4/8/2008 (70)
It is Bing and Ole Evans – their parents were Randina and
Martin- My Mother Ella Evans Metcalfe ‘s family–
a picture of jim Metcalfe and son Jim metcalfe. I thought I’d try to send
them and seee if they go through–Thanks Gary and keep the stories and pictures coming folks!!– It is the
highlight of my morning to get the latest blog!!–
.
These are pictures of my Grandpa Jim Metcalfe and my Uncle Jimmy. There
are also pictures and some writing about Ole and Bing Evans. My dad, Gary
Metcalfe, asked me to forward these to you. He sure is enjoying the
contact with many Dunseith area folk! Thanks for doing this for him and everyone
else gleaning from it!
Leah Metcalfe
2nd Grade Teacher
Branson Primary School
St. John. I was really into ice fishing and went every chance I got. The
day these pictures were taken, we had friends along. The boy in the
maroon coat is Don Lamoureux, the others I think are Bob Jury’s kids and
Gene Hepper’s boys. It looks like Don caught a fish and Mom and I were
helping him get it off the hook! It was a good way to spend cold winter
days– in a nice warm fish house, fishing and playing cards!! Thanks to
Gary for this site!!Dick
4/7/2008 (69)
4/6/2008 (67)
Hi Gary and Group;
4/6/2008 (67)
CLYDE WENT TO SCHOOL IN DUNSEITH 1 YEAR WHILE THEY LIVED
SOUTH OF TOWN. THEY THEN MOVED UP IN THE HILLS AND HE
ATTENDED WILLOW LAKE SCHOOL GRAD. IN 1947 ON TO WILLOW CITY
GRAD. IN 1951. HE STAYED WITH HIS SISTER BERDELLA SATANG
CLARK IN WILLOW CITY WHILE ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL. CLYDE HAS
A BROTHER STILL LIVING IN ROLETTE, ND. AT THIS TIME HE IS IN
THE HOSPITAL IN MINOT WITH A BROKEN HIP. HIS NAME IS
CLARENCE ALFRED SATRANG. WE THANK DIANE WENSTAD FOR GETTING
US ON THE LIST. SHE IS CLYDE’S NIECE. I’M NOT FROM THE AREA
BUT I ENJOY THE NEWS AS WELL. UNTIL NEXT TIME. CLYDE
spent the budget—$500. Today that same lot would be about $150,000.
Only a slight inflation factor!! Anyway, we cut the brush and old dead
trees and moved in a small cabin from our yard in Dunseith. For the next
ten years we had a lot of fun with friends and family at this little
place. Many kids learned to waterski and swim there over the years. Dad
always pulled everyone on the skis behind his boat. Over the years lots
of folks said they learned to ski at our cabin. The enclosed pictures
were taken in July 1962 on my twelfth birthday. One in the cabin, with
the birthday cake, and one with us all in the lake. For those of you who
are familiar with Lake Metigoshe, the trees you can see across the lake
are what is now Oakshore with high dollar homes. Then it was bullrushes
and jungle. To the east of us, about a block, was the cabin owned by
Jack and Inez Hosmer and across the road from them was a cabin where the
Morinville kids spent some time in the summer. There was always someone
stopping by one place or another. Before Alan Campbell bought his cabin
on the lake, he used to rent one just down from Hosmers, from Beulah
Shurr [sp]. So Rich and I were constantly up and down the road. Fun times!!
4/5/2008 (66)
angelic especially that Ray Lagerquist. There is only 1 correction, the
Marlys in the back row is Marlys Medlang not Hiatt. We were the angelic
Baptists. Thank you Gary for these e-mails.
a little extra excitement. Keith Coleman took an old Model A Ford coupe
and put in a flathead V8 engine to build what today is called a “rat
rod”. He got it running and driving just before Homecoming and had Jim’s
Body Shop paint it blue. It was not finished but looked pretty cool
anyway. I remember that our plan was to see if the school would let us
pull the float across the football field with the Homecoming Queen and
her court riding, just before the game.After some negotiating [begging],
the administration finally said OK. What could possibly happen! We have
everything covered. We hooked on to the float on the east end of the
track and the girls, fancy dresses and hairdoes were helped aboard the
float. After the opening ceremony, Keith’s old Ford fired up and away we
went down the middle of the football field feeling great in front of all
those people. I remember that we were waving to the crowd and were at
the top of world, when I smelled gasoline! I looked down at the
floorboards [there weren’t any yet so I could see the back of the
engine], there was gas running down the bellhousing! The float in the
carb was stuck and it was running over! There weren’t any exhaust pipes
on the rig yet either, so at the same time I yelled “HOLY _____, KEITH”,
there was this big WOOF and we had flames everywhere!! I knew there was
a big fire extinguisher in the shop and the door was open so I ran to
get it! It was funny later but I can still remember the girls bailing
off that float like paratroopers, even though they were all fancied up!!
We had to bring out a pickup and tow the stuff the rest of the way
across the field, much to the amusement of the crowd. If I got the
chance to do it all over again, I would! The highs were still better
than the lows!!Thanks Gary!
Dick
4/4/2008 (65)
4/3/2008 (63)
always thought the guy in the photo was my dad as he told me he worked
at the little gas station that was between the hotel and the hotel
cabins. Most folks should remember this little pink building that had
the eaves turned up like a gingerbread house. It sat ‘crooked’ to the
world, and was used later by Junior Mellmer for his plumbing business,
as I recall. Now after all these years of looking at this photo, I took
a close look and I think this is someone else. I’m thinking Darold Dion
or ??? Can anyone tell me who this is so I can write it on the picture?
Thanks Gary!
Dick
to participate in his Rendahl Gospel Festival and it was wonderful. Ole
Bursinger was a cousin of my mother although when we were growing up,
didn’t realize this. I only got to know him in later years and he was a
great guy. The following page is one from my Rendahl Scrapbook. My
family had started an annual picnic at Rendahl on the occasion of
Grandma Goodie’s 80th birthday and had so much fun there. We would have
a huge potluck and then everyone would gather in the old church and we
would sing. Art, Cheryl Haagenson, Agnes Solmonson, John and I, my Dad,
my sister Paula and many others all sang or played instruments, and
everyone from the oldest to the very youngest would sing along. It was
like a big family reunion every year. It would be great if we could
organize something like that again. The other picture is of my dad,
sitting in the yard strumming on his guitar. He sang to us from the
time we were small until the day he died, although in later years he had
arthritis in his fingers quite badly so couldn’t strum as well as he
liked. Paula put together a cd of the songs he liked to sing from old
tapes and sent me one a few years ago, after he passed away. It was
awhile before I could get up the gumption to listen to it, but I did and
I do and I cry like a baby. I like to think the Ole, Lorraine, My dad
and others are having a good old jam session up in Heaven and someday I
plan to join them” in the circle”. We all come from a rich musical
heritage which I hope is being passed on to future generation. God
Bless, Susan
4/2/2008 (63)
Loretta Wall
really look forward to all the memories. I’m sure that if are memories
would have been this good back in school when it came to home work that
some of the teachers wouldn’ t have turned gray so early in life.
Anyway my response to Dickie J. The picture of him on the old pony was
taken in the vacant lot east of our house in Dunseith. Dad made a fenced
in area that when we came to town on horse, the town kids would come
over and we would let them ride in that area. Dick we were nice kids
thats why we let you ride, we weren’t stupid kids, thats why we gave you
the one the bucks. We had already tasted that soil. it was always nice
to see some one else enjoy it(Dad always seemed to find humor in that,
not sure if it was the acrobats in the air or the landing that made him
laugh) More than once I was bucked off a horse that he had brought home
from a horse sale and his comment would be “maybe it was the other one
that I didn’t buy that was broke to ride”
PS Charley Rice and family lived real close to the school and was a super fine man.
4/1/2008 (62)
how she is ding could u update me please. thanks Bev ….. Gary thanks a million for all u are doing Sharon and I have been e mailing and talking everyday thanks for the connections. I would like to know if anyone ever hears from the following people. Barry Olson… Keith Koning, Peter Vogel, or Curt Metcalfe these were all kids in my class in grade school and have always wondered how they are.
I was crazy about Shetland ponies and Howard and his dad, John Hiatt had
a bunch. Rod and Earl took me along to Grandpa John’s to go riding one
day in the spring of 1958. As we got out of the car, they took off to
get their favorite horse. They were yelling, “I get this one and I get
that one”! I said , “which one do I get”? Rod said , “you can have Old
Pete”. I didn’t know why they didn’t want Old Pete, he looked OK to me.
Howard helped us put on the bridles and saddles and we climbed on. We
were going to ride the half mile back south into town. They took off out
of the barnyard and left me behind so I slapped Old Pete with the reigns
and said, ” lets go”. He went alright; right to bucking like a bronc.
About the third time around, I flew off and landed face down in the
ditch which was full of barnyard runoff. I think Howard called it
“schmidt” or something like that! I still remember him trying not to
laugh as he was spreading newspapers on the seat of his new pink and
white four door Chevy so he could give me a ride home!! I did ride with
them later and even got a horse of my own in 1960 when I was 10. That is
another story, later. Thanks Gary!!
Dick
3/31/2008 (61)
was a great gal and we miss her!
The pictures I’m sending today are taken at Central School in
1947. Dad taught there that summer, I think. I talked with
Howard Abrahamson and he explained where the school was located
on the south side of Carpenter Lake. The kids and parents in
the pictures are probably some of the Brennans that lived close
by. If anyone can identify some of the people please do. Dad
told me that he and Floyd Lamb put in a new wood stove and Dad
brought the old stove down here to the farm. I remember it
sitting in the trees behind the barn for about 30 years. Dad
eventually restored it and put it in his basement. I still have
it! Thanks Gary!!
Dick
I also has have another family member that would like to be added to you email list. This is my uncle Clyde Satrang, mother’s brother. He lives in Minn. now and is retired so he would enjoy the news and info from Dunseith and around. Clyde’s email is cstrang@cpinternet.com. Gary, would you mind adding him. Thanks Diane
3/30/2008 (60)
Lyle Olson
Class of 1975
I was talking with my brother Laurel on the Easter weekend in Michigan, N.D. I was telling him of all the emails and history from Dunseith. He was so interested and asked if he could be put on the emailing list. Laurel is my oldest brother and started Dunseith High School but did not finish high school.
Laurel know allot of these people that lived in “The Hills” and Dunseith as well as he does go back now and again to see friends and family that still live in the area. Laurel lives in Minn. around the same areas as John, Lynnette and Kermit.
John is the second oldest brother and he also takes a drive to “The Hills” once and awhile.
Melvin (Pete) the third brother lives in Michigan now and he did the drive to the hills last summer and how things have changed.
We all have very fond memories and always talking about the “The Hills”, the Butte, etc.
The rest of us kids don’t seem to get back as much. I live about 180 miles from Dunseith, north to Brandon and east on #1 towards Winnipeg. I like to drive down and see the areas, stop to see my parents, Alvin and Arn’s graves. Thanks for the information on the caretakers of the graveyard and the email address. I wondered who took care of the graves and doing a good job at that.
Thanks again Garry for the emails, great reading, history and memories.
When us kids get together we always have so many laughs and memories. We laugh until we cry and hurt. We had a hard time growing up but the neighbors, family and friends made it so much easier that we did not even notice it at the time we were going up. We just talk about how great Don Boppre was in helping our dad in so many ways but dad was always there for everyone else who needed a hand or what ever he had he could share to help out others.
Where are those days today?Well, you can take the people out of the “The Hills” and Dunseith but can’t take “The Hills” and Dunseith out the people (like us Wenstad kids).
.
have never met a person to match Glen’s personality. Gary Metcalfe
was in 1971, if I remember correctly. John Bogus had a 1959
Chrysler station wagon and yes, it was grey and looked like a
shark! When he was working on it, he called me to come over as
he had a problem. When the engine warmed up it had a knock; a
very BAD knock! It was only one day from the derby and no time
to rebuild it. I suggested that he use heavy oil and not rev it
more than he had to. I then went back home and worked on my own
demo car. Lowell Leonard gave me a 1961 Ford four door to run
as long as I would advertize for the Garden Tap, no problem!
When we got to the park the next day, John came over and
said, “I bet you can’t hear the knock anymore”. I asked him
what he did. He said, ” I cut the exhaust pipes off and it’s so
loud you can’t hear anything”. He made it all the way through
the derby without blowing it up! I remember it being the first
derby we ever had and not knowing the track needed to be
watered down. When the flag was dropped and everyone kicked it,
you would swear we were in a sand storm. You couldn’t see a
thing!! Other drivers were, Ernie Gottbreht in a 1951 Ford,
Keith Coleman in a 60 Buick, Dennis Dion in a 55 Plymouth, and
some others. I can’t remember who won but it wasn’t me!
We lost our friend John Boguslawski in 1981. He drowned while
canoeing in Minnesota, where he lived. He did leave us with a
lot of good memories of the times we were together.
Thanks to all for the deep appreciation you have for my dad. He
was a good guy. Thanks again Gary for this great thing!!
Dick
3/29/2008 (59)
Landsverk ) My dad, Cliff who became blind as a result of diabetes
was also a WW II Navy veteran of the Pacific as was your dad, Bob
Stokes and many other guys from Dunseith. I always learned so much
whenever visiting those true “heros” veterans of our childhood.
Thank goodness, we “kids” had dads who were role models in
character building ie work ethics, patriotism, caring and citizenship
etc as kids growing up in Dunseith. As ever. Vickie Metcalfe
—
Vickie L. Metcalfe
Okay, I HAVE to write a quick response to Dick’s
latest story.
I also remember Dennis and “Bogie” (as we liked to
call him) in a different car caper. Does anyone
remember the year Dunseith days hosted a what do you
call it when everyone has a junk car and they slam
into each other until there’s only one car standing?
– A demolition derby!
Anyhow that hot summer day in what was it, 1970?,
Bogie and Dennis got ahold of an old Grey station
wagon and we all (LaRae?Cheri? and I) painted it to
look like a shark. It had a huge front end and
suffered little damage in the foray – it was a tank!
Dan drove it well, and though he was hit aplenty, the
“shark” was still running when the others were dead in
the water. I don’t remember anyone wearing helmets by
the way. We had a great time cheering them on and I’m
sure their big win gave us good reason to celebrate
that evening…
As I understood it, Dan died not too many years after
graduation in a drowning accident. I have often
remembered him and his special gentle nature with
fondness…
I also have many funny stories to tell about Dennis
Dion- but maybe I should ask permission first?
And Tim Hill – remember the joke about the gorilla in
the gold cage? I just recently told that joke and
have told it too many times to count over the years.
We used to have such good innocent fun all of us!
Driving around the beautiful farmland, telling jokes,
being friends, supporting each other.
I have too many fond memories to count: Beer can
alley parties, the Peace Garden Round House and
midnight swims there, Fauske horse rides, crazy cars,
expeditions to Bossevain, snowmobiling adventures, and
swimming at the lakes.
I wonder if Curt Hagel remembers the time his foot
ended up kicking me in the mouth – I remember pulling
skin out from between my teeth – ewww. I’m sure it
was an accident – I can’t really remember how it
happened, except that I was in the water and you were
on the dock… I clearly recall we were laughing
pretty hard afterward, even though I was grossed out
and you were bleeding.
And Dick – your Dad was one of the most important
teachers of my life (and I’ve had many). He got me to
do things I didn’t think I could. Like sing that song
“The Red Velvet Shoes” at Regional Competition. I
froze up horribly with stage fright and squawked it
out so poorly – I think it was the worst I’ve ever
sung. I thought I would faint. But your Dad had
nothing but praise and encouragement – he knew the
real accomplishment was overcoming my fear and getting
up there because I said I would.
He also made it possible for me to enjoy band. My
parents insisted that I play the clarinet (which I
hated) because some old aunt had given it to them for
me. I hated the sounds that I made with it, and Don
allowed me to switch to the Contra Alto Clarinet which
had been donated to the school. I adored that
instrument, which was huge and heavy. I had to sit on
a high stool in order to accomodate it’s length. I
fell in love with the bass rhythms and was hooked. He
did so many things for so many of us. I have always
felt that we got such a fine music education. And
I’ve often marveled at how much he accomplished with
so little resources. He was such a dedicated,
passionate man.
Poor Mrs. Bakken. She always got the rough end of the
stick – in part because she was so attractive and
pleasant, and in part such a good sport!
Playing practical jokes was a favorite sport of ours
as I recall. Do my upper classmen remember the fun
you had hanging “Espe’s Pig” from dissection class in
our lockers? When biology class was on that section,
we never knew who was going to “get it”. Shame on you
boys for scaring the pudding out of us younger
gals…are you ready to confess your sins yet?? I
don’t think we ever really knew who had done it, but
we sure had a few ideas…
There are so many memories…and it’s good therapy to
remember them with all of you.
Trish Larson Clayburgh(73)
You’ll have to refresh my memory about a closeline and cats. I’ve heard
of tying cats’ tails together and tossing them over a line. Seems they
tend to blame each other for their predicament and get into a little fuss
about it. Hmmm, I’m not sure how you tie their tails together though.
Yes, I did like to play marbles. In the Spring of the year the ground
just south of the east wing of the grade school would melt off and dry out
enough to mark a ring in the dirt. We had some great marble games out
there and usually played for “keeps”. I don’t remember ever winning ALL
your marbles though. My cousin, Scott Peterson ended up with all my
marbles when I cleaned out my room and moved away. (Joy Peterson is my
Dad’s sister).
Dean Stickland
3/28/2008 (58)
remember the story. The scream was loud I know that.
Do cats and a clothes line bring back any memories for
you, Dean??? and beating me at marbles and taking them ALL!!!
Sharon Longie Dana(73)
One story I have to share with the Bergs if your listening. Curt, Keith and I and I think Lester Getzlaff was out playing in the drive way and Curt seen this big huge rock in betted in the ground. He said I wonder what it would be like to throw another large rock on that one. So he picked up this pretty good size rock and slammed into the rock in the ground, not thinking that it would bounce back and hit him square between the eyes. He had a knot on his head bigger than a baseball. ha At the time all the kids standing around him got pretty scared and ran and got there parents, including me. But he was all right as Curt was a pretty tough kid. We laughed about it later. ha
Again thanks for sharing the pictures Dick. I and I am sure the rest appreciate it, a lot. If you have more please keep sharing them as we enjoy them a lot. There is a lot of memories between yours and our families.
Take care
Dave Slyter
Paul Grossman’s memories of riding in my old car made me
remember some stories connected to it. I was 14 years old when
my Grandpa Hans Johnson got cancer. He said if I stayed at the
farm and took care of the cattle and the chores I could have
his old car, a 47 Plymouth four door. It had engine problems. I
found a set of rod bearings in the glove box and he said there
was a “flat crank”. This is a bad journal on the crankshaft. I
dropped the oilpan and found the bad bearing and shined the
journal up with emery cloth. When I got done it sounded fine
but every couple months it started to knock and I had to put in
another bearing, etc. In less than a year I used up the whole
set of six bearings on one rod! We did go for lots of rides
around town in that time. When Paul said I took the younger
kids along, there were a couple things that I should confess
to! The battery was shot so they had to push the car to get it
started. They would usually have to chip in for gas or I would
say “well I guess we’ll have to go home.” The money showed up!!
Sorry Paul, but it worked every time! We had a trail through
the old park and then north through a gravel pit and out
to “old # 5”. This trail went up and down some pretty steep
slopes and we learned just how fast we could take it and still
not wreck anything. One night I had some new kids along and
decided to give them a thrill!! The county workers had been
there and dug out a bunch of gravel just over a rise where I
didn’t see it until it was too late! We flew off the bank and
landed on the nose of the old Plymouth and stopped dead!! The
kids in the back seat were on top of the ones in the front.
They didn’t seem real thrilled as I recall! The old car only
got a slight twist to the bumper and the battery shattered in
the box! It was no good anyway,so what! When I got a different
car, I gave the Plymouth to Dan Bogus. He kept it at our farm
so he could practice driving and monkey around. Dad let he and
Dennis Dion ride out to the farm to mess with the car during
the day and then home again at night. One day they asked if
they could have this piece of well pipe for a tailpipe and Dad
said “sure”. They stuck this long pipe under the car and into
the header pipe on the engine. They were roaring around and
having a big time when the front of the pipe fell out and stuck
in the soft ground. The back end of the pipe went up inside the
rear bumper and the old car “pole vaulted” about five feet up
in the air. When it came back down, all Dad and I could see was
eyeballs in the windshield. We laughed at Dennis and Dan until
we could hardly stand up!! Another time they were rolling the
car down a hill in the yard to get it started. They were
getting close to an electric fence and I told them to let me
open the gate. They got it going just as they went through the
gate and then bailed out and opened the hood to check
something. As I tried to close the gate the wire touched the
back of the car and they both got a shock. They blamed each
other and then went back under the hood. This worked so good I
just had to do it again! They figured it out and the chase was
on!! This is sure to trigger memories from most of the kids my
age as they nearly all rode in this car at one time! This is a
picture of the car with some GEEK standing by it!!
Dick
3/27/2008 (57)
Freddie and Margo Hiatt were good friends of my folks. Mom was
Freddie’s first cousin, as their mothers were sisters. We spent
a lot of time together over the years, and I have lots of
pictures of us together doing all kinds of things! These are
pictures of Freddie in the army, he and his stepdad Bill
Dunbar, the kids at their house south of town in about 1962,
and all of us together in the Lutheran parsonage{were they
lived] in about 1960. The boy in the middle is Terry Hiatt,
Dolores Hiatt’s son. I guess I was trying to shoot the camera??
I’m not sure if Dave and the rest have ever seen these
pictures. There are several more I will send later. Thanks
again Gary!!
Dick
winter I live in Tucson, AZ, and there is a lot of violence here.
Unlike where we grew up and where we respected our women there are
some shadowy figures lurking about. You may not want to introduce
this to our group because all of our dialog has been of such a
positive nature, but I was compelled to make it a candidate because
these wonderful people mean so much to me, and some live in
metropolitan areas. I knew that many women would know of this sort of
threat through the Gary Stokes circuit, and could not resist the
temptation to use your marvelous format. I leave the choice to you,
and give you more accolades for building this incomparable way to
express our loyalty to those with our common heritage. In good spirit
and thankfulness. Bill Hosmer
.
Please take a minute to read this. This is very scary and could happen to any of us..
Seems l ike every nice thing people do for one another can be perverted.
A new twist on kidnapping from a very smart survivor:
About a month ago there was a woman standing by the mall entrance
passing out flyers to all the women going in. The woman had written
the flyer herself to tell about an experience she had, so that she might
warn other women. The previous day, this woman had finished shopping,
went out to her car and discovered that she had a flat.
She got the jack out of the trunk and began to change the flat.
A nice man dressed in a business suit and carrying a briefcase
walked up to her and said, ‘I noticed you’re changing a flat tire.
Would you like me to take care of it for you?’
The woman was Grateful for his offer and accepted his help.
They chatted amiably while the man changed the flat, and then put the
flat tire and the jack in the trunk, shut it and dusted his hands off.
The woman thanked him profusely, and as she was about to get in her car,
the man told her that he left his car around on the other side of the mall,
and asked if she would mind giving him a lift to his car.
She was a little surprised and she asked him why his car was on other side.
He explained that he had seen an old friend in the mall that he hadn’t seen
for some time and they had a bite to eat, visited for a while, and he got turned
around in the mall and left through the wrong exit, and now he was running late.
The woman hated to tell him ‘no’ because he had just rescued her from having to change
her flat tire all by herself, but she felt uneasy . (Trust that gut feeling!)
Then she remembered seeing the man put his briefcase in her trunk before
shutting it and before he asked her for a ride to his car.
She told him that she’d be happy to drive him around to his car,
But she just remembered one last thing she needed to buy.
(Smart woman!!)
She said she would only be a few minutes; he could sit down in
her car and wait for her; she would be as quick as she could be.
She hurried into the mall, and told a security guard what had
happened, the guard came out to her car with her, but the man had left.
They opened the trunk, took out his locked briefcase and took it down to the police station.
The police opened it (ostensibly to look for ID so they could
return it to the man). What th ey found wa s rope, duct tape, and
knives. When the police checked her ‘flat’ tire, there was nothing
wrong with it; the air had simply been let out. It was obvious
what the man’s intention was, and obvious that he had carefully
thought it out in advance. The woman was blessed to have escaped harm.(Amen.thank you, God!)
How much worse it would have been if she had children with her and had
them wait in the car while the man fixed the tire, or if she had a baby strapped
into a car seat? Or if she’d gone against her judgment and given him a lift?
3/26/2008 (56)
will recall it.
To Ardys Bakken Horner, former 8th Grade Teacher to the class of ’73:
Yes, I remember well the rat incident in 8th grade English class.
Actually, when I saw your message a couple of days ago, I told that story
to my wife and daughters and we all had a good chuckle. I wondered then
if you remembered the incident and your email today confirmed it.
Do you remember who “accidently” slightly ripped his book page that day
and came up to your desk to ask for some tape to fix it? Some of us boys
(about four of us) just happened to know what was in your tape drawer that
afternoon. I was a bit anxious about the potential outcome of following
through with “the plan” that day, but we were all well rewarded when you
opened the drawer, saw the rat, then simultaneously shrieked in wide-eyed
terror, jumped about three feet into the air and somehow made it past me
and out the door before touching the floor again. You were absolutely
awesome!!
If my memory is accurate the rest of the class time that day seemed a tad
bit strained for some of us. I always wondered if you ever found out who
was involved with that rat. Thanks for all you did for us and for all you
put up with. Our sentence structure and punctuation may not be perfect,
but we owe our ability to communicate to you and a select few others who
patiently gave of your time and effort to help us learn.
I have great memories of growing up in Dunseith.
Dean Stickland (73)
Olympia, WA
to all my classmates of 72 ” YOU ALL ROCK” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 72 still is a close class when i got cancer they took a donation and got a tv and raffled it off and clarence and I recieved over 800 dollars to help with gas to and from Minot for my radaition. I am blessed to have such wonderful classmates that have always shown people so much love. so I would like to thank everyone who took a chance on the TV . Loretta Wall happen to win wtg Loretta all that good karma is coming back to u. i love all u guys thanks for the prayers and help. love bev
Here are some pictures from 1960 that you might find
interesting. They are of a mock wedding skit for some womens
group. It is in the basement of the Stone Church. The reluctant
bride is Randi Fuchs and I am the groom. The judge is none
other than the Honorable Terry “Lars” Halvorson! I wonder if
Lars missed his calling!! I don’t remember what the purpose of
this skit was, but I know we really weren’t given a choice, as
I recall!! The ladies are Dorothy Fassett [back row], Vida
Hiatt,?, Myrtle Olson, Julia Hiatt, Mrs. Grimme [back row],
Mrs. Bogus and Bernadette, maybe Mabel Boardman, ?, ?,.. I
don’t think the marriage lasted until the lunch was done!
Thanks Gary!
Dick
3/15/2008 (55)
grade home economics. I think Mrs. Nelson was the main home ec teacher, they just gave me 7th grade to keep me happy. I wonder how many of you remember the incident of the dead baby rat quite frozen in my top drawer one day (right after lunch).!! i never did find out who found that poor little thing and left it for me to “notice” after roll call, i can still remember Dan Morgan chuckling about that one. Ardys
My e-mail has been down for some time. I enjoy the correspondence so much. I see back in January where you were asking if I knew about Lynne Abrahamson . I have talked with a couple aunts in the Turtle Mountains and they do not know a Lynne Abrahamson. There are Abrahamsons in the area that we are not related to .
On another note I would like to ask for prayers and concern for my brother Dean Lamb’s daughter, Felicia Marie Lamb. She was seriously hurt in a car accident in the Minneapolis suburb of Glencoe, Minn. on Friday morning. She was in a snowstorm and went into a skid and slid into a larger vehicle on a two lane and ended up rolling her car. Things have been touch and go this weekend but I think it was a better night last night. She has a bleed in her head, broken collar bone, punctured lung from broken ribs, fractured pelvis, she is on the ventilator, Thank goodness for seat belts or we may have lost her. To read about her progress you can go on website:
caringbridge.org/visit/feliciamarielamb Felicia plans to be married in Bottineau in June. Thanks for your concern.
I love the stories that are jogging our minds. Keep up the site. My husband and I are waiting to hear more about the cruise. We have been on one cruise and had a great time. An Alaskan cruise was one thing we were planning to do when we retired but we think it would be fun to go with people from Dunseith. (Retirement is still a ways away).
Martha Lamb Schepp
I have enclosed a couple pictures taken at Lake Metigoshe in
about 1991. Dwane and Candice Getzlaff had a 50s night at the
drive in. We have a cabin just a short way up the road from
there and he asked me to bring one of my cars to help make the
night a sucess. The car is a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria. We got
into the swing of fifties clothes, at least my wife and
daughter did! When Jennifer asked me “how are you going to
dress Dad”?, I said “just put on a white T shirt and leave the
rest alone”!! I look like the fifties all the time!!! We had a
great time and several other guys brought out their old cars
too! I had this car for about 22 years and sold it to a very
good friend from St.John, just a couple of years ago. He really
wanted to have it and I was looking for something else anyway!
It has been really great hearing from more new people, please
keep the memories coming!! Thanks again Gary!
Dick
3/24/2008 (54)
I remember the 60 Chevy that Dave Wurgler owned. It was a white
two door hardtop and I think Bob Peterson did buy it after Dave
traded it in. I currently am building a 409 engine with three
deuces to put in a 1951 Merc two door. The car is going to
Minot shortly for a four inch top chop at Nodak Classics. Stan
Saylor, a good friend of mine, is a master at chops. He is in
the Dakota Cruisers car club, of which I believe Arlan Wenstad
is also a member.I’m sorry if this email sounds “Greek” to some
of you, but my fellow gearheads know what I’m refering to!! I
think that the 58 Pointiac that Dave and later Billy Satrang
owned also had a green insert on the side, which had a row of
stars running the length of it. Does my memory serve me
correctly? Happy motoring!!
Thanks Gary!!
Dick
3/23/2008 (53)
It’s really enjoyable reading all your emails about Dunseith and the input from fellow alumni of DHS. A big kudo to you for getting this started and keeping it going. Please continue it.
Now, a response to a couple of recent inputs.
First to Mr. Allen Richard.
I don’t remember you, and you probably don’t remember me. However, as a fellow alumni, it sounds like you’ve done well. Congratulations.
I don’t personally share your reverence for Mr. William Jefferson Clinton and quite possibly don’t share your views on politics in general. (I happen to believe “global warming,” gas prices and our economy would be pretty much the same today regardless of who is sitting in the White House!) But, one of the things my dearly departed mother used to tell my siblings and I when we were young, was that the quickest way to ruin a good relationship was to start discussing “politics” or religion.” With many years of living behind me and upon reflection of that lifetime, I have to agree with her. So please, with all due respect, lets not make this a political forum and ruin a good thing.
To Russell and Glenda Fauske.
Do you have any photos of the “Fauske Fiddlers” you are willing to share with all? I’ve had the pleasure of hearing you and your sons play a couple of times and really enjoyed it.
Keith Pladson (66)
what ever happened to your brothers Peter and
Parrill??? where are they now?? I remember riding
bikes with them and playin softball.
much as the ball did). The only 2 things that I remember about that, was
when they were hauling me back to my house, when I came to, I heard
Carmen Meyers tell them to push my eye back in as it was falling out (not
a good thought to wake up to) and the nurse asking me if I was trying to
be another Mickey Rooney (I think she may have meant Mickey Mantel) but
then again she may have seen me play ball and the Mickey Rooney thing
was probably closer.
I also got hit in that same lot by the Catholic church by a golf ball
hit by Mark Schimitz. I must have been a good target.
Hope your Easter is a blessed one with family and friends. Fargo has 6 inches of fresh new snow. But hey, its 36 above. ha
Dave Slyter (70)
3/22/2008 (52)
I hope you all have a Happy Easter with friends and family!!
Dick
Dragon Days” I agree with Paul ONCE A DRAGON ALWAYS A
DRAGON
first day of school…..you gave me my first teeter tot
ride……I thought you were awesome. ( :0 )
Hang in there you’re almost done. You were always a
survivor and you can get thru this. Thoughts and
prayers are with you each day. I have many memories of
you, me, Wanda, Vickie, Brenda, and Marsha. Those
were the days.
Paul,
Do you remember the Larson kids that lived in the house shaped like a
barn next to yours and across from the Fontaine’s. I remember your
sister Patty, you (you were in my class) and Peter and Parrell. We
had great fun playing at your house and climbing trees in your
yard….I remember playing with hoola hoops and Sister Rose marching
over to us and telling us we shouldn’t be moving our bodies like
that…it was sinful… We were in the 3rd grade and didn’t have a
clue what she was talking about. Your yard seemed a bit closed in
with trees and hedges (?) so I remember playing with them over there
so she wouldn’t see us. We didn’t want to go to hell! How is your
sister these days and where is she?
I thought some of you may be interested in attending the Fauske
Fiddler concert at the capitol in Bismarck on Sunday, March 30,
2008, at 2 p.m. We hope some of you can make it!
Fauske Fiddlers Honor Lincoln’s Legacy
The Fauske Fiddlers of Bottineau and John Halone of Rolla on
guitar will perform a variety of old-time folk music at 2 p.m.
on Sunday, March 30, 2008, in the Auditorium at the State
Historical Society on the capitol grounds in Bismarck. The free
public concert is part of the Sensational Sunday Performances in
the music month of March, and will honor President Abraham
Lincoln’s Legacy in North Dakota.
President Lincoln did some things that greatly impacted North
Dakota. In 1861, he appointed his personal physician, Dr.
William Jayne, to be the first governor of Dakota Territory.
Lincoln signed the Homestead Act in 1863 that offered a quarter
section of land free to anyone, including women, who could meet
the requirements. In 1864, Lincoln also signed the bill to
build a transcontinental railroad across the northern part of
the United States. In about 30 years, Dakota Territory changed
from an unknown frontier with just a few people to the State of
North Dakota full of people, farms, ranches and towns.
The settlers who arrived were mostly Norwegians and Germans,
with a few from other countries also suffering from drought or
depression. Many were young and single, and missed their
family, homeland, and traditions. Only the most precious things
could be brought, and they brought their fiddles, which were
small, light weight and could go anywhere. The Fauske Fiddlers
will play a variety of old-time fiddle tunes, including waltzes,
polkas and reels that were brought to North Dakota by the
settlers. The program will also include a few of President
Lincoln’s favorites, such as the Battle Hymn of the Republic,
Dixieland, Aura Lee, Nellie Gray and the beautiful, haunting
melody of Ashokan Farewell.
This concert is set at the beginning of North Dakota’s
observance of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth on
February 12, 2008. The state’s commemoration will be held in
conjunction with the official national observance, which begins
began on February 12 and continues through February 12, 2010.
###
The Lazy RF Ranch (701) 263-4742
Russell and Glenda Fauske
RR 1 Box 139
Dunseith ND 58329
I thought Paul & Randy would enjoy this picture”from our younger days” Crystal
Picture L to R:
Front: Gordon Fuchs, Roxanne Fuchs & Laurie Evans
2nd: Jeff Evans, Bob Mongeon, Randy Flynn, Paul Grossman & Rod Hiatt
Back: Colette Pigeon, Stephanie Evans, Randine Fuchs, Crystal Fassett, Pennie Kester, Dennis Dion, Holly Myer,
Cheryl Kester & Paula Fassett
|
3/21/2008 (51)
I sent the story below to Bev Morinville Azure then to Dick Johnson and he
asked that I send it on to you:
Bev:
Hey, talking about your dad reminds me of when I was a “chef” at Dales Café,
many, many moons ago. Your dad ordered burnt toast, so I made “dark” toast.
He sent it back and said “burnt”, so I made it a little darker, he sent it
back and said “burnt”. So finally I burnt it, he was happy.
I think of your dad every time I make the toast even a little too dark.
Diane Fugere
When I was between my sophomore and junior years in high
school, Theels in Dunseith had a lot behind Alvin Moe’s gas
station. Joe Spaeth was the salesman. He took in a 1958 Chevy
Bel Air two door hardtop on trade. I wanted that car so bad but
didn’t have the $500 they were asking. He let several people
try it out and one time it came back with the engine knocking!
This was my chance. Joe said he would let it go for a hundred
bucks, AS IS! I sat down in his little office and started the
old routine of [I’ll use the term- Negotiating] for this
message! I told Joe I had $77 to my name. He said OK and
started to write up a sales slip. He put down, Purchase Price
$77, Sales tax $4, Title $2, Etc. I said, “Joe I have $77.” He
cussed and ripped up the slip and started over from the bottom
up. He said if it got any cheaper he could just as well give me
the #(&%^@ thing. John Bogus and I towed it to our garage
behind the lumber yard and started tearing it down. I put in a
rod bearing and a rod cap and a new oil pump. We fired it up
and it ran like a new one. The engine was a big 348, Chevy’s
biggest engine at that time. I drove that car on weekends
mostly, because it was tough on gas. I got race fever from that
car and even though I was only 16, there wasn’t anyone around
who I wouldn’t dare race! This went on for quite a while until
one day Frank Evans came back from working in Minnesota with a
Pontiac GTO. I hadn’t seen a Pontiac yet that could beat my
Chevy so when Frank grinned and said “want to run it?”, I
said “sure, why not.” He left me so fast that I thought my car
stopped!! I felt like one of those old boxers that gets back in
the ring and gets knocked cold by the new kid!! I sold the car
to Randy Kelly for $75 and later he sold it to a guy from
Belcourt. They left Dunseith and rolled it before they got to
Belcourt. End of an era, I guess!
Thanks Gary.
Dick
3/20/2008 (50)
26 | Anderson | Gerald | 5765 Madisonville Rd | Hopkinsville, KY 42240 | (270) 886-4311 | No email address |
58
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27 | Anderson | Gerald | 9207 Palm Shores Dr | Spring, TX 77379 | (281) 379-1071 | sander0216@aol.com |
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…no seatbelts! It is a wonder any of us survived…..hey, those
were the days and growing up in the 50s and 60s when kids still played
outside
Debbie and eating these cookies that were covered with marshmallow and
coconut and thinking we were pretty cool because Joe let us have
anything we wanted and for FREE! I also remember my Aunt Lee letting
me work with her in the back of their grocery store (Hosmers) when I
was about 10 getting veggies ready for the shelf. And walking through
the back door in Krystal’s cafe where Francis Morinville worked.
She’d give us a cookie or a drink and out we’d go. We pretty much had
the run of the town. Everyone looked out for everyone else. Man,
those were the days
Bonnie Awalt Houle’s story of my baseball aptitude was not too
far off. When I was six or seven, Lowell and Johnny Leonard let
me join them in a game of baseball over in their yard. I didn’t
have a clue what you were supposed to do so they told me each
move to make. When I hit the ball, they yelled “run to first”!
Then someone hit the ball and they yelled “run to second”, And
then it was third, I did exactly as I was told, not knowing
what purpose it had. When the ball got hit again they
screamed “run home, run home”!! So I did. I ran HOME!! To our
house. I never lived it down!
I did play a lot of baseball later and yes Bonnie I did pitch!
I was not standing more than 3 or 4 feet from Rod Hiatt on
third base one time when he was hit in the eye by a line drive.
He nearly lost his eye. One other time I hit a ball and hit my
mom [I talked her into pitching} right on the nose. Black eyes
and big nose, etc. Later in a game down in the old city park, I
was playing right field with the sun directly in my eyes. We
were playing Rolla and they had this big lefthanded batter. I
heard the crack of the bat and saw a glint of the ball just
before it ticked the top of my glove and nailed me on the chin.
I started having second thoughts about this game! The next time
he was up to bat, I was ready!! The sun was really bad by now
but he wasn’t going to get by me this time. The pitch; crack;
wizz; I had the glove higher this time and the ball was lower
and I got NAILED right where you think, right there in front of
God and everybody I had ever met. I think that was when I
decided basketball was more my kind of game!!!
Dick
Greetings from China. My sister Jan traveled with me this trip and
time is speeding by. I’ve managed to squeeze a little work in
between the fun. Below is a photo of Jan trying out the exercise
equipment at the beach park (we’re based in Xiamen, a port city on
the mainland directly across from the island of Taiwan). That’s me
balancing on the wobbly planks at the Floating Village. I didn’t go
very far from the boat– didn’t want to wind up with the bottom feeders.
I’ve enjoyed continuing to read everyone’s contributions to the
Dunseith e-mail exchange while here in China.
Colette
3/19/2008 (49)
Trish
These pictures were taken in the spring of 1945. The kids were
in the back of Dad’s Dodge truck on the way to Belcourt to
watch a baseball game between Dunseith and St. John. Some of
the kids in the truck are LaRose Ketterling,Audrey Hassen, and
Shirley Olson {Mom’s sister}. Dad had this truck while he was
in high school to make a few bucks hauling grain and gravel,
etc. I don’t know how often he had hauled kids, but this time
he did! Those of you who can identify others, please do. As you
can see, Dunseith won 13 to 11!
Dick
3/18/2008 (48)
For many years Joe Morinville ran a grocery store on Main
street in Dunseith. For part of that time, my grandmother
Myrtle Olson work there as a clerk. I used to help her on
Saturdays carrying out bags of groceries for customers. One
Saturday one of our local guys who drank too much {about
everyday} came in to buy some groceries. He was loaded to the
gills and was staggering and mumbling as he went about his
shopping. After we put his goods into a paper sack, he grabbed
it and headed for the door. When he reached for the door handle
he passed out and fell over backwards onto the floor, spilling
his bag all over. I was about ten years old and didn’t know
what this was all about! Grandma mumbled something and said “we
can’t leave him here, he’s blocking the door.” She told me to
grab his feet and she grabbed his arms and we tried to drag him
out the back door. He was too heavy and we only drug him a
short distance. About that time a delivery man came in the back
door and said ” is he dead?” Grandma said “no he’s drunk!” The
guy asked where we were trying to drag him. She said “outside
in the back” to which he said “hold the door!” He was a big guy
and he dragged the guy out and set him up against the back
wall of the store. I picked up his groceries and set the bag in
his lap and went back inside. I went out to the back several
times to see if he was still there and one time when I looked
out he was gone! ONLY IN OLD DUNSEITH !!
Again, thanks Gary!!
Dick
3/27/2008 (47)
The attached pictures are of particular interest to the Awalts,
I would believe, because they are of the Anderson family in
about 1920. It was taken in their yard here in the hills by my
Grandpa Hans Johnson. This was according to Cynthia Johnson, my
grandmother, from whom I got the pictures. The picture in their
garden has writing on the back, telling who is pictured. It
says L-R, Louise Johnson, Gertrude Anderson [Awalt},Emma
Anderson, Walter Anderson, Neely Anderson, Myrtle Anderson,
Hans’ Mother,and Charlie Anderson. I had reprints made for the
Awalt family and will get them to Eleanor as soon as they
return this spring. She can then distribute them. Enjoy!
Thanks Gary for forwarding these to all!!
Dick
3/16/2008 (46)
Gary, if you would pass the word, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Gary Morgan
Class of 54
“Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you’re not willing to move your feet.”
3/15/2008 (45)
Back in the sixties a salesman came to Dunseith and as he went about his business he passed out business cards to employers and employees. What was unusual about these cards was that they did not give you the name of the salesman or the business he represented. These cards, if you accepted one, automaticly made you a member of the Turtle Club.
Hearing from Don Conroy made me think of this story. Dad, Don
Johnson, as you know taught under Ed Conroy. Ed was our
respected superintendent at DHS for many years and then served
as principal for a few more years. The story goes, Dad wore toe
rubbers on his dress shoes. For those who don’t know what these
are, they basically cover only the soles and about an inch up
on the shoes all around. Well, Ed would keep putting on Dad’s
and then going home. When Dad was ready to go Ed’s were still
there and his were gone. Now dad couldn’t wear Ed”s because
they were too big but Ed could stretch Dads on. After a few
times, Dad wrote his name in the inside in big letters so Ed
certainly would see it when he went to put them on. Wrong!! The
next day they were gone again. Dad said “what can I do to
correct this” to Gene Hepper, another teacher and coach. Hep
said he thought he knew what to do and would take care of it.
When Dad went to put on his rubbers later, on the inside it
said “Don Johnson OR Ed Conroy!! Everybody had a laugh!!
Dick
3/14/2008 (44)
You likely have no idea who I am, my name is Julie Seier. I use
to be Julie Knox, Guy and Lola’s middle daughter. I graduated
from Dunseith in 1982. I got your name and email address from
Monte Espe, who is my Mom’s cousin. We somehow got talking
about your website at Glen Millang’s funeral. He thought I
would be interested and suggested that I email you to get
connected to the site. So here I am, very interested! I would
appreciate it so much if you are able to get me connected.
Thanks so much,
Julie Seier
I found some more and haven’t heard any negative comments yet
so will send them. You can see the front of Hosmers and to the
left is the Cities Service Pumps where the AC Bar was later.
The two gals on the left I’m not sure of but the third is Mom
[Bernice Olson Johnson],Shirley Sunderland, LaRose Ketterling,
Betty Watschke, and Eleanor Awalt. The print date on the
pictures is March 18, 1946. The second photo is in front of
Kadry’s Pool Hall with Bernice, Eleanor, and Shirley. Same roll
of film but maybe not the same day. Thanks Gary!
Dick
I knew Larry Hackman had some more stories about the old days!
Good job Larry, I’m still laughing! When you said “tipping” it
reminded me of Brenda’s uncle. He had some surgery once and
when people asked him when he could go back to work, he said
the doctor told him not to drive more than 5 or 6 miles at a
time and not to lift anything heavier than 12 ounces. Just
happened that he lived about 5 or 6 miles from the bar! He
followed his doctors orders!!
I found several pictures of uptown Dunseith in 1946. The cutie
by the showhall is Eleanor Awalt Stickland. The other is of
Shirley Sunderland,Bernice Olson Johnson, and Eleanor. This was
taken in front of the Stone Garage with the Bank and Post
Office in the background. I will send more if I don’t get to
much “grief” from the gals!!! Thanks for the help on this Gary!!
Dick
3/13/2008 (43)
3/12/2008 (42)
I finally am looking at my e-mail — I haven’t opened it for about a month! My health problems (cancer of the bladder that has spread to the lymph nodes) has really been giving me problems – I had surgery in Dec. 23rd and Dec 26th and am still recovering from those.
I will give some thought to your request for “memorabilia” and/or “stories” on growing up in Dunseith. My family did not move to Dunseith until 1949 and lived there until 1955. My grandarents (Oakes and Crum) were pioneer settlers in Dunseith.
I have 249 unread e-mails that I need to look at. It was nice to talk to you the other night. Keep in touch.
Millie (Crum) Rude
Birth: 24 Jan 1938 State Where Number was Issued: North Dakota Death: 24 Apr 2001
Another Adrian Egbert Story…..I remember one day Adrian came into the lumber yard to discuss, with my dad, the feasability of a concrete vault for his grave. Seems Adrian had been to the cemetary and observed what he considered and inordinate number of fat, well fed, gophers running around. Adrian did not want his remains to end up as gopher poop. (unlike Dick Johnson, I can’t write like Ade talked) I don’t know whether Adrian got the concrete vault but if you visit his grave at Riverside Cemetary, you will note the concrete slab covering his grave.
Incidently, to round out the cast of “Desperate Ambrose”…Jim was Jim Footit and CC was Cecelia (sp?) Carbonneau.
Gary Morgan
Class of 54
.
Today’s email included a response to Flavia, but I don’t remember seeing anything from her. Did I miss an email? I thought I had read them all, but if you wouldn’t mind resending her missive, I’d love to read it.
She and I were classmates and friends the year she came to Dunseith. I would love to hear any news of her life…
Trish