Erling Berg’s Birthday:
Posted by Diane Berg Rheault (79): Fargo, ND.
Gary, Erling Berg is 88 yrs. old today (Apr.2nd), We had a birthday party for him today up at the hospital in Rugby (3rd floor-long term care). Present were Delores Berg, Keith Berg, Diane (Berg) Rheault with husband Jim and daughter Jacqueline, friend Howard, and Art Rude Jr. stopped in to say hello and wish Dad a Happy Birthday. Erling got his favorite cake (spice with brown sugar frosting). He said he will not forget this day!!
Diane, We all wish your dad a very happy birthday. He was and is a very well known guy in the Dunseith community. My dad and others worked for or with your dad at San Haven for a number of years. Often times supervisors don’t always have good approval ratings from their employees. Dad always had so much good to say for Erling. He is a great man.
I don’t remember your dad that well, but I sure remember his brothers Clarence and Hilmar. Hilmar celebrated his 90th birthday a year or two ago and is living in Bottineau. Clarence, deceased, was married to Mabel Berg also deceased. She was a Berg married to a Berg. Mabel’s sister, Helga, was married to my dad’s brother, Nels Petterson. Nels & Helga, now deceased, lived in Everett, WA. I saw Clarence & Mabel, many times, with their numerous visits to see Nels and Helga when we lived in Bremerton, WA. Hilmar spent several winters working in Everett in the late 60’s too. He stayed with Nels and Helga. Gary
Condolences to the Berube family with memories of Billy:
From Aime Casavant (66): Jamestown, ND
Condolences to Jim, Tom and all the Berube Family. Although Bill was
several years younger than me, he had one of those personalities that
is always remembered. Memories of Bill. The evening of November 22,
1965. Bill (Billy to us back then) had come over to August Dionne’s
place in Dunseith, where I was living. I don’t recall the exact
reason but August was not there. I invited Billy in and we had one of
those rare conversations one would not otherwise have, except on a
spontaneous ocassion.
Some time passed and Billy said, “Oh, Cassius Clay is going to fight
Floyd Patterson tonight!” He asked for the radio, we found it. Billy
started telling me about Cassius Clay and I recall he was very excited
about it. I said to Billy, your really a fan of his, arn’t you?”
Billy explained he did not know if he would consider himself a fan,
but said his personality just makes me feel happy and its exciting –
the way he acts. I did not know that much about professional boxing,
but Billy, being the sports type of person ( like the Berube’s) told
me all about it. He told me about Cassius Clay’s personality, how he
shouted “I’am the greatest, I’am the king’ and how Cassius Clay would
say a rhyme on the round he would win the fight. We listened to the
fight and sure enough, Cassius Clay then started his antics and Billy
said excitedly to me “Aime, listen! listen!, he is saying he is the
greatest ! Floyd Patterson lost by a TKO and I asked Billy what that
was and he explained it to me.
Of course Cassius Clay went on to become Muhammed Ali and I watched
his many fights and antics. In life, some things we remember, some
things we forget, but whenever I watched Ali fight throughout life – I
was reminded of that evening that Bill Berube introduced him to me.
About 8 years later I seen Bill for a short time at the University of
ND. There was no doubt to me, Bill would go on to a successful
teaching and intellectual life. Bill Berube was always to me, one of
those persons that was one of the “greatest.”
Several years ago I seen Jim at a Bottineneau/Vally City football
game. I asked Jim about Bill. Jim explained he was a professor,
teaching at (U of Wyoming?) at Laramie. I was not surprised Bill would
end up becoming a professor. He had that keen, intellectual insight
into things.
Viking Stone caves in the Turtle Mountains:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
In answer to Colette’s question, I think the stone arch cave
northwest of Bottineau is still there, although I’ve heard some more
deterioration has taken place. Nature continues to try to reclaim
anything men change. There is a sign along the highway north of Carbury
that points out an historic site to the northeast. I can only assume it
is directing attention to the cave, although I haven’t checked it out to
see. One more thing for my ‘bucket list’. Late last night I received an
email telling me another mooring stone had been found much further east
along the foothills. This one is in Rolette County and east yet of Butte
St. Paul. This one was also checked out and documented by Ed Milligan
and crew. I think Colette’s depiction of the Vikings being a hardy bunch
of explorers really sums it up. It would appear that they had little
fear of what they might encounter–that would certainly be an advantage
in traveling into unchartered areas. The Spaniards thought they would
sail off the end of the Earth because it was flat. I guess the Vikings
hadn’t heard the news from Spain! Thanks Gary!
Dick
Spring time with snow in the Turtle Mountains:
Picture posted by Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
The wind started to blow in the night and this is what we have this
morning. It’s spring in the Turtle Mountains! Thanks Gary!
Dick
Picture possibly identified:
Gary, Dale Simon here, My Wife Karen Said that picture of the Missing identy of that man could be Bill McDonald. Karen said that she took care of Bill at the hospital and that it sure looks like him but the only thing is that he is from Souris,ND
Folks, Do any of you know Bill McDonald? The folks at Long Term in Saint Andrews get these messages too. Maybe they can be of some assistance for a positive ID. I trust Karen’s instincts though, that this may be Bill. Gary
