: Karen Woodford,Coleen Conroy?, Gerald Lamoureux, Girl??, Duane Woodford, Guy with tuba??,

Girl in front of music stand?,Susan Brew, Girl in front of base drum?, Joanne Kester.

Back row: Director??, Flute player?, Small person?, Luella Kalk??, Ronnie Link, Short kid?, Dwight Lang,

Curt Halvorson?, Don Conroy, Neva Haagenson?,John Morgan, Ellen Graff, BIG DAVE SHELVER, Girl?, Duane Lang?

From Bill Hosmer (48): Please note Bill’s new address.

The basketball picture names by Mona Johnson was well
done.. The player in the back row far left is Charles
(Pug) Lund. His dad was the Supt. at San Haven at the
time of the picture. He, Dee Nelson, George Gehres
and I used to run around with him. He later got into
federal law enforcement. Bill Hosmer

Picture 1944:

Back: Coach W.Schultz, Charles (Pug Lund, Wayne Molgard, Freddie Hiatt, Bob Molgard, Leo Murray, student Mgr. Howard Landsverk.
Front: Roger Johnson, Don Johnson, Lyle Johnson ?, Bruce Cornell, Allison Fiske

7/27/2014 (2063)

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Lorie Hiatt (’80): Dunseith, ND

Happy birthday Susan Malaterre (DHS ’69): Alvarado, TX.

Message to Dick Johnson

From Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

Dick keep the pictures etc coming — how beautiful !!_ makes me wonder how they scold leave it all behind- !!! it is comical how the Norwegian people have a different kind of humor – LOL!!!! that’s us !!_LOla

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

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Blog (126) posted on June 8, 2008

From Karen Woodford Olson (59):

Gary,

Also had to chuckle about the band photo that Dick sent to you. I was in that picture and could probably name everyone. Should apologize to all for the bad hairdo that I had.
Keep up the good work. Would like to meet you and Bernadette. My sister-in-law is also Bernadette but we call her Bernie.
Regards, Karen

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Gary,

While I was in school I worked for the Michaelson at the Dunseith Journal. The Newspaper Press was an impressively large machine. It was extremely loud, and often broke down, Mr. Michaelson stood on a platform at the top of the press near the ceiling guiding the papers through the press. He was a tall skinny man and quite frail I often worried he might fall. My job was to fold the papers as they came off the forks of the press. Viola Hobbs trained me into the job. It was a little scary because your timing had to be really good as you needed to reach in and get the papers as the huge forks brought the papers down. Next you folded the papers and sorted them into piles to be prepared to be mailed. Town papers were in a square, out of town papers were rolled with a strip of paper to hold them in the roll. The address were on the front of the squares and on the out of town papers the address was on the strip of paper holding the roll together. The office was loud, messy and smelly, but both Mr. and Mrs. Michaelson were very hard working and efficient. Mrs. Michaelson had fallen and broke her wrist so they hired me to help out. When the machine broke down, Harvey Bailey from Rolla was called over to repair the press. Sometimes when I came in on press day Harvey would already be working on the press so I could just go on home until they called that they were up and running, sometimes that meant coming in before school started the next day. Harvey often came to our home for supper these type of days, (Harvey being a relative and friend). I worked there for several years even when Mrs. Michaelson’s wrist was healed.

On calling days Mrs. Michaelson would spend all day calling everyone in town to find out if they had any news. They had assigned people in the hills and out on the prairie, someone at the San Haven, and I don’t remember where else the reporters were but those people would call in their news or write it out and bring it to the Office. What a remarkable process. Remarkable that we had a newspaper is such a small town.

About the Band picture, I can name almost every one of the students. It was 1956 the year we graduated. Marching Band was lots of fun.

Bonnie (Awalt) Houle 1956

Bonnie & Karen, Maybe we can get Dick to name all those he knows in that picture and then get you guys, an others, to fill in blanks? Some day these pictures will be available for future generations, so I like to have copies, in my files of all pictures, identifying those in them. With all the pictures you folks have been sending, combined with all those that I previously got from the class of 65, I’ve got quite a library of pictures. Gary

From Deb Wensted Slyter (72):

Gary,
I would like to correct Erling Landsverk on his memory of the snowplanes. My Dad, Oscar Wenstad, is the one who had built the snowplane not Arnold, who is his brother. My sister still has the large wooden propeller. My Dad could fix and repair anything, if he had to he would build his own parts. He had an old tractor that he had reversed everything around so that the small front wheels were were in the back, that’s why we called it the backward tractor. I remember many summers putting up hay with Dad driving that thing. The tractor is in the museum at Lansford where my brother lives.
I could go on and on about all the things that Dad had fixed for friends and neighbors alike. His ingenuity is greatly missed.

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Note: Clarence (’34) and all six of his children attended Dunseith. Susan (’69), Karen (’70), Art, (’72),

Ellen (’74), Arlan (’75) & Henry (’77). Arlan & Henry transferred to Bottineau in about 1975.

7/26/2014 (2062)

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Message from Shirley LaRocque Wendt (’59): Tukwila, WA

Hi Gary and all just got back from the Dakotas. Visited family and friends in South Dakota,Lana and her boys live there. She had a birthday party for me at the pizza ranch. Just turned 73. We then journeyed to Dunseith, North Dakota to visit friends and family. We had time meaning my Son Mark and his wife Karen. All together we were gone 21 days. What a beautiful country we have!!! Thanks for doing this blog best to all who read this message. As ever Shirley (LaRocque) Wendt

Reply to Paula Fassett (’71) and Friends

From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

I actually, and with caution, told a couple Norwegian jokes to
some of the relatives. They chuckle but don’t get the same enjoyment
from the jokes that we see amongst our Norwegian American folks here in
this country. There must be something about the change from coming to
America and then looking back that makes those of us laugh at ourselves.
They do like to tease and laugh about other things so we got along
well everywhere we went. One evening with my extended family, we had a
nice formal dinner and then sat around and talked. One relative asked
me if I had met mostly nice people in Norway? I said, “They’ve all
been real nice with the exception of Terje.” He is the cousin who was
showing us around and he was also at the table. They laughed nearly
uncontrollably at that one. Paula, why would you think I might tell
jokes? Thanks Gary!

Dick

Norway Trip

Pictures From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

We landed in Bergen, Norway and spent the first two days looking
around that area. It is built in and around a fjord and has ocean ships
docking right downtown. There is a part of downtown Bergen that is
nearly 1000 years old–all the buildings are still being used. The city
is much older than that but has burned completely several times in the
old days. I will send some pictures of the old shopping district in the
old downtown area and then some pictures of the modern downtown area,
as modern as any city. There is a train that climbs up the mountain and
gives quite a view of the city and the area. I’ll attach a few pictures
to show the view from the top on the mountain. The other pictures are
of the old part of the city that are preserved and still used. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Face Book posting of the Day

From Rhonda Hiatt (’75): Ridgefield, WA

Yippy Ki Yay it’s your Friday news for the weekend:

A lady in California was just trying to do a nice thing by putting porcelain dolls on the front steps of a neighborhood where she knew little girls lived. Some parents were creeped out as some of the dolls resembled some of the girls who lived there. Ok, you only get to creep out when a doll is placed on your doorstep if it’s bound and gagged or missing body parts…like a head maybe. Hell, I wouldn’t mind if someone put a doll on my doorstep. Like take that cutie from Hell on Wheels, (Anson Mount) I’ll even take him if is bound and gagged. I wouldn’t be creeped out by that….he might be. But it’s ABOUT WHAT I WANT!! Time to move on…

Duran Duran is suing its Fan Club. Apparently they aren’t fans.

Finally, some weird news from another part of the world. A Scottish lady wasn’t feeling her happy go lucky self, so she went to a Dr. and they found a sex toy stuck in her who ha. It had been there for 10 years! Now there’s a commercial for a long lasting battery.
Go out and enjoy your weekend people, summer’s almost over!!

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Blog (125) posted on June 7, 2008

From Floyd Dion (45):

Gary

This is to Randy Flynn , Yes I did get a golden hammer award , it was a gold hammer tie clasp, and I still have it. It gold color, But I don’t know if it is gold.

I think most people knew that my wife Luella had slipped on some ice in February and broke and arm and a leg.She was getting along good using the walker and doing different things. Well she had another accident. We were on our way to Rochester , as I had an appointment with a doctor at Mayo clinic, we were about half way and stopped at a rest stop, as Luella went into the restroom the caretaker held the door open for her, somehow, she lost her balance and fell on the floor.We loaded her in the car and went to the emergency at ST. Mary’s Mayo Hospital and did x rays and found 2 cracks in the upper part of her arm, the good arm. She stayed in the hospital that night and the next day too because I had a 2 oclock appointment. that day, so the next day we went home. the doctors did not think she needed surgery, and told her to see the Minot doctor that did the other surgery. I called the nurse and she said to keep the june 17th appointment that she had made 2 months ago.

So we will see what happens. Her arm is in a sling now.

Floyd

Luella, When it rains is pours. We hope and pray that all will be fine with the fractures in your good arm. We are thinking about you. Gary

From Ele Dietrich Slyter (69):

What a nice article about the Boot Camp. This is the first time I had heard of it. I have heard of ranches that bring in city folks to help round up cattle and work them, the city folks pay to get an experience of a lifetime, saves the ranchers lots of money and gets the work done at the same time. Sounds like the Peace Garden has a similar idea. Way to go…we all have to keep costs down now days in any way we can!!!

Picture/message from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

I came across this picture of the DHS school band in the 55-56 school
year. The oldest ones in the picture are in the class of 1956, so I
assume it is that school year. I mentioned the band cap with the name
‘Lois’ on the inside, and Lois Hiatt is on the front right in this
picture. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to let you all look and
not name everyone of the nearly 30 kids in the photo! I’m sure most of
you can name most of them [ I can and I was only in the first grade] so
look them over and send comments! This was taken on the stage in the old
gym in what is now the elementary school. It would appear that all
grades were represented from 5-12. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Folks, Bill Grimme and Larry Hackman have been passing some very interesting stories back and forth of which I got copies of. Some true, some fiction. As we all know, they are both good story writers. They have given me permission to share these with you guys.

To get a better flow of the stories, it’s best to read them from the bottom up. Gary

Bill

It was junior high and Dunseith was playing football against Rugby at Rugby. Dunseith just received a penalty for using profanity. The referee was marching the ball back up the field when one of the Dunseith players walks up to the Ref. and asks, what the _ _ _ _ is profanity? Needless to say, the referee ejected him from the game on the spot.

Upon returning to Dunseith, the kid came up to me and asked me what profanity meant. He honestly did not know.

—– Original Message —–

From: Bill Grimme

To: larry hackman

Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:30 PM

Subject: Re: women’s_toilet

These are good. Reminded me of a story from my working days. We were have a mandatory meeting on integrity. The speaker said that if you had a concern, you could make an anonymous call or send an anonymous email to report it. A person asked, “How do you send and anonymous email?”. Good question. The speaker didn’t know, so, I raised my hand and told him, “You wait until lunchtime, find someone who has left their computer active, and send the email from there.” That really pissed the guy off and he said that would be and integrity violation. He didn’t get the fact that it was a joke. The rest of the room cracked up. Sounds kind of like what you did.

Bill

—– Original Message —–

To: Bill Grimme

Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:43 PM

Subject: Re: women’s_toilet

Bill

Do you remember this one?

The lady comes out of the restroom at a club.

The male comedian on stage sees her and yells at her, hey lady, lady, hey lady “did you just come out of the restroom”? She says, “I did”. He asks her if she could hear him in the restroom? She replys that, “no she couldn’t hear anything while she was in there”. He replys to her, ” lady we sure heard you out here”.   Hehehee

Another story,

In our office where I worked at one time, the ceiling panels were being replaced. The ceiling workers had removed all the panels and of course never returned to put in the new framework and panels for the new ceiling. Everything was open above the wall partitions. Every sound made, bounced around in that concrete structure like a rubber ball. My office and my buddies office were about two offices down the hall from the womens restroom. I was out of the office a lot, so things did not bother me as much as they did my buddy. He was getting a little tired of hearing all the restroom sounds. So he wrote up a little story about the sounds, and him being a Navy man, he related the stories to a submarine or gun boat. You know, The call to emergency stations, the closing of the hatches, the loading of the torpedoes, the firing of the torpedoes, the explosion of the torpedoes, the all clear given, the return to normal conditions. Anyway you get the idea. He did however go into a little more detail about the sounds of the torpedoes hitting the water and the sound they made slideing through the water and the sound of depth charges going off around the submarine during the battle. The groaning and labor of metal from being under excessive pressure. It was funny. Personally, in the morning, I thought it sounded a little bit like a chorus warming up. How do they sing, ” doe, ra, me, fa, sew, la, tea, doe,”  in harmony ?????.

Anyway, Bill writes this story, calls me into his office, has me read the story and askes me if he should send it on up to the next level of the chain of command or maybe just go and relay the message personnely to him or just tell someone, that someone ought to do something about getting the ceiling panels replaced, that hearing all these restroom noises is disgusting and distracting.

I encouraged him to send the message, to go for it. It’s a good story and might bring a little chuckle to someones otherwise dull day and actually convince someone to get the work done. He was still worried about the consequences or that he might hurt someones feelings, and decided to think about it. I went back to my office. A while later I saw him leave his office. It was not long after he left that a couple of fellows that he showed the story to, entered his offfice, and the story magically appeared on about 100 computers instantly.   A few days later, they completed installing the ceiling.

Talk about getting results? The gal that was in charge of the project and used that restroom must of had a realization.

I’ve never really told Bill, how his story got out, but he has his suspicions. He did however, get a pat on the back from the boss for speeding up the project and for giving everyone a chuckle, except for maybe the ladies. Talk about gunboat deplomacy.

—– Original Message —–

From: Bill Grimme

To: larry hackman

Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 12:03 PM

Subject: women’s_toilet

Pretty funny, Larry.

There was a place in Oakland, CA called the “Last Chance Saloon” where Jack London used to hang out. Anyway, it’s an old place and a lot of tourists went there (my experience was in the ’70s.) They had a speaker in the ladies room and the bartender would say things that sounded like they came out of the toilet, like “hey, who turned out the lights” or “careful, there are workers down here”. Women would come out looking really embarrassed. This video reminded me of that.

Bill

7/24/2014 (2061)

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Gary

Sorry for the belated post Bob. I had you in my files, but forgot to post.

Happy Belated (7/22) Birthday Robert Berube (DHS ’62): Valrico, FL

Reply from Pam Fugere Schmidt (’73): Bismarck, ND

Thank you all so much for the Birthday greetings, here and on Facebook. Whenever I hear the expression “It takes a village to raise a child”, I think of Dunseith and how nurturing our community was for all of us. It was a wonderful place to grow up and we’re all so fortunate now to have an opportunity to reconnect through this blog. Thanks for all you do, Gary!

Reply from Bob Lykins (60’s DHS Teacher): Hutto, TX.

I know you had a great birthday with family and friends. Please add me to that long list of your friends wishing you many, many more such birthdays to come.

Bob Lykins

.

Thank you Bob.

I plan to live to be a hundred plus.

Those Coke Zero’s should add longevity to my life too.

Gary

Dick and Brenda Johnson’s Norway Trip

Reply from Paula Fassett (’71): White Bear Lake, MN

Hi All:

I, for one, am enjoying Dick & Brenda’s trip to Norway tales. I’m just wondering, though……….Dick, did you tell your relatives any Norwegian jokes?????????

Paula I. Fassett

Dick and Brenda Johnson’s Norway Trip

Reply from Sybil Johnson: Minot, ND

Dick, those are memories that you and Brenda will never forget. I will pass your trip onto DJ (August) and Beckie. Thank you, for it is very interesting and another start for my beginning and hoping to finish geneology for Augie’s family.

Sybil (grandma-great2007@mail.com)

Memories and Photo ID

From Bill Hosmer (’48): Tucson, AZ

Folks, The guy standing next to Coach Schulz is Charles, “Pug” Lund. His dad was the Superintendent

of the San. He had an older sister named Lola, who was an absolute beauty, but older than me, so no
attention directed whatsoever, from her, that is. Pug, Dee Nelson, Dick Cannon, and George Gehres and

I ran around together, and swam in the old swimming hole near the bridge on old No. 5 to Bottineau, north

of the Gottbret /Evans farm .

Since we used to swim buck naked in those days, it was my misfortune to be swimming near the concrete

highway bridge which crossed Willow Creek when three Dunseith girls came hiking across the bridge. They

just stood there, and I tried to maneuver my chilly body behind some brush, and they kept moving around. The other guys

gotten into their clothes, but I was stranded in the pond for some time until they kindly walked away giggling like girls

always did, and I guess, still do. So it was and so it is. Thank you, Gary. Bill Hosmer

==========================================================================

Blog (124) posted on June 6, 2008

From Erling Landsverk (44):

HI GARY!

I HAVE BEEN READING THE MESSAGES THAT HAVE COME THROUGH ON YOUR WEB SITE, AND I MUST SAY THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT MISSES DUNSEITH AND ALL THE GREAT PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE AND THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED THERE YEARS AGO. IF I MAY, I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT STICK IN MY MEMORY. WHEN I LEARNED OF THE SNOW PLANES, I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF THE CONVERTED BOB SLED THAT ARNOLD WENSTEDT FASHIONED OUT OF A REGULAR BOB SLED. HE HAD MADE EXTRA LARGE SKIS FOR BOTH AND FRONT BOLSTERS, AND HAD MOUNTED AN ENGINE WITH A LARGE PROPELLER ON THE BACK THAT WHEN IT RAN PROPELLED THE SLED FORWARD AT VERY HIGH SPEEDS. I WAS JUST A LITTLE KID WHEN I SAW THIS MAGNIFICENT INVENTION ON THE STREET RIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF ARNOLD LILLEBYS GARAGE. IT SURE WAS A SIGHT TO BEHOLD WHEN HE TOOK OFF. THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION WAS THE AIR PLANE TIRES THAT ADRIAN EGBERT PUT ON HIS MODEL A COUPE, SO HE COULD ROLL OVER THE SNOW BANKS ON HIS MAIL ROUTE. IT SURELY WAS A GREAT WAY TO AVOID GETTING STUCK IN THE SNOW BANKS. NATURALLY, SNOW PLOWS WERE UNHEARD OF IN THOSE DAYS, SO TRAVEL WAS ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE IN THE WINTER. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS REALLY PUT IT TOGETHER WITH THE SNOW PLANES. LIKE I ALWAYS SAID, THE NORTH DAKOTA PEOPLE REALLY ARE SPECIAL!

ERLING LANDSVERK

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

Wow, in that postcard you can see the old white school house! This
message is for Debbie Rondeau…what is the name of your grandson’s
band and where does he live in Texas? My son has a band also and
lives in Texas.

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

7/23/2014 (2060)

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Gary

Pam Fugere Schmidt (’73) Picture

Reply from Flavia Moraes (’73): Brazil, South America

Dear, Gary

So happy to see Pam´s photo. She was my classmate and friend.

I will never forget her.

Flavia

Flavia,

It is so nice hearing from you all the way from Brazil. I know many of our readers are Face Books friends of yours too.

Folks, Flavia was an exchange student living with the Campbell’s.

Gary

Reply to yesterday’s postings

From Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

Pam Fugere just as cute as ever- — !!!

also i hear stories of Floyd Dion always doing things for others and never mentioning or getting recognition for it — what an awesome couple he and Luella– !!!_ Angels unaware- !!

Yes Dick keep the pictures and stories coming- very interesting !!_ and i am sure half the hills would love to see parts of Norway and your stories and they almost all have relatives there- my Mom begged me to go to Norway with her back in 86 -she said she would pay for all of it if would go with her and I said let’s wait a year as the kids were younger and lots of school etc stuff going on — why?– they would have managed just fine- !!_ and Jay with them!!! – but right after she got the brain tumor and then it was too late- !!_ NEVER put off something like that~~~~ that is one big regret i have is not going right then- but we always think we have to plan!!!_ — Happy Birthday DIck but I always thought your birthday was the 24th of July !!_ cause i figured you were only 3 weeks older than me and now i find out you are a WHOLE LOT OLDER THAN ME MORE THAN A MONTH OLDER– LOL!!!– makes me fell young again !!!_- LOL!!–Oh and by the way we were comparing our aching hands one day i saw you in town and I found a product called “Two Old Goats”- yup that is the name !!!and for anyone else out there with arthritis pain or fibromyalgia- it works the best of anything i have found!!_ I found it in the Rolla Drug or the Belcourt Drug or maybe online- but it really sees to help especially at night — to get some sleep !!!!_

And i see another one us old “San Bags” as we called ourselves have left us !– Telephene – she was a sweetheart !!_ my condolences to her family !_ she was a a great caregiver to our residents- !!_

Gary praying for you and Bernadette that she continues to feel better- or even for a miracle for her that it all passes — Art Hagen looks very happy !!_ good for him !!!_ he has been through the fire too as they say and deserves some happiness in his life – his wife Mavis was a wonderful person – !!_ but as Margartet ( my sister says0 you “can’t bring them back” and have to move on after a while- !!- hard to believe Margaret lost Chuck 14 years ago last Christmas!!!

LOla

Reply from Brenda Hoffman (’68): Greenville, SC

Happy birthday Gary. I’m hoping you and Burnadette, family and new daughter-in-law are having one of your wonderful get togethers – with lots of fattening cake (ok that’s my dream – I love cake!)

Love Brenda

Thank you Brenda,

I had a lovely birthday. Bernadette treated me to dinner along with Lorelie, our daughter-in-law, and Edelyn, her niece, at TGI Friday’s in the Aylala mall.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the many “Happy Birthday” wishes too. It was so kind and thoughtful. I tried to reply to each and everyone, but I think I missed a few.

Gary

Jim Kofoid’s “Yard of the Week” Bottineau, ND July 22, 2014

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Hi Everyone,

Jim Kofoid’s (my brother) yard was chosen as Bottineau’s “Yard of the Week”. His house is located at 1014 Ohmer St. Those of you who lived in Bottineau years ago, might remember this as Oscar (His wife’s name eludes me at this time. She taught 4th grade (and other grades) in the Bottineau Public Schools for many years.). Kleven’s home. I think it was when Oscar/Mrs. VandeWalle married, the house was sold.

Congratulations, Jim!!!!! I know all this beautiful yard (as do all “Yards of the Week”) require a LOT of time/effort to reach this point.

As I told Jim, each week, I wonder if his yard will be chosen as Bottineau’s “Yard of the Week”. This is the week.

Relatives who are in Bottineau for the Petterson/Kofoid/Hovland Reunion this weekend, drive past Jim’s place/check out the yard and house.

Neola

Looking great Jim ! Recognition very well deserved. Gary

Norway trip: (Repost with missing picture. I hate it when that happens)

Reply from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

Thanks to everyone for all the nice birthday greetings. I think
I’ve nearly passed everyone in age, if my memory serves me. It’s been a
good run though and I hope I can keep on for a while yet. We took a
trip to Norway in June and spent time seeing some of our extended
families. I got to where my Grandfather Hans Johnson was born and where
he had lived for the first nine years of his life before coming to
America. We found one of my third cousins who invited us to come over
so he could show us around and introduce us to many of my relatives. We
were also invited to my wife’s cousin’s place on the far west side of
Norway so she could do the same. It was an interesting trip and we have
hundreds of pictures to remember it all. My relatives are near Hamar
and Brumunddal which is north of Oslo. Brenda’s family lives North of
Bergen at Voss and Aarhus. I would like to send a few pictures now and
then and some interesting stories about the people and the history of
both Norway and our family. The fellow in the picture with me is Terje
Ottesen. His mother is my dad’s second cousin. He showed us many many
interesting things and spent four days driving us all over the area.
The other picture is of Brenda and her second cousin Tove Reime who did
the same for us on the other side of the country. I hope not too many
of the readers find this uninteresting. Thanks Gary!

Dick

==========================================================================

Blog (123) posted on June 5, 2008

From Debbie Poitra Rondeau (77):

Good Afternoon Gary and everybody that’s from Dunseith area. I’m just looking to see if anybody is living in Minn. area. I don’t know if alot of you know my son, Christopher Leo Rondeau, grandson of the Betty Counts Poitra and the Late Leo Poitra. My son plays and sings and his on tour right now, the reason I’m writing this letter is to see if anybody knows where the 331 club is in Minn. stop and listen to him on june 5 he will be there, from there he heads back to Texas. You could also look him up on his web site: my space.com

http://www.leorondeau.net/ check out his site you purchase cd’s and t-shirts. He graduated the class of 1998.

Thank You

Debbie Poitra Rondeau Class of 1977

From Randy Flynn (70):

A question for Floyd Dion. When I saw the picture of you with Harvey in the electric wheel chair, I remember, as a youngin’, hearing that you had been awarded a Golden Hammer Award from Popular Mechanics. Did you receive such an award. Is this the wheel chair that was submitted to Popular Mechanics. You were always extremely handy and I am certain you made modifications to the original designs.

To Bill and Irene Fassett’s daughters and Dick Johnson – Your scrapbooks articles and pictures are great. Please keep sharing your saved memories of Dunseith. The background of each picture is as important as the subject to recreate our lives in Dunseith. Thank you.

Randy Flynn

From Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Hi Gary/Susan,

Thanks for posting the picture of Eldon Hiatt and Dad, Susan. It’s always fun to see a person’s parent/parents in clippings.

Whenever I see this clipping, my first thought is always that the fellow with Dad is Jack Peterson, as he worked for Dad. In fact, it was while Jack (It seems to me I called him Jackie.) was working for Dad that he lost sight in his eye. Apparently, a sliver of steel lodged in his eye. I remember what a terrible/sad accident it was. I can still picture him with the bandage over his eye. He was such a young fellow to have something like this happen to him. When we happen to think/talk about the accident, Mom/I still feel bad.

Susan, if I were put in a room with all your old newspapers, you wouldn’t see me for months! I absolutely love reading the old newspapers. My problem is I want to scan/send/share so many of the articles with everyone. I think the articles/stories/etc. are so great, I’m just positive others feel the same as I do about them!! Ha!

Even though I don’t know everyone mentioned in the emails, I enjoy all the clippings, stories, pictures so many of you share through Gary. I’m with the rest of the people, Gary; I add my thanks to you, too.

Neola

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

Dick,
Your remark about most 18 year olds not being up at that time of the
morning is partly true…many of them were just going to
bed..

From Mona Dionne Johnson (48):

Don’t recognize them all as this would have in the year (43-44), before
I started at BHS, but here’s most of them –

Coach W.Schultz, ? on first one, Wayne Molgard, Freddie Hiatt, Bob
Molgard, Leo Murray, student Mgr. Howard Landsverk.
Fr. Roger Johnson, Don Johnson, Lyle Johnson ?, Bruce Cornell, Allison
Fiske

That’s all but one and I’m guessing on Lyle, but looks like his grad.
pic to me.
Mona Johnson (48)

7/22/2014 (2059)

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Pamela Fugere Schmidt (DHS ’73): Mandan, ND

Happy Birthday Julie Hiatt (DHS ’81): Rugby, ND

Reply from Toni Morinville Gredesky (’68): Fairmount, ND

Thanks, Gary. Best wishes to you as well. It’s nice that we share a birthday.

Also, happy belated birthday to Dick J. We were born a day apart in the same

hospital.

Old Time Gospel music – Rendahl Cassette

Available from Art Rude (’71): Bismarck, ND

If people want a Rendahl cassette, just have them email me their address to artrude@hotmail.com and how many copies they want and I’ll mail them to them. I think I still have quite a few, and cassettes don’t sell any more. Most people who like old time gospel like them real well. I recorded Scotty and Thelma in my studio, as I did the rest, so I think you will be hard pressed to find a better quality recording of them. Scotty was totally deaf by the time I got them in the studio, but he could feel the vibrations from Thelma’s guitar. It was a recording experience I won’t forget.

Follow up message from Art

Ok, the box of Cassettes was right where I thought they were, collecting dust in my garage. They were commercially made, as hopefully you can see from the pictures. As I said before I do not have the ability to record the material on CD, as my good cassette player died. I think I have one copy of that material on CD somewhere, but I haven’t been able to find it yet.

Harvey Halvorson’s wheel chair and Happy birthday to Toni

From Diane Larson Sjol (’70): Minot, ND

Floyd,

I was going through some of dad’s old papers and ran across that clipping about you making the wheelchair for Harvey…he kept it all this time. That was a great thing you did for Harvey.

Diane

Toni Lou!

Happy birthday and many more. Sure hope to see you one of these days soon. Give us a call if you end up back in North Dakota.

Take care.

Diane

Message from Diane Larson Sjol (’70): Minot, ND

Hi everyone,

This is just an FYI…..I wanted to let you all know that I have resigned my position at Dakota College at Bottineau effective July 31. Although I love my job there, this past year, after the death of my husband’s brother Jack, has been a tough one for us with me spending 4 days in Bottineau and Scott in Minot. There are so many legal things going on with the murder investigation, the will, their business etc. I would have resigned to stay in Minot after it happened but with my dad living in Bottineau and in ill health, I decided to stay another year. Now that my dad has passed away, it is time for me to spend the time in Minot with my husband so that we can get both estates settled and spend more time together.

I have taken a position at Minot State University as a nursing instructor there…a 9 month position so I will have the entire summer off…that will be great. We still plan on spending our weekends up at the lake so come on up and see us.

Norway trip

Reply from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

Dick

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

==========================================================================

Blog (122) posted on June 4, 2008

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Thanks Susan for the article on the City Hall fire. That seems to be
exactly the way it happened. In the picture you can see how the west
wall had fallen outwards, this nearly blew Terry Martinson off his feet!
The picture was taken a 9 AM according to the article and was before the
big chimney was pulled over into the basement by the Rural Electric
workmen. The part about the siren being saved is not totally correct
though, we retrieved it but I think it was shot. After the roof fell in,
we could see the siren hanging on the wires, just inside the front
doors! I don’t remember who cut the wires and brought it out but I think
it had been burned badly enough to not be any good anyway. I remember it
sitting on the sidewalk in front of the hall after it was all over. I
talked to Helen Metcalfe this past weekend and she said she and her
husband had the hall rented for their wedding dance that next weekend
but when they drove into town it was just smoldering ruins! They rented
the Odd Fellows hall in Bottineau and had their dance there. The reason
I was up that early that morning was that I worked at Dunseith Sand and
Gravel that summer and I had to be there at 6:30. I worked mornings
until about 2:30 and then went to the farm. Lowell Leonard came to work
then and worked until late evening. The reason I am mentioning this is
that most 18 year olds probably weren’t up at that time, then, either!
Thanks Susan and Gary!

Dick

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

The attached picture is the 1944 DHS basketball team. I know most of
them but I bet Mona and the others can name them all. So that is your
assignment, Mona! Thanks for the help on the 1945 team. Being the
packrat that I am, I still have the leather knee pads Dad is wearing in
this picture! I also have a leather football helmet from DHS. We were
told to haul a bunch of football gear to the dumpground but I kept one
football helmet and a band cap. The band cap has the name “Lois” printed
on the inside. Could be either Lois Lilleby or Lois Hiatt, the only two
I know with that name. Anybody want to inform us on who?? I also have a
leather basketball from 1950 or 1951 that my uncle Cliff got when he was
in high school. That ball is in bad shape from being played with on
concrete and mud and wet conditions when I was young, but I still have
it nearly sixty years later! Thanks to all who have helped put the names
on these pictures and to Gary for everything!!

Dick

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Folks, there are a lot of familiar (you guys) names in this Article.

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

Take special note of the article “Round and Round OH HO, OH HO” Dennis
Dion and Debbie Morinville are featured. Susan

7/21/2014 (2058)

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Gary

Happy birthday Toni Morinville (DHS ’68): Wahpetan, ND

Happy Birthday Dick Johnson

From Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Happy Birthday–or happy belated birthday, if that’s the case, Dick!!

Great picture of the four of you (Dick, Brenda, Bernadette, Gary) in today’s blog!!!!

Neola

Reply to Dick Johnson

From Sybil Johnson: Minot, ND

Dick, you haven’t changed a bit. Take care, you and Brenda.

Sybil Johnson

==========================================================================

Blog (121) posted on June 3, 2008

Mrs. Allen (Susan) Richard (65) diagoised with breast cancer:

Folks, I got a message from Allen Richard telling me his wife, Susan, has visited the MAYO clinic, three times, in the recent past for breast cancer. He said the ordeal will not be over until November. He said Susan’s family history is horrible for cancer. He said knowing that they took radical action.

Please keep us posted Allen, with Susan’s progress. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and you too. Gary

From Bob Lykins (teacher):

Gary,

Just a quick note to let you and others know that I have just unpacked a box containing items from my days at Dunseith HS. Among them is a grade book that lists the names and grades of the students I had in General Business, Typing, and Bookkeeping. It looks like it was from SY 63-64. Interesting stuff but my former students need not worry. I pledge never to donate such revealing information to any display or museum.

Bob Lykins

Bob, that would have been the year I had you for typing. That grade of mine, averaged with Bill Grimme’s over all 4 year average grade, would probably equal our over all class average grade. Actually, I think I did a little better than that though. Regardless what my final grade was, It was one of the most beneficial classes that I ever took. I carried around a certificate card, for years in my wallet, signed by you, that I typed 52 words per minute. Remember, this was on the old manual typewriters. That class enabled me to easily adapt to the computer automation world with my job and also today, with all of the email communicating that I do. I witnessed many upper level managers struggle, in the shipyard, with their one fingered typing skills. Gary

Reply from Nancy Hosmer Baldwin (62):

Good Morning Gary and All,
I just read My cousin’s comments (Bill, Diane and Cheryl) about
the pool table that had it’s beginnings at Kadrie’s in
Dunseith. That pool table was built in 1895 and is in
beautiful condition thanks to Bill’s son, John, who graced it
with new felt and bumpers and spent a considerable amount of
time removing “red” lacquer paint. I love having that table
with all of it’s history in my home. I have no doubt that
several of you have played on it in the past, whether it was at
the pool hall or at Jack Hosmer’s home. Anyway, you’re invited
to come to Lake Metigoshe and try your hand at it again —
anytime. By the way, Cheryl, I saw you make a couple of
those “great shots” and I think we need to match you against
Don Hosmer..
Have a great day, Nancy Hosmer Baldwin

Reply from Floyd Dion (45):

Hi Gary

You asked Neola what year it was that we made that electric wheelchair for Harvey Halvorson, I got the clipping out of the Minot Dailey News dated February 7, 1958. It may have been a few months before that it was built. I did it in my spare time when when I worked for the Bottineau Coop Creamery . we built it in the back end of Iver Lo’s gas station, Hardware store. Harvey could not do any work, but he was boss and brains of the building of it. We used an aircraft starter for the motor, there were a lot of army surplus things back in those days, after world war ll.

bye

Floyd

Request from Sharon Longie Dana (73):

Gary, could you post the Dunseith website stuff again please. I would appreciate it.

Sharon, This the Dunseith WEB site link. http://www.dunseithnd.com/

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

Here is a scrapbook page with the article on the Dunseith City Hall
fire. Also Lise Rousseau’s wedding article and Lawrence Berube’s
obituary. I have lots of newspaper clippings and articles if anyone is
looking for any thing specific. Let me know and I will try to find it.
Love and prayers, Susan

Provided by Susan Fassett Martin (65)

Message/pictures from Susan Fassett Martin (65):

Gary, I didn’t realize that Ann Dahl was a Stokes. They used to come
to Az when we lived down there. “Snowbirds” that came in the winter.
We had many good times and good card games with them. These pictures
were taken in Tucson in 1974 and 1975. The top left is Ann and Oscar,
the top right is Oscar and Ann Dahl, behind them my husband, John
Martin holding our daughter Johnida, Alice Christianson, Myself and
daughter Tristania, and Lydia Larshus. The botton left picture is the
same people except instead of me, my Grandmother Gudrun Wood(Goodie) is
there. The bottom right picture is in March of 1974. My husband John
and Oscar both had March birthdays so we would celebrate together. I
mad the shamrock cake for them–I believe Oscars birthday was the 16 and
Johns is the 18 of March.

I love all the old articles and picture. Hugs and prayers, Susan

Susan, Anna and my dad were full Brother/Sister. My dad was adopted by the Stokes’ when their mother died, shortly after

he and his twin sister, Margaret were born. Anna is a Petterson, my dad’s biological family. Dad was always very close to his

biological family. Oscar Dahl, married to my dads sister Anna, is a cousin to the Halvorson’s. Oscar and Anna lived in Bisbee

and as far back as I can remember, spent their winters in AZ. This is a small world hearing that you knew and spent time

with Oscar & Anna. I’ll bet they never put two and two together realizing that you and I graduated together. They were wonderful folks. I saw them often in my childhood days and also with my summer trips back to ND.

Following their frequent visits to our place, usually after having spent the weekend in Bottineau, they often times visited the Halvorson’s on their way back home. Gary

Picture provided by Susan Fassett Martin

Picture provided by Susan Fassett Martin.

John Kofoid was Neola Kofoid Garbe’s father.

7/20/2014 (2057)

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Dick Johnson (DHS ’68): Dunseith, ND

Happy Birthday Jeanette LaRocque (’74): Dunseith, ND

Fassett girls

Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65): Spearfish, SD

Joke of the day

Two Ladies Talking in Heaven

1st woman:    Hi! Wanda..

2nd woman:   Hi! Sylvia. How’d you die?

1st woman:    I froze to death.

2nd woman:   How horrible!

1st woman:    It wasn’t so bad. After I quit shaking from the cold, I began to get warm & sleepy, and finally died a peaceful death. What about you?

2nd woman:   I died of a massive heart attack. I suspected that my husband was cheating, so I came home early to catch him in the act. But instead, I found
him all by himself in the den watching TV.

1st woman:    So, what happened?

2nd woman:   I was so sure there was another woman there somewhere that I started running all over the house looking. I ran up into the attic and searched,
and down into the basement. Then I went through every closet and checked under all the beds. I kept this up until I had looked everywhere, and finally I
became so exhausted that I just keeled over with a heart attack and died.

1st woman: Too bad you didn’t look in the freezer—we’d both still be alive.

==========================================================================

Blog (120) posted on June 2, 2008

From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

Hi Gary and All

I can attest to the pool table that now resides at Nancy’s……It’s a real beauty. John did a beautiful job restoring it. We played for 2 days on it while we were there a couple weeks ago. John was so patient showing us where to hit to make the shot. Of course I hit all my great shots when nobody was looking! Also, I checked out the Dunseith website. Really nice. Glad to hear that Debbie Morinville’s surgery went so well. Take care Deb and don’t overdo! Thanks for all you do Gary!

Cheryl Larson Dakin ’71

Article provide by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Neola, you have gone way back in your achieves to get this one. Do you know what year this would have been? Harvey has been deceased nearly 21 years. Floyd’s wife, Luella, is a sister to Harvey. I recently found out, from Luella, that my Uncle, Oscar Dahl (deceased – married to my dads sister Anna) was a cousin to the Halvorson’s. He visited Harvey and the Halvorson’s often. Thank you Noola, Gary

Harvey HALVORSON
	Birth Date:		8 Apr 1929
	Death Date:		7 Oct 1987
	Social Security Number:		501-22-0329
	State or Territory Where Number Was Issued:		North Dakota

	Death Residence Localities
		ZIP Code:	58329
		Localities:	Dunseith, Rolette, North Dakota
			San Haven, Rolette, North Dakota

From Mona Dionne Johnson (48):

Regarding the ’45 basketball pic that Dick sent in. They are:
Back Row: Glen Shelver, Coach, Norman Haagenson, Wayne Molgard, Bill
Hosmer, Ralph Thiel, Derrald Dion
Front Row: Leo Murray, Allison Fiske, Darrel Fassett, Don Johnson, Bob
Molgard.
Mona (Dionne) Johnson (48)

7/19/2014 (2056)

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Gary

Rose and Art Hagen

Rose joined Art in Bottineau on July 2nd. His shirt says it all.

We are looking forward to seeing them back here in Cebu later this year.

Gary

Police investigate the death of 19-year-old in Grand Forks

Police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old Grand Forks man whose body was found in his home Wednesday morning.

Evan Poitra’s family members found him dead at about 6:15 a.m. in their home on the 1000 block of 18th Avenue South, said police Lt. Jim Remer.

The death does not appear to be suicide, and there are no signs of foul play, he said. “We are exploring all avenues of investigation.”

Among the several possible causes being examined is the possibility of a drug overdose, he said. “But that’s just speculation.”

The investigation is ongoing, he said, and it could be weeks before autopsy results are available.

Poitra graduated from Red River High School last year, according to his Facebook page.

Evan D. Poitra

Oct. 31, 1994 – July 16, 2014

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Evan D. Poitra, 19, Grand Forks, died Wednesday in his home.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., Friday at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks. Visitation will continue from 2-3 p.m., followed by the funeral at 3 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Dunseith, N.D.

Arrangements by Amundson Funeral Home

Joke of the day

Posted by Paula Fassette (’71): White Bear Lake, MN

A man and his wife are dining at a table in a plush restaurant, and the husband keeps staring at an old drunken lady swigging her gin as she sits alone at a nearby table, until the wife asks “Do you know her?”

“Yes,” sighs the husband, “She’s my ex-wife. She took to drinking right after we divorced seven years ago, and I hear she hasn’t been sober since.”

“My God!” says the wife, “Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?”

==========================================================================

Blog (119) posted on May 31, 2008

From Shirley Olson Warcup (49):

As you can see, I still don’t proofread before I press send. On my inquiry about Marlene Murray, Dunseith should have been typed instead of Merced in one question.

Shirley Olson Warcup

Shirley, It’s on human to error. With a few others of you not catching a few errors, before sending stuff out, makes me feel not quite so bad with all the errors that I have made and not caught. Gary

From Deb Wenstad Slyter (72):

Gary,
Thank you for the kind words about Mom. I too remember going to your home and visiting quite often when we were young. Mom had suffered with leukemia for the past three years and she fought a good battle, but it wa time to be set free from all the struggle.
Again thanks,
Deb

From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):

To the Wenstad Family: My condolences to you all on your mothers passing. May God be with you during this difficult time and give you strength and peace. You were our neighbors growing up and I remember so many times walking over to play in Willow Creek. Donna and I were classmates. I hope she reads this and I get a reply from her. It has been many years since we have spoken or seen one another. Lynn Halvorson Otto (75).

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

In response to Dick Johnson about that pool table…it has been
refinished and is up at my cousin Nancy’s(Hosmer) beautiful home at
Lake Metigoshe. It is a great site and fun to play on….I always
heard about how good Don was but never got to see him play. That must
have been quite the site to see those Canadians eat their humble pie.
To Deb Morinville….I am very happy that our prayers have been
answered and you didn’t have to go through a big surgery. Take care.

From Ellen Graff (58) Myrick:

Gary,

I received this reply from one of the persons to whom I forwarded the information about the DO NOT CALL list. Thought I’d send it to you for you to put in your next email.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp

False ….

Ellen Graff (58) Myrick

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

There were several sports that were popular in schools here in North
Dakota, but the main interest seemed to be basketball. I remember how we
would do nearly anything just to play basketball! We used to help Eddie
Bogus by shoveling coal in the coal bin at the old school. The stoker
took all the coal from the middle of the room and left it piled to the
ceiling along the walls. We would have to shovel it down and then pile
it in the middle, essentially reversing the pile.This was a big job as
the coal bin was probably 20 feet square. Our pay–we could shoot
baskets in the old gym! We had to be nuts! I remember that after
shoveling coal for a couple hours we were black and then we played
basketball until the black was running off with the sweat! We also
played outside on the old court west of the old white school, summer and
winter. In the winter the cold would make the ball go flat, and after it
did, we changed the rules so we didn’t have to dribble! That is really
wanting to play ball! Nicholson’s lived across the street to the west
and Annie told my mother she thought we were crazy to be out there when
it was that cold! One time we figured out how to get into the city hall
by leaving a window unlocked. George Aitchison would hear us and kick us
out! After a couple times, he was not too happy! He checked the doors
and windows then, but we got in through the coal shute door! That time
he took us over to see Frank Flynn, the town Judge! We didn’t do that
again!! We didn’t see the harm in it because the place was heated and we
weren’t hurting anything, but rules were rules! One time we had a visit
from the Harlem Stars basketball team. They played against some of the
local fellas for a fundraiser of some kind. I remember Duane Fugere
getting boosted up into the pipe frame behind the backboard and then
scoring a bunch of points from up there! The Stars were full of tricks
but they got about half mad when Duane started to run up the score!!
Some of the older kids could jump from the stage and grab this pipe
support and then swing out and drop on the floor. One night at halftime
of a game, Marvin Kalk tried, but couldn’t hold on and landed flat on
his back, knocking himself cold! Big Iron {Vince Kalk} walked out and
dragged Marvin off the floor like a bag of potatoes!! Just some more
crazy memories of growing up in old Dunseith!! Again and always, thank
you Gary!

Dick

Picture of 1945 DHS Basketball Team.

Don Johnson 11, Darrel Fassett 7, Bill Hosmer 10, others I believe–Fiske, Dion, Molgard, Aitchison, others,

and Glen Shelver-Coach.

7/17/2014 (2055)

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Gary

Request for cd’s / tapes of Scotty Thompson’s music

From Dale Evans: Algona, WA

Thank you Gary – I truly enjoy receiving the Dunseith Blog, and my Mother (Mary Peterson) says it makes her feel at home!

Question – how would we go about getting copies of the tapes / cd’s Scotty Thompson mentions below? (Art Rude/Jerry Olson/Ole Bursinger/etc. are also on one of them.)

Thanks Gary

Dale Evans

Dale,

I am including Scotty’s son Harold and his grandson James with this message. Hopefully they will have an idea where we can get these CD’s / Tapes. Art Rude or Susan Fassett Martin may know a source too.

Gary

Reply from Bruce Pigeon (’61): Garrison, ND

Gary, I hope you have a wonderful upcoming birthday. I just had mine and if I forgot to thank you for reminding me, I am doing so now. We must be close to the same age, going on 39. I know neither of us look a day older than that, It’s wonderful to have that youthful ND look. Well here is to many more. Happy Birthday.

Bruce

Thank you Bruce for the advance “Happy Birthday”. I am going on 35 and I believe you 39. Hard to believe we are that old. We are fast approaching being the seniors of the seniors.

Gary

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Posting of the day from Art Rude (’71): Bismarck, ND

Cleaning out old email, I found this. Thanks for the smile Gary Stokes!

Short and Funny

I dialed a number and got the following recording: “I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, You are one of the changes.”
~~~~~
At pilots training back in the Air Corps they taught us,
“Always try to keep the number of landings you make
Equal to the number of take offs you make.”
~~~~~
Aspire to inspire before you expire.
~~~~~
My wife and I had words, but I didn’t get to use mine.
~~~~~
Frustration is trying to find your glasses…without your glasses.
~~~~~
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.
~~~~~
The irony of life is that by the time you’re old enough to know your way around, you’re not going anywhere.
~~~~~
God made man before woman so as to give him time to think of an answer for her first question.
~~~~~
I was always taught to respect my elders,
but it keeps getting harder to find one.
~~~~~
Every morning is the dawn of a new error.

==========================================================================

Blog (118) posted on May 31, 2008

From Alan Poitra (76):

Hi Gary,

This note is for Bob Leonard. I attempted to add comments to the guestbook on the Dunseith website and it required a username/pw??? I was not sure if that was something my setup required or something on the Dunseith website. I am assuming it was my setup but wanted to make sure it was okay to add comments and upload pictures to the website.

I look forward to reading the comments and seeing the pictures that will be posted. This is a great idea!

From Colette Hosmer (64):

Congratulations, Bob Leonard and Steering Committee. Good choice in Amy Schalesky…this website is beautiful and easy to navigate. Thanks for the time and effort ……. Colette Hosmer

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

To the Wenstad Family, my condolences for the loss of your Mom, Thoughts and prayers are with all you. Debbie and Donna you were great friends of mine in high school.I will get in touch with both of you.

Sharon Longie Dana(73)

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Bill Hosmer’s story about the pool table from Kadry’s to his dad, Jack,
etc, reminded me of a story my dad told me about that same table. I
remember being at Jack and Inie’s once and Jack took me in the basement
to show me some old military handguns he had hanging on the wall. The
walls were pine car siding and were varnished beautifully and held some
very nice handguns. The pool table was in the center of that same room.
When I told Dad about the guns and the pool table, he said that Don
Hosmer was one of the best pool players around the area. Probably the
best he had ever seen! Well, several years later I was at Kelvin when
Don and Glen Shelver and Jerome Thompson came in after golfing in
Boissevain. Two younger Canadians were playing pool and Don went over
and asked if he could play the winner? The golfers were a bit tipsy from
the clubhouse socializing and it showed! Don had his hat on a bit
crooked and his shirt half out, so the young Canucks saw a target! One
said, “How about we make it interesting and play for ten bucks?” Don
took out his billfold and said, “Let’s make it twenty”! They grinned at
each other and agreed. They told Don to break, but he said for them to
go ahead. They broke without dropping a single ball—-then Don cleaned
the table, picked up their twenty, and said, “THANKS”!! It was a
humbling experience for those two fellas and a confirmation of what Dad
told me many years before!! Thanks Gary!

Dick

From Bob Lykins (Teacher):

Gary,

My thanks to you and Bill for providing the information on the National Do Not Call Registry. I have already been awakened in the morning by telemarketers so as soon as I received this notice I called NDNCR and registered.

Thanks also to Bob Leonard and all for setting up the Dunseith web-site. I tried it, but could not connect. They must not be on-line as yet.

I am keeping busy in retirement. For the past 3 months I have been working for Pearsons Educational Assessment Corp. scoring tests as well as doing substitute teaching at the local high school. The pay is terrible but it does get me up in the morning. It also prevents me from emptying the multitude of boxes that surround me. Life is great in good old Hutto, Texas (near Austin) but I sure do miss the excitement of living overseas and working with the military. In thirty-four years there was never a dull day.

Take care and God bless you for all that you are doing to keep everyone connected.

Bob Lykins

Bob & others, This is the Web address of the Dunseith WEB site. http://www.dunseithnd.com/ If you are still having problems getting it to come up, you may have to copy and past this address into the address line of Intenet Explorer or which ever WEB brouser you are using. Gary

From Shirley Olson Warcup (49):

This is a question for one and all,

Does anyone have any information abut Marlene Murray and her family? She was in our class for grades 1 through 4. I think her family moved soon after that. If my memory is correct, she lived just across the street, east of the school. About 25 years ago, I received a call from her–she was living in the LA area, I was living in Merced, CA. It just so happened that I would soon be attending a conference in LA, so we met for lunch and talked over old times. When she walked into the hotel lobby, I knew immediately who she was–she was just a grown up version of the Marlene I knew. We exchanged letters and Christmas cards for a few years but with changes of addresses etc., we lost touch. Was Marlene related to the other Murray families in Merced?? Would anyone happen to know her present address?

Shirley Olson Warcup

P.S. To anyone to whom I have sent an e-mail—and two e-mails have arrived saying the same thing, I apologize. My computer sometimes tells me it can’t send my message, so I assume I have to rewrite it and try again–only to see later that it did send both e-mails. My husband tells me I have to give the machine a little more time. Patience has never been one of my strong points!!!

From Deb Morinville Marmon (70):

Hi Gary,

Just a quick update on the surgery I was supposed to have. Yes, I said “supposed to” I believe that I have been the recipient of a miracle! The surgeon was able to remove the polyp with a scope so I didn’t have the major removal of 1/3 of the large intestine. Instead of being in the hospital for up to 10 days I was in overnight! I have to be careful for 2 weeks and not lift, get plenty of rest and am on a low fiber diet but other than that I’m back on track.

To Bobbi and Debbie Wenstad and the family. I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I remember her as having a real good sense of humor and she sure put up with a lot from us right Bobbi? She will be truly missed.

Thanks again Gary for all you do for us. And thanks to those prayer warriors out there!

Deb Morinville Marmon 70

From Bev Morinville Azure (72):

Gary , I have known Lanette for a number of years she was one of my oldest daughters babysitters and Shonda loved her. I would like to say CONGRADS Lanette you should be very proud of yourself > I know I am . Bev

7/16/2014 (2054)

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Gary

Raphael Poitra (’65): Dunseith (Kelvin), ND

Folks,

I received this picture from Raphael Poitra, but for some reason the message got dropped. This is a mighty fine looking fish too. Not sure if he got this out of Metigoshe, Long lake or one of the other lakes in the hills? I don’t remember seeing any fish this big in those lakes when I lived back there. This has to be a trophy.

Please fill us in Raphael about this fish you are holding.

Thanks,

Gary

Hubert Allery (’62): Fargo – Had lund Surgery.

Face Book Posting from Judy Allery Azure (’65): Bismarck, ND

(7/14/2014) – We, the Allery family, would like for everyone to pray for out oldest brother Hubert, he will be having surgery either tonight or tomorrow on his lungs. Hubert is hospitalized at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND

Judy, Please keep us posted with Hubert’s condtion. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. Gary

Reply from Bob Lykins (60’s DHS Teacher): Hutto, TX.

Thanks for the birthday post, Gary. Maybe I should get a better photo. Still, I must confess, it pretty well describes me. However, I seldom drink beer these days except when I am in Germany which is where this photo was taken. I am at the Oktober Fest(German spelling) in Munich, Germany. Everyone should put a visit to the Oktober Fest on their “bucket list.” It is truely a remarkable, cultural experience -:)

Bob

Reply to Dennis Dubois (’63)

From Lee Stickland (’64): Dickinson, ND

RE: MR DuBois

AKA: Retired 1963 table-tennis champ of the Turtle Mountains

Dennis, Thanks for the many hours of friendly competition.

I ask that YOU agree to waive any and all charges/cost/price of remunerations for YOUR having been victor and for me being potentially liable for $490,000 @ 6% compound interest. (I never did understand compound interest; esp. if it were to be levied against my piggy bank).

All in fun, from a guy who was successful to make money with other peoples’ money and TO YOU who worked hard and as I understand oversaw the poring of a few foundations, the laying of a few level floors, and possibly the well traveled driveways toward the garages that are so full of STUFF no car would fit in. Now YOU can follow that golf ball to travel America playing specially, selected golf course venues, quietly sneaking closer to the local record of scoring.

I, too, love this picture of Sharon with her whimsical, upward glance that includes evidence of her quest for quality in her pursuits of life.

HOWEVER: It has not been just that long since we were sharing the fun-experience of climbing LIDY HILL which was just west of Petersons’ barn.

Intending to go down the hill on a sleigh, a piece of cardboard or other than YOUR elbow, butt, or palms of YOUR hand. (hurts to write about the agony of abraded hands)OR me riding Kit or Kap and attempting to keep the horse away from the barb wire fence to preserve my new Levis and new Wellington boots !!!

Hard to believe that was just/only/right!/sure/doubt it was only a recent yesterday when we began our journey to get to where we are today.

I DON’T KNOW WHERE I AM GOING BUT I AM HALF WAY THERE

TIME IS WHAT KEEPS EVERYTHING FROM HAPPENING AT ONCE

WAITING FOR THE WINDS TO BLOW TOWARD THE ISLE OF IMAGINATION

ENTHUSIASM IS CONTAGIOUS

A SMOOTH MOUNTAIN CANNOT BE CLIMBED End of story and page LEE s 7-15-2014

Scotty Thompson

Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Hi Gary,

Thought I’d tell you I replied to James Thompson’s email about tapes/CD’s of Scotty and Thelma’s. I have a CD of Cindy and the Turtle Mt. Boys (Cindy/Thelma were the same person.) and a couple cassettes on which Thelma sings/Scotty plays. Art Rude/Jerry Olson/Ole Bursinger/etc. are also on one of them. He played a “mean” dobro!! I loved listening to both of them. As you know, after we moved east of the “skating rink”, we lived about two blocks from Scotty’s family. Scotty/family lived south of the skating rink/we lived east of it. Lu Thompson is my classmate. We were friends “way back when”/we renewed our friendship several years ago. Lu bought a historic house in Willow City/did some renovation on it. She later moved “south” again. I THINK she missed her family, but that’s a guess on my part.

Bernadette looks really great.

Neola

==========================================================================

Blog (116) posted on May 28, 2008

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Elberta Wenstad

DUNSEITH – Elberta Mariah Wenstad, 81, Dunseith, died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, in a Rolla hospital.
She was born Aug. 15, 1926, to John and Mildred Anderson in White Earth. She married Oscar Wenstad Jan. 18, 1945, in Dunseith.
Survivors: daughters, Connie Turner, Boissevain, Man., Bobbi Wenstad, Minot, Deborah Slyter, Dunseith, Donna Wenstad, Amado, Ariz., Pamela Lane, Stoughton, Wis.; sons, Arlan, Lansford, Donald, Overly, Curtis, Rolette; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother, Milton, Palo Cedro, Calif.
Funeral: Thursday, 10 a.m., Peace Lutheran Church, Dunseith.
Burial: Later in Rendahl Cemetery, rural Dunseith.
Visitation: Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau, ND)

Arlan, Don, Debbie, Connie, Bobbi, Donna, Curtis & Pam, Our condolences are with you with the passing of your mother. Debbie, when I talked to you a short time ago, you mentioned that your mother was living with you, in your home, located on the old Willow Lake School lot. I remember your folks Well, and also you older kids. During my grade school days, at Ackworth, and into my High School days, our families visited back and forth a lot. I remember being at your house lots and lots of times. I remember your mother as being a very kind, sweet, good hearted lady. I have thought of you guys often, in my mind, over the years. Your mother will be missed. The last time I saw her, she was working at the home in Dunseith. Our thoughts are with you all. Gary & Bernadette Stokes.

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

Mornin Gary, I just wanted to let you know I won’t be
on the cruise next summer. My oldest daughter is
getting married the end of June and thats where the
funds will be going. I hope ya’ll ahve awonderful
time. Actually my younger daughter and a real good
friend plan on taking that cruise in 2010. My husband
is retired Navy and said no thanks to more ships. lol
Have a wonderful day.
Sharon Longie Dana(73)

Dunseith WEB site from Bob Leonard (51):

Dear Gary:

Attached is the above which we finally got completed, although still waiting on some additional information which we be added later.

Will you please forward this to all on your Dunseith email list. Anything you might want to add to encourage as many as possible to help us out will be greatly appreciated. If you can sell most of these items, we will have enough funds to keep the website going for long time.

Also, want to thank you for all the work you have been doing in helping everyone stay in touch with each other. Sounds like everyone is enjoying the experience.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bob

Bob, I have copied and pasted your attached letter below.

Folks, This is a great buy for these Dunseith souvenirs that Bob talks about in this letter. Gary

May 29, 2008

Dunseith Alumni and Friends:

I am pleased to let all of you know that we have completed the Dunseith, N D website. Our address is www.dunseithnd.com. We have been working on this for a couple of months and will have some updating to do as soon as we received the requested information.

As a lot of you know, this website was a request of many of you so that you could stay in closer contact with our community. There were a lot of ideas proposed to us as to the process to follow, we finally settled on Amy Schalesky. She is in the computer business in Bottineau and will continue to provide updates and assistance to us. Our committee feels she did a nice job for us and happy with the product.

The cost to produce the website was $1000 and $20 per month for updates to keep the information fresh and current. The monthly fee will start when we get the website completed to our satisfaction. Hopefully, that will not be too long.

During the early conversation stage, it was suggested some of you might be interested in making a donation to assist with the setup cost. That was a very generous thought, but we have a better idea. Many of you know we have a lot of souvenirs for sale that were left over from last summer’s celebration. There are also a couple items from the communities 100^thCelebration. If you will check the Souvenir Shop on the website, you will find all of the items we have for sale at a much reduced price. In fact, the pottery items and caps are below our cost, about half as much, so are very good buys. These are all very nice items and make good keepsakes and gifts for your families. Pottery is the famous Red Wing Pottery which is high quality.

We have an account set up with Pay Pal which is a secure site to make purchases on the web. I understand it is part of E-Bay setup. We would like to encourage all of you to seriously consider buying some of these souvenirs to help us with the setup and maintenance costs. All you have to do is complete the order form, they will notify us of your purchase; we will send you the purchased items. If you are living in the area, these items will be available at the Log House for the same price, less any shipping charges.

Looking forward to hearing from you and want to THANK YOU in advance for your consideration and purchase. We had a wonderful 125^th Celebration, these items will help all of us keep those memories alive.

Sincerely,

QUASQUICENTENNIAL STEERING COMMITTEE

Robert Leonard, Chairman

From Bill Hosmer (48):

Gary and Friends. The attached message from an Air Force friend is
worth looking at. Seems like the marketeers can invade your cell
phone privacy and you have to pay for the call. The procedure is
easy, just listen and follow instructions. Good luck.

On another matter, I failed to mention that Dennis and Peggy Espe we
in attendance at Vance Bailey’s burial yesterday. Another case of
the age creep. Cheers, Bill Hosmer

Bill, I have copied and pasted your attached message below. Gary

Cell phone numbers go public tomorrow.

REMINDER….all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing
companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls…..YOU WILL BE
CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:
888-382-1222

It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your
time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell
phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different
phone number.

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS. It takes about 20
seconds.

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Lanette Beachler Richard’s book.

Lanette graduated from DHS in 1982. Her parents are Luvern (deceased) and Marie Beachler. She is the daughter-in-law of Carmen & Floyd Richard.

7/14/2014 (2053)

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Rebecca Lemike Rude (’74): Bottineau, ND

Happy Birthday Bob Lykins (60’s DHS Teacher): Hutto, TX

Ed and Florence Conroy

Reply from their Granddaughter, Shannon Conroy Kranz: Minot, ND

My grandma and grandpa were Ed and Florence Conroy. Don is my dad. I enjoy reading the posts. My grandpa died when I was only three but I was fortunate to have a long, loving relationship with my grandma. She was the most amazing person I know. As I have said many times, when we visited, it was like Jesus, himself, was coming home. I love reading the posts about my grandma. I have also met several people in Minot who had her as a teacher and it warms my heart to hear their wonderful stories. Thank you for posting this blog.

Ashtyn Allard and Madison Hiatt

Reply from Dawn Gregory Allard (’74): Bottineau, ND

Hi Gary, just wanted to let you know about the article in the courant about Allard and Hiatt. Ashtyn Allard is the granddaughter of Larry and Dawn Allard and Madison is the gragnddaughter of Mary and Laurel Hiatt. The girls did a great job at Annie`s house and will have fun at the State fair with their project. Dawn Allard

Dawn,

Mary Hiatt is your sister-in-law too, so you are related to both Ashtyn and Madison. We wish them well at the state fair too.

Gary

Scotty and Thelma Thompson (Musicians from years gone by)

Reply from Scotty’s son Harold Thompson: Pleasant Hill, MO

Hi Gary:

My name is Harold Thompson from Bottineau N.D. Scotty is my dad, I am the oldest of his children.

My son got some info. on the internet about the music He and Cindy played Blue Grass.

Dad did sing but only what he wanted. He taught ALL OF US TO PLAY THE GUITAR, I wound up playing the Harmonica, I played with them on small scale. Only when I went back to Bottineau on visits. I live in Pleasant Hill Mo. I have a few old tapes of them I mean old, I am 77.5 old but was glad to know that someone else remembers them and the music. We played in the back yard and at church and in Canada. I just wanted to let You know he did sing some.

Harold Thompson my email is

==========================================================================

Blog (116) posted on May 28, 2008

Folks, Bill Grimme and Bernadette & I got our cabins reserved for the cruise today. Gina was able to get the cabins we requested. We got an Ocean view with a picture window on the 5th deck (# 5612) and Bill is way up there, on the 11 deck, with a mini suite cabin (# 11608). Gary

From Lois Lilleby Fielding (51):

Hi Gary: Thanks! It will be such fun to read and learn about Dunseith folks. My parents moved to Arizona in the late 50’s and I have been back for a few reunions–missed the big one last summer as we had a long planned commitment with one of our families. My husband Len and I and our 5 children lived in Minnesota (Mpls area and Nisswa) for many years and retired in Prescott in 2002. Len doesn’t like retirement so he works partime at the local V.A. Clinic and loves it! He sees many patients from the Vietnamese and other wars. We study Spanish and can use it a lot in AZ. and in Costa Rica where we visit our foreign exchange student (l988) and his several extended families. My Dad’s sister was Edna Leonard and of course my Leonard cousins were fun and wonderful for me, an only child. Best regards and cheers! Lois

From Janice Leonard Workman (56):

Gary,

I sent Gary Metcalf the information he wanted about Finnigan. I really look forward to these emails. I call them my Dunseith Fix.

My mother told the story about Grandma Anderson when they all lived on the farms. Grandma Anderson would come to visit, after a while she would say she guessed it was time to leave and start for the door, still talking. Mom would say that Grandma Anderson would still be talking when she got to the front gate. Charlie and Walter were well known and well liked. Everybody looked out for each other back then. Another person around town forever was Roy Anderson, he walked with a limp and mopped the Crystal Café after closing on Saturday night, I think, it might have been another night. He was a little harsh, but generally liked most of us kids who worked in the café. He lived in a cook car type of building somewhere around the old lumber yard or maybe the next block. I remember “running” the stacks of lumber and being chased away by Mr. Schwab, sometimes several times a week. Then we would hang out at the blacksmith shop and pester to play with the billows or whatever. Bill would tolerate us for a while and then send us on our way. We would walk out to Lake Shootie , swim, walk to the San and pick berries to eat on the way home.

Wasn’t there always a Memorial Day Celebration a day or two after school was out. It seems that we all to perform, skits, songs, etc. Do they still do that???

Janice

From Ellen Graff Myrick (58):

Gary,

Please send today’s email to me again. I have a new Blackberry and accidentally deleted from the main screen and the handheld. I have been keeping all the emails so if you would send it I would appreciate it.

We aren’t planning on taking the cruise for several reasons. The primary one is the cost, plus my husband isn’t thrilled about cruises. Maybe it’s all his time in the Air Force.

I and another single teacher went up to Alaska in 1969 and had a wonderful time. We took the Alaska Ferry up the inside Passage. We planned our trip completely and saw the interior of Alaska (Whitehorse, Yukon Territory; Fairbanks, Mt McKinley, Anchorage, Chugiach Bay, etc) as well as the coast which this cruise covers. Hopefully those of you who go have a good time. We flew back NWA to Seattle and then on to Minneapolis. I understand global warming has melted a lot of the glaciers.

Enjoy.

Ellen Graff (58) Myrick

From Phyllis McKay (65):

Gary,

Thank you for sending me the messages by attachment. I returned yesterday May 27^th from North Dakota . My grandson graduated from Milnor High School which is located in the southeast corner of the state. It is close to Lisbon . Derek Martin Sims graduated on Sunday, May 25^th. He is a wonderful, kind and sweet 18 year old. I do not know how he got so old so fast. Derek and I are going to go to Europe in July. We will spend 16 days traveling from England to France to Germany and then back to England . I am so looking forward to this time with him. His plans are to become a fireman. I think he has the “helping” personality that will make him successful in those types of jobs.

I am planning on going on the Alaska cruise in 09 with the alumni. My sister Patsy is also planning on going. We will probably want an ocean view room. I cannot make a firm commitment until I talk with her about the changes.

I am glad you found a way around the filters on my computer. I hope it isn’t too much trouble making attachments and sending them in that format. Our filters were down for a time and we got a great deal of spam. The district must have really tightened the perimeters of what gets through and what does not.

Take care, Gary !

Phyllis

Phyllis, It is my pleasure, especially for you, to send these messages via an email attachment. We are so looking forward to seeing you & Patsy on the cruise. You are the life of the party. Gary

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Dear Gary,

I remember that there was a Boguslaski child (I thought Zike was her Father). that had either Polio or Cancer when she was a child. Janice Leonard and I would go over to their home and read with her or play games. She couldn’t get up from the bed and sometimes was unable to even sit up. At one point she had lost most of her hair, beautiful curly blonde hair. I just can’t remember much else, can anyone fill me in. I believe there were two girls in the family at that time.

To Gary Metcalfe, most of the things that Janice and I were either blamed for or credited with we don’t acknowledge. My mother always said that when Janice and I were together we could come up with the darnest things, so who knows. Janice Leonard was the smartest girl in our class and the most fun. When Neva and Mickey Haagenson came into town to school it was always Janice, Neva, Mickey and I together. Neva was the driver, she had her Dad’s pick-up and we went all over. Mickey knew everyone, no matter where we went there was someone there that she knew. She could talk the hind leg off a mule, and loved to visit with everyone, they were all her friends, only some of them she hadn’t met yet! We learned we could fit 10 kids into the cab in Neva’s pick-up…….no seat belt laws then.

Our Class play was “Hessie of the Hills”. Caroline Lider was Hessie, Kenny Hill was the boy she was going to marry, Don Conroy was Pa, Janice Leonard was Ma. Lois Hiatt, Neva Haagenson, and I had some parts but I don’t remember what they were. The night of the play, the play ran over a little and the 10 o’clock whistle went off at an important part in the play. Don Conroy ad-libbed perfectly, he bellowed it must be the Revenuers (He was a Moonshiner in the play) and hid behind a stump. There were many ad-libs all evening long but Don was the best. We had a great time putting on the play and it gave us a little different outlook on Miss Shurr.

Bonnie Awalt Houle 1956

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

My very good friend, John Boguslawski, saved every dime he made in the
summer of 1966 to buy himself a motorcycle. He worked at the Standard
station on the north end of main street. Toward the end of August, he
heard about a guy in Bottineau who had an old British Triumph 750 for
sale for $400. I gave John a ride to Bottineau to check it out. We went
to the back door of a bar called Ned’s Lounge and went in to find the
owner of the motorcycle. He was about half shot when he came out to show
us the bike in the alley. He couldn’t get it started at first and cussed
the old bike up and down. We tinkered with it a bit and it fired up! It
had a huge seat and a goofy windshield from some other type motorcycle
and it had no front fender! It was no prize, but it was a motorcycle!
John asked the guy what he had to have and he said $400, just like we
thought. John took out every cent he had and offered it to the guy—-I
never will forget the amount, $312. This was all he had made working
every day for nearly three months! The guy looked at the cash and then
at the bike and said, “Ah, ____, give me the money.” John did and got
the title signed and took off for home on his prize! The bike hadn’t
even cooled off and we had the windshield taken off and some other junk
that was cluttering up a pretty nice bike! John tipped it over that
night and skinned up his leg but never lost his enthusiasm. A couple
nights later, John and Bill Berube and I were all three riding on that
big seat when Pete Longie, our Deputy Sheriff, saw us and said, “You
guys know better than to have three on a motorcycle”! We explained that
the seat was big enough for three, but Pete said, “I better not ever see
three on there again, DO YOU UNDERSTAND??”
He drove away and we all got back on and took off!! About 10 minutes
later we met Darrel Abbey, the town cop, but we weren’t worried about
what he might say! He stopped the car and who do you think got out from
the passenger side??———-PETE LONGIE, oh yes, we got a real reaming
in language we could clearly understand!! Both Bill Berube and I walked
home!! John’s brother, Alan, had a 500 single cylinder BSA that John and
I used to ride before John got the Triumph. Alan, what ever became of
your old BSA? Did John buy it from you later? Seems to me he did, but
I’m not sure. We both had Harleys and other bikes later so I may not be
right on which was which. Those were good times that I was lucky to
have spent with my buddy, Big John!!

Dick

From Dave Slyter (70):

To David Sebelius,

Thanks for all the great pictures of your parents and brothers. I remember all of you guys. I remember one time when I came to stay at your place you had the pet owls. At least I thought they were pets. I am thinking you captured one and it had little ones. They are an awesome bird. Especially the white ones. Do you remember them Duane?

It is great to see your folks doing so well. Manvil was never one to sit still to long. ha

Again thanks and take care

Dave Slyter (70)

From Bill Hosmer (48):

Gary and Friends. Question about Hazel Olson who worked at
Hosmers. Fine compliments made about a terrific man. My first
knowledge of his family is that he and his mother lived on what is
now NW Third St. in Dunseith. It was on the same side of the
street as Charlie Lamoureux (Father of Betty Mae Lamoureux) and
George Gohtbrett, and across the steet where Dennis Espe lives
now. Their house had an unusual paint scheme, in that it had big
splotches of white against a tan color. Eddie Olson was an older
brother of Hazel. He played the banjo, was bald, and like Hazel
was a good athlete. Both played basketball and baseball. Eddie
moved away long before Hazel did. Hazel did not drive, he walked
to work and road with friends to games away. When he left
Dunseith he worked at Sharks’s Men Store in Minot. He came to the
Dunseith Centennial in 1982 escorted by Edmond Leonard. I had a
cup of coffee with him at Dales that year. That was the last time
I saw him.

Today several of us met at the Dunseith cemetery. The skies
cleared up to show us that azure blue, the wind was calm, and the
birds and nearby cattle could be heard as we assembled around the
Bailey family plot. Vance’s wife Doreen, his daughter Dana, and
her son and his wife were there. Also, Lloyd and Theresa Awalt,
Leonard and Eleanor Stickland, Floyd and Luella Dion, Wayne and
Gary Bailey (Vance’s brothers), Ramona Johnson (widow of Chuck),
Emery and Carol Carbonneau, Murl Hill, and my wife Pat and me. If
I missed someone, that is unintentional. The pastor made the kind
of remarks that Vance would have enjoyed. We could look to the
hills to he north, the prairie to the south and west, and the
willow creek trees to the east. These are the scenes that he and
others of us enjoy when we find ourselves in this peaceful place.
The pastor talked about Vance’s attachment to this part of our
country, and to the people he knew who lived here then, and those
who still do. He talked about Vance’s youthful days of happiness,
sadness, and even trouble. Those were the elements of youth that
make us what we became later. His pattern was firm, and his
loyalty to his friends was a keynote in his character make up.
It was a gift to know him and be his friend. I still maintain
that his lengthy emailing of his Dunseith memories, the day before
he died was the springboard for this magnificent blog site that
Gary Stokes has developed. I’ll always consider this interaction
a tribute to a wonderful man, Vance Bailey.

By the way, at the cemetery I asked Emery if he in fact did sell the
snowplane made from an aircraft drop tank to my dad Jack Hosmer. He
said, “I sure did”. So that closes that circle of adventure on the
prairie.

There was another comment recently about Charles Anderson. He used
to come to our house with my brother Don to play pool in our
basement. I remember playing in some of those contests, and he had
the gentlest touch, without smashes, balls bouncing off the walls,
or a cloud of chalk dust after the impact. The ball was given just
enough energy to roll across the lip of the pocket and drop into the
bottom of the cup. What finess, and what a gentleman. By the way
that table started at Kadrie’s, purchased by my grandfather, William
E, who gave it to Jack, who gave it to me. I gave it to my oldest
son John, and it has been in the family since before I was born in
1930. It is now being played with new felt, bumpers, and new
leather pockets on the way. Guess where it is. My cousin Nancy
Hosmer Baldwin has a home on Lake Metigoshe. She has it in a great
room built for it. Talk about a piece of Dunseith history making
its way through the generations and still super smooth and level!!!
Better sign off. Thanks for the memories. Bill Hosmer

Folks, I have pasted, below, the last message, that Bill mentions, that we got from Vance just 12 hours before his passing.

Yes, Vance was the springboard to this Blog. His interesting stories and memories of Dunseith generated a lot of interest among the Dunseith alumni. He captured the interests of all age groups, from the most senior to the young a like. Folks from the classes of the 1990’s were even replying to his messages with great interest. For those of us, younger, that did not know Vance, we could relate well to his stories. I’ll be honest, in the beginning, I had reservations about sending his stuff to the whole Alumni for fear of folks regarding it as spam. How wrong I was. That was about the time I had a lot of this list together, but had been sending few group messages. Vance’s messages turned that around with all the replies that you folks sent in reply to those messages of his. What a great motivator he was in get this dialog started. We miss him dearly. Gary

From: Vance Bailey

To: Gary Stokes

Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 2:19 AM

Subject: Vance Bailey

Vance passed away this morning at 1:30– Dec 22

Doreen Bailey, wife

Tempe, Az

The last message we received from Vance, 12 hours prior to his death:

From: Vance Bailey

To: Gary Stokes

Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2007 1:06 PM

Subject: More memory attacks!

Gary,

I spent an hour or two last night talking to Carol Watkins and Emory Carbonneau in Bottineau. I read all the correspondence that you have been posting.

Some things that have come to mind that we discussed. Mac McHugh. He and his wife owned the Dakota Hotel that was directly north of the Drug store where Glen Shelver was the druggist and I am sure later owned. In the mid forties Shirley Sunderland worked there as a “sodajerk”.

There was an old Socony Vacuum (later Standard Oil) filing station in front of the hotel that had gas pumps that had a glass tank that held 10 gallons of gas at about 18 cents a gallon. The guy that operated the station would let us kids pump the gas up into the tank once in a while.

There was a row of rooms along the north lot line of the Hotel and the one facing main street was the U.S. customs office manned by Henry Sunderland. When you crossed the border in those days you stopped in Dunseith to declare anything you brought across the border. I’m not aware of anyone ever stopping to declare anything.

We did have some excitement in those days, a nurse up at the San was murdered by Fred Chase and the trial was held in Dunseith. Carol tells me that our teacher got permission to take our school class to watch the trial. My most outstanding memory of the murder was the first night they had him locked in the Jail located in a long low building just north of the skating rink. Several of us kids were there until the crowd broke out a rope and threw it over the crossbar on the streetlight, then they made us all go home. We were all sorry to miss the hanging, but the adults chickened out so we did not miss anything.

How many of you remember the Waldron that was the Dunseith policeman that caught a thief coming out of one of the buildings north of the bank one night. Carol reminds me that he was chasseing him down the alley and as he came to the fence back of the bank Jules Waldron fired over his head to stop him. The trouble was that the robber jumped up to go over the fence and stopped the bullet with his head. Jules had two boys in school and they left town. No good deed goes unpunished!!

For Collette,

The Baileys and the Hosmers intermarried a couple of times (that’s cousins) in the late 1600s and early 1700s in the New England Colonies.

Vance Bailey

Bailey Family Research
1418 E Gemini Drive
Tempe, AZ 85283

7/13/2014 (2052)

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Gary

No blog yesterday.

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday. We attended a birthday party.

Gary

Happy birthday Larry Millang (’66): Bottineau, ND

Happy Bithday Sharon Peterson (’63)

From Dennis Dubois (’63): Minneapolis, MN

Gary, I’d just like to wish Sharon Peterson(1963) a happy birthday on this fine July 12th day. she finally got as old as me.

Happy birthday Sharon Peterson Harmsen (’63): Bismarck, ND

Scotty and Thelma Thompson

Reply from Scotty’s grandson James Thompson: MO.

Hi Gary,
i read a post from 2009, talking about Scotty and Thelma. My name is James Thompson, one of Scotty`s grandsons.
I have been trying to find Lps or tapes of thier music. the problem is I live in Mo. and there is not a lot of people who have heard of Cindy and The Turtle Mountain Boys.
i have access to one of his Dobros and would like to be able to play it like he did.
can you tell me where I can get their tapes or lp?James Thompson

Reply to Zike Boguslawski – the town cop

From Aime Casavant (’66): Jamestown, ND

The story of Zike Boguslawski by Dick Johnson was interesting.

This was a sensible police officer – I had only one dealing with him. One time several of us we were driving around Dunseith in the 55 Chev that Gerald and I owned. My memory fails me except I know it was towards late evening, we had been at the high school involved in some extra-curricular activity in the dead of winter. It was normal for high school kids to “cruise around” a bit. The red light on Zike’s car went on and then he was kind enough to shut it off when we pulled over. Naturally, I was pretty anxious as I think, quite possibly this was the first time I had been pulled over.

He came to my car and not being experienced in these things I got out. He gave an indication of some kind to just stand there. I’m sure it was in jest but he said “ where are you going?” I have been watching for the past 15 minutes and your all over the place and you do not seem to be headed anywhere! He asked if we had booze in the car which we did not. He then commented that the windshield and windows on our car were frosted and should be clear, that they needed to be scraped, that it was dangerous to drive a car that way (the heaters on those cars had insufficient heat output). I expected some kind of ticket.

I said “sure” that I would scrape it. My scraper was broken and not getting the job done very well as he stood there. He went to his car, got a good scraper and helped finish off the windows ! Now thats a cop ! The lesson stuck with me, and I think it was because there was no fine, no ticket and then, Zike demonstrating the importance of safety in making sure I had clean windows. If I remember right, he suggested we stop driving around and go home. Perhaps he thought we were the last possible traffic problem in Dunseith that evening and wanted to “call it a day” and go home. But a lesson well learned and no damage done.

Aime Casavant

Ashtyn Allard and Madison Hiatt

Posting from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Not sure which Allard and Hiatt families Ashtyn and Madison belong too. Pretty sure they

have Dunseith Roots though.

Part 1 of 3 – Metcalfe’s Clouds, Thunder and Lightening

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

Gary and Dunseith Blog friends,

Please bear with me during this July, as I tell this tale in at least three parts.

Part I

For everything there is a season.
This is the season of my life, when I have finally chosen to write about clouds, thunder and LIGHTENING.

Clouds, Thunder and LIGHTENING; and why the Cliff Metcalfe branch of the Metcalfe clan makes an unspoken choice. The choice, always concludes with action,

STOP. Get off the machinery or horse. Go inside.

In my earliest memory, my family began the haying season in earnest in July. Dad would mow alfalfa, clover or timothy, let dry to cure, then rake and stack before the ‘’’’rains’’.

The “tame hay” ;1^st cutting Alfalfa and Clover were always first, then Timothy and finally meadow hay. The best cutting of sweet hay unblemished by rain, was hauled to the barn, lifted into the haymow with various pulleys and oft times pure horse power. This precious hay was saved for the milch cows, in the midst of winters cold breath whilst the frost was thick upon the walls.

I believe I had completed 2^nd grade in Mrs. Hansen’s combination room on the old gym stage. And I was lookin forward to moving into 3^rd grade come fall.

A July 28^th, like none other, I dasn’t forget is permanently etched. It is the colour of a bright glowing shiny dime into memory. Time. I refer to was in the early ‘60’s

T’was an ordinary summer morning but with an anticipation of excitement, we knew it was not ordinary at all. My sister and I were quite excited for July 28^th . It meant the summer birthday of our cousin. Our family would drive north after supper to celebrate with the family of Martha and Dean. Martha’s mom, Dorothy had a knack for baking cake and decorating.

We did our usual morning chores, helping in the barn, separating and washing each disc from the cream separator, carrying water and breakfast dishes.

While our mother, prepared the noon dinner, my sister and I took the old blue blanket out into the front yard, spread under the big Elm tree, sat waiting listening, until the time to run up the hill to fetch the mail.

Dad was out on the flat, the “Homestead” with Sonny haying. They had started that field the day before and it was perfect drying weather. The “Homestead” was located within a mile south west of Art and “Eva’s.

Finally calling from the house, mom told us it was time to go get the mail. We loved that job. Everyday on the farm, mail was our treasured mystery, what would it be today?

Would brown Jenny Wren be building her nest in the mailbox? If lucky, we might get a glimpse of her on sitting on the nest!

Perhaps, the Dakota Farmer came? Mom liked the recipes and stories, Dad the ads, and Me? I rather liked, looking for the funnies,always trying to figure out the humor.

My sister and I walked up the hill through the gate to the mail box. Mom liked us to hurry because when Dad and Sonny came in for dinner she wanted the water to be poured cold into glasses.

The mail had come. We had just reached and pulled it out of the box,when_______”BOOM”___thunder?

Surprised me, because looking at the sky, I was seeing only about three clouds south in a clear blue sky with the bright sun overhead.

Splat….Few rare big splatting sprinkles hit us dashing down down the hill to the house. Splat.

Oft away in the distance, a few booms.

Rains did not come.

No LIGHTENING?

No more big thunder booms ?

Dinner was ready. Water poured, glasses were condensing…..

NO Dad and Sonny .

We did not eat. (At our house, at that time, we never ate until everyone was at the table ) My sister and I went out into the yard sat on the blue blanket waiting. I cannot recall if mom got a telephone call or not. We had a persnickety ringer telephone, Our ring was a short– a long___ a-short ring.

We girls sat waiting on the blue blanket under the shady Elm tree. A long wait. Listening…..to the quiet.

Listen.

Finally, we hearing the sound of the pickup coming up the big hill from the west, by the East well. The black Ford pickup slowly crunching on the gravel, slowing at our gate, turned, and came down the hill to our right.

Dad was ____alone. _____he was__ all___alone.

The black pickup stopped by the door, dad sat for a time quiet, he got out, went into the house and spoke with mom. We girls said not a word. I don’t believe I even breathed. Something was wrong.

The door shut quietly as dad came to the blanket on the grass. Solemnly, we kept quiet.

Dad sat then leaned back, laid his head down on the blanket. He said nothing. All we heard, just the sound of his deep slow breaths.

I think my sister and I both knew something bad happened. My chest hurt. An awful feeling in my gut, like couple years before when our uncle was killed.

Dad spoke not a word, just weary breaths.

We said not a word going to the house, our mom spoke.

She said, “Sonny is dead.”

I don’t remember the rest of the afternoon, doing chores or eating supper.

We did get in the car and drove up to Floyd and Dorothy’s. I don’t recall much of Martha’s party, grown ups murmuring quiet voices.

I do know I was there with my family, and we were not alone.

A heavy black feeling had followed us there.

This is all for today.

Thanks Gary,

Until part 2.

Later. Vickie

Posting from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

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Blog (115) posted on May 28, 2008

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Who was the person responsible for the quote, “off again, on again, gone again, Finegan….1953. Bonnie…Janice????
To Hosmer’s
What family was Hazel Olson from? He was a very professional clerk at Hosmer’s.
Just to let the readership know that the fun wasn’t all with the common people. One day at Hosmer’s Store, Judge Lawston from Rolla , Margaret Seims father-in-law, was the victum. One of his old croney’s decided to even the score for driving the old Buick ahead at a baseball game, exposing and embarrassing him.
So when Bill, The Judge, so proudly bought a suit from Jack Hosmer, his old croney, I think it was Rothgarn, said Bill go ahead to the bar, he stayed behind and altered the inseam shorter by 2”. If you knew his wife, Dora, you knew she wasn’t impressed when Bill modeled this suit the next morning.
Bonnie you referred to Charlie as Charles, he was a blessing to the town. Anyone that happened to be in town, would take Charley home when he wasn’t feeling good. Grandma Anderson would always refer to him as Charles, and yes, he did hang out with Ovila Lamoureaux.
I did remember Dale started with a small office building and he had gas customers lined up half way to town. Amazing man Dale was.
Gary Metcalfe

From Paula Fassett Pfuhl (71):

Love the cheerleaders photo. My Grandma Kate made all the cheering outfits one year and I kind of think these were the ones. Anyone remember sitting at Kate Fassett’s for the fitting????? She as an excellent seamstress and sewed most of our clothes plus clothes for several people around town – and made hundreds of beautiful quilts!

For those of you who have also enjoyed seeing the old Dunseith School , there was, at one time, stationery with a picture of the old school on it and it was sold at the Log Cabin in Dunseith. I believe the picture was drawn by Mrs. Noble Doeling – I can’t remember her first name!!! Mr. Doeling was the postmaster who was hired after my Dad retired……. They may still have some of that stationery at the Log Cabin?????

Paula

From Mel Kuhn (70):

Gary,

Carmen Richard is right about Laura Law’s book. It is very interesting reading, even if you are not a real history buff. The St. John Centennial book is still available and is also interesting reading. The Dunseith, Rolette, St. John and Rolla books tend to tie together a lot of stuff.

Mel Kuhn

From Bev Morinville Azure (72):

Dick, I remember this also Zike was a close friend of my mom and dad’s. Mom run the cafe at this time and I remember her talking about the three guys that had been in town for about a week before this happened and she always thought they had acted so strange while in the cafe . Then after this happened they dissapeared. That same night the Cops called and said that the back door to the store (JOES Store) was broken into Dad was already in bed and so Mom went to check it out (this was a thing that happened alot back then ) and either mom or dad would go up and check it out lock things back up and come home . There were 2 back doors to the store a kinda side one . well mom figured it was the large door she went back and checked it and it had the old fashion bar across the door ……. so she went and checked the side door and that was the one that was open . so she locked it nothing was out of place so she turned ofFthe lights and went home. Left dad a note telling him she locked up the door. well dad called in the morning and asked mom why she didn’t put the bar on the back door when she was up there she explained it was the side door and he said well fritz the back door was open when i got here , the side door was locked . The cops figured that those guys beat up zike then when Don came along they run broke that door open to hide which meant that those guys were in the store when mom went in there. I remember mom and dad talking saying it was a blessing maybe that mom went instead of dad cause they may have beat up dad also but mom would have known who they were cause of the cafe so they stayed hidden. Thank God I never remmeber hearing they caught those guys but i do re3member after that each time the store got broke into I was so scared when mom or dad had to go check it out. I am glad that Zike fully recovered . Bev Morinville Azure

Message/Picture from David Sebelius (74):

Gary,

I have been receiving all the emails, my wife and I really enjoy reading all the emails. I found these pictures of my dad’s (Manvil Sebelius) snowplane and a picture of an oil rig that was on his land, it was setting up to drill in 1951.

The picture of the 2 boys with the snowplane is Harvey and Duane Sebelius. Also, there is a picture of my parents, Manvil and Dorothy. They are still on the farm where they have been since 1948. They raised 8 boys there. They are still very active and still raising cattle.

The picture of 8 boys are from left to right: Duane, David, Jeff, Marvin, Dennis, Daryl, Dean and Harvey.

David Sebelius

7/11/2014 (2051)

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Gary

Folks,

With all of the attachments, today’s blog file size got a bit large. Sorry about that. To accomodate those with slower connections, I try to keep the file sizes to an absolute minimum.

Gary

Happy Birthday Allen Houle (DHS ’67): Minnesota

DHS Class of 75 Reunion

Posting from Debbie Fugere Fauske: Minot, ND

Debbie Fugere Fauske Gary: in June we went to Deadwood for a few days. On Saturday we drove to Newcastle, Wyoming, to see Kim (Schimetz) Zorn. She is in a nursing home. A couple years ago we did the same thing.

Stubby and Elwood Fauske Moving sale

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Carlyle Nelson & Gail Lee Auction sale: Please see attachments

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Note: Attachments accidentally got dropped from yesterday’s blog

Hi Gary,

Edna Mae (Nelson) Olufson-Smith is in Bottineau visiting her brother, Carlyle Nelson. I was blessed to spend about 45 very enjoyable minutes visiting with both of them at Carlyle’s home (The house that is for sale.)–2 blocks north of my apartment in Bottineau–earlier this evening. They gave this sale bill to me to scan/send to you and to my lists. I told EdnaMae I was going to include this message with the sale bill; she said she’ll be watching for it in your newsletter.

Neola

Elmer and Joanne Boucher’s Auction sale: Please see attachments

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Memorial Service for Carolyn Larson Brandt Cobb.

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Sunday, 2:00, July 13, Metigoshe Lutheran Church–check bottom of this email.

==========================================================================

Blog (114) posted on May 27, 2008

From Pam Fassett Faust (65):

Gary – The only cruise we have been on, several years ago, was a Norwegian cruise, and it was terrific. Miami to Roatan and Belize and Cozumel and Grand Cayman and one or two others. I can’t remember the specifics cause I was having too much fun. We will probably choose the Ocean View or Balcony cabin. I absolutely know we WILL NOT get an inside one.

Hugs,

Pam

Note: Some folks are claustrophobic or prefer a cabin with a window. Neither Bernadette or I are bothered not having a window. We have been on several cruises and have had inside cabins. Another interesting point, These Filipino Women, including Bernadette, avoid the sun like a plague. They are not happy with their beautiful tan like skin. They use whitening creams, etc to lighten their complexion. They do not understand why a lot of the American’s go to tanning booths, etc to have their skin look like theirs. Gary

From Carmen Leonard Richard:

I had an inquiry about the 2005 Rolette Centennial book called “Our Field of Dreams” and I thought there might be someone else who is interested in getting one. There are still some available, and they sell for $25 plus postage. It used to be around $4 to mail, but with the recent postal increase it is probably more. If anyone of the Dunseith alumni is interested, just let me know. I can see that you get one. They are available locally at Talents and Treasures, a craft store located in the Rolette Mall. The book has over 500 pages of local history. The Rolla book is still available too and I think that is also $25. We loved the Dunseith book and oflen take it out when we are trying to figure who is related to who, or where they lived.

For the real history buffs- Laura Law’s book, “History of Rolette County and Yarns of the Pioneers” has been reprinted by the Rolla Kiwanis club, and I think that is available for $20.

Class of 65 – Marlene Richard Parslow & Evie Gottbreht Pilkington – July 12, 2007

7/10/2014 (2050)

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Arthur Martel, former DHS teacher, Accidentally shot

Postings from Don Martel: Rosemount, MN

My brother, Arthur Martel, former English teacher at Dunseith High School, was accidently shoot and died on July 3, 2014.

This is the press release.

Accidental shooting in Becker County kills 70-year-old

BECKER COUNTY, Minn. – A 70-year-old Bismarck man was killed in an accidental shooting Thursday evening north of Detroit Lakes, according to the Becker County Sheriff’s Department.

Advertisement

A 911 caller reported the shooting about 9:30 p.m., and officers were sent to the scene of the accident near Floyd Lake by County Road 131, the department said in a news release.

Officers performed CPR on Arthur Albert Martel until medics arrived and took him to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes. Martel was pronounced dead at the hospital, the department said.

Investigators were told that Martel had been looking at a .38-special handgun, and when he was handing the gun to its owner, the gun fired and a bullet struck Martel in the chest, the department said.

The shooting is still under investigation.

This is his obituary.

Art Martel, 70, Bismarck, died July 3, 2014, in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 11, at Church of St. Mary, Bismarck, with Monsignor Gene Lindemann officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7 p.m.

Art was born on June 21, 1944, and grew up in Rolette. After high school he attended college at UND and completed his bachelor’s degree at Mayville State University. Art began teaching English and Speech in Dunseith, after graduation. He worked as a seasonal immigration officer at the Dunseith, N.D. U.S./Canada Port of Entry. Art met Verla in 1967 and they were married on June 7, 1968.

Art moved to full-time employment with the Department of Homeland Security. He served at several ports of entry including, Raymond, Mont., Fortuna, Sherwood, and Antler. Art protected our country for 35 years through the roles of officer, supervisor, fire arms instructor and port director. He lived by the border and kept a loyal, watchful eye, even when not on duty.

Art and Verla had three children, Rachel, Doug and Greg. All of whom currently live in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Art retired from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Oct. 1, 2005. He and Verla purchased land east of Bismarck and built a beautiful home to share with family and friends as a haven to live out retirement.

Art was an amazing woodworker, creator and artist. He loved animals and with his skilled hands could turn a block of wood into any one of God’s creatures — in beautiful detail and full of color. He also loved the art of taxidermy and could create a look to animals as though he breathed life back into them.

Art was a fisherman, hunter, and loved gardening. Art would have done anything for his wife, children, grandchildren, or anyone he saw in need. He was a private and humble man. He was very proud of his years of Federal service. Art loved this country, and prayed for the U.S. to remain strong and free.

Art stated many times that he would be lost without his wife, Verla, beside him. He lovingly referred to her as “The Boss.” He bragged about how lucky he was to have found such a beautiful bride, and frequently told us that she is still as beautiful as the day they met.

Art loved his children and was so proud of them. He organized gatherings to keep his family close. His children loved him more than words could ever express. They have lost their hunting guide and partner. They have lost their fishing buddy. They have lost the man that they go to for help, advice, and most of all, for companionship and love.

Art loved his brothers and sisters and held exceptional pride in how close they were when they were young.

Art is survived by his wife, Verla Martel; his daughter, Rachel Southam and her husband, Bernie, and their children, Veronica (Jeremy), Natasha and George, and great-grandchild, Charlie; his son, Doug Martel and his wife, Larreta and their children, Serena and Isaiah; his son, Greg Martel and his wife, Angela, and their children, Emma, Nolan, and Alec; and Art’s five living siblings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Irene Martel; a brother, Ricky; and sister, Joyce.

Art was very knowledgeable about gun safety. His respect for the danger of a mishandled weapon was taught to his co-workers and children over and over. Art held a tremendous respect for the power of a firearm. His life was ended by the tragic misjudgment and mishandling of a loaded weapon by another man. We believe that Art would want this loss of life to be a reminder and a plea to all of you to never underestimate the danger of a weapon.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Art and sign the online guest book.

Don Martel

Don,

We extend our condolence to you and all of Art’s family with this terrible tragedy. What an afoul thing to happen. So so sad. Art came in the system after I left, so don’t remember him, but many of our readers will.

Gary

Art Martel Memories

From Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, Nd

Gary and friends,

I was saddened to read today July 9, 2013, Bismarck Tribune, the untimely passing of Mr. Art Martel.

Mr. Art Martel had a remarkably positive, encouraging motivating demeanor which he demonstrated daily in his interaction with students in his classes.

He allowed expression of creative writing supplying positive worthwhile feedback.

I recall him encouraging and allowing students to write creative plays which allowed each of us as students to discover, expand and stretch learning way beyond an educational task to excelling.

While he pushed us to develop keen appreciation of poetry, literature and Shakespearian plays, at times a mistake was made in pronunciation or spelling he never made a student feel “small.”

With a respectful farewell, thank you, Mr. Art Martel, a Class Act English and Speech Teacher, Dunseith Public School!

Vickie L. Metcalfe

Houle Family Photo

Posted by Keith Houle: Becker, MN

Identifications Posted by Jim Vandal

Jim Vandal: Gary: back L to R, Ron Houle and wife Janet, Then Allen Houle and his wife Carol behind/R of him, then Gary Houle in the middle with mustache, his wife to his left rear Roberta ‘Bobbi’, then Kenny Houle, then Bonnie “Awalt: Houle and Keith Houle. Front, our L to R: John and Doreen ‘Houle’ Deschene, Pam ‘Houle’ Hagen, Shirley ‘Houle’ Vandal and Norman Vandal, and Sr. Sharon Houle

Carlyle Nelson & Gail Lee Auction sale: Please see attachments

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Hi Gary,

Neola

Turtle Mountain Highway 43 pictures

Posted by Henry Hackman (’66): lmhackman@bis.midco.net Bismarck, ND

Gary

I hope your not going through to much withdrawal since the kids left?

Maybe this will help to take your mind off the kids leaving?

My son Larry Jr., My brother Henry, and I made a little trip down Memory Highway 43 lane, ND a few days ago.

Took a few photos for all to enjoy.

No, I’m not getting a commission but I’m thinking about asking somebody.

Thanks,

Larry

==========================================================================

Blog (113) posted on May 26, 2008

From Esther Murray Fleming (65):

Hi Gary

We are not rich and we cannot afford it. Maybe when I hit the lottery. Thought I’d drop a note to let you know that I am not going to make the Alaskan Cruise. We are not rich and we cannot afford it. Maybe if I ever hit the lottery, lol but I guess not in this lifetime. But whoever is going , please enjoy yourselves and have a lot of fun and think about me, hehehe. Got to go for now love you all

Esther and family

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Prairie Past and Mountain Memories is a masterpiece book, just compare with other county history, I guess we had a more diverse settlement. However we can’t begin to retain the nostalgia of the years after the war, 1946-1950’s, young men settling issues, bar tenders tending, cops busy, Frank Flynn, John Hiatt, Walter Hiatt and more. Frank had an old Chevy pickup with a spotlight on the cab, it was quite impressive. Neighbors visiting, sidewalks jammed, we younger guys needed the bootleggers just as bad as did the Native Americans. The cops were great, they did not make us feel comfortable in town after midnight, but they didn’t take our beer away or arrest us either, that was Saturday night. All of a sudden it was Friday night dances in the fifties they had bands that even the drummer could entertain the crowd, standing ovation. Tommy Collins from that western part of Ok. that produced so many great country, western stars, was in Willow City one night. Gary Metcalfe

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

How many of you remember when Isadore “Zike” Boguslawski was the town
cop? He used to cruise town in his pink and white 57 Chevy four door
doing what cops do. There was one night though that Zike nearly met his
“Waterloo”! It was after midnight when Dad was up getting a drink of
water and he just happened to look out our south kitchen window toward
the back of Hosmer’s store. He saw Zike in the rear parking lot of
Hosmer’s, standing by his car and it appeared he was talking to someone.
There was a guy on the roof of the grocery store and Dad watched as he
got down and approached Zike. About that time Dad saw another guy come
around the rear of Zike’s car and start to hit Zike with some object he
had in his hand! Dad jerked on his boots and ran down the alley toward
the ruckus, yelling at the guys at the top of his lungs! They were not
only hitting Zike, but one was stabbing him with a screwdriver! Dad said
the guys saw him coming and took off to the south on the dead run! Zike
was hurt pretty bad and was really bleeding from his many wounds. Dad
thought about putting him in Zike’s car and taking him to the hospital,
but he wasn’t sure the old Chevy was up to the task, so he ran back and
got his black 62 Cadillac and loaded Zike and took off for Rolette as
fast as he dared drive, which I would guess was fast! He said even
though Zike was bleeding from everywhere there wasn’t one drop of blood
on the seat when they got to Rolette, not that Dad was worried under the
circumstances! There was a huge number of cop cars and investigators
that showed up within a short while and they found a bag of what they
considered “professional” burglary tools on the roof, where these guys
had tried to break in through a vent window or closure of some kind. As
far as I know, nobody was ever charged with the attempted burglary and
assault on a policeman. I suppose this was in about 1965 or 1966, if my
memory serves me correctly. Can anyone remember this incident and add
any details I may have missed? Thanks Gary!

Dick

Obituary’s provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Folks, Neola was going through some of her stuff the other day and ran across these two

Obit’s of Hannah Nerpel Bedard and Ray Nerpel. Neola never throws anything away and

most of time can find what ever she is looking for. She has provide us with a lot of

interesting Dunseith memorabilia and Dunseith news. She enjoys all these messages and

said she feels as though she has learned to know you guys quite well, just by reading these

daily messages. She reads everyone of them. Neola’s father was Johnny Kofoid. He owned

the Corner Garage, back in the 50’s and 60’s, in Dunseith. Johnny and my dad were first cousins.

Neola graduated from Bottineau HS in 1957. She retired several years ago from

a career of 40 plus years teaching. Most of those years were spent in Minot. She has a home

in Minot, but also rents an apartment in Bottineau. She goes back and forth.

Back to these Two Obit’s. Hannah and Ray were Brother/Sister. Looking at the their dates of

death, they passed on within one day of each other. Many of you folks are children or relatives

of Hannah & Ray. Hannah & Ray were very well known in the Dunseith Community. The vast majority

of you probably remember them well.

Gary

7/8/2014 (2049)

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Gary

No blog yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday

Gary

Floyd (’45) and Luella Halvorson (’47) Dion’s Picture

comment from Lola Metcalfe (’68): Dunseith, ND

What a sweet picture of two awesome people !!- they are so sweet !!- I remember then back when i was a little girl and they were always happy to see me- !!- they are a well loved couple in this area !!-

Lola

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

==========================================================================

Blog (112) posted on May 25, 2008

From Debbie Fugere Fauske (75):

Hi Gary:

Regarding Carmen and Floyd Richard’s note: Their
daughter-in-law, Lanette Richard, from Rolette,
recently wrote and published a children’s book. I
think a lot of people would be interested in hearing
about this and finding out how they can obtain copies.

Debbie Fauske

Carmen & Floyd, can you tell us where and how we can obtained copies of Lanette’s book? Thanks, Gary

From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50):

Your Alaska trip sounds fun, but your not seeing much of it. Alaska is bigger then California and Texas put together. You miss seeing Mt McKinley, Alyeska, Fairbanks, Seward, Portage Glacier””””””””””I could go on and on. Have fun””””””

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

First of all, thanks Doreen Bailey for the pictures. The one of the old
white school sure brought back a flood of memories! It was dated 1956,
the year I started school in that building. Thanks to Trish Larson
Clayburgh for all the memories, and good luck in Montana! There is a
gal, at Lake Metigoshe, who raises Morgans. She used to have a website
called Metigoshe Morgans. Her name is Melonie Pewe, [ pronounced Pay ],
and you two may have something in common with the horses. Nice gal too!

Hearing from Dan McKay, and seeing his picture, reminded me of a deal we
made back in about 1970. I was working at the Peace Garden that summer
and had this old 1947 Harley Davidson that I had fixed up from kind of a
“basket case”. Dan called me and asked if I wanted to sell it. I said I
would if the price was right. Dan asked if I would meet him up on the
San hill so he could look at it. I thought this was an odd place, but
agreed. When we got there Dan said, “how do you shift this thing?” I
showed him how it had a foot clutch and a hand [ suicide ] shifter. I
said, ” haven’t you ever ridden a Harley before?” Dan said, “I’ve never
even ridden a motorcycle before!” He got it going in toward the San and
made it back again to where I was, kind of jerky and wobbly, but he made
it! He asked how much I wanted and I told him $300. He said that was OK,
but would I ride it out to his folk’s place on the south side of town?
Dan came out of the house and handed me the cash. That was when I asked
him why he wanted the old Harley? He calmly said, “oh, tomorrow I’m
taking off for Tacoma, Washington and I’m going to ride it out there!!”
Guys– this old bike had old tires and homemade parts and things I had
rigged to keep it going on 10 to 20 mile runs! I wished Dan luck and
shook his hand and headed for home. I got a postcard about a week later,
from Dan in Tacoma! He said the chain broke in Montana but a farmer
helped him fix it, and then the tail light and license plate fell off
somewhere in Idaho or eastern Washington, but other than that,
everything went fine! I think Ol’ Dan may have had a little ‘Divine
Intervention’ on that trip!. To this day I remain convinced that
SOMEONE has to watch over the young when they do these things!! Below is
a picture of Brenda and me on the old Harley that summer of 1970. Thanks
Gary for this site!

Dick

Dick & Brenda Johnson – 1970

7/6/2014 (2048)

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Gary

Bernie and Lorelie Stokes

Reply from Aggie Casavant (’69): Fort Mill, SC

Hi Gary, Your son Bernie and his wife Lorelie sure make a cute couple, I enjoyed all the pictures. I know you and Bernadette hate to see them go. Thanks so much for all the work you do keeping the blog going. Even if you don’t hear from me often like so many I’m out here enjoying all the post. Tell Bernadette hi for me, and, God Bless you both. Take Care, Aggie

Aggie,

It is always great hearing from you. How are things wish you? We miss your beautiful stories too.

Gary

Floyd and Luella Dion

Reply from Norma Manning: Princiton IL.

Aren’t they the most loving couple. Y’all just look so good. Maybe be home for

the HostFest..Thought and prayers for both everyday. Norma

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

==========================================================================

Blog (111) posted on May 24, 2008

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Hey Bonnie Awalt Houle, Vance Bailey would be so proud of you, you always reach back to the old days as well as those wonderful high school years we had in the 50’s. Some of the things we talk about seem trivial to some, but when you talked about the old gravel pit fireworks, the smells and the old cars came back. You mentioned Allen Ryback and I thought of old Dick Ryback and Russel and Ralph who insulated all the old houses, blow in. Remember that old cook car looking contraption they had for the job? Rodney Ryback was younger than them, Allen ???? I am not sure where he fit in.

Samski wrote and I thought of his grandfather, Tony Samski, who managed the old bowling alley before Lee Smith. Martin Samski worked for Lamoreaux Brothers and Gene Samski, a friend of Bing Evans and Red Wilson. Johnie Hill told me about boxing sessions at Samski’s, he said Bing was pretty good at the sport. Say HI to Keith for us Bonnie.
,

Doreen Bailey, that picture of the great hunters is priceless. It is unbelievable to think that the characters that my dad talked about 60 years ago whould appear in the picture. As Seattle is your home town, I will tell you we were there before 1940. My dad, Jim Metcalfe, was Superintendent for Chris Berg a plastering contractor whose office was on Lake Washington off Aurora. In those seven years we lived in at least six locations, one was east of downtown Seattle. Max and Mary Peterson rented a room there, as well as many other N.D. people starting out after the depression. Max had a chuckle and the gravel voice of all time.

My mother, Ella Evans Metcalfe absolutely loved Seattle, as I did. But, I was either retarded or too young to know, my brother and I voted with my dad to buy a farm back in N.D. I guess it was his dream. If we had not, I would have missed out on all of these memories we are now talking about. Gary Metcalfe

Patty Boguslawski Gotbreht (65) with her three sons

Phyllis McKay (65) 2007

Shirley Boguslawski, Margaret Faine, Shirley Decoteau (1964)

Standing: Lola Metcafe, Patt Metcafe, Joan La Croix

Sitting: Joann Houle, Corliss Allard, Randi Mongeon

7/5/2014 (2047)

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Bruce Pigeon (DHS ’61): Garrison, ND

Reply From Colette Hosmer (’64): Santa Fe, NM

Bye to Bernie. I’ve enjoyed the photos of all of you with him and Lorelie over these 104 days. Good luck with the immigration paperwork.

Colette

Reply from Floyd Dion (’45): Dunseith, ND

Gary:
This is in reply to Lee Stickland of the picture of Luella & myself.
Cheryl Haagenson took the picture during Dunseith Days at the free
breakfast at the Dunseith Elementery School.We served the coffee,milk
and juice.
Yes Lee I still have the Model A Ford.
The belt buckle is an agate that my brother Derald found and ground &
polished and fit it into a buckle.
Dunseith Days were held June 28, 2014

Floyd

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

==========================================================================

Blog (109) posted on May 21, 2008

From Floyd & Carmen Richard:

Thank you for including us in this email system. Neither my husband Floyd or I graduated from Dunseith High School but Floyd has always considered Dunseith his home town.( he went to rural schools in the area ) He knows all the people that you mention, and loves to read the emails. They depict a way of life that is quickly vanishing, imagine in todays world, letting your children play in the street,or walk down to the creek by themselves and no one would worry about their safety.!! It was such a peaceful and trusting time. The memories that you share are priceless and should be treasured.

From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):

Dear Mrs. Bailey, you don’t know me, my name is Lynette Halvorson Otto. My parents are Lester and Dorothy Halvorson of Dunseith. Anyway, thank you for sending the picture of the white school house. I think I attended school there in my 1st and 2nd grades. I remember how big the class rooms were, very tall ceilings, dark wood floors and those big windows. I haven’t seen a picture of that school for many years. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Lynn Halvorson Otto (75).

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

I want to thank Doreen Bailey for the wonderful picture of the
Dunseith school. It really conjured up many wonderful memories for
me even though I only attended the school during parts of grades 1-5.
I especially remember that terrible rickety old metal fire escape that
we used during fire drills in Mrs. Conroy’s class….scary for a
chubby girl with those wobbly steps!

From Vickie Metcalfe (70):

Gary, I am responding to Mrs. Baileys pictures, particularly the last one.

My dad, Cliff a family story teller,was very fond of Bill and Myrtle Anderson,who were family neighbors of the Metcalfe family at Rabbit City Lake. Dad described them as, ” Mr. Anderson being very tall and Aunt Myrt very short.” He said, “Aunt Myrt’s shopping bags were close to the ground , she was so very short.” When eating fried eggs for breakfast my father would ask me how hard did you work? Then, he’d tell the story about when one of his big Metcalfe brothers going over at their neighbors, the Anderson’s, one morning. ( I believe it may have been during the depression) Mrs. Anderson was serving breakfast,She said, Sit up to the table and have some breakfast, While she served the breakfast she said, “There is 1 egg for Walter, he works hard, 1 egg for Mr. Anderson because he works hard, and 1/2 egg for Charlie and 1/2 egg me because we don’t work as hard, and there is an extra egg for you”. Even in tough times folks shared what they had! Another story was regarding my dad’s name, Mr. Anderson asked my Grandfather to name a son William David, since his name was William David. Grandpa Bill said,” he’d already named his oldest son William, but agreed that David would be a fine middle name for the 7th son.” Another wonderful memory we had with John and Gertrude Awalt was a the 50th wedding anniversary of Bill and Mary Metcalfe in the early ’70s. John and Gertrude had been there best man and brides maid. Also on that day Frank Poitra was playing his fiddle, as he had for their wedding dance. All those folks were neighbors so many years ago. And, a firm bond of respect, through the years. When I was a child, I recall, Charlie Anderson on Saturday nights in Dunseith, crawling into the back seat of our family car and visiting on main street. Years later, Gertrude Awalt was living in Rolla,we were visiting and sharing picture memories, Gertrude gave my mom and I a childhood picture of Charlie Anderson and the Metcalfe boys, which mom reproduced for all the Metcalfe cousins. That photo was such a telling photo of those boys, ” the little rascals” . Thank you Mrs. Bailey for the photo’s which got me remembering my dad’s stories of the Anderson’s who he was so fond of. Vickie Metcalfe

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Evie asked what a snowplane is. I was just going to advise her to look at
message 100 for info. Thanks!

Dick

Picture taken July 12, 2007: Note – Date on picture is incorrect

Class of 65 gals – Phyllis McKay, Esther Murray Fleming & Patty Boguslawski Gottbreht

Picture – Class of 65’s first ever reunion – July 12, 2007. The majority of us had not seen one another for more than 42 years.

What a memorable reunion we had. It’s a reunion we will remember for a life time. The class of 65 has been reunited. Gary

Standing: Carol Allard Buxbaum, Ron Longie, Warren Anderson, Karen Loeb Mhyre, Bill Grimme, Ginger LaRocque Poitra, Henry Hackman, Gladys Roussin Azure, Angela Berube Malget, Rene Casavant, Alan Boguslawski, Helen Rivard Christenson, Allen Richard, Esther Murray Fleming, Susan Fassett Martin, John Bedard, Margaret Metcalfe Leonard, John Awalt, Cecile Berube Reynolds, Patty Boguslawski Gottbreht, Ken Nerpel, Phyllis McKay, Gary Stokes, Marlene Richard Parslow, Evie Gottbreht Pilkington, Joan Smith Fuchs .

Kneeling: George Azure, Dean Helgeson, Joe Casavant, Pete Gillis, Raphael Poitra, Ernie Gottbreht.

Missing when picture taken: Donald Egbert

7/4/2014 (2046)

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Cecile Gouin Craig (DHS ’61): Sequim, WA

Bernie’s farwell dinner.

Bernie left last night, returning to Seattle/Bellevue Even though he’d love to and us too, he can not stay here forever. He was here 104 days, so we had a lot of good bonding. Now he will file the immigration paper work for Lorelie and her 3 year old daughter to join him in Bellevue, WA. The process will take about a year.

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Floyd and Luella Halvorson Dion

Reply from Lee Stickland (’64): Dickinson, ND

Floyd and Luella may have been one of three places:

1 the annual meeting of Model A owners

2 the corporate meeting for PRIDE DAIRY and CREAMERY of Bottineau

3 per Floyd’s belt buckle, he may be entered in the Fourth of July Rodeo here in Dickinson

Possibly his buckle is like mine and is from the 1982 reunion in/of/for Dunseith, with an embossed figure of the OLD RIVERSIDE HOTEL.

I have a buckle, I live +/- mile from rodeo ground, I don’t ride horses, (JOY PETERSON knows that horses and I do not get along; YES, JOY I remember Kit and Kap. I can’t imagine the adrenaline that is present when sitting down on that mass of power!

Show Hit gowes LEE s 7-3-2014

Salem Church Face Book posting

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Saying Goodbye to Mother

Joke of the day

Posted by Rosemary (Wayne ’61) Smith: smranch@srt.com Lake Metigoshe, ND

We were  dressed, and ready to go out for the New Years Eve Party. We  turned on a night light, turned the answering machine  on, covered our  pet parakeet, and put the cat in the back yard.  We phoned the local cab company and requested a taxi.  The taxi  arrived, and we opened the front door to leave the house.  As we walked out the door, the cat we had put out in the  yard, scoots  back into the house. We didn’t want the cat shut in the  house  because she always tries to eat the bird. 

My wife goes on out to the taxi while I went back  inside to get the  cat. The cat runs upstairs with me in hot pursuit.  Waiting in the  cab, my wife doesn’t want the driver to know that the  house will be  empty for the night. So she explains to the taxi driver  that I will  be out soon. “He’s just going upstairs to say goodbye to  Mother.”  

A few minutes later, I get into the cab. “Sorry I took  so long,” I  said, as we drove away. “That stupid bitch was hiding  under the bed. I had to poke her ass with a coat hanger to get her to  come out! She  tried to take off, so I grabbed her by the neck. Then I  had to wrap  her in a blanket to keep her from scratching me, but it  worked! I  hauled her fat ass downstairs and threw her out into the back yard!”

The cab driver hit a parked car.

==========================================================================

Blog (109) posted on May 21, 2008

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Just a short one on the pop from Omemee. The Dunseith school ordered pop
for some function in about 1962 in the fall. We were in the the old
locker rooms, under the bleachers in the old school, dressing for
basketball practice, when Chris Rasmusson came down with several cases
of pop on a hand cart. He asked Marc Gottbreht where they kept the pop.
Marc saw the opportunity and said, “they usually stack it right here”.
Marc, being the generous guy he was, passed out the pop to each of us
and we hammered a couple and then went up for practice! The next day
they called him to the office. He had SIGNED the delivery ticket!! I
don’t remember if he really got in any trouble. One time in the sixth
grade, Mrs. Lang caught Marc chewing gum for the tenth time and said, ”
Marc, if I catch you chewing gum again, you better have enough for the
whole class”! The next day Marc got caught again! Mrs. Lang said, ”
Marc! What did I tell you”! Marc jumped up and whipped out about five
packs of Juicy Fruit and passed it out to the whole class, INCLUDING
Mrs. Lang!! Marc was tough on Mrs. Lang!! He wasn’t a bad kid, he just
liked to push her buttons!! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Message/Pictures From Doreen Bailey wife of Vance Bailey:

Gary,

Just wanted to let you know; One of Dunseith’s finest, Vance will be back in his beloved childhood home town Dunseith! We will have a grave side service for him on Wednesday May 28th, 10 A.M. – Riverside Cemetery – Pastor Herford. This was his wish to return to Dunseith. Our little family will be in town. After the service we hope to go to Dales for Vance’s favorite chocolate shake and maybe even go for the giant hamburger. Come on down we’ll share our shakes!

I have attached a few picture: 1. Aunts, uncle cousins & etc of Vance’s : The Bailey, Anderson, Awalt picture may indicate, “maybe at one time everyone in town was related.” Some of your readers will recognize themselves.

2. Anderson Richard, Hattie & Clint in front of the Cream Station in the 1930’s

3. The “Great hunters” @ the Mahlon Bailey farm.

— Vance had a terrific memory for names and events,he talked of his childhood friends a lot. I recognize so many of the family names. I feel like a part of Dunseith myself after 55 years with “the” Dunseith guy , but I grown up in Seattle, not near as much fun as you people had in your child hood. Small towns are the best. Thank You, Doreen Bailey, Tempe, AZ

7/3/2014 (2045)

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday.

For the record, I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Happy Birthday Lola Millang Knox: North Dakota

Happy Birthday Sybil Johnson: Minot, ND

Face Book capture. Not sure of the event.

Floyd and Luella Halvorson Dion

The Gold Wedding of James Darling (Dunseith)

Posted by Natalie (Darling) Ulberg: Minot, ND

Hi Gary:

I came across this picture of my great-great grandparent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary marked Dunseith, ND 1907 and thought it may be of interest to some. I don’t know the actual date nor the location of the gathering. By the flags and the leaves on the trees it appears to have been taken around the 4th of July. The picture is pretty well marked by my grandma Mable (Peterson-married to James Darling #13 in the picture later a Thorne then long time Rolette resident.)

I’ve never seen a picture where, like in the background, some tree branches are cut and placed sideways and appear to me they are holding fabric/banners in the far back. By the looks of the way people are dressed, the decorations, table, chairs and placesettings there was a lot of time and effort put into the celebration!

A happy and safe 4th to all!

Natalie (Darling) Ulberg

Joke of the day

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

A man and woman were married for many years. Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. The old man would shout, “When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!”

Neighbors feared him. The old man liked the fact that he was feared. Then one evening, he died when he was 98. After the burial, her neighbors, concerned for her safety, asked, “Aren’t you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?”

The wife said, ” Let him dig. I had him buried upside down…

and I know he won’t ask for directions.”

==========================================================================

Blog (107) posted on May 20, 2008

Folks, Please don’t miss any of the messages with pictures near the end of this message. Gary

From Dan McKay (69):

Rod,

Fishing pole in the lake – just the makings of great memories. I’ve had a few poles since then that should have been thrown in the lake so don’t loose anymore sleep over that one. What I remember about that time was rowing that flat bottom boat for about 5 hours from our cabin on Rugby Point all the way across the lake to Brian Johnson’s cabin by the bridge. Not bad for a couple of 10 year olds. It was sure great of his Dad to tow us home except when it got out of the wake and flipped up on its side. Why were we riding in it any way? Nice to know your friends are thinking about you. You have great day Rod and we will go fishing again someday.

Dan McKay

From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

Hi Gary

We just got back home to Texas from ND last night. We flew to Minot on Friday the 9th. I had expected the cold and drizzle but not the 4 inches of thick white snow we had that night! Diane and I drove to Dunseith on Monday to spend the afternoon with Bev and had a great time. She looks terrific and we laughed so hard! It was really great to be back in North Dakota. I love the emails. Thanks so much!

Cheryl Larson Dakin (71)

PS – the weather cleared and the trees budded out. It was like 3 seasons in 1 week!

From Gwen Struck Dumas (68):

Hi Gary,

A former pastor of ours in Havre sent this to us. I would like to pass it on. It’s a bit lengthy, but worth it.

My spouse, Clint Dumas, was deployed in July 2004 with the 189th Aviation/ Montana Army National Guard to Balad Iraq. He returned the evening before Thanksgiving in 2005. (He had one month to go to retirement.) It was the longest 16 months of our lives…..ever!!! However the last 2 1/2 years since his return have been very, very difficult. Two months ago he suggested that he may have PTSD and sought council. We drive to Helena (200 miles one way) every other week for the help that he needs.

It is my hope during this Memorial Weekend, that those who know a veteran who served in any of our wars, or knows of a family whose soldier didn’t return, pause for a moment and bring to mind all of our freedoms that we take for granted. Freedom really isn’t free.

And…if any know of a veteran who suffers with PTSD….love ’em thru it!!! They’ve earned it!!!

Gwen Struck Dumas

Subject: Fw: Before You Go

Please read to the end and then click on the website — this is fabulous!

The elderly parking lot attendant wasn’t in a good mood!

Neither was Sam Bierstock. It was around 1 a.m., and Bierstock, a Delray
Beach, Fla., eye doctor, business consultant, corporate speaker and
musician, was bone tired after appearing at an event.

He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began to speak. “I took
two bullets for this country and look what I’m doing,” he said bitterly.

At first, Bierstock didn’t know what to say to the World War II veteran. But
he rolled down his window and told the man, “Really, from the bottom of my
heart, I want to thank you.”

Then the old soldier began to cry.

“That really got to me,” Bierstock says.

Cut to today.

Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach – a member of
Bierstock’s band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band – have written a song
inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking lot. The mournful ”
Before You Go” does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages
people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die.

“If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been
shot,” says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. “The WW II soldiers are now
dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank
them.”

The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it on
the Web, the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around nine
countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their sons
and daughters and grandchildren.

“It made me cry,” wrote one veteran’s son. Another sent an e-mail saying
that only after his father consumed several glasses of wine would he discuss
” the unspeakable horrors” he and other soldiers had witnessed in places
such as Anzio, Iwo Jima, Bataan and Omaha Beach. “I can never thank them
enough,” the son wrote. “Thank you for thinking about them.”

Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a professional
singer, maybe a Lee Greenwood type, but because time was running out for so
many veterans, they decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on
the Web. They’ve sent the song to Sen. John McCain and others in
Washington. Already they have been invited to perform it in Houston for a
Veterans Day tribute – this after just a few days on the Web. They hope
every veteran in America gets a chance to hear it.

GOD BLESS every veteran…
and THANK you to those of you veterans who may receive this !

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO HEAR THE SONG AND SEE THE PICTURES:

Before You Go

OR http://wwwmanagedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php

From Alan & Phyllis Campbell (42):

Just read the email from Paula Fassett regarding the pop factory in Omemee and have to add a bit….Back when the Legion sponsored Bingo at the old city hall, the Auxiliary took care of the concessions and Chris Rasmusson and his wife delivered pop up to Dunseith almost every week – – for $1.00 a case !!!!Can you believe that? That was 24 bottles if my memory serves me and the variety they offered was wonderful….our Rich’s favorite was cream soda. They had lemon, lime, cherry, strawberry, orange, grape and probably several others. The Auxiliary always served rice krispy bars and maybe brownies and as a result were able to support many of the worthwhile Auxiliary projects!!!! The main reason for a successsful pop factory in Omemee was the adequate supply of very good natural water
and Chris had his own “secret” recipes for making the flavors. Do enjoy all the emails!!!

From Colette Hosmer (64):

Congratulations, Evie! Just getting kids through to adulthood is celebration enough, never mind raising one who graduated from law school. I wish her luck on passing the bar…..

xox

Colette

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Dear Gary,

Dale Gottbreth had a garage to the south of our home. One of the Lamoureux Brothers stored a snow plane there, his name started with an O- Ophelia (Spelling wrong) any way he used the sno-plane for hunting. I remember my Parents talking about the amount of use it got during snow storms. My Uncle Charles Anderson did a lot with Mr. Lamoureux.

Dale decided that he should move the garage and turn it into a motel. He hired my Dad (John Awalt). The garage was moved to the corner and is now Dales Cafe, and Motel. The slab of cement left was a wonderful place to roller skate. Dale was quite far sighted as to the needs of the community.

Bonnie Awalt Houle 1956

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

love to see the old pictures. Nice to hear from Rodney Samski. But it was Miss Masvelton in second grade that probably did shake the dickens out of Mark after he threw the scissors. I was always a little scared of her. I don’t think Mrs Conroy had a mean bone in her body. She was a sweet lady.

I have to add a comment to the birthday party picture that Crystal sent. All the kids in the picture are “Cousins” in one way or another. Pam and I (Susan) are first cousins because our dads are brothers, Pam and Dick are cousins, because Dick’s grandma and Pam’s mother were sisters, Mark is a shirttail cousin because his mother and Emery Carbonneau are sister and brother and Emery is married to my mother’s first cousin, and John Morgan was “related” because his mother was a Watkins and so were Carol Carbonneau and Murl Hill who were my mom’s first cousins because their mothers were sisters. Got the idea? Ahhhhh. small town life. My husband always tells everyone that I am related to most of the people in ND. Not so far from the truth—I love it!!!

Keep the memories and pictures coming.

Love and Prayers, Susan

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Gary, I am sure everyone has heard of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, but I am not sure if anyone has heard of the daytime ride of Jay Vanorny. One summer morning Jay and I agreed that Ranger, that Big Red loaner horse from Johnie Myer had to go back to Johnie as he was making my new quarter horse hard to catch. So we had a semi leisurely ride the first mile or so, when all of a sudden while passing through Eli Demery’s yard the dogs barked and Ranger turned and backed into Eli’s 50 gal. burn barrel, that was the end of leisure. It was all down hill to old Hwy. 5. Ranger made short work of those woven wire yard fences in Shanty Town, each garden probably had at least one set of hoof prints.

Evie, Dale wasn’t only the best truck driver in that country, he was also the greatest story teller by far. Lucian Bedard did a close second on duck hunting stories. Dale said he was coming around that curve where Carlson and Seim’s lived. He looked in the rear view mirror to see if Ray Buck, our old game warden from St. John was gaining or not. What he saw was a pair of antlers raising up in the back seat. I guess he was not quite dead!

Many of you may not know about Orvin Hagen’s nephew, Oliver and Donnie Nelson’s brother, when his chopper mitts caught fire in the old water tank heater.. Dale took him to the hospital, if anyone could have provided that boy with more time on earth it would have been Dale.

Dale had more than his share of business in him. By the way, his dad, Big George and I mean big, was a class act too. My dad had lots of stories about George, Ray Wilson and the rest of the old boys they were the fun and fiber of Dunseith. I worked for Dale a second year because he wouldn’t have it any other way. Gary Metcalfe

Message/Picture From Trish Larson Clayburgh (73):

Hey Gary,

Thanks again to you for facilitating this, and thanks to all who have been brave enough to write in! Goodness knows how many “chicken lurkers” there are out there….c’mon! Out with your stories and memories! Make Betty Garske proud!

It’s been awhile since I’ve written, but this particular group of emails today just struck me – although I’ve been reading every morning just like everyone else and enjoying all the stories immensely.

I have to say that Dwight’s story about taking care of those cattle during the snowstorm was just astounding! And I can relate to the sore shoulder from shooting the gun, as my 24 yr old son recently had me shooting in prep for elk hunting season in Colorado this year, and it reminded me of hunting with my Dad, Harvey, as a little kid. I can still remember the mirth in his eyes as I hugged that gun to my shoulder at what was it, age 8? I have no idea what gauge that gun was, but it hurt like hell and my ears would not stop ringing! I believe my three brothers are all fairly deaf in one ear because nobody had any idea about ear protection back then….

Dick, I just loved the photo of your Dad. I cannot wait for the “dirty” picture…

And Collete, while I don’t believe we’ve ever met, I just want to add my admiration for your work to the list of others that think it’s really neat that a gal from NoDak could bring such incredible, creative beauty to far flung places in the world. I love those fish!!!!

I’m also going to stand up and say, YES. I’m going to sign up for the cruise, and I think it’s going to be great fun to see you all in person!

Will Rod Hiatt agree to be there and get onstage with a rendition of “There was a boy from Arkansas…”

And is Cheryl Haagenson in on the deal??? And Art Rude? I’m sure we could give a rousing round of “oh oh we’re going to the chapel and we’re ….”
It will be AWESOME! And Cheri Evans, I hope you’re bringing your guitar…My only concern is that there probably will be very little sleeping on this cruise. I remember the reunion back in the 80’s – I think a week went by with no sleep. It was hard to drag ourselves away even for a much needed shower….

By the way, is anybody out there (female, lol) interested in rooming with me? I’m single, but I want to share one of those rooms with an ocean view….

I just got back from a wonderful horseback ride in the Colorado Mountains this evening. I’m riding my Morgan Mare in an endurance race in Montana (Ft. Howes) June 8, and we’re training like crazy. I’ve never had so much fun in my life, except maybe back when I rode with Marlys Medlang, the Fauske’s, and Diana Honsey back in the summers of the early 70’s. Those of you who are horse crazy (ie Rod Hiatt) can relate to this. And the Honsey’s grew the best raspberries ever!

Hey – what about Music Camp memories?? Cheryl Haagenson had a leading role in…..Hm. I think the summer of 1970? She was one helluva a preacher!

By the way, I just pulled out a bunch of photos I took at the big parade day in Dunseith at the celebration in the early 80’s. As soon as I get them scanned, I’ll start submitting them here – I think I have a bunch of photos you will all enjoy…How young you all were!

Tim Hill – my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May you be healed and may you be at peace. You are so loved!

Ok, I’ve made up for lost time I think – keep all the stories coming folks! What a phenomenon!!!!

Love to All,

Trish (Larson) 73

Trish Larson Clayburgh (2008)

Message/Picture From Kenny Nerpel (65):

Gary,

This is my daughter after the Hooding & Honors Convocation at NDSU on May 9th. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Pharmacy. We are very happy for her.

The downside for North Dakota parents is that with graduation comes the almost always inevitable flight from the state. I now have a son in Tennessee and my daughter has accepted employment in Colorado.

The upside is that we now have a couple of nice places to visit.

Kenny Nerpel

Kenny, What is your daughters name? Gary

Kenny Nerpel with his Daughter – NDSU 5/9/08

Message/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Paula mentioned Omemee and Chris Rasmusson’s pop factory. From 1953
through 1955 both Mom and Dad taught school in Omemee. Mom had 1-4 and
Dad 5-8, grades. We lived in a big old house next to Darrel and Dorothy
Fassett so I spent the days at their house while the folks were at
school. Darrel was the Standard Oil agent at that time and drove a bulk
truck delivering fuel. The town was nearly gone by this time as most of
the houses had been moved to Bottineau. The story was, as I remember it,
Omemee was supposed to be on the main railroad line but when the
railroad changed directions, the town began to die. There were only
about six or seven occupied houses when we were there. There were many
blocks of sidewalks running nowhere but we had an old wicker baby buggy
that we took turns riding in and pushing up and down these sidewalks.
The big cottonwood trees had lifted the sidewalks and we used to jump
the buggy over these spots and then crash in the tall grass! The
Rasmussons lived about a block away and Mrs. Rasmusson always made
chocolate chip cookies for us kids. But as I recall, she always gave us
milk or water and not pop! Our old house had primitive running water, a
tank upstairs that Dad filled, and then gravity took over from there.
Chris Rasmusson kept losing bottles because people either broke them or
threw them away, so he had a rule; you only get as many bottles as he
got back! A couple years ago one of his daughters put an ad in the Minot
Daily News asking if anyone had any of her dad’s pop bottles as she
would like to have some. A couple months later she had to run another ad
stating she had her basement half full, please, no more bottles! The
pictures below are all taken in Omemee in 53-55. The top two are of Mom
and me in front of our old house. The girl with the scarf on I believe,
is Karen Rasmusson, don’t know the other one.The next picture is Patty
Fassett and me, behind us is Rennick’s house and just north of that is
Rasmusson’s. Pam Fassett is the girl in the black and white plaid
jacket, don’t know the others.The dance picture is Darrell and Dorothy
Fassett in the school gym. All Dunseith folks just temporarily displaced
in Omemee, ND!!

Dick

Top: Bernice Johnson & Dick Johnson

Middle: Patty Fassett/Dick Johnson and ??/Karen Rasmusson

Bottom ??/??/Pam Fassett/?? and Darre/Dorothy Fassett

7/1/2014 (2044)

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Donna Wenstad (DHS ’75): Amado, AZ

Salty Desserts

Story from Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

Gary,

Please give my regards to Bernadette.

I so liked the photo and pie story, you shared on her birthday.

To my Dunseith friends, this tale is about rhubarb.

Life sometimes throws us tangy, yet if we look closer, perhaps,

can find, sweeter Knowledge.

Once again, with Gary’s story of Bernadette’s Pumpkin dessert

I recall my first attempt, baking from scratch _Homemade Rhubarb Cake.

side note ( I don’t believe I ever used a cake mix from a box until I was an adult,)

I believe, I was going into the 4th grade.

I had finally recovered from appendix surgery, and was moving free again.

One morning, after breakfast, I asked my mom if I could bake, and ran to the patch.

I looked and found rosy red, tender rhubarb stalks which I pulled, and cleaned there in the garden.

I estimated and filled a flat pan,went to the house, got a sharp knife and the cutting board, sat on the steps,

I chopped rhubarb like I had watched my mother.

Mom had pulled her recipe from her box and gave it to me.

I read the recipe and did not ask questions or for any help.

After all, I was going into 4th grade and I had read 98 books in third!

……I was “so full of myself again………”

After the pitiful hospital experience in later May, with determined outlook,

I once again claimed back my inner INDEPENDENT nature!

I set the oven on preheat.

I gathered ingredients; cream, sugar, salt, eggs, flour, vanilla.

I got to use Mom’s electric Sunbeam mixer!

And, I mixed while keeping all the tools clean.

I kept fingers out of the bowl, absolutely NO licking!

Yes, I was tempted, but more than determined.

I did not want to jinx this, first time.

I placed chopped rhubarb with sugar in the bottom of the old cake pan.

I put in the 1 tsp. of pure vanilla, and inhaled the smell.

Then folded,and smoothed batter over the rhubarb.

Perfect, Perfection……..

I did waste, a taste, or a lick!

I was not to be deterred by a quick finger lick, however tempting.

The cake pan went into the combination wood/electric stove.

I waited and watched, the clock for the alloted time,and kept busy.

YES!

For my first cake making experience, that afternoon,

as others watched “Queen for A Day” on Television,

I truly OWNED the kitchen!

Our family had just gotten running water that May.

While I was hospitalized, Dad hired Duane Sorbin from Bottineau.

He had finished digging a deep ditch to bring water from the well

and another to a drain field for the sewer.

I did not know this was going to happen. In those days in privacy,

parents made quiet plans and discussed finances without children.

My parents were two of a kind, savers. They saved so they could finally have running water,

and indoor plumbing.

No more going out side to out house toilet or dumping winter slop pails!

No more heating water on the stove! No more carrying buckets of water from the well!

My parents did not tell us about this changing event until one day it was there, it began

while I was hospitalized.

Somehow, in our family there were ingrained lessons, like,

don’t go to school to brag about what the family has.

It was so much fun, because I had used Mom’s electric Sunbeam mixer,

all by myself and I did not tangle scraper or spoon in the beaters.

For once I was careful….I was on my own. It was only me, Queen of the kitchen!

I got to clean up in a stainless steel sink, with hot water flowing from a tap!

I did not have to carry waste water out to water out door flowers.

Me? I did this whole thing by myself.

NO help or or going for advice.

Without a lick……Lickety split!

I washed the batter bowl,mixer, spoons and wiped the counter.

Then, tiptoed around the kitchen careful about a falling cake.

I did not peek into the oven.

Heavenly aromas______fragrant mix of mom’s pure vanilla,

and tangy sweet rhubarb filled the house and my senses.

I was fairly dizzy with delight.It smelled so goooood.

I allowed myself to finally opened the oven at the correct time,

that cake so golden brown edges were just pulling away and the tooth pick came out clean.

The cake looked and smelled beautifully perfect.

Once carefully put in a cooling place, I went off to do outside chores.

Mom began making swiss steak, fresh small garden potatoes and peas for supper.

After barn chores, milching feeding calves and such.

Dad and Ward came in and washed up with plenty of hot water and soap.

They had spent a day of fencing in south pasture woods with Skippy the dog,

and accompanied by…many, many ticks.

Dad with his pliers and Ward with his teeth……….

At the supper table I could not contain myself to be done eating the main course.

Finally time came,

I got up and cut the cake into perfectly…. big pieces. Yumm,

I continued to resist temptation and placed on plates in front of each person.

I watched dad, when he said how good my cake looked.

He took a bite.

His eyes got big and he swallowed and said, “Umm, Vickie after the supper your mom made,

I can’t eat any more.” (disappointed)

Everyone else took a bite. Not one took a second bite.

No one……….

My sister began snickering which erupted with uncontrollable giggling.

Confused, I bit into my piece. UGH! S-a-l-t etched into my pride, my poor wounded pride.

Eyes teared, as hopes for perfect were dashed by a whole lotta salt.

The stomach fell to my feet, thoughts,

“How could this have happened, I followed the recipe to a “T” and a “t”?

Without a word, only Ward kept eating, he’d take another bite, and another,

he finished eating one piece.

He said, “Vickie this is good cake, can I please have another?”

At that moment, I soared into a life lesson.

“For as much as we dream, plan, follow directions, and work toward a goal,

sometimes plans just don’t always turn out the way we imagine.”

“Dreams can be struck downward in a split second and disappointment fill the soul……”

A sometimes cruel lesson.

Stop, think,look closer with awareness, and another gift may appear.

As I look back now and think I didn’t get just one GIFT.

I got many GIFTS that day.

My mother, Lottie,did not scold, because I, put 4 teaspoons of salt not the recipes 1/4 teaspoon.

She did not critically say, “You wasted good food”.

She just quietly cleaned the table. Then, showed me the recipe.

She said, my mistake in messy writing. But, there it was; 1/4 in her writing.

My father did not put me down in anger.

He quietly,pushed away his supper plate, politely said, “It looks good Vickie,

I ate too much of your mothers cooking, don’t believe I can eat another bite.”

And little Ward Anthony?

Ward Allen Anthony said my cake looked and smelled good.

He ate not one but two big pieces.

Awareness, a marvelous glimpse knowledge about my father.

I finally, learned what my father Cliff Metcalfe, knew.

Look beyond, the smell, the snuice chewing, never bathing,

the reeking smell permeating the house after he left,

his snapping ticks with his teeth, yodeling,the squeaky fiddle playing, his silly stories and giggles,

and his odd misshapen skull.

All things that often people found they could use to tease him like an object.

That day ,I too ,saw what my dad saw.

One of God’s own.”A good person. A human with a kind and gentle spirit.”

My first lesson in rhubarb?

Life does at times throw experiences which make me sour.

If I’m lucky the experience is a wee bit tangy.

Hope you all found happy midsomer’s dreams……

I do believe soon when this North Dakota June rain lets up.

I will go to my patch, pull and gather juicy, rosy red rhubarb,

fill my house with tangy smells and sweeter wonderful memories.

Thanks, Gary,

I do have a hot July thunderstorm story which I intend to through my memories.

As ever,

Vickie

==========================================================================

Blog (107) posted on May 20, 2008

From Rich Campbell (68):

Gary,

Thought I would offer a little “testimonial” to anyone considering the Alaska Cruise. My wife and I took this exact cruise last summer. Our 35th wedding anniversary. It was our first. We had a great time. The scenery was spectacular to say the least. I would offer some observations/suggestions to those who are “cruising” for the first time. The 6:30 PM dinner seating is perfect. It gives you time after to enjoy the ship and the entertainment. Plan to diet before or after the cruise–you won’t while on the ship! Take advantage of the entertainment. It was first class. If you can, get the oceanview view cabins. You can enjoy the view all the time. This inside cabins looked claustrophobic. Plan to take advantage of the “onshore” excursions. It adds to the cost but gives you a flavor of Alaska. (remember, for most this is a once in a lifetime event) I would avoid the onshore airplane excursions. One crashed and 4 passengers from our cruise died. I heard of a similar incident about a month later. We enjoyed the crabfest trip and the whale watching trip the best. The train trip was just ok. Stick to the excursions offered through the cruise. They make sure you are back before the ship is scheduled to depart. Bring some warm clothes. It gets chilly when on the ocean. Most of all, have fun.

Rich Campbell

From Rod Hiatt (69):

When I saw the picture of Dan McKay it reminded me of the time he
invited me to go with to Lake Metigoshe to go fishing with him. I don’t
think we were much more than 4-5th grade. We were out in an old row boat
and Dan had a brand new fishing rod that I believe he got for his
birthday. Anyway, Dan being the generous and good friend that he was,
let me use his new rod and reel. He was explaining to me about casting
and I wasn’t getting it about the button you release, so just as I was
to cast he said “Let Go” You guessed it, I let go of everything and his
brand new rod and reel are still at the bottom of the lake. Every time I
think of, hear Dan’s name or go fishing I think about this and feel
really bad. Dan the next time you are up around Long Lake come over to
my little spot and either throw my rod and reel in the damn lake or take
one of mine and maybe I can get over this guilt that has been eating at
me for well over 40 years
By the way my fishing hasn’t improved much since then
Rod Hiatt

From Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65):

Hi Gary and Dwight,

Thank you for the stories about my Dad, I have no memory of snow planes…..I know my Dad liked speed and drove those Ninty-Eight Oldsmobiles he loved about 90 miles an hour on a slow day. I use to love to ride with him, all the windows down…and get him to take a few of the girls for a ride too….great fun!

Evie

P.S. Exactly what is a snow plane?

P.S. I want to brag just a little, our daughter graduated from law school on Saturday….so now we have a lawyer in the family ….I didn’t know the difference between a lawyer and an attorney but now I do…..an

attorney has passed the bar…..hopefully that will happen real soon!

From Colette Hosmer (64):

Thanks for the generous comments about my sculpture commission….and, Donna, also for the flattering comment but I AM 62 and there’s NO doubt about it. How did we end up in our 60’s?….seemed impossible to imagine when we were in high school.

Dwight….your story was incredible. I can’t imagine too many 10 and 6 year olds today who would even know what to do in that situation, never mind being able to actually do it. They don’t raise ’em like they used to.

Colette

From Larry Hackman (66):

Gary

How are you doing? I thought you would be still sleeping?

Just to let you know the wife and I made a run to the Turtle Mountains this past week end. I thought it was dry around this area, but its a lot drier up North. Willow Creek is dry and the lakes are way down, with some being completely dry. There are very few leaves out and the grass is still brown up there. The wind was blowing so hard we had to hang onto the tombstones at the cemetery to keep from getting blown off the hill. It took a lot of effort but we got done what we wanted to do. It was not as enjoyable as it should have been, as I like to walk around at my leisure, read the names on the stones, and remember the people and the times. It was instead, jump out of the vehicle, do what you can and jump back into the vehicle. The highlight of the trip was stopping at Dale’s and having a jumbo. The restaurant looks real nice and the jumbo was the best I have ever eaten. It was delicious and made the whole trip worth while. I would go have another today if the gas prices weren’t so ridiculous.

Ernie was there wasting his time on a hamburger and fries. Ernie said they have a few roof leaks and are still doing some work on the outside of the building. I told Ernie you have to have a good roof to protect your investment otherwise everything will get ruined in know time. I know he knows that, but I told him that anyway.

Ernie said they are having a lot of problems with fires in the area. In fact all the fire equipment in the area was out fighting a fire three miles north of Dunseith. Ernie said it was the second day of fighting fire in that area. They must have stopped it as the way the wind was blowing, by now it would be knocking on Fargo’s door step.

You take care Gary, and if I get another chance to get up to Dunseith this summer, I’ll be sure and stop and eat a jumbo for you and Bill. Doesn’t that make you and Bill happy and your mouths water. to know that there are people out here thinking of you.

Larry

From Paula Fassett Pfuhl (71):

Crystal mentioned the photo she sent of Pam Fassett’s birthday party was taken in Omemee , ND . I’m just curious how many people remember the pop factory that was in Omemee? It was run by a man named Rasmussen. Our Grandpa Fassett (Bill- my dad’s dad…obviously) used to load up us ‘brats’, as he lovingly referred to his granddaughters and head to Omemee in his green & white Chevy for cases of pop. It was quite a trip. Especially since Grandpa never drove more than 45 mph – made it feel like you really going a LONG distance. Of course, he rarely stopped at a stop sign – just slowed down and always said he’d stop twice at the next one – so that may have shortened the trip up some! I remember Mr. Rasmussen wore wire rim glasses and never had the ear wires wrapped around his ears – they were always just kind of propped over his ears. And he ALWAYS treated us to a free bottle of pop – flavor of our choice – and there were many flavors – strawberry, orange, blackcherry, grape and I think he even had crème soda. It was a real treat for us……and quite the adventure!

Paula

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Dwight Lang mentioned in one of his emails how my dad, Don Johnson,
always looked overdressed for Dunseith. I can remember when we were at
the farm, dirty from working, if Dad had to go somewhere for parts,
etc., he would clean up and change clothes before he went. He didn’t
want any one to see him dirty! I have one picture of us, when we were
all in the field, when Dad was black from field work! He was that way
every day but no one ever saw him like that! He made sure of that! We
farmed quite a bit of land, our own and rented, and he did a lot of
field work and repair so he was plenty dirty real often! The picture
below was the way you will remember him but when I find the one of us
covered with dirt and grease I’ll send it!
The other photo is of Ramona Dionne [ Mona Johnson ] when she was a
sophomore at DHS in 1946. Although we aren’t related, my folks spent
time with Mona and Chuck doing things at the lake, etc. This is Mom’s
picture of Mona so they must have been together then too. Thanks Gary!!

Dick

6/30/2014 (2043)

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday.

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Reply from Jean Tooke Berger (’75): Mandan, ND

Hi Gary tell Bernadette not to feel bad I did the same thing with apple crisp. Thank you for the birthday wishes happy birthday to Bernadette.
.

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Blog (106) posted on May 19, 2008

From Dwight Lang (61):

Thank you Dick for giving me the dubious honor of being named the “Pinball Wizard”. Unfortunately. I painfully found out that these pinball skills are not that effective to beat a casino slot machine.

Now about the snow planes: They were not only for fun and games. During the winter of 49 my parents went to Dunseith. I think for a grocery run or something similar. But my brother, DuWayne, and myself were left on the farm. He would have been about ten years old and I, six. Anyway, a real ND blizzard blew up and my parents were stuck in town. This was before we had electricity or a phone on the farm. We did have cattle of course and DuWayne and I were left with the watering and feeding. We ran out of hay in the barn after a few days and ended up carrying grain several hundred yards (it seemed like a mile) through deep snow to keep them nourished. We had a set of snow ski to use or it would have been near impossible. Of course to water the cattle, we had to break the ice in the tank and manually pump (not fun!) the well. Now all was not pain and suffering. DuWayne, during a stretch of boredom, thought up a new game. Take the shotgun with two shells and go back in the trees and see how many sparrows you could come back with. Again I can’t remember if the shotgun was a 16 or 12 gage. But I do recall being knocked on my butt in the snow and the sore shoulder this six year old got from this new game. I quit after on go around.

The blizzard blew for a couple days but then it cleared up but all the roads were impassable. I believe it was after about five days we heard a distant roar. It turned out to be a snow plane with our Dad, Adam, on board with some groceries. I can’t remember whose snow plane it was (I think it was Dale Gottbreitt’s) but I was sure happy to see it. Also, I can’t remember if our Mother, Charlotte, was along or if she came later. I do recall that the US Army came to our rescue by pushing snow out from around the barn and the haystacks whereas we could harness old Chubb and Nancy and haul in some hay. What a winter! Sure glad I’m in Tucson, AZ during the winters when I think back on those good old days.

Well, this story has gotten long enough. Just want to say “Hi” to the rest of the survivors.

Dwight AKA “Pinball Wizard”

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

The picture of Pam Fassett’s birthday party reminded me of a few years
later when I was at Mark Anderson’s in the back of the Gamble store. He
had the neatest toy I had ever seen up until then. It was a complete
Standard gas station with pumps and all the stuff you would have seen in
a real station. It had two garage stalls and real windows and doors. It
was made from tin, as plastic was not the norm yet. I remember playing
all afternoon with this little station and thinking it was more fun than
anything I had ever played with. I hated to go home that day! It’s funny
how these old pictures can trigger the memory to remember things from
over 50 years ago! Thanks Crystal and Gary!!

Dick

6/28/2014 (2042)

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Gary

Happy 66th Birthday to my Lovely Wife, Bernadette Stokes.

Today is a special day in our house. For the next three weeks Bernadette and I are the same age.

Bernadette had kind of a sad event happen yesterday that actually turned out kind of funny.

For her birthday, she baked a huge Pumpkin pie in a large cake pan that she could share with all of her relatives. The pie turned out beautiful too. After the pie cooled she asked me try a piece of which I did. With the first bite, I had to spit it out. When baking the cake she used salt thinking it was sugar. Because of Ants, we store our sugar in the refrigerator. Not sure how the salt ended up in the refrigerator, but it did. Needless to say, Bernadette was very upset. With all of her happy birthday wishes, she has cooled down some this morning.

This evening we have reservations at the Anzani Mediterranean restaurant with Bernie and Loreli. Novie will be along with us too, so it will be just the 5 of us.

Gary

Happy Birthday Debbie Poitra Rondeau (DHS ’77): Belcourt,ND

Happy Birthday Gail Halvorson Schuler (DHS ’72): Bismarck, ND

Happy Birthday Jean Tooke Berger (DHS ’75): Mandan, ND

Happy Birthday Donna (Dale Deceased) Fugere: Renton, WA

Posted By Pam Houle Hagen (’73): Big Lake, MN

Kenneth Joseph Houle
(August 10, 1940 – June 27, 2014)

Send Flowers Send Sympathy Card
Sign Guest Book | Send Private Condolences

Kenneth Joseph Houle was born August 10, 1940 to Aloysius and Lillian Houle in Bottineau, ND, where he was raised and later graduated from high school. He joined the United States Navy in 1960 and served until he was honorably discharged on May 27, 1964.

Ken passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 at his Brook Park home at the age of 73 following a 10 year battle with cancer.

Ken will be remembered for his great humor, determined spirit to live, and an unyielding heart of compassion for his family and friends.

Ken is survived by his wife Corene Houle of Brook Park, children: Brian Houle and his wife Melanie of Centerville, Renee Gritz and her husband Greg of Champlain, Steve Houle and his his wife Gina of Andover, Leanne Grinsteinner and her husband Steve of Hinckley, Dale Houle and his wife Jennifer of Coon Rapids, Tom Houle of Brook Park, Gerald Houle of south Minneapolis, Kelly Houle and his wife Malynda of Princeton, Peter Houle and his wife Jessica of Sartell, Aaron Houle of Princeton; 19 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 4 brothers, 6 sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Al & Lillian (Dostaler) Houle, brother Mike Houle, and nephew Robert.

Memorial Mass for Ken Houle will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 1st at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Pine City with a time of visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 3rd in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Family should meet at Funeral Cortege – Assembly Area #4 at 11:30 a.m.

Arrangements are with the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.

Our condolences are with the whole Houle family with Ken’s passing. Our thoughts are prayers are with you

Gary

Joke of the day

Posted by Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND

Best Senior Citizen Joke … Ever

A little silver-haired lady called her neighbor and said, “Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can’t figure out how to get started.”

Her neighbor asked, “What is it supposed to be when it’s finished?

The little silver haired lady said, “according to the picture on the box, it’s a rooster.”

Her neighbor decided to go over and help with the puzzle.

She let him in and showed him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.

He studied the pieces for a moment, then looked at the box, then turned to her and said,

“First of all, no matter what we do, we’re not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster.”

He took her hand and says, “Secondly, I want you to relax. Let’s have a nice cup of tea, and then, he said with a deep sigh…..

Let’s put all the Corn Flakes back in the box.”

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Blog (105) posted on May 17, 2008

From Rod Samski (65):

Donald Egbert was the one who pushed my buttons with the snow in the face during recess but I have never forgotten the day Mark threw the scissors. I sat one row over to the left from Mark and one desk forward. When Mark threw the scissors at the back wall of the classroom. Both Billy Grady and Donald Egbert were standing almost together so I never really new who Mark was throwing the scissors at. As Allen said Mark did have a pretty good arm, the scissors REALLY did stick in the wall. And Miss Conroy gave Mark a good shaking that day.

The conversations of the snow planes reminded me of when Dale Gottbreht used to come out to our farm to see my dad, Gene Samski and they would go coyote hunting. Dad always said Dale scared the heck out of him the way he drove the snow plane. Another thing Dale really new his livestock, Dad bought several good breading bulls from him.

Rod Samski

Donald Egbert (65) – July 2007

From Shirley Brennan (60):

Dear Gary will you please send this Randy Kelly. Thanks Shirley Brennan

Dear Randy you might know me I gradduated with Cleo, I saw him at our school reunion such a nice man, anyway I think you look so much alike. I think your Dad and my Dad were close friends.

Shirley Brennan

Note: I do not have Randy Kelly on our distribution list. Some of you may have his address and can forward this on to him, for Shirley. Thanks, Gary

Message/Picture from Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):

Good Morning! Spring has finally arrived in the Pembina Valley Gorge,here in Walhalla ND. The sun is shining and it is 60 degrees at 10 am. I enjoy all the pictures everyone posts and thought I better add one more from my Dad Bill Fassett’s album. It is Pam Fassett’s birthday party,in Omemee ND. Mark Anderson,Susan Fassett,Pam Fassett,John Morgan & Dick Johnson. Thanks Gary ,once again for starting this. We are leaving for the month of June to go to Alaska,(our 2nd trip). So I will look forward to “catching up” when we get home in July. Oh, and Remember our Veteran’s next weekend. That is what Memorial Day is all about and if everyone hasn’t send a donation to the cemetery where their friends and relatives are buried,NOW would be a good time. Thanks again. Crystal Fassett Andersen

Comment: This picture must have been taken in 1950. With 3 candles, this must be Pam’s 3rd birth. Her birthday is November 30th and I think she was born in 1947. I think Dick Johnson was born in 1950 and by the looks of this picture he’s not even a year old yet. Gary

Picture (11/30/1950) L to R:

Mark Anderson, Susan Fassett, Pam Fassett, John Morgan & Dick Johnson

From Bev Morinville Azure (72):

Gary, thought everyone would enjoy these pictures. Bev

GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV

Bev, I see it was last November that I sent these pictures out, so there are a lot of

folks that have not seen them. Gary

Top Pictue: Dan McKay & Pam Lagerquist

Bottom Pictue: Toni Morinville & Randy Kelly