Reply from Alan Poitra (76): Bloomington, MN

Hey Gary and Dave Slyter, I too started as a percussionist (drummer) under the direction of Don Johnson, he was a wonderful teacher and was very helpful. We had many good times in band and choir. Some of my fellow drummers were Lori Williams and Laurie Evans, Donna Wendstad, and Roberta Hagen and little Joel Fugere!!!. When I was in the 7th grade I remember many noon hours I would venture into the music room to listen and watch pep band or concert band, it was such a treat and I could not wait to get to band and play whatever we were practicing for. Watching some of the upper classman get into their instruments…we had a lot of talent in Dunseith. I especially loved to play with the pep band at the games, it is too bad that you do not see that anymore in Dunseith. I have gone to a couple of games to watch my nephews or niece’s play and it is not like I remember when I was in high school. Although change is good, I wish something’s would never change. High school brings back so many good memories and fun times, I know not all people enjoyed their high school years but I have fond memories and have never forgotten my roots or my friendships all thru my school days in Dunseith and my grade school years in Dunseith Indian School. We had such a simple life and no worry’s. I often go thru my high school yearbooks and look at the people and think I wonder what they are doing now. This email blog has allowed me to rekindle some old friendships and catch up on the news from around the world! I know it is often said, but Gary, thanks again for all the hard work you do to keep this going! I know we hear from a lot of the older generation and their memories of Dunseith but hey come on some of you younger generation!!!! It would be nice to hear some old familiar stories, we all grew up in Dunseith or have some ties their, lets hear from the kids of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s!!!! Have a great summer!!

Alan Poitra (1976)

Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

Hi Gary,

I am so happy I am able to contribute to your newsletters. I have to thank Mom/Dad for saving the old newspapers. When Mom sold her house, I dragged the papers to Minot and put in my basement. I DO have a hard time throwing things, especially newspapers/photos/etc. Because of this unwillingness to throw pictures/newspapers, it is so strange I actually threw a picture awhile ago. Don’t you suppose this fellow was mentioned in your newsletter not long afterward! It was a picture of Jerry Boucher in his army uniform. I was so mad at myself for throwing this picture! I thought I’d never get it sent to a family member, so I might as well throw it–wrong!!!! Jerry and my brother, Jim, were in the same “outfit”/platoon/etc.

Jim had sent the picture of Jerry to Mom/Dad, along with some pictures of himself. The reason I know that’s what happened is because Jim wrote it in an old letter I just read. I think Jim and Jerry were stationed together at Stuttgart, Germany, besides here in “the states”. In one of the letters I just read (written at Fort Ord, CA, on January 14, 1961), Jim says, “I don’t really know where all of the guys were from that went down to Fargo by train. Duane Moussette, his friend, Jack McMullen and I and a guy from Minot (the guy I am with now–Neola’s comment: I think his name was Gary Larson.), and I don’t know where the rest of them were from. I guess one of them was Jerome Boucher from Thorne.” I’m quite sure my mom had asked Jim who some of the other fellows were who were one the train with him to Fargo. She usually asked questions in her letters, and Jim answered them in his letters.

Message/Newspaper articles from Neola:

Gary,

I’ve been thinking I should scan Althea’s ad one of these times, so I decided to do it now. When I was enhancing the clipping, I glanced at the top movie and noticed Rory Calhoun stars it. The reason his name caught my eye, is that one of the first years I taught in Minot (started the fall of 1963), Rory Calhoun’s niece (actually, his wife’s niece) was in my class–I think her name was Cathy Castro. Rory’s wife/Cathy’s mother were sisters. I didn’t realize Rory was Cathy’s uncle until Rory/his wife came to visit Castro’s and Cathy mentioned her aunt/uncle were visiting their family, and her uncle was an actor. Castro’s lived just south of the school, so when Cathy told this to me, I looked down the street, and sitting in front of Castro’s house was a big old white “Caddy”. I can’t remember if I called the Castro house/sent a note to Mrs. Castro/or how I contacted someone to ask if Mr. Calhoun would be willing to visit our class. I received a polite note, saying he wouldn’t be able to do so. This was no problem (I was young and quite shy at that time, so I think it was a relief when he said he would be unable to visit our class.); what makes me mad is that I threw his note away!! Uff da!! The Castro family moved not too long after that year, so I don’t imagine Rory Calhoun/his wife visited Minot again. It’s a good memory! I had almost forgotten about it until I saw “Rory Calhoun’s” name. He was a HANDSOME fellow! I don’t know if he was a good actor, or not, but who cares/cared about that!!!! Ha!

Neola