DUNSEITH ALUMNI BLOGS 2007 THROU

DUNSEITH ALUMNI BLOGS 2007 THROUGH PRESENT!

2008

JAN

Dunseith Weather Forecast, ND

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January

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1/1/2008

Phone call from Dwight Lang (61):

Folks, This afternoon, for me here in the PI New Years Day, I had a pleasant surprise with a phone call from Dwight Lang wishing me "Happy New Year". We had a nice long chat. Dwight's mother was Charlotte Lang who was a teacher in Dunseith for years and went on to become the "County Superintendent of schools" for Rolette & Bottineau counties. She was also my first grade teacher at Ackworth. Charlotte was a Hiatt, born and raised in the Ackworth community with my dad. She was a sister to Howard Hiatt and Elenore Fauske. Dwight and I have lots of commonality to talk about. Dwight has a home in Tucson and a cabin at Lake Metigoshe where he spends his summer months.

Thank you Dwight for that wonderful phone call. Sorry I had to cut it short, after an hour, to go eat my Dinner.

Paula Fassett's (71) reply to Trish Larson (73):

Gary:

I would guess the dancing couple that Trish (Larson) is referring to is more than likely Duane and Lorraine Peterson. I tended bar at Kelvin when John & Neva Rainey owned it and remember seeing the Peterson’s and was always fascinated by their dancing abilities! My parents were excellent dancers, too, but no once could hold a candle to Duane and Lorraine Peterson. What used to fascinate me most was the fact that Lorraine usually danced wearing tennis shoes!

Happy New Year…………..I don’t think we’ll be doing any outside partying in Minnesota!!!

Paula

Dave Slyter's (70) reply to Trish Larson (73):

Trish:(73)

The couple that you are talking about that were such good dancers were Duane and Lorraine Peterson. They are Connie Peterson Lagerquists parents. I could never get enough of watching those two dancing around the dance floors. If there was a dance those two would be at it. I bet to this day they probably are still dancing. ha

I also remember the dances up at the metal building at Lake Metgoshe. Matter of fact that is where I got my first traffic ticket. I wanted to go left and everyone else in the car wanted to go right. Ooops blinker was going left and I listen to the gang in the car. Cops were sitting right there. Dang!!! It was called back then "driving without due care" ha Oh well, it was only 20 dollars.

Thanks for the memories.

Dave Slyter (70)

Bev Morinville's (72) request: Note, I have provided Bev with Morris Gouin's (67) contact info. Through his sister Cecile (61), we've recently located him.

Gary, Maurie Gouin is my cousin his grandpa was my grandma's brother I have not heard from him in years and would love to touch base with him. Could u ask him if u can give me his personal e mail addy. I would love to know about his mom and dad. They were Duane's godparents. thanks Gary.... also would love to e mail Randy Flynn also Bev

Deb Morinville's (70) request: Note, I've given Bev & Deb contact info for Morris & Cecile.

Gary,

I know you must be so busy with the "monster" list now but could you do me a favor? Maurice and Cecile Gouin are cousins to us Morinville kids. Their mother was a Dion as was my Dad's mother. Eva Dion Morinville Peat. We spent many hours with them as kids and I'm sure that Cecile babysat us, too. Maurice was a big kid and during one of our many wrestling times (usually all 5 or more) he knocked out my loose front tooth. I would love to reconnect with them Their dad ran the Standard gas station for a while located behind the Dakota hotel on Main street across from the lumber yard. Give them my email address OK? When you have time!!

Happy New Year to you and your wife there in the Phillipines!! I know a little about there because I have some good friends who were missionary's there for years.

Deb Morinville Marmon (70)

Message from Evon Lagerquist:

Happy New Year and Thank you for all the news!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2008

DON & COLLEEN (Conroy) Martel

Copy of Tim Martinson's (69) letter to Colette Hosmer (64)

Hi Colette,

I've always wondered what happened to that gal that all the older guys drooled over. Funny how life deals out its cards, sometimes you win and other times you lose, it's just one breath at a time, one step after another on the path to the next assignment. From the sound of your web site, endless opportunities await you and I am very impressed with your accomplishments to date.

In response to the letter you wrote about visiting a pig slaughter house in China. My first exposure to the killing of a pig was at my dad's parents farm. I was probably four years old and full of questions. The pig had already been killed that morning, it was big and hanging upside down over a barrel of boiling water. What was that liquid in the old galvanized wash tub? Blood from the pig that was going to be made into blood sausage and so the day went on with the tasks of both men and women in cooking, cutting, packaging and freezing of the pig. I wonder how many farmers still make blood sausage? The next time I saw a pig processed was at the Evans farm, same procedure but no blood sausage. Loved those days of play with the Evans boys and the cinnamon rolls Alice would make in the old wood stove. The endless games of basketball we played in the dimly lit hay mow of the barn. Skiing on theside hills of Willow Creek, or being towed behind a horse, skiing or riding in a toboggan on the streets of Dunseith. The games of workup in Evans front yard and the building of tree houses in the big cottonwood trees. Always looked forward to spring and the cattle drive to the pasture that surrounded Mineral Springs. The winter days of play in the haystacks and spring calving. Bringing in the cows for milking and chokecherry picking in the foothills. As your cousin Bill Hosmer had written of his exploits with Myron and others I was of the next generation to enjoy the Willow Creek swimming hole. The flour mill was gone and I have always wondered if there were photos of this business and what happened to the mill since while playing along the creek we could always see the concrete footing in the creek bed below the elevator.

I lived on the south side of town and when I was young we would go and pick Crocuses in the pasture where the High School was built. It was undisturbed prairie land with trails of wagons wheel tracks that led to the Flour Mill and probably the old store that sat by Willow Creek on the south side of Kester's house. You spoke of the tee pee rings north of Lake Shute and I have this memory of stopping along side the road a little north of the San Haven turn off and watching a pow wow in the early evening. Then also the juneberry picking in the hills. They were so good with cream and sugar. Always some sort of sport to play such as the touch football games, that involved girls too, played on the lot east of the Catholic church. or the basketball games at the old tennis court on the old school grounds and yes the basketball games played in the old gym built into the ground. The old city hall was a great place to play Basketball and I remember the time our independent team played a touring group. I was really impressed with Chuck Johnson, he could make hook shots from the corners and half court. I'm not sure who won that game. John and Stella Johnson had a order of two dozen date filled cookies each time the bakery made them and of course I delivered and I was lucky if I got back within an hour. They were the nicest couple and loved to talk. I finally figured out years later why everyone was busy when we made date filled cookies. Oh well it was their loss and my gain.

Do you ever think about some of the firsts in your life. The first oreo cookie I had was given to me by Grandma Hill who lived two houses north of our house, Again making a bread delivery I could not say no and was asked to get a bucket of coal for her cooking stove and ended up passing time with a nice older lady and that first oreo with the white frosting filling sandwiched between deep chocolate cookies. To the south lived Grandpa and Grandma Nerple, who showed me how they made yarn on their spinning wheel and gave me the chance to comb out the wool and peddle the wheel. Logan and Alice Buchanan lived to the west and I think lived a very organic life style raising chickens and rabbits. They always had very good gardens. And yes it took me a while to figure out where the rabbits went to.

My memory of the fly over by Bill Hosmer and friends. I was watching the birds through the bakery screen windows flying and singing in the trees. All of asudden the first plane came down main street and the birds fell out of thetrees. Of course I headed out the front door and onto main street and watched the show. Wow was the only word to explain it. I did go to the show at Minot and that day was cloudy. So thanks Bill for making a detour and giving the city of Dunseith another first. I have always wondered how far the turn around was for the planes you were flying at that time?

Take Care, Tim

Dear Gary,

I am John Awalt's (65) sister Bonnie (56). Here are a couple of Dunseith memories as I recall them.

Bonnie, I am so gald to hear from you. Now we can get you in the system. I know John has been forwarding this stuff to you. Folks, Bonnie is married to Keith Houle. Gary

SNOWED IN

The daylight filled the room and the cold nipped the tip of my nose. I could see my breath in the air. I waited, listening for my Mother to call us for school. It was so cozy and warm under the thick layer of quilts. I dreaded the thought of having to put my feet on the cold floor. I rose up to peek out the window but Jack Frost had painted a layer of white winter patterns over the panes of glass. I snuggled down into the cozy tunnel of quilts, knowing that my time there was limited. The time stretched out and still no one called me to get up. Curiosity soon got the better of me and I jumped out of bed, grabbed my clothes and raced downstairs to the heat of the furnace.

Mother was in the kitchen mixing bread dough, Dad sat at the kitchen table stirring sugar into his coffee. A glance outside let me know why Dad hadn't gone to work and why we hadn't been called to get ready for school. It was a good old North Dakota blizzard! The wind whirling the snow around, drifts piled high, and it was impossible to see the neighboring buildings.

As the rest of the family came downstairs, we ate breakfast and the job of having a free day bubbled forth. After breakfast we cleaned the house and then gathered around the dining room table where Dad had set up a jigsaw puzzle. The home was filled with the aroma of fresh baked bread, the laughter of friendly teasing and the love that only a family can share on a winter day when you are snowed in.

DUNSEITH MEMORIES

Once upon a time, a long time ago, when time didn't seem to move so fast.

Days were not so busy and children were safe when running free.

The children did run free. They ran free in the pastures, free in the woods and creek and freely through the small town.

In the winter it was not unusual to see the children, loaded with cardboard boxes headed to the City Park to slide the slippery slopes.

They build snow forts and tunneled caves through the winter drifts.

After a major snowstorm it was possible to see children climb from the snowdrifts to the roofs of stores.

The skating rink became a gathering place where red rover and crack the whip were played over and over again. Those children scrambled into the jailhouse/firehall to warm their freezing feet, tell their goofy stories and giggle at nonsense. It was a childhood of innocence and wonderful memories.

by Bonnie Awalt Houle

1/2/2008

Bev Morinville's (72) reply to Tim Martinson (69) & Bonnie Awalt (56)

Tim and Bonnie, after reading your memories of growing up in Dunseith I really feel you two could write a book. You had me glued from the first sentence. Bev Azure (Morinville)

Mel Kuhn's (70) reply to Dave Slyter (70), Tim Martinson (69), Bonnie Awalt (56) and comments:

Gary,

A Howdy to Dave Slyter if he remembers me. Isn't it a blast to remember the dancing of Duane and Lorraine Peterson. I believe they are still going around and dancing as they still have some oldtime dances yet at the hall here in St. John. My uncle Jimmy & aunt Ruby Birkland still attend and dance up a storm, but back in the day when Duane and Lorraine were dancing uncle Jimmy was more than likely one of the guys playing the fiddle. Him and the likes of Jack & Lorraine Metcalfe, Ole Bursinger and many more great old players and singers whose names elude me now. I grew up with it as a child and kind of moved away from it in the teens, instead listening to the likes of the Beatles & CCR and others but secretly loving the old fiddle. I'm getting back with it now with the likes of Dick Johnson who is playing with some friends of his and keeping that good old music alive. I love getting together with him and crew when they come and play in St. John. They even allow me to help haul the equipment and run the sound system for them. Ha.

A thanks to Tim & Bonnie for their wonderful memories and ways of writing them. I remember the big snow storm I believe in the winter of 68. I remember me and Russel Robert jumping off of their dad's Mobil station and shoveling down to find the door to get in.

Mel Kuhn [70]

Bonnie Awalt Houle's (56) letter:

Good Morning Gary,

Keith didn't go to Dunseith, he went to the Academy at Willow City. He graduated in 1954.

The class of 1956 consisted of: Bonnie Awalt, Gayl Bedard, Elmer Boucher, Gary Cota, Don Conroy, Dennis Espe, Neva Haagenson, Kenneth Hill, Lois Hiatt, Janice Leonard, Curtis Pigeon, Kenneth Pigeon, Bruce Poeppel, Caroleen Williams.

Bobby Hosmer had been in our class until his Sophomore year and then he went to Fargo to school. (Hope that is correct)

I remember going up to Butte St. Paul with Neva and Bobby in Bobby's Dads Jeep. Bobby kept telling us there was nothing to fear because you couldn't get a jeep stuck. What he didn't tell us is that you could get a jeep "hung up" on some of those big rocks out there in the fields. I don't remember who rescued us but we had to do some walking first.

Does anyone remember when we first started the marching band in Dunseith? Seems the director was from Rolla. One memory from it was practicing marching down the street doing our routine. I threw my baton up in the air and it came down in a hole that Mr.Axel Johnson was working in fixing the city water. The baton hit Axel on the head. (Very embarrassing.) Spring 1955

Bonnie Houle

Colette Hosmer's (64) reply to Tim Martinson (69) and Cecile Gouin (61)

Tim,

Blood sausage and head cheese....our parents and grandparents didn't waste much. Like they say in China today, everything is eaten but the oink. Processing pigs brings up a memory of when Evie Gottbreht and I went to St. Joseph's Academy in Crookston, Minnesota (1963). It was a poor Catholic boarding school and it wasn't unusual for a parent to pay tuition with a pig or two. We were all assigned jobs....I was taking my turn in the kitchen when one of these pigs came in. I remember the cook wielding her knife -- a tall, agile nun -- the sleeves of her black habit rolled up past her elbows, big white apron covering the full, floor-length skirt. When blood sausage showed up on our plates a few days later I took great pleasure in describing it's source to the other girls at the table.

I like the added imagery of birds falling out of the trees when the Thunderbirds buzzed mainstreet. You're a good writer...I hope you share more down the line. And, thanks for the kind words although I certainly can't remember ever being drooled over (you must have me confused with your father's bismarcks).

Cecile,

Nice to read your e-mail, Cecile. It would be great if you could find more photos of Deerheart Lodge!

My sister, Janet, was at the Air Force Academy for the first graduating class, but it was for another cousin, Brad Hosmer. His dad, Clark (my dad, Bob's, younger brother) left for West Point after growing up in Dunseith so Brad never went to school with any of us. The family visited us often however, and Clark's kids -- Brad, Gay and Phil loved the town.

Brad was the top graduate of the first Air Force Academy class (1959). He returned to the academy as it's Superintendent (1990 -94).

Colette

Randy Flynn's (70) reply to Gary Stokes (65)

Gary,

When you wrote about New Year's Eve in the Philippines, I had to
wonder if you are having a pig roast. Excuse the indelicacy of
my words if that is not an appropriate description. I have
only been to one Filipino party but the food was great. I will
always remember the fine hospitality and great singing. My
host was a devote Catholic and entertained us with many
seasonal hymns. The feast was like a church supper in North
Dakota but liquor was served.

Randy

Gary's reply to Randy:

Randy,

Bernadette ordered a Lechon and had it delivered for our New Years Eve Party. Lechon is a whole roasted pig, eye balls and all. The only thing missing are the guts. They run a pole length wise through the pig and then roast it over open coals. The one we ordered for our party was about 70 lbs. These Filipino's go nuts for this stuff. They love the skin. For them that's the best part. It's nice and crisp. When the party was over the Lechon was gone.

A short time after we arrived here, we had a big party for all of Bernadette's relatives and friends, which number many. We went out and bought two 6 month old pigs and brought them home the day before the party. Bernadette hired a butcher to come in and butcher these pigs the next morning. He arrived about 4:00 AM and proceeded to butcher these pigs. By 7:00 AM these pigs were in many pots, over open fires, in the yard, being cooked. We had lots of help. They prepared many different dishes using this pork. By 2:00 PM there was absolutely nothing left anywhere of these two pigs. It was like they evaporated. We have now developed our place, so we don't really have an area to do this any more.

Bernadette is one of the finest cooks ever. She loves to cook and everything she cooks or bakes turns out absolutely wonderful. Most of these folks are good cooks too, but they can not hold a candle to Bernadette's abilities in that department. It sure shows on me too. Here she has help, in the states it was just her.

Gary

Bev Morinville's (72) correction to her relationship to the Gouin's

I made a mistake their grandma was my grandma sister could u correct it for me. Thanks Gary. Not thinking to clear these days just found out I have cancer of the tongue. please keep me in your prayers. Thanks for all u are doing it is so important. Love Bev

Bev, So sorry to hear about your cancer. Please keep us posted. Our prayers are with you. Gary

1/3/2008

Rhonda Hiatt's (75) Reply

Hi Gary,

It has been great reading everyone's different memories. I remember Mom would take us kids into Sister Rose's store also. I can't remember who said it about the moth balls but they were right.

For whatever reason my sister Brenda (73) would tease me and call me Sister Rose. She finally dropped the sister part and has called me Rose ever since. I honestly can't remember the last time she has called me Rhonda, it has been years. Now one of my granddaughter's middle name is Rose (named after my nickname from Brenda).

Happy New Year To All!!

Rhonda Hiatt

AmWest Entertainment

301 S Garfield Ave Suite #7

Sioux Falls, SD 57104

rhonda_hiatt@yahoo.com

605-331-0880 work

605-331-3080 fax

502-664-9168 cell

Shirley LaRocque's (59) Memories: shirleywendt@comcast.net

Hey Gary thanks for all the memories. I have enjoyed everyone of them. I read some of them to my brother Garry LaRocque. I remember working at the Crystal cafe.Yes when the Canadians came to Dunseith to go thru customs. I do remember the bakery and the red owl grocery store. Thanks again Shirley LaRocque Wendt Seattle

Dave Slyter's (70) Memories: fearlessfly49@hotmail.com

Bev: So sorry to hear about your illness. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope you have a full recovery. Keep a positive attitude and keep praying to our God almighty and things will be back to normal, sooner than you think.

Mel: Ha Ha Who could forget Mel Kuhn. ha Thanks for all the memories of the good ole dances. When I lived up there in the hills we use to go to so many dances around the area. I too, love to dance to that ole time fiddle music. I know of Jim and Ruby quite well as Jim's brother LeRoy was married to my dad's sister Delores and lived mostly out in the state of Washington. But I too, remember Jim and Ruby cutting a rug. There were so many good bands up in the hills back in the 70's and 80's The Poitra brothers and there dad were really good. Then of course there was the Tickle Pink, the Metcalfe sisters. They were really good also. Had the pleasure of playing with them one night up at Kelvin Klinic. I wasn't really to good on the drums, but the girls didn't mind. I tried to keep up to them. ha Then Dennis Decoteau played in a band but can't remember what the name of the band was. But he could really sing a song well. I am glad to hear Dick Johnson is in a band. He would be really good with the back ground of music he had. Who else plays in the band?

Nice to hear from a class mate Mel. Stay well.

Dave

Kenny Nerpel's (65) Memories with a picture: uspsrt@dvl.midco.net

Gary,

So sorry to hear of the passing of Vance Bailey. I think he had only just begun to share his memories. It would be great if others of that era could share even more. I spoke to my mother of this and she was familiar with many of the characters that he mentioned in his writings. When she was a teen she worked at a hardware store on Dunseith’s main street that was owned by a man by the name of Iver Lo (sp?). She rented an apartment from a Bailey family, probably Vance’s grandparents. She is now 83 years old, doing well and living in Dunseith. Her sister Alice worked at Hosmer’s store. I’m wondering if Colette’s mom remembers Alice Metcalfe. By the way, Colette, you were probably unaware of the drooling because as shy as most of the guys were back in those days most of the “drooling over the ladies” was done covertly. Ha!

This winter Sherry and I continue to go through the many years worth of belongings that we have accumulated in our basement. The idea being that we would like to have everything in some type of order so that our children will not have such a mess to go through in the event of our demise. I believe that I have stumbled upon a picture of the Commercial Hotel taken in 1957. Our primary residence at that time was the lake home near Kelvin Store, but my father worked in building construction for many years and when that employment stretched into the winter months we were forced to move into the city because the snow made the trail to our home impassable. I believe we spent the winter of 1957 at the Commercial Hotel with the Grimmes and their boarders. I remember Sarge and Charlie fairly well. I remember that Charlie loved bowling. He delivered the ball as slowly as it could possibly be thrown and still make it to the end of the alley. He still got good results. Billy’s mom was an accomplished pianist and singer and I believe Carl played the guitar.

In later years we rented a house owned by K. C. Sine, who has been mentioned in previous E-mails, that was adjacent to the property where Mr. Ben Grossman and his family lived. One night after much carousing, probably with Billy Grimme, I arrived home and attempted to enter the house. It had a porch with three steps but I could only negotiate two of them before falling over backwards onto the ground. As a wise man once said, “damned alcohol”. After many attempts I decided I would just get as comfortable as possible under the clothesline (remember when everyone had those) and spend the remainder of the evening there. Early the next morning I was awakened by one of the loudest voices I have ever heard singing “How Great Thou Art”. It was Mr. Grossman out doing some early morning yard work.

There really wasn’t much to do in Dunseith in those years. You had to improvise. Applying tape to gym door latches during school and returning later with a basketball was one of the things I remember doing to help pass the time. I don’t think I ever got to see the Thunderbirds. I remember that it was a really big deal for the town and I think that sometimes false rumors would get started that they would be buzzing the town and I would be disappointed when they didn’t show up. When they actually did make an appearance I was out of town. Like Warren I had many close encounters with the F-4 when in Vietnam. Since then I have always admired the skills of pilots. They saved many American lives. We had one of the “greatest of all times” that grew up on the streets of Dunseith.

The Jack and Lorraine Metcalfe that are mentioned by Mel Kuhn are brother and sister to my mother Eleanor. I remember many family gatherings when they would bring their instruments and sit around and play and sing for hours. They also were members, along with Ole Bursinger, of a group called the “Stump Jumpers”. Mel, are you related to Marvin Kuhn? I remember working with a fellow by that name in the early 70’s.

Kenny

Picture: Kenny Nerpel in front of the Commercial Hotel - Jan 1957

1/4/2008

Folks,

Thanks to my cousin Neola, Carol (Watkins) (46) & Emery Carbonneau's Daughter-in-Law Sari is now receiving these messages and will pass this stuff on to Carol & Emery. Thank you Shari.

Shari Carbonneau's reply to Neola Kofoid Garbe

Thanks for the messages about Dunseith. Charlie's mom was telling us
about her visit with Vance and how the next day or so he passed away.
She really enjoys the news of Dunseith. I printed off your message and
will mail it to her. She doesn't have or use the computer so if you
wouldn't mind sending me new messages, I would print them and send them
to her. She said it is so interesting what each person remembers.
Thanks, Neola.

shari.carbonneau @k12.sd.us

Shari Carbonneau's 2nd Reply to Neola:

Thanks for adding me to the "List." I know Carol will enjoy many of the messages. She spoke to Vance Bailey on the telephone quite often. I know she was feeling the loss of a good friend. I don't have an alias. I became Shari when my brother, Marvin, married a Sharon. He married before I did, so there were two Sharon Monsons. Enjoy the New Year.

Bob Hosmer's (56) Reply:

Hi Gary and all,

Since seeing my brother Bill's accounts, cousin Collette's accounts and Bonnie Awalt Houle's recollections, I guess I should share some things, too.

I remember the Conroy's, I remember when they moved to town and Mr. Conroy became the superintendent at the school. I enjoyed visiting the Conroy home. It seemed like Don's Mom, Florence was always baking bread or some delicious smelling bake goods on the old wood cooking stove on the north wall of their kitchen. She always had a smile for everyone and, for me, was one of the best teachers I ever had in my grade school years. She took her work as a serious calling.

Chuming around with Don was also a treat. Both of us had BB-guns. Mine was a lever-action Red Rider brand and Don's was, to me at least, a very sleek pup-action model that shot more acurately than mine and wished deeply that I had one like his. Oh well, we had fun setting up cans and bottles and shooting them off a stand.

The Conroy's had a large garden and I would see Don's dad working in it in the evenings. I think a lot of the garden was dedicated to potatoes. I remember helping one late afternoon dabbing some sort of solution on the undersides of the leaves to kill aphids, I think.

There are a lot of other memories of my years in Dunseith, but I'll have to leave that for another time. Really enjoy hearing the stories you all are submitting. Your memores toggle others in my mind, that's for sure.

Bob Hosmer

Allen Richard's (65) reply to Mel Kuhn (70):

Marvin was Mel and Virgil's dad. He, Cliff Nerpel, David Bergen, Jim Birkland, Mark Schimetz, Dad and I shingled our 40X80 Quonset in 1968---We did it from 5:00 am til 11:00. would have been done sooner, but it rained for an hour. That was back in the day when roofers used real hammers. I was back at the farm last summer-same shingles--no leaks!

Virgil worked for us one summer and had a close encounter of the enlightening kind----big thunderstorm went through. Dad and Virgil were welding a cultivator hitch. Close lightning strike. Virgil had his foot on a large piece of metal when it hit.

Was the shock heard across the farm--to his credit, Virgil did not use any profanity! He had a sore leg for several weeks. Did quite a dance as I recall.

Allen

Message from Shirley LaRocque (59):

Message from Ron Longie (65)

Gary,

In reading the batch of Emails forwarded, when I read the one about sister Rose and the moth balls it was dejavu all over again. I was an alter boy when Father Wolff was the priest in Dunseith, on certain Sundays we would serve a mass at the sisters chapel, and sister Rose my O my how iremember her.

The Crystal cafe was another place as a kid, holds many memories for me we would go there after school and load the pop machine then sit down in the basement and we would indulge in a (Soda) or two I was, and still am a big fan of rootbeer.

I also remember going over to Mark Anderson's house, and spend time at there store helping them dust and doing chores so I could get Mom a pair of salt/pepper shakers she liked. Life was so simple then, many times I wished I had never left to be able to stay in Dunseith and finish school but my folks wouldn't let me stay with my uncle Verlin and aut Stella.

I often wonder what it would have been like to graduate with a small class that you started in the first grade with and went all the way through school together. I graduated with 884 in my class basically just a number not much one on one. I would have liked to finish with Pete, Clifford, Raphel, John A ,John B and Warren would have been fun.. I am thinking of going back to Dunseith this summer to stay in touch. I hope everyone has a great New Year, and until we talk again I remain as always----------- Ronnie Longie

Bill Hosmer's (48) Reply to kenny Nerpel (65):

Kenny. I certainly remember Alice Metcalf. She struck me as being a
beautiful woman by any measure. I was working (getting in the way) and
she paid attention to me during the course of the work day. I last saw
her at the Lodge Restaurant at Lake Metigoshe in the eightees. On
another matter, I flew F-105s and F-100s during the Vietnam mess. What
Corps Area were you operating in? The F-105s were used against targets
in North Vietnam, and the Huns were fragged against Laos targets and in
close air support of the guys really fighting the war in South Vietnam.
Never checked out in the F-4, I was a single seat, single engine purist
my whole 24 years in the AF. The picture made me remember that hotel as
far back as when Charlie Watkins managed it, before the Grassmans did.
Yes, time passes on fast. Good to read your input. Cheers, Bill
Hosmer

Deb Morniville's reply:

Dear Gary,

Even more memories!! This is keeping my brain buzzing and at my age I think it's a good thing.

First, Rhonda (Rose) I am the one who mentioned Sister Rose's store and the mothballs. The memory of that smell is so strong! But what fun!

Dave Slyter and Mel Kuhn I sure remember partying with you two rascals! When we were seniors in HS we could always find a party couldn't we? Those days have been long gone for me! I quit smoking and drinking and using drugs about 26 or 27 years ago. I found Jesus! Yep. I'm one of "those" BAC - born again Christians. It;s great! I have been married to the same man, Kenny, for 28 years and have 4 grown children and 3 soon to be 4 grandchildren! And BTW where were you two last July for the big reunion? It was a total blast. It would have been nice to see you guys.

Ken Nerpal Remember me? We partied too! And drank a LOT of beer. I remember Iver Lo too. They lived across the street from us and had a daughter named Sonya. We were friends but never stayed in touch. And you poor deprived "country boys" You may not have gotten to see much (Colette) but I went out with few of you boys and you had no trouble finding the "udders"!!!!

Does anyone remember the Cubans that came to Dunseith during the 60's We had a girl in our class named Angelina Parlady. Her Dad was a doctor up and the San, I think. Would be nice to find them, too

Deb Morinville Marmon '70

Message from Mel Kuhn (70):

Gary,

We have another Dunseith hillbilly living over here in St. John by the name of Johnny Hanson, if you remember him. He and a few other friends are helping keep the old days alive with their horse drawn wagons and sleighs. They go out and have many a wild time with trail rides through the hills and as far away as Rolette. In my spare time I still like to do some welding and building and have welded things back together for them after a maybe too wild of a time. I've also built them from scracth a wagon and forecart[spelling ?]. Yes Kenny, Marvin Kuhn was my dad. He passed away about 4 years ago now. Gordie Nerpel was in my graduating class. Dave, those Tickle Pink girls were great weren't they. One of their members Shelly Fulsebakke, married to Mike Albertson lives over here. Their daughter Heather has just an amazing voice.

Mel Kuhn[70]

PS. We have onother old codger from the Dunseith area living here also, by the name of Ike Hiatt, if you remember him. (Evon Lagerquist, Ike would be your first degee uncle being a brother to your mother, Leola Hiatt Lagerquist) I saw Ike, in July 2004, at my mothers funeral.

Message from Dave Slyter (70)

Hi folks:

Rhonda didn't mention all the other names we use to call her at home. lol ha ha Just kidding sis.

Love you:

Dave : )

1/5/2008

A few days ago someone was asking about some of the Cuban folks. They were asking about someone in the class of 70 or 72 if I remember correctly. I forgot to reply to that message at the time and now I cannot quickly find it. Anyway, we have found some the former Dunseith Students that were from Cuba. They are on our list and are include with all these messages. I've listed their names below.

Manuel (Manny) Cuadrado (63): Manny lives in Omaha, NE.

Santiago (Sandy) Lopez (64): Sandy lives in Rockford, IL.

Maria Parlade (62): Maria lives in Coral Gables, FL.

Carlos Lopez (62):

I also had a requests from Gary Metcalfe (56) and Murl Watkins Hill (50) requesting to be added to these distributions. I have added their names to our master distribution list so they are now receiving these messages. I am working with the classes of 70 & 71, putting their class list together, so those folks are being added as I'm contacting them too. I'm pretty much finished with the class of 70. I'll be sending their class list out shortly. I periodically send out updates to the master alumni email list as time goes on.

Gary

Message from Susan Fassett (65):

I am sitting in a motel in Mesa, AZ as my daughter, Johnida, is getting married at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon in the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. I have been reading all the memories and enjoying so many of them. I remember most all of the people that have sent memories. Carol and Emery Carbonneau are part of my extended family, Carol being a cousin to my mother. Sharon Monson Carbonneau's husband Charles or Charlie as we always called him, and I spent much time together as kids. Charles Watkins that Bill Hosmer mentioned was always known to me as Uncle Chick. He and his wife lived just south of the Methodist Church in Dunseith and I used to love to go there to visit on my way home from school, because they had so many neat knick-knacks. My mother's step father was Glen Watkins, brother to Chick .Carol Carbonneau, Murl Hill , Jeannine Robert, and Elaine Watkins dad was Roy Watkins, also a brother. When I get home, I will find some info on Deer Heart Lodge that someone was asking about. I have much info on Dunseith and the people who lived there. It was an interesting place to be from, even though many of us didn't realize it when we were growing up there. I also remember Lucy Hill that Tim Martinson talked about. We lived for a time in Helen Watkins home just north of the Martinson's and we used to take meals over to Grandma Hill. She was at an advanced age and not very mobile at that time. She is remember by me as a sweet little lady. Who out there was related to her? I'm looking forward to more memories. Hugs and Prayers----Susan

Clorice Hackman's (67) reply via her brother Larry (66):

Hi Larry

I will try it this way.

By the way I was reading the last Gary Stokes email and Deb Morinville was talking about Iver Lo as being across the street from them. That house was the Spaeth house next to the Stone Church. Lo's lived across the the street from us in the white house before the Grossman's moved into it. They had 2 daughters at the time -- Sonya and Lana who probably was about 2-3 when they moved. I remember Betty playing with Sonya. The next house to the north of Iver Lo's was where Arnold Lilleby lived (owned the Althea Theatre for years before Leonard Cote). Iver Lo operated the Hardware in the building north across the street from Hosmer's Store. I remember them selling soft serve ice cream out of a window of the hardware next to the Beauty Shop. Mrs, Rodney Lagerquest (Marlene Kraft) made and sold the ice cream. ohhhhhhhh-so-good.

Love Clarice

Rhonda Hiatt's (75) reply:

Thanks to Deb Morinville for reminding me who it was that talked about the moth balls. There have been so many e-mails to read I didn't want to go back and try to find it.

To Tim Martinson: Where is Tara at now? Tara, Brenda Birkland and I used to hang out together, and I remember going to the bakery all the time.

Rhonda Hiatt (75)

Bev morinville's (72) reply to Rhonda Hiatt (75):

Rhonda(rose)

Well I remember calling u boney fingers HA wow those were the days . U were a party girl ever hear from your old side kick GI GI . Remember parting with the Dobby Brothers at the Hotel in Minot after there concert? Yeah we all know why they called themselves the Dobby Brothers lol . OH who could forget Father Wolf he scared us to death (why I am not sure) my mother thought the world of him. Maybe it was just respect. Ronnie Longie I remember u cause my sister Toni was sweet on u I think . I do remember Patty how is she doing? This is so much fun to remember all the old times. thanks for making my day once again. I look forward to reading all the e mails . And once again Gary thanks for all your work. love Bev (Morinville) Azure melvin clarence talks about u guys every once in awhile .

Dave Slyter's (70) reply to Deb Morinville (70):

Hi Deb,
Sure am glad to hear from you again. I was wondering what happen to you. Yes I too, remember the good ole days of partying. Remember the graduation party up at the butte and the lightning hit? First I couldn't see then I thought the a-bomb had landed. I wasn't drunk but I don't think a lot of people were after that experience. It sure was close. ha

Can you e-mail me. I have a few trivia questions for you

Thanks Deb

Dave Slyter

1/6/2008

Folks, It was brought to my attention that the first publications of the 1982 Dunseith centennial books did not have indexes. For those of you that have those books and need an index, please let know and I can forward one to you. Gary

Message from Gary Metcalfe (56):

Thank you for getting me included on your list Gary. It will be interesting to read these stories, thank you also for being the one that does the work of getting them out for us to enjoy.

My wife and I both remember your parents and went to church with them at the Christian Center. Bob was always ready with a smile. Elaine worked with the residents from San Haven with us too, as did Bob. We had a program that they would bring a few ambulatory residents once a week for the day. Good memories.

We have had several visits with Harvey Hiatt in Arizona and got caught up on some information on all the people in the Ackworth community. Will send you some stories about some the older amazing people in Dunseith later.

Oh this story comes to mind so will continue it tonight.

High school days, to make spending money, I set pins in the bowling alley. It was about 100 degrees in the pin setting area and nearly freezing in the Lake Sisters upstair apartment. This was in January. Get into bed and have so many blankets that I could not even turn over. My 10 cents a line for setting pins did not go far especially with Mrs. Hoopman and Bertha Myer teaching me how to play Smear, but at a high cost. Everyone knew that Bertha was not only sharp, she was very lucky. It seems that Bertha had, "high, low, jic, jack and game" quite often. Fun memories.

Message from anonymous:

I don't want my name mentioned but the ice cream server Clarice is remembering is Mrs. Rodney Armentrout, not Lagerquist - "I remember them selling soft serve ice cream out of a window of the hardware next to the Beauty Shop. Mrs., Rodney Lagerquest (Marlene Kraft) made and sold the ice cream.

Error message from Larry Hackman (66): lmhackman@bis.midco.net

Gary

We made a error on that last message. The girl that use to serve the soft seve ice cream out of the window is now Mrs. Rodney Armentrout, Marlene Kraft. Sorry about that Marlene. Dementia must be starting to settle in somewhere.

larry

Message from Rhonda Hiatt (75):

Gary,

With all the responses to your e-mails, do you get a chance to sleep? Did you ever think it would snowball like this? It's been fun reading though.

Bev,

I forgot about bony fingers. ha Today that is the look. I was trying to start the trend, it's just taken this long for everyone else to catch up. ha ha

On the Doobie Brothers, I thought we were in Bismarck. lmao I think we need to get GiGi's input on this. (Question, who is GiGi? Gary)

Rhonda (75)

Message/Picture from Neola Kofoid Garbe (Gary Stokes' cousin):

Note: Bert Hanson was a brother to Frances Morinville. Bert was married to my Dad's sister Olga. Their children, Audrey and Jean, are cousins to both me and Toni, Deb, Bev & Duane Morinville. Mel, you will have to show this one to Ruby. It's been more than 50 years since I've seen Jim & Ruby Birkland. When they were newly married they lived on the Johnny Hiatt farm, now the Fauske farm. We were their closest neighbors. I remember them well. Gary

Hi Gary,

Ruby was mentioned in an email not long ago. Here's a picture of her when she was young.

I hadn't seen Ruby since they moved from the house by Bert Hanson's (Bennett street in Bottineau) until Wade/Lynette Hamel DuBois' wedding. She was one of the ladies serving the reception. Wade's mother, Eleanore, and Jimmy Birkland, Ruby's husband, were siblings, or am I wrong about that? I didn't recognize Ruby when I saw her. I happened to hear someone mention her name, so I checked to see which one of the ladies was Ruby. I think she said she had recognized me.

Neola

Ruby Birkland

1/7/2008

Reply from Bonnie Awalt (56):

Good Morning Gary,

In regard to the mention of the Lake Sisters of Dunseith. They were Esther and Dolly Lake, fabulous cooks, they babysat for us when our Mother had surgery. Esther could be kind of gruff but had a heart of gold. The Lake Sisters made a point of coming over to Grandma Anderson's every Wednesday afternoon for coffee along with Mrs. Grimmie and Irene Stickland. Grandma so looked forward to Wednesdays. Grandma Anderson still had the wood stove for cooking and was getting along in age and had trouble cooking on the wood stove so My Mother (Gertrude Awalt) would bake every Wednesday Morning so Grandma would have fresh treats when the Ladies came for coffee.

My Dad (John Awalt) decided that Grandma Anderson needed running water, and a gas stove for cooking in her home. He went over to start the job and Grandma stopped him at the door. There was no way she was going to allow him to have water running through her wall and gas into her house. She claimed she would never get a good nights sleep again if he put that stuff in her home. No matter how much my parents talked Grandma would not give in, so until the day she passed on she had the wood stove and no running water in the house.

Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)

Message from Peggy Wurgler Axtman (71): Peggy is Joan & Dave's younger sister. Peggy lives in Kent Washington.

What a nice surprise to talk with you by phone. Thanks for including me on the list and thanks for doing all the work! I will look through my things I've saved from my Dunseith years and see if there is anything 'worthy' of sharing with others. Have a good 2008!

Warm Regards from the Pacific NW,

Peggy

Reply from LeaRae Parrill Espe (67):

All my friends think around Bottineau think I know all the family connections around here, but I am becoming so much more enlighted by these emails. My brother Clark's widow is Nora Birkland Parrill. Nora is the daughter of Ena Hiatt and Norman Birkland. Jimmy Birkland and Eleanor Birkland Dubois are siblings of Norman. Recently LeRoy Birkland has moved back to Bottineau and has a lovely home across from the Catholic Church. Until the recent death of Mrs. Berg, I didn't realize the connection of Lynette Hamel Dubois and Neola and Jim Kofoid. (Cousin's to Lynette's mother, right?) I had Lynette in school and enjoyed her working as a student librarian for me. She married my sister -in- law Nora Birkland Parrill's cousin, Wade Birkland. So these family tree branches go around and around. Thankfully, no one prunes family trees!

Nora's mother is the second youngest Hiatt in the family of Nettie Peterson (Jack) and Leola Lagerquist-I think that is the George and Eva Hiatt branch. There about 10 children in that family, but most of them moved from the Dunseith area.

LeaRae Espe

LeaRae, I'd like to add that Dennis Dubois (63) is Wade's uncle. I think most of us from the classes of the early to mid 60's remember Dennis and he being the great basket ball player that he was. I talked to Dennis several weeks ago. He lives in Minneapolis. He does not have email, but he sure loves to hear about all this Dunseith stuff. I suggested he should get email and he did not disagree. His phone number is 763-755-4144. He's still the same friendly Dennis with lots of conversation. I know Dennis would dearly love to hear from any of you. Gary Stokes (65)

Memories from Gary Metcalfe (56):

My first recollection of Dunseith was in 1946 when my family returned to ND from Seattle, after the war. We came in on old hwy. 5 north of town, very hot day, flies buzzing in the barber shop, screen doors squeeking. My dad, Jim Metcalfe talking to the barber about old times, Ed Leonard sitting on the end stool in the restraunt he and Edna had. I think it was called the Peace Garden Cafe. Up the street in front of the Red Owl store, Indian squaws sitting on the sidewalk, and the only name I remember is Long Shanks Talking about the old Indians, Joe Morinville had the corner on humor with the Indian ladies. I do not know what he told them in their language, but they would laugh until tears came down their their face.. They absolutely loved Joe. Across the street old Casey Sime had everybody laughing on that side.

By the way, an add on to the ice cream story,,when soft ice cream first came out, I heard one Indian lady say to another, "just because we are Indians, they give it to us cold".

Reply from Sandy Lopez (64): Sandy is one of the folks that came from Cuba.

Gary:

I found the e-mail that you referenced and pasted a portion of it below:

….Does anyone remember the Cubans that came to Dunseith during the 60's We had a girl in our class named Angelina Parlady. Her Dad was a doctor up and the San, I think. Would be nice to find them, too

Deb Morinville Marmon '70

Unfortunately, I don’t have any information about Angelina and I don’t really remember her.

Although I don’t have much recollection of most of these commentaries on the e-mails, I have continued to read them for any thread of connection with my Dunseith experiences. You are continuing to do a great job with this very time demanding mission. Thank you and I hope that all of you have a great 2008.

Sandy

Email address change for Brenda Hoffman (68): Please update your files with Brenda's new email address.

Should be the final change today! Am moving from MSN account to Gmail. Same long address but end piece is now gmail.com:

NEW EMAIL

Bill Grimme (65), This is a wonderful link. I've added it to my favorites. I'm currently playing songs from 1965 and when Bernadette heard them, she said, "Where did you get those nice songs". Of coarse she wanted this link on her computer too. Gary Stokes (65)

Gary,

This is a really neat website. Check it out. May be a candidate for a class share sometime in the future.

Bill

This is a Jukebox; but it is no ordinary jukebox. It will play all of your favorite songs from 1951 through 1982. Each year has a scroll or drop down box that shows all the great songs for that year. Most years have over 40 songs. There is even a section at the bottom that allows you to listen to show tunes, TV show themes, Doo Wop and several others. This is pretty neat....and it is free. Read the rest of this and then click on the site at the bottom.

Once you click on a song it will play and when it finishes it automatically plays the next song in the list and continues until it has played all the songs. ; This is really cool!!!

It has a volume control which you should use in conjunction with your computers volume control.

One of the best features is that it will play in the background. That means you can be doing other computer work on a different screen.

http://www.tropicalglen.com/

1/8/2008

Story from Larry Hackman (66):

Snake Pit Bowling

The Snake Pit Bar and Bowling Alley, located near the South end of main street across the street from Joe's Grocery, and between Kofoid's Garage and the [5-10 Red and White Store 5-10] operated by K. C. Sine and his wife also contained a four lane bowling alley and a lunch counter. The Snake Pit was owned and operated by Harold Woodford and Oscar Stadium. It was a rough place as the nickname indicates. Actually, I don't remember any other name for the place. I observed many a fight that had started in the bar and then would spill out on Main Street. I observed the part that was on the street. I learned from observing a lot of these fights, to never fall to the ground. The people that would get knocked down usually got kicked in the head. It made a horrible sound, something like a clunk. The sound of a ax splitting a block of wood. I can still hear it today. Remember all the kids that grew up sitting in the vehicles on main, waiting for their folks to come out of the bars? In the evening there always seemed to be vehicles parked in front bars with kids hanging out the windows and some running up and down the street, some in their diapers, some without, some in need of a diaper change. Thank heaven you don't see much of that any more. We seem to be advancing as a civilization.

The Bowling Alley was attached to the West end of the Snake Pit. There were two entrances to the bowling alley, one through the Snake Pit, another through the lunch counter, just north of the Snake Pit entrance. Mrs. Earl Myer (Bertha)a very nice lady, ran the lunch counter. She made the best hamburgers in the world using Snow White Bakery buns. Just 25 cents each. They were delicious. I don't know what she did, that was any different then anybody else that makes up a good hamburger,

but as I said, they were delicious. Maybe it was the way she toasted her buns?

My brothers Tony (class of 64) and Henry (class of 65)worked in the bowling area of the building as pin setters. They got paid 10 cents a game and each took care of two lanes. I think they inherited this job from the Johnson Boys, Auggie and ? Tony and Henry's job was to pick up the knocked down pins and place them in the setter and put the ball on the return, then jump into the next alley pit and do the same thing. When the bowler completed their frame you would pull the setter down replacing the ten pins on the alley and return their ball. Never return the ball before picking up the pins as you might end up eating it, if you have a bowler in a hurry or not paying attention to the pin setter. I was a tag-along or a wanna-be at that time. It was a very dangerous place to work and the people that ran the place would chase me out from behind the pin pits.. You never knew where a pin was going to fly. To get hit in the head or some other part of your body was not uncommon. In the head, hurt like hell. However, since my brothers worked there, I usually hung around there too. When one would decide to take a break, then they would let me take over until they came back. They liked to set pins for the league bowlers as they would get into a rhythm, it was safer, and everything including the time would pass fast. It was usually on Friday and Saturday nights, (open bowling) is when it got really dangerous. Some of the young fellows would get a few drinks in them and they would try to throw the ball down the alley so hard that it never touched the lane floor. They were either trying to kill the pin setter or the pins.

In the next lane you might have someone like Charlie Anderson who was a finesse bowler. He would bowl from the left side of the approach. The ball rolled and rolled curving way to the right side of the alley, kissing the edge of the right gutter and then start curving back to the left right into the pocket. Usually he got a strike. His ball came down the alley so slow you wanted to jump out from behind the pin setter and help it. Back to the rhythm thing, if you have balls coming down both alleys at the same time, The pin boy really did not have any place to go. There was this big beam that held up these huge pads behind the pin pits that stopped the balls from going through the wall. The pin setter would have to jump up onto this beam to escape getting killed. You did not want to miss getting up there. This is about time in my life that I missed a growth spurt and everybody else got one, and I got stuck with the nick name, Half Pint. Its probably a good thing they built and opened the Garden Lanes before I became big enough to become a pin setter. I think Tony Samsky was the first manager of the new Bowling Alley? The new bowling alley made pin setting boys obsolete as they closed down the bowling alley at the Snake Pit and the new bowling alley had mechanical pin setting.

larry

Bobbie Slyter's (70) Reply to LeaRae Parrill Espe (67):

Regarding LeaRea's message I did not know that Leroy Birkland had moved back to Bottineau he was married to my aunt Delores Hiatt (Freddie Hiatt's sister) when they lived in Washington state before she passed away, sure is a small world, maybe she can answer a question for me how is Leroy related to Jim Birkland, saw Jim and his wife at the family reunion this past July up at Richard's place

I too have tried the jukebox music. Its fantastic. I have it on when I am working in the office. Brings back a lot of memories of the high school days.

Trish Larson's (73) Reply to Gary Stokes' (65) Question: Trish, This being part of a conversation we had back and forth, I hope you don't mind me sharing this with the rest. Folks, Trish sent me some beautiful pictures to forward onto another Alumni member. That's how I was able to see the pictures that I make reference to. Trish, we'd love to see the photo too. Gary

Gary,

Thanks for the compliment. I won Ms. Congeniality that year, which I thought was the best prize of all. The winner of the pageant won everything else - talent, swimsuit, and the title. We all hated her (lol). I entered the pageant for the $50.00 and enjoyed performing with the mix of gals from Dunseith and Bottineau. It was a good experience. Somewhere I still have a photo...

I believe Cheri Metcalfe was another participant....

Trish

Gary's Question to Trish:

Trish,

How did you do in the 1974 Bottineau Pageant? Seeing that picture of you on the horse and those other pictures recently, I'm assuming that you probably did quite well.

Gary

Message from Gary Stokes:

Folks, PLease forward these messages on to Dunseith Alumni folks that you think may not be on this distribution and encourage them to get in touch with me so I can get them into the system. I get folks into the system with the contacts that I make putting class lists together and with referrals from you guys. I will be sending the class list our for the class of 70 shortly. I'm nearly finished with the class of 71 and I'm working with the class of 58. Next I'll be working on the classes of 57 & 72. I've completed class lists for the classes of 59 thru 70. This has proven to be a really fun hobby. Gary

1/9/2008

Cheri Metcalfe Evans (74) reply to Trish Larson Clayburgh (73):

Gary, This a wonderful thing you have going here. I hope you continue with it. I was born in Bottineau (Sam Tooke and I on the same day, in the same hospital, so he is one of my oldest friends!!) We moved to Washington when I was two years old. My father is Jim Metcalfe (junior). My grandparents were Jim and Ella Metcalfe. We came back to Dunseith in 1972, just after the Dragons took second at the state tournament.
Anyway my response to Trish-yes, I was in that pageant. Don't you remember? There were ten contestants and I came in at eleventh?? lol. Cindy Metcalfe was also in that pageant.

To Neola-thank-you for sharing the picture of Ernest Tennancour. I printed it off and gave it to my husband, Jim Evans. Ernest was his grandfather and he really enjoyed seeing the picture.

To Tim Martinson-It was great to hear of your memories of time spent at the farm. Jim and I still live there and raised our kids there. David (our son) and his friends spent a lot of time building forts in those same cottonwoods, and building "rafts" to float down the creek. Jim's mother, Alice is in the nursing home and unfortunately her memory is not good, But I asked her if she remembered you and she said "yes, but he hasn't been by to see me lately". When I mentioned the cinnamon rolls she smiled as if it were something she could remember.

So, thank-you for the memories and bringing Dunseith folk back together

Happy New Year, Cheri (Metcalfe) Evans '74

Cheri's follow up message:

I just realized that I mentioned that the Dragons took second in the state B-ball tournament in 1972. I believe they took fifth. They were always first in our die hard dragon fan hearts!!
Cheri Evans-74

Gary Stokes' comments to Cheri:

Cheri, you mentioned Cindy Metcalfe Miller (74) as being in that pageant also. I have not yet gotten Cindy on our distribution list. Craig and Cindy were neighbors to my folks years, in Bottineau, before moving to Lake Metigoshe. Great folks. We do have her sister Vickie Metcalfe (70) on our distribution. My dad, being an animal lover, loved Vickie's two little dogs and also Cindy's bigger dog.

Allen Richard's (65) Reply to Trish Larson (73)

I think that was about the time Jo Ann Hill was in the Miss Bottineau/Miss Peace Garden Pagent. She did a comedy routine for Dorothy Parker called "The Dance." She didn't win--She could probably blame that on her coach--------------

Allen Richard

Phyllis McKay's (65) reply to a message that Gary Stokes (65) sent her:

Hi Gary, I put out my back and have not been able to sit at my computer for any length of time. I helped my son move from his third story apartment, decorated the outside of my house with lights, cleaned and decorated the interior of my house for the holidays. The chiropractors said I had done to much!! I had a party scheduled for the evening that my back went out. My sister, Minnie Mary came over to be the host while I sat and gave directions. My next party was the following Saturday. Several of my friends came early and got everything ready for that party. Thank goodness for family and friends in your times of need! In the mean time I could not teach school and spent my time going to the chiropractor, heating and icing my back. I did return to work just before the Christmas break. I am well on the mend now, doing exercises daily to strengthen my lower back muscles to help to relieve the stress on the vertebrae that have lost the cushion between them.

I have enjoyed the stories about Dunseith from some of the older alumni. I do not know some of them personally but have heard about them through my older sisters and brothers. Many of them were gone off to college or ?? when I was growing up. I was always one of those McKay kids to them.

Gary, your account of the Philippine New Year sounded absolutely intriguing! How fortunate you have been to have the opportunity to experience such a cultural celebration. Your story about the demise of the pig reminded me of the same activity being performed at my house when I was growing up. It was a big occasion and relatives came to help with the dirty deed. The day before the pigs were going to hog heaven, I would feel so sorry for them that I would go out to the pig pen and sing to them through the fence. Of course I did not go into the pen because I had been cautioned that the pigs might eat me if I were to fall down in the pig pen!! We did not have many pigs so they were almost pets. When the old sow would have a batch of piglets, we would hold them, bottle feed them and generally love those little pink sweet smelling babies. As they grew into wiener pigs, we would scratch their sides so often that when they saw us, they would flop down on their sides waiting for us to scratch them with a stick. We have a picture of my sister riding one of her pet pigs! Living on the farm, taught you that animals that might have been pets to you, were food to mom and dad.

Thank you for your concern for me! I don’t know how you are able to keep track of everyone now that you have added so many more people to your e-mail list.

Phyllis

Gary's Reply to Phyllis:

Phyllis, Having not heard from you in a while I thought something must be up. Glad to hear that you are on the mend. To keep track of everyone, I try to keep everyone organized by classes in my records. Even doing that, I still make a few stupid mistakes, like when I called Colette Pigeon Schimetz not realizing it was her. I knew Reid, her husband, had passed on several years ago. She had told me that when we talked a few weeks ago. I wasn't thinking when I was putting Reid's class list (71) together. I did a find and found a number for him and when Colette answered the phone I asked for Reid. Her response was, "Gary, this is Colette" I knew right away I had pulled a boner and I knew what it was. It turned out to be a good boner though. We had a wonderful chat.

Dale Pritchard's (63) reply & memories: dale.pritchard@us.army.mil

Gary,

I remember a lot of people mentioned in the emails going back and forth.
Makes one wonder where they all got off too.

I tried pin setting "one" time at the old Snake Pit. Fortunately, I
came to my senses before a pin knocked some into me. It was dangerous!

I worked on the Grand Forks missile sites in 64 & 65 and spent much time
with Jimmy Birkland and Junior Walter. I saw Junior about 4 years ago
at a church supper in Dunseith but haven't seen Jimmy since 65. There
again, people go their own ways and lose contact with friends. Boeing
paid my way out to Seattle in April, 66 where Leroy Birkland helped me
find a place to live. I haven't seen him since but will always
appreciate his help.

Uncle Sam caught up to me in 66 also. Since I had to go in the Service
I joined the Air Force instead - one day before I was supposed to report
for the Army. So, I spent my "former life" in the Air Force and reading
Bill Hosmer's emails about the Thunderbirds brought back some memories.
In 73, I spent 9 weeks on the Thunderbird C-130 (AF cargo plane) support
crew from Forbes AFB at Topeka, KS. We hit about 28 states in that time
and I never got enough of the shows. We were on a 30-minute standby at
each show in case we had go get some parts. The professionalism,
dedication and showmanship of that small group of people was awesome.
In Dec 79, I was at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas doing something for the AF
when 6 of the Thunderbirds "went in" at the same time. The base shut
down for about 2 hours of silence. It was a sad day but there's no way
to relate to what the families had to go through.

I parted ways with the Air Force in Nov 86 after 20 years and 3 months.
From a former "udder" handler also, and your closest neighbor to the
South, keep up the good work you're doing, Gary.
I think it snowballed more than you ever thought it would.

Dale Pritchard (63)

Dale, Yes, you were our closest neighbor to the south and at one time Jim & Ruby Birkland were our closest neighbors to the north. Evon Lagerquist is now living on your home place. Gary

Bob Hosmer's (56) reply to Larry Hackman (66):

Snake Pit Bowling Alley and the lunch counter were all part of my memory too. I remember being a pin setter for a while. I'm not sure when, but I think I was at least 12 or 13. The ten cents a game was still in vogue. Larry's description is so accurate I saw it all afresh in my mind. There was also a pinball machine in the back corner of the lunch counter area. We discovered several ways of activating the game without using any coins. One was hitting the underside of the machine under one of the bumper lights, another was using washers the size of coins required or the wide part of those little wood spoons used with dixi icecream cups. I think in the end they removed the pinball machine out completely.

Thanks, Larry, for jogging our memories.

Bob Hosmer

Audrey Hanson Aitchson's reply - Ruby Kuhn Birkland:

Audrey and her sister Jean Pladson are 1st cousins to Gary Stokes and the Morinville kids. Audrey/Jean and Ruby were next door neighbors in their childhood days.

Yes, lots of memories. Jean and I got a baby raccoon and also Ruby got one. We named ours Ruby after Ruby Kuhn and she named hers Marvin after her brother, Marvin Kuhn. We had fun with ours. She had a litter box in the house and used it like a cat. When we came home she was so happy, she danced around our legs. She lived in the house with us. Finally she got out on the road and got run over.

1/10/2008

Message from Deb Morinville (70). Bev Morinville (72) has Cancer:

Bev, Our thoughts and Prayers are with you. This is a tough one, but you will make it.

Hi Gary,

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

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

Bev Azure

POB 447

Dunseith ND 58329

Her email is

Heads up to those of you who smoke. Her doctor said this is totally caused from smoking! Glad I quit 23 years ago!

Deb Morinville Marmon 70

Tim Martinson's (69) Reply to Cheryl Kester Gaugler's (69) message to him pasted below:

Hi Gary,

Red Rover, Red Rover, send Cheryl on over, Red Rover, Red Rover, send Pennie on over, now there was Marlys Zorn left and she was tough as any boy. Now to the boys demise these girls were bigger than the boys. Marlys could always find the weakest link as well as the Kester twins capturing an opponent who more than likely wanted to be on their team anyway. Funny how I remember the girls being bigger than the boys in the early grades then we caught up in stature and by graduation the boys were larger. Now comes the time an announcement over the intercom for a classmate I knew was outside. I ran out, passed on the information, spent a little to much time outside, talking and goofing off and got caught by Mr. Rude watching out the Principal's office window, which looked right out on the playground. Mr. Martinson come with me to the office, he sat me down took out a tablet and pencil and wrote on the top of the page, I will not go outside in winter without my hat, coat, mittens, and overshoes on. Mr. Rude told me to write that 100 times and give it to him when I had finished. It was below zero that day and as we all know, now that we are older and wiser that frostbite can happen quickly on uncovered parts of the body. Every time I passed by the office after that I remembered the time spent there writing and the sight of Mr. Rude anywhere slowed me down. Thanks Mr. Rude for a lesson in life that paid off for me later. Recess in school was always an ants in your pants, can not sit still, watch the clock, stay out of trouble or you will lose your recess privilege. The bell rings and it is a race to the swings. I've got a swing, someone give me a push and I am off. Pumping my legs higher and higher I go until I can feel that loose chain feeling that means you have topped off and are going above the crossbar. Now it is time to slow down and see how far you can fly from the swing when you bail off the seat in mid air. Mark the spot and wait to see if anyone dares to try and beat my mark. Sliding down the slide was a lot of fun as long as the line was not to long but still remember the long climb up the metal steps to the top and those first few times were scary standing at the top looking down. This was just the beginning for the tree climbing along willow creek and hanging out with the older boys who were smoking cigarettes," they borrowed from their parents". Since I do not have any photos of the old playground equipment I thought it would be fun to get any comments on the pictures below of what I thought

was in the school yard. Open up those memories.

Take Care,

Tim

Cheryl Kester Gaugler's (69) Message to Tim Martinson (69):

Hi Tim,

I've really enjoyed all the e-mails - brings back a lot of memories. Also makes me wonder what the heck I was doing when all those things were going on! Has anyone brought up 'Beer Can Alley'?

I saw your question about Deer Heart Lodge - it was up in the hills not far from Mary & Chester Hill. Marvel may have some info on it, her brother Kenny used to live there after it ceased to be an attraction for the public. She could probably answer any questions.

My Mom still talks about her visit to Alaska and how glad she was to be able to talk with you. She enjoyed reminiscing about your Dad and others. Mom just turned 90 and is doing very well. She's now living in the Haaland Home in Rugby, so if you ever pass by that way stop in and say hi.

My oldest son spent 2 1/2 years near Eagle, Alaska. He just left a couple months ago. I was hoping he'd stay longer so we could make another trip up there but it wasn't to be. Now that Mom sold her house and land in Dunseith I probably won't go back there much. Will be spending time in North Dakota on the farms with Pennie and Joanne.

Keep the memories going in your dialogues with Gary Stokes et al. I'm mostly a voyeur, so won't be writing much!

Hope 2008 is a good year for you and your family. Take care.

Cheryl Gaugler

Colette Hosmer's (64) reply to Larry Hackman (66):

Larry,

You are very talented at conjuring up visual images with your words. Your old bowling alley account sharpened my memory of the place like nothing else could. I was the "half-pint" running around up front (most likely when my league-bowling parents couldn't find a babysitter). I didn't get a decent growth spurt until junior high -- I ended up being the tallest of everyone in my eighth grade class (which earned me the nick-name of Bob-Skyscraper) until some of the boys took over. Dale Hoffman, for one, ended up well over 6 feet.

Your description of the cars parked on main street reminded me of Saturday night uptown in the summertime. I'm sure everyone (of a certain age) remembers when all the stores stayed open late, and the farmers would come to town to buy their groceries, etc. for the week. Both sides of the street would be lined with cars (some people would park early to get a good location). Adults would visit from their cars and watch people walk by. My girlfriends and I would "dress up" and walk up and down main street and around selected blocks, on the look-out for boys with cars to ride around with. If we had our sights set on a certain group -- and they drove past on one side of the block -- we would run like hell through the alley to turn up nonchalantly on the other side where we knew they would turn.

I wish I had a nickel for every time we made that loop......through main street, turn at Dale's, back through main street, turn at the San, back down the hill, etc., etc. Gas was cheap then.

Colette

Memories from Gary Metcalfe (57):

Responding to Bill Hosmer, I sure agree with considering it a privilege to be raised in Dunseith at the right time. I knew many "colorful" old timers such as John Bedard, a stately old fellow by the time I knew him. John worked for my dad, Jim Metcalfe, in Seattle during the war. He was a cook and man of many talents. They took him on Chris Berg's yacht to do all the cooking for a weekend of fishing. He was a good man to have in that department.
In 1960's I bought John's farm, a piece at a time, north of Dunseith, two miles west of the Indian Day School. I stayed with John through a winter. He made some head cheese, since John made it, I tried it. It was o.k. John was 86 years old at that time. One cold winter night, John went to town, came home about 11 pm and I said, "Where you been John?" and he replied, "Well, we had a meeting at the Red Owl store. (his sons Lucien and Albert had died within a short time of each other) I cleaned up the cooler, put new papers all around and stopped at the Tap for a drink." "There is a guy giving that Lowell (Leonard, bartender) a hard time. I said, "Well, what did you do John?" and he said, "I put him in a vice." (grabbed him by the neck) all of this in his French brogue. One day we woke up to about 4 feet of fresh snow, Sherm Burcham's barn had collapsed and pinned the cows in their stantions, so I took my snowmobile, "see you later, John" and headed NW about 4 miles, snow was so deep the snowmobile would hardly get through it. That night I came back home to John's pretty late, after taking asprin to the neighbors, Gagnon's, brought Alvin Hogenson back home to town from the farm, I said to John, "I have a couple calves that need watering in the barn." He said, "I took care of that". A year later I found two pieces of plywood with string, Old John had made snowshoes, carried water all the way to the barn, shoveled out the barn door and watered those calves. Remember he was 86 years old!

One day I said to John, "What happened to your screen door?" He looked at his old white Arydale and said, "You money maker you." The dog had jumped through it when the dynamite charge went off in the well.

Audrey Aitchison's Correction: (Gary Stokes' and the Morniville kids Cousin)

I want to make a correction about the raccoons. Ruby didn't get one. Jean and I each got one. She got a male and named hers Marvin and I got a female and named mine Ruby after Ruby and Marvin Kuhn-- brother and sister.

1/11/2008

Bev Morinville's (72) reply - Cancer:

Deb,,,,,it's a tough 0ne but with the LORD I plan on winning.tough part will be not talking cause u know how I LOVE TO talk. pray for me please, BEV

Allen Richard's (65) Reply to Cheryl Kester (70)

First of all your Dad was a beloved friend of my family, working as a youth for my Grandpa Pigeon, later as our fuel provider and as he guy who did perfectly adjusted reloads for my deer hunting ammo.

But to Beer Can Alley -- frankly I'm not sure where that was exactly -- I had lots of beer cans and deposited them in lots of alleys ---- but we owned a quarter section -- formerly farmed by Sal Schneider, Karen's Dad. This place was 3 miles west of Dunseith, and about a mile south --- South of the Ernest LaCroix place. I think if not beer can alley, it would be beer can 2.

Dad was tired of all the trash, and he approached somebody -- I don't remember who, but the person was widely suspected of partying there. Dad said he didn't really care if they were there, but he wished they would at least put all the trash in one pile. Within a couple of weeks the whole place had been cleaned up and all the bottles and cans were in a pile that would take more than one pick up truck to haul away.

So if any of you want to fess up to partying there send your notes to my sister, Stephanie -- '70. She now owns the land after dad died.

Allen Richard

Memories from Ron Longie (65):

Gary,

I remember the old school yard where we used to play dodge ball, Dean Helgeson,Ron and Allen Richard, Billy Grady, Dennis Persian, Jerry Walett, Mark Anderson, Skip VanDel, well you get the jist of it all the guys, and girls, it was a grand time to be young, playing marbles in the spring,and no better place to experience grade school than Dunseith Public in the "OLE WHITE SCHOOL'. Thanks Tim for the memories.

Ron Longie

1/12/2008

Bonnie Awalt's (56) message to Bev Morinville (72):

Good Morning Bev,

I visited your Mother when she was in Minneapolis having surgery for her cancer. What a good lady with a lot of SPUNK, we spent the day today before she left to return to Dunseith on the train. She was optimistic and so anxious to get home to her family. If you have her spunk you will recover, remember talking can now be done by TEXT-MESSAGEING. I will be praying for you.

Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)

Message from Bev Morinville Azure (72):

This is the doctor that will be doing my surgery on tues. Please keep me in your prayers. I love u all, Bev

http://www.zoominfo.com/search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=1222452779

Message from Verena Gillis (Mrs. Pete Gillis 65):

Gary,
I have the web site information for Dunseith Public School if you would
like: www.dunseith.k12.nd.us

Also, we wish Bev the best of luck, they had to go to Minot yesterday and
she was having surgery. We haven't heard anything else as of yet, we may
have to wait until Clarence gets back to let us know how everything is
with her.

Don't know if you remember Roddy Burcham Sr. He passed away at 62 years
old. The wake for him was last night and the funeral is today.

(Note: Roddy Burcham was with the class of 65. I sent his Obit out to the class of 65. Gary)

Marlys Zorn Bryan (’69) answer to Cheryl Kester Gaugler's (69)-

Cheryl, that is so funny! You're right, I never remember any boys beating me up, but I don’t remember being in any fights with boys either. But then, we must remember that from the 3^rd grade on, I was the tallest kid in class. That may have given them pause…..We must also remember that I grew up in the middle of 4 brothers. That probably gave me quite an advantage! I got tired of never winning against my brothers apparently, and decided to do something about it, and today, my husband and I have a martial arts school, and we both are black belts in jiu-jitsu.

Being taller than all the guys unfortunately lasted through my high school years. Almost everyone I dated was at least 2 inches shorter than I was-made it very hard to strike a romantic note…….but my hubby is ¾ inch taller than me, so in the end it all worked out all right.J

Nice to hear from you!

Bill Grimme's (65) memory with a ?????:

I heard a news anchor mention "comfort food" today. Got me thinking.

My comfort food is:

Root Beer-You got in the big cone cup at Shelver's Drugstore for a nickel. Mrs. Leonard mixed it sweet.

Potato Salad-Chunks of potato, egg, and bits of onion. Mixed with mayonnaise and enough mustard to make it the color of a dandelion. Hard to find just the right one, even in a well stocked deli, so, I make my own.

What's yours?

Bill

Story from Larry Hackman (66):

Subject: 60 years old this month

I turned 60 last week. I have been kind of depressed about it. Then friends and relatives began telling me that I should be happy, after all I'm in this club now. I asked, what club is that? They shouted your in the Golden Years Club, You gotta be happy and proud to be in such a club. Everybody becomes a member. After they explained the benefits about restaurants giving you food for less money and you can get motel rooms cheaper, I started to feel pretty good about this. They did not say anything about getting gas cheaper but I guess you just get it more often. As long as I get more miles per gallon, I don't care. The more I thought about this age thing and this club, the better I felt. So, I was feeling kind of up beat about the whole thing and decided to go out and see whats new in the world of hardware. I always like to wander around the hardware stores to see whats new. I was wandering around in Home Depot and I wandered right into a old retired friend.

We got to talking about age and birthdays and such. I asked him about this Goden Age Club and how you join. He said there is no joining, your just in. What do you mean your just in? He said, your just in. What if don't like it? There is no likeing or dislikeing, you are just in. What if I want to back out? He said, there is no backing, your just out when your out. He finally said, Larry get this through your head your in until your out. I said you mean its like getting drafted into the military. He said there is no drafted, your just in until your out. I said, well, in the sevice there were a few that just up and deserted, couldn't I do that? He said, Larry there is no deserting, your just in until you are out. So, I'm just automaticly a member of this Golden Years Club for the rest of my life, and I'm in until I'm out?

He said, The Golden Years Club is a misnomer. I said, Oh come on, I did not miss November. I remember sitting at the table on Thanksgiving Day eating the turkey neck and gizzard like I always do. In our family the oldest guy sitting

at the table always gets first choice on the good stuff, and gets to eat dark meat sandwiches for two weeks after, cuz the women and the kids eat all the white meat. That is just the way it is, so I know I did not miss November. My old friend looks at me, and says, Larry you fool, I said misnomer. I said, I know what you said, you said I'm going to miss November. Did you mean from now on? You mean next year is only 11 months long? No wonder time passes so fast for the people in this club and I'm not giving up Thanksgiving, it is one of my favorite holidays. I'm just not gonna join your club. He said again, you are in until your out, and the proper name of the club is, The Only Thing Golden is Your Urine Club, so you see the name, The Golden Years Club, is a misnomer. I said, I don't care what you say I'm not giving up November . He said, Larry, nobody relishs the idea of being in this club, your just in it until your out and there is nothing you can do about it. I said relish, we have a relish tray at Thanksgiving too, I'm not giving that up neither and left him standing there in the middle of Home Depot. I don't know if I'm ever going to talk to that guy again. A guy that ends every sentence with a preposition ought to be hit along side the head with a dangling participle. I did not particularly like being called a fool neither. What would Beulah Shurr say? I think I'm going sit down, when I get home and write a letter, and complain to the AARP, excuse me.

Remember!

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you.

larry

Kenny Nerpel's (65) reply to Allen Richard (65):

Allen,

I remember George Miller well. He was one of the good guys from the East coast. The Forestry was a unique little college. It attracted a variety of people from around the world and many area students as well. It offered a place of refuge for those who were not ready for the military or had not yet decided what direction they wanted to go academically. It was really quite a culture shock to the East coasters who came from the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities to north central North Dakota seeking a degree in Forestry. I remember being kidded quite often about how backward we North Dakotans were. George was not one of those. I think that George became the President of the young republicans (don’t TAX me Bro) at the same time that you were elected President of the young democrats. Even though you were opposites on the issues you got along quite well.

I’m pretty foggy on the intramural softball team but do remember the intramural basketball league quite well. We were coached by a fellow by the name of Al Zeltinger and our outstanding players were a couple of East coasters by the name of Robert Henderson and Joe Lesnick. Joe went on to play football at NDSU and Robert abandoned the intramural league after his Freshman year to play the sport at the Varsity level. I suspect that intramurals were just too rough for him. Another member of that team was good friend Dick Beier.

Kenny

Message from Allen Richard (65):

Hi Gary. Thought you could send this to even the most religious, right wing, and politically correct of us. George Miller was a college friend from "The Forestry" Kenny, and John A should remember him as Spider. He played first base and pitcher on intramural softball team I captained back in '66. At 6'4 with a 78 inch wing span he was pretty hard to miss at first base -- even for me. He also pitched--with either hand. He has two gloves--one for each hand. He would use one and attach the other to his belt and "switch pitch" when he wanted to. We were 4 and 0 --

He was also my partner in my one season dirt track racing career. Carol Jasper Ross was a racing fan back in those days along with Gary Pigeon The RPM racing team -- 1968-69. She attended most of the races. That is the last time I saw Carol. Sure wish she could have made it to the reunion.

Anyway ---- back to work --

1/17/2008

Message from Bev Morinville Azure (72):

hi Gary, Please pass on to all the great people that have sent me good wishes and prayers A GREAT BIG THANK U . I will be having surgery on the 25th. I will lose 75% of my tongue and will have to learn to speak and eat all over again. Sounds like it will be a long road bk but I have the greatest family and support system. I love reading all the memories ,,, I may not be able to answer for awhile but I am reading ... my wonderful husband got me a laptop so I can play with my pogo friends and keep in touch with u all.... I will be able to talk with my kids on I'm and my sisters also. thank god for the net. love and prayers to u all... Randy thanks so much for the letter I enjoyed it A lot but Clarence wants to know how u cold forget him lol ...... If any of u smoke please stop ....this is what caused my cancer . It is easy to give up when u want to live . Please don't wait till u have to go through this before u see the light. love ya all Bev

Message from Deb Morinville (70):

Hi Gary,

I got the date of Bev's surgery wrong. It's on Friday the 25th . Sorry.

Deb

Margaret Metcalfe's (65) Reply to a message Gary Stokes sent her:

Note: in reference to Margaret's message, she is a teacher at the Belcourt HS.

Hi Gary,

Sorry I haven't had the time to respond although I have read with pleasure
every e-mail you send.

This is quite a service you are providing for all of us; hope
you realize how MUCH I appreciate all that you do.

We have moved into our new school and though it was tons of work to move
and get everything organized and put away, I am adjusting to my new room.
I am right across from the elevator which is nice since I am on second
floor with a beautiful view! I just got new students yesterday....second
semester. Only 2 more semesters to go until retirement and I'm thinking
that will be great!

Take care,
Margaret

Marlene Schniender's (58) reply to a message Gary Stokes sent her:

Hi Gary,

This is all very interesting and brings back many enjoyable memories of Dunseith. There are several of these people that I don't remember and I bet I'm not the only one having trouble with names, etc.

Elaine, Karen and I had a wonderful time visiting Bill Grimme last spring. We had gone to the NASCAR race in Talladega, AL and met him in Atlanta. What a great evening!

My husband and I are leaving for Phoenix the 27th of Jan. and plan to be gone until the middle of March. Hopefully, we will see Colleen & Don Martel while there. Even though the temps. aren't that great in AZ, it's better than here! We have -20 tonight!

Thanks for all the interesting reading.

Marlene Haverland

Message from Diane Wenstad (69):

Gary,

I just want to thank you for all the emails from Dunseith. It has been great as I am recovering from my surgery. Home care finally got the wound healed from the surgery; its been a long time. I finally I will get back to work part-time. Ready or not here I go!
I just read this email and notice Arn Wenstad and Darlene in the news clips. As you know, we are from the family of the 24 kids, "Cousins by the Dozens" as know by some of our cousins. We lived on the county line, Don Boppre to the south and Bob Bott was to the north. I have emailed Ann Marie and she is living on the home place now.
We went to Beaver Damn school and my dad transferred us out of there when I was in grade 4; 1/2 way though the year. That was very difficult for us kids as we did not have very good schooling at Beaver Damn. we were so far behind in every aspect of reading, writing. etc. I went back to retake my grade 4 because Mrs. Conroy took the time to help me catch up. It was a struggle but I was the only one of the 13 that completed high school.

I don't know if you remembered that Arn was killed in a car accident in April 1977. What I remember so much and valued was how the whole community came together with places to stay, all the food and just the best friendship my family could of used in a time like that. That was true when my mother died quit suddenly in December 1981, just after Christmas. You look down the street there were people walking to the house with food, cards and a good visit and just there for the family. It was so nice to see people we hadn't seen in years after most of us left Dunseith.

My dad lived in the housing for the elderly and the ladies all were so good to him as well. At first he was the only "rooster in the hen house", as my dad put it. Darlene and I took our families down to Dad's apartment and prepared a dinner for all the ladies in that unit he was living in. My dad was so proud and all the ladies enjoyed the dinner so much. When he passed on in October 1989 some of these ladies were so helpful in while we were there getting dad's thing out and cleaning the apartment. Again the community was so helpful and thoughtful that words can not express.

Memories of Dunseith were few as we were bus kids but I can bring some others forward later but for now I should go. Thanks again for the great job of keeping this going and to all the other former students for there comments and memories.

Diane

Dale Pritchard's (63) reply to Gary Stokes:

Gary,

Carl Melgaard put me work during the Winters of 63-64 and 64-65 also.
Really, I think he and his wife, Shirley (Knutson), just liked to have
someone around - there sure wasn't that much work to do in the Winter
other than milking cows. They're both exceptionally "good people." I
remember dances at what I think was called Peterson's Hall just South of
Kelvin but have no recollection of who played the music - probably Ole
Bersinger for one. I couldn't have been more than 7 to 10 years old.
Somewhat later came the music and dancing at Kelvin - Gary Olson always
played there but again the memory is fading. Those were good times with
good ways to unwind at the end of a week!

Dale Pritchard

Susan Fassett's (65) Reply to Cecile Gouin (61):

Cecile Gouin asked if the Morgans were still living. I assume she meant Kenny and Marjorie and they are both deceased. Also John Morgan passed away, I think with cancer. Dick Morgan and Gary Morgan were both at the reunion this summer. -----Susan

Message from Neola Kofoid Garbe (Gary Stokes' Cousin) - Hills and Plains Country Gospel CD:

Gary,

I'm quite sure you received this when I sent it out a year ago. It's the information about the CD "Hills and Plains" (group Don Boardman performs with) is selling. It's very good. I bought a copy for my brother and myself as soon as it was released right before Christmas last year.

Don, if there is anything you'd like to add/delete to this email, please tell me. Or tell Gary.

Neola

----- Original Message -----

From: Neola

To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;

Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 3:18 AM

Subject: Hills and Plains Country Gospel CD for sale/Not a forward

Hi Everyone,

The performers on the Hills and Plains Country Gospel CD are/were Bottineau area people. I say are/were as Marge Johnson Pladson, vocalist/guitarist, passed away (She fought a very courageous fight with cancer, but lost the fight.) after the group made this CD and cassette.

Others in the group are Dan Pladson, Marge's husband; Jerry Olson (Bottineau High School, Class of '60); Don Boardman (grew up/lived on the "Boardman Place" just west of Dunseith and is now a Bottineau resident. Don was the District Conservationist for Bottineau County for 27 years.; Dave Mettler, area farmer. I feel a certain "kinship" to Dave, as my father (John Kofoid) worked for Dave's grandfather (Oscar Vikan) in Oscar's garage back in the early forties. Some of you who received this email, will remember Oscar's garage--north end of Main Street. Arnold Haugerud later owned the business.

Dan's sister, Tina Bullinger, now sings with the group. Sharon Hubbard, Canada, sometimes plays the "upright" bass with them now.

Hills and Plains Country Gospel performs at nursing homes/basic care facilities/churches/other events in the Bottineau area, outlying areas, and in Canada. Last year, they performed at the Frozen Fingers Festival in Minot. They are the "driving force" behind the two-day Gospel event, which is held at the Peace Garden in August.

If you love Gospel music, you'll enjoy this CD/cassette. I particularly enjoy this/my CD because I've heard this group perform MANY times. Because of this, I've learned to know these people so well and consider them my friends. :)

The CD's are $15.00; the cassette tapes are $10.00. If you would like more information about the CD's/tape cassettes, contact:

Dave Mettler phone: 701-263-7749

Don Boardman phone: 701-228-2698

Neola

Message from Neola Kofoid Garbe (Gary Stokes' Cousin) - Frozen Fingers Festival in Minot:

Gary,

This is the email I sent out a year ago for the Frozen Fingers Festival in MInot. A couple of people have written about it. As was mentioned, the dates this year are Feb. 8/9/10. It is held at Sleep Inn, which is connected to Dakota Square. To me, Sleep Inn is "pricey"; that includes free swimming in their "fancy" pool. There are several less expensive motels near the mall/Sleep Inn, too.

I'm looking for a picture I took of Hills and Plains, the group Don Boardman mentioned in his email. It's quite good. I have so many folders, I can never remember which one I save it in! Uff da!

Also, to the lady who printed the picture of Ernest Tennancour: I'm so glad you like the picture of Ernest and are related to him. I liked/enjoyed Ernest tremendously. He was such a neat fellow. :)

Neola

---- Original Message -----

From: Neola

To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;

Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 4:09 AM

Subject: Frozen Fingers Festival/Feb. 9-11, 2007

Hi Everyone--near and far, from Minot to Norway. :)

It's Frozen Fingers Festival time again!!!

The Frozen Fingers Festival is a time for "old-time" music and bluegrass friends to get together for an enjoyable weekend of lots of good music/dancing/laughing/good feelings (No alcohol is allowed, so children are most welcome, too!) It is sponsored by BOTMAND (Blue-grass, Old Time Music Association, (of) North Dakota, a group of which I am, and have been, a member for many years.

The dances are fun. My friend, Phyllis Gordon, and I have a standing "date" to sell tickets at the Friday night dance. We have done this for many years, and thoroughly enjoy it. It is so great to see old friends who come for the weekend and to meet new friends. Frozen Fingers' audiences are fun/friendly people. Curt and Denise Halvorson usually attend each year.

On Saturday, there is great music all day, with a dance in the evening.

I have to admit I really enjoy the gospel music on Sunday. All music is good, but there is something about gospel music that really "gets my attention"--most of it, anyway!!

I'm assuming there will be more information in the February newsletter, which I will send at that time.

We are always looking for new BOTMAND members. Membership was just raised to $15, which is not much for a year's membership, which includes an interesting newsletter each month. If you are interested in becoming a member, notify me, and I send, via email, a membership form to you. If any of you are interested, we can always use volunteers during the weekend. :)

Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested in seeing it.

Blue-grass and Old-time music rocks!!!!!! Ha!!

Neola

P.S. CD's (donated by the groups who perform), caramels (compliments of the Caramel Lady), and a LARGE door prize will be given away during the event.

No alcohol/smoking are allowed at this event.

1/18/2008

Message from Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):

Hi Gary, Thanks for doing all this work of organizing the e-mail list and I so enjoy reading all of these Dunseith memories. I don't know a lot of the people but I'm sure getting to know them now. One thing was it gave me an opportunity to get in contact with one of my classmates of 75, Rhonda Hiatt. We were neighbors all through school and rode the bus every day. We have contacted each other through e-mail so I thank you for this. Living in Seoul, Korea can give you a feeling of isolation from friends and family but this has giving me a touch of home so to speak. Thanks again.

Lynn Otto ( Halvorson ) 1975

Lynn, Most of us remember your famous barn, half in Rolette county and half in Bottineau county. You lived 1 1/2 miles west of the Willow Lake School. Gary Stokes

Pictures provide by Susan Fassett (65):

Bob Hosmer & Jack Flynn

Carlotta Fassett & Red Kester

Lucien Bedard, Bill Jr., Bill Sr. Fassett

1/19/2008

Folks,

For general info, these messages are going to folks around the globe. We have Dunseith folks living in Korea, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, United States & Philippines. That's all I can think of at the moment. Please let me know if I've missed a country that some of you may be living in. Within seconds after I hit the send button, you all receive the same message. The power of email.

Gary

Bob Hosmer's (56) reply to Gary Stokes (65) with his address correction for the DHS 56 class list:

Hi Gary,

Here's a correction for the Hosmers:

We now live at: 18606 52nd W. #222

Lynnwood, WA 98037

425-673*6254

I'm enjoying the Dunseith memories and good to hear from people who I either knew or knew their families. The picture of my Uncle Bob with Jack Flynn, brought back memories of those days. That picture was taken in uncle Bob's back yard--I remember the tree in the back ground and the lawn chairs they were sitting in. Bob Hosmer

Larry Hackman's (64) Reply to Gary Stokes (65) with Gary's former reply to Kenny Nerpel (65):

Gary

Ahhh Pie, What would we do without it? Funny you should bring this up at this time. My wife just had taken a cherry pie out of the oven when I opened this message. Dessert tonight will be warm cherry pie, alamode, For you novice pie eaters alamode means with ice cream, and there is nothing better then fresh straight from the oven, warm cherry pie with ice cold, sweet vanilla, ice cream. Your mouth watering yet?

Guess what? Now she, just made and put into the oven a double thick apple pie. Wow, talk about torture. I wasn't going to respond to this pie message Gary. But, I thought, hell, he can take it. I'm going to respond and make him suffer. After all I have to wait for them to cool and this will help pass the time. What can I say Gary. A happy pie hole, means happiness.

Who cares about that little bump in cholesterol.

Sure beats the hell out of balute, lutefisk or sauerkraut. I hope these arn't fighting words. People that eat some of these foods tend to be bullheaded. I don't know why? I love sauerkraut, myself, but thinking of these foods and burned toast with onions, sure takes the zest out of the pie story.

I added this last paragraph for you dieters.

A pie eater,

larry

Gary Stokes' comments to Kenny Nerpel:

Kenny, You'll have to admit, we had some really fine pie. Those home baked pies they had at the Senior Center were so delicious, right Larry Hackman? I just couldn't resist having a piece or two every time I passed by the area. I'll have to admit, those pies were probably my comfort food. It must be my scananavioun blood. I am fond of most anything sweet. In my growing up days we ate a lot of sugar sandwiches. Brown sugar was the frosting on the cake. I remember my dad liking burned toast and onion sandwiches too. Gary

1/20/2008

Message from Alan Poitra (76):

Hello Gary, many, many thanks for the fond memories of Dunseith. As I read many of these, I ask myself who are half these people, of course I remember the names but for the life of me, cannot picture them. Being from the class of 76 of course explains it, (we all get to turn the big 50 this year) but I do have such fond memories that I could not pass up the chance to mention but a few. I often go back to Dunseith and as I drive thru main street, I remember there use to be such stores as Gambles, The Pool Hall, the Laundromat, the Bowling Alley, Hosmer's Dept Stores, The Movie Theater, Moe's Gas Station (?), The Dakota Hotel, San Haven (the big turning event in Dunseith)walking thru the tunnels with the Hagel Clan, (yes Denise you remember those good old days) , the A/C Bar and The Corner Bar. I remember Friday and Saturday nights cruising main street and trying to find a beer runner...(oops did I say that) Not too forget the many memories of going to high school in Dunseith, the homecoming parades, the football and basketball games, (going to State in 72) the floats made by each class, the marching band (remember we use to have one, anyone remember the big hats...did we ever march with those on???)

The many high school concerts, those were the days, performing for our families and friends. (anyone remember the Music Festivals) Hermanson's Bakery, he was such a good man, he use to give us credit and loved those baked goods. I remember snowmobile parties with my classmates, I remember going to many parties at Beer Can Alley, Halvorson's Grove, The Butte, and the Gravel Pit.

I can go on and on about the good times spent in Dunseith North Dakota, but wanted to mention but a few things that I remember and do pop up from time to time when visiting with old friends, I guess that is why they call them memories. I do enjoy the stories from people and how time changes. Although we go our separate ways in life, we tend to always go back to our roots and I am very proud to say I grew up in Dunseith North Dakota!!

Once again thank you Gary for allowing us to walk down Memory Lane!!! Oh and by the way...as always the Class of 76 Rules!!!! :)

Gary's Reply to Alan:

Alan, It is my pleasure to be able to do this. We all have one thing in common and that is our Dunseith roots. Taking a look at the Alumni, Dunseith did a darn good job of educating it's folks. I am glad that I had the opportunity to get the education I got from Dunseith that enabled me to successfully move on in life. Mr. Bob Lykins, you were a big part of that, developing my typing skills, enabling me to comfortable sit down and zap out these messages in relatively short order.

More History and Memories from Bill Hosmer (48):

Gary, and other Dunseith folks. A recent package of comments, memories,
and other recollections was a dense concentration of interesting
dialogue.

I happened to be in the Stone Church in Dunseith, sitting next to
Mabel Boardman who was holding Don before his baptism. He sang in
Church for the first time, probably, since he was a very young tike.
It was mostly a "WAH" rather that hymnal in nature, but I was
observing a beginning of a long time musical avocation. I knew his
brothers Bob and Harold very well. I have read about his work in
Bottineau County over the years.

I was two years behind Don Johnson and Bernice Olson in high school
at Dunseith, and they both were very good friends. Dick and Brenda
have established themselves in the musical world, and thanks to Wayne
Smith, I got to spend a pleasurable evening at his terrific facility
west of Lake Metigoshe and enjoy hours of top notch entertainment by
those two and many others from that part of the world. I'll
certainly be returning for future engagements when I return from the
SW. That is a tremendous feature that the Turtle Mountain citizens
have built right in.

The conversations about pie made me remember that our neighbor
Florence Sunderland and my mother, Inez Hosmer used to deliver a
sampling of cookies, brownies, etc to each other when a new batch
took form. My brothers and I would feast on those fresh delights
(still warm). I used to shovel a path through the snow from door to
door, so there wouldn"t be and delays in delivery. Patsy Sunderland
and I at a pre school age used to walk around the town to places
like Mrs Isaacson, wife of Carl SR. and Mrs Higgins, wife of Frank,
and get cookie and milk treats on the back steps of their kitchens
during summer months. The cookie jar in our kitchen was usually
stocked, and most of the time there was a chocolate cake with thick
chocolate frosting in reach for after school treats. The aromas that
occurred in that kitchen was a joy. I hope its getting close to
dinner, because my mouth is watering, although desserts are the
exception nowadays.

Bill Fassett's daughters have been generous with important picutes
of people so familiar to me. It certainly is a gift to have this
interaction going on.

Another memory out of the past is that my mother used to help with
baby birthing events, as she, Lenore Lamoureux, wife of Leo, Hattie
Lilleby, wife of Arnold were registered nurses. I was quite young
but accompanied mother to the Grimme home above the shoe shop on
mainstreet, near the show hall (Althea Theater). I was standing in
the living room with Mr. Grimme and we heard Conley's first cry.
Mr. Grimme said, "My God". Bill Grimme came later.

Getting back to food for a bit, it was a tremendous challenge to
walk by Pat McAtee's bakery without stopping when the Bismarck's
were being put on display. They cost a nickel, and sometimes they
were hard to come by when we were kids. One source for money was
picking up soda and beer bottles in the ditches and return them for
1cent each. After a dance, they were prevalent and we even used to
get enough pennies to pay for the movie which was a dime for awhile
when I was young. We did not miss many movies. One time my brother
Don and I attended a Sunday matinee, after eating a hot pork
combination sandwich at the Peace Garden Cafe which was two doors
south of the drugstore. The movie was "Blood and Sand" with Tyrone
Power who was a bull fighter. When we got home, Dad's ear was next
to the radio, and he told us we were at war. It was 7 Dec 1941, and
he had been listenting to President F D Roosevelt. That really
changed our lives in a big way. Pat McAtee became our Boy Scout
Troop Scoutmaster, and we got busy collecting paper, tin cans,
bacon fat and doing all the other things scouts did then. The troop
is pictured on page 311 of PRAIRIE PAST AND MOUNTAIN MEMORIES.

Then our men started to leave for war, and it really was a dramatic
time as they finished their training assignments, then came home on
furlough before they got into the fight. We had these young men in
every branch of the service. The Cornell family had four sons at war
at the same time. We younger guys would try to talk with them, though
their time was limited, because we wanted to know what it was like.
They were certainly our heroes without question. They certainly did
become the Generation which Tom Brokaw described in an impressive way.

Way too long this time, but it might trigger some recollections from
others, who have been doing it so well. Cheers, Bill Hosmer

Reply & Message from Susan Fassett (65):

In reply to Bob Hosmer-----The picture of Jack Flynn and Bob Hosmer was taken in June of 1955 at Lake Metigoshe at Jack and Inez' cabin. There are more pics from that day also. I will try and forward some more of them later. My sister, Crystal, has all of dad's old slides and is scanning all of them and putting them on our flckr website for all to see. There are some interesting old pics there.

To Larry H. --- I hope you eat that apple pie with a generous slice of cheese. My mom and Grandma Kate and Grandma Goodie were some of the best pie bakers around. Sadly, I did not inherit that skill. And there is nothing wrong with people who like sauerkraut, lutefisk and limberger cheese(althought my husband may argue otherwise--Ha!!).

Keep the memories and thoughts coming. Hugs and prayers to all. Susan(Fassett) Martin

Reply from Crystal Fassett (70):

Gary, In reply to the Bob Hosmer & Jack Flynn picture. It was taken by my Dad Bill Fassett,at the Hosmer's cabin at Lake Metigoshe. The occasion was Father's Day 1955 ,but it WAS the Hosmers' lawn chairs. I am in the process of putting all my Dad's slides on computer,so I can share them with sisters , cousins & kids. Dad took lots of slides ,so it may take me until next winter to finish,but it fun to see all the "little" kids and the "old" area sights. Lots of St.Paul Butte,Lake Metigoshe & Bottineau County Fair parades,as well as anything that went on in Dunseith. Susan is the correspondent in our family,I am only the "editor" but try to read most the emails. Thanks Crystal Fassett Andersen Walhalla ND

1/21/2009

Reply from Doreen Bailey:

Gary & Dick Johnson
I enjoyed the article from Reminisce 'Extra', I recognize the name Viola
Elaine Hobbs, she is a first cousin to Vance Bailey. His mother Marie Hobbs
and Viola's father Harvey Hobbs were bother and sister. Thanks for the
memories that keep Vance close! Doreen Bailey

Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57):

Viola Hobbs, you got away from us too soon, I bet your dad thought so too. I remember you and Renae Chilton in Miss Schur's class in the Dungeon. Leroy may have been Leroy Cote, surely not Leroy Stadheim?

I would like to pay tribute to a group that a lot of people can identify with. The one year rural teachers. They were to the teaching profession what the combat infantry soldier was to the military. Mud and snow, wind and cold or hot, no insulation or electricity. Tell me a mustard sandwich isn't good after a couple years of peanut butter and jelly.

Some teachers were just 18 years old after nine months of training and 6 to 8 grades to teach.

I am sure I knew 20 or 30 teachers that had to deal with Miss Ewen. She was an institution. Something of the ilk of Patton or MacArthur. That Tank Commander in Italy straightened out Patton and Give-em-hell Harry dealt with McArthur. But I am not sure anyone messed with Miss Ewen or any of her people. She made a lot of great citizens. There are a lot of great rural school stories out there, Tommy Hagen what year did you start teaching and how about Miss Ewen??

Bonnie Smith you were just a cute little kid who came to Kelvin every Saturday night the last time I saw you. Also your brother Wally and I don't know why Harriet comes to mind, was she a sister? Gary Metcalfe

Reply from Dale Pritchard (63):

Marie / Gary,

About 30 years ago or more, Irvin Beckman was living in Anchorage,
Alaska and was a small plane pilot. One day after takeoff he went out
over Cook Inlet or the Gulf of Alaska and went down. Neither he nor the
plane were ever found. George had gone up there to wait on something to
turn up. It really depressed him to come back home with nothing. I
never knew Irvin. Apparently he was somewhat older than me and was
already gone when Allen came into the picture. Allen was a good friend
of my brother, Darold.

Dale

Dale Pritchard's (63) Reply to the Smith girl photo:

Doris Smith Pritchard is Dale's aunt.

Gary,

Can't help you with this. I just don't remember what Doris looked like when I was 10 years old. Two of Doris' sisters lived down here in Shreveport for many years. I can't remember their last names so don't know if they are still here or moved on. I get up to Shreveport about every 6 months or so just for someplace different to go.

Dale

Dale, yesterday's message with Doris's sister's picture was forwarded to her son and your cousin Bill Pritchard. I got a message from Bill letting me know that he will show this picture to his mother for her to identify. He said he will get back to me. I think Bonnie Awalt Houle provided us with that picture.

These are the Morinville kids. I beleive this picture was taken in 2007.

Back: Deb & Bev

Front: Duane & Toni

Manvil & Dorothy Sebelius

Sebelius Boys: Duane, David, Jeff, Marvin, Dennis, Daryl, Dean and Harvey