Japanese Earthquake
Reply from Florence Hiatt Dahl (50): Anchorage, AK
Mercy—the Japanese earthquake of 8.9 hit really brought memories back In 1964 the 9.3 earthquake hit Alaska and lasted for over 5 minutes and then numerous quakes for days…Our 3 year old was our barometer–he would yell “here comes onw” –spread his little legs and sure enough.. And we thought it was horrible, but compared to Japan————————
San Haven Picture
Reply from Dave Slyter (70): Sabin, Mn
Dear Gary and Dick:
I find the picture of the grounds of San Haven most interesting. Yes it is a very old picture and I agree with Dick that it could be a band playing by the sunken gardens. If you take notice to the two gentleman standing in the back of the crowd that are seated, that is a base drum. I could recognize a base drum anywhere. 
I also am intrigued by the way the sunken garden looks. While I was the head groundskeeper there for 8 years I planted many flowers in the area to where the pool is in this picture. Along with my dad Freddie Hiatt and also David Striker.(different years)
I also notice the rocks that align the road all they way up the hill to the main entrance of the hospital. When we were working there it was hedges and trees. How times change.
It was a beautiful place in the heart of the Turtle Mountains and a great place to work. So many peoples lives were effected when they closed the doors to San Haven. But the memories are still embedded in our hearts.
Thanks Dick for sharing this great photo.
Dave Slyter : )
Philippine Immigration question
From Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND
I can understand how you may need the immigration card, but isn’t Bernadette a native?
Bernadette gave up her Filipino citizenship when she became a naturalized US citizen. Since she is now living in the PI she has the option of becoming a Dual Citizen of both countries of which she chose not to do. She takes great pride in being a 100% American Citizen. Her Filipino Birth Certificate gives us and our children all the benefits for living in this country. Gary
Cliff Dickinson Memories
From Bill Grimme (65): Birmingham, AL
Gary Metcalfe’s note yesterday contained a mention of a man that I still think about a lot. I’m talking about Cliff Dickinson. Never saw a stronger man. He had a special relationship with Dennis Brennan – not sure what that was, but, Cliff was a very nice guy. He liked to have a few drinks, as many of us did, and I lost a couple of shirts to Cliff. When Cliff was in a happy mood, with a few drinks in him, he liked to trade shirts. I think I traded with him twice. When I would put his on, it fit me like a tent and then he would put mine on and rip out the sleeves when he flexed his muscles! On a couple of occasions, Cliff would get down on one knee, place this huge hand on the floor and direct me to stand on his hand. Then, still kneeling, he would lift me straight up off the floor to a height of about 2 feet and hold me there. Maybe others had this experience. Now, I’m not talking about him doing this when I was a young boy. No, this was when I was around 19 or 20. Pretty impressive, to me, at least. When Cliff wasn’t having a drink, he was a soft spoken and very kind man, from my memory. I don’t know where he came from or where he went, but, he certainly is a memorable character, in my memories, at least. Maybe someone else can fill in the blanks on Cliff.
Bill Grimme
Cliff Dickinson Memories
From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
Gary Metcalfe mentioned a few of the colorful people that made up the
diverse population of old Dunseith. One name he mentioned ran a bell
for me —- —Cliff Dickinson. I will tell a story that I heard and
I have NO way of knowing if this is true or fabricated, but it went
around town back in the 60s and it stuck in my mind for 40+ years now.
I believe Dennis Brennan hired Cliff Dickinson to work in his bar as a
bouncer because things were getting a bit rough. The story goes like
this. Big Cliff had hands like a grizzly bear and if you could put your
hand on the bar and he couldn’t cover it with his hand he bought you a
beer. He didn’t buy anyone a beer. The story is that he had a roudy
customer one Saturday evening and finally the guy had to go, so Cliff
was going to kick him out but the guy took a swing at Cliff—invitation
to an education. Cliff responded with a couple quick jabs and the guy
basically flew out the door onto the sidewalk. That part is OK, but on
the sidewalk he bumped into Emil Metcalfe who was carrying a bag of
groceries to his car. He knocked the bag out of Emil’s hands and broke
some of the stuff in the bag. Big Emil had no idea that the guy had
been tossed out so he grabbed him and threw him back through the open
door where Cliff again poked him a couple more which sent him back
through the open door so Emil popped him and sent back in again, kind of
like passing a basketball back and forth. Talk about being caught
between a rock and a hard place! As I said, this may or may not be true
but this is the story I heard back then. We ALL know the local guy who
was receiving the boxing lessons, but for this readership, I’m leaving
his name out. Thanks Gary!
Dick
