Just to let you know how interesting I find your web sight. Would you add Dorothy Pritchard to your mailing list. This is the e-mail address to which she would receive it: activitynd@yahoo.com. This is the activity department at the Long Term Care Center at St Andrews in Bottineau. She became interested when the articles on Sylvia Bergan were put out. They were from the same area and went to the same school as kids and Dorothy tells of how they became friends after she and Robert were married. Sylvia and Oscar were living west of Boundary Lake and Robert and Dorothy were living on the same place where they always lived only the house was further back to the east.(I could be off on that one). Any way, Robert trapped around Boundary Lake and she had gone with him to check traps on this particular day and they decided to walk on over to Oscar and Sylvia. Can you imagine! There were no groomed trails or paved walkways at that time. I didn’t ask her if they were wearing snow shoes or skis. Anyway, they became very good friends over the years. They both wound up at St Andrews Long Term Care. Sylvia was unable to visit anymore but she always recognized Dorothy and they always acknowledged each other with a little wave. So sad! Dorothy loves to visit and is getting hard of hearing but she still loves a good laugh. Appreciate all the local news. Thanks. Mary Knutson

Dorothy, it is with great pleasure, and I stress great pleasure for me to add you to our daily distribution list. It is wonderful that they have email capabilities for you to be able to get these daily messages. I had to take a double take to realize that it was you that Mary was requesting to be added to our distribution list. This is absolutly wonderful. I am adding you near the top of today’s message hoping that the staff will readily see it and share it with you. I am assuming Mary has probably alerted the staff to be on the look out for these messages to share with you. Dale and Carol are also on this daily distribution. Please alert the staff that these messages are posted daily. Feel free to reply as you see fit too. I’m sure the staff will assist you with all of your replies. We’d love to hear from you.

 

Folks, Dorothy and Robert Pritchard lived one mile south of us up in the hills. John (62), Dale (63) & Carol (67) are her children that attended and graduated from DHS. I always make it a point to visit Dorothy with each of my trips back to the area. At 96 she is sharp as a tack. Evon Lagerquist is now living on the Pritchard farm. Dorothy and Sylvia Striker Bergan both lived in the Cando area as kids.

 

Mary, Dorothy always speaks highly of you. Your good deeds have not gone unnoticed and have for sure not been forgotten by Dorothy. You are a wonderful niece in Dorothy’s eyes.

 

Folks, I would suggest adding “Attention Dorothy Pritchard” in the subject line for messages you’d like to send to Dorothy using her email address listed above. Gary

 

Dorothy Pritchard on her 96th birthday (January 2009) With Darrel(Bud) Stokes

 

Reply from Jim Casavant (73): Old White School House: Jamestown, ND

I started !st grade in 1961 in the old white school house. I was in Mrs. Seim’s room on the first floor on the east side of the old school house. I remember those first days of school in Dunseith School was like going to New York City after living in that small world on the farm. Mom worked in the kitchen in the basement which was comforting, but I can remember one day climbing up those steep basement steps and instead of turning to go to my first grade room, I somehow got lost and kept on walking down that long breezeway to the “upper grades” side of the school. By the time I reached those steps by the offiice, I thought I had walked off the end of the Earth and was lost forever. I think it was Principal Art Rude or Joan Wurgler, the secretary who tuned me around and headed me back in the right direction. Isn’t it funny how small things like that seem so big at the time and stick in your mind forever. That area where the old gym and locker rooms were also had a second !st grade class room on the west side of the gym. I think you had to climb some steps to get up to it. Mrs. Aus taught first grade there, then they left Dunseith a few years later. Mrs Emma Halvorson also had a second grade class room in that area just before you got to the office steps. I remember Mrs. Seim and Mrs. Halvorson as very kind teachers.

Jim, it’s great to hear from you. You are enough younger than me for me to remember you, but I knew some of the rest of your family well. I graduated with Rene and Joe. As mentioned before, I remember your mother well too, working in the Kitchen. Gary

Reply to yesterday’s message from Don Aird: St Louis, MO

That last picture reminded me of the Vietnamese and their mo-peds. I remember at Tet, 1970, just north of Hue, watching a family of five riding to a celebration, all on a mo-ped dressed in their Sunday best. Another guy had two adult pigs wrapped in a bamboo blankets strapped to the back of his mo-ped. Each pig was facing the opposite direction at right angles to the bike.

Message/picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

Back in the summer of ’62, Keith Smith (67) and I decided to get an
old Model A Ford coupe running. His older brothers, Ron (61) and Wayne
(61) had driven it to country school and had moved on to newer cars and
just let the old coupe sit in the weeds. Keith was 13 and I was 12 at
the time. We put an old battery in it and found several different size
wheels and tires, one 16″, one 19″, one 21″, and yet another, but they
all held air! We kept on tinkering until we got it going. The old
battery was nearly dead so we rolled it down the hill to get it started.
We always had to find a hill if we were going to shut it off. The
rattling old 4 banger motor had an updraft carburetor that leaked gas
all the time so we hung a coffee can under it and when the can got some
gas in it, we would pour it back into the gas tank! Every time we
stopped we had to be sure to shut the gas tank valve off or it would all
run on the ground. There was no fabric center in the roof so we found a
piece of plywood just a little bigger than the hole, and put it on top.
We drove big nails through the plywood and the tin and I bent them over,
inside the car, while Keith held the post maul on the nail heads. We
also didn’t have the bottom floor boards so had to keep our feet up on
the front floor boards and could watch the road go by under us! The seat
was shot so we threw the springs out and put two old car rims inside and
another board on top of them for us to sit on. It might have been a
death trap—but we were rolling! We terrorized the neighborhood with
that old car and now had a way to get back and forth between their farm
and ours, about two miles by road.Up until then, we had to walk or ride
horse about a mile or so around Horseshoe Lake through the trees and
across our pasture. We would take the old coupe out on their hay meadow,
just out of sight from the house, and wind her up and spin cookies on
the grass—of course, after the hay had been stacked. One evening we
were zipping across the meadow, and when Smitty cranked the steering
wheel to one side, we lost a front wheel! The hub dug into the soft
ground and we did a 180 so fast we nearly banged our heads together. The
wheel and tire headed across the meadow and went into the woods and
disappeared. We looked for it for a long time but finally gave up. Ron
found the wheel and tire years later when he was fixing fence deep in
the trees! It went a lot farther than we figured possible!One thing
about a Model A that is rather unique, is the speedometer. It has a
small window through which you can see the numbers that indicate your
speed. As you go faster the numbers move and it shows you how fast you
are going. Those cars were made to drive around 40-50 on the highway.
This old car had loose steering and bald tires and would dive from side
to side on the road and was not safe at 25-30, let alone 40-50. Well,
Smitty was used to the loose steering and we would take it down the big
hill, on the road between Smith’s and our place, as hard as it would
go— so we could see the numbers on the speedometer that had never seen
daylight before! The numbers–50 and 60–looked like new! One fateful
day later in the summer, Al and Audrey Smith, Keith’s parents were out
in their garden and heard us winding up the old Model A and spotted us
as we went flying down the hill about a half mile away. When we came
back into the yard later, driving nice and slow of course, I saw Al
coming toward us with ‘that look’ on his face. When we got out of the
car, he opened the hood and took out his jack knife and CUT the fan belt
and gave it a toss! I knew we were in deep! He told Keith, “You get in
the house!” He then turned to me and said, “You better get home!” YES
SIR, that’s where I’m headed! That was the last time the old Ford ran.
Looking back, I know we could easily have killed ourselves.We had it up
to 60-65 a few times! The old coupe is still sitting at Smith’s and we
still chuckle about our ‘land speed record’ attempt in the summer of
’62. For many years I have looked high and low for the picture of us
standing by Smitty’s Model A, but to no avail. I knew someone had taken
one and I had seen it long ago. My cousins, Doug and Brad Warcup, were
back that summer from California for a visit and were also in the
picture. I went through literally thousands of pictures and several
albums, but no luck. Last night I sat down at the computer to read the
days emails and what appears on my screen—-the picture I have searched
for for years! Wayne and Rosemary found it in some of Audrey’s old
photos and thought I might like to see it. I may have given it to Keith
when we were kids, or maybe this is the picture I saw, I can’t remember,
but this picture means more to me than anyone can imagine! That car,
that summer 47 years ago, was the very trigger that sent me into a
lifelong love of old cars! Thanks to Wayne and Rosemary Smith for making
my day—-year, actually! Thanks Gary!

Dick

( The picture is dated ’63, but wasn’t developed until later)

From L-R Doug Warcup, Brad Warcup, Keith Smith, Dick Johnson

July 2007

Rich Campbell(68)

July 2007

Deb Morinville Marmon (70) &

Colette Pigeon Schimetz(70)

Folks, Have any of you had any contact with Randy Kelly? Being on

President George Bush’s Staff, he was kind of a hard guy to get in

contact with. Randy was also mayor of St. Paul, MN for a number of years too.

If any of you have contact with Randy, please let him know we’d love to

hear from him. Gary

Cousins Randy Kelly(69) & Donna LaCroix Allard (64)

Previously posted with message 104 on 5-16-08

Subject: pictures of Ole & Bing.

“I remember a Sat. night in Dunseith being carried to the car by dad
with Bing walking beside us. He had on kakki pants & a white shirt.
He reminded me of Uncle Archie. He was likeable to me & I wasn’t
afraid of him. I must have been 2 or 3. I remember when Bing fell
asleep with a cigarette & died in a fire. It was hard on everyone,
he was well liked & the neighborhood hero. I noticed how upsetting
it was for Lola even though we were both so little. He had been in
the army 8 years. Mom took care of Lola while Ella went to the
funeral, she was about 2 or 3. That weekend, the Evan’s (all of
Ella’s brothers, sisters & families) & mom & dad spend that Sun at

Jim’s. There were lots of kids to play with. I knew they were my
cousins cousins & kind of related which made it all the more fun.
Mom’s cousin Evelyn Nerpal (Lizzies daughter) was married to Arnie
Evans & their oldest was Marvin, I knew he was my cousin , he was
about my age.
I remember having night mares then. Dying by being burned in a fire
sounded like a horror movie to me. It seemed like it was
January/February & freezing cold. Ole’s wife Cora & Ella’s sister
Hanna seemed so classy & pretty to me. Ole was really darkskinned &
sat in that chair by the stove next to the stairway. To come down
from playing upstairs and go to the bathroom or kitchen, I had to
walk right by him. Every time I had to come by him he would make the
ugliest face at me. Lola wasn’t afraid of him, she thought it was
funny watching his expression when she pulled her dolls head off.

When we went to go home & milk cows, it was dark and cold. Dad
backed the pickup up over the heavy wire that had come down from the
electric high line pole, Arnie & Ole came out & lifted the back end
of the pickup off so we could get out. This is one of the first
memories I have of a gathering of relatives.”

THANKS GARY. SINCERELY, VICKIE

Dick, Both of those pictures were posted in May 2008 and I think I remember you making that correction with Cliff and not Gary at that time too and I failed to correct it. I save these pictures referencing the email message they were posted with for future reference. I hope I don’t make this same mistake several years down the road if I repost this same picture. I am amazed at how well you remember and how well you know the history of the area from the very beginning. You are amazing an guy Dick and an inspiration to all of us. We love and look forward to all of your contributions. You are a major contributor to the success of what we have going today. Gary

Brenda, With a little research and a few faded memories I think that old school was moved around 1970. I think it was erected on the original sight years earlier. I could be all wrong about that though. I’ll bet we have some folks out there that probably can fill us in on the history of that old building. I believe this was the old building that was just to the north of the newer addition in the photo pictured behind the moving of that old school. This old building was part of the entire school my first year of High School in 1961. We had many classes in the basement of this old school. I think this was the old school building basement. I could be wet behind the ears with what I remember, with this being the same building. Gary

Larry & Robbie St. Claire

Hi Gary,

Thanks for posting the picture of my Dad again and also for your message Diane. Have lots of memories of the “Jumbo” – the Canadians would come over and over again for the treat…..The bun was great – hamburger in the old days from the Red Owl but I think one of the secrets was the well grilled bun and the diced onions vs. sliced onion.

Diane when you lived in the barn house I babysat for you girls several times. I also lived in that house for a brief period when we were waiting to move into our new house on the corner. My grandmother Evelyn lived there for a time, she had an old wood cook stove and it was all she cooked on ….we warmed our toes there on cold winter days.

I babysat very little for money, our allowance and fun money was made by working in that café or station ….I have check stubs going back to when I was 12 years old and had a regular summer shift at the café. I was paid 35 cents an hour; most of my checks were signed by Bob Strickland. We just filled out a time card like everyone else and picked up our check on Saturday…..on some checks I notice that Ernie and I cashed ours at the movie theatre – “show hall”.

I am not going on the cruise but will be at the dinner and looking forward to seeing the group.

Evie Pilkington Gottbreht 65

PS – Today I was on google and I put in my cell number and the Dunseith website came up……my cell number was with the picture posting of Dad. If you google a listed house phone MapQuest pops up so you can immediately get a map to your house……hmmm that might be too much info for some in the world today……..

 

 

July 12, 2007

 

Marlene Richard Parslow & Evie Gottbreht Pilkington

 

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

A couple of things….Dick brought up the subject of the old white
school house conjuring up some memories….I remember when I was in
the 4th grade, Mrs. Conroy’s 4th grade class was upstairs…we had a
fire drill and I was petrified of those metal steps…some of the
wiggled like crazy when you stepped on them. Being somewhat chubby
and afraid of heights, I was frozen on the top of the steps while the
entire school was down below…I remember them coaxing me to come
down…I was up there scared I would fall down going down the
steps…don’t know if I ever did make it down..

The Rendahl Gospel tape is great….I am sure Art Rude Jr. has more of
them for sale or can tell you where to get them. Ran into him
yesterday and he said to check out his website… http://artrude.com/ … he downloaded lots of
photos he took at Bottineau’s 125th this past week…it was a great
time. Dick Johnson did a great job announcing the parade… Oh, just
told some more people about the jumbo at Dale’s…they should be there
on Sat.

Diane Larson Sjol

Dick Johnson, I’ll bet you did go a wonderful job announcing the Bottineau Q-centennial parade. Les Halvorson (former DHS teacher) from Bottineau, announced the Dunseith Q-centennial parade in 2007. You guys are great! Gary

I think this is the appropriate time for another posting of this delicious ‘Dale’s Jumbo Burger’.

 

Khayla Poitra displaying Bill Grimme’s ‘Dale’s Jumbo burger’ – July 2007

 

From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

The last week of August, 1968 five of us guys decided to take a trip
to the Black Hills in South Dakota. We borrowed my dad’s pickup, a
topper from Manvil Sebelius, a tent from Harvey Halvorson ( I think ?)
and took off ! The crew included Rich Campbell, Greg Grimme, John Bogus,
Tim Hill, and me. We drove through to the Black Hills and got to a
campground in the middle of the night, much to the dismay of those who
were already there trying to sleep. It was raining so it took some
gasoline to start our campfire! A Canadian came over and asked if we
were alright? We couldn’t get the stakes in the ground on one side of
the tent but found out why the next morning—that side was sitting on
the road! We did have a great time together and went to most of the
sites of interest around the Black Hills. We hit the dog races in Rapid
City and some low life dive in Ft. Pierre where we were lucky to have
survived. It was our last bash together before we all went our separate
ways to college and beyond. I wouldn’t trade the memories of that trip
together for anything! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Neola, Those of us from the Ackworth and Willow Lake areas remember Carol Berg well. I believe she graduated from Bottineau HS in 1967. At Ackworth she was in the class with my brother Allen, Jim Hiatt, Rodney Lagerquist & Carol Pritchard. That was a big class for good ole Ackworth. When they were in 6th grade, I was in 8th grade. There were not 7th graders. Carol transferred to Willow Lake in the 5th or 6th grade. I forgot which. I am sure most of our folks know that you and Carol are first cousins with your mothers being sisters. Our prayers are with Carol. Please keep us posted. Gary

Picture 7-15-07

Ron Link (58), Don Martel (Principle) & Rene Casavant (65)

 

Back row: Ydola Pigeon, Dorothy Strietzel Fassett , Betty Watshke, Urbain Cote.

Middle row: Howard Landsverk, Bernice Olson Johnson,
Bob Molgard, Shirley Sunderland

Front row: Patty McAtee, Andre Berube

Folks, I accidentally sent message 493 for Evon’s group to another group, so that other group receive 493 twice. I am limited to 99 folks that can be included with each message, so I have you guys all divided up into multiple groups for sending this daily message. Email providers have daily limits too for the number folks one can send messages too. For that reason I have multiple email addresses of which are all good addresses for sending messages to me. Please let me know if you do not receive a message. That is one of the reason they are numbered. Evon, thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. Gary

Bev, I Know that, but did not catch that mistake before sending. I previously sent that picture out in March 2007 with that error of which I copied with yesterday’s posting. I am reposting a few of the earlier pictures as I’m going through previous messages, starting from the beginning, capturing the pictures that I lost. Gary

LeaRae, Your are so right with the spelling of Dowayne Goodon’s (67) name. Dowayne, I know the correct spelling of your name too and I do apologize.

 

About miss Hewson, I’ve always had it in my mind that she was a Home Ec. teacher. Vivian gets these daily message via her daughter-in-law too. I never had Miss Hewson for a teacher, but I’ll tell you one thing, meeting her at our class of 65 reunion, I quickly discovered and realized that she is truly a very nice person from the heart. She is such a warm friendly lady with a whole lot of class.

 

I was in Mr. Lykins typing class when he gave us the news of JFK being shot. Mr. Lykins broke down and cried in front of the whole class telling us the news. Mr. Lykins, I will never forget that day with you giving us the news of JFK being shot.

 

Mr. Don Corbin was my Biology teacher for half the year, until he took over being principle for Mr. Ed Conroy when Mr. Conroy had his Heart Attack. Miss Dianne Leier was hired fresh out of college to take over some of Mr. Corbin’s classes. She was a great teacher, but being beautiful presented a problem for her with the conduct of a few of the HS boys. Mr. Corbin was firm and had to put his foot down on a few folks. Mr. Corbin quickly gained the respect of those guys putting that situation to bed. I’ll never forget Mr. Corbin approaching me in the hall way letting me know that he thought I could be doing a whole lot better in his class than I was doing. It’s funny how well his little pep talk helped too. In those days the milking of the cows and farm chores were distractions to school studies. Those darn cows had to be milked, twice a day, 365 days a year. There was seldom a vacation from that routine. When I got away from the farm it was such a treat each afternoon at about 5:00 PM, not to have to milk those cows. These changes all happened when I moved west in the fall of 1966.

Diane, We lost Mr. Jerstad with his passing on August 8, 2007. He and Phyllis were living in Fargo at the time of his death. Phyllis continues to live in Fargo and she is on our distribution. These pictures were provided by Phyllis before Mr. Jerstad’s passing. These pictures would have been taken in 2002, the year he turned 80.

 

Putting our class of 65 list together in late 2006 I had the pleasure of visiting with Mr. Jerstad on at least 4 occasions when I called them. Phyllis always asked if I’d chat a bit with Mr. Jerstad. Several of our conversations lasted at least 30 minutes. He loved to talk. His mind was fading with the affects of Alzheimer’s, but he remembered a lot. He did not remember me of which I never expected him to. Even with the sharp mind that he once had, I seriously doubt he would have remembered me even then. I never had him for a teacher and thank god there was never a reason to ever be called into his office. He was our HS Superintendent all the way through HS for me. With our conversations in 2006 & 2007, Mr. Jerstad talked a lot about his teaching days at UND and the programs that he had a strong hand in successfully implementing at the state level. From Dunseith he transferred to UND in Grand Forks. Even though he had been in Dunseith for about, I think, 20 years, his memories of Dunseith had faded some. He remembered Art Rude well though. Gary

 

Lincoln Jerstad

5/15/22 – 8/8/07

 

 

 

 

L-R: Supt. Stearns, Miss Nelson, Mrs. Hall, and Mrs. Berg.

 

 

Class of 65 Matrix

Folks, Lois Tweten is the lady Bev Morinville Azure met at the Log House several weeks ago. We had a nice reply from Lois posted with yesterday’s message. Gary

Aggie, I realize that and that is why it doesn’t bother me. What you said applies equally well to everyone that contributes. We all have a tendency to read right over our own mistakes. One is also more inclined to catch their mistakes with a proof reading a day or so later. Then it’s too late if the message has already been sent. Thank you so much for the nice comments. Gary

 

 

 

Reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): Battle Ground, WA

 

Reply to Aggie:

That was a great memory. Your along way from being Mrs. Freddie Krueger but that is the one thing I have always remembered of that night, and I still laugh when I think of it as I can still see you standing there with that knife. That had to be the busiest night in any resturant that I had ever worked at. The place was insane. Maybe that’s why I don’t like doing dishes.. lol

 

To Debbie Slyter:

I loved your poem. You really did capture everything about your Mom in it. I can see why she was so proud.

 

To Larry Nagel:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

 

Rhonda Hiatt

 

 

Folks, I totally overlooked and did not notice the attachment with Andrew LaVallie’s obituary included with Mark Schimetz’s message yesterday. I am reposting Mark’s message to include Andrew’s obituary.

Again folks, and I stress, please let me know if I have missed something. I use Outlook Express to manage all of my email. Outlook Express displays a paper clip in the upper right corner if there is an attachment. I don’t always notice that paper clip so I’ll miss the attachment.

Thank you Mark for providing this. I did not personally know Andrew, but I can tell with all the correspondence, he was a great guy. I know his family and friends will dearly miss him. Gary

 

Tribute to Andrew LaVallie from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND

 

Hello, Gary,

A bit of History has been posted for Andrew C. LaVallie, I remember first meeting Andrew, it was on his return from Viet Nam. Dennis, Dallas and I would go over to his house on the east side of Main street to bug him, just for something to do. One day we caught him tilling the garden, he didn’t hear us call him so I sneaked up on him and grabbed his leg just above the boots and growled like a mad dog. Man! was that a mistake, He went into a defensive mode, legs and arms flying all over the place, while I was scratching dirt with all fours trying to get away from that whirlwind… Dallas and Dennis laughing their heads off, and Andrew, after shouting a few expletives after me as I was doing my best to escape the onslaught, Started laughing himself. I was patiently warned never to do that again. I was 14 at the time. After I had gotten to know Andrew better and he shared with us some of the crap that he was in, we learned to respect the space of homecoming soldiers.

 

Andrew LaVallie was a dear friend, a brother at arms, and is sorely missed, and so it will remain for the rest of my life.

I am sure this will remain true, for his family, friends and fellow soldiers who had shared their lives with this Honest, Honorable and Patriotic man.

Andrew did not quit serving his country when he left Vietnam, nor did he stop helping fellow Soldiers. Andrew belonged to the American Legion in Dunseith and the VFW in Belcourt. He was active in both Veteran Organizations, until the day he faded away.

 

Farewell My Friend, Farewell My Brother,

 

 

 

Reply from Janice Leonard Workman (56): Auburn, WA

The first boy in the back row is Vernel (sp??) Hill, then Bruce, Wayne Klang, Kenny Hill, a Bottineau boy ( that was their last name), Wally Hiatt, Mike McAtee, Eugene Parisien (sp??) Raynor, etc.

 

Middle row, Bob Hosmer, Arla Klang, ?Wallbank from San Haven, Eleanor Burke raised by Betty Schneider’s family, Arline, Ann, Clarice Rohr, Ellen Parisien, Gayl, and last is Larry Lear.

Front Row Elaine, a Bottineau girl, sister to the boy in the back row, Lois, Janice, the next girl maybe a Tennacore ???, and then Marjorie Landsverk.

Hey and to put a plug in for Jerry Williams’ class reunion, hope to see lots of “our group” there.

Rod, I should have known Mona’s boy Brian was the Brian Johnson in your class. When I was putting your class list together I was thinking the Brian in your class was Lester/Marian’s boy until I got in touch with Mona’s Brian who I found listed with your age group living in Bottineau. He too is on our distribution list. I believe he works at the Bank located on Thompson street across from the creamery in Bottineau. Mona or Brian, have I remembered all this right? A little common sense would have told me that Lester/Marian’s Brian was not that old. Lester & Marion purchased Lester’s dads farm located 1.5 miles, the way crow flies, west or our place in 1961, the year I started high school. Loren was the oldest followed by Linda. Loren was 3 years younger than me and I believe Linda was in my brother Darrel’s class (70) five years behind me. The rest of the siblings were all younger. At the time I knew the whole family well, but being away from them for nearly 44 years, memories fade. Lester used to bring the kids to our house to catch the bus. Lester Johnson celebrated is 80th birthday about 4 years ago. As far as I know he’s still working for Ron Bergman at the Bottineau J.C. Penny store as a small engine mechanic. Ron Bergman, I’m not sure if you manage to read all of these messages, but if you do, is Lester still working for you? Gary

Aggie, I’m sure you realize that Rod Hiatt is a first cousin to the Fauske siblings with his dad Howard Hiatt and Eleanor Hiatt Fauske being brother/sister. Gary

back row: Garry Jolliffe, Keith Houle, Leonard Stickland, Lloyd Awalt, Marshall Awalt

middle: Emma Jolliffe, Bonnie Houle, Eleanor Stickland, Theresa Awalt, Joan Awalt

Front: Bill Awalt, Eunice Awalt, Gerri Awalt, John Awalt

 

Folks, I learn something new everyday. Doing a little research I see that Marlene Espe Striker is a daughter of Art/Effie Espe and also a sister to Monte. Effie was really active with the 4-H and Monte too. Monte, I had no idea that you are an uncle to the Striker kids. You guys are pretty close in age too, so that kind of threw me also. Monte, your mother was right in there with you and your 4-H projects. I think your mother was involved with my mother and the girls too. I remember being at your house numerous times with 4-H involvement. Mary Ann Hagen, Dorothy Lamb, Marion Johnson & Eleanor Fauske were also 4-H leaders for the girls at one time or another too. We boys had Orvin Hagen all the way through. I believe he was with the Mountaineers 4-H club from start to finish. I’m not sure how many years that was, but it was a bunch. My mother along with Mary Ann Hagen and I think Dorothy Lamb started that club. I remember their first organizational meeting being at the Hagen’s at which time they discussed asking Orvin if he’d volunteer to be the leader for the boys. Orvin accepted the challenge and was one of the best leaders we could have ever hoped for. Many of you folks out there were members of the Mountaineers 4-H club. I believe at one point we had more than 50 members. We were huge. Our primary meeting place was at the Ackworth school. We actually learned a whole lot through our 4-H projects. Gary

Picture L to R:

Deane Striker, Donna Stiker Robinson, Trever Lund & Marlene Espe Striker

Congratulations my close & dear friend Margaret. I am proud to say that you are from the class of 65. What an inspiration you continue to be. With your charisma, dedication and outgoing personality combined with being a very intelligent gal, you will succeed with what ever you pursue in life and I know will be a great director. The North Central Electric Cooperation is very fortunate to have you as their director. They will for sure shine with you. Gary