Peace Garden 85th Anniversary Ceremony – SUNDAY – 15 Jul
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
This is a fwd from the Bottineau Veterans. Thanks Gary.
Thai Cave Rescue (July 8th)
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
Gary’s Note. Since Vickie sent this to me, All 12 boys and their coach have been successfully rescued. What an underrating that was followed by the entire world too. Those Navy Seals are to be commended for all their endless efforts to have successfully found these boys and to have accomplish this Rescue. The rescue tunnel, much of it being flooded, was 4.1 KM, nearly 2.5 miles, in length. It was an 11 hour round trip journey for these divers.
Gary and Friends of Dunseith School,
I, like many, have been following the “Thai Cave Rescue”.
I understand a need for youth to be curious. ‘To see and experience adventure.’ Which this team did.
When the first report that the young boys had been found it was such a relief! Then, as information came about it became a complicated task to rescue. It is quite a feat to be accomplished with Thai Seals and authorities, working in unison with multiple internationally skilled trained “divers”, “climbers” and “cavers”.
I did underground caving once in my life. Once was enough.
As a kid, whenever passing through Montana, I’d see signs –à indicating places of interest which aroused my curiosity. How I longed to seek adventures off the main highways.
I got the opportunity with a paternal cousin during the last couple summer breaks during and after college. Elaine and I made several road trips to Seattle Washington. We drove the Interstate’s, US Highway’s, Trans Canada and several other Highways to and fro our Seattle auntie’s i.e. destination. Every trip we traveled a different route. Interstate was not completed across Montana and Idaho at that time in the early ‘70’s. So at times the highway was quite precarious.
I believe on our first trip west we drove off every exit to see —-à a historical site or viewpoint close to the highway.
Driving along, close to Three Forks Montana, there is a sign reading Lewis and Clark Caverns.
“ I said, “I’ve always wondered where that leads?”Elaine swung the car off the exit and drove the dusty trail to the site. (The 1 car trail was quite primitive).
We got to the site and read instructions; ‘park the car and go on foot. We hiked the gravely walking path where we were met by a “guide”. We were to follow down a gravel incline to an entrance. The leader guide carried flashlights, handing one to each of us, which should have told this ‘novice’ explorer something!
One other small party was going into the cave. Elaine followed that group. I was last. Skittering on gravel into the entrance, where we were to crouch. Firmly holding on to a flashlight, I crouch walked, and then belly crawled through a narrow and low passage fit for 1 person in single file.
We got to crouch walk again, then, down slide into a cavern filled with light filtered with dustmotes.
Amazing stalagmites and stalactites filled a cavern, a hole in the limestone ceiling stretched high above filling the cavern with and spotlighting fragile, limestone columns.
The “college” students in the other group (I assumed were earth science majors excitedly talked in scientific terms; I didn’t recognize.) Some were examining columns of connecting stalagmites and stalactites.
As I listened to the relentless drip, drip, drips of precipitation, and their professor’s endless pontificating. My gut said, Time to get out now! I wondered, “ O, how the heck am I going to manage to crawl out of here?”
Finally we crawled up and out. Winded, I was quite relieved to be back to the entrance thanks to Elaine’s cajoling. I had always known Elaine to be confident and kind. She was gifted intellectually, academically, and musically.
She also had a rare trait , “The patience of Job.”
I have come to believe the Thai soccer team with skilled knowledgeable rescuers have that kind of rare trait…patience.
Thanks Gary, until Later, with thoughts on that far and away place in Thailand.
Vickie L. Metcalfe
July 8, 2018
Fwd: Thunderchiefs Photo Essay
Posted by Bill Hosmer (’48): Tucson, AZ
From: William Hosmer <> Date: Sun, Jul 8, 2018 at 8:52 AM Subject: Re: Thunderchiefs Photo Essay To: John Morrissey <>
John,
Thank you a ton for forwarding this revealing records what happened those years ago. I’d forgotten about this project and am grateful for your making it available. It really says a lot about what we were engaged in with one hand tied behind our backs. Thanks again,
Hoz
On Sun, Jul 8, 2018 at 8:35 AM, John Morrissey > wrote:
Please pardon any unintended repeats. John
P.S. And do feel free to share this around with friends and family as you wish.
Hello Gentlemen,
I know it’s been a journey to get us here but am honored to share that on Monday July 9th we will be “soft” launching our pilot series on the photographer Cade Martin’s Instagram. Following that will be quite a bit of a PR push to many other areas, both print and online.
Here is the link to the finished website: http://cademartin.com/overwar/
Please also let me know also that you have received a printed copy of your image from Cade, I know that its important to us that you receive it.
FYI the launch will consist of a series of six portraits over six days and here is our copy, written in Cade’s first person POV that will accompany each of those posts:
Day 1 of 6:
I was 7 when the Vietnam War ended. I know what I do – as most my age – from movies, books and documentaries. And most of what I encountered was about the ground troops, rarely about the pilots.
For years, in the face of so many loud voices taking stock and making record of this controversial war, the pilots who flew the missions of Operation Rolling Thunder have been notably silent; the exceptions, I discovered, take place at reunions.
So I jumped at an opportunity to attend one of their reunions. And owing to special circumstances, they welcomed us in – just me and a small crew. Over portraits, their shared, collective story started to unfold, and it was full of revelations that might leave you speechless.
And while I may have many personal projects under my belt, I can now say that Over War has been one of the most in-depth thus far; evolving from what I had envisioned as a series of Air Force pilot portraits to a project that fifty years later, ultimately gives voice to these men who had a unique vantage point on the Vietnam war – an airborne perspective as they flew over the conflict below.
Day 2 of 6
Almost fifty percent of the 837 F-105’s were lost in combat and hundreds of pilots were killed or captured.
The pay in 1965, including housing and combat hazard allowance was on average $995 a month (about 72 cents a combat flight hour)
Yet it’s as though the solemn reality of what it meant to become a career Air Force officer who followed orders without question, allows them to cherish the good stuff.
Day 3 of 6:
“The losses were appalling,” – wrote Ed Rasimus in his 2003 memoir, When Thunder Rolled.
And while it might be easy to mistake stoicism for a lack of opinion or an absence of emotion, a few minutes in their presence and a good look through the camera, provided a sea change of perspective.
Day 4 of 6:
I have used a similar approach before, renting space and setting up a booth. I like to go to the source for these group portrait projects, embed myself in the space and community they share. Here we set up in a conference room and over the course of 3-days, pulled each man aside during breaks in their conversations.
As they talked to each other and then later through our interviews, I heard the things said echoed in what I saw through my lens — brotherhood, support, joy, pain, pride and life.
Day 5 of 6
It was an extraordinary and life altering privilege to be a witness to this military gathering, listening to the conversations and banter buzzing through the room.
Ultimately this project fit the textbook definition of collaborative; a reflection of so much of what I’ve come to believe about the power of photography, of storytelling and of true character. The series given depth, context and meaning first and foremost by the Thunderchiefs themselves who shared their time and insights, by Kate Chase sparking and then digging-in and producing, by Ron Walter’s story and narrative development to give it voice, and by the support and help of the great photo producer, Amy Whitehouse.
Day 6 of 6:
Pilot Name
Along the way we’ve also been fortunate to cross paths with a number of people who are working to ensure that the individual stories and first person accounts of these pilots who put themselves in harm’s way to guard our American way of life are being told. Because many of the pilots did not speak about their experiences in Vietnam when they returned; and because it seems a question too rarely asked – we’ve come to understand that information is difficult to source.
And while there are not a lot of Thunderchiefs left that can give us a window through which to view and learn from their experiences, we believe it is important that we do whatever we can to make sure they are able to speak their truths, to help us and generations to-come, accurately view the war. So over the coming days and weeks, we’ll be back to tell you about some of those people who are going above and beyond to help collect and learn more about these Thunderchiefs; and we’ll ask for your help to get the word out and support their efforts.
——
If per chance you are on Instagram, you will see it first here and then shared by myself and hopefully others 
https://www.instagram.com/cademartinphoto/
Again, my heartfelt appreciations for not only who you are and what you’ve accomplished but for your allowing us to give context to your sharing of your stories and your images and hopefully we’ve done you proud by turning it into what I believe are informative and important insights. (on so many levels).
Thank you everyone.
Humbly,
Kate
==============================================
Blog (726) posted on February 25, 2010
Posted on February 25, 2010 by Gary
Bottineau County Centennial Books:
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.
Gary,
The Bottineau County Centennial Books are VERY hard to find. I haven’t seen/heard of a new copy for years. Estate sales sometimes have a copy. It seems the people who own them, are hanging on to them. I’m guessing many of the original books have worn out over the years. The book was kiddingly called “The Bible”. I located a copy on the net about three weeks ago (used). It was selling for $295. Sometimes, of course, a person lucks out and finds a copy. I’m trying to locate a copy for a friend of mine, too.
Perhaps an ad in the Courant would bring results.
Neola
Neola, I am so sadden to hear that those books are no longer available. Whose in charge and what would it take to have a few more copies Printed? I know they’d get the sales. The Dunseith Centennial book can be purchased at the Log Barn and the Security State Bank in Dunseith. Gary
Phyllis McKay (65): Auburn, WA
Folks, I just had a really nice visit with Phyllis McKay. In the coarse of our conversation, she mentioned that she has file folders for certain folks that are mentioned in our daily blogs that are of special interest to her. She copies and pastes all entries mentioned about these folks into these folders. What a brilliant Idea. I’m wondering if anyone else is doing this? Phyllis is recovering from Rotator cup surgery. She is well on her way to recovery and has gone back to teaching half days. Gary
Reply from Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (68): Dunseith, ND.
Hi-Gary
We were so saddened to hear of Dan Morgan’s passing- he was a good man!
Trish- I remember when you got your first horse- you were a youngster living at the port- I believe your Dad was a customs officer. You kept your horse in my parent’s pasture and my mom, Ella Metcalfe used to haul water to it every day . Those were many years ago.
Also, one thing I remember my mother saying about the flu years was that she and her sister Hannah (about 8 and 10) were lying in bed sick with the flu and their little brother Neil (18 mo) was In his little bed and she said they could see him play with his hands above the top of the crib . She said one day
that stopped and then she could see a small white box on Gramma’s sewing machine- he had died. She said Gramma (Randina Evans) never did get the flu and she would go around to the neighbors and milk their cows and leave the milk on the front porch. It was so contagious they didn’t dare go into the houses. Those people sure rallied back after every crisis- then they went through the depression and then wars. Tough ! they were!!- enuf rambling!-Lola
Update from DeAnn Gottbreht: Carringbridge link – http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/deanngottbreht
Note: Brenda has been diagoised with breast cancer. Her parents are Ernie Gottbreth and Brenda Hill Mueller.
Hello from my room in MeritCare hospital. We went to our ultrasound appointment yesterday morning and the fluid around the baby had gone done more. He spoke with out high-risk doctor who consulted with the Neonatologist (Baby ICU) doctors, my Oncologist, and my regular OB here who will deliver the baby and they decided the best route for me now is to deliver. The main reason being so they won’t have to put off my chemo treatments any longer. So I can deliver our son and get started recovering. I was admitted into the hospital yesterday afternoon and have been relaxing here in room 437. They are going to induce my labor starting about 5am tomorrow morning so I guess I better get my rest tonight while I can. I’m just happy they are letting me had supper tonight before I go on my liquids diet tomorrow morning! I am pleased with our doctors decision and look forward to meeting our son, the newest O’Hara to enter the world. I probably won’t be able to update this again for a couple days so I just wanted to keep you updated as best I could. I appreciate all of your prayers and we go through this next step in our journey. It sounds like he will have to be in the NICU for atleast 3 weeks to a month but I know he will be in good hands. Take care everyone and Ill keep in touch. Oh and we will be moving to a different room starting tomorrow morning so if any of you are looking for me I should be in the directory. Oh and I sure hope this is a easy delivery with very little pain!! I can hope for it right!!
Love, DeAnn
Wm Elmer Striker:
Question from Ken Striker: Dayton OH
Hi Dean-
Thanks for sending that link of the picture of Adda/Adele’s stone. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=striker&GSiman=1&GScid=2179256&GRid=14673518&
I read at the Dunseith HS blog that many folks died from the flu epidemic 1918 are were buried at Little Prarie Cem. (see below)
I would like to learn where Wm Elmer Striker, Adda/Adele’s husband was buried. In 1943 he and his daughter Ellen moved into Dunseith and later they moved to Seattle. He died at the age of 91 d 19 Dec 1953 Seattle King Co. WA
Lake Metigoshe Hotels:
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.
If you are interested in staying at Lake Metigoshe and want to make reservations online, here are the websites for the two Lake Metigoshe sites.
I sent the phone numbers for both facilities before.
Quilt Inn at Lake Meigoshe: http://quiltinnandsuites.com/
Twin Oaks Resort at Lake Metigoshe: www.twinoaksresort.net
Neola
School Picture:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
Gary and Friends,
The picture of so many kids and parents by the school house makes
me think it could have been the annual event called ‘play days’, when
several of the schools would take the kids to a centrally located school
for games. They had running races and ball games and other things for
healthy competition. It’s just a guess as to why so many kids would be
at one school at one time. This school is very similar to the Hilltop
School that was southeast of the Peace Garden. I imagine many school
buildings were built alike and maybe even by the same carpenters. I’m
not real sure, but I think Glen Honsey bought the Hilltop School and
moved it to his place for a shop. It looked quite similar to the one in
the latest post by Mary Eurich Knutson. Several of the kids who attended
Hilltop are readers of this blog and may shed more light as to which
school this is for sure. It certainly looks like Ackworth and many of
Mary’s other pictures are from that area. Wasn’t the Ackworth school
moved at one time to it’s present location? It just seems to me that it
was located a short distance from it’s current location. Thanks Gary!
Dick
In about 1981 the Ackworth School was moved a half mile west to it’s current location, pictured below. The community got together and made the move. It is currently sitting on the exact spot where the original Ackworth Post Office was. Albert Hiatt owned that 40 acres. I think the Lagerquist’s may have it now. Gary
Pictures from Clayton Parrill (72): Bottineau, ND
Note: Clayton purchased Wondrasek’s studio a number of years ago and he renamed the business to “Dakota Memories Photography”. Gary
Gary,
Was looking at old picture of Ackworth School. Here is one I took last summer as it is today.
Clayton Parrill
I added a couple of other photos you might be interested in. I have taken a lot of landscape and scenic art images of the Turtle Mountains and from Rolette-Rolla-St.John to Bottineau-Souris areas if you think anyone would interest in seeing them I would post one every now and then.
Thank you.
Clayton, these are great. Yes, by all means we’d love to see more. Your Photo’s are absolutely wonderful! Gary
This is Ackworth as we see it today. The bell has been removed and the siding and shingles have been replaced. Those are the windows that were in the school when I attended school there for 8 years. I remember those long windows being replaced to these modern windows, for the time, about the time I started school. The school year of 60/61 was the last year school was held at Ackworth. I was a lone 8th grader with no one in the 7th. Dagney Haagenson was our teacher. For the hundreds of kids that were educated in Ackworth, I hold the title of being the last to have graduated from and to have attended all 8 grades in Ackworth. Most all of the Hiatt’s, one generation ahead of me and earlier, attended Ackworth. Many Hiatt’s of my generation attended as well. At one time the Hiatt’s accounted for more than half of the nearly 50 kids in attendance. Gary
Clayton, this is precious. I have a picture of my folks Headstone, but it’s not nearly as nice as this. Dad had both of their funeral arrangements made inclusive of the headstones. He had it all drawn out on paper in Nero’s hands. He visited Bill Nero often, so he and Bill had everything all in place when he departed this earth. It was so easy for us. Bill just followed thru with all of dad’s plans. These headstones, with the base, just appeared on their grave sites as they are pictured.
Ackworth Cemetery
I believe this is the old Homen school that was located on the north side of Highway 43 (Peace Garden road) about 2 miles west of Salem church. We used to attend Bible school in this school. Virgil Rude told me this is the school he attended too. I know LaVerne Rude, Carrole Fauske’s husband, attended this school too. This school was moved for a period of time to the church yard of Salem. I believe it was later purchased by Dan Pladson. Dan moved it to it’s current location next to his house located behind the west fence of the Ackworth cemetery.
Map to 
