Monthly Archives: February 2008

2/29/2008

Posted on by
Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine’s (73) Condolences to the Alice (Evans) Berube family:
 
To the children of Alice Berube, my thoughts and prayers are with you this
morning.  In the fall of 1999 we buried both our parents 4 weeks apart and
I still ache for them some days more so then others. I just wanted to share
a story with you about your mom.  I never knew your mom very well, but @ a
bowling tournament in Minot one year moms team was @ the state tournament
bowling for their sponsor Wayne’s Jack and Jill.  They were to bowl early
shift and as always Irene and her daughters were late.  Alice was so
concerned about mom because she was diabetic and they knew she needed to
eat.  They made sure she had fruit or some thing.  I was so pleased to see
the love these ladies had for her. I made comment about her babysitters and
mom just smiled and said “oh they are so good to me”.  After that I had a
real soft spot for all the ladies on that team. Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine 73
 
 
 
 
Dave Slyter’s (70) Condolences to the Evans/Berube families, reply to Margaret Metcalfe’s (65) pictures & Message to Bev Morniville (72):
 
What great pictures this time around.   Especially the albino moose.   Jamestown may have the white buffalo but Dunseith has a great white moose.   : )    Is that this  years picture?

Message to the Evans/Berube families.  My condolences to all of you.  It is never easy during a time like this but the message of going home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is always a comforting thought. 

Message to Bev Mornville.  Glad that the recovery is going great.  Keep working hard and keeping the faith and everything will turn out o.k.

The cemeteries idea is a great one.  I will be in getting in touch with Rod very soon.

Dave Slyter  : ) 
 
 
 
Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to Susan Fassett (65) and Bill Hosmer (48): 
 
Gary and friends

Thanks to Susan Fassett Martin for the correct story on the
triple anniversary. You guys don’t know of the extent of
collecting of pictures and articles and memories the Fassett
girls and their parents and Grandma Kate have done! When Susan
came to the reunion this past summer, she had the back of her
suv full of scrapbooks, pictures, etc. We spent a couple hours
at the drivein looking at scrapbooks, when I was supposed to be
home working! It was well worth the time, as I can’t get enough
of the history of our area. Many years ago at Kate’s, I read
her scrapbook containing the stories on the blizzard of 1941.
Many people lost there lives. Some were local.She had the
articles from most of the papers and magazines that had printed
it. Amazing to me!
To Bill Hosmer; we would be glad to take a look at your song.
We do Ghost Riders in the Sky already so this should work out.
Our lead guitar player, Jade Mogard, has the instrumental solo
down great. There will be no cost, we usually do these things
for the fun WE have and if others enjoy it that is a bonus.
Send us what you have and we’ll give it a whirl!!
Thanks again to Gary Stokes, great thing!

Dick

 
 
From Alan Poitra (76):
 
Hi Gary, I wanted to add St. Mary’s Cemetery.  I do not know who keeps that one up.
 
Questioin: Who is the point of contact for St. Mary’s Cemetery? Gary
 
 
From LeaRae Parrill Espe (67):
 
I just talked to Floyd Pladson and his wife is the treasurer.
If anyone wants to donate to the Rendahl Cemetery it could be sent to:
Pat Pladson
9540 Hwy 60
Bottineau, ND  58318
 
Bob Bott  and his family have been in charge of the mowing and upkeep for a number of years. Volunteers meet in May to do a general cleanup before Memorial Day.  Donations are appreciated.
 
 My sister in law, Nora Parrill, is planning to get a sign made for out on the Willow Lake Road.
There is a small one, but she missed it the day we buried Clark.
 
Thanks, LeaRae Parrill Espe

 

From Rodney Medrud (71):
 
HI GARY

I AM SENDING YOU ARE MAILING ADDRESS TO POST ON THE WEB SITE FOR ANYONE WANTING

TO MAKE A DONATION TO RIVERSIDE CEMETERY.  PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS OUT TO RIVERSIDE

 CEMETERY                                                                   THANK YOU




                                               RODNEY MEDRUD
                                             
                                               RR1 BOX 194 A

                                               DUNSEITH NORTH DAKOTA

                                                                   58329
 
 
 
 
From Allen Richard (65):
 
On the Catholic cemetary–Check with Armand Mongeon. 
 
 
 
From Crystal Fassett Anderson (70):
 
Hello  It’s me again!  Would the people to whom we send our contributions to help with the cemetery upkeep, please post their mailing addresses.  My husband, Dale & I are both retired postmasters, so like to have proper addresses!! Thanks & just for fun I am attaching a picture of the 1955 Dunseith Men’s bowling league 1st place team. Freddie Hiatt, Bing Evans, my Dad Bill Fassett, Don Johnson & Edgar Anderson with Galen Olson on next alley (he was on the 2nd place team.
 
 
 
From Susan Fassett Martin (65):
 
These are a few ads from the “Dunseith Journal” dated  Thursday, April
1st, 1937.  Enjoy!!    Susan
 
 
 

2/28/2008-1

Posted on by
Diane Larson Sjol’s (70) reply to Susan Fassett (65):
 
I so enjoyed the article about the Hosmer triple wedding…thanks for
sharing!
 
 
 
Bob Hosmer’s (56) reply to Crystal Fassett (70) – Cemeteries:
 
Thanks, Crystal, for that wonderful suggestion about setting up some sort of endowment to care for Riverside Cemetary.  I’m ready to contribute.  Let’s find out how checks should be made out and who would or does manage those funds.  I know my brother Bill takes care of the Hosmer plot when he is at Metegoshi  late spring to early fall.  Thanks for getting this important ball rolling.  Bob Hosmer
 
From Gary Stokes
The Cemeteries are
 
1. Riverside – Rod Medrud (701) 244-5829 – Work (701) 244-5438 rod.n.mary@hotmail.com
 
2. Little Prairie – Joan Salmonson (701) 263-4613 – Work (701) 244-5438  salmonso@srt.com
 
3. Rendahl – Bob Bott (701) 263-4841  brown_wcnd@msn.com
 
4. St. Louis Catholic – ?????? (Need some help with this one – Gary)
 
5. Ackworth – Nettie / Martin Peterson – (701) 263-4061 (Ackworth folks [Evon or Glenda] I’m not sure if Nettie is still the treasure – Gary)
 
Folks, please make corrections to what I’ve listed above so we can publish the correct info.  Thanks, Gary
 
 
Doreen Bailey’s reply to Gary Metcalfe (57) with pictures:
 
Gary, The Bailey farm was first settled by Mahlon L. Bailey and Frances Cora Anderson Bailey.  They were Vance’s grandparents (came from Missouri). Virgil Bailey (son of Mahlon) and Marie Hobbs Bailey were Vance’s parents.  They lived on the farm with the grandparents until Vance and Wayne started school in Dunseith, then they moved to town.  Mahlon built the house and barn on the farm. 
Reading the Dunseith, memories is my attachment to Vance,  he talked so much about everyone, I recognize many, many of the family names that come up in the memories. . I will be in Dunseith the last week in May.   Thanks Gary Stokes-   Doreen Bailey, Tempe, AZ
 
 
 

 

 

2/28/2008

Posted on by
Alice L. (Evans) Berube

Aug. 29, 1919-Feb. 25, 2008 Alice L. Berube, age 88, of Dunseith, died Monday in a Dunseith nursing home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at 10 a.m. in the St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church of Dunseith. Burial will be in the St. Louis Catholic Cemetery, Dunseith.

Alice Berube was born to Ernest and Teresa (Murray) Tennancour, on August 29, 1919, on a farm in Currie Township, Rolette County. She grew up in the Dunseith area where she attended grade school at Currie School. In the fall of 1934, Alice moved to town to attend high school and worked for room and board for Mrs. Ole Evans. There she met and worked with her lifelong friend, Lorna (Casavant) Zeiler. Alice graduated from Dunseith High School in 1938. On November 18, 1942, Alice married Myron Evans in Bozeman, MT. They returned to Dunseith and lived in the hills north of town for two years. Then they moved to a farm west of Dunseith and in January 1956 they moved into Dunseith. Myron died on March 30, 1968. Alice then married Fortune Berube on October 23, 1971, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dunseith. Fortune died February 24, 1996. Alice has continued to make Dunseith her home.

Alice was an active member of the St. Louis Catholic Church, Happy Homemakers Club and the St. Louis Women’s Guild. She loved to read, play cards, was an excellent cook and enjoyed being with her family and friends. Alice was a woman of strength, faith, courage, love, commitment, a caring person whose foremost focus was her faith and her family.

She is survived by: her sons, James (Cheri) Evans, of Dunseith, ND, Thomas (Jan) Evans of Monticello, MN, Frank (LaRae) Evans of Owatonna, MN, Michael (Patty) Evans of Moorhead, MN, Gregory (Joanne) Evans and Patrick Evans of Owatonna, MN; and a son-in-law, Linton Carlson of Bismarck, ND; stepchildren, Cecile Reynolds of Minot, Thomas Berube and James (Linda) Berube of Bottineau, ND, and William (Sheri) Berube of Laramie, WY; 24 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands, Alice was precede in death by her daughter, Linda (Evans) Carlson; grandson, Luke Gregory Evans; son-in-law, Ronald Reynolds; sisters, Dorothy Harris, Esther Larson, Irene Nicholson; brothers, John Tennancour and Gene Tennancour; and her parents.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, beginning at 4 p.m. with a prayer service at 8 p.m. at the St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Dunseith.

Arrangements are with the Nero Funeral Home of Bottineau.

2-27-2008

Posted on by
 
Sharon Longie Dana’s (73) Condolences to the Evans/Berube family & question about Bev Azure:
 
Can someone tell me what’s going on with Clarence and
Bev Azure???/ the medical expenses part??? I have been
out of the loop.
I also send my condolences for the Berube/Evans
families, she was the nicest woman. I always remember
her when we sold Christmas wreaths, she bought one
every year and it was a special time to visit with
her.
Sharon Longie Dana(class of 73)
 
Sharon, For those of you in the classes of 72 & 73 and a few others that have been added to the Alumni list in the past month, I’ve pasted. at the bottome of this message, a few of the messages explaining Bev’s bout with Cancer.  She is one lucky lady to have come out of this whole thing as well as she has.  The messages at the bottom pretty much explaine her whole story.
 
 
 
Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine’s (73) reply to Gary Stokes’ phone call:
 
Next to visting with you last evening this news letter was great.  I have
so many fond memories of Dunseith school days and the Turtle mountians.  I
think of all the good times in 4-H and those hay rides.  I would love to
hear from anyone and everyone.  thanks for adding me to your e-mail
address.  Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine class of 73.
 
Note: Jim, Marlys, Vickie & Lorie are all siblings of Norman & Irene Hiatt (Both deceased).  They were our close neighbors to the east of us up in the hills in the Ackworth community.  We did a lot of neighboring back and forth in our growing up days of which I have fond memories of. We now have all four of the Hiatt siblings are on our distribution list.  Gary
 
 
 
 
Diane Larson Sjol”s (70) memory of Jack Hosmer:
 
I remember Uncle Jack (Hosmer) taking us kids out on the pontoon. We
had so much fun…it was actually the first pontoon on the
lake…complete with lawn chairs and a little cooler.  He would take
it out on the lake and let us jump off and swim.  He never seemed to
be in a hurry….When I walked in the store at about age 10, he would
holler here comes Dinah Shore…don’t know why he called me that but I
kind of liked the attention.  Both Jack and Inie were wonderful
people.  We have lots of good memories of both of them….they are
missed.  Thanks for the picture Dick.  Diane  
 
 
 
Bill Hosmer’s (48) question for Dick Johnson (68) and others (68):
 
Gary, and my Dunseith Friends,

     Just a quick comment on Dick Johnson’s comments about the triple 50th
wedding anniversary.  Dad (Jack) and Glen took their two women to
Crookston Minnesota and had a double wedding.  They used Ike Berg’s
car for some reason, maybe because it had front and back seats.In
actuality, Ike and Agnes were married that same year, 1929, but were
already married but could not reveal that fact because Agnes was a
school teacher, and marriage was not allowed in those days unless you
were a male.  Some swell rationale behind all that, I suppose.

     On another matter for Dick and you other musicians in our readership
I have a favor to ask and pursue, and you may have some ideas how to
approach this task:   I wrote some words for a song about a fighter
airplane I flew long ago, for a reunion of a bunch of the fighter
pilots who flew it.  It premiered at the first F-100 Super Sabre
Society reunion in 2007.  The next reunion will be in the spring of
2009, where I would like to play it on a CD with speakers for the 5
or 7 hundred people who will be there.  The two F-100 pilots who sang
it the first time could not be heard, and I’ve been asked to get
different musicians, because the words were well liked.

      The words are mine, but I stole the music from an old version of
“Ghost Riders In The Sky” made popular by a vocalist named Frankie
Laine.    My version is called  “Hun Drivers In The Sky”   “Hun” is
the nickname of the F- one hundred.

      I heard Dick’s Dad, Don Johnson sing many times while we were in
DHS, and maybe some of those musical genes are maintained in the
musical repertoise of Dick, and others of you who have excelled in
the musical world.

      My strategy, if there is any interest in this project, is to email
the words to the piece to appropriate and kind interested musicians
from my home town territory.  I would cover any expenses, and
provide an amount of cash to make the time and effort worth while.
Copies of the disc would be available  for any performers at zero
cost , as well.   With copyright laws in question, I would not
intend on selling any CDs, but just use the one I get to play at the
2009 reunion in Las Vegas, NV.

       I will send the words if there is any interest in this matter.  I
am looking around the field of guys I flew the Hun with, but one
thing about fighter pilot singing is that it usually done in large
numbers with alot of alcolhol having been consumed, thereby making
the tonal quality “irritating” at best.  A North Dakota sound from
the hills and plains would be something special and one I’d be
proud to give full credit to when the event occurs.

       Gary and all the rest, all my best.   Bill Hosmer

 
 
 
 
From Susan Fassett Martin (65):
 
This is the article from the TMS in Oct of 1979.  It goes with the
picture that Dick sent.  The article is an interesting one, I hope it
comes throught good enough for all to read.  Three nice couples, who
added a lot to the history of Dunseith.      Hugs,   Susan

 

 
 
 
Bev Morinville Azure’s Cancer diagnosis
 
Classes of 72 & 73 and a few others of you that have been added to the Alumni list in the past month:
These are a few of the messages in progression that explain Bev’s diagnosis with cancer and her present condition to date.
 
 
1/10/08: Message from Deb Morinville (70).  Bev Morinville (72) has Cancer:
 
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
 
 
1/26/08: Deb Morinville’s (72) Surgery: Report from Deb Morinville (70):
 
Hi Gary,
 
Here is the first report after Bev’s surgery today.  The dr. said that he didn’t have to take as much of her tongue.  In fact he could leave the tip and so she will have way less difficulty talking. She should be able to very quickly.  The CAT scan and other tests look like they got everything and the tumor hadn’t spread.  We are all so relieved and are cautiously optimistic.  When I hear more I’ll let you know.  BTW  thank you to all who have sent her cards and emails.  She is overwhelmed (in a good way) and deeply moved.  You have all helped her to face this with a lot of strength and grace.  I am so grateful to you all.  But what else could you expect from Dunseith’s best?
 
Deb
 
 
 

2/8/08: Bev Morinville’s (72) update from sister Deb (70):
 
Hi Gary,
 
I  just finished a short but very happy phone call with Bev!  She is doing so terrific that SHE answered the phone.  Sent me immediately into a frenzy of crying and laughing!  She will be finding out soon about radiation but she won’t have to have chemo and she is speaking so clearly.  I was so amazed.  She stills tires easily but will return to her computer soon.  In the meantime I have forwarded to her all the private emails I have received asking about her.  She wants me to tell all of you that she is so grateful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers that she has received.  It really is a miracle and an amazing answer to all those prayers.
 
Deb Morinville Marmon 70
 
 
2/10/08: Message from Bev Morinville Azure (72):
 
GARY, PLEASE  PASS THIS ON  TO   THE  DUNSEITH  GANG  !!!!!!!!!!! HI  EVERYONE  FIRST OF  ALL I WOULD  LIKE  TO THANK EACH OF  U   FOR  ALL THE  GET WELL WISHES AND CARDS , E MAILS AND  VISITS I  HAVE RECIEVED  IN THE LAST  FEW WEEKS   WOW  WHAT A  BUNCH OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE   U ARE.  I HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED  AND  SO MANY  PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.I  HAVE THE  GREATEST  FAMILY  AND   FRIENDS IN THE  WORLD  NOT  ONLY  DID MY  CLOSE  FRIENDS  RALLY AROUND  ME AND  MY  FAMILY  BUT  FRIENDS OF  MY SISTERS AND   BROTHERS  .  AND ALSO THE FRIENDS  FROM  YEARS  AGO  I THANK U ALL SO MUCH. WE  GREW UP IN A  GREAT  PLACE AND   EVEN THOUGH   WE  DON’T SEE EACH OTHER OFTEN IT   AMAZES  ME HOW OLD  FRIENDS COME THOUGH WHEN SOMEONE  NEEDS A  KIND  WORD  .  I AM  RECOVERING  JUST  FINE  I  WILL NEED  RADATION   5  DAYS A WEEK   FOR  7  WEEKS  JUST  TO MAKE  SURE   NONE  OF  THOSE  NASTY  CELLS  RUN AWAY  WHEN   THEY  SAW   THAT  KNIFE  COMING  LOL   I   HAD  AN  AMAZING  DOC. I  WAS   VERY  BLESSED  IN  MANY   WAYS    YES I  LOST   50%  OF  MY TOUNGE   BUT  I   CAN TALK AND I  CAN LAUGH  AND  AND  I  THANK  GOD  FOR THAT.  THE  CANCER  DID  NOT  MOVE  FROM  MY TOUNGE . I HAVE A   FEELIN MY  ANGELS JOE AND FRANCES WERE  HOLDING   THAT  BACK .  ANYWAYS  I  DO  THANK EACH  OF  U  FOR THE SPECIAL  BLESSING   OF   FRIENDSHIP U  HAVE GIVEN  ME IN THIS   TIME .  U  WILL  ALL  BE   BLESSED  SOMEDAY.  GOD WATCH OVER U AND MAY HE  BLESS YOU  .  CATHY   IT WAS GREAT  TO SEE U THE OTHER  DAY  WHAT  A  LIFT U  GAVE  ME.      BEV 

2/26/2008

Posted on by

From Lee Struck (66) – Condolences to the Evans & Berube families:

 
Gary –
 
Please send along my condolences to the Evans and Berube families!  Alice was a kind, loving and gentle woman.  My memories of her and the men & women she raised and fostered are of sound, strong and good people.
 
The world will miss her.
 
Lee Struck
 
 

 

 

Gary Metcalfe’s (57) memories of Adrian Egbert:

 

Adrian Egbert, according to my dad, a very hard working man in his earlier years.  As I knew about Adrian, he had an old Ford pickup, with no driver door for easy access.  He told me one time just how handy he was with the women.  Most of you have heard about how he took all bets.  He once ate a deck of cards.  One day the boys set Adrian up, can you imagine, bet him he could not eat a half a box of Forever Yours candy bars in twenty minutes.  Of course they were laced with crotin oil.  Adrian gets a call from the San Haven for his taxi service, six nurses wanted to go to Belcourt…..draw your own conclusions.  Adrian was not shy, thank goodness.   I wonder if Joe Evans had anything to do with that?  Adrian really was quite a man, my dad said that Bill Peterson and Clifford Metcalfe had the ride of their life coming back from Seattle.  That rope that the old cars had just behind the front seat, had some pure white knuckles wrapped around it.   Adrian
 was a taxi driver extraordinaire.  A big old Buick past them on a curve in the mountain in Idaho, Adrian said, “what was that license number?”  The guys said, “We don’t know.”  He said, “You will.”  He melted a tire about that time, we had butl tubes in those war years.  Those mountain roads were narrow and steep then.
His baby sister, Sadie died with my Aunt Lilly in a lake one mile north of the Bailey place.  Doreen, if you are reading this, I had a memory jolt, my dad always referred to Vance’s home place as the old Mahlon Bailey place.  Was Mahlon a person or what.  That picture you sent triggered that memory about a week later.  Gary Metcalfe

 

Note to Stan & Joan Salmonson (61): Is Donald Egbert (65), Adrian’s son, still making his daily visits to your lumber yard store? Gary

 

 

 

Picture provided by Dick Johnson (68):

 

GARY AND FRIENDS

I ran across this picture while looking for some others. This
is the 50th anniversary of the three couples, Jack and Inez
Hosmer, Ike and Agnes Berg, and Glen and Annabelle Shelver. I
believe they were all married at the same time in Boissevain in
1929. This was not dated but should be 1979 I think. Great
bunch of folks. Please correct me on the dates, if I don’t have
them right. Memories of them would be nice to hear! Thanks Gary!

Dick

 

 

 

 

Flyer for Bev Morinville Azure (72) provided by Verena Gillis (Mrs. Pete 65):  

 

 

 

 

From Rodney Medrud (71) – Please add Rodney to your email address book:

 

Hi Gary just wanted to thank you for the letter that I got from you. It was good to see all of the peoples names on the list. You sure are spending a lot of time on this and I thing it is great

We got email address now so you can add it on.

                                                                                          RODNEY MEDRUD

 

 

 

 

Dunseith News Scanned & Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

2/25/2008

Posted on by
From Ele Dietrich Syter (69) – Memories:
 
Yes, I do remember standing in line on the stairs and in the COLD hallway waiting for my lunch.  I also remember (much better I might add) Stella Schmitz doing the cooking.  No one, in my opinion, has ever made Chili better than her.  To this very day one of my favorite meals is chili and cheese sandwiches.
One other thing that I have been thinking about mentioning here is Herman Martinson’s bismarcks.  To this day I am still looking for a  bismarck that tastes as good as his did. And the glazed doughnuts also had that same special taste that no one has been able to duplicate.  Any chance you might share the receipe for those Tim???
Funny how something like that will stay with you through a lifetime, but that is what this is all about isn’t it—MEMORIES.
 
 
 
 
From Gary Metcalfe (57) – Memories: moniesue@yahoo.com
 
Talking about plays there was a production at Peterson Hall south of Kelvin about 1947.  My dad, Jim Metcalfe, was on stage with a bouquet of onions, a dress borrowed from Hazel Foss and a pillow under the dress, A BRIDE.  The groom was either Ed Walters or Leslie Sime, what their props were I do not remember.  They were all pretty good and I don’t think they rehearsed more than once.  My dad probably sang, “Those Hillbilly’s Are City Williams Now”.  Crazy, huh.??
Now your dad, Gary Stokes, was a one man show at 4H at Floyd Lambs, as I remember.
Peterson Hall was an old CCC barracks moved down from the Peace Gardens.  Gary Metcalfe
 
 
 
 
From Diane Larson Sjol (70) – San Haven:
 
About San Haven…for those of you that don’t know, Scott Waggert,
Editor of the Bottineau Courant, did an extensive study on San Haven,
interviewing the people who “lived” there with TB…I teach at MSU-B
and he was kind enough to talk to my students about San Haven on
Friday during our chapter on respiratory disease.  I know his work can
be accessed by computer and I will get the website for you next week
so you can take a look at it.  San Haven was beautiful in its day but
is now sadly in ruins.  Diane Larson Sjol
 
 
 
 
From Dick Johnson – Memories & Cemeteries:
 
 Gary and friends

When I heard the bike stories and Gary Metcalfe’s question
about Adrian Egbert it reminded me of the story about Don
Egbert and his bike. We lived just across the street to the
south of Ebert’s and when I got my old used bike from Edgar
Anderson, Donnie came over and I told him to take it for a
spin. He didn’t know how to ride but he ran up and down the
alley pushing the bike. Dad came out and said “get on Donald,
and I will help you learn how.” Don handed me the bike and ran
for home! A few days later Don and I and Marvin Kalk were
sitting on the north side of our house in the shade when Adrian
turned off Main Street and drove by with another used bike
sticking out of the trunk of his old 1953 Chevy. Before he even
got stopped, Don jumped up and ran across the street and into
their house. Marvin an I watched while Ol’ Ade took the bike
out and set it up behind the car. He walked into the house and
came out with Donald, pulling him by yhe ear. Ade yelled, ” I
bought you dis bike and by dod you gonna wide it, now dit on”!
Poor Don got on and started south past Kalk’s and peddled
faster and faster until Marvin and got left behind. He got over
to the side of the street and hit the gravel ridge and took a
nasty tumble! I can’t remember what happened to him{ if he got
hurt] but he rode bike after that!!
Crystal Fassett Anderson mentioned our local cemeteries and
memorials. The Riverside Cemetery has several board members, I
think Rod Medrud is one who you could contact. The caretaker at
Rendahl, I heard was Bob Bott. At Little Prairie, we are lucky
to have Joan Wurgler Salmonson as our secretary/ treasurer. Rod
or Joan can be reached at the lumberyard during the day as they
both work there. That number is 701-244=5438. We all have
limited finances and do the best we can with what we have. At
Little Prairie, we just completed a new front fence with brick
pillars and wrought iron railing. It took several years and
lots of volunteers but now it is nice!!

Dick

 
 
 
With Dick Johnson and Diane Larson Sjol having comments in today’s message, I thought I’d share a picture with them, taken this last July, along with Diane’s sister Cheryl, Paulette LaCroix & Toni Morinville.  Gary
 
 
Picture L To R:
Paulette La Croix, Dick Johnson, Toni Morinvelle, Cheryl Larson, Diane Larson

2/24/2008

Posted on by
From Connie Bedard Sullivan (59) – Reply to Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):
 
Good Morning,  Now I couldn’t pass up replying to Bonnie A., of course I learned how to ride that bike!   It did take along time with Dad pushing me down the street, and the first time I was really going by myself I ran into the rope swing in our yard and near killed myself,or at least I thought so.  But I can ride even to this day.  That darn Lowell I am sure he just slipped on the rail that day and broke his arm.  I have pictures of he and I sitting in the mud in the streets before the streets were paved, it was such wonderful mud.  I can remember getting our swimming suits on and just sliding around in that slick,slippery mud.     Connie Bedard Sullivan
 
 
 
 
From Gary Morgan (54) – Known facts:
 
    Hi Gary & All,
     According to my Dad, here are a few little known facts that the Hosmer Brothers (Jack & Bob) had confided to Adrian Egbert:
    (1) During World War II, San Haven would be a prime target if the Germans ever made a night bombing raid but would probably mistake Dunseith for the San so would bomb Dunseith instead.
    (2) Harry Douglas would never be able to find a casket big enough for Adrian so would have to cut off his legs and tuck them in under his arms.
    (3) Harry Douglas never bothered to dress the deceased below the waist.  In fact, had occasionally offered to sell new suit trousers back to Hosmer’s store.
    (4) Unless Adrain got a much higher antenna, he could never expect very good TV reception because by the time the signal from Minot got to the Northern Hotel, it would be all used up.

Gary Morgan
Class of 54
 
 
 
From Crystal Fassett Andersen (70) – Cemeteries:
 
Hi Everyone!  I am reading most of the letters ,but I am not much of a writer. But the note about the cemetery made me want to add something. I only moved away from Dunseith 10 years ago ,so was and still am a frequent visitor to the cemeteries. My Parents,Grandparents,Aunts,Uncles and many friends are buried at Riverside,Little Prairie & Rendahl cemeteries. I go every May and clean the grave sites and place flowers and flags.We stop and check on the headstones and such, other times throughout the year. I have the luxury of only being 120 miles away but there are many families who are no longer close or maybe not even living relatives left for many of the people buried in and around the Turtle Mts. What I am writing about is, how many of you  who are reminiscing, have made a memorial to one of the cemeteries? It is a huge job mowing and keeping gravesites kept up.  Just think, if everyone who has relatives and loved ones would send $25 a year(or more) toward the upkeep,how much easier maintenance would be and it is the least we can do for the people who have gone before and given us such wonderful memories that we now share. I know I sound like a telemarketer but at least this will be the only time I mention it. I am not sure who is in charge of the cemetery assoc. Any more.It was Art Rude SR. But I’m sure someone out there can let us all know where to send a donation. Thanks Crystal Fassett Andersen  Class of 70
 
    
 
 
                San Haven –  Picture provided by Glen Williams (52)
 
 
 
Hannah Higgins Loeb & Mrs. Longie (July 2007):  These two ladies worked together at the San.  Hannah is the wife of
Dr Loeb (Deceased).  Dr Loeb was the Superintendent of San Haven.  Hannah lives in Bellevue WA. and Mrs. Longie
lives in Spokane WA.  These two ladies have remained in contact other over the years. I believe this picture
was taken in the DHS gym at the “All School Reunion Banquet” on Friday July 13, 2007. Hannah and Art Rude
Graduated from DHS in 1939.
 
 

2/23/2008

Posted on by
From Connie Fauske Monte (62) – Memories – Mrs. Conroy – John Hiatt:
 
Gary, you are doing an amazing job with all of this.  It is a lot of fun to turn on my computer everyday and find something that I haven’t thought about in years.
 
I remember Mrs. Conroy so well, they lived across the street from us and I always thought of their home as the Taj Majal, or something close to that, of course I didn’t know anything about the Taj Majal in those days, but anyway.  I think I remember our class had her for two years in row.  Does anyone remember her reading Nancy and Plum to us.  She could really read a story.  I think she and my Mom are the ones that gave me my love of reading.  Now I have a Library for all of the books I have collected through the years. 
 
Also, thank you Peggy Wurgler for that picture of my Granddad, John Hiatt, it was so great seeing him like that, that’s how I remember him, I loved him so much.  He taught me to ride horseback and I still want a horse of my own, much to my husband’s fear.  I remember getting bucked off a horse and him telling me to get right back on.  I did,  but was really scared.  He used to buy and sell horses at his ranch, and I would go out there and ride the new ones he would get in.  We never really knew the history of the horses, but that didn’t stop me. 
 
I have been wandering on here for awhile, so will I stop for now.  Connie (Fauske) Monte
 
 
From Don Boardman (60) – Jamming with Dick Johnson (68):
 
Did you know that Dick Johnson has an addiction?  We were down to the Frozen Fingers Old Time Music Festival and Dick and his Turtle Mountain Hillbilly Band played for an hour on Saturday afternoon.  They are really great!  Later in the evening a bunch of the performers were going to get together and jam.  Dick invited us to join in with them so we did and stayed with them until midnight.  We decided we had to leave them because we had to sing at noon the next day and if we kept on wouldn’t have any voice left.  When we talked to him the next day he said they went until 3.  They were jamming that day with other groups in some side rooms.  We had breakfast with Wayne and Rosemary Smith, part of his band, and they said the band is getting together at least once a week and that Dick & Brenda do a lot of practicing at home.  That is quite an addiction they have.  It sure beats a lot of other things that you can have an addiction to.  As far as a Frozen Fingers festival goes, it was -38 up here in Bottineau that Sunday morning and -22 in Minot so it lived up to its name.  I feel sorry for all of those of you that live in those hot climates.
Don Boardman(60)
 
Don, It’s currently 88F at 4:00 PM Saturday afternoon here in the tropics of the Philippine Islands.  It’s a bit humid, but I’ve gotten used to that.  The last time I was back in ND in the winter was December of 1970. The ND four seasons are nice though.  Gary
 
 
 
 
Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to Don Boardman (60):
Note: I enough time to send Dick an advanced copy of Don’s message so his reply could be included with today’s message.  Gary
 
Gary and allDon Boardman and the Hills and Plains Gospel Group did a nice
job on Sunday at the Frozen Fingers event in Minot. I guess
they are right around the corner from the same addiction we
have! It’s hard to stop once this old time music gets it’s
grip. We were glad they sat in on the Saturday night jam
session and welcome them back.Even though we jammed until 3am I
was up and ready for more by 7am, so I suppose I need
counseling!! It was viciously cold that weekend and many folks
wisely stayed home but there were diehards enough to make about
2/3 rds of a crowd and make the event a success.
On another subject, can you folks remember standing in line to
eat dinner in the basement of the old white school? I remember
the line being so long that it extended all the way back
through the old “breezeway” that connected the two schools.
This corridor looked like the inside of a boxcar and was not
heated so by the time we got all the way to old school building
our teeth were chattering. In those days no one really thought
there was any other way. The milk in the old lunch room sat on
a cast iron hot water radiator so the top cartons were good
cold chocolate or white milk and the bottom ones were hot
chocolate!! I don’t remember a lot of complaining just a hope
of getting there early to get cold milk. Am I alone on my
memories here? Can anyone remember knocking a ball onto the
roof of the newer building. The roof was flat so the ball
stayed up there until somebody went after it. This was a no-no,
but we knew how to boost someone up on the door knob of the
breezway and from there they could get on the roof. Usually
teachers or tattle tale kids would tell Mr. Rude who would come
out to give us heck! If you thought he was on the way the jump
from the roof to the ground didn’t seem high at all!!! Come on
folks, let’s here YOUR memories of days gone by!! Thanks for
the advance notice, Gary.

Again, thank you GARY STOKES!!!!!!!!

 
Dick, I remember, well, standing in that cold corridor lunch line waiting to eat our dinner meal in the west lower basement of the old school.  I remember Mrs. Casavant too, in the kitchen.  She was there most all of my HS days.  She was such a sweet lady and she raised such a nice family.  All sixteen of her children are living, many of which are included with these messages.  It cost us a dollar a week for our lunch ticket of which we purchased from Joan Wurgler in the main office.  I always had time to go up to the bakery and to top off my lunch with 3 of Herman’s glazed donuts for a dime.  Gary
 
 
 
From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56) – Memories:
 
Good Morning Gary,
    Bless you for all the time and energy you put into this round-robin message board.
    It seems to me that one persons note will jog your memory from so long ago.  I remember one day in Mrs. Conroy’s class our Weekly Reader had an article about the invention of the Television.  On the way home Janice Leonard and I glanced over the curtain that covered the lower portion of the tavern that was next to Hosmers store.  Inside that tavern we could see the “Hamms Bear” on a lamp that circled around giving you different images of the bear doing different things.  We told the little kids walking near us that for a penny we would hold them up so they could see the VERY FIRST TELEVISION.  We had quite a money making project going until Janice’s Dad came along to see what we were up to.   We soon made our apologies and returned the money.  Easy come easy go! 
    I think Lowell Leonard was the Champion Marble Master of Dunseith.  He was younger than me but he won all my best marbles.  Lowell was with a group of us playing at the Lucien Bedard home.  We played tag on the railing of their porch.  Connie tagged Lowell a little hard and he fell off and broke his arm.  Connie received a bike for her Birthday, she just didn’t want to ride that bike, (scared I guess)  Lucien pushed me around until I learned to ride and I think, Janice and Lowell also learned to ride on that bike.  I don’t remember Connie ever riding it.
Wonderful memories.
My Best to all
Bonnie Awalt Houle 1956
 
 
From Gary Metcalfe (57) – Comments & Memories of people – ?:
 
Thank you Bonnie and Marshall so much for the pictures, especially the one with the Bailey kids on it and my dad.  It puts the family in better perspective for me.  I am kind of lazy tonight but want to toss out a few more names to see if anyone remembers any stories about them, Adrian Egbert, Tommy Counts, Ed Craig, Fred Pete.  What did Albert and Leo Vandal call their bar when they were across from the Crystal Cafe south of Hosmers.  Really am enjoying hearing from all of you. Gary Metcalfe
 
 
From Diane Larson Sjol (70) – Reply to Glen Williams (52) Cat picture: 
 
I remember cats that they shot up in the hills laying in front of the�
gas station on the corner in town, but I have NEVER SEEN a cat that�
big other than at the zoo…that is scary to think that those things�
are roaming around in the state!  DianeQuoting
 
 
From Dave Slyter (70) –  Reply to Janince Workman (56) & Glen Williams (52):
 
Janice:
�
I thought that was a great gesture on your part to go up to the cemetery and pray over the head stones.   I think praying at anytime is a “great” thing.�
�
Dave Slyter
�
 
�
Glenn Williams
   WOW  What a beautiful animal and “BIG”.    Way to go. �
�
Dave Slyter 
 
 
 

2/22/2008

Posted on by
Message from Colette Hosmer (64):
 
Hi Gary,

 
It’s true, I’ll be on your side of the planet in a couple of days.  I’ll definitely send word from China…..and maybe a photo or two if I think you guys might be interested.  I’ll only be there for a month this time but, if I’m lucky, I’ll get one of the commissions I’m working on and will be able to make another trip before the year is out.

By the way, Diane’s report of her trip to Santa Fe was accurate but she left something out —  that she was a great hit — my friends and family thought she was totally amazing.  I always love an opportunity to show off my ND relatives.

Bev,  

Speaking of amazing…you go girl!  

I do have a website where you can find some images of previous artwork (although it desperately needs to be updated).  Thanks for asking.

Colette
 
Diane Larson Sjol’s (70) Reply to Bev Morinville Azure (72):
 
Hi Bev and all,

For those of you that want to see Colette Hosmer’s work, go to her
website: http://www.colettehosmer.com/index.shtml….she has done

some fabulous work. One  memory I have of that big old white school
house is being too afraid  to go down those rickety metal stairs.  I
was in the fourth grade in  Mrs. Conroy’s class and we had a fire drill. 
The ENTIRE school was  outside coaxing me to come down the stairs. 
The stairs would wobble  and I was a bit on the chubby side and just
KNEW I was a gonner. Don’t know if I ever did make it down those stairs.  Diane
 
 
 
Message from Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59):
 
HI GARY, I HAVE BEEN ENJOYING ALL THE MEMORIES ALSO. I WAS LISTENING TO WINTERGRASS ON ON OUR KING 5 NEWS CHANEL, THEY DO SOUND GREAT. THOSE OLD PICTURES THAT WERE SHOWN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, ROY,ERNEST,RALPH, IKE AND FRANK WERE MY GREAT  UNCLES ON MY MOTHERS SIDE. YES UNCLE FRANK COULD REALLY PLAY THAT FIDDLE. THANKS AGain SHIRLEY(LAROCQUE)WENDT SEATTLE, WA,
 
 
Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (68) – Memory with a Question: 

I remember going to Kelvin’s one night when I was a girl and watching a large crowd dancing.  After one song a hush came over the crowd.  With respect the crowd receded allowing these older gentleman in new bib overalls and sunburned shiny faces to step forward.  In silence the men formed a circle.  When the new music began they did some sort of, physically demanding stomp, clog, or dance.  I was in awe and remember tearing up.  Does anyone know anything about this?  It was one of those moving and vivid childhood memories that has stuck in my mind.

P. LaCroix Chisholm 68

 

Mel Kuhn (70) – Question with a memory:

Howdy Gary,
 
I was just wondering, after the talk of plays, if anyone can remember the name of the play that the class of 70 put on? I know it had something to do with a Genie. I remember this because I was one of the prop guys and we thought that a dry fire extinguisher would work great to simulate the puff of smoke for when the Genie appeared. Well after a few puffs with the fire extinguisher the whole stage and everyone on it was covered with about an inch of nice fine white powder. The audience got a good laugh and I think the first front rows were a little dusty also. I know I hid behind the couch with the Genie and my trusty fire extinguisher and maybe got a little heavy with my trigger finger. I’m thinking the Genie might have been Randy Flynn.
 
Mel Kuhn[70]
 
 
 
Janice Leonard Workman (56) – Memories:

Hi Gary, I remember when we would walk out to Lake Shooty, by way of the gravel pit, to swim all afternoon and hope we wouldn’t have to walk home.  Sometimes we could talk Frank Flynn into taking us out in his old pickup.  One summer Don Johnson was the life guard and he and the bigger boys built a raft.  The boys would take it out so far that we younger kids couldn’t swim to it, or sometimes they would let us on and then throw us off.  We would walk up towards the San and pick berries, filling our bathing caps and eating as we went.  When we were too young to know better, we thought Lover’s Lane was spooky.  Another great pasttime during the summer was to ride our bikes up to the San and then see how far we could coast down the hill.  At that time there were two hills, the big hill and then a smaller hill that could get us past Craig’s Corner (?).  Our goal was to coast as far as Morgan’s lumberyard.  Another great pastime was to “Run the Barrels.”  At Lamoreaux’s garage, across from our café, there were 3 or 4 rows of oil barrels laid on their sides.  We would run these barrels several times a day and have to jump the places where barrels had been removed.  What a challenge!  One summer Bonnie and I walked to the cemetery 3 or 4 times, usually a Saturday, pray over the tombstones, and have our lunch.  It sounds stupid now but we thought we had done our good deed for the week.

Janice Leonard Workman

 

Dick Johnson (68) – Memories:

Gary and friends

Dave Wugler asked about the years of the parades. I think the
other pictures we have of the parades put the first in 1976 and
the second {K.C.s 1930 Ford Model A is restored] is in about
1982.Not sure could be 1989, we had another big parade.
Leland said it was his back and not his leg that broke. Time
has clouded my memory on the event. I do remember the agony and
Russell Fauske being there to help. There were several out
there that day. Anybody else remember? I believe another time
while skiing in the road ditch behind a car, Robert Berube ran
into a culvert and broke HIS leg. Berubes is this right? Thanks
Gary!! 

Dick Johnson

 

Picture from Glen Williams (52):

This Cat was shot outside of Mapleton ND. Mapleton is close to Fargo ND about

15 miles west. More Big cats have been spotted in the Casselton area as well as

South of Moorhead MN by the Red River.

 

 

2/21/2008

Posted on by
From Cecile Gouin Craig (61) – Memories & History:
 
Hi Gary,
I totallly fried my hard drive about a month ago got it fixed but doesn’t
recognize the scanner. Have to call them. It’s been a zoo here. Jan. 29 my
dad Lawrence Gouin fell off a ladder (age 92) broke his hip was in hospital,
then rehab. We brought him home on Mon. seems to be doing great. He’s a
tough one. He and Mom Jean (age 86) live in their home. Still drive, both
play cards several times a week. They had their 67 wedding anniversary in
Dec.

As for the Home-Ec teacher what popped in my head was Mrs. Allen.

The Morgans story: Mr. and Mrs. Morgan lived next door to us on the NorthSS.
Directly across the street from us on the East corner was an old old house,
shack as Mom called it. The house was owned by the reservation, they
wouldn’t tear it down. On the North side of it was another house, I want to
say they were the Nagels? Anyway one summer afternoon the house was on fire,
Mom saw that plunked on the fromt porch to watch. The phone was ringing of
the hook, she didn’t answer it. Just enjoyed the sight. About that time out
comes Mr. Morgan running with a bucket. Mom yelled at him “don’t you dare
throw water on that!” “Jean be quiet!” He had gotten the gas for the boat
they had in the garage to throw on it. Then grabbed the Nagel’s hose to
water down their house. Until the fire chief arrived. Jr. Melmer. Mom never
asked if Maurice or I knew who started the fire. Years later we found out.
Anyone out there ready to fess up???

Johnny Morgan would get freaked out at scary movies. The eyes got to him,
Vincent Price in “The Fly” was a big one. After the movies Johnny catch me
as we left the theater and ask if I’d walk him home. I’d have to walk him to
his door, then walk myself home. That was our secret.

Mrs. Conroy: She was my 1st teacher (4th grade upstairs) at Dunseith I had
just moved from Ontario, Can. She was a great teacher. My Mom still uses the
onion board with the onion face on it, also the bread board. School started
in Sept. 1952 at the git go I was asked if I liked “Ike” didn’t have a clue
who that was (ask me about the Queen) so I got beat up a couple of times,
decided I did like “Ike”.

 
 

Dean Stickland’s (73) Reply to a message Gary Stokes (65) sent him:

Hi Gary,

Can you please add another email address to the ’73 spreadsheet for me?  I’m not sure how long we’ll have the “netzero” address, but I hope to have mail@sticklandbows.com for a long time.

I keep pretty quiet in the background but read your emails every morning – thanks for your kind dedication and effort. 

There’s a bunch of ND folks who would enjoy a local musical event this weekend.  I’ll be spending the next four days at a bluegrass festival called Wintergrass, in Tacoma, WA.  Its one of the major musical events in the northwest with about 15,000 attendees.  I have a vendor’s booth there where I sell custom-made violin bows, restored older bows and a few violins.  My brother Darrel (Doc) will be arriving from Mpls. tomorrow to join me there for the event.  Ronnie Kelly from MT is also planning to come out this weekend.  Darrel, Ronnie and Ronnie’s brother Randy used to have a band in Mpls. back in the late 70’s.  Check out the website http://www.wintergrass.com.

 Thanks again,

Dean Stickland (73)

 
 
Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to Marshall Awalt (51) & Memories:
 
Gary and friends

Thanks to Marshall for the old pictures. The picture of your
dad, John Awalt, and Louise Johnson [my grandpa’s sister] was
taken in my front yard when the Awalts lived here. I tore down
the last of the old house and built another log home on the
same spot. Your dad told me that the big elm trees here were
just planted when the old house was being built, around 1902.I
think the picture was taken in the early 1920s as Louise was
married and gone buy 1925.
When Bonnie mentioned being pulled on a car hood, I remember
being on a tobaggan behind my old 1947 Plymouth out at the
airport one Sunday afternoon back in 1965. I gave a bunch of
kids rides and then got talked into trying it myself. The
driver was Rich Campbell and John Boguslawski was in the
backseat as a “spotter”. Each time I waved for them to slow
down, John said “he wants to go faster”. I finally flew off the
sled and slid and flipped half way down the airport! When I
stopped my glasses were gone and I tore one sleave off my
jacket! As I recall that was the last time I ever got on a
tobaggan!!
There was another Sunday afternoon maybe a year or so earlier
when we were down in the pasture just behind the park and we
were sliding down the hill on a TOBAGGAN. Each trip down we
went a little farther as the track packed harder. On the final
run we thought we could make it all the way to the edge of the
creek. With four of us on the thing we took off and we not only
made it to the creek but into the dry creek bed and directly
into a big rock! Leland Stickland was sitting in the front with
his legs crossed and when we flew forward we heard a loud POP!!
It was the sound of Lee’s leg breaking!! WE pulled him home on
the sled and they took him to the hospital, as I recall. Am I
correct with the details Leland?? Thanks again Gary..

Dick Johnson

 
 
 
Lee (Leland) Stickland’s (64) reply to Dick Johnson:
Note: I had time to send this to Lee for his reply before sending this out today. Gary
 
Gary,
 
Thanks for the advance copy.  I do not recall having ever suffered a broken a leg; although did have adventurous rides on car hoods or toboggans behind a car.  I did fracture the third (3rd) lumbar vertrabae of my back on Dec, 30, 1960 while riding on a toboggan.   As I recall, Russel Fauske and some others and I were sliding down the slope North of Johnny Hiatts; across the road for the city dump. Hit a rock and landed in a bad fashion.  A short time thereafter Russel’s face was badly lacerated when he tangled with a barb wire fence.
I got up and walked home.  When I arrived at home, I was not able to take off my own boots.  To Rolla hospital, Dr Eylands was there.  Traction in bed for some time. I played 5 years of football following that episode, some discomfort(s) ensued.  (In later years, former sources of pain do return with a vengeance, seemingly.)  Coach Bob Jury would “encourage” me to do better and better, esp, with the 100 yard dash, takeoff, posture while running and last spurt efforts.  Have many wonderful memories of Jim Evans and I playing tackle position and doing our best to make a “hole” for Dave Shelver or John Leoanrd to get through.
As it may be,  also on a Dec 30, in 1965, was the day that Earl Hiatt and I were struck by another vehicle 16 miles South of Dunseith.  Sadly, Earl did not survive. 
I received 7 jaw fractures:: 3 of right  mandible, 2 of left mandible, broken from hinge joint(s) and pushed back and up against the brain stem. Two basal skull fractures also occured;as I understand. that is the bumps on the back of the head just above the neck.  Went from 217 #s to 154 #s in 30 days.
Had many car accidents, I was driving a few times,  Had two small planes quit on/for me and survived that.  As I ‘figger’, I have one live left. 
Gary, FYI and obvious need of editting.  I read with great expectation, each of the daily “memories” of Dunseith.  No, they c/would not be traded.     Thankz for ALL the effort you perform to keep US in touch.   LEE
 
 
Bev Morinville’s (72) request to Colette Hosmer (64):
 
Colette  I  would love  to see  some of  your  art.  Can u share  some pic ‘s  with us    Bev  azure
 
 
 
 
Marge Landsverk’s (57) Reply to Gary Metcalfe (57):
 
Hi Gary and all,
     Yes Mrs. Ward sounds like the economics teacher’s name.  You have a good memory!
 
     I remember the car hoods before snowmobiles only I remember them in the ditches pulled by cars.  If my mother only knew!
 
                                                                               Marge Landsverk 57
 
 
Dear Gary,                                                                        02-20-08
     I think it is typical of rural N.D. and has a good message.
                                                                                    Marge(Landsverk) Fish
                                                                      Click here: Dirt Roads
 
 
 
 
Marshall Awalt’s (51) reply to Gary Metcalfe (57) With Pictures:
 
Gary,
 Yes Gary was right, the Anderson family were neighbors with the Metcalfs. My mother Gertrude Anderson went to school with the metcalf, Potria, Belgarde and Bailey’s. Here is some of the old photos. Hopefully everyone is indentified right.
 
 
JIM METCALFE, LUCKY METCALFE,ARCHIE METCALFE AND CHARLES ANDERSON 

 GERTRUDE ANDERSON, MARY METCALFE, BILL METCALFE, NEALY ANDERSON

                                        MOTHERS FRIENDS

2/20/2008

Posted on by
Diane Larson’s (70) reply to Gary Stokes’ (65) question (repeated from yesterday): 
 
Diane, Were you able to make it down to Santa Fe, NM last month to help your cousin Colette Hosmer (64) celebrate her Birthday? Gary
 
Gary, Yes I did…we had a great time and I will send some photos….just
stayed at her house with friends and family.  She and I hit some shops
and had a marvelous meal the evening before at one of her favorite
Mexican restaurants….had all the Mariache (sp) girls serenade her. 
She ended up running into a fellow who worked with her in the early
days of her art career about 35 years ago.  They had a wonderful
reminiscing and he remembered when she got a job as a clerk in the
gift shop at the gallery.  Colette said she loved that job because it
brought her closer to the gallery and the art she so loves.  What was
so amazing was that she ended up having quite a successful showing of
her own art there this past summer…and this fellow she knew happened
to go there and see her wonderful work.  She should be leaving any day
now for another trip to China. Diane
 
Colette, If at all possible, we’d love to hear from you while you are in China?  I know this is a work related trip with your Art and I’m assuming you plan on being over there for a few months.  Gary
 
 
 
Dave Wurgler’s (64) reply to Dick Johnson (68) – KC Sine’s Model “T”: 
 
Reply to Dick Johnson of  K C Sine’s model T pickup. That  first picture had to be back in 1968 cause the blue chevy parked by the Garden Tap is a 1966 chevy belair and the Ford in front is a 1968 Ford Galixy. We left Dunseith in 1966 so I would not remember the parade. The next picture I’m not sure but  the new Security Bank building was not their when we left in 1966. So any one with more info—–GITTER DUN—– Dave Wurgler
 
 
 
From Marge Landsverk Fish (57) – Mrs. Conroy & memories: 
 
Hi Gary and All,
     I had Mrs. Conroy in 5th. grade in the white frame school building in the upper floor.
I always liked crafts and remember painting on glass over a picture and then removing the picture and putting crushed tin foil behind it.
     I remember also making fall bouquets with dried weeds (milk pods, wheat and etc.)  We would put water in a pail and then put oil paint in and dip the weeds in.  They were real pretty.
This was probably before spray paint.
     I also was friends with Coleen.  She was about a year younger than I was.
 
     In Highschool I remember the Home Ec. teacher but can’t remember her name.  We divided up the class and made special meals.  I learned to knit argyle socks which was real neat.
In the evening we used to sew in the home ec. room and someone would make fudge.
 
     Are there any one out there that remembers the dances at Kelvin?  That was some old time music.
 
                                                         Marge (Landsverk) Fish Class of 57
 
 
 
 
From Gary Metcalfe (57) – Memories: 
 
Hello again, Janice mentioned Ray Wilson which brought this memory to mind. Ray Wilson was Red Wilson’s uncle.  Red was married to Helen Myer and lived on Earl Myer’s farm north of Kelvin.  Red was a pal of my dad’s so every year we went to the Brandon Fair. Red left his new 1949 Chevy pickup at Kelvin.  It was blue, all the others ones were black or green.  He was fussy how it looked. At the end of the day we dropped him off at Kelvin to get his pick up.  In the two miles between Kelvin and Myer’s farm—Oh-oh, I let fly with my ice cream cone just fooling around, but it came out of the cone and found Red’s windshield!!  Two weeks later at Shelver’s Drug….there’s Red.  “Hey, Mrs. Shelver or Edna or ?? , give Gary a double vanilla cone.”

Does Miss Ward ring a bell for the Home Ec teacher??

George Alvin another colorful friend of my dad’s,.  George Alvin was a full fledged Montana cowboy, and he absolutely looked the part.  In 1930’s the CCC boys from Kansas, working at the Peace Garden,  wanted to go home for the 4th of July weekend,.  With a 4 x 6 pickup bed, I am sure they had to stand up, so they stood up in the back of Dad’s new Chevy pickup, then three days later came back.  George rode along.  After 35 years of cowboying in Montana, I imagine he had a lot of stories to tell.  Gary Metcalfe

 
 
 
From Bonnie Awalt (56) – Mrs. Conroy & Memories: 
 
Dear Gary,
    Who would have ever believed such a little town could have created such wonderful memories! Hi Gary Metcalfe: the Anderson’s lived not to far from the Metcalfe’s.  Charlie played the harmonica and Walter played the fiddle, Walter also called Square Dances.  Grandma Anderson could play the pump organ and My Mom could play some also, Mom was pretty shy so didn’t like to play in public.  Dick Johnson lives close to where the old Awalt Homestead was originally.
    One great memory for me was making home made ice cream at Oliver and Martha Handlands farm in the hills.  They took turns cranking the handle and when it started getting harder they would set one of us little kids on top of the freezer.  It was really cold on your bottom, but the bonus of sitting there was that when they took out the dasher to see if it was done you were the one to get the first taste.  Wonderful tasting, you sure don’t get ice cream like that today.
    I remember one day when Mrs. Conroy received some bad news at school.  She started to cry, I was positive the person that brought up the news was the reason she was crying and I was so mad at him.  Mrs. Conroy later explained why she was crying.  She showed her students a great deal of respect.
    Gary Cota had an old Model A or Model T, anyway an old car.  We went out to DuWayne Langs and using an old car hood were pulled around the pasture at Langs.  What a wonderful time, better than riding a snowmobile because we could get more on the hood at one time.  Lois Hiatt, and I were on the hood with several other girls and we kept yelling for the boys to stop and they wouldn’t or couldn’t hear us, we were laughing so hard that someone had an accident and froze all of us to the hood.  We went into the house for hot chocolate and to thaw out.  What wonderful times.
Bonnie (Awalt) Houle
   

                    Pictures provided by Marshall Awalt (51):  

2/19/2008

Posted on by

From Janice Leonard Workman (56) – Mrs. Conroy, history & Memories:

Hi Gary and all, Conroy’s came to Dunseith about 1948 or 1949 when the class of 56 was in 5th grade.  Mrs. Conroy taught 5th and 6th grad in the old white building, top floor, east side.  She was a wonderful teacher and one of things that we did in art class was to paint on glass.  What fun that was.  Don was in the 5th grade and a new person in school.  In the other room upstairs was Mrs. Agnes Berg.  She had 7th and 8th grade.  Then things changed and when we were in 8th grade, we were in the dungeon (basement) with Miss Berg and Miss Beulah Shurr’s freshmen English was right across the hall.  These rooms later became the cafeteria (the first ever).  Then the year we got out of the basement and out of the white building altogether.  There was a room built over the bleachers of the gym and that was where the typing class was.  The stage in the gym was a science class of some kind and Mr. Conroy’s office was in a little and I really mean little room off the stage and served also as the library.  When the new high school was built in 1954/55 we were really “top notch.”   High school was really a fun, fun time!!  Another teacher that we “broke in” was our home economics teacher, can’t think of her name, but she came my senior year.  She taught us to knit socks and we did some (great??) cooking.  I think we did some sewing too.  This was her first year teaching, I’m not sure if she came back the second year or not, I think she was pregnant when she left.  Better close now.  Janice Leonard Workman

 

From Ron Longie (65) – Mrs. Conroy:

Gary,

When I read Dick Johnson’s memories of Mrs Conroy , my grey matter came to life and all these memories of Mrs Conroy came flooding in. I could not catch on to multiplication at all, so Mrs Conroy had me stay after school and learn this brain cramper, if anyone remembers the “OLD WHITE SCHOOL” and her classroom you will surely remember the size of the blackboards ! maybe having all the blackboards filled with multiplication from top to bottom, and side to side just intimidated the heck out of me, it took a few nights but I got it and have been eternally grateful to her ever since. Dick my Mom still has the buffalo I made in Mrs Conroy’s class, I wonder how many of the class of “65” can remember making their Buffalo?.

 

From Diane Larson Sjol (70) – Memories & Mrs Conroy: 
 
Deb (Morinville) and all,
do you remember wax lips and pink bubblegum in white paper and coke�
floats from the drug store?  Remember when we used to go to the�
Crystal cafe with your dog Tuffy and just walk in the back door.  I�
can’t smell garbage burning to this day wthout thinking of Dunseith�
and those garbage cans burning garbage…I remember how I used to run�
past the jail when going to your house so the “prisoners” who were�
looking out of the window with bars wouldn’t see or get me!  I�
remember dead cougars in front of the gas station when someone shot�
one up in the hills.  Even though we moved all over the world with my�
dad in the Army, my best memories are from Mrs. Conroy.  And Don…I�
remember the bean bags and multiplication tables too.  I also remember�
sitting on the floor playing jacks at recess…and Crystal Fassett�
reading more books than me when we had a reading contest!! Fun and�
wonderful times….hey what about those wonderful date bars at the�
bakery?
 
Diane, Were you able to make it down to Santa Fe, NM last month to help your cousin Colette Hosmer celebrate her Birthday? Gary
 
 
 
From Warren Anderson (65) – History & Memories: 
 
Hi, Gary and all DHS
 
George and Minnie Alvin where our neighbors to the north of our farm and when they moved into town dad rented his quarter of land for many years until Duane Peterson bought it.  I remember my mother and dad driving the horses in the winter time going over to their farm and playing cards.  Us kids would have to stay home because they never had any young children left at home.  Our older cousin would baby sit us.  Once Minnie had the creamery mother always took the cream there, she said, “Minnie would always give us a little more than the Bottineau creamery.”——Who knows the truth of that one?  Mother would say at times that their boy was so cute.  Does anyone know if he is still alive? I do not remember him.  The 2nd year after they had moved to town dad hid in the old house and shot 3 deer eating in the yard.  It was on a moon-lit night in December.  There must have been some good grasses in the yard.
 
And yes, Ely Demery, he was my mothers first cuz but she would jokingly say she never claimed him because he was to mean.  Must have been before my time because I never saw him fight or get kicked out of a bar.  He was one of the last old cowboys from the bush that far north.  He used to help my father in threshing time when I was real young.  If one could get the song about him, I would love to get a copy.
 
Gary, we did miss out on a lot not attending Dunseith yearly in our School grades but isn’t it nice we did survive with the education we did receive.  My 3rd grade we did have 3 different teachers and I feel it was a grade that I really fell behind.  Enough for now classmate—Warren 65
 
 
 
From Bob Hosmer (56) – School play memories: 
 
Gary,
 
I remember this play (Desperate Ambrose).  It was done at least two nights and maybe more.  I went twice as a youngster, but what was memorable to me was one scene that Dick Morgan and Donna Sunderland played that was different on the second night and Dick had to ablib to cover a bit of mistake.  He went over to the couch where Donna was sitting and was to pick her up and carry her off somewhere, which he did the first night.  The second night he had difficulty lifting her off the couch and stumbled around.  The next thing he did was turn to the audience and say “She’s heavier than she looks, isn’t she.” Everyone laughed at that line and the play went on as before.
 
Bob Hosmer
 
 
 
 
From Gary Metcalfe (57) – History & Memories: 
 
Yes, music does make a difference.  I can’t imagine my great pal and working partner, Ole Bursinger without his fiddle.  He had the ambition and compassion, but the music made the hard work and muddy roads tolerable.
Rabbit City Lake around the 1920’s, about a mile plus NE of the Bailey place, had the Metcalfe’s on the north side and the Evans on the south and Poitra’s all around.  Old Frank Poitra was a fiddle man.  Metcalfe’s had their own fiddler, Charlie and Grandma Rose called square dances.  Emil played guitar, all of the kids sang solo when called upon.  Old Lucky Metcalfe, I never heard him sing until the later years when they all came back from Seattle.  He had a great bass voice and came out with old friends.  One verse I remember was “all down my take of life I find nothing goes right it seems. You’ll always be a pal of mine, though it may only be in dreams.  Old friends are always the best you know, new friends you can find every day, but there is nothing so dear to this old heart as the old friends of yesterday”.
They did not call Bing, “Bing” for no reason either. Ole Evans song was, “The Preacher and The Bear”.  Martin Evans you could hear him sing and yodel for a mile and Edna was a yodeler too.  By the way, my dad married one of those Evans girls and they sang together.  Grandma Evans sang me lots of songs in Norwegian.�
They also wore out a couple pair of boxing gloves every winter.  I wonder if Leona showed her boxing skills to those town boys when she moved to town, probably not!  No, they were not bored.  By the way, Bonnie, your mom’s folks must have been neighbors as Walter and Charlie Anderson were regulars at these athletic and musical ongoing events.
In the summer their diving board was Brustos, Grandpa Evans old red bull, probably until he caught them.  In the winter they had a wagon wheel frozen in the ice with ropes on it and some ice skates (get it?) Ward Anthony called it a whirley gig!!  Gary
 
 
 
From Marge Landsverk Fish (57) – KC Sine and Memories: 
 
Hi Gary and All,              
     K.C.Sine lived across the alley from us.  One day he came over and was very upset as his wife was unresponsive.  My mother (Minnie Landsverk) ran over and they got Marge Sine  out of the house and walking in the fresh air.  It was carbon monoxide poisening.  K.C always gave my mother credit for saving her.  My mother was always cool in a emergency.
 
     My dad had a model T ford pickup when I was in grade school .  He hauled wood in it.  We lived only a half block so. of the school  and my dad would drive by and I would be embarrassed like kids are.  I wish I had it now!
 
Marlene( Kraft) Armentrout and I took it out for a ride on the town one Sun. when my folks were gone.
When they got home my dad found us.  That was one of the few times when I saw his Norwegian temper really riled  up.  We did’nt do it again.
 
     We continue to have really bad weather in Wi., ever since Thanksgiving.  We have had rain, ice and snow the last 2 days.  Lots and lots of snow.  We usually don’t get much.  They do a good job of clearing
which really helps.
 
     I know spring will come soon, after all the robins come back in Feb. They may need coats.”
 
                                                                         Sincerly,
                                                                               Marge (landsverk) Fish
P.S
I remember Miss Harchenco?’
She was a excellent music teacher. I  Iearned a lot from her.
 
 
 
 
From Susan Fassett (65) – KC Sine: 
 
This is the bottom half of a calendar that was in my parents’ things.�
KC and Margie Sine lived next door to the south of my Grandpa (WILMAR)
and Grandma(KATE) Fassett and mother bought several things when they had
their auction.  KC always called my sisters and I the Fassett “boys”.�
He loved to tease us.I always loved going in to KC’s store because he had so much  stuff
crammed in there.  He also always handed us a piece of “penny” candy.�
Can you believe that you could  buy something with a penny?

We also got a 50 cent a week allowance, which I always used for a movie
and popcorn and pop and had enough money left over to buy some reading
material at the drugstore i.e comic books or 25 cent books.

We also went to Minnie Alvin’s cream station with Grandma Goodie, as
Minnie and George Alvin were neighbors of the Amundson’s (my great
grandparents) when they lived in the hills.  Everyone seemed like family
to me and many were.

What wonderful memories we all have.  Keep them coming. 

Love, hugs and prayers,    Susan

 
 
From Dick Johnson (68) – KC Sine: 
 
Gary and all DHSI found the pictures of K.C. Sine’s pickup that I mentioned in
another message. This is the one K.C. used to pick up and
deliver around the area. Most of the older of us will probably
remember it. Martin Peterson owns it now and it runs just as
well as it looks! As you can see, both pictures were taken in
Dunseith parades. Thanks Gary for passing it on!

Dick Johnson

 
 
 
 
 

2/18/2008

Posted on by
Memories from Deb Morinville (70): 
 
Hi Gary,
 
Here’s more memories. 
David Shelver’s boxer dog named Duke.  We were all so scared of him but I didn’t think he was too bad until one day our orange life jackets were hanging on the clothes line and he came over and played a game of “shred the orange things”   He totally ripped them right on the line!  I think Mr. Shelver must have replaced them because we had more the next time we went to the lake!  I also remember that we would look at the paperback books at the drug store (until Mrs. Leonard would chase us out)  But we discovered that they would eventually find their way (without covers) out to the big brick garbage bin in the alley and then we would get them for free!
Mrs. Conroy made “hasty pudding” when we were studying about the Revolutionary War.  I can’t remember how it tasted but I learned more about that war than anything else.
In jr. high Mr. Klein had us do a mock election that was between Goldwater and some Democrat.  I think Randy Flynn was the only Republican in our class.  (Hey Randy I’m now a Republican!!)
Whoever sent the picture of Billy Lawrence….thank you!  He was exactly how I remembered him.  I can still smell the smoke, grease and dirt of the blacksmith shop!
Keep sending those memories.  They really are priceless!
Deb Morinville Marmon 70
 
 
 
Dick Johnson’s (68) Memeroy of Mrs. Conroy: 
 
Gary and all DHS

Diane Larson Sjol’s memory of Mrs. Conroy triggered my own
memories of her fourth grade class. Can anyone remember how she
taught us to do mutiplication fast? She gave us bean bags to
throw to each other and we had to yell the answer before we
caught the bean bag. I found it helped to back up and leave
lots of space! She also had what she called “art class” which
was more crafts than art. We made things for our parents like
presents, etc. One item was made by putting the front of a
Christmas card face down in a plate an then filling the plate
with “Plaster of Paris”. We put a loop of wire  in the stuff to
hang it up. When it “cured” we took it out and then painted the
front around the card and sprinkled on some sparkles and it was
ready to go. I was a bit gaudy but my mom hung it up
with “pride”. I still have this little piece of Mrs. Conroy’s
art class and although it no longer hangs on the wall, each
time I look at it, I have to smile!

Dick Johnson

 
Note: Having gone to Ackworth country school for all eight grades, I never had the opportunity of having Mrs. Conroy for a teacher, but with all of your positive comments from a wide range of classes, she must have been one of the all time favorites.  I know she was well liked by the class of 65 with the many comments they had with the many messages we exchanged prior to our reunion last July.  It sounds like she always taught 4th grade.  Gary Stokes (65)
 
 
 
Memories from Bev Morinville Azure (72): 
 
oh the  memories   of Lorraine are  good ones   that is  for  sure  what  a  woman . She  had  the  most  powerful voice  I think I have  ever  heard. She  would have  cousin  reunions   only  thing  was   it   was  just  cousins  she  always  invited  me  to them  saying  well u are  like  one  of the kids ,  As  u  all  know  Lyle  was   like  my brother….  he  always  introduces me  as  such.  Lorraine  was  a  good  friend  to  my Mom and  I have  many memoies  of  them talking  at the  kitchen  table.  Now  someone  talked  about  Alpine  Dion  he  was  my  Great Uncle and  ended up   living  with us   for a  while.  What   guy  he was  I remember  going  into  his  little  shoe  shop  he  had.  it  was tucked in between the  bakery and  the   red  owl  store  and  as all of  us Morinville  would   go and  visit  him  and  he  would  let  us   smell the  glue he used  to  fix  the  shoes.  the  Glue  smelled   so  good. hahaha   then  one   day  he  got a   new   bottle  in and  it  had a warning  not  to  smell  and  he  showed  it  to  us. Well  that  was  the end of  smelling  glue.  He  was a  quiet  men   and  we  all loved  him  dearly……  We  loved  going to  his  house  just  North  of  town and  seeing the  baby  chicks …  Bev
 
 
 
Message from Karen Loeb Mhyre (65): (Dr. Loeb, at San Haven, was her father): 
 
Gary,

I am forwarding this on for Karen (see below). It is cute.

Bill (Grimme) 65

 
 
 Hello Bill, 

 I wanted to forward this to Gary for all of us now in our 60’s, but
can’t seem to get it to go without all of the names of my friend
Jennifer’s distribution list.  I hope you can open it at least and have a
good laugh!  If you can figure out how to send it on so others can see it
as well, that would be great!

 Am in Michigan til tomorrow (with my granddaughter, Fiona) and then home
for a few days and then to Palm Springs to get out of the cold for a week.
Oh, and a gal trip to Las Vegas to see the Cirque de Soliel “Love” show
and the “sites”  for three days!

 I hope you are enjoying your retirement.

 Jim will work at least 5 more years!

 Take care,

 Karen Mhyre

 
Hee-hee-hee!
This is funny. Make sure you have the sound on and follow the link below.
 
 
 
From Marshall Awalt (51):
 
Marshall, I’ve added who I think the last names are of the folks in the play, in Blue,  with a “?”.  Please verify if they are correct.  Gary
 
Hi Gary,
 
Speaking of plays at good old Dunseith sent me looking for my high school play book (Desperate Ambrose).I have all the characters indentified but one so hopefully someone out there can help.
 
Don (Hosmer?) played Dan’l
Tommy (Hagen?) played Ambrose Groves
Jimmy (?) Played Bert Miller
Norman (Haagenson?) played Sheriff Crandel
Dick (Morgan?) played Hoot Owl Pete
Marshall (Awalt?) played Stinkweed
Lois (Lilleby?) played Nancy Martin
Donna (Sunderland?) played Anne Martin
Joyce (Boardman?) played Poise
Clarice (Olson?) played Mrs Sprool
Carol (Fassett?)  played Lena
I have C.C. playing Beth can anyone jog my memory as to who is C.C.
 
We held the play in the old gym.I don’t remember how the play went over but Ido know we had one great time putting it on.
Here is a few things to help bring back good memories.
 
Marshall
 
 
 
      Marshall, was this Class year 50-51?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2/17/2008

Posted on by

Folks, There is a lot of history with these messages today.  It’s great!  Future generations will love us.  Gary

 

From Ron Longie (65):

Gary,

I too have fond memories of K.C. my kid brother Donnie and I went into K.C.’s store on report card day, Donnie said he had received his report card but didn’t know what all the letters were for so K.C. asked Donnie to see his card, he started off with

                       A- Excellent

                       B- Very Good

                       C- Average

                       D- Not so good

                       F- FINE

needless to say Donnie was very excited to show his report card to dad after he got done reading him the riot act my brother couldn’t understand all the ruckus over his grades cause K.C. said the “F” meant fine. We laugh about it now but it wasn’t to funny then.

                                             Ron Longie (class of 65)

 

 

From Dave Slyter (70):
 
REMEMBER WHEN,
Mr. Nagel would yell,  Ok please get out your typing books.

Dave Slyter
 
 
 
 
From Diane Larson Sjol (70): 
 
Remember Mrs Conroy and those arithmetic tests she used to have me
write out during recess.  Then she would put them on the mimeograph
machine and we would have the test in the afternoon.  I never once
thought about cheating..Mrs. Seim cured me of that in the first grade.
  We had a think and do workbook with three questions at the end of
the story.  I wasn’t sure so I copied Debbie Morinville’s paper and we
both got it wrong and got F’s….Remember delivring May baskets and
making bowls out of 78 records and spraying them and cigar boxes
covered with macaroni with bronze colored spray paint.  I can’t
remember how many macaroni boxes my mom got from us kids.  I also
remember sitting out in the middle of the gravel street in Dunseith
before the roads were paved making mud pies.  I think we lived in that
green and white barn house by the Fontaine’s and the Sister’s convent.
  I also remember playing with the hoola hoop with the Grossman kids
and wearing sunsuits when Sister (the crabby one) came out and told us
we were sinful and were moving our bodies in sinful ways.  We didn’t
have a clue what she was talking about.  so next time we played with
the hoola hoop, we made sure she couldn’t see us so we wouldn’t go to
hell.
 
 
 
From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): 
 
Dear Gary,
    The small Creamery on the South end of town was first owned by Clint and Hattie Anderson (Hattie Bailey Anderson Related to Vance Bailey) when they retired and moved to Rockford, Illinois they sold to Minnie Alvin who ran it for many years. 
    The lumber yard that was behind the bank, hardware store and postoffice, was owned by Mr. Schwab. (We used to crawl under the boards at the bottom of the lumber yard and play on the lumber.  Mr. Schwab would chase us off and 10 minutes later we were all back in there again.) 
    Behind the Hardware store they kept a large flatbed trailer all one summer.  We used to play on it like it was a huge tee-ter-tatar we’d run all to one end and it would come down and then we’d run to the other end and let it bang back again, back and forth until someone from inside (usually Bill Evans) would come out and yell for us to scram. He must not have been very scary because everyday we were back doing it again.
  Joy Nordquist’s mother ran the confectionary for awhile when they first moved to Dunseith. 
Ed and Edna Leonard had the Peace Garden Cafe when it was on the South end of town not far from the little creamery. 
    Do you remember Jackie Spaeth and his little pony and cart that he delivered the newspapers from? 
    What about Rowena Godfrey, her dad was the barber next to the Drug Store.  They lived behind the Barber shop.  I haven’t heard from her since they moved from Dunseith.
Bonnie (Awalt) Houle 1956
 
 
 
From Dave Slyter (70): 
 
I remember Minnie Alvin   The sweet little lady that ran the Rugby creamery.  She sure was a strong little lady.   Always look forward to seeing her farm customers come into town when we had to deliver the cream to her. 

Dave Slyter
 
 
 
From Gary Morgan (54): 
 
Hi Gary & All,
     In answer to Gary Metcalf, Mr. Schwab was the manager of the Great Plains Lumber Yard, owned by Farmers Union.  Apparently, about the time that Mr. Schwab retired, Farmers Union decided Dunseith was only big enough for one lumber yard and brought in Harry Adams to manage
Great Plains.  They dropped their prices to rock bottom. I remember for a while they were selling cement for ten cents a bag less than cost.  At this time there was a Great Plains lumber yard in about every town (sort of like (Cenex) so they could make up their loss someplace else.  One thing we know about Farmers Union….they don’t like private enterprise and will eliminate it anytime they can.
     Those were lean years for the Morgan Lumber Co. and the only way my Dad survived was by going into the construction business.  By being able to offer the complete package (materials & labor), he was able to hang on.  Eventually, Farmers Union gave up and in the middle 50s offered to sell their lumber yard to Dad.  Dad bought them out, tore down the lumber sheds and rented the lot to Harvey Hobbs.

Gary Morgan
Class of 54 
 
 
 
From Bill Hosmer (48): 
 
 Hello again, Dunseithers.   The names on main street mentioned by Gary
Metcalfe ring a few bells.  Pete Richard early on had  gas station,
south of Hassen’s store.  He had a son Pete Jr. about the age of my
brother Don Hosmer, class of 52 or 53.  Later on he had the variety
store a few doors south of McCoys bar wich was just south of Hosmers
Store.  I have seen Pete Jr. in Dunseith , probably at the Dunseith
Centennial in 1982.

      Bill Schwab owned the lumber yard which was east, across the alley
from the bank building.  The current post office is on the southeast
corner of the lot which was included in that property.  The building
was shaped like an L.  One leg of the L was on the north side of
that lot, and the other leg was on the west side, backed up to the
alley. This structure held most of the lumber stock and was open.
On rainy days, if we had been on that part of town we took shelter
under the roofed areas, until Mr Schwab would politely tell us to
leave.  There were not many cranky people, except the occaisional
streak KC had.  Kids were all over town and in the hills, and down
at the creek.

    One time when we were in our younger teens one summer a few of us were
driving around one night after dark.  Went up to the San, and up to
the water tower which still stands there.  Three of us guys went up
the ladder to the walk way around the bottom of the tank to impress
the girls that were with us.  The guys were Chuck Johnson, Leo Murray,
and me.  Then two of us went up the ladder which rolled around the
lower guard fence, and went to the top of the tank where  the red
blinking light was installed.  Don”t remember who the other high
climber was, but I touched the light, and waited for a cheer, but it
never happened.  The girls probably couldn’t see it, or they didn’t
care.

 My Uncle Bob Hosmer told me that when he was a kid he did  things like
that in the 1920s.  He walked around the bottom row of shingles which
were on top of the wooden water tower down by the depot.  It was for
watering the steam engine which pulled the train out every morning
enroute to York, and then back in the evening.  It was pretty high as
well.  Later on we got a diesel engine on that line and we called it the
“Galloping Goose”.  We grade schoolers used to ride it to Rolette for
Young Citizen League meetings as well as spelling bees, etc.  Al Mogard
was the conductor on that line for along time.  His family included
Gerald, Dean, Bob, Wayne, and Marlene (who was at Q125 with Wayne).
Gerald married Miss Evinrude who was my teacher in sixth grade during the
early 1940s.  I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world
then.  She took away a handful of marbles which spilled out of my pocket
in class, which was a NO NO. I never got them back at the end of the
school year.  So I used to tell the other kids “she was Evinrude to me”.
Sad tale.

    Sometimes these mailings really trigger a flood of remembrances.
Cheers, Bill Hosmer

 
 
 

 
Allen Richard’s (65) Reply to Gary Metcalfe (57):
 
 

To Gary Metcalfe–
 
About my relatives on Main Street.  The gas station is a very old building.  One of the oldest still standing on Main Street–similar time frame as the Red Owl, Gambles and stone garage.  I’m not sure who built it, but Dad’s Uncle Joe Richard ran it until his death in the early 50’s.  Then Vernon and Norman took it over.  Vernon lived in the back part — it was pretty run down even then.  Part of it included a couple small apartments, but they were so bad they didn’t rent it to anyone and it was finally torn away from the rest of the building.  Vernon left first.  He moved with his family to Seattle in the summer between my 2nd and 3rd grade.  He had two kids in school at that time, Sandra was a year older than me and Sam a year younger.  Ron Richard, Nolan “Skip” Vandal, whose mother Lorraine was Vernon’s sister, and I were all in the same grade.  Norman Richard was Ron’s dad and he operated the station until Orphela Robert took it over.  Skip’s dad, Norman Vandal ran the dray service.
 
Dad had two other uncles in the area as well as his grandparents in Dunseith around that time.  Pete ran the Dime Store.  He moved to Seattle before his son Pete Junior graduated from high school, shortly after his folks died.  “Junior” in the Seattle area and is in land investment.  He also owns farm land in several areas in ND.  I was hoping he was in the market when I sold mine, but it didn’t work out.
 
Pete’s house was where Roland Mongeon’s house is now–right west of the Stone Church.  Between the church and his house was a little house where my great-grandparents spent their last years.
 
The other uncle, Albert, I think was the maintenance man at the San until Erling Berg took over.
 
On the other side of the family, My Grandma Pigeon had the little house across the street from the gas station built for her.  Unfortunately she died before it was finished.  Dad and a couple of my uncles finished the house and it was rented it out for a few years before being sold as I recall 

2/16/2008

Posted on by
“Thank You”  from Don Olson (72), son of Lorraine Metcalfe Somers: 
 
I would like to thank all of the Dunseith people for visiting
about the past expereiences of their youth and adulthood in
Dunseith.

My name is Don Olson.  I am one of three sons that Lorraine
Somers raised with the right hand of God on her side.  I would
like all of those who knew our mother that she cherished each
and every one of you.  She loved making music with her brothers
and great life-long friends that she had the privilege of
playing with in different bands and events.  Thank you for
remembering her and her life.

Love to all

Don

 
 
Rod Hiatt’s (69) Memories of KC Sine: 
 
Reading the stories about old KC brings back the memory when I went down
to get some candy when I was quite young. I am sure, like most kids, it
took me sometime to finally pick out a nickels worth and when I paid him
with a dime he gave me back a quarter in change. When I got home I was
bragging about my extra money and Dad, Howard, marched me back up to KC
to explain his mistake. Well by the time I left, I had more candy in a
bag for being honest( I think that part was forced on me) than what I
could have bought with the quarter. The candy back then must have had a
special coating on it, as I don’t ever recall germs on that unwrapped
candy that was no doubt handled by hundreds of dirty little fingers as
we all decided on what we wanted.
 
 
 
 
“Remember When” From Donna Dubois Thomas (72):
 
I’d like to start a DHS “remember when” dialogue.

 REMEMBER WHEN:

 Mr. Knight would yell “OK, you clowns!”

 

Remember ?- from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Good Morning Gary,

    I wondered if anyone can remember the music teacher we had that was named Miss Harschanko (Spelling probably wrong).  She was Russian I believe we were told.  She directed the school in a variety show.  The costumes were made out of Crepe Paper.(real flimsy, good thing the wind couldn’t blow in the city hall).  Spencer Teal helped her with the lights etc.  Some of the songs I remember doing were, Lavender Blue, Winter Wonderland, and something about clouds. She was quite strict, and quite verbal as I remember.  She did involve almost every kid in school that she could talk into doing it.  It seems some of the boys sang a song from the “Sons of the Pioneers”, called “Cool Water”, Barry Shelver sang the tenor part doing the echo.  I think I was in 4th or 5th grade, with Mrs. Conroy as my teacher.  Mrs. Conroy was so great to everyone that I would do anything for her.
Bonnie Awalt Houle  1956
 
 
 
Names for thought from Gary Metcalfe (57):  
 
Hi all,  I would like to throw out a few names of people who were on main street in the 50’s and see if anyone remembers them or has stories.  Alphie Dion, Pete Richard, Vernon Richard and his brother, I seem to remember a Swaub (?sp), he may have owned a lumber yard, if not who did own the lumber yard at that time?  Lawrence Gouin (?sp), Clarence Schultz,  Erling Sem,  Art Seim (confectionary),  Minnie Alvin…..for starts.  Gary Metcalfe
 
 
 
Message & picture from Melvin Kuhn (70): 
 
Howdy Gary,
 
I was looking through some pictures yesterday trying to find a picture of my daughter and I found this picture. It’s a picture of Hazel Hiatt, Kick McKay and Hazel’s BIG dog, I think maybe in 1979. I was visiting from Indiana and went to see Kick with my dad for some reason or another and was amazed with the size of Hazel’s dog. There was mention of Hazel just recently so I thought I’d just send it along. Hope it comes through OK.
 
Mel Kuhn
 
 

2/15/2008

Posted on by
Vickie Metcalfe’s (70) Memories of  Lorraine Metcalfe Somers: 
 
Hi Gary,
Vickie  here.  I ‘m listening to my cousin, Lorraine ” Roses and
Thorns”.  Thank You,  Gary for sending this out so more folks can
remember her!
  On Boxing Day 2006, I  was fortunate  enough  to spend the day
eating dark chocolate, pumpkin doughnuts and sipping green tea with
Lorraine and her  two dogs at her home on Scotch Annie Island.
Lorraine  was so looking forward to summer, 2007.  She told me she
had  hopeful visions of sitting on Don’s deck with her boys in
Dunseith and visiting with folks who came to call.
I was lucky to spend a couple more times with her sipping tea and
laughing  together at crazy stories before her passing.
Although, Lorraine’s body was being  ravaged by cancer.
Her spirit was the same.
Blessed be the spirit of Lorraine.
My dear  cousin, whom, I will always remember and miss as a  strong
woman.  Lorraine (Metcalfe) Somers the survivor,  who always chose to
keep an optimistic attitude, stuck to her “guns” with her honesty,
chose to maintain her dignity & her ready sense of humor.
I will remember and miss  her as  “my special cousin of the heart”
who embraced and walked through  the” ROSES AND THORNS  OF LIFE”, the
cousin who wrapped around  family  & friends of all walks and colours
with hugs and the exuberance of music & food, and her joyous love of
her dear boys.
Sincerely, Vickie L. Metcalfe

—
Vickie L. Metcalfe

 
 
 
Memories of K.C. Sine from  Diane Larson Sjol (70): 
 
I remember getting up early and asking my mom for money (she was still
asleep) and she would say “just take the change out of my purse”…she
had no recollection of telling us that of course and stared at us in
amazement when she got up and we were all sitting on the floor eating
our bag of candy….but we would walk the two blocks to KC’s store and
buy tons of candy.  I especially remember the purple bubble gum…it
was in a container and you just reached in and grabbed some…they
were two for a penny.  When you bit into them they just crumbled in
your mouth with a burst of grape…but if you kept chewing, you got a
nice wad of bubble gum…..oh those were the days….:)  Diane
 
 
 
Memories of K.C. Sine from Don Lamoureux (75): 
 
K.C. Sine

I remember as a little kid, I probably had to be 4 to 5, getting a couple cap gun six shooters and a cowboy hat.  So I’m up at  Lamoureux Bros. Garage, and somebody must have thought it would be funny if I went in and held up KC.  I’m sure I wasn’t smart enough at that time to think of it myself, but I remember going into the store and announcing that “this is a stick up”.  KC laughed his ass off, I think he gave  me a banana and some candy and sent me on my way.  With this positive reinforcement, I did think I had it made with this deal, so I went right back in the next day with the same song and dance.  I don’t remember exactly what he said that day, but I distinctly remember it was not funny that day, and beat a hasty retreat to escape the verbal barrage. Guess I learned crime doesn’t always pay.

Don Lamoureux (75)
 

2/14/2008

Posted on by
Folks,  This song that Mel has provided is the only thing I have for today.  Gary
 
 
Music from Mel Kuhn (70): 
 
Howdy Gary,
 
Well it was a good day in North Dakota to keep the Brass Monkey chained indoors, -40 wind chills. So I think it’s a good day to send out another song. Lorraine Metcalfe Somers-Roses and Thornes.
 
Mel
 
Note: Again, We’ve asked Bill Grimme to compressed this file for group mailing.  Please contact Mel or myself if you’d like a copy of the Original.  Gary

2/13/2008

Posted on by
Folks,  This song that Mel has provided is the only thing I have for today.  Gary
 
 
Music from Mel Kuhn (70): 
 
Howdy Gary,
 
Well it was a good day in North Dakota to keep the Brass Monkey chained indoors, -40 wind chills. So I think it’s a good day to send out another song. Lorraine Metcalfe Somers-Roses and Thornes.
 
Mel
 
Note: Again, We’ve asked Bill Grimme to compressed this file for group mailing.  Please contact Mel or myself if you’d like a copy of the Original.  Gary

2/12/2008

Posted on by

From Evie Gottbreht (65):

Hello Friends,

The last email made me think about the day that Charlton Heston came to town…..he landed in a small plane in the Berube pasture…..remember it had a wind flag and that was where little planes would land…..

 Several of the Gottbreht kids went to see Mr. Heston arrive, he picked up my sister Lori and gave her a kiss….Phyllis McKay and myself were way too busy playing in the lagoon for that Hollywood “stuff”.  Were we really 9 years old playing at the lagoon?  What were our parents thinking……all that freedom.   We were probably smoking cigarettes.

 He stayed at Dales in #9, our family called that the Charleston Heston Suite…..I doubt today you could get an actor to land in a pasture in North Dakota to dedicate anything!

Evie Gottbreht

PS  Winter in California has been great.  Lots of snow on the mountains that I can see almost everyday,  lots of rain so everything else is green, with my work I drive along the ocean to San Diego several times a month.  I absolutely love California but the things I like about myself I learned in North Dakota!

 

From Mona Dionne Johnson (48):

I remember Albert Ledoux well.  He lived in Thorne, ND as I did, when I
was a kid   I remember he was good to us kids, and when I was 12 or so,
learned to drive while sitting in his lap and then graduating to the
whole bit of driving by myself.  He was a very good carpenter.  He was
also a Vet of World War II.
I too remember Charlton Heston at the Peace Garden – there with my
family – one hot day !!
Mona Johnson (48)

 
Message & Pictures from Doreen Bailey, Vance’s wife: 
 
Gary,  I have been going through some of Vance’s files (many of his picture are in the Museum at ST John) and I found these two some may enjoy:
One, is of one of his favorite childhood  citizens in Dunseith, he was fascinated with the black smith shop,and the other is the Bailey homestead.   About 4 miles north of town. Someone mentioned Virgil; Vance’s father & Harvey Bailey his Uncle.-  They both grew up on this farm also. 
 
    The memorial for Vance @ Riverside Cemetery, Dunseith, will be May 28th, 10 AM grave side.  Our family will be there; it is open to friends of Vance and Dunseith.  This is what he wanted.  Thank you for all you are doing’ bring the wonderful life of a small town, that is  what draws so many people back “HOME.”
Doreen Bailey, Vance’s wife
 
            Bailey, Mahlon; home N. Dunseith
 
         Billy Lawrence Blacksmith, Dunseith, ND
 

2/11/2008

Posted on by
Travis Metcalfe’s (76) memory of Vance Bailey: 
 
(To Gary Metcalfe)
I do not know how to add to the pages so I will just write this to you…If you know how to add it feel free…I met Vance Bailey a few years ago when his stolen van was recovered in Mesa and I worked Auto Theft at the Mesa Police…I called him and met him to return a seat that I had fished out of a canal….He mentioned that the kids that had taken the van should be sent to work on a farm in ND for a summer and that would “straighten them out”… I asked him where at in ND and he said just a little town you have never heard of…Dunseith…I told him that was where I was from and we talked for a half hour or so….He didn’t remember Dad but when I mentioned Aunt Jean he laughed and said he went to grade school with Jean and it had been more than 40 years since he had heard the name Jean Metcalfe….I did not know where the Bailey farm was so I called Janice to ask around Kelvin…..about 10 minutes later Ray called me and told me he grew up on the Bailey farm…it was where Ralph Poitra lived……

I always ask people where they are from when I see a ND plate and the people always talk for 5-10 minutes…I was told by a truckdriver from Minot that people from ND usually talk until they know someone in common (He told me that after we talked and we both knew Mark Sivertson from Bottineau)…..I have noticed since then that we in fact do that and usually do have someone we know in common……and when I see a Theels dealer sticker on the trunk I know we will……..
 
Travis
 
 
Gary Metcalfe’s (57) reply to Travis Metcalfe (76): 
 
It was good to get your email and story tonight.  I have forwarded your letter on to Gary as you said would be o.k.  All I do to add to the letters is write them and send to Gary Stokes’ email address.  Then each day it is fun to read memories.
Ralph Poitra, another great family friend.  Maynard Rising Sun stayed with Ralph and would walk over to old John Bedard’s to work when I lived with John about a mile west. 
I have found it true also, talking to people with ND license and finally coming up with someone we know in common.  That is a great past time of mine too.
Say HI to Conrid Metcalfe for me down there in Az. if you see him.  Gary
 
 
 
Message from Viola Hobbs Ziegler (54): 
 
Hello Gary,
 
Thank you for all the names, addresses, phone
 numbers, etc.  I can certainly use a few of them.
 Someone has sure been busy putting this all
 together.  Very nice work.
 
 Viola
 
 
 
Gary Morgan”s (54) reply to Paulette LaCroix (68) – Don Hiatt (53): 
 
Hi Gary & All,
     In answer to Paulette…. Charlton Heston spoke at the Peace Garden at the dedication of the ten comandments tablet in the summer of 1956.  Albert Ladieux (sp?) spoke with a pipe to his larnyx.  He was a 1st class carpenter who worked on many of the homes that were built in Dunseith in the 50s & 60s.
     Also, of general info….Don Hiatt would have been in the class of 53 but he quit school and joined the Air Force after his junior year (1952).  I suspect that one of the incentives was that he had turned 19 and thus wasn’t elgible to participate in any sports.

Gary Morgan
Class of 54.
 
Note: I have added Don Hiatt (Deceased) to the class list of 53. All ten graduates of the class of 52 are alive and kicking. Gary
 
 
 
Childhood memories from Peggy Wurgler (71) With pictures:  
Hello, Dunseith friends and family,
 
I have been holding back and not responding to any of the wonderful e-mails that have been shared for fear that if I get started, I may not know how to quit rambling. But, I just have to “jump in”. Hopefully, with your indulgence!
 
I have many, many wonderful memories of growing up in Dunseith. I had a good childhood – especially having access to all the pop and candy a little girl could want being my folks had the Texaco service station/lunch counter. Even though we moved to Rugby in July of 1966, I surprisingly remember almost all the names (at least the family names) and places that I see in the e-mail messages and can put faces to the many of the names.
 
What prompted me to write is the 6th grade field trip memory.  After reading this, I had to locate my little piece of typesetting metal with my name on it that Paula mentioned. I have saved it for 43 years in my jewelry box! I remember the adventure fairly well except for the weather part of it.
 
Of course, other grade school memories are abundant but I won’t reminisce too much – except for in the early grades when, in the afternoon, someone would go down to the lunchroom in the basement and bring up sandwiches wrapped in a white dishtowel and carried in what looked like a baby bathtub. They were usually bread and butter but sometimes, plain cheese or even peanut butter. And, of course, our little cartons of chocolate milk to go with the sandwiches. I especially remember in 4th grade (with Mrs. Conroy) at recess when it was too cold to go outside, we would play JACKS on the floor in the little “sick” room with the bed in it. No one was better at the game than Bernadette DeJarlis. And, the fun we had playing Red Rover on the playground. Or, the times we girls would pretend we were horses and the boys would catch us and put us in the corral. Apart from school, I have many special memories of playing with Muzette Berube in and around the big, white, round barn. It was especially fun the day after there had been a dance on the second level because we got to re-decorate the stage area with all the left over crepe paper. Also, spent lots of time with Lori Gottbreht at Dale’s and around the stockyards west of there.
 
Just for fun, I am attaching three pictures. One is my sister, Joan (Salmonson), my brother, Dave, me, and our new ’57 Chevy. It was a rose/pink color and white if I recall correctly. The other picture is of John Hiatt and me on his horse in June of 1959. I have several pictures of me on different horses throughout the years; but only this one of John and none of Hazel, unfortunately. I recall going back to their ranch north of town with them to spend the day, etc. The other one is my birthday party but I do not know what year it was. Maybe ’61 or ’62. Attendees, from the left: Becky Hanson, Heidi Hanson, Paula Fassett, me, brother Dave, Patty Longie, Stephanie Evans, Cheryl Haagenson and Art Rude, Jr.
 
As someone quoted Bob Hope earlier “thanks for the memories . . .”
 
Peggy (Wurgler) Axtman
 
John Hiatt and Peggy Wurgler -June of 1959

 Maybe ’61 or ’62. Attendees, from the left: Becky Hanson, Heidi Hanson, Paula Fassett, me, brother Dave, Patty Longie, Stephanie Evans, Cheryl Haagenson and Art Rude, Jr.

  

 

 Peggy, Dave & Joan Wurgler with their new ’57 Chevy

 

2/10/2008

Posted on by
Message from Bev Morinville Azure (72): 
 
GARY, PLEASE  PASS THIS ON  TO   THE  DUNSEITH  GANG  !!!!!!!!!!! HI  EVERYONE  FIRST OF  ALL I WOULD  LIKE  TO THANK EACH OF  U   FOR  ALL THE  GET WELL WISHES AND CARDS , E MAILS AND  VISITS I  HAVE RECIEVED  IN THE LAST  FEW WEEKS   WOW  WHAT A  BUNCH OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE   U ARE.  I HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED  AND  SO MANY  PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.I  HAVE THE  GREATEST  FAMILY  AND   FRIENDS IN THE  WORLD  NOT  ONLY  DID MY  CLOSE  FRIENDS  RALLY AROUND  ME AND  MY  FAMILY  BUT  FRIENDS OF  MY SISTERS AND   BROTHERS  .  AND ALSO THE FRIENDS  FROM  YEARS  AGO  I THANK U ALL SO MUCH. WE  GREW UP IN A  GREAT  PLACE AND   EVEN THOUGH   WE  DON’T SEE EACH OTHER OFTEN IT   AMAZES  ME HOW OLD  FRIENDS COME THOUGH WHEN SOMEONE  NEEDS A  KIND  WORD  .  I AM  RECOVERING  JUST  FINE  I  WILL NEED  RADATION   5  DAYS A WEEK   FOR  7  WEEKS  JUST  TO MAKE  SURE   NONE  OF  THOSE  NASTY  CELLS  RUN AWAY  WHEN   THEY  SAW   THAT  KNIFE  COMING  LOL   I   HAD  AN  AMAZING  DOC. I  WAS   VERY  BLESSED  IN  MANY   WAYS    YES I  LOST   50%  OF  MY TOUNGE   BUT  I   CAN TALK AND I  CAN LAUGH  AND  AND  I  THANK  GOD  FOR THAT.  THE  CANCER  DID  NOT  MOVE  FROM  MY TOUNGE . I HAVE A   FEELIN MY  ANGELS JOE AND FRANCES WERE  HOLDING   THAT  BACK .  ANYWAYS  I  DO  THANK EACH  OF  U  FOR THE SPECIAL  BLESSING   OF   FRIENDSHIP U  HAVE GIVEN  ME IN THIS   TIME .  U  WILL  ALL  BE   BLESSED  SOMEDAY.  GOD WATCH OVER U AND MAY HE  BLESS YOU  .  CATHY   IT WAS GREAT  TO SEE U THE OTHER  DAY  WHAT  A  LIFT U  GAVE  ME.      BEV 
 
 

Message from Marlys Zorn Bryan (69):

Hi Gary,

I was tickled when Janice Workman mentioned the skating rink and warming shed in Dunseith. I grew up on ice skates in that rink, and never could get warm in that warming shed. I always wondered (as a 4 year old) why that little heater couldn’t warm us all up. After leaving North Dakota I’ve never lived in a state that had cold enough winters to support ice skating; I miss it so much!! It was my favorite sport. I’ve taken up roller blading, which, when done in the dark on a cold December evening on a brand new Walmart parking lot, felt just like having my own private skating rink for 3 whole days.  It was awesome. Thank you, Janice, for bringing back those memories!
Marlys (Zorn) Bryan

 

Message from Marie Iverson Staub (60):

Hi Gary,

 
My husbands name is Marv I’ve been using his EMail address. I am very computer illiterate. In fact until you started this I didn’t even use the computer. I’ll see if he can get me set up with my own address. When I was working I did use the computer but once I retired I was no longer interested until now.
In reponse to Susan Brew I sure do remember her I even have a few pictures when we were at the Peace Gardens. It’s great to know were she is now.
I had left Dunseith before she moved to St.Louis. I’m so jealous of her having
grandkids.  I have 2 sons Curtis and David and I don’t believe they will ever get married or have children. I guess we must have scared them when they were growing up.(HA).
So Susan your not alone I didn”t gratuate from Dunseith either as I left in 1956 and gratuated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1960.
 
Again thanks a bunch Gary,
 
Marie Iverson(Staub) 60
 
PS – Marie, I read Marv and Mary and It’s for sure Marv.  Gary
 
 
 
 
Message from Connie Halvorson Kester (64): 
 
Gary and All,

With all the interest in the Dunseith memories, wouldn’t it be fun to somehow compile these memories into a a book complete with pictures.  I am really good with suggestions but not very good with action so MAYBE someone might be interested in this.  Just an idea.  I think that this might be something people would be willing to pay for.

Connie Halvorson/Kester  ’64

 
PS – I’ve got all the many pictures and email messages.  This would be a big project for someone to organize and put together.  It would be nice though once completed.   Gary

 

Message from Paulette Lacroix (68):

Marie,

Our family fondly remembers the Iversons.  I am sorry to hear that Archie passed.  Greg and Archie caught a lot frogs and snakes at the creek.  We kids got together after supper on summer nights to play hide and seek and to throw a ball over our garage.  I don’t know what the game was, but we’d call ”anti I over” (sp?)  and ”pigs tails.”  When you left town you kindly gave me your scrapbook of movie stars that I treasured for years.  I for one would love to hear you go on and on. 

P. LaCroix

PS Thanks Rod and all for sharing your memories of Hazel Hiatt.  She left quite an impression on me with her unpretentious determination.  Does anyone remember anything about the man who spoke with a pipe in his throat?  (I can remember faces, but am a complete dolt with names) Also, I remember going to the “airport” outside Dunseith when Charlton Heston came to give a speech at the Peace Garden.  Does anyone else remember this or am I dreaming?  Please, keep writing…everyone.    

2/9/2008

Posted on by
From Marie Iverson Staub (60): 
 
Hi Gary
 
I know you’ve heard this before but thanks so much for all the great Emails.
 
The Email from Marge Landsverk (Fish) I’m not sure were Mary came from but
it is Marie.  Marge mentioned my mom loved lavender so maybe thats why it’s
my favorite color.
I also remember the Lacroix family as they lived next door.Paulette was a lot
younger than me but I remember Charlotte and Gregory used to play marbles with my brother Archie.
Henry and Gladys were such great neighbors to my folks. I loved seeing the pictures of different people because you remember them as they looked when
you last saw them. Charlotte sure looks like her mom.
I better close for now as I could go on and on.
 
Thanks again Gary
Marie Iverson (Staub) 60
 
Marie, your messages are listed – From Mary Staub. If you have not sent a message to your self, you probalby wouldn’t know.  Gary
—– Original Message —–
 
Memories from Janice Leonard Workman (56): 
 
Hi Gary,  It has been so much fun reading all the notes from people who lived in Dunseith.  One memory I have of Dunseith is of the old warming shed at the skating rink.  I don’t know what happened to it, I was thinking a fire, but it was just gone one winter.  Bonnie Awalt Houle and I spent many hours skating there and after the warming shed was gone, we did use the jail for warming.  More than once there would be prisoners that we would visit with.  I wonder if my mother knew.  Frank Flynn would flood the lot and most of the time it was very smooth, if the wind didn’t blow when he was flooding it.  Frank lived just south of my folk’s café, next to Billy Wright’s grocery store.  Then across the side street from him, further south, was Emil Hassen’s grocery and dry goods store.  Across Main Street from Billy’s was KC’s which was also groceries and dry goods.  Can you imagine that Dunseith had 5 grocery stores at that time???  North of the café was Clint Anderson’s creamery and then Ray Wilson’s office.  Ray was the judge and also took in dry cleaning to be sent to Westhope.  He did driver’s licenses and I suppose most legal papers.  I remember helping with the driver’s licenses when I was in 2nd grade.  Do you think that would fly today???  Frank and Ray were my two favorite people outside my family until I started school and had friends my own age.  My uncle Arnold Lilleby had the theater and also the funeral home on the corner.  He and his family lived there for many years before he bought the house down by the creek.  My uncle Louis Lilleby and his wife lived across the street from the Northern Hotel (Adrian Egbert) and at one time had the taxi service in town.  This is getting a little long, but Thanks, Gary for doing this for all use Dunseith junkies.  Janice Leonard Workman

 

Message from Susan Brew Roussin (59):

Thanks so much for the memories.  I was surprised to see a note from Mary (Iverson) Staub.  She was one of my early girlfriends.  Don’t know if she remembers me, I was Susan Brew until 1958, when I married and moved to St. Louis, MO.  I later returned to the Dunseith and Belcourt area and got my high school diploma.  The classmates of ’59, still accept me as one of their own.  Thank God.  I have four children, Dawn, Debbie, Marie (Mary Jane) and Mike.  The girls are in three different states, MN, IN, and NC.  Only my son is close by.  I have 13 grandcuties, and three great grandbabies, all girls in NC.  Have a super day.

 
 
Rod Hiatt’s (69) reply to Paulette LaCroix (68) and Johnny Meyer: 
 
Gary,

A reply to Paulette’s question about the red headed lady on horseback.
That was Hazel Hiatt, my Grandpa Johns 2nd wife. Hazel always wore her
hair really short, dressed in mens jeans and western shirt and hat and
98% of the time at first glance you thought she was a he. In fact one
year at the Bottineau horse show she got 2nd or 3rd place in mens
western pleasure, but they took the ribbon back. Hazel was a very hard
working person who treated us kids just great. We all thought very
highly of her, but it was very touchy situation back then as my Grandma
was still living and family get togethers sometimes seemed quite cold.
Anyway she was quite a horse woman with a good heart.

A short story about Johnny Meyer. Johnny trucked alot of horses for my
dad and one time we pastured out near Bowbells and I rode with Johnny in
the semi to take aload of mares to pasture. Well we had a flat so he
pulled into Kenmare and went into the Farmers Union looking for tools
like he was in the shop at Dales. As we were changing the tire, with the
truck parked on the street, a business man came walking by in his nice
suit, and politely stated that maybe Johnny should have his flashers on.
Johnny looked at the truck than the man and politely said ” If they
can’t see the %$^&* truck how the hell to do think they could see the
flasher” The man just turned and walked away with a puzzled look on his
face.

 
 
Ele Dietrich Slyter’s (69) reply to – Hazel Hiatt: 
 
Paulette
I think you are remembering Hazel Hiatt, second wife of Johnny Hiatt.   I am sure others will have lots of stories about her.  Very hard working lady and a dedicated horse lover.  With John trading horses all the time how could she be anything else??
 
 
 
Lorie Hiatt’s (88) reply – Hazel Hiall:  

Hi Gary,

     I think the little red haired lady Paulette is talking about is Hazel. She was John Hiatt’s wife and they lived on the outskirts North of town and she did train horses.

 Lorie Hiatt

 

Dick Johnson’s (68) reply – Hazel Hiatt & Issac:

Gary and all

Sounds like Issac is our man. They kived in a small store
building on the south side of the lumber yard on main street.
This building was torn down about 1960 and replaced by the
clinic. We lived right across the alley to the east. Paulette
asked about the slim horse gal===Hazel Hiatt. She was John
Hiatt’s second wife.

Dick

Larry Hackman’s (66) reply to Gary Metcalfe (57): 
 
Gary Metcalfe
Yes, I do remember you and you did graduate from Hilltop before I started in 1954.  I remember my brothers and I were walking home from Hilltop and we came upon you and Larry Sime measuring fields. You let us get up in the back of the pickup and gave us a ride to the east approach to our farm.  It was a slow ride, but interesting. You would drive and drag the measuring chain ahead and push in a chaining pin and Larry, walking, and following the procedure, would pick up the chaining pins. So, did you just stick them pins in the ground, so Larry would have something to do?  Gary, Here is a memory check question? Was it a dark green 1953 Chevrolet pickup you were driving on that nice summer day way back when? 
Gary, Tony my oldest brother is retired and living in Minot, has never invested in a computer. Henry my other brother is on Gary’s mailing list and he does read this stuff faithfully every day.  He hasn’t sent any messages yet.  I think it has something to do with Mr. Lykins, typing class.  He said every time he got to typing good,  Mr. Lykins would come by and push his elbows down.  This would then cause all of his keys to bunch up and lock together.  Then Mr. Lykins would stand there and grumble about the keys getting bent and damaged, untill you got them all separated. Apparently, Henry is still paranoid about typing to this day. Ha.  I just can’t visualize Mr. Lykins becomeing a Texan,  Well, maybe, if he puts on a hat or just turns it around and some Tony Lama boots?
larry
 

2/8/2012

Posted on by
Bev Morinville’s (72)  update from sister Deb (70): 
 
Hi Gary,
 
I  just finished a short but very happy phone call with Bev!  She is doing so terrific that SHE answered the phone.  Sent me immediately into a frenzy of crying and laughing!  She will be finding out soon about radiation but she won’t have to have chemo and she is speaking so clearly.  I was so amazed.  She stills tires easily but will return to her computer soon.  In the meantime I have forwarded to her all the private emails I have received asking about her.  She wants me to tell all of you that she is so grateful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers that she has received.  It really is a miracle and an amazing answer to all those prayers.
 
Deb Morinville Marmon 70
 
 
Paulette LaCroix’s Reply –  Isaac Belgarde:
 
Yes, thanks, that’s him, Isaac Belgarde and I do remember him riding his horse.  I don’t know where I got the moon idea, maybe that was someone else or a myth.  Seeing him in my mind has made me wonder about the name of the slim, trim, short red haired woman who also rode horses and possibly trained them or raised them.  She was quite an impressive woman who wore a cowboy hat, boots and buckle on her jeans.  A Hiatt?  Was there a riding club?

P. LaCroix 

 
 
Susan Fassett’s (65) Memories: 
 
I remember Isaac Belgarde,  but do any of you remember Minda Haagenson?   She lived in a little shack off the Willow Lake Road.  Mom and I went there once that I remember to visit, as the Haagenson clan were tied into our family.  The thing I remember most is that when you went into the house you had to duck down, because the ceiling was hanging low.  Minda always wore a heavy wool coat and a wool scarf folded down over her forehead no matter what time of year it was. 

The thing I remember about Johnnie Meyers, is Sparky the dog riding on top of the cab of truck or on top of the load of bails of hay as they drove down main street.,  And Sparky would be standing on all four legs as steady as could be.

I remember Saturday nights, and going downtown to watch the people.  Everything closed up at 10 PM and nothing opened up again until Monday morning.

I remember the Crystal Cafe and the juke boxes on the tables.

I remember the Snake Pit, my dad bowled there with many of the people mentioned in our memories.  I have pictures of Bing Evans, Bernice Johnson and others that I will locate and scan in.

I am on my way to Thursday Morning Bible Study.  You will all be in my thoughts throughout the day.  I hope you all have a good one.  Hugs and Prayers,   Susan

 
 
 
Dave Slyter’s (70) reply – Johnny Myer: 
 
Gary,

I think everybody remembers Johnnie Myers.  ha   Just like everybody remembering Isaac Belgarde, everybody will have a good story about Johnnie Myer.   Here is one of them.

When we lived up on the farm my dad would always get a bull from Johnnie’s herd to use.    One day(eight yrs later) Johnnie was up to our house for something and my dad asked him when he would like to have his bull back.   “What bull” Johnnie asked.  Dad told him and Johnnie’s response was, ” Oh that’s where that —  —- bull went.   ha ha  We laughed hilariously for a long time after that.   ha

Dave Slyter :) 
 
 
 
Marge Landsverk Fish’s (57) reply to Mary Iverson Staub’s (60) Message below: 
 
 From Marge Fish
   To Mary Staub
 
     I was happy to get a e-mail from Mary.  I always thought it was Marie.
     I have a lot of memories of you and your family.  
     I remember your mother grew rhubarb and made so many good things out of it.
     She loved lavender and had a lot of rooms in different shades of lavender.
     I think we shared a kitty that lived in your garage.
     We had a lot of good times and not many worries those days.
 
     The brother that sold cars ( Bill) or Marvin passed away in 1992.  My other brother,
      Howard lives in Edmonds Wash.  He was 82,2 days ago.  I went on a trip to Hawaai
     with him and his wife Betsy and my cousin Borg in Nov.  It was very good!
 
     Yesterday and the day before we had a old fashioned snow storm (19.5″) of snow in Horicon and blowing also.  We have had a N.D. winter.  It’s usually not like this.  2,000 cars were stranded between Madison and Chicago on Interstate 90 due to the storm.  They called out the National Guard , closed the schools and airports and even the malls.  The storm lasted so long and that was the trouble.
 
     Today it was sunny and warmer and the main roads were cleared.  They do a good job of clearing the roads.  I live in a small town (Horicon- population just about 4,000.)
 
     It was sure good to hear from you!
 
                                                                          Your old neighbor,
                                                                              Marge (Landsverk Fish)
 
 
      
 —– Original Message —–
From: Marv Staub 
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 9:26 PM
Subject: Dunseith

When I saw your first E-Mail itsure brought back a lot of memories.  I remember
living next door to you in fact I have a cute picture of you and myself going to church at least we were dressed as if we were going to church.  I lived directly across from the school.  We left Dunseith in the summer of 1956.  I graduated from Roosevelt High  in Seattle in 1960. I remember Minnie and Knute so well. Both of my folks passed away in 1993 and my brother Archie died in 2001. My dad Adolph Iverson was in contact with one of your brothers who had a car lot in Lake city several years ago.  Its to bad about your husband. I’ve been married for 41 years and have two sons Curtis and David. 
I remember Dr Loeb in fact I have a photo album of my dad’s of a lot of people from the San.
 
Love Marie Iverson (Staub) 60  
 
 
 
Bill Hosmer’s (48) Reply – The Bailey’s: 
 
 Hi Gary and my Dunseith pals, including my brother Bob.   Gary Metcalfe,
you asked about where the Bailey’s lived when they lived in the hills.  It
was on the east side of no. 3 about two or three miles north of the golf
course.  It was a white two story house, once lived in by Ray Anderson,
who has been mentioned in earlier mailings. That house was torn down in
the past year or two, and now there are some manufactured homes in that
little draw.   The Baileys lived by the depot during part of their time in
Dunseith.  Vance mentions it in his long piece, just before he died. The
Baileys moved to Devils Lake in 1941 and then to Leeds, before they left
the state.I think I mentioned earlier that I was at Vance’s Memorial in
Tempe, AZ, and that the family will be conducting another Memorial at the
Dunseith Cemetery June 10.   By the way Gary M.  your comments about my
Dad, Jack Hosmer were fine, and they made me feel very good.  As Bob Hope
would say, “Thanks for the Memories”  to you all.  Bill Hosmer
 
 
 
Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to Gary Metcalfe (57): 
 
Gary and all,

Gary Metcalfe asked about Auggie and Harvey Johnson. Auggie
lives in Minot and is retired from the roofing business. Harvey
lived in St.John for about the last 20 years or so but he died
about two years ago. I haven’t seen Randy Kelly now for about 7
or 8 years.

Dick

 

2/7/2008

Posted on by
Correction from yesterday. the “Hills & Plains gospel Band” will be playing Sunday, not Saturday. Sorry for the Mistake Don.  Gary

Subject: Frozen fingers Festival (Hills & Plains Gospel Band) Playing Sunday at 12:00 Noon
 
Folks: I have complete up to date class lists for all the DHS classes from 1950 Thru 1971.  I’m currently working with the class of 72. For those of you in those class years, please let me know if you did not get a copy for your class year.  Also for any of you that would like copies of any of these lists, please let know and I’ll send them to you.  Gary
 
 
Loretta Neameyer’s (72) Reply to Paulette LaCroix (68):
 
Gary,

I do believe the man Paulette is referring to about the many layers of coats is Isaac Belgarde. I remember when he came to church, the first few minutes were spent peeling off layers of coats. He was a very nice and prayerful man. His daughter Bernice graduated with us in ’72, a nice lady.

I love reading all the e-mails. Nice work Gary.

Loretta Wall (Neameyer)

 

Ele Dietrich Slyter’s (69) reply to Paulette LaCroix (68):

Paulette—I think you are remembering Issac Belgarde.   They lived on the dump ground road and he always wore coats, year round.  Ele

 

Dick Johnson’s (68)  Reply to Pualette LaCroix (68):

Gary and all DHS

The guy from Dunseith who wore all the coats was Issac
Belgarde. He lived on main street first and then moved to the
dump ground road. He named a daughter after my mom, Bernice,
after Mom did some small favor. Mom thought this was very
special.There could be another person who wore several coats
but I think you are asking about Issac.

Dick

Gary Metcalfe’s (57) Reply to Paulette LaCroix (68):

Hi Paulette, You refer to Isaac Belgarde, he must have had poor circulation!  He spent time in the bank in Dunseith, also Rolette.  His brother, Charlie was an Army Captain and a Minneapolis Building Contractor, his sister, Mrs. Rodrick Gagnon.  She was a great neighbor.  Also Mrs. Tommy Anderson was his sister.  Isaac was a horseman and landlord.  Don’t think he went to the moon??

 

Replies and Memories from Bob Hosmer (56):

Hi Gary and all Dunseithers,

 
What a privilege to read the memories you all have of your years in Dunseith.  I remember those days of selling pop and beer bottles.  Beer bottles had the higher value.  I also sold boxes–mainly to our family store.  This venture sure provided funds for lots of movies at Althea theater.  I was  cheapskate with the popcorn, though. I took the freebe old maids.
 
Just  note to Marge Landverk Fish:  Marge, I have met your brother, Howard here in the Lynnwood/Edmonds area where I live.  It was a strange way we met.  My son-in-law, Vicctor Krakmo, went to a Boys and Girls Club basketball game and saw Howard at a distance.  Vicctor went up to him thinking that it was his brother Arnie to greet him and was surprised that it wasn’t his brother.  Howard could pass for a Arnies twin.  My wife Katrine and I came a little late to the game, but when we came Victor was excited to introduce us to “someone from Dunseith.”  We had a wonderful visit with Howard at that time.  We reflected on your folks and the amazing skill your father had as a stone mason.  His work is lasting. 
 
Bonnie,  I have a picture of Barry Shelver dressed as Sy Kadry.  It’s a picture of Barry, one other, and yours truly. I’ve been looking for it around our place.  Once I locate it I’ll get it scaned in.
 
You all have a god rest of the week.
 
Bob Hosmer (56)
 
 
 
Gary Metcalfe’s (57) reply to Marge Landsverk (57): 
 
Hi Marge, it’s been a while since we were at Dunseith High.  A couple years ago my wife and I were in Edmonds, Wa. and my wife’s friend said they knew Howard.  I said that Howard was a partner with my Uncle Archie Metcalfe at Totem Drywall in north Seattle after the war.  We spent several hours at his home overlooking Puget Sound, beautiful home and beautiful view.
Your dad did a lot of the rock work in the area, several brothers also.  I knew Nels, Thor and one more who’s name escapes me.  Were you related to Thov Landsverk, the great store keeper of earlier days.  Gary Metcalfe
 
 
Paula Fassett’s (71) Eli Demery’s Grandson, Micah Johnson:
 
I’m glad Gary Morgan put in the note about Eli Demery’s grandson, Micah Johnson, I wish I had seen that news clip.   I lived across the street from Mike and Darcy (Demery) Johnson in Portal about 20 years ago.  I hadn’t known Darcy as we were going to school, but we became friends during the “Portal years”.   Micah was just a little boy then – 6 or 7 probably, but he was a polite and well mannered kid, as I recall.  I’m not at all surprised that he grew up to be the soldier who made the news because of his good deeds!!! 

Paula

 

Comments with memories from the past from Gary Metcalfte (57):

Pinsetters, Augie and Harvey Johnson, it would be interesting to know what they are doing today.  What with Don Johnson a cousin on one side and Mayor of St. Paul, Minn. on the Kelly’s side, Randy Kelly.

Harold Kelly, our friend, was almost a tie with Bing Evans with the double bit axe.  Harold was great with the scissor too.  He never gave me  rooster tail like I got from those town barbers.  Gary Metcalfe
 
 
 
Comments from Gary Metcalfe (57): 
 
Thanks again Gary.  These very interesting letters start out my day every day.  Without a history you are just like a hars wind on the buffalo grass!!
I identify with every message that comes across your desk.  Vance Bailey – can anyone ell me where Bailey’s lived in the hills?  Early on my dad, Jim Metcalfe, talked about Virgil and Harvey Bailey as school mates.  They had 8 teachers in one year and none of them could make Harvey cry, then came C.B. Clark.
Bill Hosmer, I thoroughly enjoy your memories of early years.  you are one of the few people that knew about sweet cream.  I used to take a quart of cream to Hattie Lillabee in trade for a shot for my asthma.  She was a movie star to me, also Lenora Lamoureux, glad to hear about A.T. Lillabee.  thanks Bonnie.
Larry Hackman, for a younger man you surely have a great memory of the bowling alley and muscrats, weasels and mink.  Alan Hobbs, Harvey’s dad, was in there as a fur buyer before Harvey.
Hilda Tooke, wife of Vic Tooke and sister of Oscar Stadheim, was a great trapper and furniture maker.  Oscar was a partner of Harold Woodford in the Snake Pit,  known then as Stadheim and Woodford Bar.  Johnie Myer did tend bar for them.  Anybody remember Johnie? 
Larry, I went to Hilltop school with Tony and Henry, they were first graders.  Haven’t heard much about Henry.
Music was our life as teenagers, your cousin, Jimmy Birkland could play harmonica and guitar at the same time while herding the Ford toward Dunseith on Saturday nights.  LeRoy Birkland was probably the best guitar picker I knew in those early days.  Great times, great people.
Bill Hosmer, I knew most every Hosmer except you.  Your dad had a lot of class.  Jack, as well as many others, hunted deer (in season) on my dad’s border farm.  One year he said, “Jim, pick out a hat”,  one year was a jacket.  I always liked Jack’s way.  Don was a boxer at the Forestry, as well as my brother Jim.  We sang quite a few songs together, cool guy.. 
Thanks to all the memories you all have shared.  Gary Metcalfe
 

2/6/2008

Posted on by
Message from Shirley Olson Warcup (49) [Dick Johnson’s aunt]: 
 
Gary,
          Thanks for the phone call and the e-mails.  It was great to hear from you and hear about your tribute to Don.It brings back good memories of growing up in Dunseith.  I often speak to Pat Sunderland Warburton and we reminisce about our 12 years of school in Dunseith–it was a good place to grow up.  I’m sure there are many people who appreciate what you are doing!!  You asked if my husband was from Dunseith–he was not–he was born and raised in Grand Forks.  We met at UND.  Once again, thanks for including me in this “group”. 
                                        Shirley Olson Warcup
 
 
 
Memories from Paulette LaCroix (68):
 
Bill G. mentioned comfort foods and I remembered my mother’s rich rhubarb custard pie.  It had just the right combination of sweet, tart, and creamy with that great crust made with lard.  We had two thick patches of rhubarb in our backyard which mom crafted into jams with other fruit like strawberry.  We all liked it a lot better than “chokecherry” jelly that seemed to sugar before spring.  I remember little contests in the summer on who could eat a whole stalk of rhubarb with just the smallest amount of sugar. 

Halloween time in Dunseith was a treat.  Neighbors made homemade fudge, popcorn balls and caramel apples for our huge bags.  KC Sine lived two doors down from us and Margie made great caramel apples.  They got to know us kids pretty well and it was the first place we checked whenever our brother Jerry “ran away.”  Margery made this irresistible with her treats.  They knew my brother Greg was a little character and decided to play a trick on him for Halloween.  He absolutely hated onions and would pick every smidgeon out of anything he suspected of having them.  When we stopped at their house with our trick or treat bags, Greg got two caramel apples.  We were all jealous since we only got one and he taunted us with this specialness by dancing around the house with one in each hand.  With a face made to look like he was dying of pleasure, he took a big bite and tasted “onion!”  The caramelized onion flew as well did a few bad words when he ran to rinse his mouth in the sink.  We thought it was a pretty good joke and considered it special that KC and Margery would take the time.

Marge Landverk!  We used to walk past your fenced back yard down our alley and gawk at the beautiful flowers in your mother’s garden.  I have memories of being in your house and hearing a sleepy old clock tick.  Somewhere, I believe, there are photos of you and my sister Janice sitting on the sofa in your very fluffy pastel prom dresses.

Paulette LaCroix

Again, thanks Gary! 

PS.. What was the name of the guy who wore all the coats, even in the summer (not Sy) and said he wanted to go to the moon?  He had a lot of kids and his wife seemed perpetually pregnant.  They lived on the road to the dump grounds I think.  I have loved hearing all these stories and memories.  More and more I remember places and people that I thought I’d forgotten. 

 

Message from Bobby Slyter (70):

gary

I am so glad that you are doing this for all of us dunseith natives, it is fantastic, and Mel the music sends you right back to growing up there as kids, that kind of music will never die.
 
 
 
Question from Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): 
 
Is it possible that anyone out there would have the Eli Demery song written down someplace or even possibly on tape??  Dimathy (Demery) Robertson, I think, would like to have a copy.  Appreciate the help with this one.  Thank you    Ele
  
 
Paula Fassett’s (71) reply:
 
I believe this is the article that Gary Morgan referred to ..  re: Micah Johnson, grandson of Eli Demery from Dunseith.

General recognizes pilots for daring rescue mission
 
Story and photos by Spc. Nathan Hoskins
1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Air Cavalry Brigade
 
BAGHDAD, Iraq (July 29, 2007) – The top U.S. general in Iraq presented awards to four Apache pilots for their part in the July 2 rescue of two other pilots downed by enemy fire during a July 27 ceremony in the Victory Base Complex here.

Gen. David Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq, honored the four pilots of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, and eight others who helped rescue the pilots.

Chief Warrant Officer Allan Davison and Chief Warrant Officer Micah Johnson, both AH-64D Apache attack helicopter pilots for Company A, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, received Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Davison and Johnson landed their attack helicopter in a hostile area and evacuated the two downed OH-58 Kiowa helicopter pilots of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Apaches only have two seats, so Johnson, the front seat pilot, let one of the Kiowa pilots take his seat in the Apache while he and the other Kiowa pilot strapped themselves to the outside of the aircraft and sat on the wings, said Johnson.

“It looked like they were both in pretty good shape, but one of them kind of looked like he had been through enough, like he was a little shocked, as I would be, too. I told him to get in front,” he said.

Once the pilots were strapped in, Davison, the pilot in command, took off and headed to Baghdad International Airport where the pilots were dropped off.

While this was taking place, their Apache wingmen were circling above providing security.

Those two pilots, Chief Warrant Officer Seung Choi and Chief Warrant Officer Troy Moseley, received Air Medals for their efforts.

Although happy at being awarded medals and recognized by the top commander in Iraq, the pilots said their greatest reward was finding the downed pilots alive.

“We’ve seen a lot of aircraft shoot-downs,” Johnson said in an interview after the rescue. “Every one that we’ve all probably seen, it’s resulted in burning aircraft and black smoke and usually catastrophic loss of life. If not loss of life, then there have been serious injuries. Just to see those two alive, it was amazing. It was great.”

2/5/2008

Posted on by
Memories from Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (68): 
 
lola vanorny, ew
 Oh yes, I remember so many good memories of the Johnsons– I remember
going to a contest somewhere in his big black shiny cadillac – probably
about a 1961–  and he drove really fast– (we thought) — that was cool!!_
ha– that was back in Dad’s   50 mph days–  ha  —!

Bill’s story about the play was really cute!!_- i can just imagine them
doing that–  Yes- Bernice was very beautiful!

Sometimes when I see a group of school kids performing somewhere —
how sad it is that the dress code has gotten so lax–  when we played for
an occasion somewhere – we looked sharp!!–  The blue blazers – black or
white pants or skirts etc.  and we’d better stand up straight– !!–  He
was a stickler for that!– and I believe that too made an impression on us.
He had high standards.

It is just so fun to hear the various stories and incidents all the kids
around had–  I think I remember Jay’s Mom “Beanie”  mentioning Margy
Landsverk working in the lab at the San.  Beanie was the lab director  – I
still have people that worked for her talk about her – they seemed to love
her– I did and only knew her for a short time as she died the fall we were
married.  She was a wonderful lady.

I think of so many incidents of the storekeepers –  they were kind of our
“village”  the Sines–  Shelvers- Hosmers- Herman- the hardware—they
treated us as their own kids–   By the way do you know Armand Mongeon is
still working at the Hardware?!!  he is as spry as he was when he was
younger!!_-  everything I know about any thing  (painting– etc)  I learned
from Armand and seems I was always painting something–  it is still that
way today–  I’ll bet walmart wouldn’t deliver right to our door if we need
something – the hardware does!!  ha–  and then you don’t pay for it til
the next time you go into the store!–  that’s why I continue to shop the
little stores in Dunseith.  If I forget my check book at the grocery store
or Pharmacy–  they just put a slip in the til–  bet that wouldn’t happen
at Walmart!!_ ha

I practically lived at Mongeon’s in highschool – they always had a “double
family” as each of their 6 kids would more than likely bring home a friend
for after school- and dinner –if we had a game to go to that night– or a
concert or some kind of practice after school.  their household was so fun-
Armand would even sing with us–  !!

keep the stories coming – I love to read them – and yes–  Thank God that
Deb Morinville Azure ‘s results were do positive–  Lola

 
Lola, Armand Mongeon has email  armand@srt.com and is on our distribution list.  He graduated from DHS in 1940. Gary
 

 
Gary Morgan’s (54) reply: 
 
Hi Gary & All,

     It was interesting to note the reference to Eli Demry in the 40 below song.  Jim Footit (Class of 51) wrote “The Ballad of Eli Demry” in the early 50s when Eli was a young man.  I don’t remember the words but it was to the tune of “Ballad of Davey Crockett” and the first verse started “Born on a mountain top near old Dunseith…meanest place in the land of the Crees.  The first verse ended with “…kicked out of a bar when he was only three”.  Then the refrain…..”Eli…Eli Demry…King of the Chipp-o-was”.
     Some of you may not be aware that it was Eli’s grandson, Micah Johnson (Darcy’s son) that we saw on the evening news and morning shows, last spring, dangling from a gun mount as his helicopter made a daring rescue of another helicopter crew shot down in a river in Bagdad.  Micah had given his space to one of the rescued crew members.
     Who would have thunk?

Gary Morgan
Class of 54
 
 
Marge Landsverk Fish’s reply to Dave Slyter (57):
Note: Dave’s message follows Marge’s reply.
 
Hi Dave,
     I am a 1st. cousin of Barb, Sharon, Bruce and the rest of the kids.  Nels was my dads brother.  I saw most of the cousins at Rodgers house in Bottineau a year ago Oct. when I came to N.D. to visit my husbands family in Rolette and my friend Caroleen Williams in Bottineau.  I also met Lucille Volk, Marlene Armentrout, and Arliss Lider at Dales for a get together.
 
     My family(Knute and Minnie Landsverk ) lived a half a block so. of the grade school.  The house isn’t there any more.  I was in the class of 57.  My dad did a lot of the stone work at the Peace Garden while I was growing up.  I have a older brother Howard who is 13 years older than me and lives in Edmonds Wash.
My other brother Bill(Marvin) is deceased.   My parents passed away in 1970 and 80.
 
     I understand Gary Stokes also lived in the neighborhood of Nels.
 
                                                                     Sincerely,
                                                                        Marge Fish
    
 
Hi Marge,

My name is Dave Slyter.   I noticed your maiden name is Landsverk and I lived next door to some Landsverk up in the Turtle Mountains.  They lived right off from the Willow Lake Road.  The family farm stead was Nels and Gerdie Landsverk.  We all rode the same school bus.  I graduated with David Landsverk and was neighbors to Bruce for many years.  I do remember Barb Landsverk.   I was just wondering if you were related to them?

David Slyter :)
 
 
More tunes (Satterfield – William Metcalfe)  from Mel Kuhn (70):
 
Howdy Gary,
 
It sounds like they want to hear more songs, so I’ll just keep sending them one at a time. If someone would like a copy of the CD I sure could make them one and send it out. There are 17 songs on it. I got my copy from Dick Johnson.
 
Mel Kuhn [70] 
 
 
Thank you again Bill Grimme for compressing the attached file.
 
 

2/4/2008

Posted on by
Memories of Don & Bernice Johnson from Bill Hosmer (48): 
 
Gary, and Dunseith Friends.   One rather unlikely story, but one that
had some predictive qualities took place during my freshman year at
DHS.  Don and Bernice were both Juniors.  There was an operetta
directed by Miss Nesting.  The characters in the play were Native
Americans.  The title of the play was “Star Flower”.  That character
was Bernice.  Then there was a young brave I think named “Lone Buck”,
played by Don Johnson who was courting Star Flower.  Her father was a
grizzled Chief named ‘Lost Eagle” or something like that, played by
yours truly.  One line I remember well from Bernice was,  “Father, you
bid me come to you”.  I was supposed to be a grouch, so I had my arms
crossed across my bare chest which had been slathered with leg make up
to make me look more tribal-like.  I  had on a full headdress loaned by
the Chippewa tribe, and there were several of them in the audience of
this production.  Bernice was so beautiful I wanted to hug her, but
that would have ended my stage career, and I’d probably have left that
leg make up on her Indian Princess dress.  By the way for you young
folks, leg make up was a substitute for silk stockings which were not
available. It was a fluid in a bottle.  World War II was still ongoing,
and then nylon etc became available later.   There was alot of music
and the two of them sang love songs in duet, and they lived happily
everafter. Fortunately, the chief in the play did not have any singing
requirement.

    This was just a brief interval in a long friendship with those two
great Americans, but when there is such a wealth of  personal
admiration, and deep sense of loss, every little whisp of memory comes
back to reinforce the importance of having known and indeed loved Don
and Bernice Johnson.    Cheers, Bill Hosmer

 
 
 
Message (Don Johnson) from Glen Williams (52): 
 
Gary…Great that you put that collection of “memories” of Don Johnson together…I was quite a bit younger than Don…so did not know him personally, but did know he was….and was to old to be in his classes…but would appear that he made a  difference in a lot of students lives….I did know that he had been killed and was saddened by that event…  His life just should not have ended that way…!!!
 
Glen Williams…
 
 
 
 Susan Fassett’s (65) memories of the the Don Johnson family: 
 
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the nice memories of Dick’s parents.  We had many good times at the Johnson farm, as Cynthia (Dick’s Grandma) is a sister to my Aunt Dorothy Fassett.  We had picnics at the farm and chased the fireflies at the edge of the lake where the farm sat,  Johnson’s were included in many a family picnic and Dick was always a  favorite “cousin”.  My sisters, along with the “other” Fassett girls spent some nights at the farm and relate stories of the bats that inhabited the old buildings.  Isn’t it great to be from a community that shares so many great memories.!!!     Hugs  and prayers to all—-Susan
 
 
 
Message from Marge Landsverk Fish (57):  
 
Hi Gary and All,
     I’ve been enjoying reading everything.  Duane Woodford was in my class.  I could never get as good a score on a assignment as he did but it was fun trying.
 
     I remember playing the French horn with Janice(La Croix) Kester.  We went to Rolla for the county music festival and played a selection.  We almost went to a movie that night and got to the school late;:everyone was looking for us as we were called back.  I enjoyed the mass band as you got to meet so many kids from other towns and we sounded so good!!
 
     I also remember Dr. Loeb as I went to work in the lab at theT.B Sanitarium after highschool.  He was very respected to say the least.
 
     I went to work at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat clinic in Minot after that.
 
     I married Lyle Fish who was from Rolette in 58  and I lost him in 2005.  We have 3 children, Brian,Brad and Kim.
 
                                                                   Hugs,
                                                                          Marge(landsverk) Fish
 
Marge, Dr. Loeb’s Daughter, Karen Loeb Mhyre was in our class of 1965. Karen and her mother, Hanna Higgins Loeb, attended our class reunion and the All school reunion this past summer in Dunseith.  Dr. Loeb is deceased.  Karen and Hanna live in Bellevue WA.  They too are such nice warm friendly wonderful folks.  Karen has stressed many times, that she and her mother dearly love to hear from the Dunseith folks. Her email address is  karen.mhyre@gmail.com   Hanna and Art Rude were both in the class of 1939 and they were both in the Dunseith Parade this last summer. Karen is also on this distribution list.  Gary Stokes
 
 
Shirley Brennan’s (60) reply to Mel Kuhn (70): 
 
Mel:
Thanks for the Turrtle Mt Memories, I have no idea who the artist is.
Shirley Brennan
 
 
 
Message from Dich Johnson (68): 
 
Gary

I got the message {second song] that was missing. It had been
blocked as potential dangerous material. This is rather funny
when you hear the song, Springtime in old Dunseith! I am in
possession of a copy of the CD with all these songs. Wayne
Smith [61] got one from Jack Metcalfe’s daughter
Jackie. Rosemary Smith, Waynes wife made me a copy and I listen
to it often. With Jackies permission we probably could make
more if anyone was interested. The CD is titled Family and
Friends=====Turtle Mt. Memories. The guy singing Springtime In
Old Dunseith is actually Larry Metcalfe. The song on this CD is
called The Snakepit Saloon. The tune is from Springtime in
Alaska by I believe Johnny Horton. Good OLD TIME MUSIC !

Dick

 
Dick, I talked to your Aunt Shirely Olson Warcup (your mothers sister) and her husband Ronald today. I got their email address and they too are now on our distribution list.  Nice folks.  Gary
 
 
Picture and message from Tim Martinson (69):  
 
 
It has been almost a month since I first started looking for this  picture which by the way is the only one I have of the American Legion team I coached that summer.  I do not recall who took it or who gave it to me but I”m hoping that maybe someone out there has another photo and will pass it along.  In the photo Back Row that is Don Olson’s  shoulder, Greg Evans, Jeff Evans, Lyle Olson, Clark Parrill, Curt Berg, Greg Larson, Don Berg,  Front Row, Larrett Peterson,  Larry Tooke, David Campbell, Donald Malatere, Curt Hagel.  This was probably taken at Rolla?  As teams go this one turned out to be what I would call a Dream Team.  A bunch of multi talented guys that loved to play baseball.  From the start of the season we had a ad in the Minot Daily Newspaper looking for games to fill our open dates. We got a few games that route and I will tell you about one later. 
 
Now back to the team and a little about each of the members.

    Don Olson, Pitcher, First Base, and could hit the ball, a big  target to throw to at first base.

    Greg Evans, Center Field, Pitcher, Covered a lot of ground in the  outfield,strong arm, leader in getting on base, and use to be right  handed.
    Jeff Evans, Outfield, First Base, He could move out with those long legs.
    Lyle Olson,  Outfield, First Base,  Gaining experience and very  supportive.
    Clark Parill, Outfield, Fast, Good Arm,  and could hit the ball, team prankster, peace keeper, always keep the team smiling.
    Curt Berg, Catcher, Strong Arm to Second, and could hit the ball, still growing!
    Greg Larson, Pitcher, Third Base, could hit the ball, and was known for his Knuckleball.
    Don Berg, Pitcher, Infield and Outfield, The Utility Man and could hit the ball.
    Larrett Peterson, Mr. Shortstop could scoop em up and great arm to first, and could hit the ball.
    Larry Tooke,  Catcher, Second Base, Great arm to second. good  blocker, great field captain, and could hit the ball.
    David Campbell, Outfield, fast, quick release, strong arm and  could hit the ball.
    Donald Malatere, Second Base, fast. quick release and good hands.
    Curt Hagel,  Outfield, fast, A heavy hitter with a big bat.

The team had a lot of fun that summer.  We won a lot more than we
lost and became better men through teamwork.  We all had our ups and
downs but learned how to work through the conflicts.  Although we
shared cramped quarters in our travels there were no major brawls.  I do
believe we put our best effort forward in representing the Dunseith
area that summer.

One of the games we picked up through the newspaper ad was a game at
Drake.  I was told that they had a very good team and a top notch
pitcher.  We traveled down there going through Towner and finally
reached the baseball field and the field reminded me of one that had
been
around since the start of the town itself, old and a tad run down
with no home run fence.  It was not a field of dreams.  Anyway we had
the
introductions and the exchange of lineups and meeting with the umps. 
The field ump was middle aged and the ump behind the plate was
older than the other.  So now the game begins and yes their pitcher
is good with a little help from the ump but we play on.  As I mentioned
earlier that there was no home run fence and it was our bad luck that
a ball got by in the outfield and rolled and rolled and we were now down
a run going into the seventh and final at bat.  With two outs and a
man at third we tried a suicide squeeze play.  The player coming into
home
plate was called out.  My players saw what had happened and went
after the ump and I practically had to restrain them. I told them to
pick
up and get ready to leave and I would straighten it out with the
ump.  There the ump and I stood at home plate and discussed the error in
his decision.  As time went by everyone had left but the ump, myself
and my team.  I could see that I was getting nowhere in the discussion
so I told the ump I would take the game as a loss as long as he
admitted that he made an error on the call to me and he did.  As I
could tell
the ump just wanted to go home and forget about this game.  The ump
agreed that he should have called interference on the catcher for
shoving the batter out of the way and not allowing the batter an
attempt to hit the ball.  I walked off the field told the team and we
went home.

Take Care,  Tim

 

2/3/2008

Posted on by

Folks,

With all the tributes you folks have provided with memories of Don Johnson, I’ve decided to dedicate today’s mailing to Don and his family.  The first 3 messages, ahead of the article, I’ve gotten today.  The messages following the article have been published before.  I wanted to combine all the messages into one for this distribution.  I went back through and tried to capture all the memories you folks have provided of Don.  Please let me know if I’ve missed any.

I will include future comments that you guys provide, with memories of Don, in the daily messages.  I will also add them to this message for redistribution in the future.

Gary Stokes

 

From Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (68): paulet

Gary,

These daily comments, stories and memories are a much better read than the Turtle Mt. Star in my humble opinion.  I see I missed the “Daddy” song. 

 A little story about Don Johnson.  In high school I played clarinet beside Gwen Grimme on the same old honking clarinet my two older sisters played going back at least a decade.  Years of abuse had practically disintegrated the case so my mom taped it from head to foot with some gawd awful putrid smelling tape.  When Mr. Johnson opened the door to the little room of stored instruments and was hit by the stench, he came to the conclusion that one or more students had not cleaned some filthy reed or mouthpiece in ages.  He was quite “put out” with this disgusting find and lectured us on proper hygiene so “it” would never happen again.  I knew it was my fault since I couldn’t put the clarinet even close to my lips without a gag.  Now, I was sure everyone “knew” my mouthpiece was the “filthy unhygienic culprit.”  Too embarrassed and red faced to fess up during the lecture, I waited in painful guilt and anxious expectation until after class.  To my relief, he threw his head back in laughter and told me in a playful way to “get it out of there.” 

 I remember his eye opening introductions to different styles of music and his tying the message of “Romeo and Juliet” with the more modern “West Side Story.”  He gave many of us the recognition and appreciation our parents didn’t or couldn’t and we “felt” his pride in our accomplishments.  If you wanted to participate, he provided every effort to support you.  I will always remember his kindness when gently telling those, who had less than perfect pitch, to keep their voices low so they could still participate in the choir.   His contribution to our community over the years was huge, heartfelt and lasting.

Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (68)   

 

From Brenda Hoffman (68):

Thank you Gary. I love the “community” of our emails. I could send this info directly to Dick Johnson but wanted yet more accolades for Don Johnson. Don was wonderful about exposing all of us to a variety of music (first heard and fell in love with Westside Story via Don in a music class), but also made absolutely sure that any cultural event near Dunseith was available to any of us who were interested. I so remember taking the bus to A Mid Summers Night Dream and laughing hysterically — and being amazed that it was written by Shakespeare. Or the concerts in Bottineau. Or the circus in Minot. And I loved how anyone could join the choir…even me. I knew my voice wasn’t the greatest (I think that’s an overstatement!) so would pretty much just voice the words when we were practicing. Toni and Paulette told me that they couldn’t hear me so I should sing louder..which I did for one song. I was a freshman in High School so of course, was intimidated by older classmates in the choir…Don stopped our practice after that one song and just said, “Brenda, could you keep it down.” He also sang at my wedding to Terry Hegney in 1969 (Terry died in 1981)..Of course, tunes from Westside Story!

 
I also want to note that I worked with Dick’s grandmother Cynthia during my high school stint at the San Haven dining room. I loved her. She was so kind and gentle. I’m not sure if even Dick knows this but when I was in the hospital for TB between the ages of two and three, I swallowed a nickle that someone had given me (people used to give kids coins as treats in those days). My mom was also in the hospital at the same time. Dr. Loeb (who was a prisoner of war before becoming the director of the San…he was an absolutely wonderful Dr. by the way and we were so lucky he decided to stay in ND after the war) couldn’t remove the nickel so Dad (who was working at the San in the kitchens at the time) warmed up the car, asked Cynthia to accompany him, borrowed clothes from Jay Vanorny and we were on our way to Minot. Can you imagine every one’s terror that I wouldn’t make the long drive? At any rate, the eye, ear, nose specialist in Minot removed the coin and all was well. Thank you Dick for a loving and warm family who impacted my life in so many ways.
Brenda Hoffman (class of 68)

 

From Dave Slyter (70):

Hi Dick:

Just a quick comment about your dad.  Just like a super star, or actor, or singer or writer or  composer your dad left a legacy in so many hearts, not only in the Dunseith area, but to North Dakota and Canada.   He was a man that had a lot of influence on a lot of peoples life’s.  He will always be in my life.   He was the best teacher I had ever had. 

Just one more little story about your folks together.  When we lived on  the farm up in the hills my mom Margaret Hiatt would make the best cinnamon rolls in the hills of the turtle mountains.  When she would get into the mood of making them there would be this strange thing that would always happen during that same day of the baking.  Your mom with your dad or your mom with her mom or your mom with your dads mom would always drive up and visit.   We always asked mom when she was baking if she thought Don and Bernice would show up.   Sometimes we know more than said it, and they were driving up the hill to our house.  It was funny and also always enjoyable as they would sit and talk about so many things and memories of  the old Benny Johnson farm.  Always look forward to their visits.   And they loved the cinnamon rolls.   We always told mom that Bernice could smell those cinnamon rolls a mile away.  ha 

Take care
Dave Slyter :

Prairie Past and Mountain Memories (1982 centennial book) Page 213

 
 
Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to the memories of his dad, Don Johnson: 
 
Gary and DHS Friends

I do truly appreciate all the good memories folks have about my
dad, Don Johnson. He had an ability to understand the needs of
those around him and then find a way to make their lives a
little better. The one thing that I believe he passed on to
most of the kids was that everyone is of similar value
regardless of his background or wealth or name! This I believe
is what allowed him to achieve things like Governor’s Choir
with something like sixty kids singing that well. The other
atribute that he had was to never give up no matter what the
odds were. This determination could be seen by his students and
I believe it also drove them to achieve. Thanks to all those of
you who have told your stories of your memories of my dad, it
means a lot!

Dick Johnson

 
Margaret Metcalfe’s (65) memories of Don Johnson:
 
Gary

Several people have written about memories of Don Johnson so I thought I
would add yet another:

I was a Daddy’s girl.  Wherever my Dad went, I was riding on his shoulders
or hanging on to his hand.  I remember my parents wondering how I was
going to handle starting school.  However, my  first grade teacher in
Hilltop school was Don Johnson and I thought he was the best teacher
ever..  I don’t know if this was his first teaching job, but he and
Bernice were so young and Dickie was only 2 or 3 years old.  One day
Bernice came to pick him up from school and I thought she was such a
beautiful lady.  Don fixed the swing in the school yard and I was the
first to get to swing on it.  I backed up as far as I could and then sat
down to swing forward, just then Dickie ran in front of me and I crashed
into him knocking him down.  I felt so bad,  he got up Don dusted himself
off and he had a gash on his head…..but his glasses didn’t break.   He
was such a little cutie.

The years went by and Don taught my husband Chuck in 8th grade in Rolette.
 Then he came back to Dunseith and I remember the chorus and how we
harmonized and had concerts….so fun.  I took Music Appreciation from him
and like so many others learned to appreciate so many different composers
and their music.  Whenever I hear Classical music, I think of him.  He
brought the Grand Canyon suite to school and we listed to the LP’s on the
stage in the new school.  I thought it was the most beautiful music I had
ever heard.  After that I started really listening and appreciating the
music in movies.  He was my teacher in first grade and my senior years and
I have such fond memories of one terrific teacher and a wonderful, caring
person.   We were so honored when he sang at our wedding!  He was a
legend.

Margaret Leonard

 
 
 
Memories from Bill Hosmer (48): 
 
    Gary and all the rest.    Just read the neat 180 degree turn by the
band described by Dick Johnson.  It made me believe that Don Johnson
gave more positive stuff to more people than anyone I know.  The last
time I saw him was when he was leading the band down Dunseith’s main
street at one of my visits home during Dunseith Days.  His grin and
wink, when he recognized me, stays with me these many years later.
 
 
 
Don Lamoureux’s (75) Memories of Mr. Johnson:  
I also have great memories of being in Mr. Jonson’s band.  I started out playing clarinet, which didn’t seem too cool for me, I hadn’t heard of Benny Goodman.  I later switched to the string bass, when that spot opened up, and was even happier when the school bought an electric bass guitar, so now I could play and be heard.

He also helped me out of a pickle during deer season one year.  I was in big rush after school to get to a hunting spot, driving my dad’s 4 wheel drive jeep pickup, and was tearing up the hill past Sime’s to get to a spot before dark. I mean to get to a spot where I could hunt until dark.  I rounded a curve to discover that an oncoming school bus and I were going to be occupying the same space shortly.  I swerved to get out of the way, missed the bus, but put the truck into a spin, I did a 360 and then went backwards off the road and down the ditch.

I know I was closer to some other folks, but didn’t feel like confessing my crappy driving to anyone else, so I walked down to Mr. Johnson’s.  He fired up a tractor and we went back to pull it out.  The ditch was pretty steep, and the only thing that kept it from going farther down the ditch was the tree I managed to wedge the truck up against.  I think Mr. Johnson had to go back home to get a chainsaw. It’s not real clear to me, because I was pretty much dreading having to go back home and face the music there, so to speak.  Mr. Johnson tied the truck off to the tractor, buzzed the tree down, yanked the truck out, and sent me on my way.  Mr. Johnson must have called ahead to smooth out the waters, because it really wasn’t that bad when I got home.  Probably Dad could see nothing was going to make me feel worse than I already did. There still was the inevitable lecture of course, but then he told me of a time as a kid he was driving one of the brand new cars from the garage, and wrecked that.

I can also recall spending many fall days looking for grouse and pass-shooting ducks at Mr. Johnson’s.
 
Don Lamoureux (75)
 
 
 
Memories from Ele Dietrich (69): 
 
After reading Deb M. memories of the Governor’s Choir in 1969, I felt that I just have to add this tickle of memory:  Mr. Johnson (who would ever have called him anything else) probably had the highest impact of any teacher in Dunseith when I was in school.  Through him we all learned to appreciate music.  We also learned to give from our hearts when we sang and I think that has stayed with all of us to this very day.  I personally can not thank him enough for that gift.  I will always remember though that he absolutely dispised Buck Owens and the nasal tone of his music.  Remember “let the sound come from the mouth not the nose”…those words will be with me always. He introduced me to so many kinds of music, music that I had never heard before and still love to this day.  Thank you Mr. Johnson.
 
Ele (Dietrich) Slyter    ’69 rules !!!
 
 

Memories from Deb Morinville (70):  
 
David Slyter jogged memories from our Governor Choir days.   I learned how to play “Whist” because we had down time sometimes.  I also remember Governor Guy coming to Dunseith for a banquet. The town really spiffed up and it never looked so good!  I also remember many long hours on busses and getting up at 5 AM to travel to many different places to sing.
Like in the legislative chambers at the Capitol in Bismarck

Yeah we had the blue blazers and the girls wore white skirts and the boys black pants.  We stopped in Harvey one time to eat and filled the restaurant.  On cue from Mr. Johnson we all stood up and sang our “Grace”  It was very impressive.  We were scattered all over but still managed four part harmony.   I never realized important reading music would be.  Now I singon a worship team and the ability to read music helps me to learn it quickly.  Mr. Johnson had a huge impact  on my    

life in the way he taught me to appreciate so many different kinds of music.  He never really liked country music though! What a legacy he left.  It was such a great joy and privilege it was to sing with some of those former members at the Sunday service last summer at the reunion. Gary Fulsbakke directed us and we dedicated the songs to Mr. Johnson.
 
Keep the memories coming everyone!
 
Deb Morinville Marmon 70
 
 
 
Memories from Dave Slyter (70): 
 
How many remember the good ole band and choir days  of good ole DHS.   Of course who could forget the best music director of all of DHS’s history,  Don Johnson.   He done so many things for so many students.   One of the most memorable was when Dunseith received the Governors Choir award.  I think I remember then the choir had over 60 members in it.  The high school band always had big numbers in it.   He ran a very high standard music department.

Alan Poitra,  I remember those funny looking hats also but they were always locked up in the little practice room and we were all hoping that no one would mention to Mr. Johnson that we should wear them while we march.  ha    I always remember the home coming parades in Dunseith and also the day that we would travel to Minot for the Minot State College home coming parade.  It was a long march, (especially when I had to carry that big ole bass drum) but was the best of times.   Always went downtown Minot and hung out at all the stores.  Always went to the five and dime store.  

When we were in the music program in the late 60’s and into 1970(by the way that is the best year ever) we had the really nice blue blazer that we wore for high school concerts.   I think we wore them for marching also.  I also remember going to Devils Lake for the high school music contest or festivals.    Dunseith always came home with high marks.

I think that was the best part of jr. high and high school was being in the famous Don Johnson music program.  Well that and passing my grade each year.  ha

One more memory I have to mention about the DHS music department.  It has to do with years after I graduated but was a memory I will never forget.   I was once a custodian at DHS after the good ole years of San Haven employment.  My daughter Stacey was in high school band then and was under the direction of one of Don Johnson’s former students and everybody knows her,  Cheryl Haagenson.   She too did a great job  in the music department.  During the year that Stacey I think was a Junior in high school they decided they wanted to take in a contest down in Orlando Florida.  So the money raising was put into place and the plans and dates of the trip were decided.  I was fortunate enough to be a chaperone of this big event and what a memory it was.  It will be with me for a very long time.  The kids were so well behaved and they should have been so proud as they brought home this big huge trophy that I hope still is in the show case at the school.  “Way to go Cheryl”   You have done the school proud.

Thanks for the memories

2/2/2008

Posted on by

Note: Some folks have been concerned that they are not getting all of these messages and there’s not really a way for them to be able to tell if they have or not.  Starting today I will start numbering these group messages starting with (1) in the Subject line.  I have discovered that one can not trust that all email gets delivered. Please let me know if you don’t get a message and I will gladly forward it to you.  Gary

 
Correction to yesterdays message:  I said Diane Fugere instead of Diane Hill.  Sorry Diane for the error.  I know better.  I had Fugere/Hill buses on my mind. Gary
 
 
Bonnie (Awalt) Houle, (56): 
 
Dear Gary,
    I wonder if anyone else remembers the Halloween costume party we had at school. Barry Shelver came dressed as “Said Kadry”.  He did such a good job of impersonating Said, that at first you weren’t certain if Said hadn’t finally gone somewhere besides the pool hall. 
    Gayle Lamoureux and I worked at the Althea Theater from 8th grade until we graduated.  Gayl was able to box popcorn faster than anyone I have ever seen.  When I go to a theater now and the popcorn person is so slow and putzy I always think Gayle should be in charge and shape these people up,  We had a wonderful time working there.  We got to watch all the movies free, visit with all our friends as they came to the movies and Arnold paid us.  Arnold Lilleby was a wonderful man, he was so kind, he let many people come in free if he thought they couldn’t really afford the ticket.  We used to get a good chuckle out of him because he talked to the screen during the movies.  He loved a good Western!  He never charged the Nuns or any other religious leader that came to the theater.
    On Saturday nights Gayle and I needed to go around to some of the Business’s and change the advertisements to the new up-coming movies.  One place was the pool-hall.  It was LATE Saturday night and we had to go into the pool hall, not to many people in the Pool Hall were completely sober. Some nights it became a challenge to get to the ad and get it changed.  Said was pretty good about watching out for us.
    I was told by someone working in the Bank in Dunseith that when Said and His Wife passed away, their Niece cleaned out the house and brought sacks of money to the bank.  It was moldy from being stored in that house somewhere.  Said didn’t believe in banks.
    Thanks to everyone that contributes to this “BLOG”   It is a trip into a wonderful past.
Bonnie
 
 
Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to the memories of his dad, Don Johnson:
 
Gary and DHS Friends

I do truly appreciate all the good memories folks have about my
dad,Don Johnson. He had an ability to understand the needs of
those around him and then find a way to make their lives a
little better. The one thing that I believe he passed on to
most of the kids was that everyone is of similar value
regardless of his background or wealth or name! This I believe
is what allowed him to achieve things like Governor’s Choir
with something like sixty kids singing that well. The other
atribute that he had was to never give up no matter what the
odds were. This determination could be seen by his students and
I believe it also drove them to achieve. Thanks to all those of
you who have told your stories of your memories of my dad, it
means a lot!

Dick Johnson

 
 
Colette Hosmer’s (64) reply to Connie Halvorson (64) & Diane Hill (75):
Note: I sent Colette the original files of these songs in question, Gary
 
Connie,

 
I wasn’t able to play those two songs that you talked about…..now I’m dying with curiosity.  Gary, if you sent the reduced files I missed them ……

Also, Diane, I want to tell you that my dad (Bob Hosmer) considered Johnny Hill to be one of his closest friends.  He admired and respected Johnny completely and was very sad when he died.  I remember both your mom and dad as being the kind of people that everyone held in high regard.

Colette
  
 
Duane Woodford’s (57) memories of the Philippines: 
 
Note: Cebu, PI that Duane talks about is now my home.  A lot of what he says is still true today. Gary 
 

Gary, I have enjoyed reading the messages from the various people but only recognized Gary Morgan, Margarie Landsverk and Gary Metcalf as most of the others are much younger. I do remenber Don & Bernice Johnson and their untimely deaths as my mother forwarded the details at the time it happened.
 
In August of 1980, when I was the VP of Sales and Marketing for Electric Machinery Mfg. Co in Minneapolis, along with a group of people from a sister company that manufactured steam turbines we spent time at Atlas Mining trying to sell them a sream turbine electric generator package. Before the trip to their compound about as hour van ride from Cebu, there had been very heavy rains so the mountain dirt road was very slick and mucky ruts (similar to the road to my gandfather, John Lagerquist in the Turtle Mountains). An engineer from the sister company and I sat on the same bench seat going to the compound that put him on the outer edge side of the road where the dropoff was a couple of hundred feet straight down so when the van was sliding through the ruts, he saw the big fall everytime. After spending the majority of the day there, we departed to return to Cebu. He commented that he got to sit on the other side going back and choose where I had been seated on the way to Atlas so he got to sit on the same side going back. I told him that I didn’t want him desigining anything for me. Instead of going back to Manilla we spent the night at the Hotel Magellan which is the only hotel I’ve seen with the lobby open to the elements. In our party was a native Phillipino so we ate like the natives without utensils and the large scallop sinks throughout the restaurant to cleanse our hands as necessary, Later we retired to our rooms, in the middle of the night I awoke with a 8″ beetle of some type in bed with me. As I had shared a suite with Benny Campo, (the native) he came into my room as I was using my shoe to kill the creature. Benny wondered  what I was doing and I told him that my bed partner startled the hell of me. Never before or since have I seen any bug that big. Unfortunately, we did not obtain the order so I could relive the experience
 
This all happened under the martial law imposed by Marcos so we saw alot of machine guns in office buildings and at the airport in Manila. It was a very interesting experience. We were there for about a week and did a day taxi sightseeing trip that included visiting the Chinese cementery and the tiny room where the Japanese imterned more that a hundred allied forces. The Jeepneys were also very interesting.
 
Duane Woodford (57)
 
 
Marshall Awalt’s (51) reply to Gary Stokes (65):
 
Hi Gary
 
Just a short note to let you know that I agree with you that the Philippines is a great Country and the people are truly wonderful.During my 25 years in the Marine Corps I got to spend numerous deployments training in the Philippines.We spent most of our time at Cubi Point in Subic bay.I got to see the biggest snake of my life in the jungles there.Sure shook me up you will never run on to anything like that in North Dakota.
 
I have many of my friends from the Marine Corps who married Ladies from the Philippines and it is always great when they have parties because they will cook the dishes of the Philippines.
 
Take care Marshall
 
 
 
Message & Memory from Neola Kofoid Garbe (Gary Stokes’ Cousin):
 
Note: I sent Neola the original (not compressed) files of those songs
 
I just listened to these four songs.  The original files really make a difference! “To Daddy” is one of my favorite songs.  I think it’s an Emily Lou Harris song, right?  Great job on all the songs.  I hope you share more of them with “Gary’s lists”.
 
I was standing by the gas pumps at Dad’s garage (Corner Service/Corner Garage) one
Saturday when two men came flying out of ,what I gather, was the Snake Pit Saloon.  It was the first time I had seen an actual fight.  It left quite an impression on me.
 
Neola Kofoid Garbe
 
 
Neola’s reply when I sent her the original songs, Gary:
 
Neola, I have included Eileen with this message too, so she will have a copy of the originals. Gary. Thanks, Gary.  That save my forwarding it to her.  She/I love these songs.  Thanks to you, Kenny/Sherry, for sharing them.  I don’t know you, but I love this type music.  I’m grateful to be on Gary’s Dunseith lists.
 
 
Reply from Eileen Brudwick: Eileen’s husband Mike is a cousin to Neola Kofoid. The Brudwick’s lived west of Rendahl church, in Bottineau county:
 
Thank you so much, Gary!!  These songs are great.  I like “To Daddy” the best of all these, but they all sure bring back old memories.  You people do such awesome work with all the projects you get involved in!! 

Eileen

 
 
Bobbie Slyter’s (70) Reply to the tunes:
 
Yet some more wonderful music keep em coming mel
 

2/1/2008

Posted on by
Gary Metcalfe’s (57) reply to Diane Fugere (75): 
 
Diane if there were more people in the world like John Hill it would be a better place.  My dad, Jim Metcalfe had a number of good friends from gthe older generation and a few from the next generation.  John Hill was that next generation that he considered the best.  I recall hearing my dad telling my brother, Jim from Seattle, about a cattle exchange with John, no papers signed, just a hand shake.  Your dad told me on a couple occasions how he admired my dad physically and mentally.  So, I for one, was always glad to see John Hill anywhere, anytime.  My dad or I would have gone to bat for John anytime.
Your dad and mom had a circle of friends that I snowmobiled with the Canadian border to Metigoshe many times.  Great memories of those trips. 
John told me some good stories about one of  my favorite uncles, Bing Evans, who died very young that I appreciated hearing.
 Gary Metcalfe
 
 
 
Bob Slyter’s (70) reply to Diane Hill (75): 
 
reply to diane hill, my dad freddie hiatt used to drive the school bus for your dad and he had the route that us kids rode on so we were always the fist on the bus and the last off, and god forbid we ever got to miss the school bus, ha ha, i think he would have driven that thing in a blizzard
 
 
Margaret Metcalfe’s (65) memories of Don Johnson: 
 
Gary

Several people have written about memories of Don Johnson so I thought I
would add yet another:

I was a Daddy’s girl.  Wherever my Dad went, I was riding on his shoulders
or hanging on to his hand.  I remember my parents wondering how I was
going to handle starting school.  However, my  first grade teacher in
Hilltop school was Don Johnson and I thought he was the best teachere
ever..  I don’t know if this was his first teaching job, but he and
Bernice were so young and Dickie was only 2 or 3 years old.  One day
Bernice came to pick him up from school and I thought she was such a
beautiful lady.  Don fixed the swing in the school yard and I was the
first to get to swing on it.  I backed up as far as I could and then sat
down to swing forward, just then Dickie ran in front of me and I crashed
into him knocking him down.  I felt so bad,  he got up Don dusted himself
off and he had a gash on his head…..but his glasses didn’t break.   He
was such a little cutie.

The years went by and Don taught my husband Chuck in 8th grade in Rolette.
 Then he came back to Dunseith and I remember the chorus and how we
harmonized and had concerts….so fun.  I took Music Appreciation from him
and like so many others learned to appreciate so many different composers
and their music.  Whenever I hear Classical music, I think of him.  He
brought the Grand Canyon suite to school and we listed to the LP’s on the
stage in the new school.  I thought it was the most beautiful music I had
ever heard.  After that I started really listening and appreciating the
music in movies.  He was my teacher in first grade and my senior years and
I have such fond memories of one terrific teacher and a wonderful, caring
person.   We were so honored when he sang at our wedding!  He was a
legend.

Margaret Leonard

 
Note from Gary: Many of you may not be aware that Don & Bernice Johnson were killed in 1980.
The following is a quote from the 1982 Dunseith Centennial book (Prairie Past and Mountain Memories) Page 214.
“Donald Johnson and his wife, Bernice, were shot to death in May, 1980, at their home in the Turtle Mountains by two juvenile delinquents.”
 
 
 
Gary Morgan’s (54) memories of Said Kadry: 
 
Hi Gary,

Dick Johnson’s story about Said Kadry reminded me of Kadry’s wood pile.  Kadrys lived just across the street to the east of the school.  They were seldom there because they practically lived at the pool hall.  Every morning they would walk to the pool hall, Mrs. Kadry in the lead with the money bag and Said following about ten feet back.  It was believed that Said was “packing heat” in the pocket of his long overcoat.  There was little reason to believe otherwise.  Why else would he wear it all year?  Anyway, in their back yard was a big, neatly stacked wood pile.  It got to be kind of a tradition that every Halloween the wood pile would get scattered and every morning after, Big Ed would send the high school boys over to restack the pile.  Does anyone know…Did Said ever actually use any of that wood or did it finally just wear out?

Gary Morgan
Class of 54
 
 
 
Ron Longie’s (65) reply to Sherry Nerpel:
 
Gary,

I enjoyed listening to Sherry Nerpel sing, she has a good voice, and if she doesn’t sing a lot she should. !!

                                                                              Ron Longie

 

Dave Slyter’s (70) reply to Sherry Nerpel: A big “Standing O”  to Sherry Nerpel.  I wonder if there is an older segment to American Idol. 

Dave S :)

 

Bob Slyter’s (70) Reply:

thank you so much for these songs they are great, i saved them on my computer so i can listen to thrm often, again gary thanks for all that you do

 

Message and tune from Mel Kuhn (70):
 
Howdy Gary,
 
Here’s a little tune, attached, by a banjo picker extraordinaire, John Metcalfe. I had the privilege of working with John at Cenex in Rolla back in the early 70’s where he was known as Big Jack. He taught me lots of stuff that I still use today. I wish one of those things would have been the banjo. We were always welcome to stop by his house in St. John for a little picking and beer drinking. He was probably the only guy I knew that knew as many Ole & Lena jokes as Dick Johnson. Don Boardmans memories of the farm house second floor in the winter bring back some old memories. I’ve told my wife, who grew up in Indiana with cable TV,running water and MacDonalds that we used to have to wet the bed to stay warm, but she doesn’t believe me. My brother Virgil and I used to keep the clothes that we were going to wear in the morning under the covers at the foot of the bed so we had warm clothes to put on. That would be of course once we broke the frost loose off of the top quilt so we could get up and go out and snuggle up to a nice warm cow and do the milking.
 
Mel Kuhn[70]
 
 
Folks, Bill Grimme has been reducing the file sizes of these tunes of Mel’s so as not to overload folks mail boxes and also to better accommodate dial up modems.  This is a Quote from Bill  “I hope folks understand the lower quality when I compress. It’s just a matter of sampling a low bit rate and frequency, but, as I said, you lose the quality of the original”.   For those of you that would like the original, uncompressed file for any of these tunes, please let Mel Kuhn or my self know and we can send it to you.  Gary