Of course, I knew you through your children when I was a Dunseith High
School. You and Eleanor had the formula, you raised a wonderful
family. We (the Casavants) enjoyed going to school and growing up
some with your children ( Russell, Carrole, Beth, Arlinda and Brian).

Just one story that has stayed with me all my life. We (the Casavants
including Mary Ann and Aggie) were invited to your farm in the hills
one friday evening for fun and ice skating. I think you had built an
ice skating rink east of your house. After an evening of visiting and
ice skating and hot chocolate and other things – us kids decided it
would be fun to hook a toboggan behind the car we came in and ride
down the road off of your farm ( to the east, I think). You know
those “not so well thought out” fun things that kids do.

As we got to the east corner, there was some sort of dead end and it
had ice. All I remember is I could not stop the car, it kept sliding
on the ice – and most of your kids and the Casavants were on the
toboggan behind. I went over the end of the road, into the ditch and
of course – the toboggan followed. At first, of course I was
horrified. Was anyone hurt?

We quickly all got together, no one was hurt, all were accounted for
and I think Carrole said “we have to go to the house – dad will get us
out.” My car – it looked as if it was not damaged but appeared
irretrievably the ditch, stuck in the snow. I waited, half in
happiness that no one was injured but worried that you might be in bed
( it was near midnight).

Finally, after not too long – maybe a half hour a clomp, clomp, clomp
was coming down the road. It was two large horses and I think you and
Russell were (driving them or whatever handling horses is called).

All I remember is you did not seem a bit disturbed and just calmly
said “yes, its quite slippery on this corner” or something like that.

Then you and Russell hooked up the team of horses to the back of our
car and tightened the (ropes). Handling the horses masterfully, they
slowly lean forward as the rope became tight and I back the car. You
advised me not to spin the wheels and to be ready to stop when the car
was out. I remember my surge of confidence when you calmly said “when
the car comes out.”

The car came out. I did not know two strong horses could do this.
Elwood, at the time I was nervous and scared and I don’t know if I
ever thanked you but if I did not, its probably 46 years belated but I
want to say “thank you.”

Happy birthday – I hope it is a good one Elwood and a big “hi” to all
of your family.

Aime Casavant