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
