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Reply from Shirley Olson Warcup (49): Ivans, UT
Gary,
Thanks for correcting those birthdate errors for my mother. How do you manage to do all that you do??? What you’re doing must require more time than a full time job! I read every word of every e-mail. I may not know each individual but I know the family from which they came. I love the information from long ago and also the current Info–including the current newspaper articles of who did what and when. It’s almost as good as being there. If you and your wife ever get to the St. George, Utah area, give us a call–we have two spare bedrooms. In a few days the Huntsman World Senior Games begin here–there will be senior citizens from all over the world competing in everything from chess to 26 mile marathons. Ron and I just watch!! We did drive our old cars (1929 Ford Phaeton and 1929 Ford Cloth top pickup) in a parade a couple weeks ago. I’m happy to report I didn’t kill the engine as I shifted going up and down hills, I didn’t grind the gears too much as I shifted–so all in all it was a successful trip.
Once again, thanks for making life more enjoyable for “us old folks”.
Shirley Olson Warcup
Request from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
Hi Gary, For those of us who did not make it to the class reunion,could you post a couple pictures each day of different people from different classes? I for one would find it fun and very interesting.Like maybe you could ask people from each class to send you a couple pictures each. Thanks Gary….Aggie
Reply from Toni Morinville Gredesky (68): Farimount, ND
Hi Gary– Hey, I’m getting the blog again. I was receiving it for about a month. Hope all is
well with you and your family. Toni
Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72): Dunseith, ND
Gary, I also have read the book by Mr Landsverk…….It is very well written and very interesting. I think everyone would enjoy reading it.
Reply from Shonda Azure Campbell (94): Minot, ND
Clarence & Bev Morinville Azure’s daughter:
From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA
Thank you to everyone who helped me identify the Catholic Daughters of America. I had no idea that there was a chapter of these mighty women in Rolette County. I searched the census records for the Morinville/Peat families several years ago for a friend from Lodi, CA, so rather amazing to have identity of Eva Dion Peat. Frances Morinville appears just as I remember her in the CDOA photo; we should all age so beautifully.
Joe Morinville. Just brushing shoulders with the man made one feel stronger. Joe lead the rosary with great feeling at Dale’s bier those many years ago. Very comforting from such a solid man and friend. The other gentleman I remember from ’61 is Emil Morin. He and his wife sat at mom’s side for over an hour. No words. They had lost their son that summer. Joe Morinville’s picture worth a thousand words. I have been browsing in pages of old Turtle Mountain Star issues and always take time for Tarsus news. Several items about the Morinville Hatchery. Also a golden nugget for the Morinville family, the nuptials of Joe and Frances. Sharron
 Sylvia Bergan’s obituary posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Sylvia made the BEST pies/other baked goods! She was a very pleasant/friendly lady. Neola
 Class of 65 Reunion 7-12-07
Standing: Angela Berube, Karen Schneider (64), Margaret Metcalfe, Evie Gottbreht & Alan Boguslawski
Seated: Cecile Berube, Connie Halvorson (64) & Phyllis McKay.
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Monthly Archives: May 2009
05/30/2009
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Reply from Evon Lagerquist (77): Dunseith, ND
Ackworth Cemetery mowing
Hi Gary, My brother Carl and his son have had the mowing job for the last couple of years. Eric & I did it for a few years before Carl took over. It isn’t an easy job!
Reply From Bill Hosmer (48): Tucson, AZ & Lake Metigoshe, ND
Erling Landsverk Book
Gary and Friends, I recently finished Erling Landsverk’s book. It was a great experience to read of the people, the conditions of life, family, and work ethic which characterized this region in those bygone days. It really brought back images and experiences even beyond the wealth of material generated by this excellent Blog. I asked Sharon how to order copies. She said to use her brother, Dave as a point of contact. Sharon said that his email address was known herein, but I don’t know it. His mailing address, where Sharon also lives, is 1621 95th St.. NE Bottineau 58318. She said the price was $20.00. In my view it is worth it, and more. Thanks and Cheers, Bill Hosmer
Rene Casavant and Phyllis McKay – July 15, 2007
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05/29/2009
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Riverside Cemetery Records:
Folks, I have attached the Riverside Cemetery records that were recorded by Vance and Doreen Bailey and posted in January 2003. For those of you that do not have Excel or are unable to open this attachment, I have posted this file on the “Dunseith Alumni WEB Site” under “cemetery listings” for your viewing. I will be posting St. Lewis and some of the other cemeteries too, that Doreen sent to me. I would like to get the latest records of each of these cemeteries, from the time the Bailey’s recorded these, so they can be incorporated into their files. Once these cemetery records are brought up to date, they can easily be maintained and kept current. Gary
Dunseith Alumni WEB Site link
Question for Evon Lagerquist:
Who is currently doing the mowing for the Ackworth cemetery? When I was talking to Debby Stokes, Darrel (Bud’s) wife this morning, she mentioned that they saw someone all bundled up doing the mowing, but they were unable to distinguish who it was. Would that by chance be one of your family members? My brother Allen used to mow that cemetery once a week with a good old push rotary mower. He got paid $5.00 per mowing and he/we furnished the gas. Allen was fast. He could mow that Acre in a short afternoon. In later years my dad did the mowing with his riding lawn mower and then he pasted it onto Eleanor Fauske and she mowed it for a number of years with her riding Lawn mower.
I remember when I was a kid, the Ackworth cemetery was over grown with rose bushes and other large weeds. It was quite a mess. The community got together and requested for my dad to pasture his sheep in the cemetery to get rid of all this brush. He did that and the sheep did a darn good job of clearing the brush. To this day it has been immaculately maintained and mowed every summer. Gary
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (79): Minot, ND
To Aggie Casavant,
Thank you for your kind words…there are some wonderful nurses and teachers out there who really make a difference. I have had some very wonderful experiences as a labor and delivery nurse….some that would make you laugh and some that would make you cry and some that would curl your hair. As nurses, we may make a difference in our patient’s lives but they leave an everlasting impression on us too. Now I am the nursing coordinator at MSU Bottineau and have been teaching nursing students for the past two years. It is challenging but very rewarding when we celebrate their graduation and passing of nursing boards. By the time their training is over, you feel as if they are your kids graduating. I told them that they better all make good grades because I am a baby boomer and I don’t want any dumb nurses taking care of me…ha Take Care, 2009 Schedule of 125th Events for the Bottineau City & County Quasquicentennial
Thursday, June 18th
2:00 – 4:00 Open House, Pride Dairy
8:30 – 3:00 Bus Tour, West Bottineau County
School Gathering
Amateur Night, Fairgrounds
Friday, June 19th
8:00 – 10:00 Registration, Free Breakfast
10:00 – 4:00 Arts/Quilt Show @ MSU – Bottineau
10:00 Athletic Games, 3 mile walk/run for cancer (Wear a pink hat!)
Open House @ Courthouse, Hospital, MSU, BHS, Ambulance, Good Sam
8:30 – 2:30 Bus Tour, East Bottineau County
Kid’s Swim Events
School Gatherings & Bingo
Evening Williams & Ree @ Fairgrounds (This is 2 guys – an Indian and a White Man – and they are entertaining
and always making fun of each other.)
Saturday, June 20th
Registration
9:00 Welcome Ceremony, MSU – Bottineau
10:30 Parade
11:30 Free Picnic in the Park
10:00 – 4:00 Arts/Quilt Show @ MSU – Bottineau
Athletic Games, 3 on 3 Basketball
9:00 – 4:00 Bingo, Craft Show & Bake Sale @ Armory
1:00 – 4:00 Car Show, Registration for Car Show from 12:00 – 1:00
Open House, Courthouse, MSU, BHS, coffee at the Hospital and Good Sam
School Gatherings & Kids Games
1:00 – 5:00 Free Music Show – Hourly on Main Street
Evening Johnny Holmes @ Fairgrounds
Sunday, June 21st
10:00 Ecuminical Church Service
10:00 – 3:00 Best Ball Golf, School Gatherings
Evening Demolition Derby @ Fairgrounds
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05/28/2009
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05/27/2009
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Reply From Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
To Gary Metcalf, I’m happy to hear you enjoy these crazy stories,it’s like they lay dormant at the back of a persons mind,and it takes one person to bring it up like Dick did ,and every detail comes back to you like it happened yesterday. Dick started the story telling months back,it seemed to take awhile to catch on, but it’s fun that more and more people are participating.I’m not sure if I remember Bonnie Awalt Houle, but I read her story about Sister Agnes over and over again,and laughed harder everytime.Being raised Catholic,and around the nuns alot during the summer that whole story was just too funny.Whopee Goldberg in Sister Act ain’t got nothing on you Bonnie…Sorry Mrs. Foss once again with the “aint got” I don’t think I really talk like that it was just so fitting for the occasion…Well hope you all have a nice day,Its 7:30 A.M. here , I just got home from work so I have to get some sleep….ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Good-Bye
Reply from Paula Fassett (71): North Branch, MN
Here’s my guess at Dick’s photo of the singers: it was part of the yearly Xmas concert put on by the community choir that Don Johnson organized yearly for several (I think) years…..my dad used to sing in it…… I remember one year when I was in grade school, someone (maybe Elsie Schneider? – she was the accompanist for the community choir, I believe – and my piano teacher) organized a group of girls to sing at that concert . I was the accompanist for this little group, and being the accompanist, I was the last one to be seated in the chairs or on the bleachers or wherever the heck we were seated after they performed. So, naturally, I was the one who was supposed to get up and lead us all back to the choir, on cue, for the final big finale. I missed the cue – maybe because I was very shy as a young kid, but most likely because I was daydreaming – so we didn’t get up to sing the last number!!! Oh, the shame!! Anyway, this may be that group…….
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (79): Minot, ND
Aggie,
You are so right…it was Joe…your family has served their country well. Bonnie, you cracked me up about your story of the sisters of St. Joseph’s….I remember them well. Do you remember Sister Gabriel? She taught me in catechism. I really liked her…what about Sister Rose? Those nuns were the ones who lived in Dunseith….same order right? Diane Larson Sjol Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
This past winter we talked about another old family from the Picture of Albert and Clara Berg.  Dunseith High School Class Reunion for the classesof 52-53-54-55-56
Posted by Jerry(54) & KathyWilliam:
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05/26/2009
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Reply From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA
So many dates rolling my aging pathways! Jack and Ines article about trip to Hudsons Bay was 18 June 1931. I believe Col. Clark Hosmer was son of Wm. Hosmer and brother of Jack Hosmer. Should have could have verified from Centennial book. Excuse, Sharron
Bev Morinville’s (72) reply to Bill Krause (74) Dunseith, ND
Bill, how do I say thank you for the kindness you have always shown to my whole family. For you people out there that think you know Bill and for those who don’t know him, you have not been as blessed as I have. This man has been not only been a friend to my sister Debbie and brother Duane but to myself he has been like another brother . Once you get to know the real Bill he is the kind of friend that is there to support you in the hard times and laugh with you in the good ones. There were many evenings he spent helping me make supper and doing the dishes cause Mom was so sick and he helped me though those long days Lyle Olson my other brother was also there to help. What a blessing you both have been. When Bill found out I had cancer he sent me a text message and a picture where he had cut all his hair off and I said to him WHY did you do that Bill? his response was If my friend is going to be bald so am I. What a wonderful way to show someone how much you care and love them,Only thing was I wasn’t going to lose my hair. It touched my heart like nothing else in the world . Bill is that kinda true friend. He is there not only in the good time to share your joys but stands by you when you are going though the hard ones also. Thank You Bill for being my friend always.
When we lived in KY Bill would get runs to come there and always stopped to see us this was another blessing to see someone and such a good friend from home after not seeing family or friends for years. This is where my kids learned to love him and has became Uncle Bill to them. We have all been blessed to have Bill in our lives and I want to thank him for being a true friend to me. Bev
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND
Cheryl,
Thanks for including the photos of our parents…they were quite the couple….I love the second picture of Mom and Dad in Seattle. Reply from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
Hi, Gary, It seems like your website is still going strong, I wanted to tell Mark Schemitz how nice it was to see his mothers wedding picture.Seeing Stella reminded me of all the stories our Mom would come home with about all the crazy stuff her and Stella would do throughout the day while working together in the kitchen at the school. I don’t know all the details about what they were up to,but I do remember her saying that they were both to short to move those big kettles off the stove by themselves,so they would both get on each handle and carry it together.She said,that one time they were laughing so hard they couldn’t lift it up to the sink to drain the macaroni, and almost dropped it…I know she loved working with your Mom ,and always looked forward going to work…Thanks for all the work you do Gary in keeping us all in touch…
To Diane Larson it’s nice knowing that you and Colette wrote to our brother while he was in Vietnam,That would of been Joe you wrote to.He’s the one that worked at Ydola Pigeons thru high school. Gerald never served in Vietnam,cuz by the time he was suppose to go over, Joe was still over there,and they couldn’t have two from the same family over there at once.Then Rene and Aime went over one after the other,and Gerald just lucked out and kept missing it.But Gerald made up for it in the Iraq war, both him and his son Micheal did a year,not at the same time,when Micheal was coming back,Gerald was going over ,so they spent a day in Kuwait together be fore Gerald went over. Ironically enough Gerald did a year in Iraq with his other son Matthews fiance’.They all three made it back safe,like the three made it back from Vietnam,so our family is eteranally grateful for that. Gary I’m pretty sure you graduated with Joe and Rene?….I think…??? Well thanks again Gary for all you do. Aggie Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): HOLLISTER, MO
To Aggie
You have the ability to tell a story like I have not heard since your old neighbors. When we were younger, Orville Grenier and Elmer Boucher could keep you in stitches with their stories of common happenings. But, I am almost sure you did it without a couple beers like we had! The trait that I admire most I think, is respect for the common man, like what you said about New Orleans.
The Prairie Past and Mountain Memories has 500 pages of great local history. Page 334 has some interest for me, two brothers Pete and Ben Lajimodiere and Axel Johnson lost their wives to the flu of 1918, also Cpl. Bennie C. Johnson was laid to rest in a cemetary 7 miles north of Dunseith. Dick maybe you can figure who Bennie C.. Johnson way.
Bill Krause, I guess I will just second what Gary Stokes replied to you.
Aga-nus, you surely have put to good use what someone like Don Johnson did for you at the right time of your life. Be prepared to live forever because anyone who can laugh at themself, not take yourself too seriously gains lots of years to your life. My mentor, Ole Bersinger said the worst trait you can have is too self important, I think they call it pride. Ole and Rhubarb , Ole’s name for Bob Rivard and I were building a cabin for Harold Artz at Lake Metigoshe, we were on the roof, we looked out on the lake to see a 14 ft. boat coming fast. It was Wayne Light coming to work. The next day Wayne pulls up with his pickup, jumps out and the plugs the leak in his tire with a wood screw. He was a hoot!
I knew Bud Miller from working with Dale Gottbrecht. Bud, who was blind, had a Native American driver who took Bud all around the reservation buying posts. I watched him deal with Dale, as you know Dale wasn’t easy, but Bud could hold his own. Against his better judgement, my uncle Cliff consented to go to a workshop for the blind in Bud’s hometown for a couple of weeks. Bud Miller lived about two blocks from the bar. One day Cliff asked Bud, “where were you yesterday?” because Bud had not gone to the workshop. Bud said, “You know I have lived in that house for 20 years and no one will ever know how many times I have walked to that same bar.” Cliff said…”yah”…. Bud said, “Somebody dug a basement and I was still sitting in it in the morning.” Of course they all laughed out loud.. I am sure that Bud Miller had a lot to do with Cliff being able to take those books on tape and sit down, after working two full time jobs all of his life. Gary Metcalfe
From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
Dear Gary,
How many of you remember the Sisters of St. Joseph that were living in Dunseith? I remember when I first received my drivers license and for the very first time was able to use the car to run up to the San Haven. I was instructed to drive up and directly back “No Side Trips”. On my way to the San I noticed two of the Sisters walking in that direction so I pulled over and offered them a lift. They crawled in, Sister Agnes sat in the front seat and immediately began giving me driving directions. She wanted to go to St. Mary’s Church. I said, “okay” because it was only a little further then I was headed. When we arrived at the Church she said, “Wait, we will be right out”. So I waited and true to her word she came right out, arms loaded with things. As soon as she was in the car she began giving directions again. This time she directed me down a dirt road in the foot hills to visit some Native Americans, and from one home to the next she just kept me going. I explained that I needed to get the car home; but she would hear none of that. She took me on roads that had grass growing down the center, and I was not a good driver, I told her I could not back up. Nothing swayed Sister Agnes from her path. She explained that “God had sent me to help her today so everything would be just fine”. Who was I to argue with God! I don’t know how long we drove through the foothills with Sister Agnes giving the directions, and me doing my best to stay on those dirt roads. I wanted Sister Agnes to come home with me to explain to my Dad why I was so late but she said he would understand, I was not as positive as she was, infact I figured I would never be allowed to use the car again. When I got home my Dad was furious! And when I started to explain he started to laugh, and told me he too had given Sister Agnes a lift one day that ended up in a tour of the foothills. Has anyone else ever taken such a tour?
The Sisters must have walked every inch of those hills ministering to anyone and everyone. What a wonderful dedicated group of Nuns.
Bonnie Awalt Houle 56
Request from Neola Kfoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Hi Gary,
Linda Dalbec Parks, daughter of Leonard/Charlene Dalbec, would like to be added to your newsletter list.
 As has been mentioned, Harold Hiatt was married to Gladys Dalbec; Alice Hiatt was married to Stanley Dalbec. Gladys/Stanley/Leonard/Elwood/Mary Louise were siblings, children of Herman/Edna Dalbec (Page 543 in Centennial Book). Leonard and Elwood are the two surviving siblings. Elwood is in St. Andrews Hospital (cancer). Leonard/his wife, Charlene/daughters, Linda and Glenda, are here from Central Point, Oregon for a few days. I visited with all but Elwood for an hour, or so, this evening.Linda’s email address is She’s very interested in genealogy. The Dalbec’s are related to Crossitier’s (sp?)/Robillard’s/others.
Request from Tom Hagen (50): Mesa, AZ & Williston, ND
Hi all you good e-mail buddies:
We are leaving for ND on May 28, this Thursday so we will ask you to hold those interesting forwards and inspiring thoughts until this fall when we return to AZ as we will not have a land We love E-mail letters, Love Tom and Dot Picture from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
This is a picture of a girls singing group from the mid 60s. The age of
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05/25/2009
Reply from Bill Krause (74): Dickinson, ND
Gary and Everyone especially Bev….This past Mothers Day I made my usual call to my Mother there in Dunseith and chatted about the usual things we talk about when I call.(not as often as I should!)After the call ended I thought about the other Mom that used to be in my life so many years ago but still lives in my memory every day.When Bev posted that picture of her Mother the other day it brought back wonderful memories of her again.My second Mom as I use to call her.If ever anyone had a problem that they could not talk to anyone else about you could always count on Francis to be there and listen to you over a game of cards(Nerts if I remember right)and a cup of coffee..No matter how bad or how good she was feeling that day she ALWAYS had time..For that I will always love her!The best second Mom a troubled teenager could have asked for!! Oh ya and she was never afraid to tell you if you were messing up.
As we all get older and God knows we are,our goals and priorities in life change.Although for the select few,that old, very narrow road will always be the same!But thats ok too.. The ones that were once important in our lives get replaced with new ones and so forth.But once we reach that plateau that we have strived most of our life to reach, the one that every person reaches at some point in their lives ,we settle down with that one special someone we will spend the rest of lives with,start a family,be content with your choices and most of all be dedicated to those in your life that are closest to you.But everyonce in a while,we go back to our high school days and relive,if for only a very short while, all those memories that will always be in the back of our mind.That Gary, is why, this that you do for us all, is so very important and meaningful!! Thanks, Bill Krause
As we all get older and God knows we are,our goals and priorities in life change.Although for the select few,that old, very narrow road will always be the same!But thats ok too.. The ones that were once important in our lives get replaced with new ones and so forth.But once we reach that plateau that we have strived most of our life to reach, the one that every person reaches at some point in their lives ,we settle down with that one special someone we will spend the rest of lives with,start a family,be content with your choices and most of all be dedicated to those in your life that are closest to you.But everyonce in a while,we go back to our high school days and relive,if for only a very short while, all those memories that will always be in the back of our mind.That Gary, is why, this that you do for us all, is so very important and meaningful!! Thanks, Bill Krause
Bill, You sure hit the nail on the head with what you said. Very well written. Gary
Reply from Bill Hosmer (48): Tucson, AZ & Lake Metigoshe, ND
Gary and Erling Landsverk, This posting by Erling was poignant to me because Don and Bernice were special friends of mine. Also, I’ve had some one on one with Erling on other matters. Since I just returned to Lake Metigoshe and shopped at Bottineau for groceries, I mentioned to Sharon Landsverk who works in our grocery store that Erling and I had been in contact. She mentioned a book he has written. Today, I purchased it, and when I get through sorting out our stuff I’ll read it. It is titled “My Dakota Years”. I look forward to it because I think it will add to the knowledge we are interested in regarding our wonderful place of growing up. Hopefully,Erling, you will get a marketing plan underway and gain some fans. I suggested to Sharon that it go on sale at the Log House in Dunseith, and anywhere else that will bring some profit and further understanding of our land. I’m enjoying catching up on three weeks of mail. Cheers, Bill Hosmer
Bill, Where were you able to purchase Erling’s book? Erling is such a remarkable guy. He doesn’t let being blind stand in his way. Yes, Sharon Landsverk has been a checker, for decades, at the Jack & Jill store there in Bottineau. I always try to wait for a lull in her line so I can shoot the breeze a bit with her on my way out whether I’ve purchased anything or not. She’s a good old Willow Lake/Dunseith gal. She and Erling are first cousins. Gary
Reply from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
Wow Dick, the pictures of that Chevy coup you shared are exactly like the car we wrecked that night.I’ll never forget that night. It was Bobby driving that night, with me in the middle in the front next to Bobby with Maryann by the door, Eddie and Jimmy were in the back. We were on our way back from our Uncle Lucien’s place after visiting our cousins Ricky & DuWayne Casavant. Bobby was driving too fast for night driving and I had just told him to slow down, cuz Shaney Vrems cows some times got loose. I never sooner said it, and we came over the hill and saw these two shinny eyes in the road, Maryann said, mmm there they are. Bobby hit the brakes hard, and when he did the car pulled to one side kinda side way, and the cow kept getting closer. We were driving south and when we hit the cow it spun us around going north and down this steep ditch. I could feel I was sliding into Maryann, so I grabbed onto the rear view mirror. Well by the time the car stopped, the door had flew opened and Maryann and I flew out of the car with me landing on top of Maryann, with the rear view mirror in my hand. (That poor little rear view mirror was no match to keep chubby “Aga-nus” in place, super glue wasn’t invented yet…LOL) Anyway, Maryann was crying and said she hurt her knee, and in the moonlight we could see the car leaning like it was ready to tip over on us. As we made our way up the ditch totally stunned and dazed, poor Maryann was in front of me trying to get up the ditch. All of a sudden she trips over something and falls, and me right behind her falls on top of her again…I bet by this time she was thinking she would of been better off being the cow we just hit. Well by the time we got up the ditch, Shaney had heard us hit, and drove out to us. When his truck lights shined on us, he looked at us like speechless cuz we were covered in blood….Not our blood, but when Maryann had fell over something in the ditch it was the cow we had hit and needless to say it was injured pretty bad…So Shaney gave us all a ride home, and told Maryann and I to stay outside while he went in to give our Mom & Dad a heads up before they saw Maryann and I. If I remember correctly, our Dad and Shaney went back out there that night and kinda like finished butchering the cow, saved the meat, and everyone lived happily ever after.
Dick I was surprised how accurately you remember our Mom riding the school bus, and no she didn’t drive. Us kids tried to teach her but that’s a whole other story. She rode the bus and worked at the school till Jimmy got hurt at the graduation party, then she pretty much retired to take care of Jimmy. Thanks for all the nice compliments about our Mom, and our family Dick, I know it will mean allot to my family when they read it. God Bless you and take care. Aggie
Reply to Dick Johnson from Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND
Dick,
I know Gerald Casavant was in the service….Colette Schimetz and I
used to write to him…he was in Vietnam too I believe. I used to
have a big crush on Joe many years ago from afar….Gerald and Joe
were always fun to be around
I know Gerald Casavant was in the service….Colette Schimetz and I
used to write to him…he was in Vietnam too I believe. I used to
have a big crush on Joe many years ago from afar….Gerald and Joe
were always fun to be around
Lucy & Joe Casavant (65) 7-12-07
Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
To Dick Johnson
The picture of your barn Dick motivated me to talk about the barn I moved to the Lee Striker place in the 60’s. It was Joe Borgan’s barn from near Souris. Col. Richard Rocheleau had a young man with enough nerve to start his barn moving business. Well, Vern, from Rugby thought my dad was holding him back coming up through the hills on 43 highway. It was January–cold and lots of snow. So Vern run the hill east of Ike Hagen’s and I am sure he was proud of the time he made. I missed out on most of this adventure as I was working in Belcourt building houses, a good winter job, so I hired my dad and Mike Brennan to help. When they got to that notorious hill east of Arnold Zieler’s, before they could get George Gregory’s maintainer hooked on behind the barn to hold it back, Vern took off, had to kick it out of gear to save the motor from blowing a rod, so he coasted up the hill aways on the uphill side, then rolled back into a deep ditch. It sat over night like a ship on the ocean in a bad hurricane. Next day was Saturday, we worked all day with come alongs, braces and planks. LeRoy Strong was on the front with a D8 cat and we got it up on the road about an hour before dark. I watched the chain break, the motor on the truck screamed and ran backwards and the barn stopped rolling back. Mike Brennan had thrown a railroad tie under the duals at the back of the barn, we replaced the chain with a large cable and I walked ahead of the barn to insure that Vern did not put it in the ditch again.
That little doll house that Lee Striker raised his family was where I learned I did not like living alone. I bought that quarter of land from Henry Miller from Cando, who was related to Lee someway. Maybe Janice could talk some about her dad. Lee was certainly one of my dad’s colorful pals. I bet she remembers his little mare, Patsy and his unique stock saddle. I wouldn’t doubt that Patsy brought him back from Kelvin that night when he pulled Herman House’s tooth with a pair of farm pliers. Every self respecting farmer carried a pair of pliers in his overall special pocket. The farm in those days was not the best place to be if you had asthma as bad as Lee did, but I think it added to his personality….hands on his knees whenever he was sitting. Those were the days when Lee and Emma were probably snowed in for weeks at a time in the winter. Roads came up there in the 50’s, could be off a couple years. Gary Metcalfe
Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): BEDFORD, TX
To Mark Schimetz…I love the wedding photo of your parents. Thanks for sending. In the spirit of 1950 weddings I wanted to include a photo of my Mom and Dad – Mensvil Norman Larson, Jr. and Verdellis L. Richard married August 21, 1950. Another of them is taken at the locks in Seattle not too much later than that.
Cheryl Larson Dakin
Mensvil Norman Larson, Jr. and Verdellis L. Richard – August 21, 1959
Mensvil Norman, Jr & Verdellis (Richard) Larson
Replies from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA
Gary,
I spent some time today trying to send various Footnote items to you. No Luck! It seems that Footnote has blocked further mail to you? I thought they encouarged sharing but it seems they only want subscribers.
I searched for mention of Harman Hiatt today – no mention anywhere that I have found. Three Hiatt’s were registered for Selective Service in Rolette County: Albert Hazen Hiatt; Amos Albert Hiatt; Willie Edwin Hiatt, all of Dunseith postal service.
In the 1930 Census the Henry A and Charlotte Hiatt family are listed in Bottineau County. Henry A, age 47 born Iowa, parents b Iowa; Charlotte O, age 42 b Sweden, parents b Sweden. Harold R 19; Amos A 16; Alice M 14; Marie M 10; Ethel E 8; Gladys L 6; Lillie O 4 3/12; Betty J 1 9/12. All b ND. Both Henry and Harold were listed as laborers/general farming.
Bill Hosmer might have some interesting memories to share of the trip to Hudsons Bay mentioned June 1931 in the TMS Dunseith News? I would love such an adventure.
There is mention of the Stokes family; before your time Gary.
The Borland family made a permanent move to Idaho shortly after this the trip west mentioned here.
Miss Elsie Lafrance was the adopted daughter of Joe and Mary Louise La France. She was blind from birth. Elsie studied Braille in Philadelphia. Alice Tennancour Berube said that Elsie would often read to her and her sisters from her books in Braille.
The over 1500 young men called by the Selective Service Act are all listed in early 1940. Men were then called in smaller groups from this list by lottery for induction. These items might interest with Memorial Day around the corner.
Sharron SharronFrom Sharron:
Billie Jack Hosmer’s birthday was celebrated 9 months after the Hudson holiday of Jack and Ines Hosmer! His mom held a party 17 Oct 1938 and entertained 12 guests. Bill might share their story of the trip to Hudsons Bay.
I have so many wonderful memories of Jack and Ines Hosmer, Bob and Lee Hosmer, Martinson’s Bakery and the beautiful Morinville couple that it is hard to know where to start. For a retired person, I have many distractions, all of my own making! Having left home in 1958, I see most folks of Dunseith as they were then – forever young.
At the time of the centennial celebration, Jack Hosmer sent word that I should come by and visit. He had a copy of the photo of George Gottbreht and himself on the streets of St Louis, MO, as I recall. They had traveled further south with invite for black baseball players to come to Dunseith. Certainly board and room must have been part of the package. Snips of the Dunseith Colored Giants keep appearing in old issues of Turtle Mountain Star. You could see that Jack relished the memory of the trip and later result. At that visit Jack also reminded me of the many occasions their Metigoshe cabin was open for young visitors. Foremost is the recollection of Lee, having taken a crew of girls their for some fishing from shore – she patiently spent about an hour unsnarling the mother of all knots from my reel! Wonderful, wonderful people.
Speaking of fishing, Marc and I had two days on the Spokane River near his home last year, end of March. I would phone our fish report and ETA to Kathy. The final day of that outing, Kathy said to hurry, the Blue Angels were exercising right above Marc’s home. We arrived for the last 5 minutes. Unbelievable events happen to heart rate and respiration when face to face with the pilot. I have bad knees now, but I was jumping, shouting and waving at the marvel. Marc and I were the sole observers standing in his wide open ten acres. Wow! I’ve so enjoyed every item of the Dunseith fly over and Bill Hosmers comments/commendations. I am attaching a Star item about his big brother Clark Hosmer, lest we forget a single hero.
Keep well, Sharron
Sharren, this is the item attached. I’ll post the Clark Hosmer Article with a later message. GaryTurtle Mountain Star – October 1938
05/24/2009
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Reply from Jean Nicholas Miller (66): GLENDALE, AZ
Reply to Aggie Casavant from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
Aggie Casavant wrote a real nice letter about my parents. I appreciate Attached is a picture of a car very similar to the one the Casavant boys Dick
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05/23/2009
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Reply from Diane Fugere (75): Minot, ND
Gary:
I was in Bismarck a couple days at meetings and found it ironic to see all the memories posted about Don and Bernice when I got home.
The reason I found it ironic was that I too had thought about Don and Bernice both on the way to Bismarck and back to Minot. Everyone who was ever in choir will know what stirred my memory. I was listening to the radio, (Bismarck has a great oldies station) and heard the song both on the way down and on the way back: Monday, Monday by the Mamas and the Papas! Great song and great memories of a wonderful couple. Diane Fugere Reply from Erling Landsverk (44): Portage, WI
HI GARY:
I WAS INTRIGUED BY DAVE SLYTERS COMMENTS ABOUT DON AND BERNICE JOHNSON, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE MENTIONED THE OLD BENNY JOHNSON FARM. I NEVER KNEW DON OR BERNICE JOHNSON, HAVING MOVED AWAY FROM THE HILLS BACK IN THE 40’S. FROM WHAT I READ, DON AND BERNICE JOHNSON WERE AN OUTSTANDING PAIR A CREDIT TO THE COMMUNITY, THE SCHOOLS AND NORTH DAKOTA AS A WHOLE. THE TRAGEDY THAT ENDED THEIR LIFE IS SO VERY SAD AND A LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY AS I CAN ONLY ADD MY BELATED CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, HAVING JUST LEARNED OF IT. GETTING BACK TO THE BENNY JOHNSON FARM; IT WAS LOCATED JUST ONE MILE EAST OF OUR FARM, . OUR FARM BORDERED THE ROLETTE COUNTY LINE. BENNY’S MOTHER DELIVERED SOME OF MY SIBLINGS INCLUDING MYSELF. I GUESS SHE WAS A MID WIFE TO MANY OF THE NEIGHBORS. AS A KID I ACCOMPANIED MY OLDER SISTER TO THE JOHNSON FARM TO USE THE TELEPHONE, SINCE THERE WERE NO TELEPHONE LINES NEAR US. I REMEMBER HER BEING QUITE SHORT, AND CHEERY AND SHE WOULD CALL BURDELLA FOR US, TO GET THE CALL STARTED. I MUST SAY THAT SINCE I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THE DUNSEITH ALUMNI THAT OLD MEMORIES KEEP CROWDING IN FROM FAMILY NAMES WE KNEW SO WELL. IN OUR PARTICULAR AREA WERE THE HAGEN’S, WINDOM’S, WENSTAD, JOHNSON, SATRAND, ANDERSON, BYE, HALVORSON, MIKLESON, CHRISTIANSON, MELHOUSE, FULSEBAKKE, LUND, GREIG, KNUTSON’S, BJORNSETH AND SO ON. OF COURSE, WE KNEW MANY OTHERS AS WELL, THE HIATT’S WERE NOT FAR AWAY, AND NORMAN AND I ATTENDED DEAR OLD DHS AT THE SAME TIME. I BELIEVE MY 6TH GRADE TEACHER, ADAM LANG WAS MARRIED TO CHARLOTTE HIATT. I REMEMBER HIM HAULING US OVER TO THE ACKWORTH SCHOOL FOR A SOFT BALL GAME, WHERE WE , “THE LOON LAKE DUSTIES” GOT SPANKED . I APOLAGIZE FOR GOIN ON, BUT WHEN A FELLA GETS INTO HIS 80’S IT IS NOT UNLIKELY THAT MEMORIES TEND TO BECOME VERY IMPORTANT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK GARY. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. INCIDENTALLY YOUR GRANDPARENTS WERE FRIENDS OF OURS AS WELL AS NEIGHBORS.WELL AS THE FAMILY.
ERLING LANDSVERK
From Sharon Longie Dana (73): MIssoula MT
Reply to Martinson Picture:
He made the best birthday cakes in the world!! Lemon-filled…….And date-filled cookies….Tara got me hooked!!! He was the best!!!!!!
Sharon Longie Dana (73)
Reply from Evon Lagerquist (77): Dunseith, ND
Amos & Annie Hiatt lived where Norris & Arleen Knutson live.
Reply from Florence Hiatt Dahl (50): Anchorage, AK
Uncle Amos lived on a lake just east of Aunt Margie. I still remember an incident at their home. My parents were visiting and I was sitting on a chair waiting and waiting and fell asleep and falling off. The silly things one remembers…………..
Reply from Eileen Brudwick: Fargo, ND
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Replies:
Correction from Bev Morninville (72): Dunseith, ND
Gary, I don’t know where my mind was when I sent you the picture of St Marys and I said it was St Ann’s St Ann’s is in Belcourt and St Marys was up north of Dunseith I am sure alot of people thought OH MY GOD Bev has really lost it. haha in any case It is St Marys.
 GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV
Reply from Floyd Dion (45):Dunseith, ND
Hi Gary
The picture of the church that Bev. Morninville Azure sent was not St. ann’s Church, it was Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. It was changed from St. Mary’s Church to Immaculate Heart of Mary,because it was confused with St. Mary’s Mission in Dunseith where the Sisters lived.
Floyd.
Reply from Richard Langer: Belcourt, ND
The picture of the church is not St Ann’s, but it was St. Mary’s church located a few miles east of the Dunseith Day School. It was burnt a few years ago. Richard Langer
Reply from Ron Peltier (70): Dunseith, ND
Reply fron Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): Dunseith, ND
Pictures provided by Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND
From Mark Schimetz:
Gary the Man is Arsaine Fontane. born in 1878 in Canada, The lady is his wife, Melinda (Toupin) Fontaine, born in February 1897, also from Canada. They are the parents of Joseph Fontaine Sr. Joseph was one of 16 Children Arsaine and Melinda had.
Joseph married Theresa Masse and had 8 children. Earnest, Alice, Janet, Lucille, Joe Jr. Margaret and (Victor and Mary) were killed in a small plane crash in the Dunseith area.
Hence, Arsaine and Melinda are the Grandparents of Joe Fontaine Jr. Class of 1969, Margaret Fontaine, class of 1971, and sibling listed above.
Arsaine and Melinda are mentioned in the Prairie Past and Mountain Memories, Page 39 and 40. No Photo however. Some of the older, Children may have attended school in Willow City’s Catholic school. I know that Joe Jr. did for a few years.
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5/22/2009
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Question – Amos & Annie Hiatt:
Folks, When I was talking to Harvey Hiatt yesterday, he was telling me how his grandparents, Amos & Annie Hiatt, loaded up their belongings and headed west. He said his grandmother, much to his grandfathers disgust, loaded a whole bunch of home made canned goods for that trip too. He wasn’t sure of the year that they went west, but I think it was in the early 50’s. They moved to Medford, OR. My question is, where did Amos and Annie live when they were in ND? I know they lived in the Ackworth community, but I’m not sure where. Amos purchased the Stokes place from my Grandmother. Little Willie Hiatt, Harvey’s dad, owned the Stokes place in later years. He later sold it to the Fauske’s who currently own it.
Harvey also said that Amos Jr., son of Henry Hiatt, was known as Little Amos just like his dad was known as Little Willie. These guys were given these names so as not to be confused with their uncles with the same name living in the same community.
Harvey also mentioned that he checked the Rolette County courthouse records for land that Harmen Hiatt, his great grandfather, may have owned and discovered that he never owned any property. He raised his family in a two story log house that was located about 50′ east of our house across the road from the Ackworth cemetery. I’m not sure who owned the property at that time. In later years the Stokes’ owned it.
Gary
Reply from Claudette McLeod (80): Belcourt, ND
Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): BEDFORD, TX
Bev…what a beautiful picture of your mom!
Cheryl D.
Reply from Aggie Casavant (69) Fort Mill, SC
Hi Gary,Thank you so much for giving the people who’s lives were so touched by Don Johnson, to share thoughts and memories. Due to my busy schedule, and having the day off today, this morning was the first time that I really got to sit down with a good cup of coffee, and read all the messages that people wrote of their memories of Don &Bernice…What a joy and a blessing to sit and read all the different stories. I especially enjoyed Bill Hosmer’s, and Paulette LaCroix’s. I found Bill Hosmer’s so interesting, giving insight to Don and Bernice as high school kids like we were. You know how it was when you were young, and you never really gave much thought that your parents or teachers, were once kids too….Like they just dropped out of the sky as grown ups, sent here for the sole purpose to be our parents and teachers…Ain’t life crazy??? I know the word ain’t would not be acceptable to use if Ms Foss was reading it, but I guess I just lived in the south too long. Anyway Paulette, I loved the mixture of sentimental memories and humor ; and especially Mr. Johnson giving recognition, and appreciation, and would always leave you feeling, that you were the most important kid in the world…I would go as far as to say, that any of my success or accomplishments in life are directly as a result of the impact Don Johnson had on my life, and I would go as far as to say many of my brothers and sisters would agree. That’s why I remind teachers every chance I get, what an opportunity they have to change a kids life completely for the better. So Gary, I hope if there’s anymore stories out there of Don & Bernice that people send them in. Thanks Gary
From Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI
I just got a call form a guy that said that because of my good standing with a particular visa card, they wanted to give me a $125.00 gas card. They had the last four numbers of my card and called me at my office. They wanted to verify the other 12 numbers of the card.
Well I was born at night, but not last night.
They also called me at my office, a number that my card company does not have.
You might want to pass this on.
Allen
Picture from Bev Morinville Azure (72):
GARY, This is St Ann’s church ,,,,,,A fire destroyed it a few years ago. But I and I am sure alot of other readers have good memories of it.
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05/21/2009
Tribute to Don & Bernice Johnson from Aggie Casavant (69) Fort Mill, SC
Aggie, this is a very touching well written letter that you have written. You most certainly have a good way with words.Folks, With the dynamic impact Don & Bernice left on our community, I have been thinking it would be proper to send all these wonderful tributes to the local papers for publication. Dick Johnson, we would for sure pass all this through you before doing this. Your folks have been gone 29 years now. They are so well remembered and will never be forgotten.Please keep the memories coming. Gary
I was so very happy when I saw this website do a tribute to Don & Bernice Johnson,that is now giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts and memories of two beautiful people…two people who left a far greater impact on peoples lives than I believe they ever realized. Don Johnson set the standard for me what every man,in what ever capacity of my life,should measure up to…So far I haven’t found one. The things I remember the most about him is his warm and friendly smile,and chuckle,and when he would meet me in the hall he would always give me that smile and say,”Hi Ag-ga-nus”, he would pronounce my name like that ;and chuckle. I remember his earth science class and he would make it so interesting.I remember for a semester test in earth science,he gave us 50 definitions and we had to give the word that defined it.I know he had to be aware of the fact that I overall in school did not do well in any of my classes,and for me to pass a test was unheard of(all jokes aside) however I always did reasonably well in his class.When I was taking that semester test of completions,not multiple choice, I got every last one of them,except I was stumped on one.He told me to go onto the other questions and come back to it,that the answer would come to me.I finished up the test and came back to that one…and just drew a blank. All the other kids completed the test and had left the room,and Mr. Johnson stood by my desk and said,”Come on Aga-ness tink, tink,you can do it.I remember he pulled a desk into the aisle and put his foot up on the seat leaning in trying to help me as much as he could,but not giving me the answer.I can still see those brown pants and brown wingtip shoes with that design on them propped up on that desk seat,and all I could do was stare at those shoes wanting so badly to remember the definition of…”washing away of the soil”. He said,”Aga-nus,remember in class when I gave the example when the road flooded by our farm and it washed part of the road away,it is called……………..”He wanted so badly for me to get 100%,but I just couldn’t do it.After about 20 minutes I put my head on my desk and said,”I just can’t remember it…what is it??? There was a long pause,and he said,Your sure you can’t remember it? And I said no,”No I’m Done”…He said,”Agganus,the washing away of the soil is called….erosion….it seemed like the whole world stood still for a minute,and I fell face down over my test…Oh nooooo I said…When I looked up at him,he kinda had tears in his eyes,and he hugged my head and sai,”You did good Agganus, you did really good”. Then he went on to say,”in the years ahead,everytime you see a washed out road,or washing away of the soil you will remember the word “erosion” and this moment…and you were right Mr. Johnson…I never have forgot.As for Bernice, my Mom shared with me something so special that Bernice had done for her,everytime I think of it I just say,Wow! Due to the personal sensitivity of the subject on my Mothers part, I don’t feel at liberty to share it over the website.But I can say with certainty Dick, something you’ve known for years….that you were blest with the two most awesome parents that anyone could of been blest with…it saddens me everytime I think of how your time with them, and the worlds time with them was so short…When I’ve tried to describe Don and Bernice to people in my travels over the years. I would say,”they kinda reminded me of the show Green Acres,cuz Don Johnson would have on a suit when I saw him,and Bernice would always have on a coat with a fur collar and drove a big gold Cadillac,but they lived on a farm,and were much more genuine,warm,sincere and common,than Eddie Albert and Za Za Gabore…They were just the nicest people ever…..Thank you still after all these years Don & Bernice Johnson. You are still loved,you are still missed..But never forgotten…Sincerely, Aggie Casavant
Reply/message/picture from Dick Johnson (67): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
Thanks to all for the respectful comments about my folks. They seem to
have impacted many lives over the years. It would have been nice to have
had them with us for many more years. It doesn’t seem possible that they
have been gone for 29 years, this May 22. Time waits for no man. Thank
you all.
A while ago Gary Metcalfe mentioned Raymond Kelly. He was called ‘Red’
and ‘Bum’ and ‘Hobo’. He actually traveled around by hopping freight
trains like the real hobos. I think Sybil Johnson said old Grant Kelly
sent Red to get some potatoes and he came back 10 years later with a bag
of spuds on his shoulder! I remember one time he was standing in front
of Sy’s Pool Hall and when I went by he stuck his cane out and stopped
me. He said, “You’re Don’s kid, ain’t you?” I was about 10 years old at
the time. I said I was and he said, “I made your dad his first bow and
arrow.” He then proceeded to spin yarns and tell me all about his
escapades. I went home and told Dad about this neat old guy I met up in
front of the pool hall. As I was telling him what the guy said, Dad was
just staring at me in disbelief. He asked me who the guy was? I told him
he said his name was Red Kelly. Dad shook his head and said, “Don’t
believe a word he tells you, he’s the biggest story teller in the
country!” Hey, I thought I had really discovered something! Oh well, Dad
knew him forever and I just met him. Red stayed in a small log cabin out
past our barn, on the shore of Horseshoe Lake, next to Axel Johnson and
his family. They moved out in about the late 30s and the place was left
abandoned except for an odd wild animal now and then. When I was a kid,
I played in the cabin. By the mid 60s the roof had fallen in and later
the whole cabin collapsed. I took this picture in 1971 for a class in
photography at UND. In the mid 70s, I pushed the remnants of both houses
into a pile with the Cat and burned what was left to clean up the place.
One amazing thing happened when I was scraping up the last of the stones
the house had sat on! I looked down at the black dirt and saw a very
small curved gold wire. I jumped off the Cat and gently dug around until
I unearthed my great grandmother’s reading glasses—-unharmed! Can you
imagine the chances of driving a 17 ton Cat and dozer over a tiny pair
of old glasses and only exposing one bow and then not smashing them to
bits! It was pretty amazing! We still have them and even use them once
in a while for removing slivers or other intricate stuff. Quite the
heirloom! Thanks Gary!
Picture of Raymond ‘Red’ Kelly’s cabin on Horseshoe Lake
Questions/Message from Blanche Wicks Schley (42): Grand Forks, ND
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I was reading through some very old obituaries the other day and it was interesting to see flower girls listed. Do know anything about this idea at a funeral? I have no idea as to the origin of this idea.
Can you enlighten me?
In your daily e-mails, a Dunseith book is mention…is this something that would still be available?
And, last but not least, I really enjoy the delightful stories about the residents of Dunseith….many of them I remember the last name but never met the people. What great story you could print if all the information was put into one great history of the town and its residents. Good job, Gary.
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Dunseith Seattle Reunion dinner July 24, 2009 – Posted by Bill Grimme
Folks, This is the current list of folks signed up for our Dunseith Seattle reunion being held at the Best Western in Seattle on July 24th. If you plan to attend, please make your dinner selection and mail your payment to Bill Grimme. I have pasted the info for doing this below. Those of us going on the cruise are looking forward to seeing you Seattle folks at this reunion. This will be a fun get together. Gary
| Name |
Chicken Breast
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New York Steak
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| Chuck Munro |
1
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1
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Robert Hosmer |
2
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Gary Stokes |
2
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Nancy Baldwin |
1
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1
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Diane and Scott Sjol |
1
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1
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Randy Flynn |
1
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5
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Gary Metcalfe (child 1/2 price) |
4
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Ardis Steggal |
1
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1
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Phyllis McKay |
3
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Lee Stickland |
2
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Lea Rae Espe |
2
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Bill Grimme |
2
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Bill Longie (TENTATIVE) |
2
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Mark VanDyne (TENTATIVE) |
2
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David Shelver |
1
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1
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Sharron Shen |
2
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1
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Evie Pilkington | Shirley Larocque | Laverne Rude |
2
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Connie Fauske Monte (Tentative) |
2
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Oliver/Marlene Reing |
1
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1
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Darrel/Deborah Stokes |
2
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Sandra Vandal |
1
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1
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Cheryl Haagenson |
1
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Marie Staub |
2
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Gary,
The list (above) are the folks that have paid and/or indicated they will attend the reunion dinner. The names in RED have indicated attendance, but, I have not received payment yet. Please check this list and verify your dinners are correct and if your payment info is correct , i.e. if you are in RED and have sent a payment please let me know and I will go back and check my hard copies. I plan to close out the dinner list and hold the raffle drawing on or about May 31, so if you are sending in a late payment, please let me know.
Bill
To attend this dinner, just fill in the following selections for you or your party, send me a check, and I will return a receipt.
Note: the dinner costs listed are inclusive of all taxes and grautuities.
NumberEntréePriceExtended price
______Pan Seared Chicken Breast$24.90___________
______Angus Beef New York Steak$34.10___________
TOTAL FOR YOU PARTY___________
Send Check to Bill Grimme,
3117 Memory Brook Circle,Birmingham,AL35242.Phone 205-991-6512.
Hope to see you all there. Thank you.
Bill Grimme Class of ‘65
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Pictures posted by Bev Morniville Azure (72): Dunseith, ND
Found this and thought alot of the kids that used to hung out at my house would enjoy this picture of my mom…….. Lyle I know u will love it
GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV |
Francis Morinville
Herman Martinson
Folks,
Harvey Hiatt called me yesterday. He was actually returning my phone call. Harvey is currently living in Flagstaff, AZ. Harvey told me he had a tombstone made for his Dad, Willie E. Hiatt, inclusive of his mother’s (Maxine) and all of his siblings names engraved on it. Harvey will be placing this tombstone on their cemetery lot in Ackworth next month.
Speaking of Harvey, One of you folks sent me a picture of Harvey pictured with his Bottineau HS class of 61. I forgot who sent me that. This picture was taken in 2007. This is one of the photo’s that I lost with the reformatting of my hard drive. If any of you remember sending me that picture and still have it can you please forward it to me again?
Geraldine (Geri) LaFromboise Marcavage was our teacher at Ackworth in 1954/55. This would have been the first year of Winter school. Prior to this Ackworth was a summer school. I was in 2nd grade, Harvey Hiatt and Stan Salmonson were in 6th grade and Barbara Hiatt was in 8th grade. Geraldine lived with our family when she taught at Ackworth. I had not seen Miss LaFromboise since 2nd grade, 52 years prior to this photo being taken. Prior to our going back to Dunseith for the 2007 reunion, I decided to locate Geraldine. She was a hard one to track down, but I did find her. At the time she was living in SC, but was in the process of moving back to Belcourt. I arranged to meet her at Dale’s. When I told Harvey about this he said he and his sister Barbara would love to see her too. I then called Stan & Joan Salmonson and invited them too. We had a wonderful mini reunion with Miss LaFromboise. Geri sure has great recall of her year teaching at Ackworth. She is still the amazing wonderful beautiful lady that I remembered back in 2nd grade. As you can tell with her 1954 picture pasted below, the guys were all drawn to her beauty. She always had her pick of the litter with her dating. When I saw Geri in 2007 she did not have email. If any of you Belcourt folks know Geri, can you please pass this message on to her?
Gary
Picture taken at Dale’s in July 2007:
L to R: Stan & Joan Wurgler Salmonson, Harvey Hiatt, Geraldine LaFromboise Marcavage, Gary Stokes
& Barbara Hiatt Cote.
Geraldine LaFromboise – 1954
05/20/2009
Request/message/picture from Ken Stiker:
Gary, pls put me on the list as a subscriber. I really enjoy your blog
I am attaching a scan of a June 2008 pic sent me of an alaskan cruise, Deane with wife Roberta, his sister deb Kubela w/husband Brad, and right Donna Robinson w/husband Dennis
| Striker | Deane RobertaHagen | RR 1Box 201 | Dunseith, ND 58329 |
| Striker Kubela | Deborah | 8480 182nd Ave SE | Wahpeton, ND 58075 |
| Striker Robinson | Donna | Swift Current, SK |
Couples L to R:Deane (73) & Roberta Hagen (75) Striker; Brad & Deb Striker (74) Kubela;Dennis & Donna Striker (76) Robinson
Don & BerniceJohnson:
Folks, A lot of you have been added to our list since the posting of these tributes of Don and Bernice Johnson.
Don and Bernice were shot to death in their home in the Turtle Mountains in 1980.
Don and Bernice were the parents of Dick Johnson (68). Dick and his wife Brenda live on the family farm north of Dunseith. Dick is a huge contributor to this daily blog. We hear from him often.
Being the Icon’s they were to the community, I feel this is well deserving of a re-run. Dick is following right along in his parents foot steps.
Gary
Tributes to Don & Bernice Johnson
Previously posted in February 2008
Folks,
With all the tributes you folks have provided with memories of Don Johnson. 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):
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 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
Feb 4, 2008
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
Feb 5, 2008
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.
05/19/2009
Message to Gary Stokes from Ken Stiker in Dayton OH:
Gary Stokes-
A Striker cousin forwarded the information from the Minor Daily News regarding the passing of Sylvia Bergan today. Sylvia is a Striker cousin.
I appreciate this information. I have compiled a Striker Genealogy/History and would be delighted to hear from Striker cousins. Sylvia Bergan sent me W.E. Striker History, which she wrote on the occasion of the Deunseith Centennial of 1983.
As a matter of information, We are having a Striker Reunion at Berne IN on June 13th, 2009. This is the 175th year of the immigration of Christian and Anna M Striker to America. All cousins are welcome. For information on the Striker Reunion or a Striker CD, you can email
Ken Striker in Dayton OH
Gary’s reply to Ken Stiker:
Thank you so much for this message. Where do you fit into the Striker family? I have about 650 Dunseith Alumni folks on my distribution list. I don’t believe I have you listed. I send a message out each day to the alumni folks and the Stiker’s have been a lot of the topic conversation the past several days. I have attached the message I sent out yesterday. I have also pasted the Striker write up from the 1982 Dunseith Centennial book. Did Sylvia write this? Oscar and Sylvia were very dear friends to my family in my growing up days. Please read the attached.
I am from the Ackworth community up in the Turtle Mountains, so I am familiar with most of the hills folks.
It is such a pleasure hearing from you. Please let me know a little more about you so I can get a grasp of where you fit into the Striker family.
Ken Stiker’s reply to Gary:
GaryThanks for your response. I have worked on Christian & Anna M Striker genealogy/history for some thirty years. I have lived in Ohio my whole life. The family came to Ohio in 1834 from Emmendingen Germany. Two sons Andrew and Mathias moved on to Adams Co/Berne IN in the 1860’s, then several children of Mathias Striker homesteaded around 1900 in places like Mason Co Michigan, Bucyrus ND, and Dunseith ND area. Wm Elmer Striker settled in Dunseith area. Below is a little bio on W.E. Striker:We are having a reunion on June 13th 2009 in Berne IN. Perhaps you know Deane Striker of Dunseith. He and his sisters Donna Robinson (of Swift Current Sask) and Donna Kebela (of Wahpeton ND) are making the trip to Berne. I look forward to meeting them. I would like to establish contact with others in the family.Ken Striker 4769 Arcadia Blvd Dayton OH 45432
Marion Stickland’s Obituary posted by Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
Dear Gary,
I thought friends of Marion Sticklands would like to read her obit. It is a wonderful tribute to Marion.
Bonnie Awalt Houle 56
Messages/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
Mona has the names right. It’s Ralph Thiel and Raymond Haagenson. I
found Mom’s annuals for ’45 and ’46. The team picture sent in by Jeff
Skjelver is of the ’45 team. The one I’m attaching now is of the ’46
team. Many of the same guys with just a few new faces. Thanks Gary!
Dick
Gary and Friends,
The elusive pictures are found. Gary Metcalfe mentioned Bob Lamb’s barn
being moved to Hans Johnson’s farm. I looked through hundreds of
pictures tonight and finally found the ones of the moving of the barn.
The dates on back of the pictures are January 19-20, 1965. The hills
were too icy for the mover’s truck so Dad hooked on to the front with
our old Caterpillar and pulled the whole works down the road. If you
look closely at the picture with the Cat, you will see how small that
big army truck looks in comparison to the barn. I remodeled the barn
about twenty years ago to a much larger and more useful type building,
but the heart of the new building is still Lamb’s barn. Thanks Gary!
Dick
05/18/2009
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05/17/2009
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Emma Stiker Nelson Fagan (47): Lincoln, CA
Daughter Kay Nelson’s email address
Follow up from yesterdays blog. I was able to contact Emma Striker Nelson today. She is convalescing in a nursing home from a fall that resulted in a broken hip or pelvis, I forgot which. She thinks she will be able to go home in several weeks.
Gary Metcalfe was able to provide enough info about Emma that enabled Eileen Brudwick to locate her with her searches. I was pleasantly surprised when I had a voice mail message from Emma’s daughter, Kay Nelson, letting me know we had found the right Emma.
I had a very nice chat today with Emma. I was very surprised when she told me her mother was a Lagerquist, sister to John and also Edna, Mrs. Harold Woodford. I had totally forgotten that. Emma is related to the Pearson’s too. When I mentioned Charlene, she said “that cute little red head.” She told me they lived where Arnold Zeiler used to live and she said that is where Lyle Zeiler (61) presently lives. She told me she is related to Lyle’s wife Sharon Pearson Zeiler (62). Sandra Zeiler Vandal, she remembers you too. She also mentioned Rodney Lagerquist. She said her daughter used to pretend he was her doll. That would have been Kay. She was born in 1947 and Rodney in 1949. Gary Metcalfe, she remembers you well too. She also knew the Hagen’s really well and also most of the Hiatt’s and Radley’s. Emma and her family moved to Californian in 1957. When I talked to Kay, Emma’s daughter, this evening, she told me she see’s her mother often and will share all this interesting Dunseith stuff with her. I told her I would add her to our daily distribution and for her to let me know if she ever wants to be discontinued in the future. She and her mother seemed pretty interested in all this Dunseith stuff though. They are super friendly folks. Looking at the Striker’s history in the Dunseith book, I noticed that Sylvia Lockhart Bergan and Emma Striker are first cousins too. Mrs. Lockhart was a Striker.
Gary
Reply (Striker’s) from Lee Stickland (64): Dickinson, ND
Pictures posted by Eileen Brudwick: Fargo, ND
Here are two pictures of two fabulous women!! These are taken at the funeral home when we were viewing uncle Gerald. We had a most enjoyable time visiting our sweet cousin!!
Eileen
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05/16/2009
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Reply from Bill & Betty Schneider Lamb (54): Grand Forks, ND
Gary: Our condolences to the Brudwick family. We are sorry to learn of Gerald’s passing. My sister was married to Gerald’s brother, Kenneth.
A correction on Gary Metcalfe’s note on #458. The barn was built on the Lamb farm and then sold to Hans Johnson who moved it to his farm after Priscilla and Bill Lamb left the farm in 1955. ( Bill preferred selling insurance to farming.) Carl Wicks was my favorite uncle, a very kind man. He was not related to the other Wicks family though our family knew them very well. Thank you for all your work. We enjoy hearing from you every day. Betty and Bill Lamb Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (70): BEDFORD, TX
Hi Everyone
This is in reply to Jean Eurich Roland…..my sisters and I still joke when we take pictures about Mrs. Wondrasek licking her fingers and smoothing our hair. It makes for a great jerking reaction. Besides, maybe we artfully caused our hair to float a little bit. Also, I remember Norman used to work for my dad in Bottineau and I was working at St. Andrews when he and his wife had their first child. It was my turn in labor and delivery so I got to work the nursery when the baby was born and bring the baby in to the parents for their first visit. It was very cool. Cheryl Larson Dakin Janice Striker (47) located:
Eileen Brudwick, with all of her ingenuity and knowledge, managed trace Janice’s marriage records and locate her. She is living in California. Eileen forwarded all this info she found to me hoping she had the right Janice. I left a message with Janice’s voice mail and several days later he daughter left a message with my voice mail letting me know that her mother is in dead the Janice Striker from Dunseith. Janice fell and broke her hip or pelvic bone and is currently convalescing in a nursing home. She gave me her mothers direct number in the home, but she has not been in her room when I’ve called. I will post a message letting you everyone know when do finely reach her.
Eileen, You do great work. Thank you so much for all that you do. Gary
Replies to the 1945 Basket Ball Photo:
Reply from Mona Dionne Johnson (48): Lake Metigoshe, ND
Gary:
The ’45 Team with Glen Shelver as coach: back row – Glen Shelver, Raymond Haagenson, Wayne Molgard, Bill Hosmer, Ralph Thiel, Derald Dion. Front row – Leo Murray, Allison Fiske, Darrel Fassett, Don Johnson, Bob Molgard. Mona Johnson ’48 Reply From Clark Crum (54) Woodbury, MN
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05/15/2009
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05/14/2009
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Gerald Brudwick’s Funeral notice posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
This is from today’s Minot Daily News:
GERALD BRUDWICK, 77, Bottineau, died Tuesday in a Bottineau nursing home.
Funeral Friday, 10 a.m., Metigoshe Lutheran Church, Bottineau.
Visitation Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.
A family service will be held at 9:00 A.M. Thursday at Nero Funeral Home.
Neola
Reply from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65): Belcourt, Nd
Hi Gary,
Sorry about not getting back to you, but my computer was down for a few I always admired how Bill Grimme could be so smart. I told him so during I will be seeing Neola tonight, I think these are the last of the pictures Thanks Gary,
Reply from Marie Iverson Staub (60): Seattle, WA
I love reading all the messages on a daily basis but having left Dunseith after the eight grade I recognize a lot of the names and think about writing in but yesterday and today with the picture of Claudia Espe and
Edna Knox from my class of 60 I felt I wanted to. Congradulations to Edna hope she enjoys her retirement.
Wish I was going to be in Dunseith It would be fun seeing her.I am planning on coming up next year if
all goes well .
Thanks again Gary for all the work you do on this everyday I would be lost without my Dunseith fix.
Marie Staub Iverson (60)
Reply from Edna (Susie) Knox Millang (60): Dunseith, ND
Gary – I have worked the past 20 years as a custom broker representive at the Dunseith office. First 12 years for H.A. & J.L Wood Inc who sold to UPS Suppy Chain Solutions about 8 years ago. I was going to retire on May 2 but the office was closed on April 3. I was burned out at the old job and needed a change so was going to retire and then look for something else to do. Thanks again for all you do. Susie Millang
Question from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Hi Gary,
Would you check if anyone would like to have the three 8 X 10’s of Dean Pigeon’s family, please? If not, I’ll shred them.
Would you also check with the Boguslawski families? I have pictures of Tom/his wife (former Wilhelm), a Boguslawski couple, and maybe more.
Thanks, Gary.
We could have a severe thunderstorm here in Bottineau (Bottineau County and other ND counties are under a thunderstorm watch–mostly goes down the middle of the state from north to south.) later today. It’s at Maxbass now, heading NE. It’s clouding up outside, so it’s very possible we’ll get storm. When it gets close, I’ll shut my computer down.
Neola
Reply from Paula Fassett (71): North Branch, MN
Gary:
I would guess the boy in the first photo is Bill Grimme (look at his eyes…..) – and those are his twin baby brother and sister to the right of him??? Paula Fassett Reply from Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (68): Newark, Delaware
Hi, The picture has to be of Billy Grimme with his twin brother and sister, Greg and Gwen in the crib behind him. Loved seeing and remembering the women pictured with Father Wolfe. Paulette Chisholm ‘’68 (P.S. I vote for radish sandwiches that don’t make you have to sleep alone.)
Forestery Picture replies listed from here to the bottom of the page
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary, I think the attendants in the Forestry Queen Pageant are Mary Bott and Dick
Reply from Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65): Irvine, CA I agree that it is not Kerry Boucher in the picture…..Kerry was my first cousin…..her father Albert Boucher was my Mom’s brother. I go with Mary Bott for the gal third from the left. Greetings from CA Evie Gottbreht Pilkington
Reply from Sharron Gottbreh Shen (59) Everett, WA
My first impression was NOT Kerry – but I had not seen Kerry at that age before. She always had dark shadow area beneath her eyes. I remember Kerry’s face being rounder and thought she wore her hair shorter – often with bangs. Someone else also believes it was not Kerry. Sharron
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe:Minot & Bottineau, ND
Hi Gary,
This newsletter has lots of info in it!! I’m enjoying the stories about onion sandwiches; I thought my dad was the only person who ate them. When Dad thought he was catching a cold, he’d eat a raw onion. I have no idea if they prevented the cold, but he was a very healthy man.
A comment on the “Charlotte Nichole Crowning the Queen” picture. This is interesting. I thought the queen was Arlyce Parks, Bottineau, so I added the title “Charlotte Nichol Crowning Arlyce Parks” and sent it to my Bottineau/Kramer lists. The next day, I received an email from Charlotte Nichol (Someone in my lists had forwarded the picture to her). She said it isn’t Arlyce Parks, but Mary Strand Hillesland. She provided the attendants’ names. It must have been Eileen who said Kerry had been married Wayne Vedquam. Again, small world. Wayne is one year older than I am (He’s Class of ’56). His brother, Elroy, is one year younger (Class of ’58). As I said, this is interesting. I’ll send these comments to Charlotte and see what she says–or maybe I’d better wait until you hear from Bobby Bott? I’m not saying Charlotte is necessarily right. but I’m guessing she probably is.
I didn’t realize John/Julie Seier live in Minot. I know Mark/Phyllis live there, as their daughter, Emily, was in my class years ago. I’m assuming you know John/Mark’s mother was Vivian Hagen, Buddy Hagen’s sister. When my nephew, Ollie, was younger, he went to Long Lake with Dad/our family. He learned to know Buddy when Buddy had the small building where he sold pop/candy/etc., as that’s where Dad would dock the boat. Dad/others also played horseshoe at Buddy’s. We spent many Sunday afternoons at “Buddy’s Place”. Over time, Ollie learned to know Mark/John (maybe more). I was surprised when Emily was in my class, and I made the connection between “Buddy’s nephews” and Emily’s dad, Mark. I’m not sure, but I think Ollie might have known John better than Mark. Lots of water has gone under the bridge since those fun days at Buddy’s.
Mom has always kept clippings from the newspaper. It was either when Emily was in my class, or a little later, I found her grandmother/grandfather’s (Marion’s) wedding clipping. I gave it to her so she had her “very own” clipping of Grandma/Grandpa.
While I’m on the subject of how small the world is, I think Charlotte Boguslawski’s great granddaughter was in my class in Minot, too. Was one of Charlotte’s daughters married to an Erbstoesser? They lived in Bismarck–I think. Gordon Erbstoesser attended the School of Forestry when I did. His sister, Janet was married Dan Sheets; he managed White Drug at Town and Country in Minot. Dan/Janet’s daughter, Stephanie, was in my class. I think Dan/Janet left Minot awhile ago.
Both Emily Seier and Stephanie Sheets are married. I saw their wedding pictures in the Minot Daily awhile ago. Both were beautiful brides–naturally.
It’s amazing how small the world is–and SUCH fun!!!!
Neola
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05/13/2009
Thank you Reply from Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73): Grafton, ND
I want to thank every one for their e-mails kind words and prayers. It has been a tough time losing my husband but God never gives us more than we can handle and I kling to his promises so I will survive and be stonger. Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine
Edna (Susie) Knox Millang (60) Retiring:
Posted by Jule Knox Seier (82): Minot, ND
Good Morning Gary!
I was wondering if you would please post for me…
Retirement party for Edna (Susie) Knox Millang.
Friday, May 22, 2009
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
Kelvin
Potluck…sandwiches, salads, hotdishes. Cake
will be served. Come and join us to celebrate Susie’s
retirement!
will be served. Come and join us to celebrate Susie’s
retirement!
Oh and onion sanwiches! So good with a piece or two of fried
side pork! Yummmmm!
Thanks for all you do Gary!
Julie (Knox) Seier
Minot ND
Susie, Congratulations on retirement. From where are you retiring? Gary
Reply from Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73): Grafton, ND
I too remember the onion sandwiches but on toast with real butter. I also have fond memories of going to Arleen and Norris Knudson and Arleen and I eating fresh homemade bread with fresh farm cream and sugar. Gee I wonder why 45 years latter I’m still not a size 12. Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine
Vickie, Bread and cream with lots of sugar made for a mighty fine meal. It was such a treat when we were able to use cream. Most of the time at our house it was bread and skim milk. We had to sell the cream. I had my share of Bread and Milk & Bread and Cream meals over at Norris and Arleen’s too, when I worked for them in the summer months. Gary
Gerald Brudwick Passed away:
Message sent by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Hello Relatives,
My uncle, Gerald Brudwick, passed away in his sleep sometime during the night. When I have more information about the funeral arrangements, I’ll send it.
It’s sad to lose Uncle Gerald, but he had been wanting “to go” for some time now. He missed Delores tremendously. He had a stroke about 3/4 years ago, and hasn’t been able to do much for himself since then. Life isn’t much fun when you need to depend on others to do everything for you.
Mom and Alvina are the two remaining siblings. Mom lives at Good Samaritan in Bottineau; she was 92 years old on May 5. Alvina lives in long term at St. Andrew’s Hospital in Bottineau. Both Mom/Alvina still get around by themselves. Mom uses a walker; I think Alvina does, too. Alvina is the third of Andrew/Ellen Johanna Laugsand Brudwick’s six children; Mom is the oldest. Uncle Gerald was the youngest.
Neola
Message sent by Eileen Brudwick: Fargo, ND
Sad news today… In case you haven’t heard Mike’s uncle Gerald passed away in his sleep last night during the night sometime. We will be attending his funeral. We haven’t heard the arrangements as yet. I am sure his body can be viewed at the Nero Funeral Home, like all the other family members were until the funeral. Most likely that will be at the Metigoshe Christian Center, at Lake Metigoshe. Gerald was such a wonderful man, and will be so dearly missed. He has wanted to be with his deceased wife since her death, so now it’ll be a happy reunion once again for them. We were hoping to see him in June sometime, but I guess uncle Gerald wanted to depart sooner.
Take care,
Eileen
Neola, Eileen & Mike: I know a lot of our readers from the hills remember Gerald. We are so sorry to hear of his passing, but he is now with Delores. The real loss is with his family. Our condolences are with all of you with his passing. Gary
Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, ND
Onion, butter, salt and pepper on fresh bread. Yes! Also, banana slices & peanut butter on rye – so good.
I am trying to remember who wore a garlic necklace in grade school, McCoy or McKay, Bill or Jim? Never saw garlic at the Gottbreht table. Mom was a marvel at home cooking but now wonder how she managed to make everything taste so good without garlic. Grandma Evelyn Gaudet Gottbreht used fresh cloves in her chili. When visiting the Shens home where the aroma of saute garlic would permeate the house every evening, mom would call out from her easy chair “Now go easy with that garlic.”
Be well, Sharron
Reply from Geri Metcalfe Munro (59): Fargo, ND
HI GARY,
Speaking of onion sandwiches,my mom was a full-blooded Norwegian and my dad, Jim Metcalfe , loved anything Norwegian. We always had good beef and pork (roasts) that we raised on the farm, and we always put lots of good (raw) onions, mustard, catsup on homemade bread sandwiches, along with wonderful gravy. SO GOOD! We complained that we didn’t get “boughten bread” like the kids in town did; of course, Herman Martinson’s bread was a special treat if they did buy bread. We thought that was really “stylin it” in rare cases where Mom didn’t get a chance to bake. Larry, so fun to read your stories; you were much younger than I, but I remember your family so well from Hilltop.
Geri Metcalfe Munro ’59 Fargo, ND
Speaking of onion sandwiches,my mom was a full-blooded Norwegian and my dad, Jim Metcalfe , loved anything Norwegian. We always had good beef and pork (roasts) that we raised on the farm, and we always put lots of good (raw) onions, mustard, catsup on homemade bread sandwiches, along with wonderful gravy. SO GOOD! We complained that we didn’t get “boughten bread” like the kids in town did; of course, Herman Martinson’s bread was a special treat if they did buy bread. We thought that was really “stylin it” in rare cases where Mom didn’t get a chance to bake. Larry, so fun to read your stories; you were much younger than I, but I remember your family so well from Hilltop.
Geri Metcalfe Munro ’59 Fargo, ND
Reply from Bob Hosmer (56): Lynnwood, WA
Since the subject is on onion sandwiches, I’ll throw my two-cents worth in. I never had any straight onion sandwiches growing up in Dunseith. However, When I was on a construction job on Fremont in Seattle years ago. I opened my lunch bucket to a sliced onion and orange sandwich my wife made for me as a surprise. I cannot describe the flavor. It was neither onion nor orange, but something else entirely. I did finish the sandwich–not so much out of enjoyment, but because I was tremendously hungry and had four more hours of work that day.
Bob Hosmer
Bob Hosmer, WA Chaplain
Marketplace Chaplains USA
Cell: 425-299-0928
Email: Website: www.MChapUSA.com
Marketplace Chaplains USA
Cell: 425-299-0928
Email: Website: www.MChapUSA.com
Correction from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
In my airport letter yesterday the 150,000 figure should be 150 million . Gary Metcalfe
Hello everyone, The occasion this weekend was the opening of Branson Airport. The first privately developed and operated commercial service airport in the United States, $150,000 airport. The fire chief, Ted Marten fulfilled a life long dream as he was selected for a one hour ride aboard a Thunderbird F16. Does Lt. Col. Derek Routt ring a bell with you Bill Hosmer? I guess the Thunderbirds stole the show, but don’t sell the single engine planes short, they did a night show that was fantabulous, along with the parachute crew. The Stealth Bomber made a very short appearance. I guess they did it alright as they were around for four days. Gary Metcalfe
Reply from Eileen Brudwick: Fargo, ND
Gary, you just give me too much credit! Thank you for your kind words of praise!! I hope I can live up to it. I truly enjoy helping people do geanealogy, even if they aren’t related to me in any way. It also helps me to occupy my time since I no longer work. I don’t know how on earth I did all this when I was working full-time.
Thank you for your kind words of praise!! I hope I can live up to it. I truly enjoy helping people do geanealogy, even if they aren’t related to me in any way. It also helps me to occupy my time since I no longer work. I don’t know how on earth I did all this when I was working full-time.
Many thanks,
Eileen
Reply from Alan & Phyllis Campbell: Minot, ND
Just a quick comment on both the onion sandwiches and “old Joe Vanorny”…Alan and his
Dad both loved onion sandwiches and also radish sandwiches – just butter and bread- and they were not German! Good Scotsmen apparently had the same favorites! Re” Joe Vanorny” – – when we moved here in the Wellington in Minot, one of the first couples we met wer Russ and Jeanne Vanorny….Virgil’s brother. They are our “table mates” at our delicious meals here every day. Russ is a big man and both he and Alan have hearing problems so guess who does most of the talking? Jeanne just celebrated her 90th birthday but doesn’t look it. The family had a big party for her in the dining room a couple of Sundays ago and Jay and Lola were there so we got to say hello to them! Enjoy those daily blogs,Gary, and congratulate you on doing your tireless (and tiring??) job.
Dad both loved onion sandwiches and also radish sandwiches – just butter and bread- and they were not German! Good Scotsmen apparently had the same favorites! Re” Joe Vanorny” – – when we moved here in the Wellington in Minot, one of the first couples we met wer Russ and Jeanne Vanorny….Virgil’s brother. They are our “table mates” at our delicious meals here every day. Russ is a big man and both he and Alan have hearing problems so guess who does most of the talking? Jeanne just celebrated her 90th birthday but doesn’t look it. The family had a big party for her in the dining room a couple of Sundays ago and Jay and Lola were there so we got to say hello to them! Enjoy those daily blogs,Gary, and congratulate you on doing your tireless (and tiring??) job.
Campbell family Picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Alan Cambell Family stamped November 27, 1970:
Top: Rich (68), Phyllis & Alan (42)
Bottom: Jeff (76), Cathy (73) & Dave (71)
Reply from Sharon Zorn Gerdes (62): Windsor, CO
Gary, in the photo with Charlotte Nichol crowning the homecoming queen, the third person from the left is Mary Bott, I am certain. I remember her making her dress by hand and completing it minutes before she had to wear it. She is beautiful, inside and out. Thanks, Sharon Zorn Gerdes.
Sharon, Now that you mention it, that sure looks like Mary Bott (62) to me too. What are the comments from some of the rest of you? Yes Sharon, Mary was always a very pretty girl. Mary does not have email. She lives in Linton, ND. Bobby Bott, what do think, is this your sister? Gary
Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, ND
Kerry Boucher Vedquam [1944-1989] would be voted “best in show” in any competition. The picture posted and the picture I’ve chosen give just a glimmer of her quiet charm and beautiful features. She passed too young because of DM I. If I remember correctly the Vedquam family had celebrated Kerry’s birthday that noon [July 21] and she laid down for a nap and slipped away while she slept. Kerry’s husband Wayne, her children Aaron, and twins Jean and Joan were devoted to her and she lived every moment for them.
Kerry and I shared a common interest in Boucher/Casavant family history and genealogy. Kerry’s mom, Alice Fassett Boucher, wife of Albert, also loved family history and she gave us much encouragement. We corresponded often, all by snail mail. I would search the extensive records of the St. Louis City Library and Fur Trader Records and she the Bismarck Archives. We made time at every visit to exchange and copy files. Like myself, Kerry was a nurse anesthetist. When we met at national meetings, I would deplore her very lean physique – she was so strict with her management of diabetes. Smart gal, she was an inspiration.
If I remember correctly, Peggy and I received some parental words of reprimand that day. Grandma Margaret Casavant Boucher was grandpa Victor Boucher’s second wife – she is center top. The next row left to right would be Sharron Gottbreht, LuAnne Brunsell, Joel Boucher, little Gary Boucher, Jerry Boucher, Peggy Boucher standing. Across the bottom: Barb Boucher, Ronnald Tennancour, Jeff Boucher, George Gottbreht, Evie Gottbreht, Carol Jean Boucher, Kerry Boucher and another brother, Jim Boucher. EJ and Carmen were there I’m sure, but already adult enough [13] for other amusements.
Thank you Gary. Sharron
Picture L to R:Center top: Grandma Margaret Casavant BoucherCenter:Sharron Gottbreht, LuAnne Brunsell, Joel Boucher, little Gary Boucher, Jerry Boucher,Peggy Boucher standingBottom: Barb Boucher, Ronnald Tennancour, Jeff Boucher, George Gottbreht, Evie Gottbreht,Carol Jean Boucher, Kerry Boucher and another brother, Jim Boucher
Memorial Day reminder from Crystal Fassett Andersen (70): Walhalla, ND
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Yes, I am back to remind everyone to not only remember our Veterans but to send their donation to the cemetery association where these veterans and our ancestors are buried. If everyone would send $10 or MORE dollars to Little Prairie,Ackworth, Riverside,etc. It would help pay, to keep our little country cemeteries clean and neat. Remember the people who died so that we all can live and do all this reminiscing. Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day (and maybe go to a ceremony instead of fishing)…just a thought . Thanks again Gary. Crystal Fassett Andersen Here is a picture of the Fassett’s on Memorial Day 1960 Bill,Susan,Paula & Crystal Fassett and one of my grandparents and parents
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Dunseith & Turtle mountain Cemeteries
Points of Contact for donations
1. Riverside: ————————–Rod Medrud (701) 244-5829 – Work (701) 244-5438
Make Donations out to “Riverside Cemetery”
PO Box 194 A,Dunseith,ND58329
2. Little Prairie: ———————Joan Salmonson (701) 263-4613 – Work (701) 244-5438
RR
1 Box 130, Dunseith ND 58329
3. Rendahl: —————————Pat Pladson (701) 228-3943
9540 Hwy 60, Bottineau ND, 58318
4. St Louis & St Mary’s Catholic:Floyd Dion (701) 244-5764
PO Box 186 Dunseith, ND 58329
5. Ackworth: ————————-Martin Peterson (701) 263-4061
RR 1 Box 86, Dunseith, ND 58329
6. Saint John’s Lutheran: ———Darrel Abrahamson (701) 244-5151
HCR
Box 20,Saint John,ND58369
Thank you Crystal for this reminder. I have had it in the back of my mind to mail my contribution to Ackworth, but just have not gotten around to it yet. With this reminder, my check will be in the mail tomorrow.I have posted the points of contacts above for sending donations to. Folks, please let me know if this list needs any updating.Gary
Kermit & Alvina Hiatt Thompson family posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Folks, Alvina Hiatt was a sister to Leola, Albert, Nettie, Ikie, Ena and that family of a 12 siblings. George and Eva Crawford Hiatt were their parents. The Thompson’s lived in Landa, but were very active in the Ackworth community in my growing up days. They were also very active members of the Bottineau Senior Citizens. Gary
05/12/2009
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Reply from Eileen Brudwick (Mike’s Wife): Fargo, ND
It’s so interesting to hear the stories people talk about. Oh, by the way, onion sandwiches wasn’t just a Norwegian thing. I can remember having them when I was a kid occasionally with butter, salt & pepper on it, and with that home made bread, it was awesome. I am of German descent primarily. My mother (of Irish descent) and I also ate mustard & pickle sandwiches. Mike & I still do occasionally eat onion sandwiches. I don’t often as onions don’t agree with my stomach very well any more, but I do love onions!!
Have a good day!
Eileen Reply to Larry Hackman (66) from Bill Grimme (65): Birmingham, AL
Larry Hackman, you truly have the gift. I enjoy everything you write. I wasn’t going to comment on the onion, but, since you asked that we not let it die, just yet, I will share my experience with the onion sandwich. I have always liked onion sandwiches, just an onion and butter and I also like another sandwich a lot – peanut butter and mayonnaise. I put one of these together every now and then. So, one day I was talking sandwiches with an old friend of mine and peanut butter and mayonnaise came up. He shared his idea of a great addition to the peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwich and that was to put a nice slice of sweet onion between the peanut butter and the mayonnaise. So, when I got home, I decided to try that. It was delicious. I have had a few since then. Onion takes on the characteristic of an apple.
Another sandwich that I have always loved was just butter and sliced radishes. Nice. My mother ate those all the time and it rubbed off.
Here is a great recipe for a whole onion:
Take one sweet onion, slice off the bottom to make it flat, slice the top off and dig a hole in the top big enough to hold about a teaspoon of butter. Put the onion in a bowl. Fill the hole in the onion with butter, sprinkle about a good teaspoon of beef bullion granules over the onion and pour 1/4 cup of water over the whole thing. Cover the bowl with saran wrap and microwave on high for eight minutes. Carefully remove the saran wrap and cover the top of the onion with grated mozzarella cheese. Put it back in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds. Get a spoon and enjoy the cooked onion. This is really tough to beat!
Keep the stories coming, Larry.
Bill
Reply to Denise Lajimodiere from Ardys Bakken Horner (DHS teacher): Detroit Lakes, MN
Hi Denise, my grandparents even flatten tin cans to make shingles for the chicken coupe, must have been noisy on rainy days, saved string from tied packages, collected and sold eggs to buy groceries, canned everything imaginable, I rmemeber being amazed when I moved to Minneapolis in ’61 to find out you actually bought fruit in a store because we grew most fruit on tress at my grandparents farm except for peaches, pears and oranges. Gramma also cut up old clothes, made balls of stripes which were taken in to make rag rugs which I stilll love today. Ardys Horner
Fassett Picture requests from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
Dear Gary,
I have talked to the Tessin Family, Sons of Carol Fassett Tessin. They very much would like any pictures that anyone would have of the Fassett Family. They are trying to put together a genealogy. Send the pictures to me at 16809 127th Street SE, Becker Mn. 55308. I will deliver them to them.
I didn’t get the message today, Monday May 11.
Thanks much for the phone call.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
Hello everyone, The occasion this weekend was the opening of Branson Airport. The first privately developed and operated commercial service airport in the United States, $150,000 airport. The fire chief, Ted Marten fulfilled a life long dream as he was selected for a one hour ride aboard a Thunderbird F16. Does Lt. Col. Derek Routt ring a bell with you Bill Hosmer? I guess the Thunderbirds stole the show, but don’t sell the single engine planes short, they did a night show that was fantabulous, along with the parachute crew. The Stealth Bomber made a very short appearance. I guess they did it alright as they were around for four days. Gary Metcalfe
Reply from Eileen Brudwick (Mike’s Wife): Fargo, ND
Hi Gary,
In answer to your question regarding Kerry Boucher. Kerry is a daughter of Albert & Alice (Fassett) Boucher. Kerry married Wayne Vedquam, the son of Julius Vedquam & Elsie Elie. Elsie (Elie) Vedquam, is Mike Brudwick & Neola Kofoid Garbe’s 2nd cousin twice removed.
Eileen Brudwick
Reply from Bob Lykins (60’s DHS teacher): Germany & Hutto, TX
Gary,
I have been back in the States, living in Hutto, Texas, for about 18 months. I travel a great deal and I have returned to Germany at least 3 times the past year staying for a total of 6 months. My 13 year old son and wife still live there. They have a beautiful place in the Bayischer Wald of Bavaria near Passau. Even though my wife and I are separated, we have a great relationship and get along very well. This year I will be returning to Germany at least 3 more times as well as travels back up North to visit family in Arkansas, Missouri, and Minnesota. I’ll also head to Las Vegas this summer for a Department of Defense Dependent Schools reunion. In between all of this I do some substitute teaching in secondary schools in the area. I also have a seasonal position where I work full time for a period of about 11 weeks with Pearson’s Educational Assessment Corp. I make enough with them to pay for my travels. I manage to stay very busy but I must say retirement is great. Take care and lay off the balut. Bob Reply to the Catholic lady’s picture from Bev Morinville Azure (72): Dunseith, ND
Archieved Photo’s.
Do any of you recognize this boy?
Do any of your recognize this little boy ?
Reply to Gary Morgan & Gary Stokes form Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends, Thanks for the compliments, but I think many folks are involved in most Ladies Bowling team at Garden Lanes about 1960. L-R: Margo Hiatt, Bernice Johnson, Joyce Evans, and Joy Nordquist
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05/11/2009
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George Counts
July 9, 1960-May 6, 2009
POSTED: May 10, 2009
DUNSEITH Clifford M. “George” Counts, 48, Dunseith, died Wednesday, May 6, 2009, in a Minot hospital. He was born July 9, 1960, to Louise and Lloyd Counts Sr. in Belcourt. He married Rochell Zaste July 28, 2001, in Dunseith. Survivors: wife; sons, Clifford “Herbie” and Terrell, both Dunseith; daughters, Carleen Counts, Carleeta Grant, Julia Poitra, all Dunseith; seven grandchildren; brothers, Lloyd, Ronnie, Clarence, Ernie, all Dunseith; sisters Barbra LaRocque, LouAnn St. Claire, both Dunseith, JoAnn Brunelle, Belcourt. Funeral: Wednesday, 10 a.m., St. Michael Catholic Church, Dunseith. Burial: St. Louis Cemetery, Dunseith. Wake: Tuesday, 4 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. in the church. (Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau)
Reply/Question from Floyd Dion (45): Dunseith, ND
Hi Gary
Brenda Hoffman said that her grandmother lived in Denhoff, ND , and I was wondering if she was related to John Schick. John was from Denhoff and was the State Dairy Inspector, and when I worked for the Bottineau Coop. Creamery he would come and inspect us. I got to know John very good and he was a good man, I really liked him.
Floyd Dion
Reply from Toni Morinville Gredesky (68): Farimount, ND
Gary,
Cecil Gouin is correct about the picture. The woman in the third row next to Cora Mongeon is my grandmother, Eva Dion Morinville Peat. Thanks. Toni Morinville Gredesky
Message from Gary Morgan (54): GARRISON, ND
To Dick & Brenda
Good for You! You’ve made the big time. I’m looking forward to seeing Highway 43 perform at Norsk Hostfest!
Gary Morgan
Reply to Denise Lajimodiere from Bob Lykins (60’s DHS teacher): Germany & Hutto, TX
Gary,
On the Depression thing. I was born in 1940 just at the tail end of the depression. I remember and for years afterwards, until she died in 1975, my mother never threw away old clothing, saved buttons, newspapers, and with a knife would scrape away and save any excess off the wax wrappers that encased a block of butter. Mom and Dad would make quilts from the old clothes. A couple of those quilts have survived and are kept by my youngest sister. If you are her guest in the middle of the winter you will probably be covered at night by one of those quilts. When we were kids my oldest sister and I would try to guess where a swatch of cloth came from and who wore it. The one who was able to guess the most got bragging rights. Mom was always the arbiter. She knew where every swatch of cloth came from. Bob Lykins
Story From Larry Hackman (66): Bismarck, ND
Gary
I don’t think we should just stop and quit talking about the onion just yet. I know there has to be more stories out there. I know whenever onion, especially raw slices are served up on a picnic table or anywhere else, someone has a story to tell. It is funny, that the story is usually funny. Maybe this one will jog a memory or two. What do you think?
Larry
My aunt said she got two slices of bread, buttered them, and installed a thick slice of onion and placed it on a plate with a sprig of parsley.She then took that sandwich out to old Joe, proud of her accomplishment and knowing that it was exactly what he had ordered and the last minute addition of the sprig of parsely made it a masterpiece.Old Joe took one look at the sandwich and said in his astonished, gruff voice, ” What the hell is this”.My aunt replyed, ” a onion sandwich”.Joe said, ” I have never ate anything like that in my life”. He said, “I wanted a hamburger with onion on it”. She said she went back into the kitchen and made the hamburger with a slice of onion, but she couldn,t help laughing as she recalled the expression on Joe’s face when he saw that onion sandwich.Apparently Joe was no Norwegian?My aunt recalled and told the story often as she said that Joe and her would start laughing as soon as they would see each other, when he came through the restaurant door to have his glass of milk and hamburger with a slice of onion. May they both be still laughing and enjoying a sandwich together.
My dad, Clarence always enjoyed a onion sandwich too.His favorite way to make it, was to take rendered pork lard or the grease left after frying up some salt pork and spread that on two slices of bread, sprinkle, salt and pepper over the lard, install the onion slices, paste it all together, then enjoy. Remember, before we had electricity, the only way to preserve pork was to put it into the them wood barrels that were filled with water and a lot of salt.It kept the pork from spoiling in the summer and kept it from freezing in the winter.They also left the skin on the hog when they butchered. They scaldedthe hog after the kill and then scrapped the hair off, cut the meat up into chunks and put it all into the salt barrel. Remember the fried salt pork with the rind (skin) on.It was delicious.As a kid during the meal you would eat meat off the rind, saving the rind beside your plate,then after the meal you would take off outside, with the handfull of rinds that you had saved. You would then pop them rinds into your mouth one at a time, and chew, enjoying the salty fried flavor all over again.It was better then gum.
Thinking of my dad made me think of some of the greetings that he received from some of his old friends from the hills. He had MS so he could not walk for the last 20 years of his life.But, he was always in good spirits and enjoyed the people who came to visit him. I remember one fellow showing up and asking dad what he was doing for excitement.His reply, “I follow the shade around the house”.No air conditioning in them days. Another time a older fellow showed up and greeted dad with, “how is it hanging today Clarence?Dads reply, “head first”.Then they both laughed.Again, another fellow from the Turtle Mountians noticed Dad had forgotten to close his fly. He said, “Claence your horse is going get out”.Dads reply, “If it can’t get up it can’t get out”.Them old timers, of which we are now they, enjoyed life and loved to laugh didn”t they?
My favorite onion sandwich is to toast two slices of bread, spread the toast with butter (smart balance) install a couple slices of braunswiger (liverwurst), a couple slices of sweet onion,cover that with some mustard. Throw that second slice of toast on top of the pile, cut it in half and enjoy.God, this is making me hungry and I had the last of the braunswiger in a sandwich yesterday.I guess I’m going to have to go to the store before lunch. Maybe I better pick up another sweet onion too. yum yum.Must be the German?
I think Gary is right about the onion being the first, best method of birth control.Well, maybe first after garlic.Anyway eating either one before bed time will surely put a damper on things in the bed room.I also have heard and know that some onions can put a damper on things for up to three days after eaten.So the onion does work unless, of course both parties like to eat onion or both hate onion. But then, I have also heard that eating a regular diet of onion and garlic will also keep the mosquitos away.
Remember; laugh and the whole world laughs with you.
By the way.What nationality is Vanorny anyway?
Larry
Jean Eurich Roland’s (80) picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Folks, Jean I believe is an RN and she lives in Minot. She is the youngest daughter of Dave and Winifred Pritchard Eurich. jeanroland@rocketmail.com
Jean, This is a beautiful picture. With you being 15 years my junior, I don’t remember you nearly as well as the rest of your family members. You were just a baby when I was working for Norris and Bud Knutson putting up hay on your folks place. Gary
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05/10/2009
Folks, I have been getting a little careless with the numbering of these messages lately. I sent out two number 452’s. Yesterday’s message should have been 453. Rather than skip a number, today’s is 453. Sorry for the confusion.
I just got a phone call from our neighbor, originally for the Los Angeles area, letting me know his mother died this morning. She has been living with them here in Cebu for several years now. She was 110 ten years old last November. Up until about a year ago, she was able to function pretty much on her own. Her eye sight, hearing and mobility all have been failing this past year. She had a good sound mind right up to the end. For her age, that was remarkable. Gary
Reply from Denise Lajimodiere: Moorhead, MN
Hi Gary,
I got my doctorate in Eductional Leadership at UND. I am now an Ed. Lead. professor at NDSU, Fargo and living a wee bit across the river in Moorhead, but far enough away to escape the major flooding.
Beside keeping, and soon to write from, all of my mom’s (Lola Lajimodiere) history papers and extensive tribal research, I enjoy writing poetry. I’m shopping a manuscript around, and am now working on a second manuscript.
I am hoping to develop a little chap book on Lajimodiere history, especially as it applies to those of us remaining in the US after Louis Riel’s hanging. My great grandfather ‘homesteaded’ in Dunseith. His father, Joseph, was first cousin to Riel, and had to flee Winnipeg. All family members moved back to Canada except my family, where we eventually settled in both Belcourt and Dunseith. My father, Leo, considered Dunseith our family home.
We had relocated to Oregon in the mid ’50s and returned 14 years later to Dunseith. I began my Junior year at UND North Plains Indian Teacher Corps and was placed at the Dunseith Elem. school when Art Rude sr. was principal.
Denise
Denise, I almost had everything right except for the college. I was thinking you were working at UND. We did get several replies for your request that I have included with today’s message. I believe Gary Metcalfe and others knew one of your uncles or a relative of yours quite well in the Turtle Mountain area.David Slyter, I know you are working at NDSU too. It’s a big place, but possibly your paths will cross one of these days.
Brenda Hoffman’s (68) reply to Denise Lajimodiere Greenville, SC
My grandmother in Denhoff, ND was extremely thrifty. She made quilts and pillows out of old coats as obviously did Denise’s relatives, but my favorite was that she saved and cleaned plastic bags and used them to make lovely hook rugs – which were of course perfect for wiping muddy feet. Grandma Schick was a seamstress and until her late 80s created all sorts of clothing – without a “store bought” pattern. She merely looked at the item in the store or the catalog, measured someone and then cut the pattern out of newspapers. She was known throughout the county as a wonderful seamstress and created wedding gowns, cheer leading costumes and whatever else came her way. When she broke her hip, which necessitated her permanent move to the nursing home, she was only concerned that she would be unable to finish the McClusky cheer leading outfits. The paramedics had to reassure her that someone would finish them before she would leave her house. The paramedics kept asking her where her medications were so they could make sure she didn’t miss any doses. Their ongoing questions about meds truly confused her as she didn’t take any! Oh yes, before my grandpa died, they maintained an acre flower and vegetable garden and canned most of the vegetables.
Sybil Johnson’s Reply to Denise Lajimodiere: CHEYENNE, WY
Gary and all,
Yes, about the saved buttons; I have a tin box full of them. They came from both my mother and grandmother. When I was a
kid, I always wondered what they were for. Leave Tuesday for Wisconsin, for my granddaughter’s wedding. August Johnson
and our son DJ will be there, also. Dick, I will let him know about that subject we talked about. Everyone have a peaceful and
quiet day.
Sybil Johnson
Reply from Dave Slyter (70): (Fargo) Sabin, Mn
Gary:
Thanks for the awesome pictures of the Willow Lake Road and the Ackworth cemetary. Its really odd to see buildings behind the cemetary. Its nice to see that Danny built on the home place. The Willow Lake Road in your pictures bring back so many memories. Traveled that road a lot thru the years that I lived in the hills. Going to visit or helping out Aunt Margie Hiatt. Thanks for the memories and all that you do for us thru this blog site.
Dave Slyter (70)
Reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): Battle Ground, WA
Gary,
I didn’t realize there are so many Hiatt’s out there that we don’t know. Thanks for all the work that you put into this. Once again a great job!!!
Also, Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there.
Rhonda Hiatt
Message/Picture from Bill Grimme (65): Birmingham, AL.
Gary,
Saturday in New York. Saw “Hair” (again). Great show. L-R; Irina, me, Sanya (Irina’ daughter), Kais (Sanya’ s husband). I have a friend whose daughter is in this Broadway play. Met her after the performance. Great, high energy performance.
Bill
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Bill, this is a great picture. When you called me last week, I didn’t realize you were headed for NY. You probably told me and it just went right over my head. With all your travels, I can tell you are truly enjoying retired life. In several months you & Irina will be on the other corner of the United States, Seattle, when we go on our cruise. Gary
L-R; Irina (Bill’s Friend), Bill Grimme, Sanya (Irina’ daughter), Kais (Sanya’ s husband).
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
The picture of all the ladies and Father Wolf has me wondering if it
could be the church organization called ‘Catholic Daughters’. When I
hung out with John Boguslawski, there were times when his mom, Alice,
went to meetings of a group called ‘Catholic Daughters’ or ‘Catholic
Daughters of America’–or similar name. It appears all the ladies are
Catholic and with the priest in attendance, it would fit. This is only a
guess though. Thanks Gary!
Dick
Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73):
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Reply to picture of Ladies with Father Wolf: to think those glasses they wore then are coming back.
Sharon Longie Dana(73)
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Reply from Gloria Robillard Patnaude (69): Belcourt, ND
Hi Gary, When I was looking at the picture of the Ladies of Rolette County I noticed the Lady on the far right ,
the one with the dark hair and partially cut from the picture , is my Aunt Melvina (Robillard) Schneider .
Gloria (Robillard) Patnaude
Gloria, You and LeaRae have both identified Melvina. You mention she was partially cut from the picture. There are two more ladies in that row to the right of Melvinal on the original picture. I’m hoping everyone is a recieving full picture? Gary
Reply from LeaRae Parrill Espe (67): Bottineau, ND
Gary, In the picture of the Catholic ladies-the one identified as Sophie(Mrs. Pete) Schneider is Melvina Schneider (Mrs. Hank)
Both of those ladies were in the Happy Home Homemakers Club with my mother. Sophie was Methodist.
The pictures of the Ackworth cemetery and Willow Lake Road are great. Terry’s aunt Maebelle Smith Salmonson is buried there.
Reply from Cecile Gouin Craig (61): Windsor, CO
Hi Gary, just read my daily fix down memory lane. Thanks for all you do.
In the picture of all the ladies (e-mail #452) I believe one of the ladies in the 3rdrow the sixth one in from the right, Is my Great Aunt Eva Morrinville Peat. She was my Grandmother Rena Dion Daoust’s eldest sister. Cecile Gouin Craig.
Reply from Mel Kuhn (70): St. John, ND
Howdy Gary,
In the picture of all the ladies, the one listed as my mom Alice Kuhn is actually her sister Lillian Allard.
Mel Kuhn
Catholic Ladies Photo:
Folks, there are only two unknowns in the 3rd row not identified in this photo. Can any of you identify these ladies? We’ve almost got it. Gary
Row 4; Stella Schimetz, Esther Fugere, Lorna Zeiler, Josie Dionne, Katherine Berube, Eugenie Malo Grenier, Leona Picard, Alma Gottbreht, Phyllis Barbot, Maxine Barbot, Leona Mongeon
Row 3: Rebecca Cote,_________, Alice Christianson, Eva Siem, Josephine Fugere, _______Volh, Cora Mongeon, Eva Morrinville Peat, Elise Picard, Sylvia Heffelfinger, Melvina Schneider, Flora Casavant, Emeline Boucher
Row 2; Olivine Allard, Beatrice Robert, Lillian Allard, Helen Haberman, Alma Casavant, Frances Morinville, Loretta Boguslawski, Alice Boguslawski, Dorothy Robert, Mary Ann Malo, Rita Boucher, Irene Pigeon, Lenore Malo, Alma Berube, Germaine Barbot, Lillian Houle
Row 1: Eva Trafford, Stella Vandal, Esther Neameyer, Emma Cooper, Father Wolf, Lenore Lamoreux, Alice Evans Berube, Hermine Dionne, Gail Lamoreux, Janet Evans
Reply to the Bursinger picture from Evon Lagerquist (77): Dunseith, ND
Ole was Lyle!
Reply to the Bursinger picture from Susan Fassett Martin (65): Spearfish SD
Lyle John Bursinger is Ole Bursinger. Born 12-25-1919
Reply to the Bursinger picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
The best way to explain is—Lyle ‘Ole’ Bursinger. The picture Neola
sent yesterday is of Julius and Clara Overby, Ole’s father-in-law and
mother-in-law. Ole’s son John confirmed that for me last fall. Those of
you who saved the messages can look in #261 for the explanation on who’s
who. Thanks Gary!
Dick
The following to the bottom of the page is posted from message 261 (10/23/08):
From Gary Metcalfe (57):
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Neola, Ole and Lyle Bursinger are one and the same person. Ole was German, but raised by the Norweigan. I would almost swear that is not the Lyle Bursinger I knew.
Thanks all for keeping this going. It brightens my day. Gary Metcalfe
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Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Neola and Friends,
The old picture that has ‘Lyle Bursinger’ on the back is of Mrs. Ole
Bursinger’s parents. I asked John Bursinger and showed him the picture
and he said it is Julius and Clara Overby, Glenice’s parents. In order
to keep from being confusing, Ole’s real name is Lyle and ‘Ole’ is just
a nickname. Thanks Neola and Gary. Dick
Bursinger’s parents. I asked John Bursinger and showed him the picture
and he said it is Julius and Clara Overby, Glenice’s parents. In order
to keep from being confusing, Ole’s real name is Lyle and ‘Ole’ is just
a nickname. Thanks Neola and Gary. Dick
Dick’s reply to GaryGary, Ole’s son, John, lives about a mile south of Ole’s place, which is about
4 miles north and east of my place. Ole’s daughter, Sue, lives in a
newer house with her family in the same yard that Ole lived in. I trade
old cars and parts with John quite often. That is what I was up there
for today, so just printed the photo and took it along. John said his
grandfather used to drink whiskey by the gallon and never even
staggered!He also told me they lived along Highway 43 a couple miles
east, near the Haas’s. I think they died many years ago. Dick
Ole (Lyle) Bursinger’s in-law’s:
Name: Clara Overby
Birth Date: 05 January 1888 (Historical Events)
Death Date: June 1966 (Historical Events)
Issuing State: Washington
Residence at Death: Saint John,Rolette,North Dakota 58369
SSN: 538-20-9071
Birth Date: 05 January 1888 (Historical Events)
Death Date: June 1966 (Historical Events)
Issuing State: Washington
Residence at Death: Saint John,Rolette,North Dakota 58369
SSN: 538-20-9071
Julius and Clara Overby
05/09/2009
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Reqest from Denise Lajimodiere:
Gary,
I’m writing an article on what folks did during the depression to survive, or did or still do to be thrifty: Example – save old coats to make quilts, save buttons in cigar boxes, save the tissue that fruit came wrapped in. Can you put this out to the wonderful folks on this blog to see what memories we all have?
Correction from Debbie Poitra Rondeau (77): Dunseith, ND
Hi Gary
I have to correct myself I was looking at the April calendar when I wrote the date wrong for Clifford George Counts he passed away on May 6, 2009. Not May 8, 2009 Sorry Everyone
Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
Dear Gary,
Your e-mails came through just fine. Thank You. Also really enjoyed our visit on the telephone today. Hope some day to have the opportunity to meet you.
Sincerely
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
The Awalt Family
Reply form Larry St. Claire (66): Anchorage, AK.
Hi, it’s Larry StClaire in Anchorage Alaska. The picture of the 2 little girls are my nieces, Tracey and Robin, who are my sister Renee’s daughters.
Question from Ivy Eller Robert (74): Everett, WA.
Hi Gary….
I thought I knew all of the cemeteries around the Dunseith area, but where is the Ackworth Cemetery? I don’t recall knowing about that one! Thanks….. Ivy Robert P.S. The Roy Family is from the St. John area! : )
Ackworth Cemetery taken from the Stokes farm yard. Dan Pladson’s buildings are in the back.
My Great Grandfather William Stokes, donated one acre of land to the Ackworth community for
this cemetery in the early nineteen hundred’s.
This is the Willow lake road looking south from the Ackworth Cemetery. Highway 43 is one mile
south. The Ackworth school was originally located 1/2 mile east from the intersection. In about
1981 the school was moved to just behind the trees on the left. That is where the Ackworth Post
Office was located.
Properties in the photo: (1) Stokes’ to the left before the intersection, (2) Original Stokes place now
owned by Danny Pladson to the right before the intersection, (3) Albert Hiatt’s property, not sure
who owns it now, to the left on the other side of the intersection. I think the Lagerquist’s probably
own Albert’s now. (4) Clarence Hagen’s property to the right just beyond the intersection.
Note: Evon Lagerquist lives 3/4 mile south from this intersection. She lives on the Robert Pritchard
Farm.
This is the Willow Lake road looking North from the Ackworth Cemetery. I’ll bet this looks
pretty familiar to all you Fauske folks? Your farm, located on the original John Hiatt farm,
is locate one mile north and about a half mile west from this location. Russell and Glenda
Fauske are currently living on your farmstead. This road eventually leads into Canada two
and a half miles to the north.
Note/Picture from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Kenneth Bergman is the son of Otto/Elizabeth Fraser Bergman (Page 10 in Centennial Book)
Marian is the daughter of Gerald/Leah Richard Bergeron (Page 241 in the Centennial Book)
It’s a small world: When Gerald passed away, Leah moved to Bottineau. My apartment is upstairs in the house Leah lived in for many years. Until a couple of years ago, I thought Leah had moved this house to Bottineau. To me, it was “Leah Bergeron’s house”. I’ve learned this house is an Aasheim farmhouse. I think Jean Aasheim Zorn (Leo–Page 287 in the Centennial Book.) said it came from her grandfather’s farm.
Jean’s parents were Joe/Mabel Ihla Aasheim. Joe and my dad worked at Haugerud Garage back in the 1940’s. Oscar Vikan owned it when Dad started working there.
I scanned this picture to send to Gary Berg (son of Alvina/Lillian Torgerson Berg) for his Class of ’59 website. Then I decided to include Gary Stokes, as I think he might be interested in it, too. Next, I added more info and decided to include some of my relatives, as Ed Kofoid, son of
Fred/Wilma Bosch Kofoid, is married to Leo/Jean’s daughter, Nancy. There is no end to the connections! Lynne Bergman Boettcher, Kenneth’s sister, is my classmate, so I’m including the Class of ’57 in this email, too!
Neola
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05/08/2009
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Clifford George Counts Passed away:
From Debbie Poitra Rondeau (77): Dunseith, ND
Hiatt family Tree – 4 generations from Herman (Victoria & Alice) HIatt
Folks, this is what I have come up with for the Hiatt family tree. Please let me know of any corrections/additions that need to be made. The primary purpose of this tree is to identify those in the Hiatt family and where they fit into the family picture.
I have also attached the Power Point slide of the Hiatt family tree. Gary
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05/07/2009
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Marion Stickland McFadden (57) Passed away:
From Lee Stickland (65): Dickinson, ND
Eric, Bros and Gary,
While Gloria and I were walking in the Pacific Ocean on Monday, I received a call from Eleanor Awalt Stickland, Leonard’s wife.
Dad’s youngest sibling, Marian, has passed away. I believe she was 70 years old. She was married to Robert McFadden and they lived in or near Columbus, OH.
I do not have any particulars. Maybe Sharon Peterson Harmsom (sp), my cousin, does or will shortly.
WE arrived home at 2 am this Wednesday morn, having been in San Marcos, at Erics’ for five full days. It took less than 6 full hours to go from San Diego to Bismarck; 4 hours 10 minutes flying time.
WE had 5 perfect nights’ stay at the Inns of America in Carlsbad, CA. I would recommend that property without any hesitation.
About time for milkin’ so best get some shut-eye.
LEE
From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56) Becker, MN
Dear Gary,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you that Marion Stickland McFadden of the class of 1957 died on Monday May 4, 2009. Marion lived in Howard, Ohio. The funeral is on Friday. Joy Stickland Peterson, and Eleanor and Leonard Stickland are inroute to attend the funeral and I will send more when they return.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
Question from Geri Metcalfe Munro (59): Fargo, ND
Gary—Where did that strange email address after my name on the reply re: the Roy family—-has that address gotten into the wrong place?
Geri
Pictures posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Folks, Albert and Gladys Rude lived a very short distance east and on the south side of the road from Salem Church, located on Highway 43 in the Hills. In my growing up days we were very close friends with the Rude’s. They were like family. We were all very active members of Salem Church. Their son LaVerne is married to Carrole Fauske (66). It was an honor to introduced Carrole and LaVerne at a basket ball game in Dunseith in 1964. They were married in 1967. Carrole and LaVerne live in Vancouver, WA. They, along with Carrole’s sister Connie (62) & her husband, who also live in the Vancouver area, will be joining us at the Seattle Dunseith Reunion Dinner, at the Best Western, in Seattle on July 24th. Gary
There’s only one picture of Connie. When I mail the other “Roy” picture, I’ll include this one, too.
Neola
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05/06/2009
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Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
Dear Gary,
For some reason I haven’t received any of the messages lately, I have been having Marshall send them to me. Haven’t received any since your computer went down. I just don’t enjoy my morning cup of tea as much without your morning message to go along with it. Thank you for all you do.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
Replies to the Roy family posted yesterday:
1. Reply from Geri Metcalfe Munro (59): Fargo, ND
GARY
The picture of the Roy family in today’s blog is the Arda & Chris Roy family of St. John. Valri (Snook) lives on main street in St. John (post office bldg) and her mother lives in St. John. Arda was the postmaster in St. John for many years. Geri 2. Reply from Bernard Morin (76): Dunseith, ND
I think the Roy family is from the Rolla- St John area. The young lady in the back row on the right is Connie Roy-Thibert. She was my youngest daughters 3rd grade teacher in St- John, I talked to her tonight and will be giving her Neola’s e-mail as she was interested in that photo. I,ll also contact Neola with what info that I have.
3. Reply from LeaRay Parrill Espe (67): Bottineau, ND
Gary, The Roy family is from St. John.
4. Reply from Mel Kuhn (70): St. John, ND
Howdy Gary,
The picture of the Roy family is from St. John. I’ll print it out and get the names correct.
Mel
5. Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary,
The Roy family is from St. John. Dick
 Reply from Florence Hiatt Dahl (50): Anchorage, AK
Gary.Bless your heart. I think of the time you must spend on all this and it boggles my mind. I had no idea that Harmon had been married three times..Of course He and my grandmother were dead before I was born and it was never talked about. Too busy just living………Have been gone from N.Dak so long that I feel disconnected. Alaska is home. And my children of course feels no connection. Not into this geology thing. So again I say thank you and bless you Florence
Ackworth Cemetery:
Folks, thanks to Evon Lagerquist for doing a hands on visual recording of those buried in Ackworth and with Carrie Salmonson Johnson, the Ackworth Cemetery association secretary, for providing the cemetery records, I think we have a pretty complete list of all those buried in Ackworth. I have attached the Excel file and have pasted a copy below.
If someone can provide similar info for some of the other smaller cemeteries in the Dunseith and Turtle Mountain areas, I’d be glad to put those list together too.
Vance Bailey (deceased) put together some very detailed listings for some of the other larger cemeteries. Doreen, Vance’s wife, has provided me with the cemetery records that Vance had for Riverside, St. Lewis, Mount Saint Mark (Bottineau County), Inherred Lutheran (located Near #43 & #14 on the west edge of the Turtle Mountains) and Salem Cemetery ( located 3 miles into Bottineau county on #43).
Doreen, I was very surprised when I saw the Innerred church pictures and cemetery listing. My dad’s brother Emil Petterson and his wife Lillian were members of that church.
Once we get the smaller cemeteries squared away, I’d like to update Vance’s records starting with River side and St. Louis Cemeteries. I think what everyone sees on the NET for Rolette county cemeteries was pretty much provided by Vance Bailey. Having to use a 3rd party for posting, I think it was difficult for Vance to keep the posting of these cemetery records current.
As we get these lists squared away, I’d like to post them on the Dunseith Alumni site that I have. Once these lists are brought up to date they can easily be maintained and kept current on the WEB site. I can give others rights to this sight too, so they can go in an update these records as well.
Gary
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05/04/2009
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Hiatt history from Leola Hiatt Lagerquist and Nettie Hiatt Peterson: Dunseith & St. John
Posted by Evon Lagerquist (77): Dunseith, ND
Gary, it is Harmon Albert Hiatt, he was born in 1854 and died in 1923, according to his head stone at the cemetary, and Mom and Nettie. His 1st wife and mother to Amos & Henry was Mary Victoria Louder Hiatt. She was born in 1862 and died in 1885 in Iowa. GGHarmon then married Louisa Alice Woodford, and they had George Franklin, Joseph William(Uncle Willie), Anna May, John Jackson(Uncle John J.), James Arthur(Uncle Art), Hannah Dililah(Lila), Charlottie Marie, Harry Isaac, and Walter LeRoy. After Louisa’s death, he married Myrtle Emma Klang. So, Harmon Albert Hiatt had 3 wives all together!! Calvin Hiatt in Portland, OR. may have more onfo on the Hiatt’s. Thanks, Gary.
Evon
Dale Pritchard’s (63): reply to Wayne Smith (61): Leesville, LA
Wayne,
I’m sorry to have taken so long getting back to you. Circumstances went
beyond my control. I see your first email is dated Apr 12. I went to a Corps of Engineers training class in Dallas on Apr 6 and didn’t get back until Apr 17. On the 19th, Winifred Eurich passed away and I was going to come up for the funeral. The following day, before I even got plane reservations made, my wife’s younger brother, at 54, died of a heart attack in Mississippi. We got back from there on Sun the 26th and I’ve been playing catch-up ever since. I’d love to get that Japanese instrumental back if it’s the one your Uncle Hank has/had. I knew him as Henry so Hank sounds a little strange. I don’t really remember a second record but there may have been. I have a friend with a turn-table so maybe I can copy it to a tape and then to a CD. If you need me to pay postage – no problem. Wayne, I don’t think I’ve seen you since your high school graduation. I probably wouldn’t recognize you now if I met you on the street. They say everybody changes except yourself? That may or may not be right. I’ve always tried to come back home at least once a year but once I get there it’s hard to get away to look up anyone. You live right in Bottineau right? Dale
Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
Hello Gary, PeeWee Nelson’s first name was Winnfre.
to: Jan Bergan Evans Was surprised to find Anton Olson’s homesteaded up on the Canadian border, at Rab Lake in Willow Lake Township near the Bottineau County Line.
Also Louis Burgan spelled differently from your grandfather’s Bergan. Gary Metcalfe
Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
There is only one Wicks that I remember– Carl Wicks. He lived on the Dick  |
05/03/2009
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Question from Larry Hiatt (Grandson of Henry Hiatt): Medford, OR
Thank you for all of the information about the ND Hiatt’s. I have officially requested the “Prairie Past & Mountain
Memories Centennial Book” For my birthday. If I don’t get it I will purchase it my self. However I do have 2 questions If you know any one that has the answers.
1) is it Harmon or Hermon? I see it both ways.
2) Does any one know his first wife’s name. It looks like she is probably my relation. Until now I didn’t even know that there were 2 of them.
Larry Hiatt
Reply from Blanche Wicks Schley (42): bschley@medicine.nodak.edu Grand Forks, ND
The Wicks brothers Thanks buried at Little Prairie Cemetery were my uncles.
The family originally lived in Minnesota and came to Bottineau first.
They had a livery stable there and my Dad and my Uncle Henry married Lillian and Mabel Bittner in Bottineau. I do not know just when my other Uncles moved to the Turtle Mountain area or just where there first home was located — it was north of Dunseith.
The men lived together (My only other Uncle to marry was Lewis “Duffy” who was the father of Harold whose obitiary was also into day’s e-mail. )
Thanks, Eileen, for posting this picture.
You also sent the obit on Harold Wicks. His wife, Gretchen, has also passed away.
Reply from Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): Dunseith, ND
Thank you all for the Wicks information.
I have been to Little Prairie and have seen the grave site. One of the stories I remember Dad telling was the Wicks Boys traveling the hills withastallion for breeding. I think quite a lot of people in the area raised colts from this horse. Apparently the training skills were legendary also as I remember that being mentioned also. I did not know about the other jobs they had such as ice cutting, etc.
Am I correct in thinking of Missouri as a starting point for the Wicks in the USA? My grandfather was born in Kansas but had roots in Missouri as well. He moved to ND to homestead at Alexander (near Williston) where he met and married my grandmother who was born in SD. They later moved to the Turtle Mts where they raised their two children. Carl Wicks became one of their treasured neighbors and friend. Where does Carl fit into this family? I think it may have been Wilder who had the club foot. Correct me if I am wrong. And yes, from what I remember they were a very hardworkingand colorful bunch of characters. Thank you again.
ele
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
Gary,
It’s a wonderful Sunday morning here in Bottineau.
There is a MARCH FOR HOPE walk at 1:00.
This is a local effort initiated by 3 of Mavis Hagen’s friends.
Mavis, Wife of Art, Mother of Josh and Devonne, daughter in law of Clarence and Mary Ann.
…Mavis Hagen……..MH …March for Hope. The three friends had worked here in the system for years with Mavis and last fall decided they wanted to do something for her to support Mavis through the cancer treatment.
Mavis passed away.
Her husband. Art and dedicated friends did not give up and continue the endeavor…
The March for Hope starts from Bottineau to the Christian Center at the Lake.
Contributions have exceeded $8,000. These $ will stay in the area to provide local support $ to area people fighting cancer to get $ for travel to treatment ….etcetera.
It is a beautiful day. AND the idea was to walk up hill toward the Christian Center….
As we all know that individuals fighting cancer……. Walk the Walk….
…..the uphill battle….figuratively)
Take care, Love Vickie
Reply from Bob Lykins (60’s DHS teacher): Germany & Hutto, TX
Gary,
There is a large onion festival held every September in Grieshiem, Germany (just west of Darmstadt). Lotsa beer and onions. You would be amazed at what they can prepare using onions as the main ingredient. If you loved your Dad’s onion sandwich, you will flip out over a German product on brotchen with beer. Bob Lykins Reply from Shirley Peltier (66): Sacaton, AZ
Gary, the attached photo sent by Neola in e-mail #421 on 4-6-09 is my mother’s maternal aunt. Her name was Josephine Patnaude LaFournaise. This family moved to Boggy Creek, Manitoba from Turtle Mountain. Josephine’s children and grandchildren reside throughout Manitoba–I’ve met several of them. My mother collected pictures of her aunts/various ancestors, and probably had reprints made for relatives. Mom (Louise Peltier) does not recall who Neola might be, so I suggest that Neola call Mom at 244-2156.
I was meaning to contact you sooner with this information, but the last few months got so hectic at work. I’ve sent my Sis, Carol, a copy of this e-mail. Carol can give Mom a copy of the e-mail. Thanks, SPeltier
From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
Back in the fall of 1959, we had an early snowstorm that dumped lots of
Ackworth Cemetary Listing posted by Evon Lagerquist (77): Dunseith, ND
Hi Gary, I went to the cemetary and made a list of the names of the people at Ackworth. They include: Dorian Crawford, Alma Crawford, John Crawford, Sam Pederson, Olaf & Kate Pederson, Minnie M. & John J. Hiatt,Laurel Hiatt, Willis E., Amber E., & J. Alvin Radley, Willie E. Hiatt,
Lillie A. & Leonard F. Radley, Harmon Albert & Louisa Alice Hiatt, Harry I. Hiatt, Will J. & Margaret Hiatt, Charlotte Hiatt, Alida Hiatt, Baby Girl Hiatt{1918}, Margareta & Johan Berglund, George F. & Eva L. Hiatt, George F.Hiatt,Jr., Arnold, Albert, Alice, Dennis Hiatt, Darrel(Jack)Peterson, Traci Louise Parks, Maybelle O. Salmonson, Maurice & George Fell, John Lagerquist, Trey M. Lagerquist, Robert E. & Elaine A. Stokes, Clarence & Edna Salmonson, Norman & Irene Hiatt, Latieff E. Hiatt, William H.tokes, Rebecca Rindahl, Robert Pritchard, John Pritchard, Shirley Ann Zahn, Norman Pritchard, Ida & William Pritchard.
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:Minot & Bottineau, ND
Hi Bottineau Bunch,
More of you might remember Oscar and Yvette Brunsell, Chase’s grandparents better than Chase’s parents. At one time, I remember (barely) Yvette owned the neatest dress/ladies’ shop on Main Street in Bottineau.
Neola
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05/02/2009-2
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Folks, I got mixed up and skipped right over message number 445, so there is no 445 for those of you wondering if you missed it. Gary
Reply from Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI
I remember the early storm of ’59 well — party because it was one of those things Dad commented about on occasion. It wasn’t the coldest or snowiest winter of all time, but had to be one of the longest. 8-12 inches of snow on Oct. 6 —– and still snow in tree rows and on the north side of buildings until early May.
Allen
Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
Gary Stokes
I see where you have tried to locate Lee Striker’s daughter, Janice. I can tell you her name was Janice Nelson as late as 1955 when they lived on Lee’s place one mile west of Arnold Zieler. She was married to PeeWee Nelson. I don’t know where Olson came into it. She has a sister Lola in California, married to Virgil Sebelius.
To Elle Dietrich, this may be more than you want to know about the Wicks Brothers. Doug Stricker told me a lot about the Wicks Bros. At least one of them had a club foot, a speech impediment ??. They started out in Bottineau in about 1900. Their name was on a deed for 10 acres I bought about 5 miles north on the Lake Road. They absolutely were a very colorful group, eight brothers and these were some of their occupations: livery stables, house movers, cut ice on Lake Metigoshe and hauled it to Bottineau, cleared land BY HAND, shoe repair, harness maker and repair, horse traders and breeders, (I think they bred large horses) and they were also horse trainers.
Elle, I am sure you knew Ray Anderson, that gentleman farmer-neighbor of yours. He and Duffy Wicks were alleged to be the best whist players in the area at the time. But then Ray thought he still was pretty skokum. He claimed to have been a boxer, “black sheep of the family”, I think he was proud of that.
Jan Bergan Evans, it looks like you got enough answers about Kelvin, but you may not know that your great grandfather, Anton Olson’s homestead was bordered on the north by my grandfather, William Metcalfe. Anton’s land would have included Rabbit City Lake. I don’t know where Annie Olson Anthony or Clara Olson Bergan are buried.
With all due respect, I can’t help thinking that Tom Brokaw hadn’t heard about the generation that came in from the east and couldn’t leave the frozen land. Then raised the greatest generation. The next generation played sports and read comic books and then teewee! So I will say that John Bedard was like the Wicks brothers, he had to do it if it was going to get done. He was such a good cook, he always had company. My dad was proud to recommend John to take care of the food on the yacht during the war years. He told me John could cook for 3 people or 30 people and know exactly how much food to prepare. You learn a lot about a person when you live with them for four or five months. He treated his hired man, Maynard Rising Sun with respect. Lots of you should remember John behind the counter at Red Owl meat dept. with his white shirt and sleeves rolled up. He was still working hard at 86 years. I don’t deal with those messy toasted cheese sandwiches any more, John showed me how to cut the cheese and put it between two pieces of toast. Just as good and much neater. By the way John was a good singer.
Yes, they came here with the promise of “free land”. It was free, but caused many of them an early death. Clint Anderson was one that went the extra mile. My grandfather left great surroundings in the east. The first year lived in a dug out in bank of a creek in Hillside Township. Not to mention Moise.Ducheno (sp?) with 18 kids.
Pam Wenstad, I didn’t know about the onion sandwich trait. The Norweigan trait I do like is coffee in bed in the morning. My dad had coffee in bed every morning. His wife was all Norweigan and I can’t begin to move without coffee in bed in the morning.
Like Larry Hackman says, “Laugh and the World Laughs With You”
Picture from Sandy Zeiler Vandal (62): Elk River, MN
None of us have changed a bit, would be great is everyone would sign in and say HI.
Sandy Vandal (Zeiler)
From Left to Right:
Helen Metcalfe, Robert Berube, James Bedard, Nancy Hosmer, Sharon Pearson, Margaret Bedard, Charlotte LaCroix.
 Reply from Blance Wicks Schley (42): Grand Forks, ND
Just read your daily blog re the Wicks connection. Yes, I am the youngest (abd surviving) member of the Albert Wicks family. My folks originally lived in the Turtle Mountains on a farm called the Pickel (sp) place. Once when my sister Gwyn and I came to Dunseith we drove around in the area that she thought this place was located. But, even stopping into Kelvin store and receiving directions, we were unable to find it. This place was in the Peace Garden area.(I remember that they attended a rural school in the Turtle Mountains). We moved into Dunseith in 1929 and lived there until 1938. My four siblings graduated from high school in Dunseith and I graduated from the 8th grade. Graduating dates: Gladys, 1932; Marjorie, 1933; Gwendolyn. 1932; Henry. 1938. Marjorie passed away in 1934 and is buried in Dunseith.
It was interesting to see the picture of the school in one of your recent e-mails.
Enjoy your daily news, Gary. \
Blanche Schley
Reply from Eileen Brudwick: Fargo, ND
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05/02/2009
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Folks, When I got my computer back from the shop last Monday, after having lost all my files when they reformatted my hard drive, I encountered some newly developed and very frustrating graphic problems with my system. I give Bill Grimme all the credit in the world for diagnosing and advising corrective actions to fix my problems. My system has never ever performed as well as it is right now. The graphics and operation of my whole system are superb. It’s such a pleasure using a trouble free system. Thank you Bill. Gary
Question from Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): Dunseith, ND
Message from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Hi Gary,
Ginger (LaRocque Poitra)/her husband, Tony, came to get the pictures today.
When I get to Bottineau (This darn flu is hanging on longer than I had planned!), I’m going to sort through the pictures/put them in a box (Ginger/Tony said they’ll come to Bottineau and get them.) This shouldn’t take too long, as I won’t try to identify them. Between Ginger, her husband and her mother-in-law, I think they’ll recognize most of the people and deliver them to the people. Bless Ginger/Tony/his mother!!I just visited with Pat Hanlan’s mother (Thanks for the info, Linda Juntunen.) She was very surprised to hear from me, naturally.
She thinks it’s so great to receive these “old” proofs. I asked about Pat. The person (Ginger/Tony’s daughter Michaela) who thinks he works in Alaska is correct. Pat is home (St. John) for three weeks/in Alaska for three weeks–I THINK I have this correct! I forgot to inquire if he drives trucks. Believe it, or not, I get a little flustered when I visit with people I don’t know! Ha! I’m not crazy about visiting on cell phones, either!If I think of anything else, I’ll send another email. I was up all night until about 10:30 this morning, scanning/saving/sending pictures before Ginger came (about 12:45) to pick them up. Needless to say, when I finally went to bed/recliner, I slept until about 6:00 this evening.
I HOPE to get an email written about May baskets, too. I remember them well.
All for now.
Neola
Reply from Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI
In response to Carmen Richard — About Calvin, ND — two of my college friends grew up and went to school there. I drove by it on my way to the reunion. It looks like the only business still open is the grain elevator, and I’m not totally sure about that. Pretty much like Overly these days.
Message Pictures from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
Dear Gary,
Some memories of the Dave and Winifred Eurich Family. Winifred lived with our family (John and Gertrude Awalt) while she was going to High School. She became very close to our family and we loved her dearly. I was born while Winifred lived with us and she was the person that named me. I appreciated the name as it was hard to nick name. After Dave and Winifred married we often took turns staying out and their farm We played tag in the hay mound of the barn, sometimes the tag got pretty rough. ( Ask Floyd and his broken arm) When Mother had breast cancer, Winifred came to the house and cared for her through her recovery. Enclosed are some of the pictures I have of Winifred, Dave and Eileen.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
Message/picture from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
Back in the fall of 1959, we had an early snowstorm that dumped lots of  |
