Folks,
First of all, thank you so much for your concerns, I will attempt to answer your questions that I have pasted below.
I listed yesterdays message as 160. It should have been 140. I realized the mistake after I had already sent it.
Typhoon Frank hit parts of the Philippines hard. We were spared from the brunt of the storm. We had a considerable amount of rain with, I’m guessing, no more than 40 MPH winds. Areas to the north of us had winds as high as 120 MPH with lots more rain than we had. A passenger ship with over 800 passengers and crew left Manila, headed to Cebu, our island, knowing they were going to have to pass through Typhoon Frank, but they left anyway. They didn’t make it. Their ship sank to the bottom of the ocean. Reading today’s paper, there are only 4 known survivors. That’s such a tragedy for the ill judgement of the ship captain that is also missing and assumed dead.
Here in Cebu, we are spared from most all of the typhoons that pass through the PI. Most all of them pass to the north of us. We are located about 400 miles south of Manila and about 1,200 miles south of Hong Kong. Saigon, now Ho Chi minh City, Vietnam is about 400 miles west of us.
Gary
From Geri Metcalfe Munro (59):
Gary,
I received #139 and now #160–have we missed something or were they mis-numbered??
We did sign up for the cruise on 6-18-08–now we’re excited.
Geri Metcalfe Munro
Ivy Eller Robert (74):
Gary…….
I just read about the typhoon that hit the Philippines, more so Manilla? I hope you are OK? Did the water get to you? The pictures I just viewed are unbelievable…….WOW! I pray everything is OK with you and your Family!
Ivy (Eller) Robert
From Susan Fassett Martin (65):
Gary and Bernadette, So sorry to read of the loss of life with the typhoon that hit your area. I have been praying for you and hope that all your friends and loved ones are safe. Did you get any of the damage?? Hope all is well there. Hugs and prayers. Susan
From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary,
This morning I saw a weather report of typhoon conditions for Cebu and
am wondering if things are still OK there? Hope it misses your place!!
Dick
From Joyce Murray Anderson (73):
Hi Gary,
Thank you so much, it was more than 30 years since Bev, Rita and I were all together. All those years melted away with the first hug.
As a matter of fact, Gary, my cousin Ivy (Eller) Robert, found me the same way. I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to be reunited with loved ones. Ivy lives a few miles up the road, and has been there for 22 years, we just did not know. Being able to see everyone again is a shot directly from the “Fountain of Youth”. Thank you again.
I love reading all the blogs, thanks for adding me to your list.
Joyce
From Kenny Nerpel (65):
Gary,
I need to respond to the latest Larry Hackman story. I also attended the party which he referenced. I remember it just a little differently though. I believe that I actually came to the party with the young man, who left the party shoeless, that was central to his story. The lady also got me with a pretty good shot upside the head, then after I picked myself up and dusted myself off she actually invited me to attend the party, feeling I guess, that she had made a mistake. The thing I remember about her was that she hit hard and often. I’m thinking the animosity between her and the then young man were things that went back for a generation or more having to do with differences in the German and Norwegian cultures that existed along highway 43 and exacerbated by the consumption of Schlitz. I never did understand what it was all about and I am sure that it was all resolved shortly after the incident. The party was actually in the house, although I’m sure there were a few that slipped off for brief encounters in the hayloft that could technically be termed a barn dance( As Merle Haggard would say, “holding hands and pitching woo”). Anyway, I actually went into the house and visited for awhile before making a hasty retreat.
Later, I believe that same year, I was involved in another skirmish along highway 43 that was the result of two young men vying for the affections of the same cute young Canadian gal. After that I pretty much avoided the social life along highway 43 (much too violent).
Thanks for the memories Larry
Kenny Nerpel
From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):
Hi Gary, I’m sitting here at my in-laws in Lester Prairie, MN enjoying our summer break from Seoul. Over the weeks I read all of these memory postings and I have to tell you, the ones from Mel Kuhn make me laugh out loud. I know the last name but don’t know the man. I’d like to meet him just to say how much laughter he brings into my day. Also I’m amazed at Dick Johnson’s ability to recall all the stuff he recalls.
I’m hoping to get together with other classmates this summer for more reminiscing while I’m in ND. Thanks Gary and thanks to your lovely wife for all her support of your time on the computer.
Lynn Halvorson Otto (75)
Lynn, Joe Casavant from the class of 65 lives in Lester Praire. Joe and his wife were at our class of 65 reunion this last summer. Joe comes from the Casavant family of 16. I do have all of the 16 casavant siblings in my files, many of which have email and are on this distribution. Gary
| Casavant | Joseph | PO Box 31 | Lester Prairie, MN 55354 | (320) 395-2016 |
From Mel Kuhn (70):
Howdy Gary,
Good news, I was allowed out of the dog house last night. The wife made a passable spaghetti and meatsauce with some slightly burned garlic bread and a salad. The good news is that she didn’t hurt herself getting the can of pasta sauce open or anything. She did make me sit out on the deck with the dogs so that I wouldn’t be tempted to offer advice. You know when you try to offer a women advice it’s always taken as being bossy
More good stuff from Larry H. The barn dances and house parties are a thing of the past. Along with the big family picnic’s with softball games and horseshoes and all kinds of food. Grownups and kids all playing in the same games. I remember many a picnic at Butte St. Paul and the Peace Garden. Could you imagine a big family picnic at the Peace Garden now days? You would have to allow about 8 hours for everyone to clear customs on the way out. I think I know where my birth certificate is but what about the elderly like my mom. Good luck! Sorry, didn’t meen to put a down side to a good old memory.
Hey Dick, What do you have when your Boomerang is broken?
Mel Kuhn[70]
From Susan Fassett Martin (65):
The parade picture is Red Kester in the car. The house is the one that the Mongeons used to live in and then the Awalts and John and Bonnie Awalt are both in the picture. Susan
From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
Gary’s mention of Charles Hagen and Bennie Johnson had me back sorting
pictures again! Although Bennie Johnson was my grandmother’s brother, I
am not the same ‘Johnson’ name. My mom’s mother was a Johnson, who then
married an Olson and had my mom, who then married a different Johnson!
Are we confused yet? Anyway, Grandma Johnson’s place on Willow Lake was
the gathering place for Mom’s family for many years, especially at
Christmas. Grandma Johnson’s husband died many years before she did, so
we called the farm ‘Grandma Johnson’s’ for as long as I can remember.
She lived to be in her eighties, and died in 1953. She had two sons who
stayed at home and did the farming, Bennie and Hank. Hank died in 1952,
so after 1953 it was just Bennie on the farm. There were about 12 kids,
if I remember correctly, and many stayed in the area and had families.
If anyone wants to read the history of the family, it is in the Dunseith
History book on pages 251-252. The pictures attached are from a
Christmas gathering in about 1952. The picture with Bennie playing the
fiddle and Agnes Salmonson [his niece], on the old pump organ, also
shows Loretta Johnson Quillinan [another niece, mom to Denise and
Darlene] standing in the next room. The other picture with the fiddle
shows Denise on the right and Darlene behind Bennie, both about 7 years
old. Sitting at the table are Hilda Strong [another niece], Grandma
Johnson, and Myrtle Olson [my grandmother]. The last picture shows
George Cota [with the surprised look] and in the back, Henry Olson [my
grandpa]. They always got out the fiddle, and sometimes an old guitar,
and played old time music. Just a year and a half ago I had the honor of
playing some of the old songs with Agnes Salmonson at her birthday
party. She passed away not long after that so it will remain a highlight
for me for a very long time. Thanks Gary!