Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (’71): Bedford, TX
HI Gary and all:
It’s nice to read that Bernadette is feeling better. I hope this trend continues for a long while. It’s so wonderful that she has so many loyal helpers.
I just have to respond to the Williston article,: I know that prosperity brings change but sometimes you have to ask yourself “is it worth it?” North Dakota has been referred to as the world’s best kept secret and sometimes I wish it were still that way.
On a lighter note, my husband George and I met my sister Diane (Sjol)and her husband Scott in Las Vegas for New Years and had a blast. Las Vegas Blvd was closed to traffic so people mingled on the street. It was very festive and the fireworks were beautiful. Here’s to a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year to all.
Cheryl Larson Dakin
Cheryl,Thanks for this nice message. It is so nice that your were able to meet Diane and Scott in Las Vegas too.
Bernadette’s condition seems to have stabilized some now. As what is typical with this disease, she has trouble sleeping. Night before last she did not sleep a wink. She was awake all day yesterday too. She slept for about 6 hours last night and has been feeling pretty good most of the day today. She has been playing a lot of cards with the folks in our compound too. She is now at the point where she doesn’t really require full time one on one assistance either, but we are keeping her niece, Novie, on, mainly because Bernadette really likes her. Novie is right there to tend to all of her needs and desires too. She is good company too, something that Bernadette needs more than anything else at this stage. Starting next week Novie will be with her from noon until 9:00 PM with a hour dinner break. Bernadette’s mind is good. It’s her motor skills that are affected at the moment.Gary
Bob Stokes’ Army Picture with Corbin Pritchard and I think Lloyd Awalt
Reply from Doreen Larson Moran (BHS ’61): Usk, WA & Hazelton, ND
Is the picture of Bob Stokes in his uniform (and the other 2) one that should be posted in the Veterans Hall in Bottineau County? Doreen
Doreen,It is a good picture. Now that we have identified at least one of the other two and probably the third person, I agree with you and not just because this is a picture of my dad either, but because Corbin and Lloyd were/are strong pillars of the community.This is a tiny 2×3 picture, but if I scan it with high resolution it should enlarge nicely. I can send it to whomever that person would be that would be the one posting this picture.Thank you Doreen for this suggestion,Gary
Bob Stokes’ Army Picture & Vietnam Picture – Reply to Doreen Larson Moran
From Gary Wall (Dentist): Bottineau, ND
Thanks Doreen, Loretta gets the blog mostly and aaah Gary I wish that pic of you extracting a tooth was clearer but I’m sure you full filled your duty superbly. Best time to schedule an appt at the Dentist Office = tooth hurty = 2:30
Could that Navy man be none other that Lloyd Awalt? I think it looks like him.
Gary,I think you may be right about that being Lloyd Awalt in that picture with my dad and Corbin Pritchard. Lloyd was in the Navy and was a good friend of Corbin Pritchards, so it all fits. The timing is right too. When I first met Lloyd in Bottineau, through my dad, he told me that he first met my parents up on the Pritchard farm when Corbin was living there. This would have been in the early to mid 40’s too. I am not sure how much of this history you knew, so I am gussing you just recoginized this guy as Lloyd, so that really increases the odds of this being Lloyd. I’ll bet Lloyd is behind a few days reading the blog or we would have heard from him.Gary, I am sharing this Utube video taken in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam in 1969-1970. This may be of interest to some of our readers. That is the year you and I were in Cam Ranh Bay too. The buildings and the terrain in this video are so familiar. I Don’t think our dental clinic is shown here, not that I can tell though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61UYPb9SZS4Gary.
Bob Stokes’ Army Picture
Reply from Dale Pritchard (’63): Leesville, LA.
Gary,
Mary Knutson can maybe prove me right or wrong but I believe that the man on the right is Uncle Norman Pritchard, uncle to both Mary and me. I never saw Uncle Norman more than once or twice, and that would have been before any memory of it. You’re right about Corbin in the middle.
Dale Pritchard
Bob Stokes’ Army Picture
Reply from Iris Wolvert: Willow City, ND
The guy on the right looks like Chester Gibbs from Willow City..maybe you are not even in the same age bracket???
Cebu, Philippines
Rose and Art Hagen enjoying a ride on the boat. 