Thought you might be interested in seeing some video of the Fargo area.

 

Click on this link then go to the video on the left hand side about half way down called: fly over of flood area. www.inforum.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply from Lloyd Awalt (44): Bottineau, ND

To Ardis Bakken Horner (Teacher) and Marsha Getzlaff Bakken (74): Is this Bakken Family related to your family? Gary

 

Hi Gary,

I, too am the proud owner of the LP of Cindy & The Turtle Mountain Boys that Alan Poitra talks about. It came from my Mom’s country music collection. I have approximately 100 LP’s that are mainly in ‘mint’ condition. Yes, ‘Mule Skinner Blues’ by Gary Poitra is one of my favorites. My folks, Herman & Emma Eller, were very good friends with Frank & Rose Poitra. My Dad’s first wife was Laura Azure, she was Rose’s sister I believe. The friendship continued long after Laura passed and Dad married my Mom. I remember going to ‘Uncle Frank’s’ place often to visit. I don’t recall when Rose passed, but I know I must have been in grade school. I remember her a little but not too much, but I really remember ‘Uncle Frank’ & his hole family (that’s what my Dad taught us to call him out of respect).We also visited Mr. & Mrs. Roy Poitra as well. I recall we were there one Sunday & this lady showed up and someone pulled out a guitar & she sang just like Kitty Wells. I don’t remember who she was, but boy could she sing & Uncle Frank was playing his fiddle while doing a ‘jig’ while sitting.
Every once in a while, I pull my portable record player out & dust off the LP’s and take a trip down memory lane. I don’t care what anyone says, you just can beat the country classics of Tammy, George, Loretta, Patsy, and many others………….

Thanks,
Ivy (Eller) Robert (74)

 

 

 

 

Hi Gary,
I listened to the shortened version of the “Mule Skinner Blues” and it sounded
real good, so please send me the complete version. I would like to send it to some
of my friends here in Texas that do a little jamming every thursday afternoon. I’m
sure they would be impressed.
I look forward to reading your email every day and want to thank you for all the
fine work you do in this regard. Having been gone from the Dunseith area (except
for infrequent visits) for the last 58 years I don’t know most of your contributors,
however I do find their input very interesting. I did know many of their parents and
grand parents!

Leland Hagen (50) Bryan Texas

 

 

 

from Sharon Gottbreht Shen (1959): Everett, WA

 

Finally found a copy of an original photo of a hunting scene, probably taken 1947/48 at the Peace Gardens. George Gottbreht stands to the right of the door and he died in 1951. I thought the youth might be Edwin Seim? Kneeling from left to right: Hagen? Lucien Bedard; probably Art Seim; James Metcalfe; Dale Gottbreht. Have not been able to identify man in uniform, perhaps Peace Garden staff. Could be Alex Forbes standing right of George G; has also been suggested that it might be a Nerpel. The original picture is small and very dark; definition is less with enlargement.

I did not appreciate the zest guys and some gals had for hunting until we moved outside of town 1954. Well before dawn dad would wake me for waitress duty. Mrs Teresa Fontaine would already be there when I showed up at 4 am. She or Stella Schimetz would have roasted a large beef chuck the night before to make countless sandwiches. Hunters from the area or guest from motel would began to arrive and order huge platters of eggs and bacon, ham, sausages, flap jacks etc. Never before had I served a dozen fried eggs to one client! Dad would be there having coffee, telling tales and giving directions. He would provide a box now and then to carry sacs of sandwiches, Teresa’s delicious potato salad, Charlotte Boguslawski’s pies, cookies, cookies, cookies and numerous thermos of coffee. I was so green! All that work with such great cooks is now a happy, useful memory. Little wonder that I would drift off in Mr Starks Civics class.

Sharron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary, and other good friends. Got this from two different sources, both fighter pilots from my past. The names were not familiar to me, and the date mark is two years before I was born. Interesting price list. Bill Hosmer

 

Hi Gary, I have gotten a couple request for the CD that I mentioned. I wanted to clarify something, the CD that I mentioned was ‘Cindy and The Turtle Mountain Boys’, this does not include my grandfather Frank Poitra, it had the following singers, Scotty and Cindy Thompson, Roger Thingsvold and my father Gary Poitra. The vinyl album was sold around many parts of the Turtle Mountains and outside the immediate area, but they were well known in Dunseith, Rugby, Bottineau, Souris, Rolla, Belcourt and many other towns and played many bars in and around Dunseith. Cindy and Scotty Thompson and Roger Thingsvold were from the Bottineau area and my dad of course from Dunseith. I am including one more song from the album that everyone should know and it is called ‘Mule Skinner Blues’ and was sung by my father and as I remember was always requested at many social functions. My apologies if some people thought it was my grandfather and uncles. I do have music by them but nothing that can be reproduced. But for those of you that requested a copy of the CD by all means I will make one for you. I hope you can attach this song because it is and still gives me a tingle to hear my father sing it…

 

 

 

 

Colette, Here is Debbies addy again Debbie Marmon…..1911 north Merriam ….Miles City MT 59301. ALSO AS SOON AS I CAN FIND SOME TIME I WILL BE SENDING YOUR PICTURES OK BEV

 

 

 

 

 

Lloyd, Thanks for sharing more information on Roy Anderson. My brother and I talked and we both thought he could read since he had so many books on “Westerns” and made comments on them. I’m sure our folks knew he couldn’t read. We weren’t aware of such information at the time. I’m happy to hear that he got to see his sister after so many years. As you mentioned his rising voice in excitement, I could imagine the crinkled nose and toothy renditions of his “take” on things. Thanks for bringing even more color to this memorable character of our past.

Gary M., I appreciate your comment on inheriting my father’s zest for life. We kids sometimes did not know our parents like others with the hours they worked 6 days a week @(9 AM to Midnight) We envied those who farmed and might know them “shoulder to shoulder.”

Paulette LaCroix Chisholm

 

 

 

 

 

From Bill Grimme (65): Birmingham, AL

July 12, 2007

Front: John Awalt & John Bedard – Back: Ernie Gottbreht & Cheryl Bailey

Lee, how well I remember your dad delivering our mail. I will always remember how he’d sit way over towards the right of the front seat so as to be able to put the mail in the boxes. That in it self must have added discomfort to his job with the driving of his car. He was very consistent, delivering our mail the same time everyday. He put a lot of miles on his car everyday. I remember his relief man, for vacations, was your uncle Bill Peterson. I also remember in either 1993 or 94 your dad purchased a brand new car. I’m not sure if he used it for delivering mail or not. I remember well sitting in the back seat of this brand new car with a bunch of other folks, with you driving. This would have been during lunch time on a school day, because we were seldom in town outside of the school day. That’s one memory that has stuck in my mind all these years.

– Rollin’s Ancient History, 1734: “Eating in Egypt

was designed not to tickle the palate but to satisfy the cravings of nature.”

 

 

– Nathaniel Hawthone’s Passages from the French and Italian note-books, 1864: “Something that thrilled and tickled my heart with a feeling partly sensuous and partly spiritual.”

– St. Nicholas (magazine for boys and girls), 1907: “I’m tickled to death to find some one with what they call human emotions.”

and, finally, in 1910, in an Illinois

‘ newspaper – The Daily Review, in a piece titled ‘Lauder Tickled at Change’, we have:

 

 

“Grover Laudermilk was tickled pink over Kinsella’s move in buying him from St. Louis

.”

 

 

The inclusion of the term in a newspaper, without any explanation of meaning, indicates that the writer expected readers would already be familiar with it. It seems that that phrase didn’t originate much before 1910 though. There are many references to it in print soon after that date, but I can find none earlier.

 

To download and play the tracks, walk through the following:

 

 

Using your browser, navigate to http://webpages.charter.net/wgrimme

 

You should see a page that looks like this:

 

 

If you place the mouse on a track and click the left button, the selection will play using Quicktime, but you will not download the track with this method. To download, place the mouse cursor on the track, click the right mouse button and you will see a pop-up menu. Select “Save Target as….” and you will be taken through the download process to put the track on your computer. From that point, you can play the track with about any music program, such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, etc.

 

 

Let me know if you have any trouble.

 

 

Bill

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clarence “Alfred” Satrang was born on Nov. 24, 1916, in Dunseith where he grew up on a farm in the Turtle Mountains.

Lynn Henriksen

Website: http://www.telltalesouls.com

Blog: http://www.thestorywoman.com

 

 

 

Reply from Lloyd Awalt (44): Bottineau, ND

Lloyd, I’m assuming Roy was a brother to Grandma Anderson, your grandmother, that everyone speaks so highly of. We had a number of replies with great memories of her with our class of 65 correspondence prior to the 2007 reunion. I am posting one of the those replies below from Phyllis McKay.

 

Oh how my family loved Grandma Anderson!! I couldn’t wait to be taller
than she was. I’m not sure I ever achieved that goal!! I remember going
to see her when my brother Dan was small and we were outside playing
when Dan ate some dirt. Don’t ask me why he would do such a thing but he
did!! My mother was trying to wash out the dirt from his mouth when
Grandma Anderson said “Good Lord, dirt anent anything to worry about. We
all eat 7 pounds of dirt before we die anyway!” That was something I
remember raising my own children. Don’t sweat the small stuff. A
philosophy to live by!!

After Grandma Anderson passed, we had a few parties in her little house.
Her house was located real close to John’s parents’ house. Do you
remember that John? It was about the time the twist came out. You
brought your record player with all the latest songs. Oh the fun we
had!!
Phyllis

 

 

 

Colette Hosmers (64) reply fo Bev Morinville (72) and Sharron Gottbreht (59):Santa Fe, NM

 

 

 

Bev,

 

Reply from Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (68): Newark, Delaware

I’m so glad I asked questions about Alice, Roy Anderson and the connection to the Hosmers! Lorraine Neameyer kindly wrote and informed me about Alice. Carmen Richard wrote to tell me about Sharon Gottbreht’s research, Floyd wrote about Roy and I got to hear from Sharon too! Thanks to all for your response! I didn’t know someone had done so much research on the Boucher family. Ken and I made a trip to Quebec a few years ago and found a cemetery in Contrecoeur that could’ve been sitting in Rolette or Dunseith with so many familiar names. The town historian told us how half of the families went to the plains to farm and the other to work the factories in New England.

Lloyd, thank you for your information on Roy and feel free to share more. I had no idea he had a farm or that he was related to anyone I knew. When Roy lived out back, my mother would send me out to deliver a home cooked meal or he would come in for a pail of water, so I got to know him better. From time to time I would sit and visit with him and found out that he was an avid reader and favored “Westerns.” He told me that he could never use a hammer and nail since one side of his body wanted to do exactly what the other was doing. Roy seemed quite the cantankerous character at times and scared me a little at first. Later I found that he was very appreciative and bright man who had a soft side and a warm heart. Many times in our kitchen, with pail in hand, he entertained us with stories and his flawless delivery of one liners. Our family grew quite fond of Roy. He was on my list of “town characters.”

Sharon, I am very much interested and appreciative of the research you’ve done and will contact you to see how I can get the “ream” of information. Charlemagne eh? Interesting stuff! Thanks so much for your willingness to share! Thank you too Gary for your information and for “the blog!”

Paulette Chisholm

PS Pauline Jones lived up the street from us. Does anyone know from where she came or if she had relatives in the area? She had a huge statue of the “Pieta” in her backyard.

 

 

Reply to yesterday, from Allen Richard (65):Midland, MI

Mark, We’d love to see those pictures of the Houle family. The Senior center in Bottineau was almost like Lillian’s second home for many years.

Folks, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe all the folks in the Senior Citizen’s picture pasted below are deceased.

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, New York scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion, that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.

Not to be outdone by the New Yorkers, in the weeks that followed, a California archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after, a story in the LA Times read: ‘California archaeologists, finding traces of 200 year old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the New Yorkers.’

One week later, The Minot Daily News, a local newspaper in North Dakota, reported the following:

After digging as deep as 30 feet in his pasture near Logan, North Dakota, Ole Olson, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Ole has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, North Dakota had already gone wireless.

Thank Heavens for Ole.

Who said North Dakotans are hicks?

 

Reply from Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (68): Newark, Delaware Hello!

Just had to add to Bill’s remarks about the Michael Moore’s video. I thought it was a hoot, but took it in the nature for which is was meant…”to be funny!” Comedy is nearly always linked to a morsel of truth with exaggeration. Hey, you guys that send all those denigrating jokes about women(without being shot) have to know this. If there wasn’t a morsel of truth to them..we wouldn’t laugh.

On another note. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Alice Faine? She was in the class of ’68. Also, does anyone know anything about Roy Anderson? He was the man who worked for my dad in the Corner Bar and the Crystal Cafe for many years. Later he lived in our backyard playhouse that my mother fixed up for him. He said it was the nicest “shack” he’d ever had. We got a kick out of his colorful and rhythmic one liners. It was the first time I had ever heard the line “he was so dumb, he couldn’t pour p— out of a boot if it had the instructions on the heel.” I wish I could remember some of the many others.

Bill Grimme, thanks so much for the “Tickle Pink” download site. (They must’ve had so much fun.) Now, can we get Frank Poitra’s CD on it also? This could be great site to share talent from our area and or videos that people might want to share.

Living in Delaware I have run into a few people from ND. One time I saw someone in a jacket with a familiar logo leaving a grocery store. I yelled “hey North Dakota” and they smiled, turned around and walked back to talk. I just “knew” they’d be friendly. Ha! I’ve never heard a disparaging word about ND in all the states we’ve visited or lived over the years. From what I’ve gleaned, we are considered hearty, hard working and very friendly. As Bill said, “this is my story and I’m sticking to it.”

Thanks Gary,

Paulette LaCroix Chisholm

PS Hosmer girls: I think your grandmother and my grandmother Coranna Boucher were sisters.

Paulette La Croix, Toni Morinville, Randi Mongeon, Brenda Hoffman

 

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): djcars@hughes.net Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

Ginger LaRocque Poitra mentioned several families she remembered living
in what was commonly called ‘Shanty Town’. Can anyone remember the cold
night that Lawrence and Ruth Hetle’s big house burned down? I remember
how bright the fire was as I watched from our house. I don’t think they
could have been able to save much of anything the way it looked. I would
guess it was in about 1959 or possibly 1960. I think it was around
Christmas when it happened. They then moved to the far southeast corner
of town and lived there for several years. Ginger jarred my memory when
she mentioned the families and I remembered the fire. Thanks Gary!

From Dave Slyter (70): Fargo, ND

Hey North Dakotians:

If you haven’t heard yet the NDSU Bison have just won the Summit League Championship and will be going to the “big dance” which is the NCAA tournament. It’s there first year in Division 1 sports and what a way to start the new transition. “GO BISON” Watch Sports Center on ESPN. Its all over the sports pages and then watch for who and when they play in the up coming NCAA tournament. Congratulation BISON.

Dave Slyter (70)

Lillian Houle, Bottineau, 91, Passed away:

Bill, I agree 100% with everything you have said.

 

Folks, how can we make this happen? Who or where can we go with this at the state level. Can any of you associated with the state government both past and present or any one else that may be in the know help us out with this one? Maybe if we get the states attention, it will grab the attention of the Readers Digest for publication.

 

Erling, you are a gifted writer. This article deserves attention. Gary

 

PS – I have reposted Erling’s letter at the very bottom of this message.

 

Bill’s follow up repy to Gary (Bill I wanted to share this reply with everyone – Gary):

 

Gary, I hope that can happen. I thought, also, about the ND Chamber of Commerce, or Visitor’s Bureau, or any other agency. It was a tremendous contribution, and hit me right square in the heart and brain. Thanks for the miracles that happen right before our very eyes on your classic communication circuit. Bill

I didn’t see the video Dick was talking about and by the sounds of it, I don’t want to. But it made me think of Art Rude (Jr)’s song: 40 Below Keeps the Riff Raff Out!!!

Paula Fassett

Paula, Art Rude gave me a copy of his CD when he visited us in Bottineau in 2007. It’s a great album and yes, 40 Below Keeps the Riff Raff Out, is a beautiful song.

Now about the ND Video that Bill Grimme posted. I think Bill did a wonderful job of generating a lot of good positive ND comments with the posting of that not so good video. Bill’s a brilliant guy and I think he was using a little reverse psychology with this one to get some reaction. Bill, it worked. You are a genius. Gary

 

Reply from Shirley Olson Warcup (49): Ivans, UT

 

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND

Hi everyone..

Actually Bill, I thought the North Dakota video was quite funny…what
a bunch of idiots…I think ND is the best kept secret around and
frankly, I hope no one finds out how great it is to live here. You
know what Art Rude’s (Jr.) song said, “Forty below keeps the riff raff
out”…being an Army brat, in our travels I was surprised at the
number of people (kids mostly, in my school) who didn’t even know ND
was a state….well, we will just keep it that way. I have lived in
big cities and none of us want what they have. They are nice places
to visit, but we can always come home to good people who know what is
important…good friends….good food (it is always about the food)
and good fun. Take care all.

Diane Sjol

 

 

Reply from Dale Pritchard (63):Leesville, LA

Gary and Neola,

Thank you, Neola, for coming up with the newsletter on Mom. And Thank
you too, Gary, for distributing it. I didn’t learn about Mom and Dad’s
elopement until after he died in ’93. It rather amazed and amused me.
That would have put him at 22 and her at 20. I lived in the old
pictured until about 4 years old, although I don’t remember it at all.
My Dad burned the house down after one of our cattle pushed the door
open, went in, fell through the kitchen floor, and died before she was
found. I remember Dad looked for that missing animal quite a while
before he found her. In addition to the house, he had started building
a barn also but never finished it because they moved. We had several of
those old “dug” wells on the place, about 3 feet in diameter, with the
platform on top. One of our cattle fell through head first one time. I
remember helping fill all the old wells with rocks, both there and on
the farm where we lived later. One is covered by the drive leading in
from the road. I’m sure that was about the time we had our first well
“drilled.” Mom is a notorious “list keeper” and used to keep up almost
anything and everything. She has (or had) one list with almost
everyone’s birthday for miles around. I used to read it regularly but
after being gone so long I started losing track of who was who. As an
example, Gary, I know that your birthday and those of your parents and
brothers were listed in there. I know Clarence Hagen is no longer with
us, but I give my Thanks again to him for being there when Mom needed
help in the worst way. Thanks Gary! Keep this project going! Dale

 

Request from Jan Bergan Evans (66): MONTICELLO, MN

Hi Gary I would like a copy of the CD Tickled Pink Thanks for all your work in keeping Dunseith alive jan Evans 9519 95th St NE Monticello MN 55362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply from Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM

 

I noticed the “reversed” image, as well. Thanks, Dick, for the switch…..my mind couldn’t quite manage it. So now it looks as if it was taken in your driveway, not ours, right, Bev? Was the car yours?

 

Colette

 

 

 

Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72): Dunseith, ND   I am glad so many have enjoyed the pictures yes I did do some of them backwards I am new at ths and hope I will learn more I have to figured out now how I did these cause now i can’t seem to get anymore downloaded but I wil figure it out or I will kidnap one of my kids they know all this stuff. I have one of Jim Mellmer, Greg Evans Curt and David Hagel I can’t wait to put on here. Now guys if u don’t want it shown you will have to let me know but I may happen to just miss that e mail. lol I have some more of Bob and Lee also and Colette if you would like a hard copy just yell and send me your addy and I will be happy to send u one. I also have some of main street in the winter time WOW has Dunseith changed I will work on these tomorrow and see if I can get them downloaded God Bless you all and Gary thanks again for all youdo to keep us connected.           Reply from Esther Murray Fleming (65): Flint, MI   To Gary Metcalfe   Thank you for the info on the Sutton family. My brother Jim is living in Fargo, (I think) . Abraham and Joyce are both living in Washington, Joseph is living in Denver and Gary is also in Denver. Hassen died in October of 2004. He was only 47 years of age. He died while he was at work of a heart attack.   Esther         Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73): Missoula MT   Reply to Gary Stokes: I remember when my kids and I flew home from Japan(we were on a military hop) for a visit and we got to McCord Air Force Base(outside of Seattle) half an hour before we left Yokota Air Base, Japan. It was the strangest thing. The time difference messed me up for about 4 days. I hope you have safe travels and enjoy yourselves.   Sharon Longie Dana(73)

 

 

 

Dorothy Pritchard – Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND

 

Neola, The neighbor Dorothy mentions calling in this write-up, when Robert died, is the Hagen Family, Karen’s folks, Clarence & Mary Ann. Dad called me in Bremerton, almost within the hour too, to let me know of Robert’s death. It was a sudden shock. The Pritchard’s were our neighbor’s, one mile to the south. In reading this article, I have sure learned a lot of facts about Robert & Dorothy that I never ever knew before. It’s a beautiful write up. Gary

 

 

TO:NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

1145 17^TH ST. NW

 

WASHINGTON D C20036-4688

 

 

ATTN: EDITORIAL STAFF

 

 

MY FAMILY AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN AVID READERS AND SUBSCRIBERS TO THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOR THE

 

 

`PAST 40 YEARS OR MORE. THAT BEING THE CASE I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND MORE THAN A LITTLE CHAGRINED AT THE ARTICLE THAT APPEARED ON PAGE 140, ENTITLED “THE EMTIED PRARIE”.

 

 

THE TONE OF THE ARTICLE IMPLIES THATNORTH DAKOTAHAS BECOME AN EMPTY WASTELAND, ABANDONED BY THE EARLY SETTLERS DISAPPOINTED AT THE MEAGER EXISTENCE THAT COULD BE ATTAINED FROM AN UNFRIENDLY CLIMATEAND EXTREMELY POOR SOIL. AS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS BORNAND RAISED INNORTH DAKOTA, I CAN SAY WITHOUT FEAR OF CONTRADICTION THAT THE PICTURE DRAWN BY THIS ARTICLE IS FAR FROM THE TRUTH,AND

IN NO WAY

REFLECTS THE CONDITIONS IN THAT GREAT STATE OR THE ATTITUDE OF THE CITIZENS LIVING THERE.

 

 

 

I EXPERIENCED THE DEPRESSION, DROUGHT AND DIFFICULT TIMES DURING THE THIRTIES AND EARLY FORTIES. OUR HOME WAS LOCATED IN THE TURTLE MOUNTAINS ALONG THE CANADIAN BORDER. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCENIC AREA FILLED WITH SMALL LAKES AND STREAMS,WITH FORESTS OF POPLAR, WHITE BIRCH, MOUNTAIN ASH, AND OAK. WILD GAME AND BERRIED FRUITS ABOUNDED EVERYWHERE IN THE TURTLE MOUNTAINS, A VIRTUAL PARADISE LOCATED AWAY FROM THE LARGE METROPOLITAN CENTERS, AND WAS THEREFORE OVERLOOKED OR SIMPLY IGNORED. ANYONE VISITING THE AREA TO THIS DAY WILL FIND THE COUNTRY MUCH THE SAME, AND AS BEAUTIFUL AS BEFORE. NATURALLY TINY HAMLETS IN SOME AREAS BECAME DESERTED, THE SAME COULD BE SAID ABOUT MANY STATES, INCLUDING WISCONSIN, WHERE I LIVE PRESENTLY. I CAN EASILY NAME A DOZEN SMALL HAMLETS THAT HAVE REGRESSED TO A FEW HOUSES OR LESS, BUT THE POPULATION IF FAR GREATER HERE AND THE AREA IS FILLED WITH HOMES AND SMALL FARMS INSTEAD, BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY TO LARGER CITIES. I SUGGEST THAT IF NORTH DAKOTA WAS LOCATED ABOUT A HUNDRED MILES TO THE SOUTHEAST, NEARER TO THE TWIN CITIES, THE STATE WOULD BE FILLED WITH PEOPLE, EVEN IN THE AREA THAT YOUR ARTICLE COVERS.

 

 

TO PUT NORTH DAKOTA IN A FAIR PERSPECTIBE, I WOULD LIKE TO LIST SOME POSITIVE COMMENTS.THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN LOCATED IN THE TURTLE MOUNTAINS, DEDICATED IN 1932, IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF SERIOUS ATTENTION TO FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION WITH OUR NEIGHBOR CANADA. ANYONE VISITING THIS LARGE AND BEAUTIFUL SYMBOL OF INTERNATIONAL UNITY WILL COME AWAY WITH A LASTING FEELING OF NATIONAL PRIDE, AND SECURITY. TO THE WEST LIE HUNDREDS OF OIL WELLS, STRETCHING FROM THE MONTANA BORDER TO BOTTINEAU. ONE OF OUR NATIONS WELL KEPT SECRETS AS TO OIL RESERVE. THEN THERE IS THE TWO LARGE MILITARY AIR FIELDS AT GRAND FORKS AND MINOT. ONE OF WHICH IS A MEMBER OF THE NORAD DEFENSE. NEXT THERE IS GRAND FORKS, HOSTING THE FIGHTING SIOUX, A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HOCKEY PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA.NORTH DAKOTA CAN ALSO FEEL PROUD OF IT CONTRIBUTION TO THE ETHANOL PROGRAM BY THE WAY THE FARMERS AND RANCHERS HAVE BEGUN TO GROW CROPS OTHER THAN CORN TO PRODUCE ETHANOL.THE AREA AROUND DEVILS LAKE, AND MINOT (LAKE GARRISON) ARE BOTH KNOWN FAR AND WIDE FOR THE EXCELLENT FISHING AND LOCATIONS FOR WATER SPORTS.

 

 

I COULD GO ON, BUT I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL BEGIN TO SOUND LIKE A PROMOTION COMPANY FOR ATTRACTING TOURISTS.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET THAT NORTH DAKOTA HAS ARE ITS PEOPLE.DURING MY LAST VISIT THERE IN 2007, I FOUND THEM TO ALL BE THE SAME FRIENDLY, HARD WORKING, UNASSUMING, FAIRMINDED PEOPLE AS ALWAYS.GOD BLESS THEM ALL

 

 

 

 

ERLING LANDSVERK

 

 

P SI REALLY WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE PROVIDED ANYONE IN THE EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE TIME TO READ THIS LETTER.

 

 

 

Hi Everyone, I am asking for a favor as you all know my sister Debbie had a stroke and she is coming along well but has a long road ahead of her. She gets very down in the dumps and I was thinking maybe it would lift her spirits if people on here would send her a card to show that we are still thinking of her. I get alot of e mails and calls asking about her.This is her address. Debbie Marmon…..1911 North Merriam….Miles City Mt…..59301 I will say thank you ahead of time I know so many of u wil send one and I know it will really help her . Thanks

 

 

 

 

Request from Sharon Longie Dana (73): Missoula, MO   Reply to Alan Poitra: I would love tohave one of the CDs. I remember how well they played. It was always a good time. I will get in touch with you thru your email address.   Sharon Longie Dana(73)         Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO   Reply to Esther Murray Orvil Sutton’s lived in Dunseith for a short time, then moved back to the Rolla area where he was an excavating contractor. I only knew his son, Roger, and I think he worked for the Rolette County Sheriff’s Dept. for awhile. Sorry, that’s about all I know about that family.   I want to say your brother, Jimmy, was probably the best pin setter that I ever worked with. I also knew your oldest brother, Gary and Hassen and Abraham. Your families presence was well known in Dunseith. Gary Metcalfe         Reply from Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): Dunseith, ND   Thank you Dick..I too was a bit ticked about the clip but thought perhaps I just don’t have the right kind of sense of humor. I did enjoy some of the other ND clips. We used to spend lot of time and money going to Canada and other places camping and fishing..seemed we spent half our vacation time traveling and buying gas when all we wanted to do was get into a camp site and go fishing. Then about 10 years ago we picked up a tourism book of North Dakota and began to see what we were missing in our own back yard. ND, as you know, is not flat as a pancake with nothing to see and NO, ZERO, ZILCH, ZIP beauty. There are many many things to do here and the weather is awesome for at least half the year. Of course the rest of the year is questionable…LOL. Some of the best Walleye fishing in the USA and Canada is right here in our very own ND. not to mention the one of a kind Peace Garden, plus there is always Medora and the Musical, State Fair in Minot, Devils Run car show in Devils Lake, the Historical Society Museum in Bismarck, Fort Lincoln in Mandan and many many more small town affairs too numerous to mention. Thanks again Dick and I too hope ND stays one of the best kept secrets in the USA. You are right we don’t need those people coming here and ruining our beautiful state. Keep up the great work Gary…only a North Dakotan could have your dedication and will to do something so nice for so many for so long. I love this email everyday and it is usually the first thing I do everyday.   Hang in there Neola..someone once told me “this too shall pass.” So if things get rough for you keep that in mind.         Reply from Kathy Casavant Ellingson (74): Bismarck, ND

I agree with Dick Johnson about the ND video. ND is a well kept secret & its nice to keep the riff-raff out. When we go down south to SC & florida to see our kids ,& people from down there find out I’m from ND ,they tell me, all you must have is buffalo up there, then they say BRRRR. I want to spit fire when they have comments like that. If you haven’t been to ND DON”T KNOCK IT!!!! Thanks & Have a Great Day!!!!!!!!! Gary Thanks for all you do!!!!!!!! Kathy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

 

Gary and Friends,

Thanks Bev for the pictures of the Morinville bunch! Your folks look the
way I remember them so well. Joe was always ready with a joke so you
better be sure you were ready for the comeback before you opened your
mouth! I was looking at the picture of Bob Hosmer and trying to figure
out where it was taken. This photo was probably made from a slide and as
often happens, it is reversed. The mirror on the ’41 Chevy is on the
passengers side, as is the steering wheel. Bob’s shirt is buttoned
opposite of normal also. If you flip the picture, you will see the Stone
Church and Spaeth’s house are where they belong. It was taken in the
driveway between Bob’s house and Morinville’s. In college I took a
course in photography and one of the enlargements I made from a
negative, was of ‘Pappy’ Fassett sitting at his kitchen table. When I
was looking at my handywork, I noticed the cannister on the counter
behind him had the word ‘sugar’ spelled backward! Start over! I’ll flip
the picture of Bob and it will be easier to see where it was taken.
Thanks Bev and Gary!

Not Reversed:

Picture of Bob Hosmer

Folks,

Happy Birthday Kathy (Barbara) Kalk Lopez (65): Inver Grove Heights, MN

 

 

 

 

Hello Gary-
I was lucky enough to have been part of the Tickle Pink band. It was so fun. I was always amazed (and thankful) for the support we received from the community-It was always great when Dunseith folks would show up, even if we were in Cando or somewhere outside the area. Kathy was a great singer and guitar player. She also took care of the bookings-pointed us in the right direction each week end-and took care of the finances-making sure the bank and individuals who helped us get started were repaid. Elaine had a beautiful voice-she was our “cheerleader” She was always telling us to “get bubbly!” I had never played bass before and with her incredible patience, she taught me enough to get by! “Bert” was a great drummer, Shelley had such a sweet voice-I always think of her when I hear “paper Roses”-Janice was so good on the keyboard and could harmonize to anything (even the ten o’clock whistle-right Bev!) ANYWAY-I remember when we were deciding whether or not to try getting the band going, we decided we would rather “do it and wish we hadn’t, than not do it and wish we had. Great memories I wouldn’t trade for anything!! Thanks for the kind words. As far as permission about the CD’s-Please go ahead (I guess I can only speak for myself though)
Trish-I do remember those songs about rats and bats!!! Mary Margeret Truman etc.-swingin on the outhouse door!
Also-George Gottbreht asked me to see if anyone has any pictures of some of the old businesses in Dunseith. He has matted and framed some and has them in the cafe. He mentioned Snow White Bakery, Joe Morinville’s store.
Thanks for everything you do Gary-like everyone else, I’m hooked!!
Cheri (Metcalfe) Evans ’74

 

 

 

 

 

I would sure like a copy of the Tickle Pink CD when it becomes available

 

 

 

 

 

When I called my Dad the other morning, I thought he had a pretty good one. I usually call him on the way to work, and when I did the other morning it was about zero with a 20 mile and hour wind. When I asked Dad how the weather was, he said, “Well the air is a little fresh, but there are no mosquitoes”.
I’m glad his sense of humor is still intact, it sure brought a laugh and a smile to my face.
Art

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

 

 

 

 

 

“Tickled Pink” sounded great. They would be a hit in the clubs on 6th Street here in Austin.

Margaret Metcalf Leonard retiring? Impossible! She’s too young. It seems like just yesterday she was in my typing class.

Bob Lykins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharron, This is really interesting. Chester Bjorngaard’s history is listed on Page 256 of the Bottineau Centennial book. Gary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with your correspondents…Tickle Pink was probably the best band to come out of this area for many years. The variety of music they performed was awesome to say the least. My personal favorite song was “Splish Splash”. I too would like to have a copy of the CD..just let me know what it will cost and where to send the money. The last time I heard them play was at Kelvin Klinic 17 years ago on the 15th of Feb. Why, you ask, do I remember that date so well? They played for Cam and Sherri Millang’s wedding dance. Sherri is our daughter. I think that Cam and maybe Glen had to do a bit of persuading (begging) but they talked them into playing that night and I will be forever grateful that they did, as Kathy was not with us too much longer after that. What a tragic loss of an angelic voice when she left us. Elaine, Janice, Roberta and Shelly were there that night also and they did a wonderful performance as always. I wish Cheri could have joined also for that last bash. PS They packed the bar that night..there was standing room only and to get a drink you had to elbow people out of the way…I even saw people standing outside waiting or trying to get inside…what a crowd!!       Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND   Gary and Friends, The song ‘Long Tall Texan’ on the CD was one of my favorites the gals did. Another was a Hank Williams song, ‘Kawliga’– they got all the Cajun yips and ya’s in the right places. They played for dances at the city hall and a few at the AC Bar and packed the house! The dance floor was always crowded whenever they played and everyone was having a good time! I’m glad Lyle mentioned that Roberta Hagen Striker played the drums, and did a nice job. Thanks to the ladies of Tickle Pink for great memories! Thanks Gary! Dick Folks, I got a message from Mel Kuhn telling me there are 29 songs on the Tickle pick CD. That’s way to many to be sending via email attachments. We/Mel are working out a plan to make these available to whoever would like a copy. We need to touch base and get permission from the Tickle Pink gals before doing this though. Gary       Qestion from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO   Question for whomever: I need help on a couple of people from back when….Cliff Howery and his beautiful wife, name ?? Cliff rode back from Seattle with us in the 40’s and I have him placed out on old #5 north a little ways. He was an outstanding personality as I remember. Also Sam Howery. Leroy Aftem still rings a bell. Didn’t his folks have a confectionery in Dunseith? Art Seim used to live down by the Lake Sisters and ran a confectionery for awhile. Gary Metcalfe