Reply to Lee Hosmer’s Birthday greeting
From Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Love from your favorite daughter,
Colette
Face book posting
From Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
Aggie, This was just too good not to post. You are a saint. Gary
![]() Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the birthday greetings.
![]() Wally/I and any of Wally’s family who don’t have other plans are going to eat out. The relatives had short notice, as I had planned to be in Bottineau for my birthday
I think you/Mel Kuhn have decided I’m 30–sounds good to me!! LOL!!
I see Debbie’s sister, Roberta Soland, passed away. I plan to locate her obituary (The funeral home’s URL is included in her obituary.) and send it. I don’t think I’ve sent it before, or have I?
Neola
Reply from Larry Hackman (66): Bismarck, ND
Gary
Dick is right, I am the quiet ,shy type, and
I often stood off to one side and watched the other young fellows play in the puddles and the mud.
I stayed above the fray, and stayed cool, you know what I mean, kind of like the Fonz (Henry Winkler), from Happy Days
without the booster cable neck tie. However, I did eventually own a new $20.00 pair of black engineer boots that I bought at Hassen’s Store with money that I earned. That was about as close as I ever come to looking like the Fonz. They were a size to big, but I think someone convinced me that I would grow into them. I never did, but I wore them all the time anyway, until I wore them out. Some day I’ll have to buy another pair that fits. Maybe it was a good thing that I spent that summer working on my Uncles farm wearing them big clod hoppers.
That pictures of Dick on yesterdays blog amazed me. That was Dick Johnson!
I still can’t believe that the fellow on them pictures (Little Dick) is the same fellow we know now.
It is however, how I remember Dick, with black rimmed glasses, light colored hair with a heinie.
He definitely did stretch out after awhile, but I remember that he also kept the same look
for as long as I can remember. Then I saw him at one of the school reunions and saw that he had become his dad.
But for the longest time I often wondered what that Norwegian kid was doing sporting a German hair cut?
I was beginning to think that he must have been adopted?
Heinie
I do what I can!
Everyone have a good day,
Larry
Picture From Martha Lamb Schepp (68): Newburg, ND
Martha, I missed your message that was included with the picture you sent that was posted yesterday. Normally the messages appear on top of the attachments. For some reason your message was displayed on the bottom and I missed it. So sorry about that. Gary
PS – You most certainly have a family to be proud of.
As requested, Martha’s reply for today’s posting with the re-posting of the picture. Thank you Martha.
Gary, I just thought I would do a 38 year upgrade when I e-mailed our
family picture to you. Here’s the whole story. Lto R On the couch is our youngest son Karson with son Daxton Edwin Next couple is our third son,Kyle(agronomist at United Agronomy in Next couple is Kristen Lee, our 2nd son( farmer/diesel mechanic) and Lynn, my husband and myself. Lynn retired last spring from managing Kevin, our oldest son(director of Occupational Therapy at the Heart We feel very blessed. Lynn and Martha Lamb Schepp class of 68 Joke of the day
Posted by Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
A guy goes to the bank to cash a check. He asks the young blonde
cashier if he can have all large bills. She replies, “I’m sorry sir but all of our bills are the same size.” Dick |
12/08/2011
Happy Birthday Leona (Lee) Hosmer: Wilsonville, OR
![]() Happy Birthday Joan Tremblay Johnson (DHS ’79): Dunseith, ND
![]() Happy Birthday Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Replies from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65): Belcourt, ND
Renee (St.Claire) Salmonson,
I am very sorry to hear of your illness, I will say a special prayer for you that all will be healed and never return. God bless you Renee Ginger (LaRocque) Poitra Pete Gillis
I am very sorry that your cancer returned, hope all goes well with the chemo. I will say a special prayer for you as well that you also will be healed. God bless you Pete Ginger(LaRocque) Poitra Picture From Martha Lamb Schepp (68): Newburg, ND
Martha,
This is a beautiful picture. I am assuming this is your family? To be honest, the only one I recognize in this photo is you. You have not changed. The guy sitting on the sofa is a resemblance of your Dad, Floyd Lamb, so I am assuming he is your son?
Please identify so we can re-post with all the names.
Thanks,
Gary
![]() Larry Hackman (Hienie Haircut)
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
In reply to Larry Hackman about my hienie haircut. He doesn’t Dick ![]() ![]() Joke of the day
Posted by Randy Flynn (70): Happy Valley, OR.
A blonde goes to the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards.
She says to the clerk, “May I have 50 Christmas stamps?” The Clerk says, “What denomination?” The blonde says, “God help us. Has it come to this? Give me 22 Catholic, 10 Lutheran, 8 Presbyterian, and 6 Baptists” |
12/07/2011
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11/27/2011
Correction: Kenny Hill, not Kenny Hiatt From Lyle Olson (’75): West Fargo, NDGary, in my comments about Jack Flynn I mentioned that Jack hayed with Wally and Kenny Hiatt. It was actually Kenny Hill And Wally Hiatt. My apologies to Kenny Hiatt, if there is a Kenny Hiatt. Thanks for the correction Lyle,
Reply from Mel Kuhn (’70): St. John, ND Gary, I figure that Larry and Henry Hackman must have made it back to Bismarck from their camping trip to Rugby. I say this because Larry is back on his computer. He told me that they found a really nice new camping spot there in Rugby for their campers. He said it was right there in front of the Shopko store. Nice and flat with lines painted for where you were supposed to park. He said they were a little stingy with the size of the spots though and there weren’t many trees. Just that one tall skinny one with a light bulb on top. He said the light was kind of handy though when you wanted to kick back in your lawn chair and have a beer after dark. Dicky Johnson should be getting home from his vacation on Sunday also. He’s been gone to that Norwegian thing down there in Minot all week. Da Hoste Fest or something like that they call it. I should be able to tell when he gets home, there’ll be that unmistakable odor of Lutefisk coming from the West. I hope you can understand this I have a heck of a time writing in Norwegian. Well y’all have a good day now y’ear. Later. Mel Posting From Allen Houle (’67): Villages, FL. From a skinny kid who attended an elementary boarding school called Notre Dame Academy, and attended middle and high school in Dunseith. Put myself thru college and had a great high school teaching/coaching career that lasted 36 years. I’m retired now and spending my winters in Florida at a place called the Villages. It’s a retirement community 50 miles north of Orlando. People here call it Paradise and it certainly is, but I like to think of it as Disneyland for grownups. It’s Disneyland every day. So many activities here that you can’t possible do them all. I’m playing a little softball, bowling and of course golfing. I feel very blessed. What a country!!!!!! Allen Houle Inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame
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11/26/2011
1965 class Prophecy written in 1965.
46 years later, this so interesting to read
Prophecy
CLASS OF 1965 (Retyped from original supplied by Carol Jasper-Ross)
As we look into our crystal ball we can vaguely see the future of the members of the Class of ’65.As the picture becomes more vivid we see Bill Grimme as the head of Grimme and Son’s Torpedo Plant.Even though he is gray and wrinkled with age he still manages to fill his chair.
Under a spreading oak tree we find Alan Boguslawski busily composing his tenth symphony, which we hope will be played in La Scala like his other nine.
It is now 1975 and we see Ernie Gottbreht and his beautiful bride, Dana, as he carries her across the threshold of the forty room mansion which has just been completed by E. J. Gottbreht, Inc.
It is now 1980 and it appears that when Patty Boguslawski got her marriage license she also received a boss’s license to run Dale’s, the name of which has been changed to “Patty’s Palace”.The place has grown considerably for no longer is the café existing but a 17 room steak house has been erected in its place and Patty can be seen on hands and knees scrubbing floors daily.
It is 1975 and we see Helen Vogels still riding the surf but as we get a better view we see ten little surfers coming behind her; she must have found her seven foot dream man.
It seems that Eli Whitney has finally run into great competition in keeping his name in the history books as Gary Stokes has recently invented a hydro-electric manure spreader.The profits from his invention will be used to finance his growing family.
It’s 1979 and Jean Abrahamson has finally completed her business course in Minot and has accepted a job at the Security State Bank as head cashier, but the income must not be too stupendous as she still carries her egg crates across the street each morning to the Red Owl Agency.
John Bedard has taken over his father’s business, but apparently he is still girl shy as he is the one and only eligible bachelor, although his lady butler is still working on him.
Dunseith has finally been blessed with its own live entertainment which the public can enjoy every Saturday night in the parking lot behind Hosmer’s Store featuring Carol Jasper singing the latest “Hillbilly Hits”.She is trying hard to be a success and all contributions are appreciated.
It is a happy day for Gladys Roussin as she runs across the Dunseith Airport to meet her fiancée who has just returned from 18 years of loyal service in the United States Air Force.
We find Esther Murray behind bars at the “State Pen”. She has just been convicted for bigamy since she couldn’t choose between her many loves.They are all still very faithful as they all come to visit her regularly.
Kenny Nerpel has finally been hired as chief flower picker by his father-in-law, Mr. Vogels, although Mary is of great help when she can distinguish between the roses and the red headed kids.
Peter Gillis is still driving the streets of the city.His younger days must have influenced his present occupation for he is now Chief of Police of the booming metropolis of Dunseith.
Cecile Berube is still trying to get to Rome but due to financial problems she has to construct a raft to hold her and sixteen kids.She is a sad gal since Morgan’s Lumber Company won’t permit her husband to leave town until he pays for his lumber.
The biggest success of the Class of ’65 is none other than Barbara Kalk who has been in Hollywood for a number of years now.Last year she won an Oscar for the fastest curtain puller.
Word has just been received by us that Allen Richard has just turned down a proposal for the 50th time.He is still waiting for Juliet to make her appearance.Good luck Allen.
It’s 1998 and poor John Awalt is once again on crutches due to the fact that his wife Joan accidentally slammed the garage door on his leg as he was pushing his ’55 Chevy into the garage.
Back in a dismal corner of the Post Office we find Susan Fassett sitting in a rocking chair waiting for the mail truck to arrive.It seems her age has finally crept up on her, but even though the mail is often late her motto is “Better Late than Never”.
It is now the year 1980 and we find the business booming at the Crystal Café since the new proprietors Ginger LaRocque and Anthony Poitra took over.They will never be at a loss for waitresses and pearl divers as they are awaiting their eighth girl.
We now see Joe Casavant operating his own dairy farm which consists of one skinny cow and a flock of registered chickens which he claims lay golden eggs.
We see that Angela Berube is a very devoted wife to her disabled veteran who had the misfortune of losing his big toe while cleaning his rifle; but that doesn’t stop him from helping her in her poppy factory.
Ten years from now if you happen to be in the flourishing city of Thorne and are in need of a good taxi cab driver just call on Rene Casavant who got his well rounded cab driver’s education in old DHS.
Margaret Metcalfe is in seventh heaven since she has just taken over her father’s ranch and now her only desire is to get ahold of some good ranch hand who will also make a prospective husband.
After twenty years of hard labor as a grease monkey Henry Hackman has been promoted to assistant manager of Robert’s Service.Some may say the promotion was due to the fact that he married the boss’s daughter.
It is now 1985 and everyone is closely watching Warren Anderson fight for the Heavyweight Championship of that year.He is sure to win because of his daily practice on his wife, Carol Pritchard.
We no longer see the smiling face of Joan Salmonson seated in the office of DHS as her place has been filled by Helen Rivard who couldn’t bear to leave the educational atmosphere of school life.
Clifford Henry has just inherited his father’s farm and his main crops are rye and little football players.
This concludes the prophesy of the Class of 1965. Dunseith High School class of 1938
Folks,
According to my records there are 10 living from the class of 1938. Please review their class matrix below and get back to me with any changes.
Thanks,
Gary
Dunseith High School Class of 1938
![]() Dunseith High School class of 1938
Joke of the day
WOMEN WHO KNOW THEIR PLACE
Barbara Walters, of 20/20, did a story on gender roles in Kabul , their husbands. Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem happy to maintain the old custom. Ms Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, ‘Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?’ The woman looked MsWalters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation said, “Land mines.” Moral of the story is (no matter what language you speak or where you go): BEHIND EVERY MAN, THERE’S A SMART WOMAN |
11/25/2011
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11/24/2011
No Blog yesterday
For the record I was unable to get a blog out yesterday.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Bernadette and I are invited to an expat (group of foreigners) potluck Thanksgiving dinner this evening. Since I am the one with the email list, I disseminate the info to everyone and they most often reply to me. We are expecting about 60 folks, so it will be a big party. After putting the message out about the Potluck, I quickly realized that a lot of folks from other countries do not know what a potluck is. Bernadette is frying up about 70 pieces of chicken and preparing about 25lbs of mashed potatoes with gravy. The host is providing Turkey and Ham. I think a lot of the guests will be bringing deserts and Salads, so we should have a good Thanksgiving dinner.
Gary
Steven Evans
Folks, Steven is the young man that got killed in a head on car accident, with his brother in the other car, on the road that runs adjacent to the south side of the peace garden. His family is the one that purchased the Zeiler farm. Gary
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From the Archives
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Will J Hiatt 12/11/1891 – 11/30/1973
Margaret (Margie) Hiatt 11/13/1903 – 9/25/1993 ![]() Rene and John Bedard on John’s 85th birthday
![]() Joke of the day
The wise old Mother Superior from County Tipperary was dying. The nuns gathered around her bed trying to make her comfortable. They gave her some warm milk to drink, but she refused it.
One nun took the glass back to the kitchen. Remembering a bottle of Irish whiskey received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened it and poured a generous amount into the warm milk.
Back at Mother Superior’s bed, she held the glass to her lips. Mother drank a little, then a little more. Before they knew it, she had drunk the whole glass down to the last drop.
“Mother,” the nuns asked her earnestly, “Please give us some wisdom before you die.” She raised herself up in bed with a pious look on her face and said, “Don’t sell that cow!”
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11/19/2011
Condolences to the Ethan Pottenger Family
From Aggie Casavant (’69): Fort Mill, SC
Although I did not know Ethan, I knew his Mom Jarilyn,his Grandmom, Arla,and his Aunt Jacquiline, I worked with all three in the kitchen at the Dunseith Nursing Home for a couple years. There is no words that can convey the heart break I feel for your family. It’s just all too sad…I’m so sorry…Peace, Love and Prayers to each and everyone of you, now…. and thru the difficult days ahead. Aggie Casavant
Recent Fatal area accidents
Message from Vickie Metcalfe ‘(70): Bottineau, ND
Gary,
In the Bottineau/Dunseith area, many friends and loved ones are reeling with grieving after two separate, serious accidents within a short period of time.
We cannot even begin to imagine the pain of loss with in the families affected.
Sincerely, Vickie Metcalfe
from today’s Williston Herald
The Highway Patrol says 20-year-old Steven Evans was heading east on a gravel road south of the International Peace Garden following a pickup truck.
Troopers say a car driven west by 18-year-old Christopher Evans of Dunseith entered snow fog kicked up by the pickup, and the two cars collided on a hillcrest.
The wreck killed Steven Evans. Christopher Evans was injured. Attention Annie Atherton family members
Message from Susan Fassett Martin (’65): Spearfish SD
I have a treasure that I would like to give to any family member of Annie Atherton that might like it. I have a bag with two crocheted scarf ends that were in my mother’s things. The note says, “crocheted scarf ends given to Ed and Alpha (Gunderson) for a wedding gift. Made by Mrs Evenstad, Annie Atherton’s mother.” Alpha gave them to my mother, Irene Fassett in 1983 when she was in AZ. Ed and Alpha were married in 1929. If there is anyone on this distribution list that is a descendant and would like them let me know. Susan
Reply to the cattle drive picture posted yesterday
From Vickie Metcalfe ‘(70): Bottineau, ND
Gary, Dick and Lloyd,
Wow! What a photo!
Thank you three ___for sharing the photo of the 1927 cattle drive.
I noticed the name Buchanan on the bottom. I recalled my dad holding him fondly in high regard in his memories.
When my father, a young teen moved into Dunseith with his widowed mother in the mid 1930’s,
it was folks like Mr. Buchanan & KC Sine among others who gave Dad at age, 13 odd jobs around town.
As I was reading the blog this morning just after 6:00 a.m. the radio was on and Dircks Bently was singing the song “Home”.
Here’s to those of us who were “country when country wasn’t cool.”
We still continue to be country, as we listen to “Home”, and feel proud.
Deborah Lavalee, for allowing Mark to share with us your tribute to Veterans. Thank YOU.
Deborah is was so neat to listen to “Home” while reading your wonderful tribute about folks_Veterans,
who have called this area “home”, and find more knowledge about
everyday people among us who are true HEROES and role models for all of us. Vickie
From: Larry Liere (’55) Devils Lake, ND & Mesa, AZ
At the North Dakota National Guard Retirement Weekend, Retired Army & Air National Guard people meet for a reunion.
These prior service members get together at Camp Grafton, once a year to hear what the National Guard is doing
in North Dakota, the Nation and the World since they met a year ago. There is also time set aside for good meals,
fellowship, dancing and visiting with old friends. Pictured on the shore of beautiful (flooding) Devils Lake which is on
the South side of Camp Grafton are left to right CW4 Ret. Larry Liere, Karen Liere, COL Ret. Virgil Rude, and
Geraldeen Rude. We and the Rudes had a great time talking about the old days in the Guard, Dunseith, and Bottineau.
It was sad that General C. Emerson Murray, Dunseith class of 1942, was not with us this year. General Murray was the
person that started this Retirement Weekend.
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11/13/2011
Happy Birthday Aggie Casavant (DHS ’69):
![]() Happy Birthday Lynn Halvorson Otto (DHS ’75)
![]() Happy Birthday Jennifer Bergan (Fargo HS ’96)
![]() Jessie Page family question
From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND.
Gary and Friends,
The winter quarter of ’68-’69 I rented a room for $25. a month Dick Bottineau ’68 class picture
Reply from Allen Richard (’65): Midland, MI
I loved seeing the class of ’68 pictures from Bottineau! Typical, somebody misspelled Diane Richard(s) —- converting the name from French to English — Happens every day! GRRR!
Ann is now Married to Senator David O’Connell. David is the best friend I have — or had– in my time in North Dakota politics. David was best my best man when I married Susan on Dec. 31, 1991 in Minneapolis. David and Anadine, his late wife, drove my older kids, Kelani, Marya and Nathan to the wedding and back.
He and his late wife Anadine were God Parents for my daughter Alaina, who some of you met at the reunion.
David and Ann (Carbonneau) O’Connell are the perfect couple! Two of my all time favorite people.
Ann was my date for the ’65 prom. We were returning from a date when she said– “Hey Grampa got his new car.” I bought the little ’65 F-85 from Ann’s Dad Emery in 1980 — for $225. Kelani, Marya, Nathan and I put 100,000 miles on it. It still runs. Best car investment I ever made!!
I farmed 320 acres for Ann’s dad, Emery for 10 years.
Small world! My VERY best wishes to everyone!!
Allen Richard
Reply from Sue (Gary) Metcalfe: Forsyth, MO
To Aggie…..OH THANK YOU, THANK YOU for reinforcing the fact that I am not the only one to lose long letters that I take the time to write. Anyone remember the old, WEB TV system that came out years ago…..well, it was so simple and I miss it tons!! They stopped making it because we needed something FASTER with more capacity I guess. Anyway, you and Neola have encouraged me! Sue Metcalfe
Memories from my son (Larry Hackman JR.)
Posted by Larry Hackman (66): Bismarck, ND
Gary
I got nice notes from my family yesterday thanking me for my service to our country.
I want to pass on that thank you to everyone. “THANK YOU“
My son wrote about memories of our hunting together days
when he was just knee high to a grasshopper
and a thank you note for my service.
It brought a tear to my eye.
He was always a good boy.
Just a reminder to everyone to send a note once- in- awhile to them you love.
The computer makes it easy.
They will appreciate it.
His e-mail is attached for your enjoyment.
Larry
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Hi Gary,
Look at the great picture I found! Jerome/Jerry Boucher has been mentioned in your newsletters. I think, at that time, I told you I have a picture of Jerry/Jim somewhere. As you can see, I found it–quite by accident. I wish it was a little more clear, but if you know Jerry or Jim, you can recognize them.
Neola
![]() Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net Bottineau & Minot, ND
Sherri Slyter Millang – Owner/manager of Sher’s Cafe, Lake Metigoshe
Hi Gary,
I just visited with Sher and told her I plan to be a vendor at her craft sale on December 3. It appears she’ll have several interesting/different vendors. It should be fun. Hopefully, many people will check it out.
As you can see, I “doctored up” Sher’s flyer–added “Neola’s Caramels” to it. I would have added other vendors’ products, but I don’t know how to describe them in a couple of words.
Neola
![]() Joke of the day
Posted by Larry Hackman (66): Bismarck, ND
A lawyer and a senior citizen are sitting next to each other on a long flight.
The lawyer is thinking that seniors are so dumb that he could get one over on them easily.
So, the lawyer asks if the senior would like to play a fun game.
The senior is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines and tries to catch a few winks.
The lawyer persists, saying that the game is a lot of fun….”I ask you a question, and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me only $5.00. Then you ask me one, and if I don’t know the answer, I will pay you $500.00,” he says.
This catches the senior’s attention and, to keep the lawyer quiet, he agrees to play the game.
The lawyer asks the first question. “What’s the distance from the Earth to the Moon?”
The senior doesn’t say a word, but reaches into his pocket, pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer.
Now, it’s the senior’s turn. He asks the lawyer, “What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?”
The lawyer uses his laptop to search all references he can find on the Net.
He sends E-mails to all the smart friends he knows; all to no avail. After an hour of searching, he finally gives up.
He wakes the senior and hands him $500.00. The senior pockets the $500.00 and goes right back to sleep.
The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the senior up and asks, “Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?”
The senior reaches into his pocket, hands the lawyer $5.00, and goes back to sleep. |
11/12/2011
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11/11/2011
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11/10/2011
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11/09/2011
Dunseith Caribbean Cruise update From Gina, our travel agent.
Hello Gary,
Thank you and I see you are missing one cabin for your list: Terry & LeaRae Espe.
NCL needs me to finalize your group now, as I have been putting this off for a bit now.
(hoping and wishing to get you that 24th cabin to calculate your Group credit amount).
Your Group has confirmed mostly ocean view cabins which means NCL will base your
Group rebate amount on the base price of the ocean view cabins held for your group:
The ocean view base cruise price is $489.00 (the amount with all the taxes deducted).
Your group has earned two of these as a rebate to be applied to your final payments.
($489 plus $489 for a total rebate amount of: $978.00 which is divided by: 23 cabins).
All 23 cabins will be confirmed for a $42.53 cabin discount with their final payment.
Final payments should be called in or emailed to me prior to 5pm EST November 18th.
In addition to your group rate, I have also confirmed a one hour “group” cocktail party.
I’ll request first night of cruise and if not possible then it will be the 2ndnight of cruise.
I’ve also added a $50 onboard cabin creditand a bottle of champagne for every cabin.
For any cabins booked after today they will receive the above three group amenities.
(however their cabin would not be eligible to re-calculate the group discount amount).
Please let me know any and all questions.
Thank you and best regards,
Gina
Gina S. Ford Cruise At Will, Inc. Cruise and Travel Planners 1-866-870-6986 (toll free) 703-580-1190 (local)
ND Small Business People annual event
Message from Blanche Wicks Schley (’42): Grand Forks, ND
Gary, I don’t have your e-mail address. I have read the good stories about ND people. This last weekend over 200
ND small business people were here in Grand Forks for the annual event. This group are mostly people who have turned a hobby into a business — jelly makers, wine, jewelry and so many crafts. This is an annual event and the shows are held in Minot, GF, Fargo and Bismarck. There are a lot of talented people in this state who are willing to share their talent and we are the lucky ones — we get to be able to buy “home” made gifts. We are so fortunate that these people were willing to stay in the state and share their talents with the general public ( for a price ). Keep up the good work and to everyone out in computer land from ND — have a wonderful holiday!
Blanche Wicks Schley
Request for Aggie Casavant (’69)
From Paula Fassett (’71): North Branch, MN
Aggie…..PLEASE tell us the story of being beat up by a 78-year-old woman in Texarkana…
Paula Fassett
Growing up in ND and State Tournament memories
From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Boonton, NJ
Recorded History
Message from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
Hello all, Recorded history. Gary Stokes what your blog does, in my opinion, above all is to provide an opportunity for anyone that felt left out of Prairie Past and Mountain Memories a record of familieis and events that a group of Dunseith citizens compiled.
I took advantage of written history and brought up Jack Dempsey on the internet, a boxer whom my dad thought was the greatest boxer of all time. It was great to be able to see him in action via internet. He came from a humble beginning in Colorado, a good looking man, one hand as dangerous as the other and knocked out most of his opponents in the first round. Then I looked to the old 34th infantry WWII, to find an outfit like the Texas company that had 400 front line combat days, just did not cut it with the 34th and their 600 days of front line combat days. There is a wealth of history on the internet now
Then for something to do I punched in Newman Lake, Washington. A lake near the Idaho border and Spokane. I found a website that told a lot about Mr. Newman. This was a place I spent so many happy months at the end of the war. If I was not so dog gone lazy I would contribute to their website and tell them about the Thoms who were our landlords and had a floating store on the lake. They gave me an 18″square box of candy…what a gift for a six year old boy!! The Thoms were related to Mr. Newman.
Most of the memories my dad gifted me with, hundreds of them, will be lost to history because I become frustrated when I try to write stories that are interesting.
I take my hat off to Larry Hackman and Dick Johnson and all other contributors who help this blog stay interesting. Where are you Aggie/
It is frustrating with our new computer because about the time Sue gets a paragraph typed….viola it disappears and we must start all over again! If I was running the computer I would find out from Dick Johnson what those X’s and O’s mean, and I think I would use them plenty about this stage of the message.
Thank you Gary. Gary Metcalfe
Joke of the day
Posted by Sharon Zorn Gerdes (62): Windsor, CO
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11/08/2011
ND work Ethic Story
From Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
Hi Gary,
Couldn’t miss the opportunity to share my expierence with the N.Dakota work ethic stories.
One night in 1985 while working at the Bismarck Tribune in Bismarck N.Dak. I noticed an ad in the paper advertising for a nanny in Houston Texas. With my restless spirit stirring in me once again, and always ready for a new adventure, I thought to myself…Hmmmmm
have never thought about being a “Nanny” before, I said to myself, “come on self, lets do it! So I applied for the job,and after about a month and a half of exchanging pictures, background checks and a couple conversations on the phone,and a back up plan with my family in case I was being set up to be kidnapped…LoL… I boarded a Greyhound Bus and headed for Houston. After a couple days on the bus, and getting beat up by a 78 year old women(which is a story for another time) I arrived at the Greyhound Bus terminal in Houston at about 10:30 p.m, with my glasses broke, my face scratched and swollen, I began the task of trying to find David and Nancy Anderson,the couple I was to baby sit for. After the crowd thinned out in the bus terminal, we saw each other, needless to say, they looked a bit stunned at the condition I was in. After our greetings, I started kinda laughing and told them I can explain the bruises, so I went on to explain to them how I came to get beat up on the bus by a 78year old women in the middle of the night in Texarkana. After the shock wore off them, we ended up by having a few good laughs,and went to the house that was to be my home for the next 2 years. Approximately after being at the Andersons for about 3 months I asked Nancy “What in the world made you put an ad for a nanny all the way up in N.Dakota? She explained that, “three of the other attorneys in Davids law firm got their nannys from N.Dakota, and according to the nanny agency that his law partners went thru, that the nannys from N.Dak. were the most honest, hard working, and reliable, then any other state.
After being at David and Nancy’s for 4-5 months I went to the grocery store. While walking around the store, this lady ran into a display of can food and knocked them all over the floor,and just kept going. I stopped and started setting the display up the best I knew how…pretty soon I heard this voice behind me say”Bless your heart,that’s awfully nice of you to do that,seeings your not the one who knocked it down the lady said, then she went on to ask, “Where are you from? I answered N.Dakota…Why?…she smiled and said,”I knew it had to be somewhere like that, cuz no-one from here would of ever stopped to make right, somebody elses mess.
After 2 years in Houstons I came here to Ft.Mill S.C. to work for the Jim and Tammy Bakers P.T.L Ministry, where two of Tammys brothers Donny and Larry Grover worked.. Donny a mechanic, and Larry was over the landscaping dept. where I worked. One day while I was out planting flowers with about 30 other employees, Larry pulled up in his jeep and hollered, “Hey Aggie! Come over hear I need to talk to you. When I got over to his jeep, he reached out and hugged me around the neck with one arm,and said, Hey shorty, you’ve been keeping a big secret from me? I said, Huh? secret? (I started getting a little nervous,cuz I did’t really know him that well,all I knew is that he was Tammy’s brother and he had alot of power within the ministry. He must of saw the nervous look on my face,cuz he kept hugging me and started laughing,and said,” I didn’t know you were from N.Dakota,and I said, yeah why? And he said,” A couple years back when I use to be wild and foolish and B.C….before i started living for Christ, I use to own a bar in Fargo, N.Dak. He went on to say,”Some of the nicest most honest hardest working people I’ve ever known”. Then he told me as he was getting back into his jeep,”jump in, your just the person I was looking for to work up at Jim and Tammys house. He then went on to tell me to pick anyone out of the 200 landscaping employees, that I thought would be a good worker,and could be trusted not to run to the news media with Jim and Tammy stories. So I picked my best friend Theresa…and the rest is history…. Hope you all have a blest day
![]() 1971 – 1972 Dunseith Dragans Basketball Team/Picture
Reply from Les Halvorson (Teacher & Btno radio sports announcer): Bottineau, ND
Hi Gary and Blog readers,
The pic of the 71-72 Dragon BB team brought back a lot of memories for me…that was my first year of teaching at DHS and this was an excellent BB team. Many folks will be able to identify this group……Back row left to right: Kathy Schimetz, Lyle Olson, Jim Mellmer, Curt Berg, Don Olson, Tim Gunville and Trish Larson. Front row: Linus Faine, Terry “Pie” Counts, George Malaterre, Coach Larry Haugen, Don “Duck” Malaterre, Curt Hagel and Greg Evans. I’m sure Kathy and Trish were excellent stats girls as they were both excellent students. The cheerleaders if memory serves me correctly were LaRae Hagel, Lynn Gillis, Loraine and Loretta Neameyer, Gail Halvorson and Becky Coleman. These Dragons won the dist. tournament in Rugby where they defeated Rolette in the title game; beat a good Valley Hoople team in the regional semi final game and Munich in the championship game in Grafton to go on to the state tournament at the Aud. in Minot. In the first game at the state they played Berthold and lead at one point by 15 in the first half..lost the lead by half time..got up by 16 or so in the second half , lost that lead and lost the game 58-57. I think it was a case of nerves as the Dragons were a much better team. In the consolation round they had no competition and breezed thru that beating Fessenden 60-57 and New Leipzig 76-64 for the fifth place title. Mayville-Portland won the state title that year and I still believe to this day that the Dragons could have beat them if they would have won that first game and moved into the championship bracket. The Dragons had good size with Curt Berg and Jim Mellmer at forwards, big Don Olson in the middle and a couple of sharp shooting guards in Pie Counts and Greg Evans. Those that came in off the bench contributed as well every game. The Dragons ended up with just 3 losses that year..Berthold in the state tournament and lost to Class “A” Langdon and the Wolford Wolves. They ended up with a 26-3 record. This 71-72 team was a group of excellent athletes and a fine group of young kids…they were fun in be around in the classroom and around the school. Larry Haugen came to Botno after that and coached the Braves for many years..he has now retired from education but still is in the painting business and hunts and fishes. Thanks Gary for all you do and for the memories, Les Halvorson Hi again Gary,
One other player on the 71-72 team that played alot but not pictured was Jeff Evans. Jeff was a junior that year. Thanks, Les H. Reply from Trish Larson Wild (73): Fort Collins, CO
Gary,
I forgot this photo existed. That is me on the right and Kathy Schimetz on the left. We were the student managers that year. She and I washed a lot of uniforms that year… We also attended every game and practice and kept stats on every shot taken in every game, and Coach Haugen would post the results so the players knew what they needed to work on. We made it to State in Minot that year. Even though we didn’t take first, I will never forget all tjhe cars that drove out to meet us as the bus came back into town. I think everyone felt like heroes because of that show of support.
I could give you most of the names of these players, but I will let others do that. It was a great year, and we were the first femsle student managers at Dunseith. Larry Haugen was a great coach, a class act, and a kind man. I never saw him yell at a player.
Trish Larson 73
Reply from Linda Johnson Juntunen (72) Perth, ND
Front: Linus Faine, Terry Marion??(not so sure on this one), George Malaterre, Coach Haugan??,Don Malaterre, Curt Hagle, Greg Evans
Back: Lyle Olson, Jim Melmer, Curt Berg, Don Olson, Tim Gunville
Gals: I’m thinking Kathy Schimetz and Trish Larson
I am sure others know better than I! Reply from Art Hagen (72): Bottineau, ND
Sitting from left to right: Linus Finn(Fine, spell check), Terry Count, George Melaterre, Coach Larry Haugen, Donald Melaterre, Curt Hagel, Greg Evans
Standing from left to right: Kathy Schimetz, Lyle Olson, Jim Melmer, Curt Burg, Don Olson, Tim Gunville
Back: Kathy Schimetz, Lyle Olson, Jim Melmer, Curt Berg, Don Olson, Tim Gunville, Trish Larson Front: Linus Faine, Terry Counts (Poitra), George Malaterre, Coach Larry Haugen, Don Malaterre, Curt Hagel, Greg Evans
![]() Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Note: Clarence Berg was a brother to Erling
![]() Posting of the day
Posted by Cecile Gouin Craig (’61): Windsor, CO
Several of these kinda hit home, brought back some good memories. Cecile Gouin Craig 61
SUBJECT: Small Town
It’s our childhood!!! Those who grew up in small towns will laugh when they read this. Those who didn’t will be in disbelief and won’t understand how true it 1) You can name everyone you graduated with. 2) You know what 4-H means. 3) You went to parties at a pasture, barn, gravel pit, or in the middle 4) You used to’drag’Main 5) You whispered the ‘F’ word and your parents knew within the hour. 6) You scheduled parties around the schedules of different police 7) You could never buy cigarettes because all the store clerks knew how 8) When you did find somebody old enough and brave enough to buy 9) You knew which section of the ditch you would find the beer your 10) It was cool to date somebody from the neighboring town. 11) The whole school went to the same party after 12) You didn’t give directions by street names but rather by 13) The golf course had only 9 holes. 14) You couldn’t help but date a friend’s 15) Your car stayed filthy because of the dirt 16) The town next to you was considered ‘trashy’ or ‘snooty,’ but was 17) You referred to anyone with a house newer then 1955 as the ‘rich’ 18) The people in the ‘big city’ dressed funny, and then 19) Anyone you wanted could be found at the local gas station or the 20) You saw at least one friend a week driving a tractor through town or one of your friends driving a grain truck to school occasionally.
21) The gym teacher suggested you haul hay for the summer to get 22) Directions were given using THE stop light as a reference. 23) When you decided to walk somewhere for 24) Your teachers called you by your older siblings’ names. 25) Your teachers remembered when they taught your parents. 26) You could charge at any local store or write checks without any ID. 27) There was no McDonalds. 28) The closest mall was over an hour away. 29) It was normal to see an old man riding through town on a riding lawn mower. 30) You’ve pee’d in a cornfield. 31) Most people went by a nickname. 32) You laughed your butt off reading this because you know it is true, I would not have wanted to have been raised any other Tough times don’t last… Tough people do… |
11/07/2011
Compliments of Rose Hohl (Art Hagen ’72) – One days stay in the Hilton
![]() Folks,
For Bernadette’s birthday last June, Rose gave her a certificate for a days stay at the Hilton. Yesterday we checked in at the Hilton. Upon checking in and going to our room we were pleasantly surprised to discover that Rose had booked a suite. My first thoughts were when we entered the room is “Where is the bed”? Then I saw the bedroom door. We checked in about 2:30 PM. They were still serving their lunch Buffet. It looked so good that we couldn’t resist. Luckily we had eaten light for day up to that point. There are a lot good buffet’s in area, but this is one of the best that we have had. The Hilton has 3 high rise buildings on a nice white sandy beach.
This was actually Bernadette’s 63rd. The gals were having fun reversing the numbers.
Thank you Rose,
Gary
![]() Folks,
Sue has been on our distribution for quite sometime now. Many of you know her and are also related to her. Sue’s mother, Mabel Berg, was a sister to my Aunt Helga Berg Petterson. Helga was married to my dad’s brother Nels. They lived in Everett, WA. Sue’s Dad, Clarence, was a brother to Erling Berg too, so she is a first cousin to all of the Erling Berg siblings. She is also a first cousin to Bonnie (Monte ’68) Berg Espe. Sue’s mother was a Berg married to a Berg. She didn’t loose her maiden name being married to Clarence.
Sue has been a hair stylist and Salon owner for years in the area too. Sue, I am not sure, but I think your salon is up at Lake Metighoshe?
Gary
ND Work Ethics
Reply from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
Reading yesterdays blog reminded me of a story my dad told about Dick
1971 – 1972 Dunseith Dragans Basketball team
Posted by Art Hagen (72): Dunseith, ND
Folks,
This picture was 7 years past my HS days, so I don’t recognize anyone in this picture. I know a lot of you are in this picture though. I have posted and enlargement below too. Who are the gals on each end? I will re-post with names.
Thanks Art for sharing,
Gary
![]() ![]() Joke of the day
Posted by Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND
A father put his 3 year old daughter to bed, told her a story and listened to her prayers which she ended by saying:’God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy, God bless Grandma and goodbye Grandpa.’
The father asked, ‘Why did you say goodbye Grandpa?’
The little girl said, ‘I don’t know daddy, it just seemed like the thing to do.’
The next day grandpa died.
The father thought it was a strange coincidence.
A few months later the father put the girl to bed and listened to her prayers which went like this: ‘God bless Mommy, God Bless Daddy and goodbye Grandma.’
The next day the grandmother died.
‘Holy s***!’ thought the father, “this kid is in contact with the other side.”
Several weeks later when the girl was going to bed the dad heard her say:
‘God bless Mommy and goodbye Daddy.’
He practically went into shock. He couldn’t sleep all night and got up at the crack of dawn to go to his office. He was nervous as a cat all day, had lunch and watched the clock.
He figured if he could get by until midnight he would be okay. He felt safe in the office, so instead of going home at the end of the day he stayed there, drinking coffee, looking at his watch and jumping at every sound.
Finally, midnight arrived; he breathed a sigh of relief and went home. When he got home his wife said ‘I’ve never seen you work so late, what’s the matter?
He said ‘I don’t want to talk about it; I’ve just spent the worst day of my life.’
She said, ‘You think you had a bad day, you’ll never believe what happened to me.
This morning my golf pro dropped dead in the middle of my lesson! |
11/06/2011
Happy Birthday Greg LaCroix (DHS ’66)
![]() Birthday greeting to Greg
From Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (68): Newark, Delaware
Happy Birthday to my beautiful big brother Greg La Croix. He turns 42 today. (at least this is what he told me) With Love from your sister Paulette North Dakota Folks – Successes
Reply from Doreen Larson Moran (‘BHS 61): Usk, WA & Hazelton, ND
Hi Gary from Sunny Turtle Mountains (at least still today) – snow is forecast to hit tonight and maybe tomorrow with lots of wind, but temperature is predicted to go back into the forties Monday/Tuesday. My brother Spencer Larson (BHS ’68) had visited with Greg Page at the Winter Ag show that Rod Hiatt referanced. At that time Greg had come from Singapore, the Asia-Pacific Cargill Headquarters which currently has 300 employees. Yes, there are a lot of success stsories from our part of the world. My dad, Ledolph went to Detroit in the late thirties to work at Ford Motor Company. There was a long line of applicants but when he was asked where he was from and he said North Dakota, he was told he was hired on the spot. They told him they knew they could depend on the North Dakota people. I believe Ben and Adolph Iverson were already employed at Ford Motor prior to that time. Since, if memory serves me correctly, he had said that it was Ben who encouraged him to pack up and get to Detroit. Ha, probably if I went to a box of old letters I might even find more information.
Doreen Larson Moran Joke of the Day
Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with that expensive
double-pane, energy-efficient kind and today I got a call from the
contractor who installed them. He complained that the work had been
completed a whole year ago and I still hadn’t paid for them.
Hellloooo, … just because I’m blonde doesn’t automatically mean that I am stupid. So, I told him just what his fast-talking sales-guy had told me last year, that in ONE YEAR these windows would
pay for themselves! Helllooooo? It’s been a year! … I told him.
There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up. He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot. |