Letters

AN AMBROSE CONNECTION

My husband, Dick, and I thoroughly enjoyed the article about Hugh Ambrose in the winter 2011 edition of the Montanan.

Dick, who got his doctorate at The University of Montana in 1969, chose to leave Michigan for Montana because he was intrigued by a television story about fly-fishing. Once he set foot in Big Sky Country, he fell in love with the West and Western history.

Some years later, we moved south to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, about forty miles from New Orleans. We became acquainted with Hugh’s father, Stephen Ambrose, who also had a home in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Stephen’s books further enhanced our love of the mountain states and history.

Your article brought back some wonderful memories for us. Thank you.

Nan Ehrbright
Winter Haven, Fla.

A Jubilant Feeling

I loved reading Jerry Nordstrom’s account [Letters, winter 2011] of the exchange involving the “Go Griz” signs between Billings and Laurel and the clever way he resolved the issue. Jerry and I both sang with the UM Jubileers many years ago. When Jerry and I belonged to the group, there were ten men and ten women, along with an accompanist. We performed for all types of functions, both in Missoula and throughout the state. It was a real honor to be chosen as a Jubileer, and the Jubileer experience was very significant to me. Jerry always had such a warm, endearing personality and sense of humor. I’m glad to know that hasn’t changed.

Jurine Lanode ’61
Orange, Calif.

Rekindled SPIRIT FOR UM

I must tell you about my first return trip to UM since I graduated in the 1970s. The idea started in 2009 when I watched a Griz playoff football game on ESPN here in Illinois. The Griz won, and it got me so excited that I decided to go to the National Championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn., that December. I met up with some old football teammates at the game, and that made me realize I should be more involved in Griz activities.

My wife and I went to Homecoming in Missoula this past fall. Many of my teammates and friends attended. We reveled in the atmosphere before the game and were amazed by the attendance. We couldn’t have enjoyed it more. The stadium, the players…it was electric, and now we’re hooked.

When I played in the mid-’70s, the football program wasn’t very big. These days it seems everything is all about the Griz: signs on the light poles around campus, T-shirts, jackets, caps. It makes me proud to have been a small part of the Griz in the early stages of building Griz Nation. Congratulations to all who have been involved.

George Weikum ’76
Naperville, Ill.

INSTANT REPLAY

I enjoyed very much two articles from the winter 2011 issue of the Montanan.

First, coach “Jiggs” Dahlberg and his Red Book were featured in the Artifacts story. He made possible my years as a high school basketball coach. I started in Alberton and also coached in Livingston and Helena. And Glen Welch [About Alumni] officiated many of those games I coached!

I’m proud to remember that Jiggs and Glen were good friends of mine.

Jack LeClaire ’52
Moscow, Idaho