From Ginger(LaRocque)Poitra (65):

Gary,
I didn’t receive e-mail number 359. I sure have been enjoying all the
stories of times gone by. We all need to remember and pass our memories
on to our children and they to their children, and so on. My son who
lives in Texas was telling me how he tells his sons his remembrance of his
grandparents, whom he loved so much. I had said to him we live and we
die, no one remembers. That isn’t true is it? You all have proved that
here on this blog. You all remember a lot of people and the stories you
all tell are so invigorating to read. We owe Gary Stokes so much for
starting this, and including us all. Thank you Gary you are one of a
kind! and you are appreciated. Many Many thanks.Ginger(LaRocque)Poitra (65)

Ginger, Thank you so much for the very nice compliment. You are such a sweetheart. If I remember correctly, I think you and also a few others were a bit nervous with the thoughts of attending our 2007 class of 65 reunion. I think those thoughts were quickly diminished when you arrived at our pre-reunion breakfast the day before our formal reunion. We had a large turn out for that breakfast too. I will forever cherish that week of my life with the reunion of so many folks I had not seen for nearly 42 years. Like so many said, it was as though we had never parted. Gary

Reply from Marge (Longie) Langan Wilcox (Ron, Willy’s & Wally’s sister):

Hello from Washington state

Gary I certainly enjoy your tidbits everyday.
I am glad you have added me to your lists.
although I have been gone from Dunseith since 1956.

I remember Elaine Watkins very well.
she was in Agnes Berg’s room in the Dunseith school.

that’s the year the boys were burning the girls dresses.
and I happen to be the target by my Brother Wally.
our mom was mad at him.

margelanganwilcox

Marge, I had Agnes Berg for my 3rd grade teacher up at Ackworth. That would have been about school year 55/56. I remember her as being such a nice lady. Gary

Reply to Gary from Eileen Egbert Spitzer (Adrian Egert’s Granddaughter):

Thank you for the information on my father. It was very interesting. Since so many are gone, so much

will have been lost. The date of my fathers death was listed wrong in the chart. He was killed in

Germany May 2, 1945. WWII. My mother never remarried and raised my brother and I alone. She

died in October, 2007 at the age of 94. Eileen Egbert Spitzer.

Eileen, I had your dad’s info right on my combined class list, but it was wrong on the solo class list. Those dates on the Solo class list (1939) were for your Dad’s uncle, James, Adrian’s brother. He was born 12/18/93 and died 9/15/68. I was unable to locate your dad’s info at the time I was putting his class list together, so I thought his uncle was him. Your cousin, Lois Lilleby Fielding is the one that told us about your dad. You dad was only 25 years old when he was killed in WWII. What a sacrifice he made for our country and you too, for loosing him so early in your life. Gary

From Kenny Nerpel (65):

Gary,

It ain’t Paris and it ain’t Hong Kong, but it ain’t bad! There
seems to be something about fast food and the class of ’65.

Kenny

Kenny Nerpel in Denver, Co.

Bill Grimme

in Paris France Gary Stokes in Hong Kong

Kenny, You are looking mighty fine. Like Bill says, those Big Mac’s hit the spot.

Maybe we can get a few more pictures, from around the country, to add to our collection of McDonald’s.

Gary

Reply & George Gottbreht pictures from Sharren Gottbreht Shen (59):

Two for Lloyd Awalt, Gary. I sure look forward to his every entry; such fantastic recall that awakens so many happy memories.

George Gottbreht had an office on the east side of Main St: Dunseith Livestock Exchange. I think it must have been located near or in the Wilson Law offices? I believe the title was lettered on the window. Today I think of it as his private card room! Every time I would stop there looking for a nickle or dime, Grandpa and company would be playing cards. I can still smell the smoke of his cigars. The walls had several prints of dogs playing poker, some had expressions of chagrin, some sniggering, some surprised. The dogs were all smoking cigars too! Grandpa was there from early 40′s till his death in ’51. Jim Gottbreht told me of the Exchange sales ring and stock pens where Dale’s is today and I presume that is where most of their business was conducted.

Jack Hosmer told me about the Business Men’s Meeting held every month on Main St. I thought it might have been at Kadry’s. Any member celebrating a birthday that month would receive a new Stetson. Perhaps Lloyd or others could expand on this club.

I remember dad going to every “Smoker” held in town. I have the impression that these games were held in winter. I know my Uncle August Dionne would come from Thorne so I surmise all players were welcome. I wonder where they were held? My picture is rather dim but I will post it anyway.

Sharron

Sharron’s memo for the pictures:

Notice the white slats and black lettering of the semi trailer in the background of George Gottbreht picture taken around 1940. White proved impractical no doubt, but it is the same truck/trailer used by the Dunseith Livestock Exchange of George Gottbreht and his son Dale Gottbreht to transport livestock from rual Dakota to Fargo. Transport work and a hog farm out of the Grand Forks area defered Dale’s enlistment; when the semi was overturned on icy roads 1943/44, Dale was summonded for active service. Dad liked company for the long hawls to the Fargo Sales Ring and I was chosen one summer when about 8 yrs old. This all new experience to view the groomed animals in the tiered sales theater and hear the auctioneer stutter was amazing. Sales must have gone well beause dad treated us to a case of Bing cherries for the trip home; yes, a few extra stops on the way. The noon meal at Dale’s home was a silent affair except for radio livestock and feed reports.

George Gottbreht – about 1940

George Gottbreht – about 1940

Gottbreht overturned semi trailier 1943/44

Message from Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Gary,

I’ve been meaning to send an email, thanking the person who sent the pictures of Minnie Flynn’s birthday party, to you. Alice Vandal Leonard planned to attend, but because of the weather, she didn’t make it. I forwarded your newsletter that included pictures of Minnie’s birthday, to Alice. She was so happy to receive them. As you know, Alice doesn’t care to receive all the newsletters, so I try to forward the ones I think she might enjoy seeing. Alice was one of the four ladies who wrapped caramels to set on the registration desk at Frozen Fingers Festival, Sleep Inn in Minot on February 13-15. Dick and Brenda Johnson/Ron Hett will be performing at this event.

Thanks again.

Neola

eBay info for Bill Hosmer’s friends book “The Birds Were Silver Then” posted by Neola Garbe:

In a riveting collection of first-person accounts, The Birds Were Silver Then captures the idealism and tragic missteps of America’s earliest air missions over North Vietnam. Told in revealing detail by the pilots who survived, the book is both a testament to their heroism and a cautionary tale for our nation.

Read what people are saying about Lowell Peterson’s new book….

“Dr Peterson’s collection of essays and first-person interviews provides a clear overview of our nation’s often misguided Vietnam policies and a detailed account of the bravery of those charged with carrying our those policies – often to tragic ends. Whether you lived through this era in our history, or were too young to remember it, this book brings to life a critical juncture in the air war and honors those who served its cause.”

Melvin R. Laird
Secretary of Defense 1969-1973

“The Viewtnam War waas a political disaster. Lest we forget, this book remimds us that those who served in that war served honorably and heroically.”

Robert F. Froehlke
Secretart of the Army 1971-1973

“Those of us who were venturing into a new ear of pain and destruction grew closer together and gained stupendours respect and trust for one another. That is the underlying lesson I became aware of while we were losing our virginity in combat and experiencing the exhilaration which come from being shot at.”

William J. Hosmer
Colonel, USAF (Ret.)