It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

News from the ol' home town and the Class of '67 as the holiday season gets underway:

Judy Kendall Bedford and I decorated a tree in Central Park. We are still waiting to hear if we won the big prize. Personally, I think the final product was a work of art, complete with hand-dipped candles (courtesy of Judy), and popcorn and cranberries (those pesky black squirrels have to eat something). It was definitely a girl bonding experience in the butt-freezing cold.

Hubby Frank and I dragged ourselves downtown this morning for the first Annual Hot Chocolate Hustle 5K Run/Walk.

Race time: 8am. Sleet began: 8:01 am.

Remember wanting to slide down Slaughterhouse Hill when you were 10? Well, probably some of you actually did it. Frank and I just walked down the Hill. In truth, we walked the whole darn thing unless you count the part where Number 38 (that's me) slid across the finish line at Central Park while Frank hummed a few bars from "Rocky".

Connection to Class of '67: our very own Jerry Lee, co-owner of Newton Running, was major sponsor of the race. Thanks for the great new T-shirt, Jerry!

PS...you can read about Jerry in Inside Triathlon here, at the Community Foundation website here, and at SNEWS here. Check out his rockin' shoes at Newton Running.

Party at The Barn

The Class of 1967's answer to Dwight Yoakum...our very own Greg Feik. My apologies to Greg for not realizing he was a budding musician back in the '60's. While some of us were warbling in Chorus or playing horns in Band, Greg was strumming his guitar. (Look it up...says so in The Astrum.)

Greg and his band "Vintage Reissue" are now playing a regular gig the second Saturday of each month at The Barn in New Boston. You have two chances to hear him play in December because they will be the New Year's Eve entertainment as well.

The Harlans, my husband Frank, and I had a great time listening to their fine music and cheering every time Greg mentioned "Class of '67". Wish more of the class could have made it. Thanks, Greg, for giving me a reason to stay up past 8:30pm. Next time, if the old knees hold out, I'm going to dance.

Jo McIntyre ----- Found

What a great tool/toy the internet is! Jo McIntyre and I had a fun phone conversation this afternoon. She is sorry we did not find her before the reunion...I think we can convince her to come for a get-together before 2012.

She wants to hear from everyone. I have sent her email and phone number to the on-line contact list and I have emailed a copy of the "booklet" to her. Freely share her contact info with others who don't have email. I will add her to my next snail-mail mailing.

An afternoon of nostalgia

I spent part of the afternoon talking on the phone with one of my favorite teachers from AHS, Barbara Putnam. She was Barbara Sapinski at the beginning of our junior year in English and, I confess, when she returned from Christmas vacation as Barbara Sandbote, I felt betrayed. How could she have loved some guy more than she loved her students?

A few of us visiting together last year began speaking of her and it was fascinating that we had all been influenced rather strongly by her.

Through the ignorance of youth or the cognitive loss of aging, I didn't know or didn't remember anything about her life outside school. Living next door to the museum has special perks, though. My favorite is reading old Times Records on microfilm. And thus I discovered that Mr. Sandbote had been briefly employed at the TR as editor. But it was the late '60's and he left rather soon for the Navy.

That was all the information I had to guide me but fairly quickly found the website of Mr. Sandbote's law office in Texas where he had very kindly placed "editor, Times Record, Aledo, Illinois" in his on-line bio. I dashed off an email and a few months later he sent a gracious reply. Though he and Barbara are no longer married, he was able to give me a name which finally led me to her this afternoon.

She is a speech language pathologist, lives in Texas, married, has a son, step-children and step grandchildren. And she would love to hear from her former classmates...so send her an email and keep in touch.

How to leave a comment

Blogger 101:

Anyone can make comments on any of these posts. At the bottom of each post, click on "comments". A little box will pop up asking for your google password or some such nonsense. Ignore that and click on the circle next to "other". Etiquette would insist on your name, but even that is not necessary.

Of course, it is my blog, so I do get to maintain and enforce some sort of standards.

Senior Prom 2

Remember my confusion about our SENIOR PROM? The confusion that is caused by the fact that our Astrum has only our Junior Prom photos in it? The confusion that has led me for 40 years to forget that there was this other prom?

Thanks to Margaret Conway I have been able to prove that there was a prom our senior year and I was there. The museum has a complete collection of Astrums and I found the 1968 yearbook with photos of our Senior prom...MARDI GRAS. I sort of remember this...Susie, Susie, and Margaret singing. And yours truly at the piano. (And is that Randy Riddell in the background????)

Thanks, Margaret!!!

Pam's retirement

Pam Truman Dillavou retired tonight after 40 years of mentoring young majorettes. She joined this year's girls in an amazing twirl of the fire baton. Then she and a large cohort of former students performed a rather snappy routine that they had just learned! Rusty Ruggles presented her with a plaque, a gazillion people snapped pictures, including Tom Harlan with his videocam, and Channel 8 news interviewed her. An impressive commitment and good example, Pam!

The 45th Reunion Committee

Five years ago, at the 35th reunion, the Class of '67 failed to appoint a reunion committee. That meant that the 40th class reunion committee was self-appointed. It worked this time, but it seemed prudent to pick a reunion committee earlier, so we took the time to name a committee at the reunion.

The actual process of choosing a reunion committee does not follow Robert's Rules of Order. There is the long pause for volunteers which, yielding little, segues to volunteering others. That is usually successful and though the term "arm-twisting" could be applied, we have always had good committees, I think.

Now, did anyone take notes about the committee for the 45th? Tom Harlan did but he cannot read his own writing. He thinks Dennis, Pat, and Pam, but he doesn't know which Pam. Pat thinks Ron and Don, but Tom thinks Don said "no". Pam Nesbitt says she did not volunteer.

If anyone can solve the mystery, let me know and I will make sure the entire class knows whose feet to hold to the fire. And, need I add, if anyone who wasn't at the reunion wants to volunteer to help with the next one, everyone is welcome.

Senior Prom

Ask any of the girls...we get together and my mantra is "I can't remember anything about high school."

I vaguely remember the "Memory Book" we received with our graduation announcements. It went missing several decades ago and I guess my memories went with it.

But I have carried my four Astrums with me: to Champaign, to the house in Toluca, to 5 different places in Virginia and now back to Aledo. Mind you, they did not languish at the bottom of the cedar chest or in the back of a closet growing mildew in the Virginia humidity. No, they were always close at hand, for easy reference, in case I needed to know what year someone graduated or some other pressing fact that demanded instant checking.

With the Reunion still in my thoughts, I have been giving the good old blue volume closer scrutiny. Even with a magnifying glass I cannot discern if any of the attractive, young, and earnestly-in-love couples at the prom contains me.

Maybe the green year...wait a minute! How can Shangri-La be their prom and our prom? But there it is...Class of '66 green Astrum with Shangri-La and Class of '67 blue Astrum with Shangri-La, not to mention the same decorations.

For 40 years I have been looking at this Astrum, reminiscing about the Prom I Can't Remember. Now I realize that was our Junior prom, so that means there is ANOTHER Prom I Can't Remember. So about this Prom...What was the theme? Moon over Manhattan? San Francisco with Flowers in My Hair? In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida? Why wasn't it in the Astrum? The yearbook went to press so late that year.

Why can't I remember this? And can anyone else? The theme and every little detail with photos, please.

Call for classmates - Be there or be square

Pam Truman Dillavou is recreating the magic of her twirling at half-time at the football game October 19. Then she retires after 40 years of mentoring young women in the art of the baton. Some of her former students are performing with her. I am sworn to secrecy, but I can tell you that FIRE is involved.

Remember at the Reunion...we said, "let's get together more often".

It's a triple opportunity...watch the Dragons win, support Pam, and visit with the Class of '67!

I've found George Gillette!

Through intense, deductive, and intuitive internet searching, I located George Gillette in Colorado. Keep in mind that there are several George Gillettes in Colorado. Our George is NOT the owner of the Pepsi Center in Denver or the Montreal Canadiens. (Thank goodness, although maybe our George would like that guy's money.)

We had a fine phone conversation this morning. He left AHS after his junior year, leaving him little time to bond with his new school in his senior year, so he still considers himself a member of our class. I told him we feel the same.

In keeping with my Blog Privacy Policy, I will e-mail his contact information to the AHS Class of 1967.

From Norman

Norman Brown had the creative juices flowing in response to the Reunion call. If you were able to attend the Reunion on Saturday night, you would have had a chance to read this, among other longer responses. We loved reading news about everyone, but the size of the booklet required editing the information we received. (In keeping with my blog privacy policy, I have removed Norm's contact info. If you didn't receive it via email or in the hard copy booklet, let me know.)
Apologies to Norm: the original looks better than this.



Hey, guys and gals, it’s time to count down the Top ____ as we cheer the Dragons from the ___ Yard Line. You have to speak up because I have a ___ % Hearing Loss. It’s a result of being (well) North of ___ and have worked more than ____ Hours a Week farming the South ___. If I don’t recognize you it’s because of my 20/___ Vision. If you don’t recognize me it’s because I have a __ Inch Waistline. If I leave early, it’s because I need to catch __ Winks.
No more fearing being sent to the principal’s office for __ Lashes. Instead we ponder:

Working for __ Days and __ Nights at __ Below.
Relieving our aches and pains with WD-___.
Wandering for __ Years in the Wilderness.
Being cared for by __-Year-Old Children.
The only certain things: (see Isaiah __ :6-8) and filing that 10-__.


Norm Brown
Wife: Cheryl
Children: Andy (Lesa) Brown (Robbie, Avery, Sydney), Nairobi, Kenya
Laura (Aaron) Lindberg (Micah), Decatur, Alabama
Jenny (Rob) Ilderton, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Emily Brown, Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia
Occupations:
Farming, Software, Consulting, Elder, Grandpa

News from Ray Kerley

I received this via email from Ray Kerley. He didn't stay to graduate with us, but I consider him part of the AHS Class of '67.

"I finally found enough time to put together a few lines to briefly tell what I've been up to:

PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY

O. Ray Kerley, B.Sc., M.A., M.Div.

I attended Junior and Senior High School in Aledo, Illinois. We moved just prior to my Senior year to Logan, Iowa where I graduated Valedictorian of my class and a member of the Honor Society. I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry at Ottawa University. The Master of Arts Degree was earned at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I also earned the Master of Divinity Degree at Eastern. I am an ordained minister in the American Baptist churches, U.S.A. and have pastored churches in Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and Utah.

I married Erlene in 1971. We have four children (Elizabeth, born in 1976; Deborah, born in 1979; Clara Eilene, born in 1982; and O.R., born in 1985). We also have 2 granddaughters.

For the past 17+ years I have served as the Pastor of Murray Baptist Church (American Baptist), a small (35) congregation in a suburb of Salt Lake City. Prior to moving to Utah I have worked at our denominational headquarters, served on the General Board of our denomination, as well as various regional and area boards. I have also served as the chair of the World Relief Committee of the ABC and the American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC). In addition, I have been active ecumenically and served on the board of Shared Ministry of Utah and served as the chair of its Nominating Committee and Finance Committee. I am a former member of Rotary International and have been involved in a number of public service activities such as Meals-On-Wheels. I am listed in Who's Who in Religion.

In order to pay for my hobby of pastoring a small mission church, I work for the Federal government as the Network/PC Administrator of the U.S.Bankruptcy Court, Division of Utah. I hold the following certifications:A+, Network+, Linux+, MCP, MCP+I, MCSE, CNA, CNE, CCNA, FCC General Radiotelephone License (with Radar Endorsement), and am also a National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers Senior 1st Class Engineer. Prior to working for the Federal Judiciary, I taught network engineering at Salt Lake Community College, worked as a network consultantwith Sprint Paranet, served as the Network Administrator for HealthRiderCorp. and as a technical trainer for Packard-Bell Electronics.

My additional hobbies include HAM radio (Extra Class, NC0Y), photography, and trying to keep my Yamaha RD350b and my Honda Silver Wing running.

Dang, no wonder I'm tired!"

Ray Kerley

Jean's Gift

Whatever happened to ?????

I have found a new hobby...to put together a complete list of all our classmates and try to find them. That is a broader task than one may think. For instance, do I count those little boys beside me on the steps in the kindergarten photo? Who in heaven's name are they? What about some girl who was with us in 5th and 6th grade but then moved away? How do we even find a record of her? (I don't have class photos from those days.)



I have a list of about a dozen classmates who were with us for at least one year at AHS as evidenced by their photos in the Astrum. Thanks to Keith and Ron at the reunion for giving me some clues about these folks. I will keep working on this list.


Here is your assignment.
Where are Kathy Fender, Jo McIntyre, and Charles Inglett? They graduated with us and we would like to include them in our mailings. You can email me or comment at the bottom of this post if you have any clues.




P.S. Occasionally we have found people who simply do not want to be found. If you know someone who fits that description, please let me know and I will stop looking.

Rest in Peace

The following members of the Class of 1967 are deceased:

Bob Andrews

Rita Boyles Jackson

Sue Coulter

Alvin Ernster

Tim McCreight

Steve Moffitt

Jim Morris

George Roth

Mary Stallings Munson

Notes on the Reunion 1

The reunion committee Tom, Susie, Connie, Dan, Ann, Pam and Jo met belatedly and occasionally at the VFW to plan this thing. Dan voted himself off the committee though he was nearby if we needed his advice. Connie did so much work putting together the booklet and, in general, collating any information the rest of us threw at her. Ann did the name tags and all the legwork on the food. We all tried contacting those with whom we had lost touch over the years.

Thanks to Tom for being emcee and his photography, Keith for getting a truck for the parade, Jean for the green bracelets, and Pam for the scarves. Also, the VFW was accommodating to our meetings and in other ways I may not know and Mercer Market gave us a deal on the food.

The Main Event

Ann did all the name tags...check them out as you browse the pics!

Come early to set up the tables and you get more chatting time!


Paula flew in from NYC. She is hoping her Broadway gig is still there when she returns.

My photo skills need upgrading, but you can see the fun is already starting.

Check out Ann's name tag, complete with photo from the Astrum. Notice her wrist. The green bracelets were sent by Jean who, we are sad to report, could not come.

We decided to not decorate and then these tasteful autumn leaves showed up. Nice touch, don't you think?

Kudos to Elizabeth for getting Ric out of the field!

I think my husband needs to upgrade his photo skills, also. Looks like Mike, Dan, Carole, and Larry. Notice the name tags! Brent Anderson, Class of '66 and spouse of Cathy, is on the right.




Goodness, blurry isn't it? Margaret, Brent, and Dan, I think.



Jim and Marjie Earl...first time at the reunion and the most grandchildren. However, no prizes were given.

Dan, Cathy, Ron, Larry, Carole, and Larry's wife Diane.



Pam's husband, Jerry Russell, and Tom Harlan

Nina, and the Pams

We had a table of memorabilia: photos and old Astrums. I think that may be what Nina, Shirley, Brad, Dan, and Pam are checking out.

Marjie Earl and Elaine

Cathy, Brent, and Carole

Gary and Pam

Jo and Ann....notice again the green bracelets and photo nametag.

Mike with Carole Smith

Jo and Maureen...I see Keith and Mike in the background.

Don with Gary Davison

Carole Smith...Parrothead, oops, Dennis in the background

The Susies...bracelets, nametags and the ubiquitous libation of the evening

Ditto

Pat and Ann

Margaret and Elaine

Margaret, Elaine, and Joyce who dashed in from an earlier engagement.

Ronn Dillavou, Class of '66. Notice his left hand. He had been sent to the car to get Pam's baton. I actually know someone from Maine who carries her baton in her trunk just in case someone asks her to twirl. Here's evidence that it can happen at anytime!

Dan...this may be my best photo, I think. We've known each other since kindergarten.

Dan, of course, and someone else who is not a classmate.


Pat...this is the best photo of a nametag. You can even notice the difference 40 years makes in the color of one's hair.

She seemed to make do, but before the next reunion, will someone freeze up a batch of marguerita mix for Paula?

Great to see Don taking time out from his cars.

Carol

Nina and Shirley

Susie and Pam

Jerry and Pam

Pam

We took a group photo before chowing down. These folks insisted on their own. Will they ever get over having to come to Aledo to school? The Seaton bunch!

The next several photos were taken while we were posing for the group photo. The names of entire group are listed at the end. Lots of photos were taken...hopefully, someone has a really good one. None of these will make the Times Record.

Front row, left to right: Nina Secrest, Susie Bonynge, Susie Butcher, Paula Davis, Dennis Henderson, Margaret Conway, Carole King, Pam Howlett, Tom Harlan, Don Basala
Second row, left to right: Shirley Swanson, Pam Nesbitt, Maureen Conway, Jo Knox, Elaine Weeks, Pam Truman, Connie Shike, Cathy Baldwin, Ann Sawin, Carol McIntyre, Pat O'Hearn
Top row, left to right: Keith Clark, Ric McDonald, Jim Earl, Ron Parkinson, Mike Crawford, Dan Hilligoss, Larry Criswell, Brad Carroll