Gary,  I don’t remember Summer school at all even though I remember that
Willow Lake used that system.  Dennis and Arnold Hiatt started school at
Willow Lake then transferred to Ackworth.  Jump back a few years
earlier.  My mother and Alice Hiatt were in the hospital at the same
time in the same room with the same problem  — me and Arnold.  He was
born about 2 hours before me.  Because he started Summer school at
Willow Lake he was a grade ahead of me when he transferred to Ackworth.
Anyway, when I finished the 5th grade, Mrs. Phelps, our teacher at the
time, moved me up to the 7th grade so Arnold and I could graduate at the
same time.  Don’t believe that happens much anymore if at all.  Change
of subject:  Mr. Phelps had a daughter, Arlene.  In Arlene’s senior year
in St. John, she got sick one day in school and passed away that same
day (in shool).  I found her obituary just a few days ago while looking
for something else. 

Dale Pritchard

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Note: Arnold Hiatt, son of Albert & Alice Hiatt, attended and graduated from Bottineau HS in 1963.  He was electrocuted and killed in a construction accident in the summer of 1964. Gary

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Gary and Friends, 

The last two unnamed band members; could the girl by Dwayne Lang be
Sandra Trevers? I think Janice Lacroix Kester would know if  Mick Kester
played the tuba, or if it is Jack Spaeth. How about it Janice? Thanks to
Ellen Graff Myrick and Karen Woodford Olson for the other names! I
started band in about 1961 and Don Darling was our director. Dad taught
in Rolette at the time and came to Dunseith in the fall of  ‘ 64. I
think he and Don Darling kind of traded places. Don Darling moved to
Minot later and worked at Northwest Music for many years, He passed away
about a year, or so, ago.
Speaking of Mickey Kester, can anyone else remember the basketball game
at the city hall when he was heading toward the north end of the court
for a layup and an opponent tripped him, slamming Mick’s head into the
furnace grate on the front of the stage? He hit HARD and was out cold
for a while! I bet Mick can remember! It was at one of these games where
I saw, for the first time, another kid [Jerry Wallette, I think?] pour a
bag of Planter’s Peanuts into a bottle of Orange Crush! I tried it–not
bad! Larry Hackman mentioned selling pop and candy at games. I think the
concessions was on the east side of the stairs and tickets were sold on
the west side. Am I right about that, guys? I think there was a small
ticket window opening into the stairs from both rooms and then a large
window in the main gym with an entry door beside it. It is hard to
remember as it will be 40 years ago this August, that it burned down. I
found this picture of the grade school boys team from 56-57, so will
include it. Thanks Gary!

Best Guess L to R:

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From Diane Larson Sjol (70): 

I enjoyed seeing the picture of Charlotte Lang.  I remember in fourth
grade or fifth she was teaching us about Champlain and his travels but
said she liked to call him Chapagne because she liked that word
better…funny the things you remember.

Diane, Charlotte was my first grade teacher in that very school the picture was taken in.  She also attended Ackworth in her school days.  My first grade year was the very last year of summer school at Ackworth.  The next year they switched to regular winter school. Also, my 8th grade year was the last year of school in Ackworth.  After that everyone was bused to Dunseith. Gary

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From Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,Most of the folks reading these messages will probably remember Axel
Johnson. He was my Grandpa Hans Johnson’s older brother and worked at
Dales cleaning and watching things at night. There are some things folks
may not have ever heard about Axel. He was married to a young lady by
the name of Mary Olson, who died in the flu epidemic in 1918. I think
she was only about 20 when she died. She is buried in the old cemetery
southeast of our place on the corner of  Peterson’s land. Axel was
single for many years before he remarried to Bernice Kelly in the late
1930s. During that time he was a local game warden and one time chased
an illegal trapper until the guy climbed a tree. Axel told him to come
down because he was going to ‘yail’, as Axel would have said in his
Norwegian brogue! The guy said he wasn’t coming down so Axel tied his
dog to the tree [mean dog] and then went to Bob Lambs and borrowed an ax
and chopped the tree down and took the guy to jail! He used to tell the
story about when he was in the hardware store in Dunseith and saw a guy
jump into the back of his old pickup to steal a case of beer that Axel
had bought for the ‘fort of yuly’, as he would say. He grabbed a steel
scoop shovel and whacked the guy over the head with it. He used to tell
us, ” It roong like da bell on da catlic church”. One other story he
liked to tell, was when the snow got so deep in the creek coulee east of
the farm, that the rabbits ate the top branches off the trees and left
them bare. He said the next fall some hunters from Minnesota asked him
what happened to the trees along the creek? He said,”I told them it was
the hungry rabbits last vinter, and they said, what the hell kind of
rabbits you got up here!” He had the loudest laugh and ended most of his
stories with a laugh! I couldn’t get to the end of most of his stories
without busting out laughing! He was born in Norway, as was my Grandpa
and their sister Louise. Axel and Grandpa never really lost the brogue,
it was fun to hear them talk! Grandpa said, “By the time I learned to
say ‘telewision’ they changed it to ‘t-we’! I have a hundred more
stories of Axel and Grandpa Hans, but maybe later!!  Again, thank you Gary!

Dick

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From Ellen Graff Myrick (58): 

Thank you Ellen.  Hopefully we can get those other 3 identified.  Gary

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Gary and Friends,My uncle Cliff Johnson bought a Ford Model A fourdoor car when he was
going to highschool in Towner, ND. He actually bought it from Jess
Hosmer’s dad, Joe Selzler, in about 1948. He owned many cars after that
and the old Model A just sat in the yard at the farm, where it was used
once in a while, to go to the field or pasture where they didn’t want to
use a good car. It had sat for a couple years without running and in the
early 60s I got it going and drove it around the farm. One day some
people stopped in and asked if it was for sale. Cliff said it was if
they had $50. They didn’t and drove off, much to my relief! He told
Grandma not to let them take the car if they didn’t have all the money!
I said I would like to buy it, to which he held out his hand for me to
put the money in! He went back to wherever he was teaching at the time
and I told Dad what Cliff had said. Dad said to send him some money and
a letter stating that I would be sending the rest when I could. It took
several months but I paid him the $50 and it was mine. John Bogus and I
put in a set of rings and ground the valves and had it running great.
Then it was time to fix up the body. I sanded the car by hand from one
end to the other and painted it green with some leftover paint I bought
from Jim’s Body Shop for ten bucks. The top is fabric and was about
shot. Where in Dunseith can you find a piece of canvas big enough to
cover the top–MY TENT, I don’t use it anymore anyway. With it tacked
down, I needed to put some tar or coating on it so I went up to Gambles
to see Art Henning. I told him I needed some tar. He asked why, and I
said for the top of my old car. Art took me down in the basement and on
a shelf sat two cans of DuPont Top Coat– the real thing for car
tops–Art said it was there for 30 years and he gave it to me!! The
interior was shot but again, where in town can you find upholstery
material that looks like 1929? I used seat covers and Mom sewed some
black cloth together for a headliner and I needed some stiff composite
material for the wrap around in the back behind the back seat. John and
I made a trip to the most logical place–the dumpground! There we found
some linoleum that we reversed and painted and we were ready for the
road! To you Model A purists, yes, the car is a 29 and the wheels and
headlights are 30, but they were all I had at the time.I still have this
old car in my collection but haven’t run it for many years. It still
looks the same as the picture but needs a REAL restoration to be
presentable! Someday, maybe, when the world slows down!!

Dick

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Sandra, I did not realize when we talked yesterday that your mother is a Casavant. Are you related to Rene, Joe, Gerald and that family of 16 wonderful siblings?  Gary

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From Dick Johnson (68):

 

Gary and Friends,

Everyone has a wild night to remember, some of us more than others, I
imagine. One such night that I will never forget was August 22, 1961. I
was staying at the farm with my grandparents and had gone upstairs to
bed after a hot day and had opened a window to hopefully cool of the
room so I could sleep. I was sleeping like any 11 year old, without a
care in the world, when all at once rain water was hitting my face and
the wind had the curtains standing straight out in the room! Grandpa
Hans came running into the room and grabbed my arm and dragged me down
the stairs and down into the cellar! He shut the trapdoor above us and
said we may be in a tornado! It roared like crazy above us for a few
minutes and then we heard a loud crashing sound followed by a boom!
Grandpa said, “That was the barn.” It got still within a few minutes,
except for a slight wind, and we came up from the cellar. Looking out in
the night we could see a big pile of debris where the barn had been! The
overhead wires were laying on the rubble and rubbing together making a
constant shower of sparks, so Grandpa ran out to the power pole and shut
off the master switch so what was left wouldn’t burn. He was soaked to
the skin within seconds from the downpour, but didn’t want to see a fire
too! Well guess what! The insurance company said he had insurance for
fire but that they had written off wind coverage because the barn was
looking old and possibly not sturdy!! There is a story about how good
guys finish last, and this sort of fits! Oh,by the way, my memory isn’t
quite as good as it seems. The date is on the back of the picture, even
though the picture was taken later in the fall. I did cut a hole in the
debris and found my saddle unharmed! Not to good for most of Grandma’s
chickens though! The picture shows the aftermath of one of the strongest
winds I can ever remember! Thanks Gary!

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From Dale Pritchard (63):

Dale, that does look like your mother.  Gary

Gary,

The picture is pretty dark but I believe that’s my Mother, Dorothy Pritchard, seated on Edmar Tangen’s right side.  This is a good picture of your Mother, Gary.  In some close ups of you, I see you inherited her eyes.

Dale

Standing: Glenda (Mrs. Russell) Fauske

Seated R to L: Elaine Stokes, Alice Hiatt, Charlotte Hiatt Lang, Esther Tangen, Edmar Tangen,

Dorthy Pritchard, Dennis Hiatt

 

 

 

From Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59): 

 

Hi GARY I wanted to comment on the band picture, The girls on either side of Susan are Connie Bedard , Susan, Shirley LaRocque. Thank you Gary   God Bless  Shirley (LaRocque) Wendt   Picture L to R:  1956 DHS Band Front row: Gayle Bedard, Caroleen Lider, Janice Lacroix, Marjorie Landsverk ?, Lowell Williams,Lois Hiatt.   Row two: Karen Woodford, Coleen Conroy?, Gerald Lamoureux, Girl??, Duane  Woodford, Guy with tuba??, Connie Bedard, Susan Brew, Shirley LaRocque, Joanne Kester.   Back row: Director??, Flute player?, Small person?, Luella Kalk??, Ronnie Link, Short kid?, Dwight Lang, Curt Halvorson?, Don Conroy, Neva Haagenson?, John Morgan, Ellen Graff, BIG DAVE SHELVER, Girl?, Duane Lang?

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From Gary Stokes (65):

 

Picture taken in the Ackworth school in about, I think, 1992 at the annual Alumni.

Note: All those seated have passed on. Charlotte died in Jan 1994 and the rest have passed on since.

Many of you are closely related to those in this picture.

For you Pladson folks, Is that your mother, Ella, sitting on the far side of your uncle Edmar?

 

Glenda (Mrs. Russell) Fauske Standing,

Seated R to L: Elaine Stokes, Alice Hiatt, Charlotte Hiatt Lang, Esther Tangen, Edmar Tangen, ??, Dennis Hiatt

 

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From Dick Johnson (68): 

Dick, the only one, in this picture, that I for sure recognize is Dwight Lang. In this picture he looks like he could be related to the Hiatt’s, of which I know he is proud of.  Gary

 

Gary,

My best guess on the names of the band kids–

Dick

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Picture L to R:  1956 DHS Band

Front row: Gayle Bedard, Caroleen Lider, Janice Lacroix, Marjorie Landsverk ?, Lowell Williams,Lois Hiatt.

Row two: Karen Woodford,Coleen Conroy?, Gerald Lamoureux, Girl??, Duane  Woodford, Guy with tuba??,

Girl in front of music stand?,Susan Brew, Girl in front of base drum?, Joanne Kester.

 Back row: Director??, Flute player?, Small person?, Luella Kalk??, Ronnie Link, Short kid?, Dwight Lang,

Curt Halvorson?, Don Conroy, Neva Haagenson?,John Morgan, Ellen Graff, BIG DAVE SHELVER, Girl?, Duane Lang?

 

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Gary,Also had to chuckle about the band photo that Dick sent to you.  I was in that picture and could probably name everyone.  Should apologize to all for the bad hairdo that I had.
Keep up the good work.  Would like to meet you and Bernadette.  My sister-in-law is also Bernadette but we call her Bernie.
Regards, Karen

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From Floyd Dion (45): 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Bill Grimme

To: larry hackman

Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:30 PM

Subject: Re: women’s_toilet

These are good. Reminded me of a story from my working days. We were have a mandatory meeting on integrity. The speaker said that if you had a concern, you could make an anonymous call or send an anonymous email to report it. A person asked, “How do you send and anonymous email?”. Good question. The speaker didn’t know, so, I raised my hand and told him, “You wait until lunchtime, find someone who has left their computer active, and send the email from there.” That really pissed the guy off and he said that would be and integrity violation. He didn’t get the fact that it was a joke. The rest of the room cracked up. Sounds kind of like what you did.

Bill

—– Original Message —–

To: Bill Grimme

Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:43 PM

Subject: Re: women’s_toilet

Bill

Do you remember this one?

The lady comes out of the restroom at a club.

The male comedian on stage sees her and yells at her, hey lady, lady, hey lady “did you just come out of the restroom”?  She says, “I did”.  He asks her if she could hear him in the restroom?  She replys that, “no she couldn’t hear anything while she was in there”.  He replys to her, “ lady we sure heard you out here”.   Hehehee

Another story,

In our office where I worked at one time, the ceiling panels were being replaced.  The ceiling workers had removed all the panels and of course never returned to put in the new framework and panels for the new ceiling.  Everything was open above the wall partitions.  Every sound made, bounced around in that concrete structure like a rubber ball.  My office and my buddies office were about two offices down the hall from the womens restroom. I was out of the office a lot, so things did not bother me as much as they did my buddy.  He was getting a little tired of hearing all the restroom sounds.  So he wrote up a little story about the sounds, and him being a Navy man, he related the stories to a submarine or gun boat. You know, The call to emergency stations, the closing of the hatches, the loading of the torpedoes, the firing of the torpedoes,   the explosion of the torpedoes,  the all clear given, the return to normal conditions.  Anyway you get the idea.  He did however go into a little more detail about the sounds of the torpedoes hitting the water and the sound they made slideing through the water and the sound of depth charges going off around the submarine during the battle.  The groaning and labor of metal from being under excessive pressure.  It was funny.  Personally, in the morning, I thought it sounded a little bit like a chorus warming up.  How do they sing, ” doe, ra, me, fa, sew, la, tea, doe,”  in harmony ?????.

Anyway, Bill writes this story, calls me into his office, has me read the story and askes me if he should send it on up to the next level of the chain of command or maybe just go and relay the message personnely to him or just tell someone, that someone ought to do something about getting the ceiling panels replaced, that hearing all these restroom noises is disgusting and distracting.

 I encouraged him to send the message, to go for it. It’s a good story and might bring a little chuckle to someones otherwise dull day and actually convince someone to get the work done.  He was still worried about the consequences or that he might hurt someones feelings, and decided to think about it.  I went back to my office.  A while later I saw him leave his office. It was not long after he left that a couple of fellows that he showed the story to, entered his offfice, and the story magically appeared on about 100 computers instantly.   A few days later, they completed installing the ceiling.

Talk about getting results?  The gal that was in charge of the project and used that restroom must of had a realization.

I’ve never really told Bill, how his story got out,  but he has his suspicions.  He did however, get a pat on the back from the boss for speeding up the project and for giving everyone a chuckle, except for maybe the ladies.  Talk about gunboat deplomacy.

—– Original Message —–

From: Bill Grimme

To: larry hackman

Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 12:03 PM

Subject: women’s_toilet

Pretty funny, Larry.

There was a place in Oakland, CA called the “Last Chance Saloon” where Jack London used to hang out. Anyway, it’s an old place and a lot of tourists went there (my experience was in the ’70s.) They had a speaker in the ladies room and the bartender would say things that sounded like they came out of the toilet, like “hey, who turned out the lights” or “careful, there are workers down here”. Women would come out looking really embarrassed. This video reminded me of that.

Bill

   Good Afternoon Gary and everybody that’s from Dunseith area. I’m just looking to see if anybody is living in Minn. area. I don’t know if alot of you know my son, Christopher Leo Rondeau, grandson of the Betty Counts Poitra and the Late Leo Poitra. My son plays and sings and his on tour right now, the reason I’m writing this letter is to see if anybody knows where the 331 club is in Minn.  stop and listen to him on june 5 he will be there, from there he heads back to Texas. You could also look him up on his web site: my space.com

Gary and Friends, 

Thanks Susan for the article on the City Hall fire. That seems to be
exactly the way it happened. In the picture you can see how the west
wall had fallen outwards, this nearly blew Terry Martinson off his feet!
The picture was taken a 9 AM according to the article and was before the
big chimney was pulled over into the basement by the Rural Electric
workmen. The part about the siren being saved is not totally correct
though, we retrieved it but I think it was shot. After the roof fell in,
we could see the siren hanging  on the wires, just inside the front
doors! I don’t remember who cut the wires and brought it out but I think
it had been burned badly enough to not be any good anyway. I remember it
sitting on the sidewalk in front of the hall after it was all over. I
talked to Helen Metcalfe this past weekend and she said she and her
husband had the hall rented for their wedding dance that next weekend
but when they drove into town it was just smoldering ruins! They rented
the Odd Fellows hall in Bottineau and had their dance there. The reason
I was up that early that morning was that I worked at Dunseith Sand and
Gravel that summer and I had to be there at 6:30. I worked mornings
until about 2:30 and then went to the farm. Lowell Leonard came to work
then and worked until late evening. The reason I am mentioning this is
that most 18 year olds probably weren’t up at that time, then, either!
Thanks Susan and Gary!

Dick

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Gary and Friends, 

The attached picture is the 1944 DHS basketball team. I know most of
them but I bet Mona and the others can name them all. So that is your
assignment, Mona! Thanks for the help on the 1945 team. Being the
packrat that I am, I still have the leather knee pads Dad is wearing in
this picture! I also have a leather football helmet from DHS. We were
told to haul a bunch of football gear to the dumpground but I kept one
football helmet and a band cap. The band cap has the name “Lois” printed
on the inside. Could be either Lois Lilleby or Lois Hiatt, the only two
I know with that name. Anybody want to inform us on who?? I also have a
leather basketball from 1950 or 1951 that my uncle Cliff got when he was
in high school. That ball is in bad shape from being played with on
concrete and mud and wet conditions when I was young, but I still have
it nearly sixty years later! Thanks to all who have helped put the names
on these pictures and to Gary for everything!!

Dick

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Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Folks, there are a lot of familiar (you guys) names in this Article.

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From Susan Fassett Martin (65):  

Take special note of the article “Round and Round OH HO, OH HO”  Dennis
Dion and Debbie Morinville are featured.  Susan

Folks, I got a message from Allen Richard telling me his wife, Susan, has visited the MAYO clinic, three times, in the recent past for breast cancer. He said the ordeal will not be over until November.  He said Susan’s family history is horrible for cancer.  He said knowing that they took radical action.

Please keep us posted Allen, with Susan’s progress.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her and you too.  Gary

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Gary, 

Just a quick note to let you and others know that I have just unpacked a box containing items from my days at Dunseith HS.  Among them is a grade book that lists the names and grades of the students I had in General Business, Typing, and Bookkeeping.  It looks like it was from SY 63-64.  Interesting stuff but my former students need not worry.  I pledge never to donate such revealing information to any display or museum.

Bob Lykins

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Bob, that would have been the year I had you for typing.  That grade of mine, averaged with Bill Grimme’s over all 4 year average grade, would probably equal our over all class average grade. Actually, I think I did a little better than that though.  Regardless what my final grade was, It was one of the most beneficial classes that I ever took. I carried around a certificate card, for years in my wallet, signed by you, that I typed 52 words per minute.  Remember, this was on the old manual typewriters.  That class enabled me to easily adapt to the computer automation world with my job and also today, with all of the email communicating that I do. I witnessed many upper level managers struggle, in the shipyard, with their one fingered typing skills.  Gary

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Good Morning Gary and All,
I just read My cousin’s comments (Bill, Diane and Cheryl) about
the pool table that had it’s beginnings at Kadrie’s in
Dunseith.  That pool table was built in 1895 and is in
beautiful condition thanks to Bill’s son, John, who graced it
with new felt and bumpers and spent a considerable amount of
time removing “red” lacquer paint. I love having that table
with all of it’s history in my home. I have no doubt that
several of you have played on it in the past, whether it was at
the pool hall or at Jack Hosmer’s home.  Anyway, you’re invited
to come to Lake Metigoshe and try your hand at it again –
anytime.  By the way, Cheryl, I saw you make a couple of
those “great shots” and I think we need to match you against
Don Hosmer..
Have a great day, Nancy Hosmer Baldwin

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From Susan Fassett Martin (65): 

Here is a scrapbook page with the article on the Dunseith City Hall
fire.  Also Lise Rousseau’s wedding article and Lawrence Berube’s
obituary.  I have lots of newspaper clippings and articles if anyone is
looking for any thing specific.  Let me know and I will try to find it.
Love and prayers,  Susan

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Gary,  I didn’t realize that Ann Dahl was a Stokes.  They used to come
to Az when we lived down there.  “Snowbirds” that came in the winter.
We had many good times and good card games with them.  These pictures
were taken in Tucson in 1974 and 1975.  The top left is Ann and Oscar,
the top right is Oscar and Ann Dahl,  behind them my husband, John
Martin holding our daughter Johnida, Alice Christianson, Myself and
daughter Tristania, and Lydia Larshus.  The botton left picture is the
same people except instead of me, my Grandmother Gudrun Wood(Goodie) is
there.  The bottom right picture is in March of 1974.  My husband John
and Oscar both had March birthdays so we would celebrate together.  I
mad the shamrock cake for them–I believe Oscars birthday was the 16 and
Johns is the 18 of March. 

I love all the old articles and picture.   Hugs and prayers,  Susan

Susan, Anna and my dad were full Brother/Sister.  My dad was adopted by the Stokes’ when their mother died, shortly after

he and his twin sister, Margaret were born. Anna is a Petterson, my dad’s biological family.  Dad was always very close to his

biological family.  Oscar Dahl, married to my dads sister Anna, is a cousin to the Halvorson’s.  Oscar and Anna lived in Bisbee

and as far back as I can remember, spent their winters in AZ.  This is a small world hearing that you knew and spent time

with Oscar & Anna. I’ll bet they never put two and two together realizing that you and I graduated together. They were wonderful folks.  I saw them often in my childhood days and also with my summer trips back to ND.

Following their frequent visits to our place, usually after having spent the weekend in Bottineau,  they often times visited the Halvorson’s on their way back home.  Gary

 

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                    Picture provided by Susan Fassett Martin

 

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Picture provided by Susan Fassett Martin.

John Kofoid was Neola Kofoid Garbe’s father.

As you can see, I still don’t proofread before I press send.  On my inquiry about Marlene Murray,  Dunseith should have been typed  instead of Merced in one question.

                                      Shirley Olson Warcup

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Shirley, It’s on human to error. With a few others of you not catching a few errors, before sending stuff out, makes me feel not quite so bad with all the errors that I have made and not caught.  Gary

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Gary,
Thank you for the kind words about Mom.  I too remember going to your home and visiting quite often when we were young.  Mom had suffered with leukemia for the past three years and she fought a good battle, but it wa time to be set free from all the struggle.
Again thanks,
Deb

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To the Wenstad Family:  My condolences to you all on your mothers passing.  May God be with you during this difficult time and give you strength and peace.  You were our neighbors growing up and I remember so many times walking over to play in Willow Creek.  Donna and I were classmates.  I hope she reads this and I get a reply from her.  It has been many years since we have spoken or seen one another.  Lynn Halvorson Otto (75).

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In response to Dick Johnson about that pool table…it has been
refinished and is up at my cousin Nancy’s(Hosmer) beautiful home at
Lake Metigoshe. It is a great site and fun to play on….I always
heard about how good Don was but never got to see him play.  That must
have been quite the site to see those Canadians eat their humble pie.
To Deb Morinville….I am very happy that our prayers have been
answered and you didn’t have to go through a big surgery.  Take care.

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Gary and Friends, 

There were several sports that were popular in schools here in North
Dakota, but the main interest seemed to be basketball. I remember how we
would do nearly anything just to play basketball! We used to help Eddie
Bogus by shoveling coal in the coal bin at the old school. The stoker
took all the coal from the middle of the room and left it piled to the
ceiling along the walls. We would have to shovel it down and then pile
it in the middle, essentially reversing the pile.This was a big job as
the coal bin was probably 20 feet square. Our pay–we could shoot
baskets in the old gym! We had to be nuts! I remember that after
shoveling coal for a couple hours we were black and then we played
basketball until the black was running off with the sweat! We also
played outside on the old court west of the old white school, summer and
winter. In the winter the cold would make the ball go flat, and after it
did, we changed the rules so we didn’t have to dribble! That is really
wanting to play ball! Nicholson’s lived across the street to the west
and Annie told my mother she thought we were crazy to be out there when
it was that cold! One time we figured out how to get into the city hall
by leaving a window unlocked. George Aitchison would hear us and kick us
out! After a couple times, he was not too happy! He checked the doors
and windows then, but we got in through the coal shute door! That time
he took us over to see Frank Flynn, the town Judge! We didn’t do that
again!! We didn’t see the harm in it because the place was heated and we
weren’t hurting anything, but rules were rules! One time we had a visit
from the Harlem Stars basketball team. They played against some of the
local fellas for a fundraiser of some kind. I remember Duane Fugere
getting boosted up into the pipe frame behind the backboard and then
scoring a bunch of points from up there! The Stars were full of tricks
but they got about half mad when Duane started to run up the score!!
Some of the older kids could jump from the stage and grab this pipe
support and then swing out and drop on the floor. One night at halftime
of a game, Marvin Kalk tried, but couldn’t hold on and landed flat on
his back, knocking himself cold! Big Iron {Vince Kalk} walked out and
dragged Marvin off the floor like a bag of potatoes!! Just some more
crazy memories of growing up in old Dunseith!! Again and always, thank
you Gary!

Dick

Folks, Bill Grimme and Bernadette & I got our cabins reserved for the cruise today.  Gina was able to get the cabins we requested.  We got an Ocean view with a picture window on the 5th deck (# 5612) and Bill is way up there, on the 11 deck, with a mini suite cabin (# 11608).  Gary

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From Bill Hosmer (48): 

        Gary and Friends.  Question about Hazel Olson who worked at
Hosmers.  Fine compliments made about a terrific man.  My first
knowledge of his family is that he and his mother lived on what is
now NW Third St. in Dunseith.  It was on the same side of the
street as Charlie Lamoureux (Father of Betty Mae Lamoureux) and
George Gohtbrett, and across the steet where Dennis Espe lives
now.  Their house had an unusual paint scheme, in that it had big
splotches of white against a tan color.  Eddie Olson was an older
brother of Hazel.  He played the banjo, was bald, and like Hazel
was a good athlete.  Both played basketball and baseball.  Eddie
moved away long before Hazel did.  Hazel did not drive, he walked
to work and road with friends to games away.  When he left
Dunseith he worked at Sharks’s Men Store in Minot.  He came to the
Dunseith Centennial in 1982 escorted by Edmond Leonard.  I had a
cup of coffee with him at Dales that year. That was the last time
I saw him. 

Today several of us met at the Dunseith cemetery.  The skies
cleared up to show us that azure blue, the wind was calm, and the
birds and nearby cattle could be heard as we assembled around the
Bailey family plot.   Vance’s wife Doreen, his daughter Dana, and
her son and his wife were there. Also, Lloyd and Theresa Awalt,
Leonard and Eleanor Stickland, Floyd and Luella Dion, Wayne and
Gary Bailey (Vance’s brothers), Ramona Johnson (widow of Chuck),
Emery and Carol Carbonneau, Murl Hill, and my wife Pat and me.  If
I missed someone, that is unintentional.  The pastor made the kind
of remarks that Vance would have enjoyed.  We could look to  the
hills to he north, the prairie to the south and west, and the
willow creek trees to the east.  These are the scenes that he and
others of us enjoy when we find ourselves in this peaceful place.
The pastor talked about Vance’s attachment to this part of our
country, and to the people he knew who lived here then, and those
who still do.  He talked about Vance’s youthful days of happiness,
sadness, and even trouble.  Those were the elements of youth that
make us what we became later.  His pattern was firm, and his
loyalty to his friends was a  keynote in his character make up.
It was a gift to know him and be his friend.  I still maintain
that his lengthy emailing of his Dunseith memories, the day before
he died was the springboard for this magnificent blog site that
Gary Stokes has developed.  I’ll always consider this interaction
a tribute to a wonderful man, Vance Bailey.

By the way, at the cemetery  I asked Emery if he in fact did sell the
snowplane made from an aircraft drop tank to  my dad Jack Hosmer.  He
said, “I sure did”.  So that closes that circle of adventure on the
prairie.

There was another comment recently about Charles Anderson.  He used
to come to our house with my brother Don to play pool in our
basement.  I remember playing in some of those contests, and he had
the gentlest touch, without smashes, balls bouncing off the walls,
or a cloud of chalk dust after the impact.  The ball was given just
enough energy to roll across the lip of the pocket and drop into the
bottom of the cup.  What finess, and what a gentleman.  By the way
that table started at Kadrie’s, purchased by my grandfather, William
E, who gave it to Jack, who gave it to me.  I gave it to my  oldest
son John, and it has been in the family since before I was born in
1930.  It is now being played with new felt, bumpers, and new
leather pockets on the way.  Guess where it is.   My cousin Nancy
Hosmer Baldwin has a home on Lake Metigoshe.  She has it in a great
room built for it.  Talk about a piece of Dunseith history making
its way through the generations and still super smooth and level!!!
Better sign off. Thanks for the memories.  Bill Hosmer

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Hi Gary: 

Regarding Carmen and Floyd Richard’s note:  Their
daughter-in-law, Lanette Richard, from Rolette,
recently wrote and published a children’s book.  I
think a lot of people would be interested in hearing
about this and finding out how they can obtain copies.

Debbie Fauske

Carmen & Floyd, can you tell us where and how we can obtained copies of Lanette’s book?  Thanks, Gary

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From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50): 

Your Alaska trip sounds fun, but your not seeing much of it. Alaska is bigger then California and Texas put together. You miss seeing Mt McKinley, Alyeska, Fairbanks, Seward, Portage Glacier””””””””””I could go on and on. Have fun””””””

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Gary and Friends, 

First of all, thanks Doreen Bailey for the pictures. The one of the old
white school sure brought back a flood of memories! It was dated 1956,
the year I started school in that building. Thanks to Trish Larson
Clayburgh for all the memories, and good luck in Montana! There is a
gal, at Lake Metigoshe, who raises Morgans. She used to have a website
called Metigoshe Morgans. Her name is Melonie Pewe, [ pronounced Pay ],
and you two may have something in common with the horses. Nice gal too!

Hearing from Dan McKay, and seeing his picture, reminded me of a deal we
made back in about 1970. I was working at the Peace Garden that summer
and had this old 1947 Harley Davidson that I had fixed up from kind of a
“basket case”. Dan called me and asked if I wanted to sell it. I said I
would if the price was right. Dan asked if I would meet him up on the
San hill so he could look at it. I thought this was an odd place, but
agreed. When we got there Dan said, “how do you shift this thing?” I
showed him how it had a foot clutch and a hand [ suicide ] shifter. I
said, ” haven’t you ever ridden a Harley before?” Dan said, “I’ve never
even ridden a motorcycle before!” He got it going in toward the San and
made it back again to where I was, kind of jerky and wobbly, but he made
it! He asked how much I wanted and I told him $300. He said that was OK,
but would I ride it out to his folk’s place on the south side of town?
Dan came out of the house and handed me the cash. That was when I asked
him why he wanted the old Harley? He calmly said, “oh, tomorrow I’m
taking off for Tacoma, Washington and I’m going to ride it out there!!”
Guys– this old bike had old tires and homemade parts and things I had
rigged to keep it going on 10 to 20 mile runs! I wished Dan luck and
shook his hand and headed for home. I got a postcard about a week later,
from Dan in Tacoma! He said the chain broke in Montana but a farmer
helped him fix it, and then the tail light and license plate fell off
somewhere in Idaho or eastern Washington, but other than that,
everything went fine! I think Ol’ Dan may have had a little ‘Divine
Intervention’ on that trip!. To this day  I remain convinced that
SOMEONE has to watch over the young when they do these things!! Below is
a picture of Brenda and me on the old Harley that summer of 1970. Thanks
Gary for this site!

Dick

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                        Dick & Brenda Johnson – 1970

Thank you for including us in this email system. Neither my husband Floyd or I graduated from Dunseith High School but Floyd has always considered Dunseith his home town.( he went to rural schools in the area ) He knows all the people that you mention, and loves to read the emails. They depict a way of life that is quickly vanishing, imagine in todays world, letting your children play in the street,or  walk down to the creek by themselves and no one would worry about their safety.!!   It was such a peaceful and trusting time. The memories that you share are priceless and should be treasured.

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Dear Mrs. Bailey,  you don’t know me, my name is Lynette Halvorson Otto.  My parents are Lester and Dorothy Halvorson of Dunseith.  Anyway, thank you for sending the picture of the white school house.  I think I attended school there in my 1st and 2nd grades.  I remember how big the class rooms were, very tall ceilings, dark wood floors and those big windows.  I haven’t seen a picture of that school for many years.  Thanks for bringing back the memories.  Lynn Halvorson Otto (75).

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From Diane Larson Sjol (70):  

I want to thank Doreen Bailey for the wonderful picture of the
Dunseith school.  It really conjured up  many wonderful memories for
me even though I only attended the school during parts of grades 1-5.
I especially remember that terrible rickety old metal fire escape that
we used during fire drills in Mrs. Conroy’s class….scary for a
chubby girl with those wobbly steps!

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Picture taken July 12, 2007:  Note –  Date on picture is incorrect

From Dick Johnson (68): 

 

Gary,

Thought I would offer a little “testimonial” to anyone considering the Alaska Cruise.  My wife and I took this exact cruise last summer.  Our 35th wedding anniversary.  It was our first.  We had a great time.  The scenery was spectacular to say the least.  I would offer some observations/suggestions to those who are “cruising” for the first time.  The 6:30 PM dinner seating is perfect.  It gives you time after to enjoy the ship and the entertainment.  Plan to diet before or after the cruise–you won’t while on the ship!  Take advantage of the entertainment.  It was first class.  If you can, get the oceanview view cabins.  You can enjoy the view all the time.  This inside cabins looked claustrophobic.  Plan to take advantage of the “onshore” excursions.  It adds to the cost but gives you a flavor of Alaska.  (remember, for most this is a once in a lifetime event)  I would avoid the onshore airplane excursions.  One crashed and 4 passengers from our cruise died.  I heard of a similar incident about a month later.  We enjoyed the crabfest trip and the whale watching trip the best.  The train trip was just ok.  Stick to the excursions offered through the cruise.  They make sure you are back before the ship is scheduled to depart.  Bring some warm clothes.  It gets chilly when on the ocean.  Most of all, have fun.

Rich Campbell

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When I saw the picture of Dan McKay it reminded me of the time he
invited me to go with to Lake Metigoshe to go fishing with him. I don’t
think we were much more than 4-5th grade. We were out in an old row boat
and Dan had a brand new fishing rod that I believe he got for his
birthday. Anyway, Dan being the generous and good friend that he was,
let me use his new rod and reel. He was explaining to me about casting
and I wasn’t getting it about the button you release, so just as I was
to cast he said “Let Go”  You guessed it, I let go of everything and his
brand new rod and reel are still at the bottom of the lake. Every time I
think of, hear Dan’s name or go fishing I think about this and feel
really bad. Dan the next time you are up around Long Lake come over to
my little spot and either throw my rod and reel in the damn lake or take
one of mine and maybe I can get over this guilt that has been eating at
me for well over 40 years
By the way my fishing hasn’t improved much since then
Rod Hiatt

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From Rod Samski (65):   Donald Egbert was the one who pushed my buttons with the snow in the face during recess but I have never forgotten the day Mark threw the scissors.  I sat one row over to the left from Mark and one desk forward. When Mark threw the scissors at the back wall of the classroom.  Both Billy Grady and Donald Egbert were standing almost together so I never really new who Mark was throwing the scissors at.  As Allen said Mark did have a pretty good arm,  the scissors REALLY did stick in the wall.  And Miss Conroy gave Mark a good shaking that day. The conversations of the snow planes reminded me of when Dale Gottbreht used to come out to our farm to see my dad, Gene Samski and they would go coyote hunting.  Dad always said Dale scared the heck out of him the way he drove the snow plane.  Another thing Dale really new his livestock, Dad bought several good breading bulls from him. Rod Samski Donald Egbert (65) – July 2007 . . From Shirley Brennan (60):  Dear Gary   will you please send this Randy Kelly. Thanks Shirley Brennan Dear Randy you might know me I gradduated with Cleo, I saw him at our school reunion such a nice man, anyway I think you look so much alike. I think your Dad and my Dad were close friends. Shirley Brennan Note:  I do not have Randy Kelly on our distribution list. Some of you may have his address and can forward this on to him, for Shirley.  Thanks, Gary . . Message/Picture from Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):  Good Morning!    Spring has finally arrived in the Pembina Valley Gorge,here in Walhalla ND. The sun is shining and it is 60 degrees at 10 am. I enjoy all the pictures everyone posts and thought I better add one more from my Dad Bill Fassett’s album. It is Pam Fassett’s birthday party,in Omemee ND.  Mark Anderson,Susan Fassett,Pam Fassett,John Morgan & Dick Johnson. Thanks Gary ,once again for starting this. We are leaving for the month of June to go to Alaska,(our 2nd trip). So  I will look forward to “catching  up” when we get home in July. Oh, and Remember our Veteran’s next weekend. That is what Memorial Day is all about and if everyone hasn’t send a donation to the cemetery where their friends and relatives are buried,NOW would be a good time. Thanks again. Crystal Fassett Andersen  . Comment: This picture must have been taken in 1950.  With 3 candles, this must be Pam’s 3rd birth.  Her birthday is November 30th and I think she was born in 1947. I think Dick Johnson was born in 1950 and by the looks of this picture he’s not even a year old yet. Gary  . Picture (11/30/1950) L to R: Mark Anderson, Susan Fassett, Pam Fassett, John Morgan & Dick Johnson

 

Hi everyone ,  Yes  I am  growing  stronger  each  day…..I am feeling  really good   haven’t  felt  this good  for about  3  years .  I haven’t   been on  my puter   much  cause  I  to have  a  wedding   this  weekend . My  son Cody  is  marrying   his  high school  sweetie   Diana  this  Sat. So  we have  been  busy. Thank u  all  for  your prayers   and  as  u can  see  we   still  need allot  of  prayer  for  pppl   we  know that  are  sick. Sharon I am  happy to  hear  Sally  is  doing  better. Colette   congrads  on  winning  the  award , I always  remember the  art  u  did  when  we  were  kids. Cheryl  and  Diane Larson were  here and  we  had  a  very  nice  visit. We  laughed till we  cried about  how  much Cheryl  and  I  look  like  our  moms.  Gary  thank  for  what  u  do.  Bev (Morinville) Azure 72

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Dear Gary,

What a nice picture of you and your wife.I loved the picture of the family on the motor cycle also. What a way to save gas.

Colette your work is wonderful. Your are so talented. How long will it take you to finish the project? I would also like to compliment you on  your looks . You sure don’t look or act like a gal that could be in her 60′s!!!!Hard to believe the class of 64 has also reached the 60′s in years.

I would like to send my condolence to Jim and Sharon Hanson losing their son. Jim lived with us on the Ernest LaCroix farm for a while. After the choirs were done in the evening Jim would get on one of the horses and head north across highway 5 to spend the evening with Sharon. Was fun memories.

Gary thank you again for keeping us up to date on the Dunseith going’s on and the past memories.

Donna LaCroix Allard Class of 1964

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I just happen to have a picture of Donna with her cousin Randy Kelly.

Randy is currently serving on President George Bush’s Staff.  Gary

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Gary and Friends 

The picture of my old pal, Rich Campbell, prompted me to send one from
51 years ago! The picture is of Patty Fassett, Rich, and me with our
bikes in 1957. The other photo is Patty and me at the farm in 1964 the
day I taught her to drive the old Ford tractor. I tried to teach her to
drive an old Studebaker the year before, but we had a little trouble
with some trees that were in the wrong place! I spent the rest of that
day teaching her autobody repair! Dad’s car, you know how it goes!

Dick

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