No Blog yesterday
For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
Gary
I too would like to express my condolences to the Cliff Gillis family.
From Kenny Nerpel (’65): Rugby, ND
I have a memory of him to share that I hope will bring a smile in a time of sorrow. I don’t remember the exact time frame for this one but I think it had to be either 1970 or 1972 because these are time periods that I spent in the Dunseith area. Cliff had hired my father and me to build some cabinets for him. To further clarify, my father built the cabinets, as he was the skilled craftsman, and it was my job to hand him whatever particular tool he needed and to sweep up after he had finished using it. While we were busy with this, Cliff and Donald Egbert were working on what I think may have been a driveway as Donald, to the best of my memory, was running a cement mixer. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, we noticed that Cliff and Donald were in a heated discussion. It ended with Donald taking off on foot across country towards Dunseith. It was revealed to us later, at the end of the day, as we were sharing a beer with Cliff, that Donald was aware that Cliff had purchased some beer for the crew. The disagreement was that Donald wanted a beer immediately and Cliff had decided he was not going to share his beer until after the day’s work was done. I’ve heard Cliff described as being stern. I think you could also add fair and generous to that.
regards,
Kenny
Reply to Dick Johnson (’68)
From Aggie Casavant (’69): Fort Mill SC
Hey Dick, Just want to tell you, how much i enjoy your post about you and Brendas trip to Norway. It is all very interesting. This last post of the little girl and boy dressed up in wedding attire I found most interesting. Now that would of been so interesting to see , like how did this tradition get started and all. I sure hope you didn’t explain it in your post and I spaced it out…..Hmmmmmmmmmmm anyway keep sharing cuz I find all your pictures, post, and stories very interesting…. Blessings to you and Brenda…Aggie 
Another ALS story
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/marilyn-hagerty-god-bless-ice-bucket-brigade
Gary,
The article by Marilyn Hagerty is from today’s Grand Forks Herald. Marilyn Hagerty a wonderful writer, became well known in recent years.
She’s won national recognition with her commentaries on food at local Grand Forks dining places. In the article she shares her personal family experience with ALS.
I too decided to save pennies, to meet the ALS ice bucket challenge.
Why? A very personal reason, a fond remembrance.
I once had a banjo pickin cousin. His name was John, but everyone who met him called him Jack. Every one liked to hear him play. I’d say to him, “Play a song for me cousin Jack!”
Jack with a gentle easy smile, eyes which crinkled with amusement, reddish brown hair and a splattering of freckles. A proud veteran of Korea….another Navy man.
He came to work for my parents a couple times before I was old enough for school. It was Jack who took my sister on a stone boat through the snow, pulled by Barney the white percheron, on her first day of First Grade.
Jack and my dad batched for a week while my sister and I stayed other places when my youngest sister was born. Me, with Uncle Jim and Auntie Ella and the girls, my elder sister stayed with King Fraa and FaFa and kept attending “Seim”
i.e. Oakes Country School.
Later they’d tell stories filled with laughter about eating 1 home cured ham 3 x a day, breakfast, dinner and supper. Dad and Jack were relieved when dad drove to Bottineau brought mom and the new baby home, my elder sister
and I were both home again. They were both tired of dad’s cookin….. ham! Ham and eggs. Ham sandwiches. Eggs and ham. They were both pleased to be eating Mom’s cooking again..
I was just 4 years old when I bonded with Jack. With an awareness, I watched him teaching himself to “pick”. He was talented and determined when he practiced. He stayed at his parents and came over each day to work.
Cousin Jack always had a kind heart for our “family”. When he moved south to work he had the opportunity to venture into the hills of Appalachian Georgia,
On time off, he’d drive into the hills, and stop at little general back woods stores, and “pick” with others who were also fond of music.
One June, I had an accident, Jack called every day for three weeks from Georgia, “just checking up” he’d say. One day, no phone call. There was a knock on the door. And there stood Jack.
He said he needed to see for himself that I was Okay. He brought his banjo,laughter and various stories. He talked about people who worshiped with snakes on every street corner.
I said, “JACK, You are so full of baloney!” But like my dad, Jack could tell a story. Just when I thought it was an amusing tall tale, I’d realize it was the absolute truth.
I started to notice Jack becoming increasingly reluctant to take his banjo out, choosing not to play. He wouldn’t say why. except, I recall Jack saying, he noticed something wrong with weakening of his talented banjo picking
fingers. After a time our family heard news about that ugly hideous disease……… A.L.S. Jack stayed in his home for a time. Then one day, my mother said told he had gone into long term care. I had to work on wrapping my grief away.
Finally, I gutted up my courage, drove to the hospital to see him.
I bawled walking across the floor of long term care…while Jack sat limp in his chair. he could not raise his head, move his limbs… Snottering, “I am so sorry I did not come sooner.” I said to him. Jack’s kind quiet voice spoke to me,
“Vickie I knew why you couldn’t come. I knew you’d come when you could.”
I understand.” Cousin Jack and I had our last long talk..
________________________________
One day we let him go, to his final place to Rest.
______________________________________
A few years after Jack’s passing, while listening to the radio, I heard a banjo “picking ” a song. It was the Foggy Bottom Boys on the sound track from “Brother Where Art Thou?”
I kept listening for that song again and again and again. Each time, thoughts turned to Jack; his story telling, his kindness, his kind of “picking” and his understanding of my sorrow at the unfairness of it all.
When I hear that song, I again remember Jack fondly, and wonder what he would have thought about the ice bucket challenge……. “The Man of Constant Sorrow”.
Thank you Gary
Later, Vickie
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Blog (140) posted on June 24, 2008
Updated Dunseith Alaska Cruise list:
Folks,
I just received this updated list from our travel agent, Gina Ford. This is looking really good.
We have had one fuel surcharge increase since we started booking our group. With the price of crude oil on the rise the way it is, I’m expecting more and a lot higher fuel surcharges in the future.
For those of you even contemplating going on this cruise, I suggest that you lock in your cabin, ASAP, to avoid paying future fuel surcharge increases and also to be more assured of getting the cabin selection of your choosing. All of your moneys are fully refundable up to 90 days prior to the cruise. Hopefully Gina will be able to reserve additional cabins when we get the hundred we have reserved, filled. The quicker we get them filled, the greater her chances will be of being able to reserve more cabins.
Think of the fun we will have on this cruise with so many Dunseith folks on board. We will have 7 days to enjoy each others company and get reacquainted with folks we have not seen for years, in some cases more than 50 years.
I’m hoping I heard things right when I heard through the grape vine that Minnie Flynn is also signed up to go. I’m sure hoping we can get more of our former teachers signed up as well. It will be great having Minnie onboard with us. Maybe we can twist Art Rude’s hand and a few others too.
Take care,
Gary
From: Cruise At Will (Gina Ford)
To: Gary Stokes ; Grimme, Bill ; Leonard, Margaret Metcalf
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 9:58 PM
Greetings All –
The newly booked (in green) were sent statements on Sunday June 22nd. I apologize that it took me a couple of days to get the new list to you.
You now have a total of 27 cabins. GREAT WORK team!!
M/M Gary Stokes
Wm. Grimme and Irina Protassevitch
M/M Ronald Cavaliere
M/M Warren Anderson
M/M Doyle Abrahamson
Nancy Baldwin/Keith Kontzie
Wayne Galloway/ Leona Randall
M/M Michael Vandal
M/M Scott Sjol
Muzette Fiander/ Trish Clayburgh
Randy Flynn Family – (with 3 cabins)
Dwight Lang/ Rene Cassavant
Florence Sime/ Becky Coles
M/M Greg Malget
M/M Keith Pladson
Cheryl Haagenson (who would like a roommate)
M/M Mark Vandyne
M/M Wm. Longie
M/M Charles Munro
M/M Dave Shelver
M/M Terry Espe
M/M Darel Stokes
M/M Robert Berube
Phyllis McKay/Pat Heggen
M/M Gary Metcalfe
Thank you and kind regards,
Gina S. Ford
Cruise At Will, Inc.
Cruise and Travel Planners
1-866-870-6986 (toll free)
954-578-1718 (local)