Happy Birthday Carmen Richard: Rolette, ND

Happy Birthday Mel Kuhn (’70): St. John, ND

Sympathy to Donna Fugere
From Nathan Richard (‘2000):  US Army.

Deepest sympathy to Donna Fugere. I had the pleasure of her company just a few weeks prior when my family and I were home visiting. Donna, was my bus driver for many years growing up.

Reply from Margaret Metcalfe Leonard (’65):
Rolette, ND

I’m so sorry to hear that Bernadette is having some bad days. Why do bad things happen to such good people???  It was such a pleasure to visit with you again. Stanley and I enjoyed the evening with the class of 65 immensely. It was such fun. It is wonderful to have come from a small town and to be able to go back and connect with all those friends once again.  You have made a difference in so many lives. Thx for making that difference in mine. My prayers for healing, strength and peace for you and Bernadette.  Margaret

Gary’s Reply
Thanks Margaret for the nice words.

====================================
Blog (328) posted on January 4, 2009

Reply to Peggy Peltier’s picture posted yesterday, from Judy Allery Azure (65): 

Pictures from Larry St. Claire (66):

This picture was given to me by Jim Tooke, his mom took it. Left to Right top row, Donny Mongeon, Mr Hepper, Larry St.Claire (me), Tommy Evans, bottom row, Allen Houle, and Jim Berube. I hope this attachment opens, it’s the first time I tried this.

Larry, You did great! both these pictures came through just fine. It’s wonderful hearing from you. I was wondering if you were still out there. This a great picture of you guys in Hawaii too.  Gary

Top row: Donny Mongeon, Mr Hepper, Larry St.Claire, Tommy Evans
Bottom row: Allen Houle, and Jim Berube

Happy New Year from Larry and Robbie St.Claire in Anchorage, Alaska. It is cold and snowy here, about 13 below for the past week. Brrrrr!. Time to go back to Hawaii. Hope this picture comes through.

From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):

Joan, Uncle Roland Mongeon’s step-daughter, shared the Herman Boucher letter and picture of his farm; he enjoyed seeing his old farm and little EJ once again. Uncle does not recall the date of the visit or where in Louisiana Army maneuvers might have taken place. It had to have been a moment of satifaction for FDR having the 34th readied for battle before Pearl Harbor. Alma wrote at the top of her letter “Herman went in May ’41, overseas early 1942.
Certainly Rolette County suffered more casualties than the Boucher/Casavant cousins Harvey Grenier [Europe] and Olard Boucher [Pacific], but I also like to recall persons like Roland G Tennacour who died young of illness; made his mark in local history through Ronnald Tennacour. Where would Bottineau County and Dale’s be without the plummer who has sorted out folks’ problems for 40 years. I’ve heard he has retired to local golf courses; I hope so.

Herman and Emily Boucher are the parents of Barbara/Gary/Martin/Marvin; Aunt Emily Birkland Boucher lives in LaGrande, OR near Gary. Herman was a lumber jack there for years. I was happy to read that Gary Metcalf is in touch with Barb and will enlarge on Herman’s service years. I hope Gary will forgive me for calling him “Greg”.

Ernest Boucher, older brother of Herman, born Sept 1910, also served in WWII. He was conscriped about 1943, stationed in England initially, probably with the Quatermaster Corps in armaments. He served behind the front lines in France. At Bastonge he related that there was a foot of frost on the trees the morning of the Battle of the Bulge. He must have been attached to the 10th Army. Ernest Boucher lives in Fort Benton, MT. Excellent memory but does not see or hear well. Ernest Boucher is very modest about his contribution to the Allied victory in Europe. He is fluent in French and I believe he served additional time after the fall of Germany. I recall his visit to Alma in uniform winter 1946.

Sharron
From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):

Cousin on the Casavant limb of my family tree, Harvey Orndorf, USMC and Nam vet, sent this indepth reply concerning the entry about Herman Boucher in bootcamp. Interesting to me and perhaps to all. Sharron

From: OrndorfH@aol.com
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 20:40:17 -0500
Subject: Family Letter
To: sharron_shen@msn.com

Sharron, I asked a friend and classmate who resides in the Baton Rouge, LA area about probable location referred to in the letter from your uncle “Herman”  Below is the response.  He is my USMA classmate, Phil StAmant.  I really enjoyed seeing the picture of your family when you were expected and EJ as an infant.  It is something you will treasure forever.  Love, Harvey

From: Pastamant
To: OrndorfH
Sent: 1/1/2009 11:15:24 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Re: Family Letter

Harvey,

To the best of my knowledge, there were no field training locations for Army combat arms units in or near Baton Rouge. Most of the training that occurred in Louisiana prior to and during World War II was associated with the “Louisiana Maneuvers,” and the bases–both Army and Army Air Corps–were located in Central Louisiana, in the general vicinity of Alexandria (Rapides Parish), although some bases were also found in Natchitoches Parish, Vernon Parish (where Ft. Polk is currently located), and Sabine Parish.

The most important of the Army training bases was located right by Alexandria, and is still operational as Camp Beauregard, a Louisiana National Guard base.

For a discussion of the various locations, look at the following two websites.

http://www.crt.state.la.us/tourism/lawwii/Maneuvers/Robertson/Camps.htm

http://www.crt.state.la.us/tourism/lawwii/Maneuvers/Studying_War.htm

Baton Rouge was not left out of the war preparation; however, I don’t think that’s where your cousin was based. So far as I know, the only military training in the Baton Rouge area was at Harding Army Airfield, which is now the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field. It was used for a variety of training purposes, including glider training.

The distance from Baton Rouge to Alexandria, where it is most likely your cousin was based, is today about 110 miles, via I-10 and I-49. In World War II, it would have been a somewhat shorter distance, but it would have taken considerably longer to make the trip.

The 106° temperature mentioned is quite a record for this area. It has happened, but is rare enough that it wouldn’t have been an everyday occurrence, even in primitive training conditions. In fact, the all-time high for the state was 114°, which occurred on 10 August 1936 in Plain Dealing (north of Shreveport, near the Arkansas border). Perhaps he was pining for the North Dakota summers, where the all-time high was (I understand) recorded on 6 July in that same year, when it reached 121° in Steele.

Phil

Doreen Bailey’s reply to Bill Hosmer’s suggestion for a map: 

Reply :  Vance  Bailey has alot of research papers for the Dunseith area.

I found the Township and Precinct Maps and am sending a sample copy of
Hillside so you see what they include.  It may be a starting point for
anyone that is interested in the map project.  The county court house has a
lot to offer in the mapping department.  Vance and I picked these up 5 or 6
years ago.  It would take alot of guess work on the locations and lakes etc.
Just a thought!   Doreen Bailey, Tempe, AZ

Folks, this map idea is a wonderful idea. I think these Township and Precinct Maps would be a great tool in placing farmsteads, etc onto a good graphical map, if we can find or create one of Rolette county.

Thank you Doreen.  Gary

Question – Picture from Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Hi,

A couple of people have mentioned the piano teacher might be Mrs. Miles.  Do any of you have info about Mrs. Miles/her children/etc.?  I can’t remember hearing a thing about the Miles family, so I would appreciate any info about them.

Neola

Hi Everyone,

This is another courthouse picture.  There are quite a few of this lady/her students.  Do you recognize the teacher or her students?  Such precious pictures.

Neola

Folks,
Bernadette has been having some bad days, so I have been spending a lot of my time with her so I have not been getting the blog posted. She is a lot better today though.

Gary

   Happy Birthday Almo Pladson (72): Williston, ND

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND

Duaine Fugere (DHS class of 1949)

Died August 1, 2015)Duaine E. Fugere, age 83 of Dunseith, died peacefully Saturday under the care of Unsong’s Assisted Living Center in Minot, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral will be held on Thursday at 10:00 am at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Dunseith. Visitation will be at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau on Wednesday from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Burial will be at the St. Louis Cemetery near Dunseith.

Duaine Fugere, son of Arthur and Josephine (Bergeron) Fugere, was born on February 27, 1932 in Rolette, ND, and grew up near Dunseith, attending Russell Country School before graduating from Dunseith High School in 1949. Duaine was united in marriage to Donna Norby on January 15, 1955 in the Chapel of the Cathedral of St. Paul, MN. In 1961, Duaine and Donna partnered with John and Murl Hill to start the Dunseith School bus business, running it jointly until 1983. Duaine and Donna then continued the bus business until 1995, proudly without injury to children or drivers over the entire 34 years.

These were busy years! From 1955 to 1961, they also brought 6 lively children into this world, topping that off with another major move when they purchased the Alida Higgins farm near Dunseith in 1962.

An avid golfer, Duaine was highly skilled at whist and pinnocle, and played a great game of chess. Duaine also had a special connection with dogs. His collie, Tony, could carry 5 gallon pails, walk a tightrope, and carry messages from the farm to Duaine’s brother’s farm nearby. Tony was featured in the Minneapolis Tribune.

Gary’s comment
Our condolences are with the entire Fugere family with Duaine’s passing.
Duaine was well known in the entire community. Many of us rode his school buses too. He was a good man and will be missed.

Art Hagen’s farm:
Folks,
This is picture of Art Hagen and me with Elma Severson at Art’s farm. Elma is from the Philippines and has relatives here in Cebu. She visited us here in Cebu this past March to. She stayed with Art and Rose. In the three days that she was here she did a lot things. She golfed, Bowled with us, Visited Bohol a neighboring Island, visited us in our home, visited her relatives and manage to find time to socialize and have dinner outings with us too.  

Many of you know Elma. She lives in Bottineau across the road from the fair grounds. She teaches at the college in Bottineau.

Bottineau Veterans hall purchased by Dean and Jacqueline Hiatt Fix
Posting from Jacqueline Hiatt Fix (’79): Springfield, VA

Hi Gary
Any time I hear someone gets to visit the Turtle Mountain area I get jealous,  especially in summer months. LOL

Not sure if you heard or saw the article in Courant about the old VFW building but thought some blog readers may be interested. My husband Dean & I are remodelling into a 4 plex.

It really is a small world, the home phone rang a week ago, I saw it was a local number and the gentleman started conversation with I see you have some luxury apartments in Bottineau. It was Mr Gene Wunderlich who resides minutes from our home here in Virginia and still owns a farm north of Carbury. We have exchanged emails and telephone numbers and plan to meet each other.

Prayers for Bernadette to have more good days. Take Care and thank you for all you do in keeping us close to home when we are so far away.

God Bless
Jacqueline

Gary’s Note:
Yes Jacqueline, I heard that you had purchased the Veterans Hall. I was hoping to have been able to see you too when I was there but our schedules didn’t jive. You have taken on a nice project.  Gary

Another passing
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

Gary and Dunseith friends,

On Memorial Day  after the Bottineau Parade, I went to Dunseith for lunch at Dales.

My cousin Travis invited me to eat  with several current and former  Dunseith area folks.

This is when I met the Myricks very congenial couple.

Vickie

Claude R. Myrick
http://www.amundsonfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1636644
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND

====================================
Blog (327) posted on January 3, 2009

From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50): 

Florence, I replied with an individual message to you, but I want to post this so folks know you are still out there.  Gary

GARY, you have disapeared from my internet.  Are you o.k.?  The wind seldom blows here in Anchorage, thus with all the snow we have this last two months we have a winter wonder land.  I live in a condo, so I have pity for the poor souls that have to shovel snow and shovel and shovel….Thank you again for your peraverance on this internet.  Happy New Year and God bless you.  I’ll bet you don,t miss shoveling snow…………………
From Blanche Wicks Schley (42):\

Blanche, Yes we do have members of the Lamb family from the Turtle Mountains in our group. For those I know of, I have pasted their info below. Bill Lamb is Martha Lamb & Vickie Metcalfe’s uncle. Martha’s father Floyd, Vickie’s mother Lottie and Bill are siblings.  I’m thinking the Lamb family you visited would have been Bill’s parents and Martha & Vickie’s grandparents, but then again I’m just guessing.  I think we have lots of folks in our group that will be able to answer your question very well. I’ll bet there are some that remember your family or stories of your family too.  Gary

Request from Bill Hosmer (48): 

Gary and Dick Johnson, and several others.   When you old timers were talking about the different homes around the hills, it occurred to me that someone with some abilities beyond my own, that it might be possible to develop a map of the area which included all the families we hear from and about.  It could be a graphic display with a little bit of surveyor assistance and possibly result in a two by three foot chart, which might be reproduceable and even a sale item for the Dunseith Log House and the Rolette County Museum. I can see a framable image of the map, with sketches, and or photos of the homes of a given year, or a given decade. For example, “The Way It Was in the Hills in 1930 to 1950, or less and more, and I think it could include pictures of those who were early settlers and the location of their sites.  This would be on a detailed map of roads, highways, and trails that we have enjoyed reading about recently. It would also accurately plot

the location of the homes of these tremendous family groups that gave us our collective heritage.  As I think about it more, it could include all of Rolette County, and the part of Bottineau County that include former Dunseith people.  It might take awhile, but I think there would be a mob of us scrambling to see just who and where we are from, and where it was in “The Hills”. Bill Hosmer
ps.  It should also show the graphic shape and locations of the major lakes, as well as the churches and cemeteries. Ok Guys, go for it.
Bill, this sounds like a great Idea.  I’m hoping someone will be able to put this together.  Gary

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends

Thanks to Martha Lamb Schepp for the story. It brought back good
memories of the old days here in the hills. Your memory of your Grandma
saving Christmas wrapping paper wasn’t odd. My Grandma did that too. She
never ripped open presents, just carefully opened them and saved the
paper! Hard times taught them to save things. Thanks.

Thanks Bill Grimme for the pictures of NYC. Gary mentioned the movement
of the Empire State Building. That is the one thing I remember about
being up there in’67. The tour guide told us the building has a
deflection of 12′, six feet either direction of center. It’s hard to
believe a concrete and steel building that big could sway! I see they
also have shields to stop jumpers now. I don’t know about Bill and
Irena, but that was the last thing on my mind! Thanks Bill.

Thanks Gary for your tireless posting!

Dick

Reply from Bill Grimme (65): 

Gary,

The “Go to North Dakota” song is credited to Lois Steele and Jack Fulton in 1958. I have had a lot of fun with this song over the years. In fact. I think we sang it at our reunion last year. Here is the complete song, although I think Diane had all the lyrics the other day:

Go Ta North Dakota

You Oughta Go Ta North Dakota
by Lois Steele and Jack Fulton (1958)

“Ya oughta go ta, North Dakota
See the cattle and the wheat,
and the folks that can’t be beat
Ya oughta go ta, North Dakota
And you just can’t say goodbye.”

“The sky is bluer than blue
The sun is sunnier, too
And if you don’t believe me
There’s only one thing to do…”
You were pretty accurate on Irina. She has a Phd in Chemistry and she is the head of the biophysics lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She just earned her citizenship this year and she has been in the U.S. since 2000. Good girl.

You were also correct in stating that our class and many other people on your mailing list helped me through a tough time. I will be forever grateful.

Bill

Bill, I found this WEB site.  Gary

You Oughta Go Ta North Dakota
by Lois Steele and Jack Fulton (1958)

http://northshorejournal.org/go-ta-north-dakota

Class of 58 Pictures posted by Ellen Graff Myrick (58): 

Gary,

Thought I’d share these pictures of the class of 58 from the 125th Reunion  The word document has all the people, but one, identified.  It took three pictures to show the 9 members of our class of 18 who attended the reunion in July 2007.  You may not want to use the individual pictures.  It’s up to you as the expert.

Ellen S. Myrick

Ellen, These are wonderful pictures. Now we can put a face with some of you that we hear from. I just copied and pasted your word document directly into this message.  It worked great.  Bobby Lagerquist also attended our 65 reunion.  It was nice seeing him again.  Gary

CLASS OF 58

Back Row:  Robert Lagerquist, Jerome Allard, Marlene (Schneider) Haverland
Front Row:  Ron Link, Joanne (Kester) Boucher, Mrs Ron Link, Colleen (Conroy) Martel, Ellen (Graff) Myrick

CLASS OF 58 + Granddaughter
Allen Johnson’s granddaughter, Allen Johnson, Colleen (Conroy) Martel

125^th Anniversary Opening Banquet Some of Class of 58 +
Left Side:  Don Martel, Marlene Haverland, Ron Link, Jerome Allard
Right Side:  Colleen (Conroy) Martel, Mary Ann (Gottbreth) Brennan, ???, Robert Lagerquist

Message/Picture from Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65): 

Hi Gary,

Happy New Year from Southern CA – we are experiencing a cold snap….must be 50 degrees…..LOL

Today January 2 would have been my Dad’s 92^nd Birthday…he died in 1961.  My Mom and Dad were also married on this day in 1939.  I found this picture in my “stuff” today and decided a few might enjoy this bit of history.  It is a four generation picture – George Gottbreht, William Gottbreht, Dale Gottbreht and my brother George on Great Grandfather William’s lap.

I found it interesting to once again see how tall my grandfather George was compared to my Dad, he was a shorty 5’6” I think…..Daddy’s mom, Evelyn was less than 4’10”.

Evie Pilkington
949-246-6984

Peggy Peltier’s (84) picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Hi,

Here’s a good picture of Peggy Peltier.  I don’t think I’ve sent it before as I don’t see it in my “courthouse” file.

May I send Peggy’s pictures to your address, Gailord, or do you have an address for Peggy?  I’ve already sealed/taped your envelope, Gailord, but I would be happy to mail Peggy’s pictures to your address/address you provide.  My husband will mail your envelope after I return to Minot.

Neola
Folks, Peggy is listed among the graduates for the class of 1984. Do any of you know if she has an email address and would like to be included with these daily messages?  Gary

Happy Birthday Florence Hiatt Dahl (’50): Anchorage, AK

Happy Birthday Bill Pritchard: Bottineau, ND
Best wishes in your retirement too Bill

Trish Larson Clayburgh

Folks,

I finely had the opportunity to meet Trish Larson in person. With all of our message exchanges the past few years, I feel as though I know her pretty well.

No, she didn’t ride into town on horseback. She was driving her truck.

She messaged me and said she was in town. We had made arrangements to meet in the bakery for Breakfast the next morning. Within several minutes she text me that she was going to get Chinese food next door. That is exactly where we were headed too, so we met at the China Inn. We had a wonderful 2 hour visit.

The next morning she met me at Bakery for Breakfast where she saw a number of Dunseith folks too, all sitting at the long community table. To name a few of the Dunseith folks: Les Halvorson and Terry Espe, her former teachers. Terry Olson, Lorenzo Anderson and a number of others whom I have forgotten at the moment that happen to be in there at that time.

That Evening she Joined us for Pizza, with Dick and Brenda Johnson where she saw more Dunseith folks. Martha Lamb, Vickie Metcalf, Betty Schneider Lamb and a number of others that I have also forgotten at the moment that were there too.

Thank You Trish for picking up the Pizza tab. I had the slip in my pocket. I was delayed a bit talking to folks and when I went to pay they said the bill had already been paid. I grabbed the ticket from Dick, so I thought he was the one that had paid, but when I called him he said, “It wasn’t me”, so that just left Trish. She was very clever with that one.

Horses are Trish’s love. She had four, but recently sold one. They are her babies.

Trish’s career is a Nurse. She has a PHD in nursing. I said to her, “Then they call you Doctor too with your work”. She said no. “We are on first name bases.”  When asked what percentage of Nurses have PHD’s she said “5%”.

Trish, thank you for swinging into town. We have heard so much about you and now a number of us were able to meet you face to face. It was a real treat seeing and visiting with you. You were a breath of fresh air.

Jay and Lola Vanorny’s Benefit
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Gary and Dunseith friends,

Lola and Jay’s  “Thrivent Action Team” were the people like Sandi Hagen, Karen Melgaard, Jeff Azure, Grace LaRocque, Dick & Brenda, and Raphael & Evon with a  passion to help.

They got the action started, which accumulated to the benefit last night, Saturday, August 1, 2015.

When positive people have a passionate fire for helping others,  it is becomes a  wonderful uplifting  experience for everyone who comes to participate.

I know of Thrivent members in the region, who when  hearing of a benefit, come out and support the efforts to help.

Thus,  everyone who comes or gives to the benefit feels less powerless over things we cannot change AND  empowered to change the things we can.

Bless the entire Crew & Community  for believing and making a difference!

Vickie
Honsey Passed away

Posting from Sharon Honsey:  charge7thcavalry@aol.com Seattle, WA

Dear Gary, wanted to let you know that my dad Leonard Honsey passed away July 22, 2015.  His obituary will start appearing in the Courant next week and the Star the week after.  The funeral Home here in Seattle set up dad’s obituary under mem.com,  And you search his name.  I bet he is sitting with your dad reminiscing about the good ole days!

Leonard L Honsey December 7, 1925 – July 22, 2015 Obituary Leonard L. Honsey Leonard Lyle Honsey, age 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and his dog on July 22, 2015 in Seattle, WA. Leonard was born to Arla Cecelia (Lagerquist) and Sam P. Honsey on December 7, 1925 in Holmes Township, Rolette County North Dakota. The most profound moment of Leonard’s life came, when at just 13 years old he was sent out by his mother in a blizzard to look for his dad. Leonard found him shot to death in a horrible trapping accident. The gun, which had been a recent birthday present to Leonard, went off when Sam tried to use the stock to break the trap free from the frozen snow. Leonard instantly had to fill his father’s place, in the household with the younger siblings and on Sam’s threshing crew with his uncles Ole and Andrew Honsey. Young Leonard drove Sam’s Rumley up and down the Radley Hill through Dead Horse Canyon many times. Leonard married Lois Peterson in October of 1946 and to this union 3 children were born: Leonard Eugene, Lynette Jean and Leo Jackie. Leonard worked out, helping farmers all the way to the Valley, drove taxi around Dunseith and the San Haven, and later started working for Rolette County running the dozer cat. He had started out on the blade but someone said “Hey kid, go jump on that cat and see what you can do!” And dad’s love of being a heavy equipment operator began. His first marriage later ended in divorce and he moved to Seattle in order to find enough work to provide for his family. He transferred to Local 302 Operating Engineers in December 1955 and began working in the Seattle metro area. On April 9, 1960 Leonard married June Salmonson and they made their home in Seattle. In 1965 their daughter Sharon Lynn was born and she became Leonard’s best buddy along with his brother Harvey. Leonard worked on many projects throughout the state of Washington and some work in Montana. He worked on the construction of the I-5 freeway, the I-90 corridor over Snoqualmie Pass through Ellensburg to the Columbia River, Sea-Tac Airport and even did some prep work on the future site of the Space Needle. Leonard worked for Northwest Construction, Tri State Construction and later Associated Sand and Gravel. Leonard is survived by his wife of 55 years, June; his children: Lenny Rude (Gayle) of Placerville, CA; Lynette Honsey of Seal Beach, CA; Leo Honsey (Katsumi) of Veradale, WA; Sharon Honsey; 6 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; his sisters Doris Pontius (John) of Sioux Falls, SD and Faye Williams of Woodbury, MN; his ½ brother John Abrahamson of Federal Way, WA; many nieces and nephews; his North Dakota friends and his cherished dog, Scout. Leonard will be buried in his beloved North Dakota at Little Prairie Cemetery, Rolette County, near his parents, grandparents and great grandparents. He was preceded in death by his mother Arla, dad Sam, uncles Ole and Andrew Honsey, brothers Glenn and Harvey Honsey. Memorial Services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, Dunseith ND with Pastor Don Short officiating, August 18, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow.

Sharon and June (Salmonson) Honsey

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

====================================
Blog (326) posted on January 2, 2009

From Martha Lamb Schepp (68): 

Happy New Year everyone!

*It is blowing snow around the corner of our home as my husband and I watched the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. My thoughts went back probably about 40 years when my dear friend Jill Flynn was marching in that parade. My fond thoughts go back to the days of band and chorus in Dunseith, what a wonderful experience, I remember marching in the Minot State Homecoming and thought I had reached the top. We were so fortunate to be under the music direction of Mr. Johnson. I don’t know if we let him know how grateful we were.but I’m sure he hears our praises of him in heaven. Anyway Jill you made us proud and to think your music adventure was started under the direction of Mr. Johnson and of course your hard work.

*Another thought to the class of 1968. Do you remember the neat looking quill pens Mrs. Conroy gave us for Christmas in the 4th grade? When I was looking for a gift for the Title 1 students, I thought I haven’t seen a quill pen forever in the teacher catalogs. I would have loved to have given them to the Title 1 students this year.

* Can you tell the holiday rush is over? I have time to write now. I always tell my students about going with horses and a sleigh to my Grandparent Abrahamson’s for Thanksgiving if there was an early snowfall, and for Christmas every year. There was not a graded road by the Berdsley lake and no mail route or bus route for one mile between us and my Grandparent Abrahamson’s. This trail was never maintained. My parents worked so hard to make this a special day for us. The day started our milking the cows, feeding the animals, gathering the eggs, harnessing up the horses hitching up the sleigh, making sure there was fresh straw on enclosed sleigh or sometimes the stoneboat. Plus Mom had made our favorite dishes to take to Grandpa and Grandma’s, packed blankets and stoked the foot warmer. One time my Dad had to shovel in front of the horses by the Berdsley lake and the horses would lunge forward as he tried to make a narrow path for them. I remember my brother Dean and myself being scared that the sleigh might not make it through the snowbank or tip over, but Dad always pulled us through. Those horses knew just how to work for him. Once we got to Grandpa and Grandma’s, Dad would tie up the horses and give them hay and water, I assume some of Granpa’s hay and water. We always pulled our runner sleighs behind as we would spend the day sliding down Grandpa and Grandma’s hill by their house, we were lucky there wasn’t too much traffic as we went on the main road. We never had a accident. When it was getting dusk and after our last time of an evening feast Dad would get the horses out of Grandpa’s barn and we would start home. This is what I remember the most was the jingle of the harness on the horses after dark. I remember that like it was yesterday. We always pulled the runner sleighs and after dark the runner might hit a rock at different times , I remember the sparks would fly.
When we were home 2 miles later, Dad would unharness the horses, we would milk the cows, feed the calves , haul in drinking water and stoke the furnace. Thanks to our ancestors for making our life so easy today. This is when we learn the song to Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandma’s house We Go in my Kindergarten class. I’m sure it is the lesson when my heart yearns for the good old days.

* Another thing that sticks out in my mind is that Santa Claus always in real life to Grandma’s during Christmas day. Grandma saved the wrapping paper from the year before and ironed it for the next years Santa gifts.

* One more thought I remember is both Grandma Lamb and Grandma Abrahamson always wearing a apron. I happen to have one of my Grandmas aprons. I also have a book My Mother’s Apron by Dr. Edward Keller, The author is from Strausburg, North Dakota. Our grand daughters love to wear grandma’s apron as we read this book to them. Memories!!!

Love to all and Happy New Year!! Martha Lamb Schepp

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

To bring others up to speed on the messages between Larry Hackman and
Larry Millang and me, I need to fill in some blanks. We were discussing
where some of the farmsteads were along Highway 43 and who lived where,
long ago. Larry and I concur on several places and have things fairly
well worked out. The thing I mentioned about Larry being done dusting,
was an inside joke. I told him he blew the dust off some other memories
in the back of my mind. To this he said that we better not let our wives
know we are into dusting or we will find ourselves with another job!

To Diane Larson Sjol,

I may be mistaken totally, but I think when I was a very young kid
someone told me the words to your little North Dakota song were written
by Henry Sunderland from Dunseith. Can someone confirm or correct my
memory? I think Bob and Donna Leonard would know. As I stated, I may
have been mistaken or possibly told wrong. I remember most of the words,
but hadn’t heard them for years–cattle and the wheat, and the folks
that can’t be beat! True. Thanks Diane!

To Sharron Gottbreht Shen,

Thanks for sending the letter and picture from the WWII era. I assume
Roland Tennancour was a casualty of the war, judging by his young age
and death in 1942. Do you have information on his story that you would
be willing to share? Thanks !

Dick

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):

To Sharon Gottbreht,

I so enjoyed the letter from Herman Boucher and the picture….you can
see the Gottbrehts in little EJ’s face in the photo.  I have a
question….my grandmother was Johanna Boucher and married to Fred
Richard (my mother, Verdellis Larson’s parents).  They lived on the
farm in Thorne…do you know how we were related to Hermann?  Mom was
born in 1927…Fred and Johanna were married in 1918…born in 1897 I
think….

Diane Larson Sjol

Bill Grimme (65) in Times Square NYC 01/01/09: 

Gary,

Here it is – 2009. Just got back to the room after watching the ball drop in Times Square. The attachment is a picture of Irena and me during our wait for the event. We stood for 5 hours on 7th Avenue. Temp was about 20. Breeze was stiff. Snowed for a little while. I think I just neared, but did not reach, my limit. Damn close, though. This is like Mardi Gras–great to do once, but once is enough.

We are staying in NY until Sunday. Then back to Alabama to say hi to my little dog and cat, then off to Arizona for a little while.

Happy New Year to all!
Bill

Folks, Bill Grimme lost his wife to cancer in about August 2006. Her death was extremely painful for him. It was several months later that I contacted Bill putting our class of 65 list together. Shortly there after I distributed our whole class list to all of our class members.  Our class had not seen one another for nearly 42 years. The release of our class list was great timing for Bill to get reacquainted with all of us helping ease the pain of having lost his wife.  Bill was in no means looking for sympathy, but just talking to folks eased the pain even if he didn’t mention the fact to those he talked to that he had lost his wife. Bill called each and every person on our initial class list.  For our class folks, getting a phone call, out of the blue, from Bill Grimme was heart wrenching. Bill was a pretty popular guy, well know for his academic achievements, in our high school days.

In the last while, Bill has been seeing and has become attached to Irena. She immigrated from Russia and has a PHD in I think Chemistry. Bill has told me several times and I keep having Physics on my mind of which is not correct. Irena is a department head in one of the state colleges, I think at the University of Alabama.  Bill, please correct me one more time with the correct info. Thanks, Gary

Bill Grimme with his friend Irena at Times Square in NYC – 1/1/2009

Gary,

Still having fun.

Bill

Bill, I’ve been up there and it’s beautiful. On the top floor, where you guys are at, it feels like one can feel the resiliency movement of the building.  It’s so high and that top floor is not very large. It kind of gives you the feeling of being in outer space.  Gary

Bill Grimme & Irena – New Year’s Day (2009) at the Empire State Building

Jeff Skjelver’s (Glen & Annabel Shelver’s Grandson) reply to yesterday’s message: 

“I and Ole Evans went to the Carnival last night & had a few drinks – don’t feel so good today but when you get about half drunk it gets your mind off of the Army for a little while – this Army will make more bums then soldiers.”

Wow!  It’s just like the present with the Afghanistan and Iraq BS in which we currently find ourselves mired.

How prescient of Mr. Boucher.

Yet another truth-speaker:  Wilfred Owen (Dulce et Decorum Est).

Semper Fidelis and Peace…

Randy Hiatt’s photo provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Folks, Randy is Glen (Ikie) Hiatt’s son. Ikie is the younger brother of Leola Lagerquist & Netty (Jack deceased) Peterson. Their father was George Hiatt.

The following is a reply from Leola’s daughter, Evon Lagerquist.  Gary

Yes Gary, This is our cousin Randy, Ikie’s 3rd son. He lives in Langdon,ND now. I believe he is around 44 yrs. old. I haven’t seen him in quite a few years, so really do not know his kids. Ikie lives in Rolla now.

                                    Evon

Lola Metcalfe
Reply from Aggie Casavant (’69):  Fort Mill, SC

Gary

I  too  was  saddened  and  taken  aback  by  Lola’s  passing.  Her  and  I  started  chatting  back  and  forth  about  a  year  ago, and  like  you  always  enjoyed  her  stories  on  the  blog  and  the  detail  in  which  she  wrote  them.  My  heart  goes  out  to  Jay and  his  family, and  all  her  brothers  and  sisters. She  was  faithful  in  making  those  trips  to  Kansas  to  see    her  daughter, son-in-law  and  those  grandbabies. She’s  going  to  be  missed  alot.  Aggie
Jim Wheeler and Lola Metcalfe
Reply from Brenda Hoffman (’68):  Greenville, SC

Oh no. So much sadness and death. Jim Wheeler, Lola and now Bernadette is not doing well. I’m so sorry.

In Memory of
JAMES R. “JIM” WHEELER 
1950 – 2015

James Robert Wheeler (Jim), 65, of Casper, passed away June 28, 2015 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Jim was born June 21, 1950 to James & Mildred (Graber) Wheeler in Oakes, N.D. When Jim was in the 5th grade, his family moved to Dunseith, N.D. where he helped run the family farm.

In 1968, Jim graduated from Dunseith High School and married his high school sweetheart, Holly (Myer) Wheeler.

In 1970, Jim became a Doctor of Motors when he graduated (3rd in his class) at Wahpeton State School of Science as a Diesel Mechanic.

Jim and Holly were married for 47 years, raised four children, Kandi, Shannon, Cindy and Angel, and spoiled 5 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters.
Throughout the years Jim worked rebuilding antique cars, as a diesel mechanic, farming and home remodeling. He owned Wheeler Construction in Casper, WY. He was a very successful home improvement contractor in Casper. Jim was respected by everyone for his superior quality and performance in his work.

Jim enjoyed the company of his family and friends, loved reminiscing, telling jokes, playing cards, hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, exploring the mountains, working on old cars and gambling.

By 2005, Jim was critically ill with a rare lung disease, which forced him to quit working. He went thru numerous surgeries and had many pneumonias which on June 28, 2015 took his life.

Preceeding Jim in death was his dad, James Robert Wheeler, Sr.

Survivors include his wife, Holly of Casper; daughters, Kandi Kinney of Casper, Cindy Wheeler of Bozeman, MT, Angel Babcock of Wasilla, Alaska and son, Shannon Wheeler of Edgerton, WY; his mom, Mildred Wheeler of Bottineau, N.D.; brother, Richard Wheeler of Ronan, MT; sisters Sharon Sabbe of Surrey , N.D. and Judy Gagnier of Minot, N.D.; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-granddaughters and one on the way.

To share a special memory of Jim or to leave a message of condolence for his family press the share memories button above.

I inadvertently forgot to post Larry Hackman’s picture yesterday
Sorry about that Larry. Thanks for the story you posted yesterday too.
It was a real treat seeing you and your brother Henry at Dale’s too.

Clayton P Kjos (’39) Death
Posting from J.L. Vinie: Relative 

In trying to locate the name of Clayton’s wife, I ran across your blog.

Thought you’d want to know that Clayton passed away in 2010.

J.L. Vinje
Relative

Clayton P Kjos

====================================
Blog (325) posted on January 1, 2009

Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57):

Wow, I guess I have another cousin!!  I tried calling Randy Hiatt tonight to welcome him to the family, but did not get an answer.

It’s really something how one letter can tip you off to lots of things you would like to know.  Herman mentioned Cote’s outfit, I thought Laureus Cote was somewhere over there, now I know for sure.

Does anyone remember Martin Belgarde?  He was a fixture at Lamoureux Bros. Garage, about like Carroll Carlson was.  Martin was a great storyteller.  I think he actually was in Italy for awhile.  He said he jumped off a ten foot bank hoping to break just one leg and all I broke was my gol dang gun. LOL

Janice and all of you in Seattle area, hope you are staying safe and dry through all of this unusual wet/snowy weather out there.   Gary Metcalfe

Gary, I think you’ve got a pretty squared away cousin too with Randy.  You mention Laureus Cote.  I knew him well.  He and Loretta included me as if I was one of the family when I went to Bremerton, WA in the fall of 1966. Laureus often mentioned his WWII service years in Europe.  He passed away several years ago. I can get you connected to his children if you wish.  Fern Cote Berube (Mrs. Lawrence) and Laureus are siblings.  Gary Stokes
Request from Marge Langan Wilcox (Ron Longie’s (65) sister):

Good morning Gary,

You probably don’t remember me.
I am Ron Longie’s sister in Vancouver WA…. would like to be added to the Dunseith alumni
I left Dunseith in 1956….. after marrying Hollis Wilcox
I get all of the messages from my brother Ron longie.

Marge Langan Wilcox

Marge, I know a lot of folks will remember you. Ron and Willie are remembered well by many.  You guys come from good stock.  Welcome aboard. I have reposted your family photo below along with a more recent picture of your mother and Hannah Loab. You are a very pretty girl. Gary

Wilbur Longie Family:

Back row: left Wallace, Wilbur, Marge, Ronnie
Front row: left Willie, Patti, Ursula, Donnie

Hannah Higgins Loab & Ursula Longie – 7-13-07

Reply from David Slyter (70): 

To Dick Johnson:

I too enjoy reading the War stories.  It is so interesting to read the letters of the soldiers to their loved ones during a very tough time in their lifes.   Not being a military person myself, I still have a respect for the ones that serve in any of our armed services.   Our dad Fred Hiatt was commander of the American Legion in Dunsieth for many years and as you know we always played or sang at the memorial day programs at the old Duseith city hall or the High School.  It takes people like my dad, or Jack Flynn, or Floyd Dion and the Hosmers and many more to keep things going in a small town like Dunseith.  Those were the good ole days.

To Randy Hiatt:

Welcome to the Dunseith Alumni pages.  Mom always spoke of the day that she delivered you into the world and it was a proud moment for her.  In 98 we took Mom out to Washington on a summer trip with us.  It was great seeing you and the rest of the Hiatt clan at the picnic that everyone thru for us.   I had seen relatives that I hadn’t seen in 25 years.   Mom passed the following year in 99 but had always talked about that previous summer.    So again welcome to our world and enjoy.

Dave Slyter (70)

Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): 

It is so frustrating that I cannot send mail direct to Gary Metcalfe. Just wish to thank him for the keen insight he has into the 34th. I shall look for the book he recommends. Copies of the camp picture in the mail by Monday; I am sure Aunt Emily and/or Uncle Roland will know fellow soldier. I have no idea what camps behind the lines looked like but the tent structure looks collapsable and screened – good for buggy Louisiana but also important in Italy where fever born disease from mosquitoes was a problem in river areas. Sharron

Reply from Allen Richard (65): 

To Wally Garbe– Yeah this is a weird winter by modern standards for sure.  Saginaw Mi was a couple inches short of its annual snow fall last week– we are supposed to get another 3-4 inches tonight.  Over the Christmas Holiday — in a 10 day period, we went form nearly no snow to two feet of snow to no snow.  We have about 8 inches now.  I hope you don’t get another “blizzard of ’66”  That was the nastiest in my memory.  I have a few stories about that one– I’m sure a lot of you do too.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season — onward and upward for 2009—not sure if we can get much lower!

Allen

Willie/Maxine Hiatt picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Folks,  Willie and Maxine Radley (38) Hiatt lived in the Ackworth community until moving to Bottineau in about 1955.  Norris Knutson purchased their farm and has lived there ever since.  Willie was a plumber in Bottineau for many years.  Maxine worked for Dr. Sveen, a Dentist in Bottineau, for a number years. Willie pasted away this last year. Maxine is currently living at the Oak Manor Apartments. Their children are Barbara Cote, Harvey, Lawrence & Doug. Doug has been working the Good Samaritan home in Bottineau for quite some time now.  Gary

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Jammin’ to the oldies      Minot Daily News: December 28, 2008

Frozen Fingers Music Association holds stage show, jam session

The Frozen Fingers Music Association held a stage show and jam session at the Sleep Inn in Minot Saturday. Members of the association entertained an audience with old-time and bluegrass music.

“This organization is for the education of people about old-time music, and it’s for fun. The whole purpose is to promote bluegrass and old-time music, to get a few more people interested in it,” said Dick Johnson, vice president of the Frozen Fingers Music Association.

Once individuals are interested in the music, it seems to be something that sticks with them. Johnson recalled how he started playing.

“I came down to the concerts three years ago. I went in a jam session with my guitar, and I didn’t leave my chair for 14 hours,” he said.

The Frozen Fingers Music Association is made up of old-time and bluegrass groups from around the region.

Frozen Fingers hopes to interest more young people in the music, and the association serves the purpose of teaching them how to play.

“The best way to learn how is to sit down with people, and do it. It’s something we need to keep doing, or it’s going to slowly dwindle away,” Johnson said.

Frozen Fingers’ next stage show and jam session will be held at the Sleep Inn in Minot Feb. 14-15. A dance will be held Feb. 13, and a guitar clinic will be going on during the stage show and jam session.

“It’s a full two days of music groups, old-time or bluegrass. Sunday morning we’ll have a polka mass, and during the day we’ll have old-time gospel music,” Johnson said.

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

I know some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas. Gary

Hi Everyone,

Claudia sent the info written in green.  I had “run” the original email by her before I sent it.  I’m including her latest info.  Thanks, Claudia.

FYI:  Claudia has acess to a computer in Bismarck/Bottineau, so you may visit her site/send emails any time, and she’ll receive them immediately.  Neola

January 9: Good morning Neola, I am home now, as of last night. Really

glad Bottineau didn’t get the snow. I will be in Bismarck
for treatments, 6 chemo, 3 weeks apart and then 6 weeks
radiation. I will be home when I can be. I have to have
hercepin every week until I’m done with chemo, then
herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. Thank you for passing it
on, it is so nice to hear from people and have the support.
How are you? When do you start? Is radiation first? Let me
know how that goes and keep me posted. You are in our
prayers also. Thanks for all the laughs, you know laughter
is the best medicine. God Bless, Claudia
Hi Everyone,

Some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas/her father and mother, Marvin and Muriel Bergeron/her grandparents, Leo and Claudia DuBois Bergeron (Page 76 in Centennial Book).  Leo and Claudia lived 9 miles east of Bottineau (about half-way between Bottineau/Dunseith; Leonard Neubauer and family lived there later; Leonard’s son now lives on “the place”.

Claudia is married to Brad Trebas of Bottineau.  Brad/Claudia live in Bottineau.  I copied/pasted the following info I found in Claudia’s Caring Bridge site.  I have had two surgeries to achieve clean margins and the lymph nodes were removed after cancer was found in the sentinel node. I will begin chemotherapy treatments January 16th and radiation will follow. Maybe we can’t see this as a blessing quite clearly yet, but we do know we are blessed with such loving and supportive family and friends.

It is with Claudia’s permission and blessing that I send this email to all of you.  If you click on the link I’m including, it will take you directly to Claudia’s journal on Caring Bridges (Hi, Claudia!).  Claudia would love to have you visit her journal/read the information/look at the pictures/sign her guestbook.  Claudia is staying at her daughter’s (Chelsey) home in Bismarck.  It’s not exactly the way you’d choose to spend more time with your grandson, but, if you have to stay somewhere, you can’t do better than seeing your grandson (other family members) every day.

Neola

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/claudiatrebas
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

IPG “Rainy Day” fund.
Gary,
As you can see, this is a little old.  The Courant was lying on the table.  I saw this article and decided to scan/send it.  Now I can throw this part of the paper.
Neola

Hello folks,

I had a wonderful time in the Bottineau, Dunseith and the area. I saw lots and lots of folks. I had Breakfast most every morning at the bakery. Sitting at the locals community table I saw and visited with so many folks. There were days that I’d get there at 8 am and before I knew it, visiting with everyone, it was noon and time to eat dinner.

Our class of 65 50^th reunion went over well too. We started the day at John and Margaret Bedard’s, in the afternoon, with refreshments and a pontoon ride. Thank you John and Margaret for your gracious hospitality.  From there we went to our reunion banquet at the Birchwood, Lake Metigoshe. Henry Hackman and Ron Longie were sick and could not make the reunion banquet, but they were able to be at a little gathering we had at Dale’s the next day. With those two we had 15 folks attending. We graduated 27. Three have passed on, so there are 24 living.

My trip home went well. I arrived in Cebu on Tuesday 11:40 PM. It was about 12:40 AM when I got home. It was a 28 hour journey.

Benefit for Jay Vanorny
With Lola’s passing the decision was made to still have this benefit

Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (1968) Pasted away.

LOLA RENAE VANORNY
(August 21, 1950 – July 22, 201

 Lola Renae Vanorny, age 64 of Dunseith, died on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 in her home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Burial will be in the Little Prairie Cemetery, also of Dunseith. Visitation will be held on Sunday beginning at 4:00 P.M. in Peace Lutheran Church of Dunseith.

Lola Renae Vanorny, a daughter of Jim and Ella (Evans) Metcalfe, was born on August 21, 1950 at Bottineau. She was reared and educated North of Dunseith near the International Peace Gardens. On June 22, 1968 she was married to Jay Vanorny in Dunseith. After their marriage she began working at San Haven. Lola began working at Rolette County Social Service after San Haven closed. She worked over 20 years for Rolette County, retiring in 2013. Lola was the heart of the family farm and manager of the family business.

She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, and the ladies organization within the church. Lola dedicated her life to caring for and helping others.

She is survived by her husband, Jay of Dunseith; daughter, Tina (Christian) Corley of Olathe, KS; sons, Jason (Monica) Vanorny of Des Moines, IA and Joe (Darci Nelson) Vanorny of Bottineau; 6 grandchildren; brothers, Gary Metcalfe of Branson, MO and Jim Metcalfe of Yuma, AZ; sisters, Geri Munro of Fargo, Margaret Leonard of Rolette and Patti Woods of Dunseith and her dog, Duke.

Preceded in death by her parents, sister, Helen; brother-in-laws, Chuck Leonard and Dwayne Coleman.

I was so saddened to hear of Lola’s Passing. She has contributed a lot to our blog too with her many postings. She had a great memory and enjoyed sharing her many memories of the past.

I was able to attend the viewing of Lola on Sunday afternoon too,  before leaving for Cebu the next morning. It was so nice seeing the Jim Metcalfe too. They are great folks, so friendly and nice.

Loosing Lola was pretty traumatic for the entire family, especially for Jay. Our prayers and condolences are with Lola’s entire family.

Gary

Ron Longie and Henry Hackman were ill the day before and were unable to attend our banquet, but were able to make our gathering at Dale’s the next evening.

It was so nice seeing Larry and Henry Hackman at Dale’s.

Not sure, but I think Larry ate the whole hamburger too.

Story from Larry Hackman (’66): lmhackman@bis.midco.net Bismarck, ND

Gary I started this story back when several people were sending in stories about their wood gathering and cutting days in the Turtle Mountains. I just never finished the thing. Doing some wood cutting over at my brother Henry’s reminded me .so I did a little work on it and forwarded it to you.  I hope the window is still open for another story.  I know you are in vacation and I didn’t want to bother you and was going to wait to send in to you after return to the PI.  But, after visiting with you up in Dunseith and you encouraging me to send it to you.  Here it is.  Hope you enjoy it. Open attachment for pictures.

Larry

Cutting and Hauling

By  LARRY  HACKMAN

They were the days.  I loved all the recent stories about getting the wood out, and then cutting it for use in the heaters and cook stoves.  It brought back a lot of great memories of great times.  On my younger days on the farm, in the fall of the year dad would haul tree trunks in a wagon pulled by the ford tractor or sleigh loads when there was snow, pulled by a team of horses.  Each tree trunk minus their branches and leaves, were about twenty to thirty feet long.  He would stack these tree trunks in a large pile about five or six foot high and about thirty foot wide in the farm yard, near to where he wanted to make the wood pile.  Then he would arrange for his brothers to come over and block up the wood.  Frank would bring over his 1949, A-John Deere that he bought new from Evans Hardware and John Deere Equipment in Dunseith, ND.  Frank had equipped the tractor with a front mounted buzz saw (a circular blade about three feet in diameter) powered by the tractor it was mounted on.

The photo shows a B-John Deere with a front mounted buzz-saw that is powered by the belt shown.  On the photo the belt is shown on a hanger for transport when moving the tractor.  When blocking up wood the belt is put around the pulley, on the side of the tractor, in front of the back wheel and pulled tight to power the saw.  When powered up the saw would sing, the buzz, whirrs song each time it sliced through the log, to make a new block of wood.  It seemed like the faster the men worked the faster the saw would cut.  There was the smell of fresh cut wood in the air along with noise of the saw, the popping of the John Deere and the laughing and joking voices of men as the wood pile grew larger.  In no time they were all gathered around the kitchen table for a meal and more visiting and more laughter. It has always seemed to me that the harder men work, the more they enjoy life!

Two or three Hackman Brothers would pick up tree trunk after tree trunk and feed them into the saw. The saw would whistle as it cut through the log.  A brother on the other side of the saw would catch the sawed off block of wood and throw it into the wood pile. During this procedure none of their feet would move.  The three men holding the log would sway back in forth in unison so as not to bind the saw blade.  If someone got out of time usually one of the brothers would growl (“If you want to play in the band”, probably not that term used, but I’m sure you get the idea?) at the other.  The fellow on the other side of the saw catching the block would just twist at the waist, catching the block before it fell, and toss it into the wood pile.  He also had to be in time with the other fellows feeding the tree trunk into the saw or the block of wood, would fall to the ground and you didn’t want to be bending down to pick up a dropped block with that buzz saw going, or you could end up with a crew cut like that Dick Johnson kid use to sport around town in his younger days, or worse.

I grew to love going after wood and cutting and splitting it for firewood.  As a teenager I would go up in the hills and help my uncles.  No chain saws in them days or at least they did not have any to use.  Everyone would just grab an ax and away we would go to find a good stand of timber.  My uncles always used a double bit ax to chop down trees.  If one blade got dull they would just flip it over in their hands and keep on chopping.  The axes that they gave us younger fellows to use were the single edged kind.  I guess they figured us young bucks had more energy to wear off anyway. I remember we would cut down so many loads of green trees (trees that were still growing),  and we would chop down and gather up so many loads of dead trees.  If you wanted a fast hot fire you used the dried out dead blocks of wood.  If you were going to town or away for the day you threw a large green block of wood in the heater and one in the cook stove. The green block would burn slow so that when you got home there would still be red hot ambers in the stove, you just had to add some dry split kindling to the stove or heater and in no time at all you had a nice warm house and the cook stove was ready to make a meal.

I moved my family to colorful, Colorado back in the 80’s and there I found heaven.  Everyone burned wood.  Friends and neighbors would get together, pick up some Kentucky fried Chicken and head for the mountains.  Everyone would pack their families in their pickups along with their chainsaws and what a time everyone had.  The men with their chain saws cutting down trees and helping each other load their trucks.  The women visiting and keeping a watchful eye on their men and the children, as they kept them all safe and separate from each group.  Picnicking together and visiting while the children were running everywhere and playing games.  We never lost a kid that I remember anyway.  I guess that’s a good thing?  When we arrived back in town we dropped the women and kids off at their homes to get the kids cleaned up and supper started.  We men would go and help each other unload the logs from their trucks into the backyards.  It defiantly was a full day of fun, work and good times.

Larry & Norris

Now, I don’t know if this is true or not but during the sixties there were a lot of young fellows sporting afro type hairdos.  A lot of young fellows were being swayed by that movement.  The story goes that Dick was thinking or actually was going in that direction.  Everyone knows that Dick’s dad took particular care with his appearance and as it should be, he expected his offspring to do the same.  Now, young Dick wasn’t paying too much attention to his dad in them days as most teen agers know it all, and don’t have to be told anything by anybody.  He just wasn’t listening! Don perplexed, informed his Dad, “Hans” about the situation and that he just didn’t care to have his son running around with a curly perm especially in the woods ,can you imagine the stuff a mop like that would pick up.  Can you imagine the job his mom would have checking for ticks?  Anyway as the story goes, Dick’s Grandpa Hans told Don that he thought he had a way to handle the situation and that he would see how it goes.  Well Grandpa Hans took young Dick out to the wood pile one day and started up the John Deere, the B-John Deere with the front mounted buzz saw.  His Grandpa had young Dick catching cobs (I guess, cobs is a Norwegian term for wood blocks).  Well Grandpa Hans just knew a few tricks about sawing wood and let one of them cobs fall to the ground, when young Dick least expected it.  Dick bent down without much thought, to catch that cob and well-a a crew cut. After that whenever Dicks hair started getting a little long there was always some wood to be blocked up for the long cold winter. I don’t know if Dick ever caught on or not? (From an unapproved source).

I still enjoy cutting wood.  I always have my chain saw in the tool box in the back of my pickup just in a case an opportunity would present itself. Well guess what?  The other night my wife and I were invited over to my Brother Henry’s for supper (dinner-whatever) and afterward we went outside as it was a beautiful evening in North Dakota, (a slight breeze without mosquitoes).  He was showing me a project he had been working on for the last few weeks by himself.  An elm tree that had died in his backyard needed to come down.  He had removed all the branches and the lone tree trunk was just standing there doing nothing, about 2 ft. in diameter and about thirty ft. tall.  Well, I just walked off to my pickup and got out my trusty old McCulloch chainsaw and with about two pulls it started.  I was amazed as I haven’t used it for years.  Well, I went back into Henry’s backyard  and took care of that tree.  Which should have been a fifteen minute job, however, took over an hour.  Well, you know whenever you do something outside in town it becomes a spectator participating job.  I patiently waited for Henry to explain to each neighbor and passerby before starting the chain saw in between the conversations. Anyway that old tree trunk hit the ground with a huge thud that even surprised me and a few of the neighbors, but I had it cut up in manageable chunks in no time.  I love it!

It use to be that whenever I got the urge to knock down a few trees, I use to jump in my truck with the chain saw in the tool box and take trips up to the old farmstead in the Turtle Mountains. I guess I was doing it, a little more often than I thought as people began calling me, “Chain Saw Larry”.  So I quit!  Now, they just call me Larry.  Keep on laughing!

Dick Johnson’s reply to Larry

Larry,

Most of it is almost, somewhat,  kinda, a little bit–true.  We all still have our thumbs and fingers,  as far as I know,  but it’s really a wonder with the way the old buzz saw blade was whistling just inches from our hands.
Dick

Larry Hackman’s message to Mel Kuhn.

Mel

You are little more familiar with with this than I am.  What is almost,somewhat, kinda, a little bit—true.

Is that Norvegian speak for something  Maybe you could enlighten the rest of us?

Larry

Stone Masonic Lodge and United Methodist Church
Purchased by Melvin L. Nokleby: l

 Dear Gary

My name is Melvin L. Nokleby, and we were able to buy the beautiful stone Masonic Lodge and United Methodist Church in Dunseith, as we wanted to preserve this great building for the city, community , county, and state. We are at the present, doing our best, to put on a new roof. paint, and restore, much of the inside of the building. It is our wish to get pictures, stories, and the like, of meetings held there, such as weddings, funerals, local, city  and lodge meeting over the past 103 years.  We would like, to have these items, so families friends and visitors, may come in and see, and read about much of the history that took place, in this beautiful building. We want this building, to be  a drawing point for many, and make the city of Dunseith and the surrounding community proud. If you and others can get the word out, it would be such  a great help to us.

You can contact me  by phone 760-485-1078  or lnokleby@dc.rr.com

Thank You

Melvin L. Nokleby

We do not expect people just to hand over, pictures and the like, and would pay for prints made, unless they would like to have them placed in this Historic building.

====================================
Blog (323) posted on December 31, 2008

Birthday party for Winifred Eurich and Dorothy Pritchard – Posted by Jean Eurich Roland (80): 

Good morning and a belated Christmas greeting to you and your family! The Season this year is reminiscent of Christmas’ years ago…the snow fall that is!  In Minot we received another 5 inches last night. I’m not sure what our season accumulation is so far but the snow banks along my driveway are higher than my car and I had snow banks as high removed earlier this month!

I thought I might use the Dunseith Alumni blog to make an announcement. My sisters (Eileen Nelson, Mary Knutson, Sharon Hanson and Dorothy Strietzel) and I are hosting a birthday party/card shower for our Mom, Winifired Eurich, and our aunt, Dorothy Pritchard, on Sunday, January 4, 2009.  In January Mom will be 90 and Aunt Dorothy will be 96 – both are residents of St. Andrew’s Health Center Long Term Care in Bottineau.  We’ll serve cake and coffee from 2-4; for those who can’t make it, cards may be sent to them at 316 Ohmer Street, Bottineau, ND  58318.

Thanks so much and Happy New Year!

Regards – Jean (Eurich) Roland

Jean, It’s so wonderful that you gals are having a birthday party for your mother and Dorothy. They are both great ladies and are well known in the Dunseith/Bottineau communities. I visited Dorothy when we were back in 2007 and I last saw your mother at my mother’s funeral in July of 2004. They are sharp ladies.  Gary

Reply from Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73): 

I loved the little poem about North Dakota, I remember the looks on my girls faces the first time I told them ” you know its really cold when your nose sticks together when you take a breath ” Its amazing they are all grown up and I still get that look when I say somethings go figure.  I enjoy the stories of gamble store.  I worked in the store when dad owned it and what a sales person I was, just ask David Fugure.  He came one evening for a case of shells and I was going to sell him the box which he explained to me was 12 cases. Thank God he was honest our I’m sure Norman Hiatt would of had a heart attack. Another time I was left to do the weekly ordering and I orderes 100 of potting soil.  Well guess what I ordered 1oo cases not 100 bags, Well I didnt get fired but I did make him laugh and swear at the same time.  I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine

From Sybil Johnson: 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, to all you from North Dakota. This pictures were fabulous. For all those who lost loved ones this year, I send my condolences. I must

say, I don’t miss your winters. The winters down here in Wyoming are enough for me. Keep warm and safe.

Sybil Johnson

Reply from Bill Hosmer (48):

GARY,  YOU BROKE THE CODE ON THE CONFUSION OF WHICH YEAR. IT WAS BOTH, OF COURSE.  MAYBE THERE IS A WAY TO MAKE THAT CLEAR, ALTHOUGH THE INTEREST IN THE MATTER IS ALWAYS FLATTERING.  THANKS FOR A BLOG WITH REAL INTEGRITY.  BILL HOSMER

Reply from Gary Morgan (54): 

Gary and All,
Dick Johnson was right when he said it really doesn’t matter what year The Thunderbirds buzzed Dunseith.  It was a wonderful gesture and will forever be a part of Dunseith lore.  I think they did appear in Minot in 1961 and that was probably Bill’s only point of reference.  I figure anyone who has flown 240 combat flights is entitled.
According to Google, the Cuban Missle Crisis was in 1962 but later in the fall.
We hope to get out of here today to spend at least three months in Mesquite, NV but we got dumped on again last night and travel is questionable.  For sure I’m going to have to blow out my driveway before I can go anywhere.  That will be the ninth time this winter.  Anyway, I think my internet goes down tomorrow so I’ll probably be out of touch for awhile but keep those emails coming, Gary.
Hoping you all have a prosperous and healthful 2009!

Gary Morgan

Follow up reply from Gary Morgan:

Gary & All,

One last side note while I’m snowbound on the banks of Lake Sakakawea…..when I was looking for that article on the Thunderbirds, I needed help to make a copy from the microfilm.  The fellow from the State Library expressed surprise that there wasn’t more of a write up for such a momentous event.  He wasn’t aware, of course, that at least at that time, if Dunseith was to get any recognition for anything, it certainly wasn’t going to be from the Rolla paper.

Gary Morgan

Gary, All three local papers gave us great support with our 2007 reunion, however, I have to agree with you for their lack of Dunseith coverage back in the 60’s. Something as significant as the famous Thunderbirds buzzing Dunseith should have been big front page head lines, with or without pictures. I’m sure some folks must have had a few pictures that could have been published.  I’m surprised that the Minot daily didn’t pick it up either. In today’s environment, I’m sure this event would have been front page news in all of the papers.  For the 40’s & 60’s to present ‘ Turtle Mountain Stars’  are published on the WEB.  I was very surprised when I could not find anything at all in the achieved papers about this event other than what was mentioned in the Dunseith News section submitted by Marlene Armentrout. Gary

The following are replies to the Getzlaff Photo posted in Blog (286) on 11/18/08 by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Identities for the Getzlaff photo from Marsha Getzlaff Bakken (74): 

Hi,

Sorry it has taken me so long.  Row 1 siting:  left to right

Marilyn, Marlis, Cora Delvina, Row 2 (dad) Darrell, Grandma Lillian, Grandpa Walter, Alvin Row 3: Darwin, Myron, Gloria, Norman, Virgil

I will send more information later just wanted to get this to you.

Thanks Marsha (Getzlaff) Bakken

Reply from Ron Link (58): 

Gary: If my memory serves me right I believe the 1st man in the middle row is Darrel Getzlaff. I can remember his face but sometimes the name is not quite as easy to recall. RON LINK-1958

Reply from Bobby Slyter (70): 

Reply from Dick Johnson (70): djcars@srt.com

Gary,

The guy on the left in the middle row is Darrel Getzlaff. He has been a
‘fixture’ at Dale’s since the 50s. He still drives the bulk truck  and
delivers fuel. Of the gals, I only knew Gloria. One of the bearded guys
was in Dunseith for a while in the mid 60s and I only knew him by the
nickname, ‘Sonny’. I don’t know if he is Mike, who works for the
Bottineau Courant, or if it is the other guy with the beard. Someone has
to know–out of your 600+ readers! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Reply from LeaRae Parrill Espe (67): 

Getzlaff family picture:  I can identify some of them.  Back row-Darwin, Mike (Turk), Gloria Hagen, Norman.  Center Row-Darrell, Lillian, Walter.  Front Row:  I don’t believe I know any of these sisters.

Darrell worked at Dale’s Truck Stop for years.  All of his kids attended DHS.  Marsha, Lester, and Arlinda are three of his children and I believe I am missing some (Kevin?). (Sorry I can’t think of the others right off hand-someone help me out!) Arlinda is married to Allan Suchan and they live near Botno.

Darwin died of a sudden heart attack when he was very young.  His wife Phyllis (Jenson )babysat for my oldest son Brady.  Their son Curt was the Brady’s hockey coach for several years.  Curt lives just a couple miles east of Bottineau on Hwy 5 and has his John Deere repair business there.

Turk or Mike was the editor of the Bottineau Courant for a number of years.  He was also the main one to cover the sports.  I think he retired for that job around five years ago.

Norman now lives on the town line North a Botno.  He is married to Phyllis’ sister Margaret (Jenson).  They were one of the first places on the right side at the crest of the first hill as one heads North. They have it lookin’ good with all the trees and the landscaping they have done.

I believe most of the hillbillies know Gloria (Mrs. Orville Hagen).  She passed away from colon cancer about three years ago.  Her daugher Kristie Brooks now teaches in Bottineau.  I got to know Gloria when she was an aide at Bottineau School.  She worked at San Haven for many years prior to that.

Someone else will have to identify the other sisters.

Identities provided by  Marsha (Getzlaff) Bakken:
Row 3: Darwin, Myron, Gloria, Norman, Virgil
Row 2: (dad) Darrell, Grandma Lillian, Grandpa Walter, Alvin
Row 1: siting:  Marilyn, Marlis, Cora, Delvina

Folks,

I am departing for the States tomorrow, Friday, July 3^rd. I will be returning July 27^th. During this time I will not be posting any Blogs. I can always be reached on Face Book and email. My primary email address is gws123456@hotmail.com  also gws123456@gmail.com. They are both good.  

I will be staying with my brother Darrel (Bud) and his wife Debby in Bottineau. Their phone number is (701) 228-2190. I will be getting a Mobile number too, when I get there, that I will be posting on Face Book. Not sure if I can get it on the 4^th, if not, for sure on the 5^th.  

Looking forward to seeing many of you folks with this trip back. As before, I plan on eating breakfast most every morning at the Bottineau Bakery.

Tomorrow will be long day. I depart Cebu at 8:00 AM Friday with a 3 hour layover in Japan, a 6 hour layover in Minneapolis, arriving in Minot at 9:30 PM on July 3^rd.  25 ½ hours total.  It will be nearly midnight when I get to Bottineau. I have a rental car reserved with Enterprise.

Gary

Happy 74^th  Birthday!  June 29^th. Shirley (LaRocque) Wendt class of 1959 Dunseith
From your sister Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Happy Birthday Shirley LaRocque Wendt (’59):  Tukwila, WA

Happy Birthday Donna Wenstad (’75): Amado, AZ

Virgil Landsverk passed away

https://www.facebook.com/ThompsonLarsonFuneralHome

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home

Virgil Landsverk, 76, Minot, ND, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2015, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Virgil Oliver Landsverk was born was born on August 13, 1938, a son of Nels and Gertie (Rispa) Landsverk, in Bottineau, ND. Virgil was baptized at the Salem Lutheran Church and later confirmed at the Rendahl Lutheran Church. He was reared on the family farm in the Turtle Mountains and attended Beaver Dam and Willow Lake Country Schools.

Virgil’s employment included working at a service station in Bottineau, on the oil rigs, and as a construction worker and heavy equipment operator for various companies; some of whom were Strukness, Bechtold Paving, Mattson, Mikkelson Brothers, and Wanzek, from which he retired.

Virgil married Verginia LeAnne Latendresse on April 24, 1971, in Upham. They have two children, Michael and Kelli.

He enjoyed watching television, especially Lawrence Welk, the Gaither’s, Antiques Road Show, and game shows. He also enjoyed talking on the phone with his family and friends, and spending time with his grandkids.

Virgil is survived by his wife of 44 years, Verginia LeAnne Landsverk, Minot; son, Michael of Minot, daughter, Kelli (Devon) Dyck of Rugby, granddaughters, Kayleigh and Arianna, grandson, Charles; brothers, Elwood (Linda) of Minot, David of Bottineau, Leland of Bottineau; sisters, Sharon Beckman of Bottineau and Barb (Larry) Lawrence of Bottineau; sisters-in-law, Connie Landsverk of Bottineau and Aggie Landsverk of Salina, CA; brother-in-law Corky (Ida) Latendresse of Minot; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn; brothers, Bruce, Arlan, Darrel, Roger and Kenneth; grandson Little Virgil Gayle; and niece, Elizabeth Landsverk.

Memorial Service: Friday, July 3, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church, 1720 4th Ave NW, Minot.

Interment: Rendahl Cemetery, rural Dunseith, ND.

Visitation: There will be no reviewal, but friends may sign the register book Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Joke of the day
Posted by Mel Kuhn (’70):  St. John, ND

Cletus is passing by Billy Bob ‘s hay barn one day when, through a gap in the door, he sees Billy Bob doing a slow and sensual striptease in front of an old John Deere tractor. 

Buttocks clenched, he performs a slow pirouette, and gently slides off first the right strap of his overalls, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward and in a classic striptease move, lets his overalls fall down to his hips, revealing a torn and frayed plaid shirt. 

Then, grabbing both sides of his shirt, he rips it apart to reveal his stained T-shirt underneath. With a final flourish, he tears the T-shirt from his body, and hurls his baseball cap onto a pile of hay.

Having seen enough, Cletus rushes in and says, “What the world’re ya doing, Billy Bob?”

“Good grief, Cletus, ya scared the bejeebers out of me,” says an obviously embarrassed Billy Bob.

“But me ‘n the wife been havin trouble lately in the bedroom d’partment, and the therapist suggested I do something sexy to a tractor.”

(Don’t make me come ‘splain this to you!)

Folks,

Today is Bernadette’s 67^th Birthday.  We are the same age for 3 weeks.  

We have reservations for her Birthday dinner at the Ching Palace Chinese Restaurant this evening at 6:00 PM with the blood relatives of her full blooded siblings and of course our Daughter-in-Law Lorelie and her daughter, now our granddaughter, Nika. There will be 28 of us, 22 of whom live here in our compound. We have hired a Jeepney to get everyone to the restaurant.

Several days ago when Bernadette was not well, we cancelled today’s dinner reservation and made plans to have a catered dinner at our house.  The next day when Bernadette was coherent, she was very upset that we had done that, so we turned it all back on again for dinner at the Ching Palace. She said she would be there even if she had to go in an ambulance. She is better today, so I think her wheel chair will do, at least we will have it alone. It is noon now. With all of the activities going on with everyone around her for her birthday, she is feeling pretty good and is charged. In the Philippines, Birthdays are very big deals.

Gary

====================================
Blog (322) posted on December 29, 2008

Thunderbirds buzz Dunseith in July 1962 – posted by Gary Morgan (54): 

Gary & All,

     Please note the first item in the attached copy of the July 26, 1962 issue of the Turtle Mountain Star.

     Enough said.

Gary Morgan

From Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

Last evening at a restaurant in Bottineau, I had a chance to visit with
Ann Carbonneau O’Connell and during our reminiscing I mentioned having a
couple school pictures of her mother, Carol Watkins Carbonneau. These
are from the early 40’s when she was a classmate of my mom, Bernice
Olson Johnson. I’m sending the originals to Ann but would like to post
them for others to see as well. She sure was a cutie! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick, Ann Caronneau O’Connell is on our distribution list and she shares these daily messages with her mother Carol.

Carol, this is a beautiful picture of you. You were a very pretty girl and are a beautiful lady today. I’ll bet Emery was the envy of the town courting you.  With the several conversations I have had with you, you are equally beautiful on the inside.  You are so friendly with such a sharp mind.  You have excellent recall of the past too.  Gary

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70): 

To Bob Lykins and all,
Bob, I am very jealous that you are in Germany right now, especially
over Christmas….Some of my most wonderful Christmases were spent in
Deutschland when my dad was stationed there.  It seems as if Germany
is transformed during the holidays or maybe it was just because I was
a kid…..but when I smell an evergreen tree, it takes me back to the
sleepy little village close to the post where we were stationed.  I
spent a couple of Christmases there in my early twenties and even
though I was away from family, they were very majical.  One of these
days, I would like to experience that again….so enjoy the snow and
to make you feel better, we are shoveling snow in ND too….it is
snowing again tonight and my husband just groaned when he saw it; took
three motrin and went upstairs with the heating pad…he is so sick of
shoveling…
Oh, when I was a kid in about the sixth grade, we used to play in the
old German bunkers (we were stationed in Wildflecken) and found all
kinds of things in there….old shells etc.

Reply from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Thanks again for Bob Lykin’s personal insight from his travels to WWII
battle sights. This may not be as interesting to some of the readers as
it is to me, but it ranks high in my interest. The caves on Mt.
Suribachi, on the island of Iwo Jima were said to be linked throughout
the inside of the mountain by tunnels. My father-in-law, Trygve Knutson,
said the ships and planes bombed and shelled the Island until they
thought nothing could survive. The invasion forces said the sand was
actually hot from the continuous shelling. They tried to use shell holes
for cover but the sand was nearly too hot to lay against. After all
that, there were still thousands of Japanese soldiers unharmed in the
tunnels and caves. My old buddy, Carroll Carlson, believed the war could
have ended sooner but the Japanese would not surrender because we
demanded an ‘unconditional’ surrender. He said they thought the US may
make them slaves or worse. They supposedly indoctrinated the Japanese
people to believe the US was totally bloodthirsty and would reign over
them without pity. This may have made it plausible for the willingness
of the Kamikaze pilots to die without regret. At any rate, it certainly
gave them more reason to fight to the last man. History is full of half
truths and questions of political nature, but for the average man sent
into action it was  real and  vicious no matter what  the government
said. That has been the nature of war since the beginning of time.
Politicians start it and then send other peoples sons to finish it—my
humble opinion. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (70): 

Greetings Gary, from the last cold North Dakotan breath of 2008.  I am
sharing my 2009 Years Resolution.
Thank You,  Dick Johnson for sharing about your father-in-law’s WWII
service in the Pacific and Mr. Lykins for  information regarding the
many battle fields,which sound quite familiar from listening to dad’s
and Carroll’s oral histories.   My dad Cliff, spoke of many of the
same places while he was in the Pacific on the USS Hamlin.  He
recalled Tokyo Rose, the Kamakazees, and  men he served with.  He too
watched the flag raising at Iwo Jima…… And, he put soldiers on
many of those places while piloting a PTO boat…….then, with a
grappling hook…..picked up many of those brave soldiers as…
bodies in the unforgiving sea…. memories… which he wrestled with
for years.
Dad also shared the same opinion as Carroll Carlson on General
MacArthur which was definitely not what I read about in any history
book.
Yesterday, I received a Christmas card from the man who served along
side my dad all those years ago.  Dads friend, George, was closer to
him than a brother for the hellish experiences they shared. Our
family never went through Montana unless we stopped to visit George
and Betty Johnson.  His children were honorary cousins for my
siblings and I.  And, all 5 of us hold George in high esteem because
our dad did.
So, my 2009 New Years  resolution  will be to honor dad’s memory by
continuing to reach out to WWII veterans.  God Bless cousin Gary
Metcalfe who’s never given up on honoring the memories of  his
maternal uncles Bing and Ole Evans.
To  each  of you, Dunseith Alumni who listen and acknowledge the
voice of veterans, all the best of 2009!
Vickie
—
Vickie L. Metcalfe

Posted by Gary Stokes

USS Hamlin (AV-15)

Kenneth Whiting Class Seaplane Tender:

• Laid down, at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma, WA; Launched, 11 January 1944
• Commissioned USS Hamlin (AV-15), 26 June 1944, CAPT. G. A. McLean in command
• Decommissioned, 18 January 1947 at San Diego, CA
• Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego, CA.
• Custody transferred to the Maritime Administration, September 1962 for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.
• Stuck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1963
• Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 8 March 1962, to National Minerals & Alloys Corp. <LI.Hamlin received three battle stars for service in World War II

Specifications:
Displacement 8,510 t.(lt) 12,610 t.(fl)
Length 492′
Beam 69′ 5″
Draft 22′
Speed 18.7 kts.
Complement 1,077
Armament

two single 5″/38 dual purpose gun mounts

two quad 40mm AA gun mounts

two dual 40mm AA gun mounts

sixteen single 20mm AA gun mounts
Propulsion steam turbine, two boilers, one shaft, 8,500hp.

History of the USS Hamlin (CVE-15)
http://www.historycentral.com/NAVY/MISC/hamlin.html

Happy Birthday Diane Wensted Wiebe (’69): Portage La Prairie, MB

    Happy Birthday Debbie Poitra Rondeau (’77): Dunseith, ND

    Happy Birthday Gail Halverson Schuler (’72): Bismarck, ND

       Happy Birthday Jean Tooke Berger (’75): Mandan, ND

     Happy Birthday Donna Fugere: Renton, WA

Reply from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Hi Gary,

I realize how debilitating those diseases are, my dad had both of them.  He passed away before he lost all his memory.  It was good that he still was able to recognize us. I remember when he was hospitalized, I went to see him I asked him who I was, he sh oak his finger at me and said, I don’t remember your name,  but you ll always be my daughter. I will never forget that,  I love him and I still think of him a lot. I think he passed away not long after. He was born 10/27/1917 passed into the hands of our Lord 2/27/2005. He was a good person. The nurses and doctors all liked him, he was a good patient.

The last few times Shirley was home her whole demeanor was different along with repeating things over and over.  Once I said to her you already told me that and she said I know , I just thought that if I keep saying it I will remember it better.

I realize what you are going through, and I pray that Bernadette doesn’t have such a hard time.  I pray for you too Gary,  so you can be strong for Bernadette, the wonderful lady you fell in love with and married. You found a lovely lady with a heart soooo big! Who loves you so much.  Just being around you two the few short times I could see that love you have for each other.

Take care of yourselves.  My prayers are with you both

Ginger

Gary’s comment
Thank you Ginger for the nice warm compliments.

Benefit for Henry Boschert, Grandson of Patty (Fassett) SjuePosting from Paula Fassett (’71):  White Bear Lake, MN

Hi Gary:

As you know – I’ve tried and failed to forward a FB message to you regarding a benefit bake sale that was held in Minot on Tues, June 23^rd. It may or may not be attached, if not here’s the scoop:   It was a benefit for Henry Boschert, who is about 2 yrs old.  He is the son of Brian and Andrea Boschert of Glenburn, ND.  Andrea is the daughter of Patty (Fassett) Sjue and the late Dr. Perry Nermoe.  Her grand parents are Darrel and Dorothy Fassett.   Baby Henry was diagnosed with cardio facio cutaneous syndrome (CFC) in October 2014.  It is a rare genetic condition affecting less than 400 people worldwide.  Because of his condition, Henry has global developmental delays, seizures and depends on a feeding tube for all of his nutrition.  An international conference will be held in Seattle this coming July.  Henry and his family would like to attend to network and to learn more about his condition.

The bake sale was held to help raise money to help the Boschert family attend the trip and learn more about CFC and interact with other families who are experiencing it also.  If anyone would care to contribute, donations can be sent to Andrea Boschert at 7561 24^th Avenue NW, Glenburn, ND  58740.

Thank-you!

Paula I. Fassett

====================================
Blog (321) posted on December 28, 2008

Letaine Bolen Brandt (Former Teacher) info provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

LETAINE BOLEN  BRANDT, 60, Bottineau, died Tuesday in a Bismarck hospital. Memorial service Wednesday, 2 p.m., Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.

William/Letaine C. Brandt

815 Fifth St E

Bottineau, ND 58318-1463

(701) 228-5197

Message/Picture from Marge Landsverk Fish (57): 

Merry Christmas from Marge Fish (57)

I was happy to have my kids home for Christmas and their families.

Brad lives in Odenton Md., Brian in Freeport Fl. and

Kim in Waupun Wi.

We have been having an old fashioned N.D. winter so I think they are glad to be back

On the picture Brad and Brian are in back and  I am in front with my daughter Kim Bunkoske.

I live in Horicon Wi.

Thanks for all your hard work Gary and have a Happy New Year and a Great 2009!!

Marge Landsverk Fish Family:
Back: Sons – Brad & Brian
Front: Marge & Daughter Kim

Back: Lola Metcalfe, Patt Metcalfe, Joan La Croix
Bottom: Joann Houle, Corliss Allard, Randi Mongeon

Folks, This is a picture of DwightLang when he was visiting in Russia several years ago. Dwight has a home in Tucson and Lake Metigoshe.  He spends his summers up at Lake Metigoshe.  I know he’s a golfer.  Not sure if he’s made pro status yet though.  That’s something he may still be working on.  I know one thing for sure though, and that is the fact that Dwight has developed excellent computer skills. Gary

             Dwight Lang (61)

Dunseith News provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Message from Betty Watschke Cooley (’45):   Redmond, WA

Hi Gary – –

With computer problems in recent months I am somewhat behind in catching up.

I was so sorry to learn of Bernadette’s condition and now with a name, vascular dementia.  I’ve been a caregiver for my husband for several years as his dementia progresses.  In one of the support groups I attend we recently had a report on the vascular type with all the ramifications possible.

You are so very fortunate, under the circumstances, to have so many caring family members near to help and assist you with the many daily needs of you and Bernadette — caregiving is a 24/7 plus job.  I’m wondering if you have some of the resources available there for supporting help and information which are a great help to we caregivers.  The Alzheimers Association has an excellent web site also.

Your many friends connected to the Dunseith community are continuing to support you over the miles with their healing thoughts and prayers for both you and Bernadette.  Many times others think about letting you know but we don’t always take the time to send them  to you personally, and now I will add my own to your long list.

We all appreciate the time and effort you continually put into the Dunseith daily reports.  If this started out as a hobby I’m sure you had no idea how it would grow and affect so many lives.  Even tho  I have been away from Dunseith for many years I still remember of the names of the older generations and enjoy  all the historical stories. We certainly all appreciate all your many hours and energies spent for us all — many, many thanks.

Betty Watschke Cooley, DHS class of l945

Tuesday Morning.
Thank you Betty for the nice kind words. You are so right about the growth of this blog. As long as I am alive and able, I will continue this blog. I started this in December 2007, so we are coming up on eight years. In time I think I will cut if back to biweekly rather than trying to put one out every day. With some of the other stuff I have going, lately I have been missing a few days here and there.

Yes we are very fortunate to have Bernadette’s three nieces available to work for us. We pay them a regular wage with a lot of added fringe benefits.  All three are four year college grads too. Novie and Mirasol are full time with one day off per week. They also do all the house hold work and cooking too. Edelyn is part time coming in from 6-10 each evening. It is not every night that she is needed, but she is here none the less. She is good company for Bernadette, plus she frees me up from having to be in the house 100% of the time. Bernadette is well pampered and is waited on hand and foot 100% of the time. She gets what she wants when she wants it. If she wants a massage, the gals will get one of the several in our neighborhood that come to the house. As I am writing this she is getting a full body massage. If she wants a Manicure/Pedicure they will bring one of them in too. If she wants me and I am in the office next to the house she just calls me and I am right there. While writing this message, she has called me twice. If she wants a certain type of food, the gals will get if for her and the list goes on.

If Bernadette was in the states, she’d be in a nursing home. Here she is able to be in her own home.

Wednesday Morning
I didn’t get a blog posted yesterday or Monday. I will try and get one out today before bowling.

Bernadette had a relapse last night. She is somewhat better this morning but still not good.

Gary

Phyllis McKay’s (’65) Retirement
Message from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Congratulations!  Phyllis,  on your retirement. I hope you enjoy!  I sure do. Sounds like we worked in the school system for about the same amount of years. I worked in special education all those years and enjoyed it very much. Well you enjoy your life of doing whatever you want to do! Life is to short not to enjoy the little we can after retiring.

I’ll see you at the reunion

Ginger
Thanks, Gary

Russell Pigeon
Message from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Russell Pigeon,

So sorry to hear of your illness. I want to let you know that I will be saying prayers for your full recovery. God Bless and make you well.

Thanks Gary,

Ginger LaRocque Poitra

Bernadette Stokes
Message from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Hi! Bernadette,

I will pray for you to feel better.

God bless you and make you get well!

Thanks Gary,
Ginger

Ursula Longie’s passing
Message from Cecile Gouin Graig (’61): Windsor, CO

Heard threw the grape wine that Ursula Longie passed away on June 12^th. I believe she would have 94 next month. I have no other information. Cecile Gouin Craig 1961.

Cecile, I was able to locate Ursula’s obituary pasted below. Gary
Obituary: Longie, Ursula Marie

LONGIE, Ursula Marie Ursula Marie Longie closed the last chapter of her life on June 12, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilbert, eldest son Wallace, and her great-granddaughter Faith. She was the last survivor of 9 Dolan children. Ursula is survived by her children: Marjorie, William, Ronald, Donald and Patricia as well as 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Ursula was born on October 21, 1919 in Devils Lake, ND. At the age of 13 she attended Parochial school for her education. She began her medical career as a surgical assistant under the direction of Doctor Lobe at San Haven Tuberculosis Center in Dunseith, ND. In 1962 Ursula moved to Spokane, WA with her husband and family. This is where she continued her medical career as a lab technician at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital until her retirement. While she took great pride in her career, her life’s work was her children and her extended family. As the matriarch of her family time and time again she displayed the true meaning of unconditional love for everyone that came into her life, no matter the circumstances. She touched many lives. Her home and loving arms were always open, at all times. The family wishes to express appreciation and gratitude to Havenwood Caregiver Services, Providence Holy Family Hospital, and Royal Park Health and Rehabilitation for their caring and compassionate care towards our mother. A time of visitation will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on Thursday, June 18, 2015 from 10 am to 5 pm. Services will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 12:00 noon.

Reply to Russell Pigeon
From Dennis Dubois (’63):  Minneapolis, MN

I hope that this can be relayed to my fellow classmate, Russell Pigeon. Nine years ago, yesterday, I finished my radiation for Esophageal cancer. I went through that same operation, Ivor Lewis. that he did. You can make it. My prayers are with you Russell, I firmly believe that prayer, and great doctors, is what got me through. If there is anything I can do to help Russell, just contact me.

====================================
Blog (320) posted on December 27, 2008

Greetings form  BETTY LAMOUREUX MALONE BADGETT (49): 

MERRY DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS – AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

THANKS, GARY, FOR CREATING THIS!!

BETTY LAMOUREUX MALONE BADGETT

From Bobby Slyter (70): 

GARY; THE PICTURES OF YOU AND BERNADETTE AND HER FAMILY ARE WONDERFUL, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD BEFORE HOW ALL OF US FROM DUNSEITH AND OTHER AREAS APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO, BUT IT IS ALWAYS WORTH REPEATING YOU ARE APPRECIATED FOR WHAT YOU DO THANKS AGAIN

JUST LITTLE OLE  ME FROM KANSAS

Thank you Bobby for the nice comments. Bernadette has held her age well over the years. Her sister Alot is showing her age more the last few years. When she went to Japan as an entertainer (dancer) in 1988 she had to lie about her age to be eligible to go. She was 34 at the time, but listed her age as 24, with documentation. With those trips to Japan, she met and married her current husband in 1994. In Japan she is and always will be listed as being 10 years younger. She has a wonderful husband that we have met when visiting Japan.  He’s an Electronics Engineer, working for the Sony corporation.  Alot reads, writes and speaks very fluently, 4 languages and Bernadette 3.  Unlike most of the folks in this country, they both speak very fluent English. 80% of these folks know English, but few are fluent. Things are expensive in Japan, but then again, their wages are higher too. Alot told me today that the road tolls from their home in Tokyo, round trip to the air port, 50 miles one way, are $70.  That’s nearly a months wage for many of the folks here in the PI.  Gary

Reply from Bob Lykins (DHS Teacher mid 60’s): 

Indeed, Richard, the Side-Hill Gouger.  One of the least understood and appreciated creatures of our planet.  We are fast approaching that date in Feburary when they gather by the trillions and march around the side of hills causing land and snow slides across our world.  Every so often one will read or hear of a major landslide or snowslide which causes great damage. Most put the causes for such calamities on natural events like heavy rains and snows.  Ugh, ugh, no, no, it’s Side-Hill Gougers on the move.  That is one of the reasons for my frequent visits to Deutschland.  I am studing the mating habits of Gougers in the Bayischer Wald Mountains of Germany. As I recall, I believe we had a Side-Hill Gouger Day celebration at DHS.  I remember one of the Casavant boys tapping a steady beat on a drum as I told the tale of the Gouger.  Didn’t we also do something for St. Urho’s Day?  March 16th?  That’s the Finnish patron saint who drove the grasshoppers out of Finland.  This was very important since it saved the grape crop and allowed the Finns to contnue to produce wine for their favorite national sport of getting “Crocked.”

Dick, you say your father-in-law was at Iwo during the battle.  I flew in there twice on resupply flights and toured the Island.  Even though it was used briefly during the Korean War as a base for a fighter squadron, it remains very much like the day the war ended.  There are some changes.  There is only one airstrip remaining and that is maintained by a small contingent of Japanese Self-Defence Forces.  At the northern edge of the Island, where the last Japanese stand took place, is a small Coast Guard LORAN Station.  There, about 40 CG men spend a year providing communication and navigation services for ships.  That station may be closed by now as satallites and GPS have made such stations obsolete.  Also, the Americans planted heavy vegatation on the Island to cover a lot of the scars from the bombing and shelling.  However, Mt. Surabachi is still barren and I climbed up it’s side.  While most of the Japanese caves have been sealed a few pop open now and then revealing the remains of the Japanse dead.  The Japanese Government used to send a Graves Registration Team to Iwo yearly to register the dead many of whom have been left where they died so as to not disturb their souls.  I happened to be on Iwo when one such cave was discovered.  I was allowed to go in and I took some photos but left everything as it was.  Still, I felt guilty about the photos and I have never shared them with anyone.  Before the invasion, as Iwo was being fortified, the Japanese brought supplies in by huge concrete barges and ships. After they were off-loaded the concrete barges and ships were taken around to the West side of the Island, where the Japanese, at first, thought the invasion forces might land, and sunk as defenses (We invaded from the East side).  Their super structures remained above water. With time and the sea,  sand has filled in between the old shoreline and these ships allowing one to walk out to them to explore.  Before the war there were two Japanese fishing villages located on Iwo.  The people were evacuated and they have never returned. The Island remains virtually unpopulated except for the thousands of dead Japanese soldiers interred in the caves.  If your father-in-law were to stand on the deck of his ship and look upon Iwo today, he would see the same Island he remembered (Minus the shelling and landings).  It remains a very sad but peaceful place whose quiet is only broken by the sounds of birds and the waves washing on to shore..

Bob

Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Loved the picture of you/Bernadette and the one of Bernadette/her siblings.  There is definitely a family resemblance!  Bottineau had music playing “in the old days”, too.  I, too, really enjoyed it.  It made Christmas special. “Silver Bells” was/is one of my very favorite Christmas songs, too.  I also agree with what Dick said a few days ago–it’s wonderful to have the Christmas tree back on Main Street in Bottineau–where it belongs!  They have signs now that say, “No Left Turn”.  Making left turns either in front of, or going around the tree and turning left, used to make it interesting/fun.

Neola

Reply from Floyd Dion (45):

Gary

In reply to Dick Johnson’s message of world war 2 about the battle of Leyte Gulf , he ask if there were anything from world war 2 still around. I was at Leyte Gulf in August 1945 and I did not see anything around in the water, but could not say anything about the land, we were only on the beach for a beer or two. From there we went to Guam and I did see things poking out of the water, maybe landing crafts, and don’t remember what all , its been 63 years. then off to Sasebo, Japan for the occupation of Japan.

I was in the US Navy on a Liberty supply ship, which was torpedoed 400 miles from Sydney Austraila( I was not on the ship when it happened) it had 18,154 bales of wool going to San Francisco when a Japanese submarine sent one torpedo and blew a hole in the aft end , thinking it would sink left , but it did not sink and was towed to

Sydney for repairs.

If you want to see a picture of the ship and the hole in the side go to your search engine and type in

awm.gov.au  then click on australian war memorials, then on the right side under quick links click search our collections, then in search terms type in Peter H. Burnett and search. It will give you a picture of the ship and the hole in it.

Floyd Dion

Floyd & Dick, You guys realize that the gulf of Leyte off the island of Leyte is only about 50 miles from our home here in Cebu. One of these days we will have to take a trip over there. The island of Leyte is located to the east of us.

Floyd, I’ve pasted pictures with some info of the ‘Peter H Burnett’ below.

        American cargo vessel Peter H Burnett – 22 January 1943


Peter H Burnett:

From Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends

The ship my father in law spent his days on in WWII was the ‘Samuel S.
Miles’. It was designated DE 183 and was a destroyer escort. He told me
this information Christmas Day. His brother Gilmore Knutson was one of
the crew who was lost in the sinking of the submarine ‘USS Trout’, sunk
by the Japanese in late 1943. He told of an attack on the Samuel S.
Miles by a kamikaze while they were underway with the fleet. The pilot
was a novice and couldn’t get a direct hit but managed to slide across
the deck and over the side. His bomb exploded when he hit the water and
it left a 6′ hole in the side of the ship. They were able to keep from
capsizing by filling the compartments on the other side of the ship with
seawater. When the ship leveled off, the deck was only 3 to 4 feet above
the water. The fleet was heading into battle and had to abandon the
Miles at sea. He said they headed back to Hawaii by themselves through
Jap infested water, traveling on one screw (propeller) at about 4-5
knots. Men were stationed all around the deck with any kind of rifle or
hand gun available and would open fire on anything that looked
suspicious in the water. He said they picked up a sonar sounding on a
sub and when it didn’t respond they dumped all the depth charges and
anything else they had and barely cleared the explosions because they
were so slow. He said our planes found an oil slick the next day and the
crew was given credit for destroying a large Jap sub. This was
determined by the size of the oil slick as the smaller ones didn’t have
that much oil/ fuel on board. He also said that after weeks they finally
made it to Hawaii and he was never so relieved in his life, all the way
thinking he would never make it. He said when he was to be discharged in
San Diego, as he came down the gangplank, there was a reenlistment table
and if you signed up they gave you a hand full of money and a week off.
When the guy said,” How about you sailor”? my father in law gave him the
old one finger salute and headed for home! Again this is his story and
I’m just repeating it as he told it to me. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick, I’ve posted what I found for the USS Samuel S. Miles below, Gary

USS Samuel S. Miles (DE-183)

Operational and Building Data

Laid down by Federal Shipbuilding, Port Newark NJ on 5 July 1943
Launched 3 October 1943, Commissioned 4 November 1943
Decommissioned 28 March 1946, Stricken 26 September 195

Fate: Transferred to France 12 August 1950, renamed Arabe (F-717), stricken and broken up in 1968

http://www.desausa.org/images/uss_samuel_s_miles.htm

On 3 October 1944, Japanese submarine I-177 was sunk by DE 183 North West of Palau, 07 d. 48′ N, 133 d. 28′ E.  Many sources show that on  3 October 1944 USS SAMUEL S. MILES DE 183 sank Japanese submarine I-364 in the Palau Islands.  This is incorrect.  As stated above, on this date DE 183 sank I-177.  This information has been verified by official USN and Japanese Imperial Navy documents and by Charles R. Markham, DE 183 crewmember.

At the time I-177 was sunk by my ship, DE 183, the Submarine was under the Command of Lt. Cmdr. Masaki Watanabe.  Capt. Kanji Matsumura, the Commander of SubDiv 34, was also aboard.  Capt. Matsumura was a high ranking Officer in the Japanese “Kaiten” Program.

Charles R. Markham

Phyllis McKay retires
Message from Phyllis McKay (’65): Auburn, WA

Hi Gary,

I have a new email because I am now retired from teaching. Yesterday was my last day at Lake Youngs Elementary after 33 years under contract in the same building. I substituted in the Kent School District for  three years before I received my contract. I  taught preschool for two years at Cross and Crown Lutheran Preschool. After 38 years total of teaching, I am retiring. I am looking forward to not hearing bells ring, going to the bathroom when I have to go, and not planning the next week’s lessons. I will miss the children calling Ms. McKay, making me laugh out loud about some of the things they say, and the great teachers I have worked with over the years. It has been a great career that I am truly grateful that I was able to do for so long and enjoy so much. I had 5 different celebrations and plan on having a few more to mark the occasion of a lifetime achievement. Of course you know I have always liked having or going to a party!

I am looking forward to our 50th high school class reunion this July. I will be arriving in North Dakota Monday June 22. I will be traveling with my sisters and brothers to Wisconsin for a Lindberg family reunion. I will spend time with my granddaughter and great grandson before she begins her first job as a dental hygienist in Ada, Minnesota. I will also see my daughter in Milnor, North Dakota and then back to Dunseith to spend time with each of my siblings that live around the area. After our weekend celebration for the reunion, I will head back to Washington to spend the summer and fall. I hope to travel to Arizona this winter to check out the different areas. I have many friends that winter in different parts of Arizona.

I was sadden to hear Bernadette, had a turn for the worse. I am sorry that I won’t get to see her this summer.

Phyllis McKay

Congratulations Phyllis.
There is no doubt that the Kent district is left with a huge void with your retirement. All those students you taught over the years were so blessed to had you for their teacher in their formative years. Phyllis, you are not only a good teacher but an excellent role model too. I know your former students look up to you today for your contribution to all of their successes today.

20 or so years ago you fell into the Washington State requirement, that was short lived for only a few years, requiring all public school teachers to have a Master’s degree in education. You took advantage of the opportunities offered with that requirement, getting your Masters and nearly your Doctorate too, in Education.

Phyllis, from leaving Dunseith High School after your Junior year, you did well over coming all the hurdles, and they were many, achieving all of your accomplishments’ getting to where you are today.

You are to be commended for a job well done.

Gary

Russell Pigeon (’63) has cancer of the oesophagus and brain tumors
Message from Bruce Pigeon (’61):  Garrison, ND

Hi Gary

My younger brother Russell, has been in Sanford Hospital, in Bismarck since June 1, being treated for cancer of the oesophagus, of which a large section was removed and the stomach reattached.  He spent several days in ICU and then into a regular room.  Was doing quite well and they were talking about possibly sending him home by the weekend.  Two days in the private room he blacked out while heading for the bathroom and fell, suffered a serious head injury.  The CAT Scans and MRI of his head revealed that he has several tumors in his brain.  To many to attempt operating on them, so they have opted to treat them with radiation.

Those treatments he started today and will need a total of 15 of them.  He has always had a positive attitude about things and is handling this as well as can be expected.  But I know he very concerned but tries to not show it or discuss it.

Russell doesn’t have internet, but has a lot of friends on the list.  So I thought I would send a short note in the hope that you would inform those that know him.  In the hope that a few additional prayers may turn the tide in his favor.

Thanks

Bruce Pigeon

====================================
Blog (319) posted on December 28, 2008

Season’s greetings to each and everyone of you from our house to yours. Today marks one year of continuous distribution of our daily blog.  You guys have done a wonderful job of keeping this going.  It’s so nice coming from a smaller community where everyone knows or knows of most everyone from the distant past to the present.  All of your contributions are greatly appreciated by most. I and I know a lot of you look forward, each day, to what will be sent in. It’s always so exciting hearing from new folks and folks we have not heard from in a while too. For general info, we currently have 641 folks on our Dunseith email list and growing.

Folks, turn up those speakers and enjoy.

Gary & Bernadette.

Carol Allard Buxbaum’s (65) reply to Gary: 

Patty Boguslawski
Carol Allard 7/12/07

Gary,  My computer is working now, I just don’t get on it enough. I’m on the communion picture, and my brother Larry is too. He is the second from the right, in the second row. Ginger had me right. Dark hair and bangs. I like getting these e-mails Gary. You’re doing a great job. Thanks for the cheery music.  Merry Christmas  and Happy New Year to All!!  Carol Allard

Carol, I have included that Cajun music with today’s message for everyone’s enjoyment while reading this message. Folks turn up your speakers and enjoy. Thank you Neola for providing.

The communion photo of Ginger’s that you referenced was posted with message (312) on 12/18.

I have known both you and Patty Boguslawski Gottbreht for many years, but I never knew you were first cousins until recently. I didn’t know you and Mel Kuhn were first cousins on the other side of your family either.  Gary

Rita Anderson’s reply to everyone’s articles (Former owner of the Gamble store):

I enjoy the articles that you write, they are very interesting and informative. Just want to say that you were right about the Santa Clause. Walter Hiatt and Junior Mellhmer were the Santa Clauses. The suits that they wore belong to us at the Gamble Store, I had made it for our use. We always had a Santa Clause that would pass out candy to whoever was in the store at a certain time. We also used to play records outside over a loud speaker, I am sure you would remember that. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Rita Anderson

Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73): 

Reply to Gary

Dennis and Dallas LaVallie are brothers but not twins. I don’t know why Dennis isn’t listed. Can someone

tell us.

Sharon Longie Dana(73)

From Janice Leonard Workman (56): 

Gary,

The thing I remember about Christmas in Dunseith is that Carols were playing over a loud speaker, I think at the Gamble Store but you could hear them all over Main Street.  I loved them all but especially “Silver Bells.”  That song always made me sing and I am a horrible singer.  Here is the Auburn area we have about 8 – 10 inches of snow and the temp was at 30 degrees a couple of days.  Lots of activities were canceled and school was closed a couple of days early for the Christmas vacation.  I know those of you in ND and MN are probably laughing and I don’t blame you, because I know there is more snow and it is colder there than here.  But we complain anyway.

So Merry Christmas and Happy of New Years to you all.  Hope to see lots of you in July,

Janice

Janice, Having lived in the Bremerton/Seattle area for nearly 37 years, I am very familiar with the affects of the snow in that area when it snows. The snow in Seattle is very heavy and wet. It packs to ice very quickly causing very slippery roads. The icy roads combined with lots of hills and inexperienced winter drivers makes for some very dangerous driving conditions. The wet snow causes peoples cars to get high centered too.  Then they are really stuck, even with 4WD, chains and studs.  Bremerton currently has a foot of snow, but it’s suppose to melt soon. Gary

Folks, this is a picture of Bernadette with all her siblings that we took last night. Bernadette is the oldest (60), Jose (58), Berlinda (56) & Alot (54).  They are all home for Christmas.  I will say one thing and that is the fact that the relatives and folks in our compound, including our helpers, had an extra special Christmas with Bernadette’s sister, Alot, being here from Japan with all her generosity.  She, like Bernadette, is very generous. Gary

Back: Bernadette & Berlinda (lives next door)
Front: Jose (from Mindanao, PI) & Alot (From Japan)

Picture from Wendy Strietzel (Dorothy Eurich’s (75) Daughter): 

Gary,

I thought you might get a kick out of this.

Wendy Strietzel

                               Spring Break in ND

OBITUARY

MARYANN MARGARET HAGEN

MaryAnn Margaret Hagen, age 86 of Bottineau formerly Dunseith, died Monday June 15, 2015 at a Bottineau hospital. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery of rural Bottineau. Visitation will be on Thursday beginning at 1:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. in the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

MaryAnn Margaret Hagen, a daughter of Walter and Cecelia (Bohnenkamp) Rodlund, was born on September 28, 1928 at Nicholson, ND. She attended school at Milnor and Ellendale Normal. MaryAnn received her Teaching Certificate and taught at several area schools. On July 1, 1950 she was married to Clarence Hagen at Milnor. In December 1950 they moved back to Dunseith and built their home in the Turtle Mountains. They lived there until 2005 when they moved to Bottineau. Clarence passed away on November 27, 2008. Mary Ann has continued to make Bottineau her home.

She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. In addition to her love of teaching she was active in many community organization but her first love was her family.

She is survived by 6 children, Susan (Myron) Brandt of Kramer, Karen (Dale) Simon of Bottineau, Arthur Hagen of Bottineau, Ellen (Jim) Redding of Minot, Arlan (Denise) Hagen of Bottineau and Henry (Sandy) Hagen of Bottineau; 13 grandchildren, Michelle (David) Saville, Nicole (Clint) Bogden, Jennifer (Andrew) Dittberner, Peter (Denise) Simon, Joanne (Justin) Karch, Devonne (Jon) Leonard, Joshua (Keisha) Hagen, Justin Redding, Sarah Redding, Breien Hagen, Tracy (Brad) Christianson, Melissa Hagen (Bill Gilbraith), and Angela (Joe) Henry and 23 great grandchildren; brother Walt (Janice) Rodlund of Fargo; sister Frances Sattler of Rugby; and her dog Barney.

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 58 years Clarence;3 sisters, Mabel, Betty and Louise; daughter-in-law, Mavis Hagen and son-in-law Steve Froseth.

====================================
Blog (317) posted on December 24, 2008

Reply to Albert LaVallie’s passing from Susan Malaterre Johnson (69): 

Hi again,  Albert is a brother to Andew, Beverly, Dallas, Leo, and Dennis.  I believe that he has other sib’s.  He married Ramona Theifault.  Susan

Susan, I did not realize Albert was Ramona’s husband. I have spoken with Ramona, numerous times, putting all these high school class lists together.  She is such a nice person and has always been very helpful with the many questions that I’ve asked of her locating people.  Her job is quite demanding, but she has always taken time to entertain my questions.  Gary

Ramona, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband Albert.  When calling you, I spoke with him several times, when you were out of town. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

For folks info, I have pasted your contact info above.  Gary

Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73):

Reply about Albert LaVallie: If its the Albert I know he is a brother to Dennis and Dallas and Leo LaVallie, his nickname was Swede, growing up. Joyce Nadeau Morin is his neice.

If I have the right one that is. I know someone back home will know for sure.

Sharon Longie Dana(73)

Passing of (Cleo) Letaine Bolen Brandt (former teacher) from LeaRae Parrill Espe (67): 

We were saddened to learn of the passing of C. (Cleo) Letaine Bolen Brandt, a former English teacher and coach in Dunseith, Bottineau, and Belcourt.  She passed away at Med Center One in Bismarck today, Tuesday.  After receiving a kidney transplant earlier this year, she developed an infection and later suffered several heart attacks.  She was too weak to operate on the heart and has been in very grave condition for a couple of months.   We have no word on the funeral arrangements.  Her brother has been with her through most of this critical time.  She leaves behind one daughter, Brittany, who is currently a student at Minot State.

Reply from Don Lamoureux (75): 

Gary:

Reading Bonnie Awalt’s recollection of getting the bag of candy from Santa reminded me of a time I also went to the city hall to stand in line.  I remember being just old enough to “believe”, but was at the point of having doubts about Santa.  I was walking in with my mom. and looking up at the roof to try to spot Santa’s Sleigh and Reindeer.  I couldn’t figure out how Santa could get there without them.  Anyway, my mom put me in line, and I was in back of a couple of older kids.  The two older kids got to the front of the line, and I was right behind them.  Santa took a little while to really just sit there and stare them down. Then he asked them the ultimate question:  Do you believe in Santa Claus?  Their answer was yes.  Santa’s immediate response was: “You ain’t sh-tten me, are ya?”  “Nope”.  They each got a bag of candy.  Thank God I wasn’t tested, but I chuckle every holiday season as I remember that 10 seconds in Dunseith as a kid.  Wish I knew who Santa was.  Merry Christmas.

Don Lamoureux(75)

Reply from Patti Metcalfe Woods (67): 

Dear Gary and Bernadette,

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and congratulations on your recent wedding anniversary!

I have to add to my brother Gary Metcalfes initiation into Dunseith High School.

We had attended school at the country school “Hilltop” before going to school in Dunseith.

I remember the high heels.  Seems I also remember that he had to put umpteen braids in his hair tied with bones.

Yes, he had to pull Lois in a red wagon all the way out to DALES….

Now for a little girl seeing her brother in such attire, made me wonder what in the world this new school was all about.

Twelve years later I graduated with the class of 67. Everyone likes to think their class was the best……..

Patti

Sharron Gottbreht Shen’s (59) reply to Gary Metcalfe’s Question: 

I will search today for my treasures regarding Herman Boucher. First hand info might best be had from Barb Rivard of Dunseith. Sharron

Sharron & Gary, I have pasted Barbara Rivard’s phone and address below.  Barbara is married to Robert Rivard and they live up in the Beaver Dam area near the Art Rude farm.  Gary

Barbara A Rivard
2486 102nd St
Dunseith, ND 58329-9414
Household: Robert J Rivard

From Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): 

Perhaps memory isn’t the right word to use for this one, but it certainly touched my heart and brought Christmas home in an instant and will always be a memory of Christmas for me from now on.

I was working a few nights ago when a man ordered 3 large hot chocolates.  “And be sure to give me the good, premium ones, not those made with water, I don’t care if they cost more or not.  I just saw a car accident down the street, everyone is fine, but it is so cold out here that I thought they could do with a bit of warming up, so I am going to take the hot chocolates to them.  Thank you and Merry Christmas.”

I do not know where this man was from, or anything about him, but he has made Christmas a little more special for me this year and in the years to come.  I thanked him for the order and also told how special I thought he was to do such a nice thing.  May all of us do something nice for someone this Christmas, especially for someone we do not know, Even something as small as a smile and a Merry Christmas greeting can brighten someone’s day.

Wonder if he was Santa in disguise or better yet one of our own Dunseith alumni?

Ele, I’m assuming you are still taking McDonald orders from folks around the nation.  Little do these out of state folks realize they are talking to you in ND and up in the Turtle Mountains, when calling in their order.  Do you have specific areas of the nation that you work, taking orders from?  Gary

Reply from Bill Grimme (65): 

Folks, Bill Grimme has listed the ships that he served on while in the Navy. What he did not mention is that the Navy’s elite nuclear program paved the way for a very successful career for him both with his 10 years in the navy and with nearly 30 years working for the General Electric company.  He retired from GE’s executive ranks in September of 2007.  Bill told me that GE has been offering to hire him back and of coarse with a substantial salary increase, but Bill said he is enjoying his retirement way to much to go back to work.

Gary,

The notes today about the battleships got me thinking about some of my old “homes” so I thought I would share them with you. I was on USS Henderson for a year, the USS Omaha for two years, and the USS Alexander Hamilton for three years. Fond memories of all three. Here is some info on them:

Bill, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, my former shipyard, has the only Submarine recycling facility for the whole US Navy. At one point we had a graveyard fleet of over 100 decommissioned nuclear submarines waiting to be cut up for scrap. The Navy has a very regulated program for the disposal of the nuclear reactors from these decommissioned submarines.

I found this for the USS Omaha “USS OMAHA was the fifth LOS ANGELES-class attack submarine. Decommissioned and stricken from the Navy list on October 5, 1995, the submarine is now berthed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., awaiting scrapping.”

I was involved with the Nuclear Refueling Overhaul of the USS Alexander Hamilton when she came to our yard, from the east coast, in 1986. I was again involved with her recycling in 1993.  At the time I did not know you had been on this boat.  I’m assuming that you were one of the Reactor Plant Operators when you served on both of these submarines. Gary

Posted by Gary Stokes:

John Frykman, This is your old boat, the USS Turner Joy.  She is now on display at the Museum in Bremerton, WA.

Folks, I know many of you probably know John Frykman from Bottineau.  His family owned the Frykman Ford dealership and garage in Bottineau for many decades.  John has been on our distribution list for a few months now.  Bill Grimme and John were room mates when they attended UND. Back to John and the USS Turner Joy. Right after the Turner Joy was put on display for the public in Bremerton, John gave my dad the specific location of his bunk when he was stationed on the ship.  When dad visited us in Bremerton, he and I located Johnny’s bunk.  That was a highlight of my dads trip.  For those of you that knew my dad, you know he was thrilled to report back to Johnny that he had located his bunk and of coarse with a few added joking comments.

USS TURNER JOY (DD-951)

Welcome to the USS Turner Joy (DD-951) Naval Destroyer Museum Ship, moored in Bremerton, Washington.

The destroyer USS Turner Joy was the last Forrest Sherman-class destroyer built. While some of these ships were later converted to guided missile destroyers, Turner Joy remains close to her original 1959 configuration. The destroyer has been restored to reflect the appearance during her active years between 1960 and 1982.

Note: For those of you that served in the Navy on ships, please let us know the ship you served on so we can look it up. Most every US naval ship is listed with it’s history and pictures on the NET.  Gary

Mary Ann Hagen’s Funeral
Message from Art Hagen(’72):  Bottineau

Mom’s funeral will be Friday at 10 am with burial at 1 pm at Salem

Folks,
Art will forward his mother’s obituary to me when they have it ready.
Gary

Happy Birthday Bill Krause (’74): Dickinson, ND

   Happy Birthday Mark Schmitz (’70): Rolette, ND

Cebu Philippines
Dinner last night at Davinci’s Pizza in the Mall.

Bernadette was doing really well for about a month. Three days ago she relapsed into another spell. Monday and Yesterday she was not well. Last night we talked her into going out for pizza. It was a hard sale too, she didn’t want to go. As you can see, she is in her wheelchair.  Her speech and motors were affected. She is much better this morning though.

Bush Bannock recipe with story
From Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/bannock-recipe-how-to-make-a-northern-staple-1.311243

Gary and friends,

This is a neat recipe.

The comments below the article were  interesting as well.

I wish I had that recipe long, long ago when we cousins were exploring recipes and enjoying adventures in growing.

T’was one bright and clear morning, mid summer long, long ago Emil’s girls; Kathy, Elaine, and Janice,

along with my 2 sisters, and I embarked on a camping overnight adventure.

We had a plan and we worked together in unison to full fruition.

The place chosen for our adventure was about a mile up north, in our cow pasture ~because it had lake.

We worked all one morning mixing pancake batter,raiding the fridge for hotdogs and bacon

then down to our mother’s cool basement caning room for canned juice.

The  warm wool pieced quilts made by Ann and mom were gathered from the beds.

“Don’t forget, matches, firewood, hay bale, and dad’s trusty axe.”

inally, the back end of the Ford was fairly full of girls, all our necessities~and more.

Bumpity, bump, shifting gears over the  gravel road,dusty dirt trail west and north we drove. Not one of us were old enough for a license,

but all were seasoned and capable farm kids.

Get out,  open  the gate, always at least two or three people to  open a Metcalfe gate, then drive slowly to the spot.

Quilts and pillows were laid out under the sheltering oak trees just inside the gate.

Using baling twine we wrapped the cans of juice, tethered them to a willow and floated them on the cool waters of the  lake.

The mixed up pancake batter jar was secured and placed in the lake to keep chilled.

Rocks were gathered for a fire pit and  wood unloaded..

The black Ford pickup returned home and parked in the shade under the gas barrel.

After dinner, we bade our mothers, “Goodbye see you tomorrow!” riding  our  horses away in the warm summer sun.

(thinking…These were days will never end….)

Blue Skies without clouds, gentle breeze and the smell of a good horse plodding along swishing of  tails keeping the flies away.

There were occasional chomps of fragrant yellow clover whilst gentle “buzz” of bees, chlrping birds~ “chic a dee…eee”

and the panting of a loyal dog along for another  adventure.

Stopping for the gate, then down to the shore of the lake for the horses to

splash, drink, finally tied with to the trees and given hay.

The fire was lit and hot dogs on sticks for  supper.

We snuggled under the warm quilts and told tall tales while the breeze made music with leaves of poplar’s (quaking aspen)

All the while, horses contentedly chewed hay, frogs were croaking, and  mosquitos were kept at bay by using the  fire as a smudge.

The fire crackled, wood smoke  and more sticky s’mores for late night snacks.

We checked out the stars, and the milky way and the lighting bugs flitting among the bushes.

In the distance the cows were lowing.

With darkness descending came crackling of brush.

“What’s that sound?” whispering, “what was that?”

I think it was me who said…”daa..aD?  Is that you?”

Kathy always  the steady rock,  said, “Don’t worry, its Cliff”

“Right Cliff?”      ” ….cliFF?”

The only sound was more crackling brush.

Then the dog disappeared.

We all stayed awake a long long time,

until the embers glow wavered away.

The next morning, we all woke early,  damp with dew, smelling of woodsmoke.

The coals were stirred, we washed up in the lake and fetched the juice, bacon and pancake batter.

Soon the black iron skillet was hot, bacon fried, pancakes made and breakfast eaten.

We washed our dishes in the lake

Then,  rode our trusty steeds  south.

Back at the corral  horses went back to pasture.

Once again down the road with the black pick-up, loaded our stuff.

And, Emil’s Girls went home.

That evening when Dad came home from work

We asked if he’d ‘been up north.

He said,  “Had to work in the morning and never left home.”

I think he didn’t want us to worry.

Because,

A few days later gave it away, when he said,

Vickie who says… “daaa aD!?”

Now as an adult,….

I know he wasn’t checking up on us.

He was our dad who after a long day of physical labor,

walked north to the cow pasture,watched over his girls and made sure we were safe, his labor of love.

It is soon to be mid summer’s eve and I miss those days of long ago of “going visiting” to neighbors, Uncles, Aunts and Cousins.

Wonderful warm fun filled summer days, and night adventures with cousin’s Kathy, Janice and Elaine.

Happy Mid summer dreams everyone.

Until Later. Vickie

====================================
Blog (316) posted on December 23, 2008

Albert LaVallie’s passing posted by Susan Malaterre Johnson (69):

Hi Gary and All, Just to let you know that Albert Lavallie passed away today.  Susan Johnson

Susan, We are so sorry to hear of Albert’s Passing.  Can you fill us in with a bit of Albert’s history and who he is related to?  Thanks,  Gary

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): 

Dear Gary,

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, may the Good Lord Bless and Keep you.

I remember Christmas in Dunseith when I was a kid, one memory that comes to mind is the Christmas Tree that was decorated in the center of main street.  It was where the Bank, Stone Garage, Movie Theater and LaCroix’s Liquor store guarding the tree on each corner.  The Tree was HUGE.  The community business men contributed so a Santa could pass out bags of candy to every child.   One year as it was my turn to get my bag of candy Santa reached down and picked me up placing me on his lap.  I was really scared until he started to laugh and I said, “You aren’t Santa, you are Mr. Hiatt!”  That ended my belief in Santa. Walter Hiatt had such a great chuckle, but he tried to convince me that it was Santa, but I knew his laugh.  Every year something new was added to the Christmas celebration.  For a small town they had marvelous Christmas’s.  One year Arnold Lilleby had a free matinee for all the children.  Another year Santa came in on a hay rack pulled by a team of horses.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND KEEP THOSE MEMORIES COMING!

Bonnie Awalt Houle 1956

Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): 

Message from Bev Morinville Azure (72): 

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70): 

Hello everyone,
I have been so busy with the end of the semester and working a little
at the hospital.  I was in the mall today and ran into two former
patients whose babies I had the pleasure of assisting into the
world…One was 9 years old and the twins were 8 years old…time does
certainly fly!  It is bitter cold here but not as windy today as it
was yesterday.  Old man winter hit us hard but the snow is a beautiful
sight.  It was so pretty on Friday when I worked at the
hospital..looking out the window you felt as if you were in a snow
globe with glitter all around….then outside to get in my car and
forget it!!!! It was miserable….so I will just stay inside where it
is toasty warm and look at my pretty Christmas tree, wrap presents,
write my cards and bake a little.

I don’t know what I did to deserve all the praise cousin Bill Hosmer
gave me, but thank you very much.  It is often hard for us to realize
how different healthcare systems are around the world.  I went to
Reynosa Mexico as a senior nursing student with a group from United
Campus Ministries at MSU in Minot, and we went to assess and choose 50
children for a nutritional program.  Other non nursing students from
the college held a bible school for the kids…we were there for 10
days living in a Presbyterian compound run by a young American
man….to get to the point,,, we ended up assessing 80 kids and took
them all…we dug ditches and put in a purified water system…painted
their building..assessed these kids with a stethoscope and a box of
gloves…gave them tshirts for diapers, etc.  we were humbled and
learned alot from them….Because they were so poor and couldn’t
afford a birth certificate when they were born, they do not exist in
the eyes of the Mexican government so they were pretty much left on
their own.  The kids played on an old garbage dump and they lived in
anything they could use to construct a shelter….but they were very
cheerful people and very proud of their kids.  We want to take care of
everyone but we can’t …sometimes we do just do what we can and show
kindness and compassion….We didn’t go down there to show them
anything or tell them we were right and they were doing things
wrong…we just went to help and lend a hand and ended up gaining so
much more than we gave….

So this holiday season, be a little kinder, smile more …..don’t be
impatient when someone is taking too long paying for their groceries
or driving too slow….that is just God’s way of telling us to take a
deep breath and enjoy the moment.  On that note, I want to wish you
all a very blessed Christmas and holiday season…..Diane Sjol

Reply from Sybil Johnson: 

Thanks Dick, for more of an insight into the Johnson family. Hans and Pa surely were men, that one could look up to. I wish I would have known your grandfather.

Dick, do you know the story about the 44-40 rifle that Augie has? It’s the Winchester/”One of a Thousand”. Its just another part of the Johnson and Kelly families.

Merry Christmas to everyone and stay warm up there in North Dakota, for I personally know about those winters. Sybil Johnson

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

Thanks to Mr. Bob Lykins, might I say the old ‘Sidehill Gouger’, for his
very informative story. He will know what the moniker is and so should
most who were his students at DHS! I only wish I could follow in his
travels to the different battlefields he wrote of seeing. My father in
law was at Iwo Jima during the US invasion. He was a sailor on a
destroyer escort, a smaller warship than the battleships. He said they
went in closer to the shore to fire on Mt. Suribachi, while the
battleships fired over their heads. All this was going on while the
Japanese were firing at them from the bunkers on the mountain. He said
they would fire the battery on one side of the ship and constantly turn
in circles as they were getting ready to fire the other side. I have a
documentary film that has an ariel picture of the battle, taken from a
recon plane several thousand feet up, and in it you can see the wake
circles in the ocean from the destroyer escorts that were inboard of the
rest. He said he was as worried about a dud shell from one of our own
big ships dropping on them than the Japs hitting them. The big warships
fired guns that were as big as 15″ diameter explosive shells. He said
when the Japanese made a direct hit on a landing craft it literally
vaporized. To this day he has no use for a Japanese car or TV or
anything else they have! He says they ruined the best four years of his
life and he doesn’t think he needs to help them out now!
My grandmother’s brother, Paul Strietzel, Jr. was one of the poor guys
that had to hit the beach at Guadalcanal. He survived to tell about it,
but about 1600 didn’t. The Japanese lost about 25,000 from battle,
starvation, and disease on Guadalcanal. They would not surrender and
would fight to the last man. They followed a doctrine called Bushito
(sp) which said the greatest honor was to die for the emperor. One of
our generals said, “Help them out”!
Bob’s mention of Gen. MacArthur reminded me of my old buddy, Carroll
Carlson, who used to call him ‘Dugout Doug’. He said MacArthur never
liked to be too close to the battle and was only filmed ‘returning’
after it was secured and all chance of a fight was over! I apologize if
my figures and memories are off as I’m trying to do this from memory and
it has been quite a while since I studied any of this. The first person
accounts are their own stories as told to me, so correct or not, this is
how they saw it. Who am I to say differently? Thanks to Bob Lykins and Gary!

Dick

Posted by Gary Stokes:

The 16″ guns pictured on the Battleships below could fire a 2,700 lb shell filled with TNT, with precise accuracy, nearly 29 miles.  Each of the four Battleships of this class were outfitted with nine of these 16″ guns.

The end of WWII – 9/2/1945
On board the USS Missouri (BB-63)

Allied sailors and officers watch General of the Army Douglas MacArthur sign documents during the surrender ceremony aboard Missouri on 2 September 1945. The unconditional surrender of the Japanese to the Allies officially ended the Second World War.

Missouri arrived in Seattle on 15 September 1954. Three days later she entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard where she was decommissioned on 26 February 1955, entering the Bremerton group, Pacific Reserve Fleet.

The USS Missouri was moored in Bremerton, WA from 1954 until 1984 when she was again recommissioned.  While in Bremerton, hundreds of thousands of folks visited her each year.  I left Dunseith at the age of 19, moving to Bremerton. I worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for 37 years, before retiring and moving to the Philippines, in December 2003. I was on the decks of the Missouri, many times, when she was in Bremerton. She is now again decommissioned and moored in Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard along with the USS Arizona pictured below.  Gary

I have 81 unread messages in my inbox, some of which may be for posting. I will sort through them later. With this being my day to play pool with the guys, I will post what I have ready now before leaving.

Mary Ann Hagen Passed away.

Folks, I got a message from Art Hagen 7 hours ago that his mother had just passed away.  I will post more details later.

Our condolence are with the whole Hagen Family with her passing. She was a good Samaritan and will be missed.

Reply from Jim Kofoid:  Bottineau, ND

Good morning Gary and all.  The 126th annual county fair is going on these days but it sure isn’t what it used to be, like most things we remember.  I, too, look forward to your blogs.  Enjoy the photos a lot.  You just showed a photo of Bernadette ‘s niece and I started wonder if they speak English in her school or what?  I’ll bet all your nearby relatives that frequent your house often do, pretty much, use English?  Just a thought I had!  I think you still plan to be back in Botno next month and will see you then. I Ran into Arthur Hagen recently!  Regards!

Jim K

Jim,

Most of the people here understand some English, but not all. I’d say I can carry on a normal conversation with about 25% of the locals here. I can carry on limited conversations with about 50% and no conversation with about 25% There is always someone close by that can interrupt. The Language in our house is most often Cebuano, but when I am around there is a lot of English. 90% of everything written for public reading is in English. All road signs and public adds are all English.

Several days ago when Bernadette wasn’t feeling well I took 3 of Novie’s kids to McDonalds for dinner. When it was just me with them, the Language was all English. When others are around the kids don’t say much and they speak mostly in their local tongue. I was very impressed with Jasmine’s English speaking abilities. She spoke very plane and very fluent. She is 10 and in the 6^th grade. She was tested and started school a year early. She told me that all of their school text books are written in English, but other than for their English class, the school language is Cebuano.  Of course with these kids being around us so much, they have picked up the English language better than most.

Yes, I will be in Bottineau late on July 3^rd. I get into Minot at 9:30 PM, so by the time I get my luggage and Rental car, it will be nearly midnight by the time I get to Bottineau. I’ll have breakfast at the Bakery on July 4^th, it they are open. For sure on July 5^th and most every day there after until I leave on the 27^th of July.

Gary

====================================
Blog (315) posted on December 22, 2008

Reply to yesterday’s message from Joe Johnson (77): 

Gary,

Wasn’t this supposed to be #315?

Merry Christmas!!!

Joe

Joe, you are so right. I forgot to record #314 from the day before, so we now have two #314 messages. Today’s message is #315.  Gary

From Blanche Wicks Schley (42): 

Holiday greetings from snowy and chilly North Dakota!    We are layering these days and still feel the blast of the minus zero temperatures and the wind chill.  I am sure that you remember those days….probably glad that they are just memories and not the actual daily type weather.  Most here do not mind the cold temperatures, but the wind is the worse and it is so cutting.  After so many years we have sense enough to wear warm clothes.  Of course, I did see a young man with shorts and flipflops at the store…today he would have to trade in his flipflops for boots!

I have enjoyed your daily e-mails.  I do not know many of the people who write you, but many of the manes are familiar.

Hope that you have a blessed holiday.

Blanche Schley

From Jacqueline Hiatt Fix (79): 

From Ray Lilleby (57):

Ray & Kathy, I hope you don’t mind me posting this so folks, like Gary Metcalfe, also from the class of 57 and others, see your name and know that you are also recieving these messges.  Gary

Hi Gary,

Ray wanted you to know that he’d like to attend the dinner if he’s in town.  He surely thanks you for all the work you are doing on the reunion and keeping in touch with everyone.  He’ll let you know closer to the time of the dinner if he can come.

Merry Christmas,

Ray and Kathy Lilleby

Ray, We’d dearly love to see you at the Dunseith reunion in Seattle this next summer. We’d love to see your sisters too.

WWII history from Bob Lykins (Mid 60’s DHS teacher):

Gary,

Happy holidays to all from the home of the Weihnachts Baum (Christmas Tree).  I am currently in Wegscheid, Germany sitting in a house on the side of a small mountain overlooking a snow covered valley with a sleepy farming village below.  That may sound very romantic but all I have done is shovel snow. I had forgotten how upset one can get when the snowplow throws everything back in to where one has shoveled. I am here for the holidays visiting my son.

Being an old history teacher and Social Studies Education Specialist I can respond to some of Dick and Gary’s comments regarding WWII.  As you may recall, I have traveled extensively throughout the Pacific and Europe and I have visited many battlefields from a number of wars

Regarding battlefield junk.  There is still a lot of it left over and much can still be found in the PI. I picked up more than a bit of it as I walked through Iwo Jima, Suri Ridge (Okinawa) Bastogne, Arhnem, The beaches of Normandy, Verdun, Waterloo.  One of my favorite places and truely hallowed ground is Corregador at the mouth of Manila Bay.  I spent two days there and even flew over it in a private plane.  It remains much the same as the day the war ended.  I had as my guide an old Filippino veteran of the battles for Bataan and Corregador. He was also a POW of the Japanese but was later released.  He was an interesting fellow and I wish I had jotted down everything he had to say as he is gone now. He and I had some great adventures tromping over old battle sites where he had fought.  We were in Malinta Tunnel (MacArther’s HQ) when an earthquake struck.  Not the greatest place to be and I later read where the tunnel had been sealed to prevent people from going there because it was unstable. I believe Corregador is now a national park and people can take a ferry from Manila to the site.  When I was there in the early 1970’s, the only way to get to the island was to rent a boat.  As a result, little had been done to the island and it was still pristine.  Most of the Islands, beginning with the Solomen campaign and moving on up to Iwo, still retain much of the refuse of war.  Rusting hulks of ships and landing craft still litter the beaches of many of these Islands.  It is just so difficult to get to them.  Many of them, like Iwo Jima, remain uninhabited.  Even in Europe the battlefields contain much.  I was in a farmer’s field on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach in France.  I kicked at the dirt and hit something solid. Digging it up I found a piece of metal that I was later to determine as being a piece of shrapnel from a shell fired from a ship off shore.  One must be careful, however, as there are still people dying from WWII ordinance left buried in the ground.

The 34th was an outstanding fighting organization that covered itself with glory.  The 442nd Regimental Combat Team that Gary alluded to was and all Japanese-American outfit whose ranks were filled with many men recruited from the Japanese interrment camps as well as those of Japanese decent from Hawaii. Needless to say these guys felt they had something to prove.  The 442nd RCT became the most highly decorated unit of WWII and suffered the highest rate of casualties of any unit.  I met a number of 442nd vets at a seminar this past spring at Camp Mabury, Austin Texas.  This is HQ for the 36th (Texas) Infantry Division.  The seminar was held to commemorate the 442nd’s relief of a battalion of 36th ID soldiers who had become trapped in an area of the Vosage Mountains near Strasburg, France.  They have gone down in legend as the “Lost Battalion” with movies and books written about this action.  Not only did I get a chance to meet vets from the 442nd but also vets from the Lost Battalion and a pilot who flew a fighter plane in support of the ground action.  Besides the humility of all of the vets, the thing that struck me was the size of the Japanese/American vets.  None were over 5′ 4″ inches tall and all were very slender, looking in excellent shape for men in their 80s.  An M1 rifle was taller than these men.  The 442nd’s motto was “Go For Broke” and they sure did.

I have been very fortunate to visit such places where men fought and died while history was being made.  My sister keeps after me to write down all that I experienced overseas.  Everytime I begin to tell a tale my brother-in-law runs off to get his recorder.  I guess that is what everyone should do if these tales of individual past experiences are to be preserved.

My best to all for a blessed Christmas and a great New Year!

Bob Lykins

Follow up message from Bob Lykins:

Gary,

A footnote about Dick’s comment on the Japanese Vet who held out for so long in the PI.  It turns out he wasn’t even Japanese at all.  He came from Taiwan and was actually Chinese.  He was impressed into service by the Japanese Army. I was living in Japan when he was discovered and returned.  He was a national sensation and much was seen of him on TV and in the newspapers.  His was an interesting story of survival and deception.  Even though not Japanese, why he held out for so long is a mystery to Western thinking and a credit to his Japanese commanders who trained him and to he himself for following his orders to the last.

Bob

Message & Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Folks remembering sleighs and sleigh rides brings to mind hauling hay in
the winter with a sleigh mounted hay rack. Back in the days before
haystack movers, we had to go out to where the hay was stacked in the
field or slough and pitch on a load by hand with pitchforks. After
Grandpa ‘retired’ his team of Belgian horses, Barney and Bill, we used a
tractor with chains and pulled the sleigh out to the stacks. I remember
we had a short chain on the drawbar and a longer chain so we could
unhook and drive the tractor trough a snow drift and then hook the long
chain back to the sleigh and pull it through. My job was to hook and
unhook and then hook and unhook, over and over until we broke a trail.
We would pitch on a full rack and then try to hit the same track on the
way back, again hook and unhook. The one hay meadow we had was over a
mile away, cross country. It would sometimes take us most of the day to
get out and back with a load of hay, if the snow was deep. When we got
more cattle it was impossible to haul enough hay this way so we decided
to see if we could slide the stacks home behind the old Caterpillar. It
was already an antique in 1967 as it was a 1932 model. I pushed the
stack over to the trail, with the dozer, and then wrapped a cable around
the stack and took off for home. Once the stack started to slide we
hardly lost a fork full all the way home. I dragged about 60 stacks home
the first winter and it sure took the work out of the old process of
getting hay! The pictures were taken by my dad to show his buddies who
were ‘nay sayers’, figuring it wouldn’t work! It did!
Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick, I remember well, dad hiring the county D-8 Cat, operated by Elwood Fauske, to drag in hay stacks from the fields.  Norman Hiatt also moved a lot of hay stacks for the hills folks with his stack mover and his two international 707 farmal tractors. In the winter months he’d often times get stuck between two hills. It would take both his tractors and often times some of the neighbors tractors to assist getting those big stacks up over some of those hills. I remember that 707 international tractor looking pretty small hitched to the front of that big stack mover. It was the biggest tractor of times though. Years later, I also remember Elwood Fauske toeing his stack mover behind his 3/4 ton 4WD ford pickup. If I remember correctly, I think I saw him towing that stack mover past our place behind his pickup with a stack or two of hay. I think he was moving stacks from the  prairie.  I think from his sister Lydia LaCroix place.  I remember he had a hearty ford pickup.  Gary

From Mel Kuhn (70): 

Gary,

I thought this might interest our group.

Mel

If any of you have doubt about what we as kids paid for a coke and a sandwich at Woolworths (How many don’t even know what Woolworth’s was?) in the 1950’s, here’s proof of the era we lived in……..

Dewey Morinville
Reply from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND 

Dewey,

Very nice picture of that part of Dunseith.  The picture is so clear and close up.

Thanks for sharing it with us, there was a lot of Dunseith yet in the 60s.

I enjoy the pictures everyone sends. Keep sharing, also of your family.

I worked for your Mom and dad for a while in the store then later at the Crystal Cafe, with your mom.

Your parents were always so kind to everyone,  treated all equal, they would help anyone.

They raised one great family!

Ginger (LaRocque ) Poitra (65)

Bernadette’s great Niece

Folks, I wanted to share this Face Book posting with you that I posted yesterday. Jasmine doesn’t often wear head gear, but this outfit is kind of cute and fits her personality to a “Tee” too. Jasmine and her 3 younger brothers are pretty special kids. They spend many hours each day in our house. Their house/apartment is only about 30’ from our back door.  Gary

Folks,
Yesterday when Bernadette’s Niece, Novie’s (Novie Ostulano Congson) daughter Jasmine (Jasminesheryl Capao), came home from school she had this really big name tag attached to a lanyard around her neck. I asked her why the name tag and why so big. She said “It’s for our class”. She said all the kids in her class have these name tags. There are 55 kids in her class with one teacher and no helper. These name tags help the teacher remember names. The school year started here last week (June thru March).

I failed to get a picture of the name tag, but I have included a picture of Jasmine. Jasmine is 10 years old and in the 6th grade. Being petite and the youngest, she is the smallest in her class. She will be 11 in November.

Michael Belgarde Obituary
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Although I did not personally know Michael,  I am familiar with many of his siblings who were classmates and former students..

They  are  each,  gifted scholastically,  blessed with personality and maintain a keen sense of humor.

I  sincerely wish to offer  the siblings and the mother of Michael J. Belgarde sympathy in the loss of their brother and son.

Sincerely,

Vickie L.Metcalfe
 

Michael J. Belgarde

(February 29, 1968 – June 8, 2015)

Send Flowers
Guest Book | Sign Guest Book | Send Sympathy Card

Capt. (Sel) MICHAEL JAMES BELGARDE

Michael James Belgarde, age 47 of Window Rock, Arizona, formerly Dunseith, ND, passed away on Monday June 8, 2015 at his home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Dunseith, ND. Burial will be in the Belgarde Cemetery of rural Dunseith, ND. A wake will be held on Monday, June 15, 2015 beginning at 4:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. in the Eagleheart Cultural Center in Dunseith, ND.

Capt. (Sel) Michael James Belgarde, was born on February 29, 1968 in Belcourt, ND to Alfred Belgarde and Cecilia (Vallie) Belgarde He was raised in Dunseith and graduated from Dunseith High School in 1985. He graduated a year early from high school. It marked the beginning of his quest for success. He was a co-salutatorian. After high school, he joined the United States Army Reserves and continued to pursue his education at Minot State University in Minot, ND where he received a Bachelor’s of Science with a double Major in Mathematics and Computer Science. Michael served in his first tour of duty as a Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) Specialist in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Operation Desert Storm in 1990. He was also a member of the US Army Reserves 311 Evacuation Hospital Unit. In April of 1991, he met his wife to be, Michele Delorme. They married on December 27, 1991 in New Mexico. They soon moved to Pablo, Montana where together they had three beautiful children Mishaye (1992) MiQuel (1995) and Mykaylynne (1997). He worked the Salish Kootenai College as a mathematics and computer science instructor.

He later attended Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs where he received a Masters of Science in Computer Systems Engineering: 2000. Michael was the Chief Information Officer of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service. He was currently pursuing the Project Management Masters Certification thru the George Washington University collaborating with ESI International. In his presence at NAIHS, he was instrumental with creating a cross functional team approach and materializing several large scale million dollar projects; WAN DS3 convergence, Vista Imaging and IBM HACMP AIX RPMS Server roll-out. He was a key player in bringing top notch information technology systems to assist in providing excellent patient care to thousands of patients across the Navajo nation. He was considered a great mentor to numerous colleagues, friends, and family.

Two years after working at the Navajo area office, Mike met Carletta Segay. After being together for three years, they conceived a baby boy named, Logan, on May 23, 2009. Logan brought a lot of joy and excitement to Mike and Carletta. Children ment the world to him, especially his children. Mike showed a lot of love towards children, Carletta, family, friends and colleagues. His time in Window Rock were spent being outdoors, running, lifting weights, working on projects, practicing martial arts with Logan, and traveling.

Michael loved his children and family very much. He enjoyed traveling to new places and embraced every new adventure that came his way. He loved the great outdoors- hunting and fishing were his passions.

Michael is survived by his daughters; Mishaye and Mykaylynne Belgarde of Belcourt; Son Logan Belgarde of Window Rock, AZ; Grandsons MiQuel Hall and Meizen Belgarde of Belcourt; Loving companion, Carletta Segay of Window Rock, AZ; former wife and mother of children Michele Delorme of Belcourt; Mother Cecilia (Vallie) Belgarde, Six brothers Allan (Marian) Belgarde, Randall (Sandra Enno) Belgarde, Tony (Ruth) Belgarde, all of Dunseith, and David (Melissa) Belgarde of St. Michael; four sisters Irene Gladue, Gloria Belgarde, and Cheryl (Geon) Davis all of Dunseith, and Bernie (Last Name) of Bismarck, ND. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews as well.

He was preceded in death by his son Miguel J. Belgarde; Father Alfred Belgarde; Sister Tracy Lynn Belgarde;

====================================
Blog (314) posted on December 20, 2008

Note: for some reason there are two 314’s, yesterday’s and today’s. that was a screw up on the numbering on my part back in 2008.

Folks,  Bernadette’s sister arrived from Japan yesterday and her brother and his wife from another island here in the PI, Mindanao. They will all be here until after the new year. Her other sister lives next door, so all of her siblings will be together for the holidays.  Bernadette is the oldest and by far the healthiest. Her sister from Japan has a few ailments, but over all is pretty healthy. Her brother had a stroke several years ago that has affected his right side and his mind. He can walk, but very slow. When he came yesterday he called Bernadette by their sister’s name, but he remembered me.  He was such a brilliant guy too. It’s sad. Her sister that lives next door is nearly blind from the affects of diabetes. Had her brother and sister had proper medical attention afforded to them with the proper medications they probably would be OK today. We had a lady borrow $30 from us last week, so she could get her 6 month old granddaughter out of the hospital. They would not release her until payment  was made. They released her to an area within the hospital that was guarded so she could not leave until payment was made. In this country, folks in hospitals, with no money, are refused treatment, even if their condition is life threatening.  There is no welfare.

Bernadette’s sister from Japan is longing for good old Filipino food while she is here, so she has hired a full time cook, just to cook for everyone, while she is here. They normally prepare special food for me, because I don’t eat a lot of their foods.  Normally for every meal, including breakfast,  they will have rice with some variation of fish among other things. We had lunch at the mall today though.  Gary

From Esther Murray Flemming (65): 

Hi Gary;

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish everyone the Merriest Christmas and the richest of New Years, and also the best of health. I really enjoy all the e-mails and keeping up with everyone.

The weather here in Flint, MI is really terrible today and winter is not officially here until Sunday the 21st.But you can’t stop it. Tell Bernadette that I said hello and you folks have some wonderful holidays.  Got to go.

God Bless you all

Esther and family

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

Rich Campbell’s reply about playing basketball reminded me of our luck
when it came to the game . In the sixth grade I couldn’t wait until the
next year when we could play seventh grade basketball. They then made it
7th and 8th, so we sat on the bench, Oh well, next year. The next year
they made it junior high basketball, we sat on the bench again. I
remember always wishing we could play but the older guys got the floor
time. It was my favorite sport by far but riding the bench wasn’t really
that exciting. I do remember getting in near the end of a very exciting
game against Wolford over in Rolla  in ’67 at the district tournament.
We were down by two points and three of the main five had fouled out.
With only a second or two left I passed the ball in the lane to John
Bogus who nailed it for the tie at the buzzer. I remember Don Egbert
jumped out on the floor from the stands and picked me off the floor. In
the overtime we went back and forth until the very last seconds when a
Wolford player threw a ‘hail mary’ shot that bounced off the support
structure and fell in for a one point win. Mr. Hepper protested loudly
that it was out, but it counted and we lost by one point. I still don’t
know if the basket should have been counted, but the officials ruled it
was in so we lost! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Folks, isn’t this a beautiful picture of Bill Grimme with the Schnieder sisters? The Schnieder girls got together with Bill when they were visiting down in his area of Birmingham, AL last year. It looks like they had a nice dinner setting too, next to the windows in what appears to be a high rise building.  Gary

Dunseith News Povided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Pictures from Dewy Morinville’s (’72) Face Book albums

Dunseith in the mid 60’s

Donna Fugere

Reply from Nathan Richard (2000): Anchorage, AK.

Best wishes to Donna Fugere. She drove me and both of my sister’s home for most of our school years at least until I started to drive. If anyone attends give her a hug for me.

Joke of the Day
Posted by Mel Kuhn (’70):  St. John, ND

Ole lived across the Minnesota River from Clarence Bunsen,
whom he didn’t like at all.
They were yelling across the river at each other all the
time.
Ole would yell to Clarence,
“If I had a vay to cross dis river, I’d come ofver dere
an beat you up good, yeah sure ya betcha by golly!”
This went on for years.
Finally, the state built a bridge across the river
by their houses.
Ole’s wife, Lena, says, “Now iss yer chance, Ole. Vhy
doncha go over dere and beat up dat Clarence like you said you vud?”
Ole replied, “OK, by yimmy, I tink I vill do yust dat!”
Ole started for the bridge, but he saw a sign on the bridge
and stopped to read it, then turned around and came back home.
Lena asked, “Vhy did you come back?” Ole said, ” Lena , I
tink I changed my mind ’bout beatin’ up dat Clarence.
You know, vhen  I yell at him from across da river
he don’t look so big. But dey put a sign
on da bridge dat says
“Clarence is 13 ft. 6 In.”

====================================
Blog (314) posted on December 21, 2008

From Dave Slyter (70): 

Gary, Bernadette and all alumni of DHS.

Heres wishing all of you a blessed Christmas and the best for 2009.

Again Fargo/Moorhead is in another winter storm warning with about 4 inches of fresh new snow.  Winds are suppose to pick up this afternoon and then we are in a  blizzard watch.    I am ready for it though, as yesterday I went out and bought a brand new snowblower.  I broke my old cloncker in the last snow storm so had to shovel over half of it.  At my age, all muscles that I didn’t know I had was aching.

I think that is great Gary that you and Bernadette provided the lady with the little child, money to get her out of the hospital.   Christmas is the season for giving and how appreciative the mother must be that their are people like you in this world.    In our church a family of 7, had a house fire that pretty much took everything from them.  My wife Pat and I have decided that when they do find their new home to live in we are going to donate our sectional couch to them as we were going to trade it in, or sell it anyway.  We feel they can certainly use it.  We are also donating to them financially as our church will take a special collection this coming Sunday so they can have a sort of good Christmas.    It is a very good feeling to know that we can help in many ways not only during the holidays but everyday of every year.

On that note, again I wish everyone the Merriest of Christmas’s and the best to you in the coming year.

Dave Slyter (70)

Dave, We intended that to be a loan to the lady so she could get her granddaughter out of the hospital, but it’s looking more like a gift.  She has exceeded the dead line of when she said she’d repay us.  Sometimes these folks, even if they get the money, will drag their feet with repayment because they think we can afford the gift to them.  Bernadette goes after these folks kind of hard.  They for sure do not want a visit from her.  She’s very soft on those truly in need. Gary.

Reply from Bill Hosmer (48): 

Gary, your description of some of the basic health issues made me most appreciative of treatments I have had recently.  Sometimes we here in the US take for granted some things that others do not experience. Health issues as you described them are certainly critical, and my hope is that those standards of health service in the PI, will improve.  My cousin Diane Larson Sjol, who is immersed in the vital realms of the very beautiful and complicated medical orientation of bringing babies into our society is a person who might bring more perspective into this focus. She is a national asset in my book.  Hopefully, she will comment on the situation you described in the Philippines.  Her discipline and practical standards of life at its best encourage me to encourage her to  respond.   Besides that, she is just a miracle  in the finest arena of education and  contributions to all of us in her sphere of influence.  All of us Dunseith Folks are in special company

with the presence of this special American.  Cheers, Bill Hosmer

Bill, The standards of health care are good in this country.  It’s just that a big percentage of these folks can not afford them.  The doctor and hospital fees are relatively low in comparison to the USA, but the medication (drug) costs are about the same, which is very high.  Bernadette and I are very fortunate that our GEHA and Tricare insurances cover nearly all of our medical and medication (drug) needs in this country.  We are very satisfied with the latest state of the art services available here.  Because of cost and no insurance coverage, most of Bernadette’s relatives are unable to have these services provided to them.  We will help out in extreme emergencies, but we can not, out of pocket, take care of all their needs. Sometimes some of them think we should, but we have to be selective in the areas that we assist. Gary

Lumpectomy update From Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for ALL the emails.  I have so many people praying for me God might need to hire an assistant to hear prayers for other people!  Seriously, thank you so much for your prayers/sharing your experiences with this very problem/support/just sending greetings/etc.  I enjoy reading your emails and appreciate them tremendously.  I still hope to reply to them.

I visited with the surgeon today: Dr. Lane Lee, Minot.  Surgery will be January 5, 2009, at Trinity.  Surgery is at 12:15.  I check into the hospital at 8:00 A.M.  It’s same-day surgery, so I should be going home later in the day.  I won’t necessarily be “out”, could just be heavily sedated.  I think I would prefer being heavily sedated, but I don’t know if I’ll have a choice.  It really doesn’t matter, either way is fine.

Sometime after the surgery, I need a bone density test and a chest extra.  After that, I’m not sure how long, radiation will begin and last for, I think, 6 weeks.

All is going fine.  I’m very relaxed about all of this.  I arrived in Bottineau about six o’clock this evening and will be here until about January 3–depending on the weather forecast.  I need to be sure I’m in Minot January 5.

I’ll be spending Christmas with Mom/Jim in Bottineau.  Wally will spend it with his family in Minot.

The weather in ND is COLD!!  The roads were good, no snow/ice.  I have groceries, and I think I’ll stay “home” until Sunday when they are having special music at Good Samaritan, where my mom lives.

Thanks again for all the support.  I would rather have this than to need to “poke” my finger every day and take insulin, or have chronic pain, or many other ailments so many people have.  So far, I have had absolutely NO pain (even after the need biopsy)/have lost no sleep/or been worried about this coming experience.  Like I said before, God apparently thinks I need another experience  to add to my life’s resume. I’m thinking so positively about this cancer experience, I even ordered caramel supplies for next year’s craft sales.

Merry Christmas to all of you. :

Neola

From Dick Johnson (68): 

This is a note or question actually, for Gary our ‘Webmaster’. I was
wondering if you see any artifacts from the fighting in WWII around your
area. The Japanese lost thousands of soldiers when the Allied forces
retook the islands. The allies also lost many men and the carnage was
extreme. There were pictures of  tanks and planes and other equipment
scattered across the Philippines after the battles, so I just wondered
if any of it was still there or if it has since all been removed. Leyte
Gulf was the sight of one of the biggest naval battles and so many ships
were sunk, they nicknamed it ‘Iron Bottom Sound’. When you mentioned
Bernadette’s brother was from Mindanao island, wasn’t that where they
found the Japanese soldier who had hid out until the early 70s! I think
three Japanese hid out but one was shot later while stealing food and
the other died in the late 60s from natural causes, leaving one man to
live alone in the hills. He didn’t believe he could surrender without
disgracing his family.There was a documentary on TV about his life and
eventual return to Japan. He came back to a fully modern country and was
overwhelmed. I never had any idea we would ever know anyone who lives
anywhere near the places where these events took place, but with you
Gary, we now do!
Thanks and please post your answer for us all to read.

Dick

Dick,

I was never much of a history buff back in my school days and as a consequence, did not retain much.  I squeezed through Mr. Hepper’s world history class and that was about it.  Now that I’ve traveled the world some, If I was to take some of those classes over again, I’d probably retain a little more than I did back then. Yes, this area is rich in WWII history.  According to Bernadette, everything you have said is right.  She is pretty much up on all of the history of this country.  We, the USA, had to reclaim these Islands from the Japanese for the Filipino people.  The Japanese did not treat the local people well at all when they were in control.  They forced the local girls to have sexual relations with their soldiers.  They also shipped local PI girls to Japan for that purpose.  They also made slaves out of these people, giving them little food. I read about some of this in the local paper here a few months ago.  I have not seen much, if any, of the remains of the second war. The Local transportation, the Jeepney’s, that this country has an abundance of today, were invented, after our country left an abundance of jeeps in this country, following WWII.  The locals started using these jeeps, that we left behind, as mini buses to transport people.  The concept evolved into the development of larger vehicles, with longer wheel bases, that had bench seats an open backs that ply these roads today transporting the locals.  There are over 10,000 jeepney’s registered in the city of Cebu today.  They are very regulated with specific routes. In fact they are a large contributor to the major traffic congestions that this country is experiencing today.  Over all they are a bunch of ruthless drivers competing for passengers on their specific routes. They wear out brake pads quickly. Most drivers rent their vehicles, so they abuse the living day lights out of them.  When we first got here, we thought that would be a good business to get into, so we purchased a Jeepney. What a mistake that was.  The cost of breakdowns, by far, exceeded the rent money collected.

Back to Mindanao.  Southern Mindanao has always had a large population of Moslems. There are the good and the not so good.  Most of the not so good live in southern Mindanao.  They have been causing major problems with rebellion for many years.  This is a very poor country.  The southern Mindanao area is the poorest of the poor. There has been kind of a civil war going on in that area for many years that this country has been trying, unsuccessfully, to resolve.  Gary

                        Filipino Jeepney

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Donna Fugere’s Birthday

Posting from Debbie Fugere Fauske (’75):  Minot, ND 

Donna Fugere will celebrate a special birthday on June 28^th.  Her family wishes to honor her with a card shower.

Cards and best wishes may be sent to:

Donna Fugere
PO Box 220
Dunseith ND 58329-0220       

Debbie

   Happy Birthday Dan McKay (’69): Mooreton, ND

Happy Birthday Dawn Gregory Allard (’74): Bottineau, ND

Happy Birthday Florence Pladson Sime (’62): Deering, ND

Happy birthday Janelle Fugere Montgomery: Denton, TX

Anthony and Ginger LaRocque Poitra 50^th Wedding Anniversary
Posting from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Gary,

This seems coincidental, but is it?  The coincidence being the 2008 blog with the pictures of our (Anthony and my) wedding picture being posted close to our 50th anniversary! That is nice,  thanks Gary.

Friday was our anniversary, our family made us a dinner, which took place in our home.  Our granddaughter Veronica had a beautiful banner made to hang in the house with the picture from todays 2008 blog with happy 50th anniversary,  it is so nice.  Face book so available, word gets around pretty fast. People find things out so quickly, after seeing a posting of our daughter Roxanes Happy Anniversary wish to us, some of our friends and relatives came to wish us a happy anniversary and had a bite to eat others wished us the same on face book, they should have stopped by to have a bite to eat as well. They would have loved the meal!!

We had a fun time just visiting about the good old days. Laughing and enjoying each others company.  It was a great 50th!  Very unexpected until a few days before.

Gary I would like to thank you for your being here for all of us.  You are a great person who will always be remembered! I mean that.  Take care,  prayers to all your family.

I couldn’t get an apostrophe where I wanted it.

Ginger (LaRocque ) Poitra class of 1965

Gary’s Reply

Happy 50^th Ginger and Tony. Hard to believe it is 50 years already and you are my classmate.

Thank you Ginger for the kind words too.

Gary

====================================
Blog (313) posted on December 19, 2008

Folks,

I received Bill Hosmer’s package yesterday with 3 bottles of “Mile High Hot Sauce” and a copy of the book “The Birds Were Silver Then”.  This hot sauce is very much like Salsa and comes in 10oz bottles.  I just had to open a bottle and taste when I received the package.  I love Salsa and this sauce is premium to any I’ve ever had.  It’s got just the right amount of peppers to give it that added spark and flavor.  This stuff is produced & marketed by a friend of Bill’s.  Check out his Website http://milehighhotsauce..com/product.html .

This book, “The Birds Were Silver Then”, is written by, Lowell Peterson, another friend of Bill’s.  Taking a quick glance at the book, there are many pictures, near the back of the book. Bill is also featured in this book, with numerous pictures.  This is a beautiful hard cover, nearly 200 page book, with stories of the Vietnam Air War.

This book is published by:

Peterson House

2627 Beechwood Court

Appleton, WI 54911

SRoseClear@aol.com

Thank you Bill for sending all this to me, here in the Philippines,  half way around the world.  We will truly enjoy.

Gary

From Maria Parlade Corral (62):

Hello Gary: I just wanted to wish all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year full of health and prosperity. I also wanted to thank you for including me in your emails which I enjoy very much . Maria Parlade Corral

Marie, I feel this letter you sent last August 12th deserves a re-run.  Whether you realized it or not, with all that you guys went through, with the Cubin crisis an all of the adjustments relocating to Dunseith, you guys were kind of special to our community and the school.  Gary

Hi Gary; I graduated from Dunseith HS in 1962. At the beginning of the school year(1961) we had just arrived from Cuba and in Dunseith is where I learned to speak English . I was the oldest  of six of my brothers and sisters that were in school also and being the oldest I had to learn English fast. I remember that in my class were the Bedard triplets and I think Nancy Hosmer but I have never read any news from them in your wonderful collection of memories that you so faithfully send to all of us who had the privilege of living in Dunseith even if it was for only a short time. I enjoy reading all the news although I don’t know most of you. Actually we lived in San Haven since my father was a doctor there.
I have lived in Miami Florida since 1969 after I completed my college and M.A. I am married and have 5 children and seven grandchildren. One of the things I want to do is to go back with my husband and show him North Dakota specially Dunseith.. I have heard that the San Haven Hospital has been knocked down. Has Dunseith grown a lot.? One thing I can tell you is that when we arrived to Dunseith from a tropical country to me it was like coming to paradise. We found peace and freedom and we lived with fear no more. Thank you for letting me remember that every time I get one of your emails.   Maria Parlade Corral

From Martha Lamb Schepp (68): 

Hi Gary,

I feel like a whiner. I am missing numbers 308-311. Les Halvorson says there’s a story about a gun that my Dad had. Tonight when I opened up my e-mail here there was a personal e-mail from Dick wondering if I knew anything about that gun. Thanks for keeping this going. I have many stories I could write but I’m not much of a story teller and a few would be too embarassing. Thanks again. Merry Christmas, Our family will all come next Tues. and stay over to go to church with us on Christmas eve. It’s been very cold here and windy. Good old North Dakota. I really do like North Dakota but I am to the stage that I would like to pick the days I leave the house. This is year 31 that I have been teaching. I like it every day but the cold days.

Thanks,
Martha

Martha, I have forwarded you those missing messages. Number 308 is where Dick talks about the gun you guys had.

Folks, Again, and I stress, please let me know of any of these messages you do not receive. With these messages coming from overseas, often times they are perceived as spam when being screened by your internet providers. As a result they don’t get delivered or are delivered to your trash or spam folder. Gary

Reply from Rich Campbell (68):  

Hi Gary,

Responding to Lyle Olson’s comments on Dec. 17th.  He is too kind when speaking of his first coach (that’s me) being a star player on the varsity basketball team.  I was lucky to get to dress for the games.  Thanks Lyle.  It was fun coaching the kids.  Even more fun with all the basketball games we played on our driveway.  You mentioned those awhile back.  Dick Johnson could hit a jumper before falling into the rose bush.  Many others hit their heads on the garage door frame after driving for a basket.  Good times.

Rich Campbell

Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): 

HI Gary and All

I keep reading comments about how cold it is back there now and I remember those days too. I got an email from Diane the other day that it was -20 and dropping, I emailed her back that (this past Sunday) we had spent a balmy 78 degree day at Six Flags over Texas with my 2 1/2 year old grandaughter and that we were in short sleeves all day long. Her comment was that she wanted to reach through the computer and smack me right into next winter. I just had to laugh. Back in 1991 my husband and I and our 3 children drove up to Bottineau to spend Christmas with Mom and Dad. We had to outfit all the kids with real winter jackets and heavy duty gloves. Fortunately Mom and Dad had boots they could wear. We had a great trip up, dry roads. Got there the day before Christmas Eve. The kids had never seen snow like they did in North Dakota that winter. The weather never did get above 0 but the kids bundled up and played outside every day. They also got to skate at the hockey rink. Their cheeks would be so pink from the cold and they absolutely loved it! Driving back we hit an ice storm in South Dakota that finally broke up at Oklahoma City and by the time we got to the Texas border, we had nothing but fog! We still did the 1300 mile trip in 26 hours and I was never so glad to be back home in my life. I did go back several years ago in January expecting it to be bitter cold, and was very prepared for it, and that trip it never got below 30. With no wind. I was needless to say, happy about that!

Stay warm everyone.

Cheryl Larson Dakin

Reply from Don Aird (Carroll Carlson’s Nephew): 

Your sleigh story reminded me of my Grandpa Peder later Peter Carlson.  My Mother Clarissa took my two year old sister Christine to visit the Carlson’s over Christmas 1949.  The Carlson homestead was three miles south of  the PeaceGardens.  Dad and I stayed in Wahpeton because I had just started first grade that year.  The hills had a Christmas blizzard that kept my Mother and Sister trapped on the farm for two weeks.  Finally Pete harnessed the horses to the hay wagon and took my Mother and Sister to the train some ten miles away. Pete would have been in his 70s.   Dad couldn’t cook so he and I had tomato soup and toast for two weeks.  I can’t look at a bowl of tomato soup without getting sick.

From Sybil Johnson: 

Thought I would send all of you, a wish for the best of all holidays. Its fun to think back when one was a child, especially as we get up in years. So MERRY

CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR, to all of you and may all your wishes come true.  Sybil Johnson

From Bill Awalt (61):

Hi Gary, Just to let you know not to send any e-mails until after the
first of the year.  We will be in Alabama.  My sister Bonnie will fill
us in.
Thanks.
Bill

Reply to Ginger LaRocque Poitra’s communion picture posted yesterday, from Ron Longie (65): 

Gary,  Yes that is me standing behind Ginger, and I think the guy next to me is Mark Anderson. I think the guy standing behind me and in the rear is Terry Martinson.

Ron Longie

Reply to Ginger LaRocque Poitra’s communion picture posted yesterday, From Allen Richard (65): 

HI Ginger– Yes I was in there some place.  Maybe the kid in the green in front, though I don’t remember a shirt like that.  I think I wore a little suit.  Maybe I’m behind Ron Longie.  I think Ron Richard Angela Berube and Jo Ann Houle were in the same class too, but I can’t make out the faces.

ALLEN rICHARD

Dunseith News Provide by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

    Happy Birthday Kelly Woods (’89): Vancouver, BC Canada

Supper with a few Dunseith friends at the Pizza Inn in Bottineau, ND: July 2013

====================================
Blog (312) posted on December 18, 2008

Ardys Bakken Horner (former English teacher): 

Hi Gary, I continue to enjoy your daily blog and want to wish everyone a blessed Christmas, we are struggling with too much snow and numbing cold in Northern Minnesota, at least it will be white for Christmas, and the fish house is on the lake for our  kids and grand kids to fish in
during their visit.  Because of your efforts some of my former students have been in touch with me which has been a lot of fun.
Thanks for all you do. Ardys Bakken Horner (former English teacher)

From Ivy Eller Robert (74):

Hi Gary……..

I read the story Dick Johnson told about the gun & Bill Peterson. It triggered (no pun intended) a memory about Bill Peterson & his brothers, Duane & Jack! My folks built a new house in Dunseith in 1971 and hired Bill as the contractor to build it. Of course, being the ‘Tom Boy’ I was and Dad’s helper……I was there at the construction site every day, from helping Dad clear the lots, to the digging of the basement to the framing and everything in between to helping Loraine Peterson paint the exterior.
Well, one day Dad had to go to Belcourt for something, and the attic needed to be insulated with bats of fiber glass insulation. I didn’t know anything about insulation at that time, so when no one wanted to get into the attic to do it, I said I would, since I wasn’t very big and could get around in the attic better than the full grown men. (I’m pretty sure Bill wasn’t around that day, I only remember Duane & Jack being there) So they were eager to let me do that job. Well, I found out fast why they were so eager to let me, I swear I itched for days from it. But before I got the entire attic done, my foot slipped off one of the rafters over the tub in the bathroom, broke through the sheet rock and nearly fell threw and would have landed in the bathtub. I know I yelled for help and Jack & Duane helped me get out of that predicament. They told me, maybe I shouldn’t tell Mom or Dad especially Dad what had happened and promptly fixed the damage I had done to the ceiling. They finished the insulation in the attic themselves. And I had one huge scratch & “black & blue” mark that went from my ‘backside to the back of my knee on my left leg. I never told Mom & Dad or Bill for that fact………..I never did know why, only speculated that maybe they weren’t suppose to have me doing something like that.
I have fond memories of the Peterson Brothers building our house. They were quit the joke-sters………..

Ivy Eller Robert

Ivy, That is a great story.  Thank you so much for sharing. My dad and Jack Peterson were always good friends, but became especially close in the years before Jack’s death.  They’d talk on the phone several times each day. They both loved to tell stories.  Jack was married to Nettie Hiatt.  Jack did not let his terminal cancer get him down. He lived a normal life, knowing he had terminal cancer, pretty much right up to the end. He was a remarkable man and I remember him being well loved by the Lagerquist family and the rest of his family members too.  Leola Lagerquist and Nettie are sisters.

From Rhonda Hiatt (75): 

Hi Gary,

I thought I would pass this on (Video). You can send it out if you want. I thought it was a very nice video. You will need to turn your volume up.

Merry Christmas to you, your family and to everyone else on the list.

Thanks

Rhonda Hiatt (75)

Ronda, That was truly a great Video. We can really count our blessings. This Video is a bit large to be sending out with a group message, however, I encourage folks to request a copy from you.

Folks, This is a great Video, especially for those of us that often times feel we have been neglected of the worldly goods.  Please contact Rhonda for an electronic copy.  Gary

From Ele Dietrich Slyter (69):

From Lyle Olson (75):

Gary and all:

I went to a college basketball game the other night and was fascinated at how angry the coach was with his players.  Witnessing that event got me thinking about some of the coaches we had at Dunseith.  I was fortunate to play under some great coaches.  My first coach was Rich Campbell.  I was in the 5th grade and he coached basketball in the old grade school gym.  We had just moved to Dunseith from Minnesota where the only sport that mattered was hockey, which I was actually quite good at given my size.  In fact, it was the only sport that I can say I was better at than my siblings.  In any event, Rich Campbell was then a star basketball player for the varsity and he was an excellent coach.  I particularly remember him trying to teach me which leg to go off when attempting a lay-up.  I struggled with that for several years!  They would often match teams and let the 5th and 6th graders play a 15-minute scrimmage between helf-time at the Varsity games.  I wonder if they still do that in Dunseith?  I hope so because it sure was exciting to play in the big gym in front of all those people.

Summer came along and it seems we were either coached by one of the Berube brothers (Tom, Jim and Billy-Boo) or one of the Martinson brothers (Terry and Tim).  In the early to mid-70’s Dunseith fielded great baseball teams.  I remember playing in the State Babe Ruth Tournament in Fargo and then leaving that tournament to go the State Legion tournament in Carrington.  We always seemed to be going to State back in those days.  I also remember Jim Berube letting me drive his car to Babe Ruth baseball games.  I was told to wear glasses early in the summer but vanity prevented me from doing so.  Driving to a game in Rolla, I hit this board on the road simply because I did not see it in time to swerve.  Jim was quite upset that I didn’t seem to see the road hazard and I reluctantly told him that I was supposed to wear glasses when driving.  Without missing a beat upon receiving such information, he told me that perhaps that was the reason I struck out so often!!!

The Berube and Martinson brothers knew baseball inside and out, and they taught the game with patience and humor.  Tom Berube would entertain us with back flips when he went out to the 3rd base coaching box.  Bill Berube was perhaps the best all around baseball player I have ever seen.  He could field, hit and run the bases.  I remember watching him steal home one time and he literally jumped over the catcher’s head to touch home plate – that memory is burned in my mind.  He was a great coach as well.  So, too, were Tim and Terry Martinson.

Football coaches in Dunseith in my era were a different cat.  Gene Hepper was the varsity coach and I remember he used to dress up like Vince Lombardi – long coat and hat – on those cold fall nights.  Dennis Espe was the Junior High Coach.  I remember being an 8th grader in 1971.  The varsity wanted to run a full scrimmage so Coach Espe “volunteered” Sam Tooke, David Hagel, Stanley Thompson, Forrest Parisien and myself to “practice” with the varsity.  Well, needless to say the varsity took no mercy on the young punks.  I remember having nightmares about Puggy Azure, Curt Hagel and Don Olson coming right at me with one taking me low, the other taking the mid section and the other taking the head.  These were the three horseman to be sure, with the fourth – Greg Evans – serving as running back looking to spike whatever remains were left over.  I would like to say for the record that I stood my ground but that was more out of pure stupidity and fear than courage.  Sam Tooke laughed so hard at what remained on the ground that I think he peed his pants!!  Thank you, Coach Espe, for a memorable experience!!

I was lucky enough to make the varsity basketball team in 1972.  The head coach was Larry Haugen and his assistant was Richard Becker.  We used to call Coach Becker “crooked” but I forget why?  He was a rough and tumble fellow to be sure.  He used to open the gym for us on Sundays and he would play right along with us, elbows and all.  He was not the best of basketball players but he taught us toughness and to never quit.  What was amazing about him was his willingness to share his free time with a bunch of young kids.  He did not need to open the gym everytime someone called him, but he did for some reason.  It kept a lot of kids out of trouble and it also honed the skills of many a basketball player.  I often wonder what happened to him.  I saw him once at a Class B tournament but was not able to talk to him and thank him for those hard fought Sunday games.

Coach Haugen was a great basketball coach.  Unfortunately, he is remembered as the coach of the 1972 team that lost the opening game of the State tournament after the team had built a 13 or 16-point lead. I, however, remember him as the coach who led his team to 25 victories that season.  He was smart and he knew how to motivate kids. He never lost his temper and he took that loss harder than most imagine.  He also would not tolerate anyone blaming the players for the loss.  He continued to coach in Dunseith but left after the 1973 school year.  He benched me for the last part of the season that year.  I do not know why to this day, but I never questioned him on it as I respected him as a coach.  He came to my mother’s funeral and we talked for quite some time.  Needless to say, I did not enjoy that day but I sure enjoyed seeing him again.

In closing, it sure would be nice if every kid could have coaches like we did in Dunseith in the early 1970’s.  The coaches we had taught life lessons without our knowledge and they made sports fun.

Here is hoping that everyone has a Merry Christmas!!!

Lyle

Message/Pictures from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65): 

Gary,

This is a picture of my first communion class.  I do not remember all the students, I do know a few, the ones I think I know are…

Front row from left Helen Rivard,…Allard, might be Margaret Faine,….don’t know, ginger LaRocque Poitra, ..don’t know,…don’t know, directly behind me I’m sure is Ronnie Longie,and to the right of him is Mark Anderson, Alan Boguslawski is two to the right of Mark, I see Alfreda Patnaude to the left of Evie, Evie Gottbreht who is directly behind Allard.  we have Sister Gabrial and Father Lorchid. Need help in identifying, I think Allen Richard and some Evans Boys are in there as well. This was taken in the St. Louis Catholic Church, in Dunseith in 1955.

I Have included our wedding picture as well, that was in 1965, June 5th. My dress and veil was made by my sister JoAnn I carried red baby roses and wore my mother’s pearls.

Ginger LaRocque Poitra.

Ginger, We’ve got lots of folks, many of whom are included in this picture, that will be able to help identify some of the folks in this photo.  I am sure that is Ron Longie standing behind you.  He has not changed.  Gary

Ginger’s first communion class – St. Louis Catholic Church in Dunseith.

Ginger, you were a very pretty bride. You’ve got a handsomeguy too, with a stylish 57 Chev. Gary

Ginger LaRocque & Tony Poitra – June 5, 1965

  Happy Birthday Ron Peltier (‘7): Dunseith, ND

Calvin Hiatt, Willie E Hiatts’ brother, Passed away.
Message from his wife Jeanne:  Portland, OR

Hi Gary,
Just wanted to let you know that Calvin Hiatt passed away on February 6, 2015 at the age of 89.  He would have been 90 on his next birthday on March 4, 2015.

Best Regards,

Jeanne Barthelmess (spouse)

Gary’s Stokes’ reply
Jeanne, our condolences are with you and your family with the passing of Calvin. Calvin was a very close friends of my parents, Bob and Elaine Stokes. He moved west about the time I was born, so I never really knew him, but I knew his brother Willie and Maxine very well. I found Calvin’s Obituary that I have pasted below too.

Norris (Deceased) and Arlene Knutson purchased and live on the farmstead where Calvin lived.

So our readers can get a perspective of where Calvin fits into the Hiatt family, I have posted a picture of his Dad, Amos, with all of his siblings below. In the picture, please note the resemblance of Calvin’s dad, Amos, to that of Norman Hiatt, his nephew. This picture leaves no doubt that Amos and Norman are related.

I have also pasted the first four generations of the Harmen Hiatt family tree that I put together a few years back. The folks of the 4^th generation are of my generation age group.

Gary

Calvin Henry Hiatt
Obituary

Hiatt, Calvin Henry 89 Mar. 04, 1925 Feb. 06, 2015 Calvin Henry Hiatt, 89, died peacefully Feb. 6, 2015. He was born March 4, 1925, in Dunseith, N.D., the son of Annie and Amos Hiatt. Calvin was a veteran of World War II, having enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 18, and honorably served in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. Upon discharge, he attended the University of Oregon, studying architecture. He worked as an electrician for most of his life and was a member of IBEW Local 49. One of Calvin’s favorite projects was working as lead electrician on the Galleria renovation. He was also a member of the Unitarian Church. Throughout his life, he enjoyed music, art, theater, travel, woodworking, photography and design. Calvin is survived by his wife, Jeanne; sons, Bruce and Douglas Hiatt; daughter, Karen Hiatt; stepdaughters, Suzanne Barthelmess (Rex Sustello), Janis (Michael) Cicerchi and Robyn Barthelmess; and three grandchildren. At his request, no funeral is planned.

Repost from with full Name.

Sorry about that Ann and you were too modest to say anything too.
Hope you had a good too.
Please give your mother, Carol  Watkins Carbonneau (’46), our regards too

Happy Birthday Ann Carbonneau OcOnnell (BHS ’68): Bottineau, ND

Humor of the day
Conversations between Mel Kuhn (’70) and Larry Hackman (66)

Mel Kuhn’s message to Larry Hackman
Larry,
My wife has gone off to Bismarck on another one of them workshops. I don’t know why you have to go to a shop to learn how to work. For me it was either work or get hungry. Speaking of hungry-I asked my wife [this time] what I’m supposed to do if I run out of clean dishes. Am I supposed to go buy new ones again or just what? I don’t want to get hollered at again for buying more new dishes but just what are you supposed to do? She told me that we had some paper ones in the cupboard. I tried frying some potatoes in one of them tonight and the damn thing caught on fire. Made a hell of a mess. Maybe you could go to the place where she’s having that work thing at down there in Bismarck and talk some sense into her for me. I only have about two days of silverware left and then I’m out. I can keep frying eggs in the one pan for about another three days I figure before it starts to get a little cruddy. I was thinking about letting the dogs rinse them out for me and then hanging them on the cloths line seeing as we’ve been having some rain. I don’t know—what do you think?
Mel

Larry Hackman’s reply
Mel
Relax.  You should laugh at your problems.  Everybody else does.
I know I just read this someplace but it sure seems to fit the situation.
Besides I think your wife is just testing you, to find out how long you can live without eating?
When you do finally croak from starvation, then we will all know.
But as long as you keep coming up with all these ingenious methods of preparing and eating food.
Well , I suppose you know, that you are screwing up the test?
Larry

Mel Kuhn’s Reply
Larry,
I’m still confused. You didn’t help me out much. I was expecting some good advice from you seeing as you are older and supposedly wiser. I didn’t dare trying to cook on one of them paper plates again. So I stuck some wieners on a fork and cooked them over a burner on the stove. That worked pretty good but it kind of left a mess on the stove for the wife to clean up when she gets home. I think I’m gonna have to come up with something I can cook in the toaster. I tried grilled cheese but you have to smash them together so they fit in the slot. I had to take the battery out of the smoke detector after that one. I don’t use the microwave to cook with anymore ‘cause someone told me that if you use them too much it can possibly mess with the old brain cells. I sure wouldn’t want that to happen. Cooking a can of spaghetti out in the BBQ grill doesn’t work either. Scared the hell out of the dogs when it exploded. Another mess for the wife to clean up when she gets home. Dog shit and spaghetti sauce. You got any ideas?
Mel

====================================
Blog (311) posted on December 17, 2008

Request from Rachelle (Shelly) Hagel Peltier: 

Gary,

I would appreciate it very much if you would add me to your email list.

My maiden name is Hagel.

I work with Ramona LaVallie.

Thank you

Rachelle (Shelly) Peltier

Shelly, It is my pleasure to add you to our distribution. I know folks will remember you.  We have several of your siblings in our files too.

Yes, I know Ramona Thiefoe LaVallie from the class of 66.  She has been very helpful with finding folks as I put these class lists together.  She’s a very nice lady.  Gary

From Bev Morinville Azure (72): 

Gary , With  Toni’s premission   I  am  sending this to u to  share  with the  rest  Every once in awhile  Toni sends  letters   “TO THE WOMAN I LOVE”  this one   made me  laugh and  wanted to share  the  day she had with the rest of  you .  Thanks for all u do Gary  and may

  GOD  BLESS YOU …………BEV

Toni Morinville Gredesky’s (68) letter: 

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 1:29 PM

For those of you distantly removed from the school setting and atmosphere, let
me remind you how it goes.

We missed school yesterday after a blizzard dumped a foot of snow in the area.
Those of you who
have relocated will remember that following a storm, we plunge into the deep
freeze; however,  -14 below isn’t too bad.
Our weekly meeting in the library was uneventful except that we were informed
that
the phones were not working and the heating system had frozen up in part of the
building
and some water pipes containing water and a very stinky chemical had burst in
the office
area.

The principal commented to me that I would have to put up with a library that
might be a bit too
warm because they had our end cranked up to accommodate for the problem. Ten
minutes later
a pipe broke in the special ed room across the hall. Water was gushing
everywhere. They got it
turned off but had to cut the heat.  I was about to lend my small space heater
when that happened.
The chemical in the water immediately stripped the floor of the wax, and now it
stinks in our end of
the building.

I went to the office and one of my drama kids, Robbie, a freshman, was sitting
on the couch holding an ice
pack on his head. Robbie is quite a character –squirrelry and has a comeback
for everything.
I asked him just what had happened. He said he had “hit his head.”
Just then his science teacher
came in to check on him. It seems that they were typing their blood in class
and when Mr. Fuller
poked Robbie’s finger and Robbie saw the blood, he fainted dead away. Being
the character that
he is, Mr. Fuller thought Robbie was kidding. Not so, he has a mild concussion
but can still name
our current president — who did a pretty good job avoiding his own concussion
when he ducked
the thrown shoes.

A bit later I went to check the mail. Yep, you guessed it. Another pipe had
broken in the boy’s locker room.
By now the kids are ticking like a time bomb. Anything out of the ordinary can
only raise two questions.
#1 Are we getting out of school? #2 What time are we getting out of school?

After I picked up the mail, I stopped in the office again when another of my
freshman drama students, Brayden came walking
out of the principal’s office. He looked like he had been or was going to
cry. Brayden is NOT a character. He is actually
quite shy and introverted. In fact, the last night of the play, his mom called
to say that Brayden wasn’t coming to the play. Well,
we managed to get him here. When I saw Brayden come out of the principal’s
office, I said, “Are you in trouble?” He said,”No,
I got punched right in the nose by Aaron.” Aaron is not in drama, but his
reputation precedes him. He is not a happy kid.
Anyone who staples his thumb to get out of gym is just not happy.

That took us up to lunch. The time now is 1:30. All seems to be going well. The
phones are fixed. The pipes are holding.
The children are nestled, all snug in their whatever. . ..  My little space
heater feels nice in my little niche.
We have 12,000 books in our library. I just hope the pipes hold.

I love you all,
Toni

Toni, this is a great letter, well written.  You are a great story teller. We’d love to hear more of these stories.  I’ll bet you can remember a few from the past too.  Gary

From Sharon Longie Dana (73): 

Reply to Ele Dietrich Slyter:

I have lived many places since I left the Turlte Mountains but some of my fondest memories in my life are of the winters there. The frost on the trees so thick it looked like diamond necklaces in the moonlight, and the full moons made the blankets of snow just glisten and sparkle. and it was so cold the snow crunched so loud beneath your feet and it was so much to shop then. And the snow days…the phone would start ringing after breakfast and out we would head with our sleds to find the perfect place to go.

Thanks Ele for jarring my memory today. The winters here in Montana can be beautiful too.

I was thinking of North Dakota and all of those cold days when we got our storm Friday night and we had no snow here in the valley til then and our high Monday was zero…..

I think   BBBRRRRRRR….but i always know its colder back home then it is here and I remember days gone by and so much fun.

To all my friends and classmates from all classes: I wish you good health and prosperity in the New Year and have a wonderful Christmas.

Sharon Longie Dana(73)

ND Weather from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

Ele’s story of crunching snow underfoot made me think of another sound
we ‘older’ folks remember. That is the squeal of sleigh runners when the
temps reached -20. When the sleigh hit packed ice like on a road
surface, the made this sharp high pitched screech that only came with
very cold temperatures. The old timers used to say that when the temp
hit -60, whiskey would gel. Now who would wait to see if whiskey was
going to gel, when you are out in -60 weather? Unless of course you had
a lot of whiskey!! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Weather report from Mel Kuhn (70)

Howdy Gary,

In reply to Dave Slyter, There was a blizzard? We got lucky up here and only had 3-4 inches of snow but it was a bit breezy. I cleaned those same 3-4 inches of snow out of my drive about 5 times. As Ele said -30 degrees and I believe it warmed up to -10 yesterday. Dick and I were going to go hual some old cars on Saturday but changed our minds when it was too cold for the hydraulics on his truck to work. It’s supposed to get up to 0 degrees Wednesday so that will be nice. Later.

Mel Kuhn[70]

Comments – 63 basketball team – Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

The DHS basketball team, shown in the picture, was a very exciting team
to watch. Too bad Dave Shelver was out with an injury when the picture
was taken. Dave and Dan Danielson  played out front as guards and did a
great job getting the ball in to Dennis Dubois who was center. Jim Evans
and Bill Henry were forwards and were deadly from from the corners. I
never missed a game that I can remember. If you look carefully at the
locker room behind the players, and then the background in the
cheerleaders picture, you will see it was taken at the School of
Forestery gym in Bottineau. One very exciting incident from that
tournament, aside from the Dunseith win of course, was when a Willow
City–Notre Dame player, Gordy Roberge tossed the ball full court with
one second remaining, and nearly ripped the net off the hoop! I came
close to hitting the lights and dropped straight through the net. He was
as surprised as anyone! DHS had several good teams over the years, but
the ’63 team was one of the better ones that I remember! Thanks Gary!

Dick

1963

Folks, Phyllis Jerstad is living in Fargo and is on our distribution list.  Gary

Happy Birthday Kim Boguslawski: Bismarck, ND

Happy Birthday Heidi Hanson Danielson (‘69): Willow City, ND

Happy Birthday Ann Carbonneau OcOnnell (BHS ’68): Bottineau, ND

Message from Viola Hobbs Ziegler (’54): McMinnville, OR

Hello Gary,

We just got a different computer, and new email address.  Would you mind

changing my address for me?

My new email address is online now.  This old address will be discontinued

this afternoon.

I always enjoy the Dunseith news and pictures.

Thank you,

Viola  (Hobbs) Ziegler

Gary’s Comment

Viola, Great hearing from you. How well so many of us remember the Lake Metigoshe store too, that I believe your brother Harvey had. Gary

Reply to the Class of 73 pictures
From Dean Stickland (’73):  Olympia, WA

Gary has the names correct for the six folks from the class of ’73.  If my memory serves me right there were 36 of us who graduated together that year.  Hard to believe that was 42 years ago.  I missed the 20 year reunion but often wonder how everyone is doing these days.

Marion and I are still in Olympia, WA.  I still have both businesses, so keep plenty busy.

Thanks again Gary for your time and effort to keep us connected.  Some of us keep pretty quiet but sure do enjoy the emails.

Dean Stickland, Class of ’73
Sent from my iPad

Reply to the Class of 73 pictures
From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Gary Stokes, you are the best guesser!! You got them all correct !!

Class of ’73 pictures Identified
Posted by Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73):Montana

====================================
Blog (310) posted on December 16, 2008

Bob (51) & Donna Sunderland (52) Leonard headed south for the winter: 

Dear Gary:  Just a quick note to let you know we are leaving home for the winter.  Heading for Dallas on Tuesday, providing the weather clears, spending some time with our son, Tim.  Then on the Yuma, AZ after New Years.  Plan on being there until the end of March.  Will let you know when you can add us back onto your daily e-mails.

Fun reading about all of the experiences you send of everyone, good job.

Sincerely,

Bob

ND blizzard report from Dave Slyter (70):

Was wondering if everyone from North Dakota survived the blizzard we just had here all over the state.  The Fargo Moorhead area received 8 to 12 inches of snow and the winds were a howling to 45 miles per hour.  Wind chill factors were down to 50 to  60 below.  Both interstates were closed.  I-29 from South Dakota border to the Canadian Border and I-94 from Jamestown N.D. to Alexandria Mn.  Still closed.   Temperatures this morning are 12 below and I am sure it is even colder than that up in the hills by the canadian border.  Hey Dick and Melvin, how about it,  did you guys get it hard up there?     See what all you people are missing that live in the south and west and in warm countries like the Philippines.  ha   Ah,  the good ole days.

Dave Slyter (70)

From Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

Several years ago I was over at Bill Peterson’s place, for some reason.
We were in the shed of their house, on our way outside, when I noticed
the barrel of an old rifle sticking up from behind the deep freeze. I
have always been fascinated with antique guns and noticed it had an
octagon barrel. I asked Bill what it was and he said it was an old
Marlin lever action 32-20. It was slightly rusted and he said the kids
played with it until they broke the firing pin. After looking it over, I
asked if he cared if I took it home and fixed it?. I have done several
that were much worse shape so knew the challenge. Bill said he didn’t
care but that it wasn’t much of a gun anyway. He said it was so slow
(bullet velocity), that all it was good for was butchering pigs, and
then you better stand real close so they don’t hear it go off and jump
out of the way! I laughed at his analysis of the gun and took it home
with me, to fix for him. I found the parts it needed from a supplier on
the east coast and cleaned the rust and paint specks off the gun and had
it looking real authentic, not ‘restored’. At a gun show in Minot, I
bought half a box of 32-20 ammo, so I could check out the function and
fire the gun a few times. This caliber is obsolete so ammo was hard to
find. I went out in my yard and loaded a couple rounds, then picked out
a tree down in the woods and fired one round. I had nearly put the old
gun down when the bullet finally hit the tree. It was only about 40
yards away! It caused me to remember what Bill had said and I busted out
laughing, thinking about it! When I took the gun back to Bill, I said,”
I see what you mean about slow”. Bill, in his gruff voice said, ” A man
who was good with a slingshot, could do better than that”! The Petersons
still have this old gun and have it displayed. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Reply to Dragons Photos from  Karen Schneider Bowman (64): 

Reply to Dragons photos from Bev Morinville Azure: (72):

I think  the basketball players are  Jonny Leonard, Jim Evans, Don  Ebert,not sure maybe a  Dubois Dennis maybe.  I think u have the   rest right  but the  others I am not  sure of.  Dick I bet u  know  em all.

Bev, you are so right about Dick.  Gary

Reply to Dragons photos from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

This was the team and cheerleaders from 1963.

Back row:  John Awalt, Terry Martinson, John Leonard, Jim Evans, Don
Egbert, Dennis Dubois, Lyle Lamoureux, Bill Henry, Cliff Henry, Coach
Hepper.

Front row: Dan Daneilson, Jerry Gunville, Pete Gillis, Terry Espe,
Warren Anderson.

Cheerleaders: Back row: Francie Gottbreht, Patty Boguslawski, Connie
Halvorson.
Front row: Sharon Wheeler, Sharon Peterson, Karen
Schneider.

Dick, You have a fantastic memory for all this stuff and 99% of the time you are right on, as you are with those in these photo’s.  You would have been in the 7th grade in the school of year 62-63.  I was a sophomore at the time and I couldn’t remember.  I should have remembered Francie Gottbreht though.  Gary

Reply to Dragons photos from LeaRea Parrill Espe (67):

DUNSEITH DRAGONS 1962-63 TEAM

Back Row:John Awalt, Terry Martinson, John Leonard, Jim Evans, Donald Egbert, Dennis Dubois, Lyle Lamoureux, Bill Henry, Clifford Henry, Coach Eugene Hepper

Front Row: Danielson, Jerry Gunville, Pete Gillis, Terry Espe & Warren Anderson

Seniors on the team were Evans, Dubois, Lamoureux, Bill Henry. (Dan Machipiness would have been a member if he hadn’t transferred to another school)      ( David Shelver would have been on this picture, but Terry said he had a knee injury at the time.)

Terry remembers playing in the Regional tournament in Rugby with this team.

That year Wolford was favored in the district and had bought brand new uniforms for their anticipated trip to the state.

In the district tournament held in Bottineau Souris upset Wolford and Dunseith beat Souris and was awarded a trip to the region in Rugby.

We think two teams went to the Regional at that time and Bottineau won the district  and Dunseith took second.

Dunseith was beat in the first round of the Regionals  by Michigan, a team on which Larry Haugen was a member.

Larry later was hired to coach the Dragons and in 1972 coached the Dragons to the state tournament.

Others may have additional memories.

Cheerleaders for the team above. Again my guess with identities.
Back L to R: Francie Gottbreht, Patty Boguslawski &Connie Halvorson
Front L to R: Sharon Wheeler, Sharon Peterson & Karen Schnieder

     Happy birthday Arliss Halvorson Lider (’54): Bottineau, ND

Reply from Dawn Gregory Allard (’74):  Bottineau, ND

Gary, I think the boy in the class of 73 is Donald Malaterre.

Carl Brudwick
Question form Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Neola,

I see the name Brudwick mentioned a few times in the blog. I have a question,  do you or anyone,  recall Carl Brudwick?

He was probably from the Bottineau area, married to Cecelia LaRocque,  daughter of Zephrine (Pete was what people called him) LaRocque,  her mother was Mary (Delorme)LaRocque,  from Dunseith. I recall Carl going to Bottineau to visit someone, when the would come for a visit.  Carl and his family lived in Aberdeen Washington, from the time I remember. Cecelia and Carl owned a restaurant there in Aberdeen. I just thought maybe someone would know that family. Thank you

Ginger (LaRocque) Poitra class of (65)

Class of ’73 pictures
Posted by Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73): Montana

Folks,

These are the folks in these pictures. I do not know who is who though, but I will take a guess

Vickie Hiatt, Marsha Olson, Brenda Hiatt, Alan Honsey, Dean Stickland, Mark Millang

My guess
(1)Alan Honsey, (2)Vickie Hiatt, (3)Dean Stickland, (4)Marsha Olson (5)Mark Millang, (6)Brenda Hiatt,

Folks, we need some help Identifying these folks.

Gary

Birds of the Wild
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Gary and friends,

 I love birds of the wild.

All of them, including Robins,  Gold Finch, Chic a dees, Geese.

Even Crow which I tend to eat alot of. 

     Please check out the following site from KIRO Seattle. This takes place in  Ballard, Washington.

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/birthday-party-held-ballard-over-70-heron-chicks/nmRgm/

Click on view larger so you can get a really good look see.

It  is a  really neat photograph  following with a paragraph  about  young herons in Ballard, Washington.

            These birds reminded me of another time long ago. 

When we were in our teens,

Our Dad, Cliff began to call his girls , “his shi pokes.”

When questioned he always matter of factly replied,

“Shipokes have long legs and are beautiful birds!”

One year, my younger sister  and I  found out the truth.

What a wake up call!

It was  about 1969.

On an after noon,  warm, dusty day, bouncing along in Bus #9,  

with our driver of many years, Bennie Anderson.

He shifted gears as we traveled  East on the Emil Morin gravel road.

 The little yellow bus screeched and braked to  a sudden stop 

at the top of the first big hill,  as  Bennie stomped on the brakes.

He set the emergency brake.

There was~ the ugliest bird my sister and I had  ever seen.

Ugg- illly!

It moved.

~It’s  long legs,  awkward, clumpsy walking then stopped,  

Its brownish feathers stuck up  and out every which way, all over!

I thought,  “That must be a  a real freak of nature”.

“Bennie, What’ is that?”  we sang out in unison standing up to get a closer clear view. 

“It’s_… a shh i POKE .._” stated Bennie in his high pitched voice emphasizing the last syllable.

With big  disbelieving eyes, Cyndy and I  sat down.

The bird finally took an awkward leap and  slow off  up and away.

We said not a word,  quiet the rest of the way  home.

Thinking. (whoa UGG- illy!)

That night at the supper table looking at dad accusingly.

We finally declared  excitedly to our father,

the words  were spoken in haste jumbled and tripped over each other. 

 “Dad,  we were riding bus today, by Emil Morins, and  finally saw a shi poke.

AND THEY AREN”T BEAUTIFUL!” 

We should have known,  with our dad we never got the last wor

He began to laugh.

Stopped,  and kindly looking at each at each of us said,

 “They are kind of gangley and silly lookin

But  they grow up beautiful.” 

Yes, our Dad certainly knew how to use psychology to get out of a tough spot with his girls

(sorry folks  the any and  many spelling,  punctuation  and English errors are,  as always, completely of my undoing)

Until later Vickie

====================================
Blog (309) posted on December 15, 2008

Reply from Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):

Reply from Sybil Johnson: 

Yes Cecilia, I remember those aprons. Both my grandmother and mother wore them. I guess it was easier to hold things in the pockets.

At 7:00 in the morning, its -9 here in Cheyenne, but Im still immune from the cold; after living in ND for 20 yrs. I remember those severe winters,

very well. Sybil Johnson

Reply from Don Aird (Carroll Carlson’s Nephew): 

Thanks for these updates – I only lived in Dunseith until I was 3 years old I visited sometimes twice a year until I moved to Texas.  I always felt like I was coming home when I could see the TurtleMountains on the horizon.

Mr. Wonderful

Passing of Loretta Morin provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

LORETTA MORIN, 65, Dunseith, died Friday in a Rolette nursing home. Funeral Thursday, 10 a.m., St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, rural Dunseith. Wake service Wednesday, 4 p.m., with a Scriptural prayer service at 7 p.m., both in the church. (Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.

Early to mid 60’s basketball team. Not sure of the year. Please refresh the identities those in this photo.  At one time the class of 65 had these folks identified, but without a lot of research, I can not easily locate that info. I’ve got a system set up now to be able to easily locate the identities of those in these photo’s.  Gary

My stab at who I think some of these folks are.
Back Row: John Awalt and Terry Martinson with ties. Coach Gene Hepper on the extreme right.
Front L to R: Dan Danielson, ?, Pete Gillis, Terry Espe & Warren Anderson

Cheerleaders for the team above. Again my guess with identities.
Back L to R: Doreen Houle, Patty Boguslawski &Connie Halvorson
Front L to R: Sharon Wheeler, Sharon Peterson & Karen Schneider

Reply from Marsha Getzlaff Bakken (’74):  Anchorage, AK

Hi all

On the photos Jimmy is right it is LeRae.

I want to say thanks for all the hard work in putting together blog. I read it always.

Thank you. Marsha (Getzlaff) Bakken

Thank You Marsha for the nice compliment.  Gary

Reply to the class of 73 pictures posted by Trish Larson Clayburgh
From LeaRae Parrill Espe (’67):  Bottineau, ND

Trish,

Just to let you know on the class of ’73.  #5 is definitely not my brother Clark Parrill.  He was in the Class of ’70

with your brother Greg. He never wore glasses until well into his 40s and he had curly  hair at that time .  e

My brother Joel was in the Class of ’75, but #5 is not him either..

Our folks used to play some tense games of whist.  Mom and Dad were just starting to learn bridge when your mom got sick.  Your parents were master bridge players and my folks really enjoyed those games.  Mom still enjoys an occasional game of whist, but the other partners are gone.

LeaRae Parrill  Espe Class of ’67

Three Forks, Montana

Reply/Picture from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottinea & Minot, ND

Gary,

Being Three Forks, Montana was mentioned in one of your recent blogs, I thought I’d send this picture of Mom that was taken in Three Forks MANY years ago—I think! LOL.  I see I’ve written it was taken between 1936-1939;  now think it was taken 1937-1938.

Neola

====================================
Blog (308) posted on December 14, 2008

We were talking about errors with yesterday’s message and lone behold when reading my returned copy I made another big one. What I meant to say was:

“In fact giving public address’ is not my thing.  I will leave all that up to the professionals, Bill Grimme and company.”

Folks, in regards to the Seattle Dunseith reunion, if you are thinking of going, to be assured of getting a reservation, please make your reservations ASAP with Bill Grimme. If for some reason you are unable to attend, Bill will refund your money up to 4 days before the reunion.  We have 150 slots reserved, but down the road, if the Best Western has another request for that same evening they may take some of those slots, down to the number we have signed up at that time, away from us. Right now we have the whole ball room with a capacity of 275. If you have misplaced your reservation form, Bill or I will gladly forward it to you.  Following this reunion, this event, with a group picture and a detailed write up, will be published in the Rolla, Bottineau and Belcourt papers.  If some of you folks, not going on the cruise, living outside of the Washington/Oregon area can make this reunion too, it would be wonderful.  Gary

With the death of Lois, I should have posted Orelle’s address and phone earlier. Gary

Clark, It is my pleasure to add you to our distribution list.  Gary

Reply from Joyce Boardman Smith (53): 

Hi Gary:

Please forward reply to

Tom Hagen.

Yes Tom I certainly do remember playing the Black Hawk waltz on the Piano.  Those were good times.  Many good memories from those days.

I now play piano for our Baptist church here in Chicago.

Mom was a wonderful woman.  After dad passed away we took her on vacations.  Most years we went fishing and she Loved it.  Also took her to the Grand Canyon, Smokey Mts., Blue Ridge Mts., etc.  Jim and I have many great memories of time spent with her.

Hope you and Dot have a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season.

Thanks Gary and Merry Christmas to you and your lovely wife.

Joyce Boardman-Smith

Reply from Lois Lilleby Fielding (51): 

To Larry Hackman:  Phil Larson is my cousin who lived in Phoenix, but moved to Houston TX, where of couse, it is very hot and also very humid.  His mother was my mom’s sister.  Phil’s sister Lynn and brother Lee live in AZ.

My Mom’s family was from south of Barton, Swedes among mostly Norwegians, but all friends.  I remember as a very young child going by horses and sleigh to the farms of my grandfather’s brothers –all half a mile apart. I can remember being wrapped in a huge quilt and that is was very exciting.  Great Uncle Ola would give me a coin and we probably ate lutefisk.  My daughters and I still make lefse and kaldomars for Christmas.  Thanks for interesting stories.  Lois Lilleby Fielding

Reply from Bill Hosmer (48): 

Gary and Larry, and Good Friends,    That was a classic take of the Thanksgiving trek.  The description of the new snow, and how it changed the attitude should be published, along with that equine check valve you talked about.  Again, it was 1961 for my time over Dunseith. Can’t take the blame for any other similar event.
Gary, I hope the sauce and book made it all the way.  Cheers, Bill Hosmer

Bill, I have not yet received your package. Priority mail normally comes through within a week or so, but things are slower this time of the year with all of the Christmas packages.  Bill Grimme sent me a CD well over a year ago that I have not yet received.  I’m assuming he sent it regular mail though.  I have never experienced any problems with priority mail coming to the PI.  FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc are guaranteed deliveries, but very expensive.  Gary

From Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

The cold north wind is howling and the snow is blowing here in the
Turtle Mts. It would seem like a good time to reminisce about days gone
by. Larry’s memory of taking the horses and bunk sleigh down to Walters
for Thanksgiving got me thinking about the trail they would have taken.
I will bet they went west from Gus’s and then south past Stowell lake
past Carlsons and Seims. That trail is the same one Floyd Lamb told me
about hauling hay on back in the ’30s. I hunted deer with Floyd and his
son Dean back in the late ’60s. I would drive up from town and be at
Lamb’s by about 5AM. Dorothy and Martha served breakfast, like none you
have ever experienced! We would eat and then go down in the basement to
put on our outdoor gear for the hunt. One day as I was putting on my
stuff, I looked up in the ceiling and spotted an old Winchester carbine
between the floor joists. I made some comment about the little rifle and
Floyd took it down and handed it to me. It had a saddle ring on the side
and showed a lot of honest wear, being worn to a shine on the outside. I
asked what the saddle ring was really for? That was when Floyd told me
the story. He said he didn’t know what others used the ring for, but
back in the ’30s his dad and he would have to go down the afore mentioned
trail to the Seim meadow to get hay. The snow was so deep that many wild
animals were having a hard time to survive. Coyotes were starving and
when the horses got into the deep snow, the coyotes would actually
ignore the humans and attempt to take the horses. He said the little
rifle hung by a leather strap on the rein post and the strap went
through the saddle ring. They had to shoot the coyotes to stop them from
trying to kill the horses. Coyotes normally run at the sound or scent of
humans, so these must have been on a’ last ditch’ effort to survive. The
depression years of the 30s were also well known for vicious cold and
nearly unmatched snow depths. This sounds similar to other stories of
those years of hard times. I have often wondered what became of the
little Winchester 25-20 with the desperate past. I sure hope the family
has been able to pass this gun down to some of the younger generation.
It certainly earned it’s keep! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Hiatt picture reply from Dave Slyter (70): 

Here is who’s who in the Walter Hiatt family

Back row:  Freddie Hiatt, Delores Hiatt (Birkland) Eldon Hiatt
Front row: Bernard Hiatt, Julia Hiatt, Lois Hiatt,(Fugure),Walter Hiatt, Wallace Hiatt

What a great picture.  Thanks for sharing Stan, Joan and Dick.

Also thank you everyone for thinking of the Hiatt/Slyter family during our loss of Lois.  It is much appreciated.

Dave Slyter (70)

Hiatt picture reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): 

Gary,

Thanks Dick and Stan for the great picture of the Hiatt family. The back row from the left is Freddie (Dad), Delores, Eldon. The front row from the left is Bernard, Julia, Lois, Walter and Wallace. I have seen this picture before, but I don’t think I have a copy so will print it out. Thanks so much!!

Rhonda

Hiatt picture reply from Bobby Slyter (70):

Hiatt picture reply from Evon Lagerquist (77): lagerquist@srt.com

From left to right in the back: Freddie, Delores, Eldon

In front from left to right: Bernard, Aunt Julia, Lois, Uncle Walter, and Wallice.

Thanks Gary!

Evon

Evon, with your mother, Leola, being a Hiatt, Walter and Julia were indeed her first degree uncle and aunt.  Gary

Hiatt picture reply from Stan Solmonson (61): 

Hi Gary,

Photo family order:  Back Row- Freddie, Delores, Eldon; Frist Row: Bernard, Julia, Lois, Walter, Wallice.

Juila and my Grandmother Arla Millang were sisters.

Sounds like you had a great time on celebrating your 30 th Anniversary.  We’re happy for you.  Steve had

an enjoyable time in Hong Kong too and got home safely.  He appreciated your phone call and regretted that

you were unable to get together.

We’re having a really cold, snowy and windy storm here with -14 degrees.

Thanks for all you do.

Stan (61)

Stan, I thought I knew most all the relationships of the folks up in our neck of the woods, but I never new that your mother, Agnes, was related to the Borre Johnson family. With the Hiatt’s and Johnson’s many of our readers are related the Walter & Julia Hiatt family.

Speaking of weather, last night when we were sitting outside chatting with the folks in our compound, they were chilled and started covering their arms with towels to keep warm.  The temperature was 81F.  I talked to Warren Anderson, in Rolette, yesterday and he said there was a big storm headed for the area with predicted -65 degree temps, with the wind chill factor, to follow the storm. I think it would be neat to experience the cold and snow again.  The last time I was in ND, in the winter, was 1970.  Gary

From Cecile Gouin Craig (61): 

How many of us remember the aprons? All our grandma’s or Mother’s had aprons. Cecile

Message from Janelle Fugere Montgomery:  Denton, TX.

Hi Gary,

I would like to be added to the Dunseith Blog.  I am the daughter of Lois Hiatt Fugere.  My brother, Delmer Fugere forwards me information and though I don’t know many people personally I recognize names my parents talked about growing up.  I think it would fun to read and keep up with folks from North Dakota where my parents grew up.

Thank you,

Janelle Fugere Montgomery

Janelle, With pleasure I have added you to our distribution list. Coming from the Fugere and Hiatt families, you have many fine relatives, many of whom are on our distribution. Gary

Class of 73 photo ID’S
From Jeff Campbell (’76):  Bismarck, ND

1 Jim Casavant, 2 Vicki Johnson, 3-4 Becky Coleman and Cathy Campbell, 5 Clark Malaterre, 6 Cathy Campbell, 7 Edith Struck, 8 Laura Fettig, 9 Becky Coleman, 10 Dean Striker, 11-12 Lynn Gillis & LeRae Hagel

Class of 73 photo ID’S
From Aggie Casavant (’79):  Fort Mill, SC

Hi  Gary,

In  ref  to the  Class  of  73  I  think  it’s  like  this:  #1. Jimmy  Casavant   #2. Laurie  Evans  #5. George  Maleterre #6. Kathy  Campbell  #10.   Dean Striker  #8.  Laura   Fettig  #9.  —— Petersen….or  a  Getzlaff  girl.  I  think  I  have  those  ones  right. Aggie

Class of 73 photo ID
From Rob Olson (’79):  Walla Walla, WA

Number 5 is Clark Malaterre a great friend who left us way to early.

Class of 73 photo Comment
From Flavia Moraes (’73): 

So good to see my classmates.

Class of 73 pictures
Posted by Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73): Montana

====================================
Blog (307) posted on December 13, 2008

Peter Richard (51):

Folks, Peter Richard called me today.   Peter was with the class of 51. He transferred to the academy in Willow City his senior year.  Peter has been in the real-estate business for many years. He and his wife just returned from a South America Cruise.  I called and left a message with his voice mail when he was gone and he returned my call.  I located Peter when Tom Hagen told me that he was in their class. I have pasted Peter’s address and phone number below, however he does not have email. Peter is a really friendly sort of a guy, so I’m sure he’d enjoy hearing from you guys.  Gary

Reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): 

Gary,

No need to apologize. I don’t know how you keep any of this straight,with everyone sending things in and you putting it all together everyday, and then sending it back out. You really do such a remarkable job. It seems like everyday someone wants to be added to the list and that just shows you how much this really means to everyone. When you are at the dinner in Seattle, I hope you stand up and take a bow, you certainly deserve it.

Rhonda Hiatt (75)

Rhonda, I am so glad that you and several others pointed those errors out to me.  I encourage folks to let me know of these mistakes.  I am not bothered in the least by them doing so.  I will admit, that was a gross error that I should have caught before hitting the send button.

About taking a bow, I kind of don’t think that will happen.  I’d rather be in the shadows. In fact giving public address’ is not my thing.  I will leave all that up to the professions, Bill Grimme and company.  With the reports that I’ve gotten, I think the majority of you Vancouver folks plan to attend the Dunseith Reunion dinner at the Best Western, in Seattle on July 24th.  That’s wonderful!  We are looking forward to seeing everyone.  Gary

From Shirley Olson Warcup (49): 

Condolences to Lois Hiatt’s family,

I was sorry to hear of Lois’s death.  I am 7 or 8 years older than Lois so didn’t know her as an adult.  I remember her only as a child–a very pretty little girl.  I also did not know about the death of Wallace.  (For those who may not know this–Lois and Wallace are my cousins.  Our mothers were sisters.)  I’m grateful to Gary for this service he’s providing.  It really does keep us informed and connected.  Thanks Gary!

Shirley Warcup

From Bobby Slyter (70): 

JUST LITTLE OLE  ME FROM KANSAS

Another great story from Larry Hackman (66): 

Larry, You mention being a little bit over 50.  If memory serves me right, I think you were a year behind me and I’m 61, so I’d say you are indeed, over 50 by a few years. Gary

Gary

How areyou?  Glad to have you back with us.  Here is a  little story about a day gone by.  Things are all white around here in Dakota land, and we are getting ready for temperatures that will be well below the ones we keep in our freezers.

Put a smile on your face and we will turn up the thermostats.

Take care,

Larry

Thanksgiving Day Trip in the early 1950’s

It snowed the night before.  There must of been at least a foot of nice fresh snow laying on the ground in a giant undisturbed quilt.  Isn’t it funny how it changes your whole perspective on the world.  With the sun shining It looks like a new beginning, everything looks so nice and clean and bright.  We were invited to my uncle and aunts, Ed and Celia Walter farm for Thanksgiving dinner.  Dad knew there was no way he was going to get there with the car, and nobody would be opening up the roads on Thanksgiving Day.

Dad went and harnessed up the team of horses and pulled the sleigh with hay rack up along side the grain wagon.  Then he slide the the hay rack off the sleigh onto the ground and then slide the grain box from the wagon onto the sleigh.  People were strong in them days.  I suppose because most things were done by hand.  I don’t remember anyone ever going to the gym to work out.  What was a gym?  The grain box which measured 4 to 5 feet wide and 10 to 12 feet long, and with 4 ft. sides all the way around,  was then filled with a couple feet of straw.  Mom had all us kids, I think there was 5 or 6 of us at the time all bundled up.  We were all put into the wagon  box, and then they got in with us.  We were off to grandma’s house all nice and snug in the straw.  Us boys standing hanging onto the side watching the scenery go by. Grandma Hackman along with my two uncles lived on a farm located about a mile southwest of us.   The three of them got into the grain box with us and we proceeded across country through the trees to the Walter Farm.  The Walter farm is located about 4 miles south of my Grandma’s Farm as a crow would fly, if it would fly straight.

Dad,s team of horses, two black mares, worked good together as they trotted  through the snow pulling us along behind on the sleigh.  Babe the leader of the two horses guided us along the trail with directions signaled to her through the reins that were handled by my dad.  The other horse who was named Topsey because of her large body balanced on top of legs that looked to small to support her body, trotted along side Babe.  Many years ago a older gentleman from the Turtle Mountians told me the story of Dad buying the two horses at a sale being held at the County Fair in Rolla, ND.  He said there were more people outside the fence watching my dad break them horses to ride then there were inside the fence going to the fair.  He said my dad was blessed with long legs and once he wrapped them around a horse he was on to stay.  Dad rode one horse and lead the other from the fair grounds to the farm located about 10 miles northwest of Rolla.

Did you ever notice while working with horses or on hay rides, that horses seem to take more air in through their nostrils then they are able to expel  through them? There must be a check valve located somewhere between their lungs and their nose to keep their lungs full so that they can exert more force for pulling.  If this is the case,  there must be a pressure relief valve to keep them from exploding.  Apparently this valve is located to the rear of the animal?  This is probably why more people ride them?

Back to Thanksgiving.

It was a beautiful day the sun was shining and there was no wind.  Any day the winds not blowing, is a beautiful day in North Dakota.  We arrived at the Walter farm and had a delicious Turkey dinner.  After the meal the men sat down to visit and the women were busy visiting and cleaning up.  The boys were chased out of the house.  Which, always seemed to happen to the boys after eating a meal.  I wonder why?  I don’t know where the girls would go.  I know there was plenty of snow for washing faces outside.  The Walter boys who were in there teens at the time kept us busy.  I remember them showing us there home made 22 pistols that they had built using a small pipe and a carved wood handle with a nail for a firing pin.  I remember they took us to this pond that had a nice undisturbed layer of fresh snow on it, where they tramped out paths in the shape of a huge wagon wheel.  We played fox and goose.  I remember I didn’t like the game much, as when I became it , I ended up staying it, as my legs were short and the snow was deep.  Hell, I wouldn’t of been able to catch them guys if I had on tennis shoes and been on a paved track.  I was more like that little guy on that movie, A Christmas Story, where that little guy had on so many clothes that when he fell over he couldn’t get back up.  However we all must have worked up quite an appetite by mid afternoon, as the Walter boys snuck, sneaked, into the chicken coupe and got some eggs.  We then went off into trees, brush and found a secluded spot.  There they built a campfire, took a coffee can, filled it with snow, put it on the fire and when the water was boiling,  they put in the eggs.  We had boiled eggs for lunch.

The next thing I knew the folks were holloring.  It was time to load up and head for home as they wanted to be home before dark.  At home there would be cows to milk, eggs to gather, and animals to feed.

We proceeding along at pretty good clip with the horse drawn sleigh through the woods when all of a sudden one of the back runners of the sleigh caught a rock or a stump,  Grandma Hackman who was about 75 years old was standing in the back of the box was catapaulted into the air and out of the box.  She landed head first in a snow bank.  Dad got the team stopped and his two brothers got out and picked up their mother.  She was alright.  I emagine with all the clothes she had on and the fresh snow provided her with a soft landing.  They got grandma back into the box and we proceeded on our way.  I don’t know what was said,  but I do know that Grandma said something and my dad and his two brothers, pretty much laughed the rest of the way home.  Their loud laughter echoing through the trees on a quiet evening, was a nice finishing touch, to a great day.

 A couple of thoughts

I know this was at a different time but I just don,t remember throwing rocks at that old car body.  I don’t remember you even hiding in there. Were we playing hide-and-seek.  It must have been somebody else that threw them rocks or maybe there was just a small hail storm over that old car body?

I don’t recall who mentioned this, but I do recall that there were two fly-overs, over Dunseith. I don’t know the years for sure.  I remember being on the south end of Main when the street lights started rattling and before you knew it, these jets went flying by.  I’m thinking this was in 1962.  The other incident was prior to 1962, and I remember watching the jets fly over town from our yard located two blocks west of the Drug Store.  I don’t know if it was, The Thunderbrids, Blue Angels, or a joy-stick jockey from the Minot Air Base. but, I do know that everyone blamed that crazy Hosmer kid, for both fly overs.  By the way, I am a little bit over 50.  Where have the years gone?

There was a Phillip Larson that use to come up from Arizonia and spend summers, across the street from us, at Arnold Lilleby’s.  He would stretch a hammock between two trees on the north side of Arnold’s house.  My job being the good neighbor kid, was to sneak over and tip him out, and try to take his place in the hammock.  We also shared and traded a lot of comic books.  He was the first one to tell me, that it gets so hot in Phoenix, AZ. in the summer time, that you can fry eggs on the street.  Now my sister Betty lives down there and she has told me the same thing.  I suppose it does save on washing dishes?

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you.

Larry

Walter Hiatt Family photo provided by Stan Salmonson (61) & Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

This afternoon I stopped in at Northland Builders in Dunseith. Stan
Salmonson handed me a picture of the Walter and Julia Hiatt family from
the mid ’40s. This is Lois Hiatt Fugere’s family and she is the little
girl in the front, with blond hair. She recently passed away at about
age 70. I think many of the readers are acquainted with, or related to,
the Hiatts. The family consisted of Walter and Julia–parents, Freddie,
Delores, Eldon, Bernard, Wallice, and Lois. Thanks for posting, Gary.

Dick

We know who the family members are, but other than for Walter, Julia & Lois; I’m not sure who’s who in this

photo.If some of you can identify who’s who, I will repost with names.  Thanks, Gary

                               Walter & Julia Hiatt Family

Dunseith News Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Class of 73 pictures

Posted by Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73): trish.wild@yahoo.com Montana

Folks,
This is the list of  folks in this picture, but I do not know who is who. I think No 5 is Clark Parrill, but not sure. No 9 looks like Trish Larson.
Need some help please.
Gary

Jimmy Casavant, Clark Parrill?, Laura Fettig, Dean Striker, Vickie Johnson- Not in our class but always with us. Cathy Campbell, Becky Coleman, LaRae Hagel, Lynn Gillis, Beck Coleman, Cathy Campbell and Edith Struck

Joke of the day

A man walks out to the street and catches a taxi  just going by.  He gets into the taxi, and the cabbie says, “Perfect timing. You’re just like Frank.”

Passenger: “Who?”

Cabbie: “Frank Feldman … he’s a guy who did everything right all the time.

Like my coming along when you needed a cab, things happened like that to Frank Feldman every single time.”

Passenger: “There are always a few clouds over everybody.”

Cabbie: “Not Frank Feldman. He was a terrific athlete. He could have won the Grand Slam at tennis.  He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone, and danced like a Broadway star.  And you should have heard him play the piano! He was an amazing guy.”

Passenger: “Sounds like he was somebody really special.”

Cabbie: “Oh hell there’s more. He had a memory like a computer. He remembered everybody’s birthday.  He knew all about wine, which foods to order and which fork to eat it with. And he could fix anything. Not like me I change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out. But Frank Feldman, he could do everything right.”

Passenger: “Wow, some guy then.”

Cabbie: “He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams.

Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them.  But Frank, he never made mistakes, and he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good.  He would never argue back, even if she was in the wrong; and His clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too.

He was the perfect man! I never knew him to make a mistake!  No one could ever measure up to Frank Feldman.”

Passenger: “An amazing fellow. How did you meet him?”

Cabbie: “I never actually met Frank. He died, and I married his wife”!

====================================
Blog (306) posted on December 12, 2008

First of all, I want to apologize for a gross error that I made with the caption above Lois Hiatt’s picture with yesterday’s message.  Actually there were two mistakes. Lois is Deceased, not Diseased and she died in Dec. not Nov. That was a typing error on my part. I actually caught both those mistakes when I re-read my returned copy. Often times I forget to use spell check, but I did spell check yesterday’s message. With Diseased being a word, spell check did not detect the error. Often times I find my self reading right over some very obvious errors when proof reading what I am sending. Thanks to those of you that replied with corrections to those errors.  I really do appreciate all replies with corrections.  Gary

Reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): rhonda_hiatt@yahoo.com

Hi Gary,

Yes, we are all on the list now. Thank you for the pictures of Lois. I didn’t have any pictures of her where she was that young. I never really thought I looked like her, but I do see the resemblance when I look at the picture now, although she was a lot prettier then I was at that age.

Thanks to everyone who have sent pictures of the Hiatt family. I think Dick is the main person who has sent some if not all of them in. It is nice to be able to print out ones that we have never seen or didn’t have.

To Rita Anderson: Sometimes I don’t think my memory isn’t as good anymore either, but Wallace passed away (I think) a year ago and then not too long after that, it was Eldon. The only one left is Bernard.
Wow, I didn’t know Dad had worked at the Gamble store. I do know that Mom and Dad really enjoyed being around you and Edgar.

Rhonda Hiatt

Gary, I hit the send button by mistake I wanted to add Happy Holidays to Rita and I changed the caption over the picture of Lois to Dec 08 and Deceased.

Thanks
Rhonda

Reply from Bobby Slyter (70): 

TO RITA ANDERSON: BERNARD HIATT IS THE ONLY CHILD LEFT LIVING IN THE WALTER AND JULIA HIATT FAMILY. HE LIVES IN WASHINGTON STATE, UNCLE WALLY PASSED DEC 16, 2006

JUST LITTLE OLE  ME FROM KANSAS

Condolences to the Hiatt Family from Bev Morinville Azure (72):

To the  Hiatt, and  slyters , I am  so sorry to hear  of the  passing of your  aunt. Please  know you are all in my  prayers
  GOD  BLESS YOU …………BEV

Question from Sybil Johnson: 

MERRY CHRISTMAS, to all of you! Does anyone know what happened to Hazel Hiatt? I remember her always wearing men’s clothes, but she was a hard worker.

Seeing the Hiatt name many times, these past months, reminds me of her coming to Bernice’s house all the time. She was a tiny woman, as I remember and

always wore a cowboy hat. I have a picture of her, somewhere and when I find it, I will put it on.

Sybil (great_grandma2007@msn.com)

Bill Hosmer’s (48) Reply to Don Aird: 

Gary and All.  I was pleased to read about Don Aird’s commennts.  His Mother worked at the Hosmer Store for many years.  When I was a kid, in the 30’s  I mean the decade, not my age, folks, I would walk into the store, go into the “Ladies Side” as was called the dress, notions, and other “lady merchandise” part of the store.  I tried to time it around mid afternoon, because Clarissa usually went for coffee, or something at the drug store. If I looked a little neglected, she would invite me to the drug store for a malted milk made by Annabelle, or Glen, or even Mrs Horsman, who owned the store before Glen Shelver took it.  I was in a little bit of heaven sipping that tall treat, with leftover poured into my glass.  She was a gracious and wonderful example of generosity.  There was not alot of money going on in those days, and every free goodie was most appreciated.

Another of my memories was when she invited several of us “town kids” to visit her parents farm, and watch what “farm kids” did for excitement.  Mr and Mrs Carlson showed us about, let us ride some of their horses, with supervision by your  Aunt Ursella.  I got on a horse bare back, behind her, and we took off on a dead gallop straight west to that willow  grove which was close to the intersection of no. 3 and the east west road I think has been referred to as cigarette, or snoose or cigar corner.  When we did the fast hard turn back to the barn yard, I nearly came off, but managed to firm up the  grip I had around her and she laughed it off.  She showed town kids what it’s like out there, and did it with alot of class.  The visit included a typically delicious lunch for everyone.  Mr Carlson was busy with the stock the whole time, but managed to introduce us to the animals and treat us with his hospitality.
Now, one more thing I remember, is that before your Dad and Mother were married, my Dad volunteered our taking care of a dog which Don Aird owned while he made a trip somewhere. It was for a few days.  It was a big dog, which was like a Bull Mastiff, or Newfoundland breed, and that dog was bigger and heavier than me, but I spent hours with him in our yard, where he was tied to our outdoor pump. When anyone or any critter came into the yard, that dog would get into a defensive crouch and start barking and showing teeth.  Never did to me, so I’d tell all my friends happening by that it was a one man dog, and I was that man. I think I’d impress  my pals by saying that the dog could pull out that pump and chase you if you do something funny.

So, these remembrances may add a little to your understanding of what a fine heritage you have.  Don and Gary, Thanks for the memories.  Bill Hosmer

Bonnie Awalt Houle’s (56) reply with names for pictures: 

Hello Gary,

You will probably get this twice as I am having a problem with my e-mail.  Rather than take the chance that it didn’t get sent at all I am redoing this message.

Picture 1:  1953 Cheerleaders  Elaine Schneider, Janice Leonard, Bonnie Awalt, Lois Hiatt

Picture2:  Girls Basketball 1954-55:  Back:  ?Knox, Ellen Graft, Joanne Kester, Barbara Bott, Arlene Allard, Mr. Conroy
Front:  Lois Hiatt, Marlene Kraft, Arline Lamoureux, Millie Crum, Mickey Haagenson, Bonnie Awalt

Picture 3: Cheerleaders 55-56  Lois Hiatt, Janice Leonard, Mickey Haagenson, Bonnie Awalt

Picture 4 Girls Basketball 1952-53   Hopefully the names will show up on the photo.  (SEE ATTACHMENT)

Back:  Elaine Schneider, Carol Fassett, Arliss Nordquist, Neva Haagenson, Babe (Joy) Nordquist, Lois Hiatt, Bonnie Awalt, Mr. Berg

Front:   Viola Hobbs, Arline Lamoureux, Millie Crum, Doris Peterson, Betty Lou Poeppel, Janice Leonard

Thank you again for all you do to keep the Dunseith People connected.
Bonnie Awalt Houle 56

Requesting information about Joseph LaFrance
Request from Scott Finholm Grand Junction CO.

Gary,

I read with interest the blog post by Sharon Gottbreht Shen back in 2013. I am, through my mother Edna (LaFrance) Finholm and grandfather Amos LaFrance, related to Joseph LaFrance. I was wondering if I might be able to get some information from you or Mrs Shen. I am related through his second marriage it would seem.

Thanks,

Scott Finholm
Grand Junction Colorado

Pictures of some band members at Dunseith High School year 1959
Posted by Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Hi Gary,

I am sending 2 pictures, the picture of the girl chorus are,  from left to right are Karen Woodford, Shirley LaRocque and Janice LaCroix. The guy chorus are from left to right,  Larry Schneider, Micky Kester, Lowell Leonard, Floyd Pritchard and David Lowell (unsure of this spelling, could be Lo.)

Thanks Gary

Ginger

Hilltop School Field Trip 1954
Picture from Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND.

Gary

This is the best I could do with this old picture from a field trip we took in 1954 as students at Hilltop School.  I think Mrs. Halvorson was the the teacher at the time.  Mrs. Halvorson had us all walk about a half mile north of the school to a site at the Art Espe Farm.  They were preparing to drill for oil on that site and we were all sitting and standing on the drilling derrick in this picture.  Mrs. Halvorson took this picture and presented each student with a photo.  Later on the drillers or Espe’s brought round chunks of granite that were about six inches in diameter X  ten inches long to the school that were brought up from the earth during the drilling process.  Does anyone have better photo?

This photo is not in very good condition, but I would like to have you go ahead and put it on the blog and maybe someone with a better copy will send a copy  to you that we can all look at and figure out who the students are.

Thank You,

Larry

Cebu Philippines Radisson Hotel – Monday 5/25/2012
Cebu Expat Dinner with about 130 Expat friends.

====================================
Blog (305) posted on December 11, 2008

Hiatt Bonebrake (81): 

Folks, We have added Julie Hiatt Bonebrake to our distribution. She is the youngest daughter of Freddie and Margo Hiatt. Julie graduated from Rugby, but was with the class of 81 in Dunseith.  She is currently living in Minot.  Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think we have all of Freddie and Margo’s children (Richard, David, Bobby (Slyter), Brenda, Rhonda, Kim & Julie; on our distribution list. It’s wonderful having all of you guys included with the distribution of these messages.  Gary

Lois Hiatt Fugere (56)
   Diseased Nov. 08

Reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): 

When I heard that my Aunt Lois Hiatt passed away, it brought back a lot of memories of their family and ours and of the times we spent together. As far back as I can remember, people always said that I looked exactly like Lois. When Grandma Hiatt passed away, and we were at her funeral, this lady came up to me (I don’t remember who she was) and she was talking to me like she knew me and I kept thinking to myself I don’t know who this lady is. Later I saw her talking to my Mom (Margaret Hiatt) and I went over to them and Mom said This is Rhonda. That whole time she had been talking to me earlier, she thought I was Lois.

It is sad to hear of her passing, but also brings comfort knowing that she, like my Dad are no longer suffering from that horrible disease.

Rhonda Hiatt (75)

Reply from Don Aird:

Folks, Don’s mother was Clarissa Carlson, sister to Carroll.  She died in 1952.

I was standing the on the roof of Shelver’s Drug Store when Bill Hosmer flew his jet down main street!  I remember I could read the markings on his fuselage

Mr. Wonderful

Follow up Reply from Don:
They (Hosmer’s)were good friends of my parents – I’m not sure if I ever met them.  Their store was right across the street from Shelver’s Drug store.  My Mother worked for Glenn when Dad was overseas during WW II.

Mr. Wonderful

Cancer update from Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Gary,

If you would like, you may include this in your alumni news.  Special thanks to Ely, Paula, and Bev for their comments/emails.

Neola

Hi Everyone,

I FINALLY have time to update you on my “breast cancer saga”.

For those of you who might not have heard, I was diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer last week.  At one time, this news would have been devastating.  However, at this point in my life, I look at it as one more experience God is adding to my life’s resume.

Wally/I met with the oncologist (Dr. Freiberg) yesterday; he explained my choices.  He was very thorough; our appointment least 2 hours.  He’s a neat fellow.  I chose the same treatment many of you have chosen: lumpectomy, radiation, anti-estrogen pills, etc.  I have an appointment with Dr. Lane Lee, surgeon, on December 18.  At that time, a surgery date will be set up–most likely after Christmas.  Sometime after the surgery, the radiation will start.

Thanks for all the emails/prayers.  I am truly blessed to have so many caring friends/relatives.  Because of the many emails I’ve received, I MIGHT not have time to reply to each one–again, because of all you caring people.  Thanks!  I don’t expect to know more until after December 18; I’ll send an update then.

Thanks again for all the emails/prayers/concerns/etc.  As I do with everything, I take it one day at a time and let God do the driving/leading/guiding/etc.

Merry Christmas to all of you!  I may/may not get a Christmas letter composed and sent.  Not because of my health, but because I’m a procrastinator!!

Neola

Message & Pictures from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Dear Gary,

It was so sad to hear that Lois had passed away.  She will leave a big whole in the hearts of those that knew her.  Lois and I graduated together, we were in basketball, choir, and cheerleading.  I am attaching some of the pictures of Lois and the activities she was involved with.  My deepest sympathy to all her family.  I can just imagine Mickey, Millie and Lois having the grandest reunion together.  CELEBRATE GIRLS YOU ARE MISSED.

Bonnie Awalt Houle class of 1956

Bonnie, If you can identify those in these pictures I will repost them with names.  Thanks Gary

                                Lois Hiatt Fugere (56)
                                    Diseased Nov. 08

From Lois Lilleby Fielding (51):
Lois, This is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Gary

Hello,

Your friend Lois Fielding has sent you the following webpage :

http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/ALookBackInHistory.htm

She/He included the following message:

Hi Gary.  If this goes through successfully, it is long but good.  Lois

Norway
Reply from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

The old customs in Norway have changed much like everywhere else and because of that,  they have lessened the tradition of eating lutefisk too.  When we were there a year ago,  I asked my cousin if they still have big meals with lutefisk and lefse.  He said, in his strong Norskie brogue, “Ah, not so much anymore.”  When we went to his mom’s house for supper,  it was a big meal of ham, potatoes, carrots, homemade bread, and more.  Most of the time they have meals of open faced sandwiches,  many kinds of cheese, potatoes,  and other healthy stuff.

After a week of that though, this old cowboy was wishing for a big greasy cheese burger and when we got to Oslo, I saw a Burger King downtown and we had a couple whoppers and fries and a Coke.  It tasted good and I don’t really even like Burger King back here.  The part that is hard to believe is that it cost us 238 Kroner which somewhere around $50+ US dollars.  It’s really expensive for everything in Norway but they make better wages but pay nearly half in taxes.  Cheap hotel rooms are around $350 US a night.  The good part is that they have huge breakfasts included in the price and that helps some with not having to go out and spend big money right away for that.  They have several kinds of meat and eggs done many different ways and lots of bacon, cheeses, several types of homemade breads, and on and on.  We ate enough to last most of the day.  We never saw many overweight people in Norway either.

Maybe they can’t afford to get overweight?  Thanks Gary!!

Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Hi Gary,

After seeing/reading my email about having breast cancer (2008) in your blog a couple of days ago.  I thought I’d send an update. I had completely forgotten when I had breast cancer, so after reading my email in your newsletter, I now know the date. LOL After sending that email to you, I had a lumpectomy/32?radiation treatments/have been fine since then—thanks to the MANY prayers that were prayed for me, including those of your readers.   You are probably aware people who experience cancer often take the medication Tamoxifen for 5 years after treatment is concluded.  After about 2 years, my doctor changed Tamoxifen to a supposedly newer/better medication.  After taking this for awhile, I started having side effects (I don’t even remember what they were—uff da!).  My doctor then switched me back to Tamoxifen.  I continued having side effects, so the dosage was reduced.  This didn’t help, so I was told to discontinue taking any medication along this line (I probably took some type “cancer” medication for between 2-3 years and no medication for the remainder of the 5 years.).  I put my trust in God/didn’t worry about what would happen if I didn’t take medication.  I’m happy to report all is well.  I’ve had “clean” mammograms since then.  I sometimes have my mammograms in Minot/sometimes in Bottineau.  It’s much easier/quicker to get an appointment in Bottineau. They do an EXCELLENT job, so that’s where I try to have my mammograms now.  I’m going to put in a “plug” for the “Bottineau Hospital”/Clinic”.  I’ve had various procedures (mammograms/ultra-sound/will have a bone density test when I return to Bottineau/done in Bottineau.  I’ve been VERY PLEASED with anything I’ve had done there.)

I’m sure you noticed I’ve developed my own punctuation rules since retiring. LOL

I’ll TRY to get some Dunseith News scanned/sent to you soon.  I don’t seem to have very much “ambition” some days.

Neola

Pictures of some band members at Dunseith High School year 1959
Posted by Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65): Belcourt, ND

Can anyone identify those in these pictures? 

This could have happened at a different year but I am pretty sure they all are from the class of 1959

Ginger

====================================
Blog (304) posted on December 10, 2008

Condolences to the Hiatt family from Dick & Brenda Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends, I want to thank Jacqueline Hiatt Fix for letting us know of Lois’s passing. Our condolences to the Hiatt family. Dick and Brenda

Reply from Dave Slyter (70):

To Jacqueline Hiatt   Thank you so much for letting us all know that Aunt Lois has passed away.   She was a wonderful, kind hearted Aunt who will be missed a lot.   She too, like our dad Freddie Hiatt, had dementia in her later years of her life.  It robs them of all memories of the present and most of the past.  It’s a very sad disease and it is very hard on the immediate family.   Our condolences to Dana, Delmar, and Janelle and their Dad Orelle.   You will be in our thoughts and prayers.   Dave Slyter

Reply from Bobby Slyter (70):

Message from Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):

Hi Gary and all, congrats on your anniversary and trip to Hong Kong.  I haven’t been there yet but hopefully before we move back to the states someday.

I want to wish all my family, friends and everyone on this Dunseith site a blessed and very Merry Christmas.  We have lots to be thankful for.  Thanks again Gary for putting this all together.  It’s a great walk down memory lane.  Lynn Otto

Folks, Lynn is currently living in Korea.  Gary

Debbie Mongeon Cernohous’ (66) reply to Gary:

Debbie, I hope you don’t mind me sharing your reply. I know many folks remember you.

Folks, A co-worker (Jane) of Debbie’s recently visited family here in the PI.  Gary

Hi Gary,

Just had to let you know that Jane was in with her pictures from the PI. Such beauty in places and poverty in others.  She had a great time and is glad to be back home.

We now have about 7 inches of snow her in Wisconsin and love it.  We don’t have the harsh winters like ND.  I like to snow shoe and cross country ski so hope to do it over Christmas break.

It is always so good to hear all the news from classmates.  But we did talk at the class reunion so have seen each other in the last couple of years.

Debbie

Reply from Bill Grimme (65):

Gary,

Great picture of you at McDonald’s in Hong Kong! You and I have a lot in common, we find the best things in life no matter where they are! Can’t beat good old American Fast Food!

Bill

Thunderbird article provide by Susan Fassett Martin (65):

Bill Hosmer with the Thunderbirds. The date got cut off, but I think this was 1961? Gary

    Happy Birthday Ramona Thiefoe LaVallie (’66): Dunseith, ND

              Happy Birthday Fred Dutra: Lacy WA

Reply to Vickie Metcalfe’s Norwegian posting
From Keith Pladson (’66):  Roanoke Rapids, NC

Hello Gary,

I still enjoy very much reading your posts, though I haven’t written for a while.  Hope Bernadette is feeling better today. I enjoyed reading Vickie Metcalfe’s recent post as it jogged my memory of a time past in my life and it also provided just a wee bit of humor too.  Several years ago the Government Agency where I worked had a contract with ORACLE to help develop a computer system to automate our then very out dated manual system.  As a functional government representative I worked closely with several of the ORACLE programmers and got to know several of them quite well.  ORACLE had a truly international staff and one of the programmers was a young man from Norway by the name of Per.  Because of my ancestry (mostly Norwegian) Per and I chit chatted often.  More than once I overheard him speaking with his wife on the phone and they always spoke only in Norwegian.  One of the first times I overheard him, he asked if I understood anything he was saying with his wife and I assured him I could not as the only things I understood or could say in Norwegian were a few cuss words (that my dad inadvertently taught me) and the numbers up to ten. In any case, I once asked him if he ate lutefisk.  His response was much like my own – “why would anyone want to eat rotten fish?”  He (Per) had an uncle who had come to the US many years ago and became a US citizen and lived in the Twin City area.  Per and his wife travelled to Minnesota a few times to visit with his uncle and he said he had observed that eating lutefisk seemed to be a bigger thing (or more important) to Norwegians in America than to natives in Norway.  But he did concede that in certain regions of Norway it may be more important and eaten more than in others like where he came from near Oslo. I also noted with humor that Vickie spelled “rullepolse” three different ways.  Since I am not aware of that particular dish, I decided to do a little google search (aren’t search engines wonderful?).  What I found was that rullepolse is a Danish dish but that it is also made in the other Scandinavian countries.  In any case it sounds good.  Thanks Vickie, for jogging my memory of my many talks with Per.

Keith Pladson (66)

Keith,

I have a lot Norwegian Citizen friends here in Cebu. They too said that Lutefisk is not as popular in Norway as in the USA.

Gary

Humor of the day
Posted by Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND

BRITISH HUMOR IS DIFFERENT

These are classified ads, which were actually placed in U.K. Newspapers:

FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER.

8 years old,

Hateful little bastard.

Bites!

FREE PUPPIES

1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbor’s dog.

FREE PUPPIES.

Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd.

Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall fences in a single bound.

COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED.

Also 1 gay bull for sale.

JOINING NUDIST COLONY !

Must sell washer and dryer £100..

WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE .

Worn once by mistake.

Call Stephanie.

**** And the WINNER is…. ****

FOR SALE BY OWNER.

Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes.

Excellent condition, £200 or best offer. No longer needed, got married, wife knows everything.

Statement of the Century

Thought from the Greatest Living Scottish Thinker–Billy Connolly. “If women are so bloody perfect at multitasking, How come they can’t have a headache and sex at the same time?”

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Children Are Quick

___________________________________

TEACHER: Why are you late?

STUDENT: Class started before I got here.

____________________________________

TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?

JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.

__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell ‘crocodile?’

GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L’

TEACHER: No, that’s wrong

GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.

(I Love this child)

____________________________________________

TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?

DONALD: H I J K L M N O.

TEACHER: What are you talking about?

DONALD: Yesterday you said it’s H to O.

__________________________________

TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn’t have ten years ago.

WINNIE: Me!

__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?

GLEN: Well, I’m a lot closer to the ground than you are..

_______________________________________

______________________________

TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s cherry tree, but also admitted it.

Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn’t punish him?

LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand…..

______________________________________

TEACHER: Now, Simon , tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?

SIMON: No sir, I don’t have to, my Mum is a good cook.

______________________________

TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on ‘My Dog’ is exactly the same as your brother’s..

Did you copy his?

CLYDE : No, sir. It’s the same dog.

(I want to adopt this kid!!!)

___________________________________

TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?

HAROLD: A teacher

__________________________________

PASS IT AROUND AND MAKE SOMEONE LAUGH

Due to current economic conditions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off

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Blog (303) posted on December 9, 2008

Correction to the Ramada Inn info that was posted:

Folks I added an extra 1 in the confirmation number I posted for the Ramada to be referenced when calling in for Reservations. The correct number is “Confirmation Number P01959”.The Ramada Inn Phone number is (206) 277-0700.

The Ramada Inn also had our group listed as the “6255 Dental Reserve Unit”. I have gotten that corrected too. The group is now listed both under my name and also the “Dunseith Alumni”. I am going to make our reservations, probably tomorrow.  In doing that I will find out if the receptionist has the right information.

I am also planning a reunion, on August 8th, for my former Army Reserve unit.  That is where the mix up came with the wrong listing for our group.  I’ve got the Best Western Ball Room reserved on August 8th for my Reserve unit reunion also.

Gary

Lois Hiatt Fugere (56) Passed away – messsage from Jacqueline Hiatt (79):

Hey Gary,

I wanted to share with those who knew my Aunt Lois Fugere Hiatt (Mrs. Orelle Fugere) passed away early yesterday morning. I don’t have any information on the details.

Jacqueline

Jacqueline, We are so sorry to hear of Lois’ Passing. Please keep us posted.

Folks, Lois was a sister to Freddie and Wallace Hiatt. Jacqueline is Wallace’s daughter.

Reply from Bev Moriniville Azure (72):

                   Bernadette Stokes shopping in Hong Kong

I figured if Bill Grimme could have a Big Mac in France, I could have one in Hong Kong.

                                              Gary Stokes

These are our two helpers, Tata & Cindy. Tata and her husband Aldren have been with us since before we moved over here in 2003. Aldren takes care of all the outside chores keeping everything clean, watered and maintained. Tata and Cindy take care of all the inside chores.  Cindy has worked for us two years now. Her family has always lived in one of our apartments. She is single and 20 years old. Tata & Aldren have a 6 year old son and a 10 year old daughter. We provide an apartment for them that is within shouting distance of our house.The apartments we have for our helpers and some of Bernadette’s family are by no means 5 star accomodations. To their standards they are, but by no means to the American standards.  We treat our helpers well and they in turn take good care of us.  They do have a lot of free time, but they are on call 24/7.  Gary

Bill Grimme has some corrections to his letter that was posted yesterday.

Gary, See my corrections in Red. 

Bill Grimme’s letter posted yesterday:

Gary,

I occurred to me that as I receive payments for the Seattle dinners from folks I am getting some use of their money in the period between collection and final payment, which I will pay from funds collected. So, after a little back of the envelope calculating, I think it is fair if I give the benefit back. My paying for two dinners seems about right. Now, how to do that? I propose a raffle. For each dinner paid, I will enter a “ticket” (explained later) times a multiplier for how early the payment is. For dinner payments postmarked on or before January 31, the multiplier will be five. So, if a person sends payments for 5 dinners, they will get 25 tickets. Payments before February 29 will have a four multiplier, March 31 will have a three multiplier, April 30 will have a two multiplier, May 31 will have a one multiplier. I will ask your help for a drawing for two dinners on June 15. Here is the raffle plan that I believe will be relatively impossible to “fix”.

The “tickets” will consist of line items on an Excel spreadsheet.

For example, a payment received in January for one chicken dinner and one beef dinner will get 10 line tickets – 5 lines for chicken and five for beef. A payment in February for one chicken and three beef will get 16 line tickets-4 for the one chicken and 12 for the three beef, etc.

A few days prior to the drawing, I will send you the password protected Excel file with all the line tickets on it and you can send it to everyone. Along with that transmittal, I will ask that you send two numbers selected randomly in the range that corresponds to the number of lines on the spreadsheet. After everyone has the password protected Excel spreadsheet and your two numbers, I will send you the password for the spreadsheet and everyone can open and locate the two winners. I will send checks to the winners for two chicken dinners, two beef dinners or a one chicken and one beef, depending on the winning line items. In other words, I will pay for two dinners, regardless if they are beef or chicken.

If you or anyone else sees a flaw in this raffle, let me know.

Bill

Happy Birthday Esther Cote Fugere (’50): Bottineau, ND
            

   Happy Birthday Donna LaCroix Allard (’64): Minneapolis, MN

Class of ’73 photo’s correction
Message from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65):  Belcourt, ND

Just want to let you know that it is not Joy LaRocque, it’s the Parisien.

I would also like to say that I pray that Bernadette gets better.  I feel so sad when someone is sick especially when they are as good a person as Bernadette is. I will keep praying for her. God bless Bernadette and you Gary, may He keep you strong through this as well, you are both such wonderful people.

I have been reading the emails that you were so kind to send to my son Todd, I am very appreciative of the extra time you put in to make the changes that I request of you.

I enjoy the stories from Larry Hackman, Dick Johnson and Vicki Metcalf. Great memories!

I would also like to wish happy birthdays to all I missed during the time I have been without access to a computer,  Happy Birthday to all of you!

I will sign off for now

Ginger

Thank you Ginger for this reminder.  I have posted the correction below.

When I was putting that blog together I pasted Rita’s picture twice and didn’t catch the mistake until after it was posted. At that time I made the correction for my files and then forgot to repost the next day.

Thanks again.

Looking forward to seeing you at our class of 65 reunion on July 17^th too, at the Birchwood at Lake Metigoshe.

Gary

Class of ’73 photo’s
Posted by Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73):  Palo Alto, CA

May 17 celebrates all things Norwegian
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Happy 17th of May!

http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/3746663-marilyn-hagerty-may-17-celebrates-all-things-norwegian

Outside of Norway,  It sounds  from this article, Seattle is the place to celebrate the Seventeenth of May today. I’d like some  rulepolse and some lefse please. My Mom had Grand ma Seim’s roulepols recipe for beef brisket. Mom  would make  it for dad. Dad  was introduced and adopted lots of stuff Norwegian while with the Seim’s. The last time I had  roulpolse was at the Hostfest in Minot. with mom in the 90’s. Sliced thin on  flatbrod! Yum. Later. V

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Blog (302) posted on December 8, 2008

Folks, Bill Grimme (65) is one hard guy to keep ahead of.  Bill is providing two dinners to be given away, with a raffle, for our Seattle reunion dinner in July. Please see his letter below.

Bill, I see no flaws in your method of doing this at all.  Thank you so much for this generous deed.  Gary

Bill Grimme’s letter:

Gary,

I occurred to me that as I receive payments for the Seattle dinners from folks I am getting some use of their money in the period between collection and final payment, which I will pay from funds collected. So, after a little back of the envelope calculating, I think it is fair if I give the benefit back. My paying for two dinners seems about right. Now, how to do that? I propose a raffle. For each dinner paid, I will enter a “ticket” (explained later) times a multiplier for how early the payment is. For dinner payments postmarked on or before January 31, the multiplier will be five. So, if a person sends payments for 5 dinners, they will get 25 tickets. Payments before February 29 will have a four multiplier, March 31 will have a three multiplier, April 30 will have a two multiplier, May 31 will have a one multiplier. I will ask your help for a drawing for two dinners on June 15. Here is the raffle plan that I believe will be relatively impossible to “fix”.

The “tickets” will consist of line items on an Excel spreadsheet.

For example, a payment received in January for one chicken dinner and one beef dinner will get 10 line tickets – 5 lines for chicken and five for beef. A payment in February for one chicken and three beef will get 12 line tickets-4 for chicken and 8 for beef, etc.

A few days prior to the drawing, I will send you the password protected Excel file with all the line tickets on it and you can send it to everyone. Along with that transmittal, I will ask that you send two numbers selected randomly in the range that corresponds to the number of lines on the spreadsheet. After everyone has the password protected Excel spreadsheet and your two numbers, I will send you the password for the spreadsheet and everyone can open and locate the two winners. I will send checks to the winners for two chicken dinners, two beef dinners or a one chicken and one beef, depending on the winning line items. In other words, I will pay for two dinners, regardless if they are beef or chicken.

If you or anyone else sees a flaw in this raffle, let me know.

Bill

Happy Birthday Edna (Sussie) Knox Millang (’60) Dunseith, ND

                     Edna with her grandson Devin Millang

Reply from Bev Handeland Hamnes (’48):  Bottineau, ND

Happy anniversary Gary and Bernadette love to read your emails. have a safe trip. BEV Hamnes

Bev,

Those are old messages that I am posting each day. Our anniversary isn’t until December 3^rd. Thanks just the same.

Gary

Joke of the day

Tired of constantly being broke and stuck in an unhappy marriage, a young husband decided to solve both problems by taking out a large insurance policy on his wife with himself as the beneficiary and then arranging to have her killed.

A ‘friend of a friend’ put him in touch with a nefarious dark-side underworld figure who went by the name of ‘Artie.’ Artie explained to the husband that his going price for snuffing out a spouse was $10,000.

The husband said he was willing to pay that amount but that he wouldn’t have any cash on hand until he could collect his wife’s insurance money. Artie insisted on being paid at least something up front, so the man opened his wallet, displaying the single dollar coin that rested inside.

Artie sighed, rolled his eyes and reluctantly agreed to accept the dollar as down payment for the dirty deed.

A few days later, Artie followed the man’s wife to the local Costco Supermarket. There, he surprised her in the produce department and proceeded to strangle her with his gloved hands. As the poor unsuspecting woman drew her last breath and slumped to the floor, the manager of the produce department stumbled unexpectedly onto the murder scene. Unwilling to leave any living witnesses behind, ol’ Artie had no choice but to strangle the produce manager as well.

However, unknown to Artie, the entire proceedings were captured by the hidden security cameras and observed by the shop’s security guard, who immediately called the police. Artie was caught and arrested before he could even leave the premises.

Under intense questioning at the police station, Artie revealed the whole sordid plan, including his unusual financial arrangements with the hapless husband who was also quickly arrested.

The next day in the Newspaper, the headline declared.

(You’re going to hate me for this.)

“ARTIE CHOKES 2 for $1.00 @ Costco”

====================================
Blog (301) posted on December 6, 2008

hyllis McKay’s (65) reply to Gary:

Hi Gary,

I did receive the two e-mails and I did talk to Pat about the dinner. I will send our order into Bill when I get the checks made out. My daughter and Pat’s daughter will be turning 40 in 2009. We are going to take them to Paris in February to celebrate! Speaking of celebrating, congratulations on thirty years of marriage. That is great that you will be able to go to Hong Kong to celebrate. I spent a week in Hong Kong and had a great time.

I have been getting your e-mails but have been so overwhelmed at work with conferences and learning the new curriculum that was adopted, besides teaching every day, that I don’t seem to have time to keep up with the e-mails let alone writing in response to the ones that jog my memory. Please keep them coming, I just love reading them. Phyllis

Follow up reply from Phyllis:

Gary, I haven’t had any communications from the Department of Defense. With the down turn in the economy, I have heard that more people are joining the military. Hopefully that means they will need more schools and more teachers. Of course my time as a teacher is coming down to a few more years so I don’t know about the time commitment. It still sounds like something I would like to do. I taught in China one summer which was a tremendous experience. You are always welcome to post my small contributions to the cause. I am home sick with bronchitis so I hope to get caught up with your e-mails. Ha! Love Phyllis.

Folks, Phyllis has been a teacher for many years in the Seattle area. Our former High School teacher, Mr. Bob Lykins spent a career working overseas for the Department of Defense Schools after leaving Dunseith in the mid  60’s. Through Mr. Lykins, Phyllis thought this may be a fun thing to do, so she has applied to teach overseas with them.  Gary

Phyllis McKay 2007

Neola Kofoid Garbe has Breast Cancer: 

Hi Gary,

I’m glad to hear you/Bernadette enjoyed Hong Kong; not surprising! Ha!

It appears I’m now a member of the “health problems” club on your blog.  I learned yesterday I have breast cancer.  It was detected early/small cluster/hasn’t spread/sounds very treatable, so I’m not too concerned at this time.  I have also learned worrying doesn’t help anything, so at this point in time, I’m not concerned/worried about it.  I know God is in charge, and I’ll go the route He chooses for me.  I’ve told this “joke” for years: Mom, Jim, and Dad all had cancer.  I said I wasn’t going to worry about getting it, as I thought 3 out of 4 were pretty good odds.  I didn’t think it would be 4 out of 4. So much for that theory! Ha!

I have an appointment with an oncologist on Tuesday.  The weather doesn’t sound great on Sunday, so I’m heading back to Minot tomorrow (Saturday).

It was great to receive your Alumni News again, Old Faithful!!

Neola

Neola, Please keep us posted. Like I told you before, time is not on your side with this one.  Our prayers are with you.  How can we survive without all those wonderful pictures you provide? Gary

Message from Mel Kuhn (70): 

Gary,Gary,Gary,

I’m really glad to hear that you had this exciting trip to Hong Kong and this wonderful 30th anniversary of shopping and site seeing with your wife and all………but what about us? Those of us that you got hooked like a bunch of old junkies and then just cut us off cold turkey. I don’t know if we can allow this to happen again. Dick and I talked it over and we were just lost every morning without our daily fix of Gary. If you are planning any more vacations you’re just gonna have to do like Paul Harvey and get a fill in or set aside time each vacation day to take care of us with your laptop or something. If need be maybe we can take up a collection and get you some kind of big fancy one with your own satellite and everything so that you can get us taken care of. Priorities are priorities you know. For me it might not have been so bad, but I had just started trying to quit smoking a couple of days before you decided to just drop us. Boy, it’s been tough. Not to have that morning smoke with my coffee, but no Gary fix….WHEW!!! I had almost broken down and had a conversation with my wife over morning coffee. All kidding aside it’s good to have you back, and I AM glad that you and your wife had a good vacation and anniversary. 30 years is worth celebrating. My wife and I just had our 26th a couple weeks ago. I found it hard to believe that I’ve put up with her that long, but what the heck, I’ve got some underwear I’ve had just as long. Well, enough of that. Later.

Mel Kuhn

Mel, Thank you so much for the compliments, but I’m thinking I should have purchased some waist high boots when we were in Hong Kong, but they wouldn’t have fit in our luggage.  All kidding aside, I too look forward to the messages I receive from all of you.  I never got hooked on smoking, but my dad was a moderate smoker and he tried many times, unsuccessfully, to quit, so I know it’s a tough. They say each cigarette smoked takes 10 minutes off of your life.  Gary

Message/Picture from Susan Fassett(65):

I found this picture in one of my mom’s scrapbooks when I was looking for info on the Thunderbirds.  Mom worked at the Gamble store at one time.  I think that the boy is Gerald Anderson hanging on the side of the vehicle.  Thought there would be some that would enjoy seeing this picture.  If anyone would like a copy, please let me know.  Hugs and prayers,  Susan

Evelyn Pladson’s Obituary provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Happy Birthday Dorothy Sebelius: Dunseith, ND

Happy Birthday Keith Houle: Becker, MN

Class of ’73 photo’s
Posted by Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73): Palo Alto, CA

 FB posting by Val Moyer (’63):  Bottineau, ND

Folks,
I just had to post this one. Val’s Studebaker’s were a topic of discussion a few months back.
Gary

Update on Trish Larson Clayburgh’s Robbery
From Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73):

Here’s the update to my robbery story in a short version:  The longer version is on my FB page if you want more details and photos.

I woke the next morning to fine the robber was gone.  I was really surprised when the cranky hosts at the hotel refused to cash my check, even though they said they would the night I was robbed.  When I went into the office to cash a check for gas and food money, “Bob’s” wife refused me saying “I don’t have enough cash in my drawer to give you any.  You can go to the bank in town – there are three of them”.  She treated me like it was my fault that I had been robbed in her hotel, and she was MAD that it had happened.

In shock, I loaded the horses and my puppy and drove three miles into Three Forks, not knowing if I would even make it that far, and if I wasn’t able to get cash, I didn’t know what I would do.  As I drove, I just put my trust in “The Universe” to bring good into my life, as almost always happens.  As I came into town, I called a random bank, and the teller told me she couldn’t cash a check for me, but after hearing my story of the robbery and the rude desk clerks, she told me to park across the street from the grocery store and “I know a guy I will call to come and help you – just wait there – he’ll come in a few minutes”.

I waited, alternating near tears of frustration and irritation with a feeling of hope and relief that everything was going to be ok.  I kept trying to find meaning and the lessons in my experience.  I am not often on the side of the desk where I have to ask for help.  I’m usually the one offering help and comfort as a nurse.  In all my years of travel, I have never been robbed or really even had anything bad ever happen.  It was a surprise to me how bad it felt to be in a situation where I had to ask for help and how humbling and hard it was, and how unfair it was to be treated with suspicion and coldness.  I suddenly was aware what it was like to be alone and without any funds to buy my freedom.  It gave me new insight into the plight of the many homeless people I have taken care of in the Emergency Department over the years.

Within about ten minutes, a gentleman drove up in a pickup (there is something I love about everyone around here driving trucks).  He looked at me with compassion and told me he was the pastor of the Christian church in town and that they had a fund they used for helping people who ended up in trouble in their town.  He drove with me out to the gas station and put $50 worth of diesel in my truck so I could get myself into Bozeman to get the funds that were to be wired by Western Union later through my bank.  His friend Russell pumped the gas for me and told me he was a member of the same church.  Russell was also understanding and told me how sorry he was that this had happened in their town and that “I have to deal with those cranky people at the motel all the time”.

He changed the subject to horses and while the gas pumped, we talked horses and roping and team penning.  He and his sons love to compete and he told me some funny stories while I waited – trying to take my mind off my troubles and yes, it worked. By the time I left, my faith in people was restored, I was cheerful again, and I was hopeful that everything would be fine in short order.  Most of all, I was thankful for the kindness of these two pleasant people who were willing to help a person in need.

The reason I had come to Three Forks in the first place was because I had learned there was a Foxhunting group in the area.  I had called from Kalispell and had been warmly invited to join them, so had driven four hours the day before in order to ride with the hounds.  I was expected to show up at 2:00 to join in a “Puppy walk out”, and I really didn’t want to miss it.  I called the Houndmaster, Renee, and she was appalled by my story.  She said “Trish, I wish you would have called me! – Please come up and stay with us and we will make up for your trouble in Three Forks!”

So I drove to the Mantle Ranch home of “Montana Horses”, about 10 miles up the country near Logan.

I entered into a dream world, and am now having one of the most amazing, heartwarming, welcoming experiences of my life.

Kail and Renee Mantle are fourth generation horse traders, and own a 500 acre ranch about 30 miles from Bozeman, in some of the most beautiful Montana mountain country you can imagine.  This is where the Missouri Headwaters are created near the town of Three Forks where the Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison Rivers combine.  The Mantle ranch sits on the shore of the mighty Missouri and it is absolutely stunning in the beauty of the land and the herd of horses that runs here.

My new friend welcomed me to stay in her darling little guest cabin, and invited me to join them later for dinner, which was my first meal in two days.  They were so warm and welcoming – it reminded me of what it’s like to be in North Dakota with good friends.

Within the past 48 hours, I have ridden with the hound pack, ridden to a wall tent camp up in a mountain meadow, learned how to carve up the frozen meat to feed the hounds, gathered up a herd of 120 horses, bandaged two injured horses, watched Kail rope and train a kicking horse who needed treatment, and turned my little herd of 3 out with the big herd.  Today, I helped Renee clean 8 saddles for delivery along with 8 horses to a Dillon Montana ranch where students from France will come this summer to learn horsemanship from University of Montana Faculty.

Along the 2 hour drive, Renee and I got to know each other and learned about each other.  We learned we both have always loved horses, and that we’re both more excited about our future with horses than ever before.  We learned we both love dogs and animals more than most people.  We shared stories of histories, our families, and our friends and by the end we knew we were going to be very good friends.  She invited me to stay longer, to join her Big Sky Hounds Hunt Club, and to become a “Whipper In”.  Learning how to whip, is a staff job for the Foxhunt I have coveted and only dreamed of one day being able to do.  This Sunday, I will begin my new job, riding to the hounds as a Whip, and I cannot find the words to say how excited I am to have the opportunity to live here on this beautiful ranch and to get to work and learn with the hounds and Renee and her husband Kail, an expert horseman and a former PRCA Bronc rider.

It’s going to be a steep learning curve this summer, in preparation for the hunt season which begins in the fall.

My horses are living the life they love, drinking from a lake instead of a bucket, eating fresh grass instead of dry hay, and running, resting, and rolling as they feel inclined. My puppy (a white German Shepherd named Spirit) has free run of the place, and even gets invited at will into the main ranch house along with Kail and Renee’s 3 dogs, 2 inside hounds, and four cats.

I am loving every minute of this phase of my life adventure.

I’ll be staying for a while, and counting my blessings every minute of every day.

Thanks for sharing my story of Equine adventures with our friends on the Dunseith Blog Gary.  And again, congratulations to you both on your 30th!  I hope to see some photos of the two of you smiling in your next blog

Trish
The Equine Nomad

====================================
Blog (300) posted on December 6, 2008

Folks,

We arrived this evening about 7:00 from Hong Kong.  We had a beautiful trip.  Hong Kong is a beautiful city consisting of most high rises.  In fact I did not see one single house. It appears that everyone either lives in an apartment or a condo. It is a well developed city with a well managed transit system both on top the ground and under the ground. They have a very modern state of the Art MTR train system that runs underground and also under the sea.

Other than for our travel days, we were only in Hong Kong for two days. We stayed at the City Center Hotel in Kowloon.  Other than for taking several excursions on the MTR train, we pretty much spent most of our time in Kowloon.  We explored their many beautiful shopping areas.  It was fun just walking around and seeing the many different shops and the area. Bernadette loves to shop. She didn’t over do it though.  We were able to get everything into the two medium size suit cases that we took along.

I called Steve Salmonson, Stan & Joan’s son, who was also visiting Hong Kong.  With our schedules, we were not able to hook up with him like we would have liked to have done.

We will be busy in the morning, so I’m sending this out tonight before going to bed.

Gary

Reply from Larry Millang (66):

Hi Gary long time since we have seen each other. I just got my first computer so am very new at this but am enjoyng all the articles. I was a 1966 graduate from Dunseith I see Larry Hackman and Keith Pladson I believe were also 66 graduates. I left North Dakota in 1982 and lived in Glendale, California 1982-1987 then moved to Las Vegas, Nevada 1987-2007 and returned to Bottineau in September. I am helping take care of my Mom and work at our New Wal-Mart.

Reply from Tom Hagen (51) To Joyce Boardman (53)

Dear Gary, this is for Joyce Boardman Smith who was a friend of ours many long years ago.   Do remember playing the “Blackhawk Waltz”???? We had lots of good times singing around the piano at the Boardman house and enjoyed seeing your mom in later years when she came out to Williston to see your aunt Eva Nash a good friend of ours in later years!!!!! We love E-mail letters,  Love Tom and Dot

Reply from Don Martel (Principle/teacher):

Hi Gary,

We too enjoy the daily contact with Dunseith that you make possible.

      In regards to Gary Morgan, Bill Hosmer and Dick Johnson’s memories of when the Thunderbirds were in Dunseith, I learned some time ago to not trust the memory of anyone over 50 years of age.  Maybe the Turtle Mountain Star would have a record of it.

Don

Folks, I’m sure this was published in the “Turtle Mountain Star” in 1961.  Do any of you have any articles?  Gary

Report on Chuck Munro (Geri Metcalfe 59) following quadruple bypass heart surgery:

Dear Ones,   Just a note to tell you that Chuck had his one-month checkup with his surgeon today, an EKG and Chest X-ray and blood work.  Dr. Newman was very pleased with his progress, and wants him to “keep up the good work with his diet and exercise program”. She took off of all his heart meds, including blood pressure meds.  Everything looks good!!   Love, Geri and Chuck

From Brenda Hoffman (68):

Happy Aniversary! Hope you post some anniversary photos when you return. Doesn’t time go by rapidly when you’re with the right person!

Brenda class of 68

Reply from Greg Larson (70):

Gary:

Thanks for the birthday wish.  I appreciate all of your work on these emails.

Gregory C. Larson
Attorney at Law
LARSON LATHAM BLISS HUETTL

Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary and have a wonderful trip.

Cheryl Larson Dakin

Reply from Bobby Slyter (70): 

JUST LITTLE OLE  ME FROM KANSAS

Reply from David Slyter (70):

Gary and Bernadette:   “CONGRATULATIONS”  on 30 years of marriage.   That is a “Big”  milestone.   I have seen pictures of you and Bernadette thru this emailing blog and I you guys make for a great looking couple.  Have fun in Hong Kong and please hurry back so I and most of the rest of us will not have a melt down while you are gone.   These messages are so addicting.   ha    Have fun   Dave Slyter (70)

Reply from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Bernadette, Just want to say Happy Anniversary and enjoy your trip! Dick

Fauske family photo & Message from Glenda (Russell 64) Fauske:

Gary and Bernadette, Congratulations!  30 years is a milestone.  Russell and I celebrated 30 years this year, too! Attached is the Fauske Family photo.  I just got a new scanner, but it must have dust in it?!  I’m disappointed with the quality…this is the first one I’ve done on it.  I cleaned the glass and wiped the screen clean, but still the dust shows…so you’ll have to keep the picture small.  Happy holidays to you! g The Lazy RF Ranch            (701) 263-4742 Russell and Glenda Fauske RR 1  Box 139                  Dunseith ND  58329
Thank you Glenda for sending this photo at my request.  Dust or no dust, this is a wonderful picture of the Fauske Family!  One of these days Elwood & Eleanore will join the Senior ranks. One would never guess by looking at this photo that they have been married over 66 years.  They were married in October 1942.  I had the pleasure of attending their Golden Anniversary celebration at their farm, with my folks in 1992.  Bernadette did not make it back to ND that year. It was at their anniversary that we got the very sad news of Orville Hagen’s passing. I will never forget that. Cancer took his fate at a young age.  So sad.

Back to the picture.  You guys are all looking great! Connie, Beth & Arlinda (Lindy); I have not seen you guys for many years, but I think I’ve labeled you all correct. Please tell me if I have not and I stress that wholeheartedly.  I goofed up with that 60’s photo of you guys that Tim Martinson straightened me out on.  Gary

Elwood Fauske Family – November 2008
L to R: Carrole, Brian, Connie, Eleanore, Elwood, Beth, Russell & Arlinda (Lindy)

Message from LaRose Ketterling (46):

Gary and Dick

The picture of the guy walking in front of broken windows in the hail storm picture is of my Dad- Richard Ketterling.  He was the manager of the Peavey Elevator in Dunseith from 1942-49. He always had his cigarette in a holder even though it looks like a pipe. I remember that storm- all of the windows of our porch facing west were broken.

LaRose Ketterling

                    Happy Birthday Verena Gillis:  Dunseith, ND

Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73) got robbed.
Posting from Trish:

Note: Folks, Please visit Trish’s FB page “Trish Larson Clayburgh” for all of the complete, very interesting and well written details. Trish, you are a gifted writer. I admire your brilliance.  Gary

Gary

Not sure if you saw my FB post, but I was robbed tonight.  I won’t go into all the details again, cause I know you are on FB and can read it there if you’re curious.

But I was robbed of my small purse and it’s funny, It’s an inconvenience, but not that huge a loss.  Unless he does an identity theft kind of crime;  I’ve already cancelled my debit cards and reported my license stolen.  I also made a report to the Sheriff, but they really couldn’t do anything, because I couldn’t prove it.

But I know he did it.

The thing that’s interesting to me is that I am not very upset.  He’s a jerk and will pay his karmic dues, but I’m looking at this as a big lesson for me.  A lesson to be thankful for.  Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Don’t carry much cash.  I was very grateful I didn’t have much in my purse.  Under $100.

2.  Keep passport separate from the rest in a safe place.  I recently had a good idea to separate those IDs, and I am SO glad I did that.  My passport is safe, and I am going to need that to get a new license in Montana.  Also keep phone numbers to call card companies if cards are stolen.  I was lucky to have both bank phone numbers on my phone.

3.  Be more careful around strangers.  I am fearless, have a good character intuition and always have been lucky.  In all my travels, I have never been robbed before.  But there are dangers even and especially in rural places related to the use of meth and the horrible damage it does to the brain.  These people do not recognize right from wrong and will hurt their own children to get a fix.  They are happy to steal from a stranger.  They do much worse things than that without guilt or remorse….there was recently a meth murder of two in Helena (not far from here).  A young couple was brutally murdered while sleeping in their home after a party by a total stranger who broke in and stabbed them to death.  The girl was stabbed IN THE HEAD more than 40 times.  That’s meth.  It makes crazy people out of even nice folks.  It kills among family and friends.  It’s the worst.

4.  I am more certain than ever that The Universe wants me to stay for at least a little while in Montana, although you’d think I couldn’t  wait to get out of here after being ROBBED.  I love the dangerous  beauty of the land and have been making plans to get a little place for a month or two. I want to hole up and finish a book proposal I am working on.  I think I will see about buying a gun as well.

I don’t have a choice because California will only issue a duplicate DL IN PERSON.  Montana requires 30 days of residency before you can apply for a license.  Guess I can only go by horseback from here out.  Lol.  Even more reason to hole up and finish my book proposal.

Anyway, I think you are the only person who might be awake.  So I am sending my thoughts.

I am not sure if it is wise to repost  this to the blog or not.  I will leave it to your discretion.  The story was really just for you:  Hen pecked on my cell phone because I am too freaked out to sleep, although the thief is sleeping soundly just three doors away.  Or maybe he’s over there just tweaking away…

I wonder if I will run into him tomorrow?  Hopefully not tonight!!!

Hope all is well.  I didn’t know you were such a great bowler.  I am terrible but I enjoy lobbing a few from time to time.  My best score EVER was about 150.  I have never been that lucky since.

But it’s a great excuse to drink beer with friends….LOL.  And Zi enjoy trying to knock em down…

Ok, I think I can sleep now.  I don’t know how I am going to eat tomorrow or buy gas.  My card won’t be here for 2-3 days.  I will have to figure something out…

The Adventure continues

Trish Wild

The Equine Nomad

Dunseith Skating Rink Story
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Years ago, when I came home to the farm, I gathered up clothes and took them downtown to Don’s Laundromat to wash.

As I walked in the front door an older man known as “Tomcat” began talking to me.  I could barely understand him. I did my best to respond politely. Suddenly The back door burst open, Mr. F. hollered, “Get out, don’t be bothering her! Then, Mr. F. asked politely, “ Was he bothering you?” If he is…. I will take care of him.

Rendered speechless, I shook my head and said meekly, “no. no, but Thank, you.”

Mr. F. remained on the premises. He impressed me as a very courteous, polite gentleman.  I felt quite safe.

When the laundry was finally completed, I gathered up the baskets, tucked them in the car one by one, bade Mr. F. goodbye and thanked him. He courtly nodded a reply.

Arriving home I told my Dad about the encounter at the laundry. Dad leaned back in his recliner, with his unlit pipe. He said. “He has always been my friend”.

“Tell me more Dad,” I sat down folding clothes.

Dad tamped on his tobacco and told me of a winter long ago

As a wee child he learned to skate on Rabbit City Lake.  His mother with her younger children moved from the farmstead into town after his father died.

One winter, he found solace skating on the Dunseith Skating rink.

The skating rink had a small brick jail next to it. The one room building had a door and a small window up high.

One day as a young boy was skating solitarily lost in thought. He was startled to hear a voice carried by the breeze.  He stopped. Then turned, listening toward the breeze.  Again a GRUFF voice.

“Metcalfe, come! “ demanded the gruff voice.  He warily skated to the window.  He craned his head, looked up, up, up toward the little window. He could not see a face but heard the gruff voice speaking, “Take this to the back of (????). A piece of paper floated down from the window.

My father picked up the paper scrap. He sat down, took off his skates, then ran to the back door of (???) He knocked.  The proprietor opened the door, glanced down at him, taking the paper from his outstretched hand, looked left then right, saying,  “Wait.” The door shut with a pronounced slam..

A short time later, squeak, squeak…the door opened a crack, a hand appeared with a paper bag, a voice saying, “Cliff, take this back to the jail, be quick, and don’t tell anyone.”

Dad said, “I took the paper bag, ran, delivered the brown bag to the man at the  jail. “I told no one.”

It was then, Dad told me, at that time the Faine brothers were well known as the best skaters and hockey players in the region.

Dad never exactly said what was in that brown paper bag.  Now, I don’t suppose a father could tell a teacher daughter. That once upon a time, he was a 12/13 year old bootlegger, for Dunseiths’ legendary hockey star Guff Faine.

Thanks Gary, friends and  the family of a Dunseith hockey legend.

Vickie L. Metcalfe

Joke of the day

Ole knows everybody. Ole was bragging to his boss one day, “You know, I know everyone der is to know. Just name someone, anyone, and I know them.” Tired of his boasting, his boss called his bluff, “OK, Ole how about Tom Cruise?” “Sure, yes, Tom and I ver old friends, and I can prove it.” Ole and his boss fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise’s door, and sure enough, Tom Cruise, shouts, “Ole! Great to see you! You and your friend come right in and join me for lunch!” Although impressed, Ole’s boss is still skeptical. After they leave Cruise’s house, he tells Ole that he thinks Ole’s knowing Cruise was just lucky. “No, no, just name anyvon else,” Ole says. ”President Obama,” his boss quickly retorts. “Ya sure,” Ole says, “I know him.” We’ll fly out to Washington to see him.” Off they go. At the White House, Obama spots Ole on the tour and motions him and his boss over, saying, “Ole, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let’s have a cup of coffee first and catch up.” The boss is shaken now, but still not totally convinced. After they leave the White House grounds, he expresses his doubts to Ole, who again implores him to name anyone else. “The Pope,” his boss replies. “Sure!” says Ole. “I’ve known the Pope a long time.” The unconvinced boss flies them off to Rome. Ole and his boss are assembled with the masses in Vatican Square when Ole says; “This will never work. I can’t catch the Pope’s eye among all these people. Tell you what, I know the guards so let me just go upstairs and I’ll come out on the balcony with the Pope.” And he disappears into the crowd headed toward the Vatican. Fifteen minutes later Ole emerges with the Pope on the balcony. By the time Ole returns,  his boss has had a heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics. Working his way to his boss’s side, Ole asks him, “What happened?” His boss looks up and says, “I was doing fine until you and the Pope came out on the balcony and the Japanese tourist next to me asked, ‘Who’s that on the balcony with Ole?’

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Blog (299) posted on December 1, 2008

Folks,

Bernadette and I will be leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. We will be in Hong Kong for 3 nights and 4 days, returning Friday. Wednesday, December 3rd, we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary.  I can not believe that it has been 30 years since the shipyard sent me over here to Subic Bay for a pre-overhaul ship check on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), when I met Bernadette. Joan Wurgler Salmonson informed me that their son Steve is visiting in Hong Kong this week too. She gave me the phone number to his hotel, so we will try and connect with him too, while we are there. He is actually staying close to where we will be.

While we are gone, I will not be posting any blog’s, but keep the messages coming.  I will catch up when I get back.  Other than for a few days when our phone line was stolen, this will be the first break since December 26th of last year for sending this daily blog.  You guys are doing great providing the memories and material to keep this going. As you can tell, I try to keep things focused on Dunseith and the Alumni to include a few outside things that may be of interest to the majority of you folks.

I’ll be back with you Friday night or Saturday morning

Gary

Clarence Hagen’s obituary provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

       Clarence Hagen

Dec. 26, 1914-Nov. 27, 2008 Clarence Hagen, age 93, of Bottineau, formerly of Dunseith, died Thursday at a Bottineau hospital.

Funeral will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Burial will be at the Salem Cemetery north of Bottineau.

Clarence Jens Hagen, a son of Henry and Sarah (Waddle) Hagen, was born on December 26, 1914. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He later attended Ackworth country school and later graduated from Dunseith High School. Clarence drove the Standard Oil bulk truck until entering the U.S. Army in April of 1941. He received his basic training in Camp Claiborne, LA and Fort Dix before being sent overseas.

He served with the 5th Army, 34th Division, 135th Infantry during the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre. He received his honorable discharge in June of 1945. He returned to Dunseith and in the spring of 1946 he moved to Wahpeton and worked for the U.S. Soil Conservation District. On July 1, 1950, he married Mary Ann Rodlund in Milnor. In December of 1950, they moved back to Dunseith and built their home in the Turtle Mountains. They lived there until moving to Bottineau in 2005.

Clarence was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. In addition to his love of farming, he served on numerous community and county boards. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, of Bottineau; 6 children, Susan Froseth of Bottineau, Karen (Dale) Simon of Bottineau, Arthur (Mavis) Hagen of Bottineau, Ellen (Jim) Redding of Minot, Arlan (Denise) Hagen of Bottineau and Henry (Sandy) Hagen of Bottineau; 13 grandchildren, Michelle (David) Saville, Nicole (Clint) Bogden, Jennifer (Andrew) Dittberner, Peter (Denise) Simon, Joanne (Justin) Karch, Devonne (Jon) Leonard, Joshua (Keisha) Hagen, Justin Redding, Sarah Redding, Breien Hagen, Tracy (Brad) Christianson, Melissa (Josh) Van Dyke, and Angela Hagen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Donald Bannister; infant sister, Verna; and son-in-law, Steve Froseth.

Arrangements are with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Salem Church & Cemetary: Clarence Hagen’s final resting ground.

Reply  from Marie Iverson Staub (60):
Mel Kuhn, take note:

I don,t mind if you post my message tomorrow and we will try and make the reunion. Joyce and I are cousins my mother(Agnes Ronning) and her mom( Minnie Ronning) were sisters and they married brothers

my dad was Adolph Iverson and her dad was Carl Iverson. I think I am related to most of the people in Bottineau area. The Lunds, Sivertsons, Johnsons, Iversons and I’m sure  several others in one way or the other as my dad had 8 siblings and my mom also had 8 siblings.

Joyce’s brother Oliver was a good friend of Marvin Kuhn and when I read the messages from Mel Kuhn I can sure see he is related to Marvin he has the same humor.

Take care.

Marie Iverson(Staub)60

Marie’s initial reply:

Hi Gary,

Yes , I have been getting all of your EMAILS.

I’ve never been interested in the computer until you started sending all these wonderful memories.

I’m not sure yet about the dinner but were going to see if we can rearrange some things to be there.

By the way I talked to Joyce Flaata yesterday and she said to say hi.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.

Have a great anniversary.

Keep up the good work I really look forward every day to these EMails

Marie Iverson Staub 60

Note: Marie’s cousin, Joyce Flaata, lives south of Vinje church up in the hills. We were all members of the Metigoshe Lutheran Churches.

Message from Bob Lykins (Teacher):

Gary, Congratulations to you and Bernadette on thirty years of wedded bliss.  God bless and have a great time in one of my favorite cities in the Far East, Hong Kong. Bob Lykins

Message from Sharon Longie Dana (73):

Gary, I just wanted to wish you and your lovely wife a Happy Anniversary!!!!!!  Next August i will be married to my sailor for 30 years !!!! Its always funny to me when people ask how long I have been married and i say 29 years and they a lot of them say to the same guy…makes me laugh, I have a girlfriend who has been married 3 times and she says and i still haven’t hit 29…. Have a great trip!!! Sharon Longie Dana(73)

My apologies to Dick Johnson:

Dick, I totally forgot to include this picture with the posting of your message yesterday.  I knew I had seen the picture when you replied asking if it came through after seeing I had not included the picture with the posting.  You are just too polite.  You should have told me I screwed up and didn’t include the picture. When I went looking for the picture, just now, I discovered it was included with your message I posted yesterday. I am so sorry for this mix up.  Gary

Dick’s reply to include picture:

Lloyd Awalt–If Bonnie will keep typing, keep sending memories. We enjoy them. Your mention of the big hailstorm had me remembering the picture of that storm that is in the Dunseith history book so I scanned it for those who don’t have the book yet. The caption under the picture says 1943. Thanks for the memories! Thanks Gary for your tireless posting of these memories of old Dunseith! Dick