My Memories With Bobby Vee.........................by Al Breaw

On October 24, 2016, we lost a very special person. He was not only a fantastic singer and a superb entertainer, but he was also a great guy. Bobby Vee was one of my heroes when I was growing up and starting my own musical journey! I had been playing on the road for some time when I heard that we were going to be working a few shows with Bobby Vee. My first thought was, "This will be the Best!"

We’d worked shows with other big names, but hey, this is Bobby Vee. Of all the musical celebrities that I have met and shared a stage, in my opinion, Bobby was the nicest of them all. I found that we had a lot in common, mainly because he was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota. We knew a lot of the same musicians and had also worked a lot of the same venues. Besides being a genuinely nice guy, he shared many great stories, including the following, a story from Bobby I will never forget. 

Elston Gunn

As told by Bobby Vee: When we first started playing, we would cover basically 75 miles in any direction from Fargo. It was myself, older brother Bill and several others and we called our group "The Shadows". Every place we played, we packed the house. I don’t think it was our music though. We dressed really cool. Our uniforms included black shoes, white socks, black pants, white shirts and a little blue dickie. We looked so cool.

One Saturday night after we were done, brother Bill approached me and said, “Bobby, what we need is a keyboard player.” I asked him if he had any ideas and he told me that he’d heard of a guy over in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota that played pretty well and also sang. The next day, we drove over to Detroit Lakes and looked this fellow up. He went by the musical name of Elston Gunn. We told him what we were doing, and he said that he was definitely interested, so we invited him over to Fargo the next Sunday for a session to see how it might work. It went fine, and he joined our group.

I remember the first night we played, and I gave him his uniform, the black shoes, white socks, black pants, white shirt and the little blue dickie. He was just excited. I don’t remember exactly how long he played with us, but I believe it was a little less than a year. One Saturday night after we were finished, he told me that he’d been offered a job with a band in Detroit Lakes and, although he enjoyed working with us, he would have to take their offer as he could save a lot of money by working with a local band. He would, however, give us a month’s notice so that we had plenty of time to find a replacement. I’ll never forget the last night he worked with us. After we were done and getting paid, he turned in his uniform, the black shoes, white socks, black pants, white shirt and, of course, the little blue dickie. The man was crushed.

He went back and played with the group from Detroit Lakes. I’m not sure for how long, but I heard that he had started doing some writing and moved back East, and changed his name again from his birth name of Robert Zimmerman. I haven’t seen him in a while but guess he’s not doing too bad.

We had been listening to this story and thought it was very interesting, but at the end we were a bit surprised when we heard the name Robert Zimmerman, because we know that was the guy now known as Bob Dylan.

My Memories of Bobby Vee by Al Breaw 

 

Digital Demons: A Halloween Story.............by Bob Couser

Twas late October, on a scary Night,
In Aberdeen, if I recall it Right,
I was younger then, about Seventeen,
Dragging North Main, not looking Mean

Crossed the tracks near Milwaukee Depot,
My car leaked oil like an Old Repo,
By Piggly Wiggly, a green headed Beast, Quite Scary!
A second look, I knew it was Terry!

Green Beast Terry 1966

At 2nd Ave, I smelled an Aroma,
Saw a Dark Figure, like a Scotoma,
Dressed as Mr. Reaper, first name Grim 
A second look, I knew it was Tim!

Grim TIM 1966

 

 















Passed 3rd Ave and Aldrich Park,
Driving on in my black Skylark,
At 4th Ave, a WITCH!, am I in Peril?
A second look, I knew it was Carole! 

CAROLE The Hag  1966

Drove by the old North Fire Station,
I looked closer, I saw a Dalmatian,
On the ladder, a Werewolf! near the Top Story,
A second look, I knew it was Rory!

Werewolf Rory 1966

 

 













Finally made Scotty’s, at 8th & Main,
I parked my car to rest my Brain,
Out there, a Vampire, my heart’s a Throb!
A second look, I knew it was Bob!

Blood Thirsty BOB 1966

 

 

Well, after all, it was Halloween,

A time for fun, let’s make the scene,

For Class of ’66, about 50 years later,

Time for treats, less time for Satyr!

The Digital Demons don't wish ill will,
A little fright? YES! or a slight chill,
Let's take time to celebrate the season,
At our age, we have a just reason!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO CLASS OF '66

From Your Digital Demons

My Story: The Big "C" Word....................by Joy Schanil Schwan

Joy Schwan 1966

 

Joy Schanil Schwan 2016

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought it would be a good time to tell my story.

My story started 69 years ago this coming January when I was born as a “Grandchild.”  That’s the way I always felt as my mother was 45 years old at my birth.  All my friends had parents in their 20's or so.  From what I understand that is why I was named Joy, as it was my mother's greatest "JOY" to have her one and only child at 45 years of age.  However, by the time I was 10 years of age, my mom had passed away due to breast cancer.

Fast forward 68 years – this past spring I went in for my yearly mammogram-3D, as that is what they do these days. This time there was an abnormality and an ultrasound was ordered. After studying the ultrasound, I was given the option of either waiting 6 months to see if anything had changed, or do a biopsy. I elected to have the biopsy – who wants to wait 6 months if there is something wrong. After the biopsy, the very next day I was informed that there were cancer cells present in the biopsy, of course my first thought was of my mom.

I was scheduled for surgery the Wednesday after our 50th Class Reunion. The results were great – thank goodness for all this modern technology. My tumor was 8mm in size and the limp node was clear as well as all the area around the tumor. The next step was 30 days of radiation. A very small price to pay for a clean bill of health.

Joy: Cancer Survivor

When I think back to my mom, she never saw me grow up, graduate from high school, get married, or meet my two children who would have been her grandchildren. I have been very blessed.  I have been able to share everything in my children’s lives that my mom never had a chance to do. I have 5 grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren – 2 great granddaughters and 4 step great granddaughters.  I should also mention that I have been married to the same great man for 47 years. Life is good!

I know several classmates and many friends who have also gone through breast cancer and are also SURVIVORS – it is a wonderful feeling. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get a yearly mammogram – it can be a LIFE SAVER.  As my husband says, I get to be around for many more years to irritate him – but he wouldn’t have it any other way!

This is MY STORY..........Joy Schanil Schwan
 

Breast Cancer Awareness

Shameful Memories, a retrospective by L. Paul Schneider

Many people have avoided our class reunions. I often wonder why, but also in my heart know why for some. School days were not pleasant for some kids. As a Clinical Psychologist, I have heard many of the stories of folks whose lives as kids were hell. Today, we hear

L. Paul Schneider

these stories on the internet and mainstream media every day. But back in our school days, those things were not talked about.

How many of our classmates were beaten regularly by a parent? How many were sexually abused by family or friends? How many were told how worthless, ugly, stupid they were? How many were neglected?

My shame comes in when I recall kids that were bullied, called names, taunted. I tried not to participate; but I did not intervene, either. Those kids have never shown up for a reunion. And as I have learned, often the bullies were themselves abused at home. Many of those kids have not shown up, either. Yeah, I can rationalize that we were “just kids”, that I was a scrawny runt, that it was “none of my business”, and that I, too, had been bullied. But that regret, guilt, and shame for that lack of courage in not standing up for those oppressed kids does haunt me.

My dad and mom had a strong value for our family of “Do the right thing.” I did let them down at times. But I also have devoted my adult life to trying to do the right thing, standing up for the oppressed, the down-trodden, the poor, the mentally ill. In many ways, I am trying to make up for my cowardice as a kid. ( Hopefully, that will reduce my sentence in Purgatory!)

If any of you who were targets of the bullying in school read this, my sincerest regrets and apologies. I do remember you, and pray for you. If you can find it in your hearts to forgive those of us who bullied or were complicit in it, I would be most grateful.

And, I would encourage you to engage in our reunions and dialogues, such as this medium. I did talk to one of my bullies at one of our reunions, not in anger, but simply brought it up. That person sincerely apologized, heartfelt. That was very healing to me, and holds a special place in my memory today. Having put closure to that dark period, I can smile now when I think of him.

As a final note on this gloomy subject, I encourage all of you to stand up for those who don’t seem to matter. The invisible ones. The persecuted ones. The helpless ones. Those without a voice, or little voice. The marginalized ones. As Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Sherman Hotel once “largest hotel west of Minneapolis”

The Sherman House was one of Aberdeen’s first and longest running hotels, opening in 1881 just one month after the town’s founding, and serving the

Sherman House

traveling public for nearly one hundred years. Sherman House opened in grand style with approximately 160 people in attendance.

Guests danced in the spacious dining room; refreshments were served about midnight. Following that, several speakers addressed the crowd. The dancing continued until the

Sherman House Lobby

“wee small hours.” Everyone in attendance declared the opening to be “the most enjoyable event of the season” and congratulated owner James Ringrose on opening one of the finest hotels in the area. The hotel was large enough for 100 guests and boasted a well-stocked bar, a large billiard room, and a livery stable. The Sherman House quickly became the center of many of Aberdeen’s social events. Mr. Ringrose expanded his hotel in 1887 with a brick addition, which increased his capacity by 43 rooms.

Nearly 20 years later on the night of November 22, 1906, fire destroyed the Sherman House. Oddly enough, the brick section was totally destroyed, but the original frame building was relatively untouched. Newspapers claimed, “Practically every resident of Aberdeen not sick in bed or too aged to appear was on Main Street and the adjoining avenues watching the fire.” The hotel was quickly rebuilt on the same site as the original, the corner of 3rd Ave and S. Main St. A grand opening and ball was held in November of 1908. A huge crowd numbering nearly 1,000 was

Sherman Hotel

in attendance, and three orchestras provided dance music throughout the evening. The new Sherman House was a four-story building with 120 guest rooms and 50 baths, most placed between two guest rooms. In addition, each hall had a public toilet. Room rates were $1 and up per night.

Sherman Hotel Matches

Another fire occurred on the night of June 26, 1926, destroying the entire north wing. Again the owners rebuilt the Sherman Hotel, reopening it for business later that same year. In 1966 the upper three floors of the Sherman Hotel were removed, and its new roof would serve as the parking deck for a new downtown parking ramp. The hotel’s first floor became a connecting point to the ramp. The original frame structure, still located on Lincoln Street, was demolished as part of the parking ramp construction.  

In 1977 what was left of the hotel was demolished along with the ramp to make room for a planned low-income rental complex. Finally, in 1980 the Sherman Apartments, a 51-unit housing facility for the elderly, was built on the site.

Pictured are two building photos, one from 1920s and one from 1950s. Interior lobby photo from 1950.

Dawn Burckhard Fondly Remembers Growing Up In Aberdeen.....................by The Three Amigos

The Class of ’66 has been blessed with many colleagues who have intelligence, grace, thoughtfulness, humility, and kindness. This is a narrative of one of our great classmates, Dawn Burckhard.

Dawn has fond memories of growing up in Aberdeen, beginning in her elementary school years and extending right through high school. Dawn was more than a cheer leader for our athletic teams, she was an ambassador full of energy and enthusiasm promoting pride in our school spirit and a model of student respectability. 

As the oldest daughter of Robert and Carroll Burckhard, owners of Burckhard’s Northside Bakery, Dawn had to create a high standard of behavior for her younger siblings. As told by Dawn, “I had great friends at Howard Hedger and it was very comforting to me that many of them would also be going to Monroe. I soon discovered at Monroe that my new classmates were wonderful kids as well.” We always walked to school no matter how frigid the weather. As a young aspiring piano player, she remembered nearly freezing her fingertips walking to school in below zero temperature on one particular day. Mrs. Bea Theilan, who directed the chorus, had to physically warm her hands so Dawn could accompany the chorus, tickling the ivories with her warm fingers.  Ever since the 5th grade I was a piano accompanist in my music classes.  Music was always a part of my early life.

Monroe Cheer Leader

 

I remember being chosen for the cheer leading squad at Monroe which I loved.

Lorraine Keeler

I recall having school dances and Mrs. Lorraine Keeler telling us how to act and what to do if you were asked to dance. We would go to the dances and the boys would be on one side of the gym and the girls on the other side, that certainly wasn't the arrangement I imagined or even wanted.

Junior Snow Queen: 9th Grade

The most precious and special time at Monroe was when I was chosen Junior Snow Queen in the 9th grade. The students voted for the candidates. We went through an interview process and then I was crowned on stage at the Civic Arena. I felt so humbled and undeserving, but very blessed. As reported in the Aberdeen American News, "At the age of 14 with tears of joy, Dawn ascended the throne to thunderous applause at the Civic Theater where she was surrounded by her proud family and crowned by the current Miss South Dakota."  The Snow Queen Festival began in 1947 when the St. Paul Winter Carnival Association contacted Aberdeen officials, now this is South Dakota’s largest winter festival.

Then onto Aberdeen Central High School, a time that was most nostalgic for Dawn. “I was on the cheer leading squad for Football and Basketball with some wonderful girls.

CHS Cheer Leader Group 1965-66

We developed some very special relationships during that time." Music was always my passion and I was in both Acapella and an accompanist.  In my Senior year I was chosen for Homecoming Royalty as a Queen Nominee.

Homecoming Queen Nominee

That truly was an honor.”

My husband Randy and I left Aberdeen in 1990 to buy a Chevrolet Dealership in Corvallis, Oregon. One thing we have always said, "There is nothing like the Midwest people." They are friendly, hard-working, loyal, trusting, and very special to us. We always recognized a Midwesterner on the west coast when overhearing, "Yah, You Betcha."

Dawn & Randy

I really looked forward to our 50th Class Reunion. I only wished I could have spent more time with each one of my classmates. I must say we have a very special class because you all are very special people. 





In life, many things define you.  For me it has been,

The People I have met and come to know
A part of my life that helped me grow
My faith, a strength I have needed so
Aberdeen, always in my heart to overflow

God Bless you all with much love, Dawn Burckhard Jones.