Reminder that the monthly,
4th Monday GHS ’70 Luncheon is right
around the corner, noon October 22
at Auburn’s Peking Buffet (@Grandstaff&SR8, 260.925.2746). Put this on your
calendar now, and while you’re at it, fill out the year’s remaining 4th
Monday dates.
The September luncheon
saw 9 classmates in addition to me. Going clockwise around the table are Kathy Creager VanAllen, Cindy Nodine
DeWitt, Jama Payton Campbell, Cindy Hathaway Myers, Dan Myers, Greg Weller,
Lauren Fike, and Mike Rhodes. Sandy
Wilmot Wise took the photo and is hence unseen, yet was very much a part of
the luncheon ...
… And here she is.
This was Sandy’s first luncheon, and
it was very nice to have her there with us. Unfortunately she lives an hour
away and won’t be able to attend regularly, but that is true for many of us. There
will be more on Sandy below, but for
now the take-home idea is that whenever you can come or feel like coming, there will be others here who
will be happy to see you. And when you do come, bring a camera!
You
can see now that we’ve come a long way since Kathy Creager VanAllen was the only female, so you other women there at home - it’s safe to come, and you are guaranteed a good time.
Pat Casey
was also present, at least in spirit – he had sent me an email expressing his
desire but inability to come this particular Monday, and asked that I give
everyone there his regards. Of course you are wondering what could possibly be
more rewarding than a GHS ’70 luncheon?
Well, the answer is pretty obvious in
this photo Pat’s son-in-law took of Pat with his daughter Lisa and grandson
Ethan while at a restaurant in Eugene, Oregon. Lisa has been seven years in
Eugene, including her time in Law School at the University of Oregon.
This photo is sized for the newsletter, but
viewed larger you see Pat’s joy is absolutely radiant. Pat’s wife, Deb Neukom
Casey (GHS ’71), was there as well, but this was obviously Pat’s moment.
Other News and People
I learned that Bud Saxer (known to very
many through his founding and operating the Garrett
Boxing Club for decades) will be inducted into Garrett’s Hall of Honor, and that Ed Placencia (who continued the
club in a downtown Garrett building) has cancer and the club’s downtown
location is now occupied by the t-shirt (and more) store MJS Apparel (they relocated their store within the past month or so).
A recent Garrett Clipper featured a
very nice article on Bud, and noted a few of the club’s more prominent boxers,
including Tommy Esselburn, Randy Brown, Arnie
and several other Placencias, Ray
Burniston, and Dan Somers (apologies to those I forgot). Should this be the end
of the Garrett Boxing Club, it will
truly be the end of an era.
The Friday just before the September
luncheon, the Garrett Museum of Art opened an EXCELLENT new exhibit: “Vision 2012" by IPFW’s Visual Communications and Design Department
students. This museum is a local miracle which you have to see to believe. I
can’t imagine how the local high school art teacher, Mark Ober, imagined such a
project could succeed, but his inspiration was shared and supported by the Garrett State Bank. Sarah Haynes Sweitzer’s husband Kent, who took our 40th Reunion photos, has photographed many of the museum’s
exhibits, and has exhibited some of his photos there as well. In this case
though, you see me (along with the larger street scene) reflected in the
museum’s side window, as I took the photograph during Garrett’s Alumni Days celebration in July.
Speaking of Kent, did anyone notice in
his 40th Reunion group photo (shown in last month’s newsletter) which
two GHS ’70 classmates were holding hands? I will tell you only that I never
noticed and never would have, but for Hal
Hippensteel’s eagle-eye zeroing in on the clasped hands within seconds of
seeing Kent’s photo. It is an innocent, public, and ‘touching’ expression of
friendship, a very nice, shared moment … Would that we were all closer and more
open.
Auburn Fair Week
The September luncheon fell on the first day of the Auburn Fair – unfortunately my cheap camera was out of focus, but you still get the idea.
And Garrett kids still get out of school
on Friday.
What’s different these days, for me at least, is that I now like to see the 4-H exhibits more than the street fair …In fact I don’t think I ever even realized there were 4-H exhibits as a kid.
Looking at the (many, many more than
seen here) ribbons, exhibit projects, and animals the kids raised, and looking
at many of the kids themselves, I can’t help but wonder “Whose grandsons and
granddaughters are these?” Surely many belong to our classmates, so
congratulations to them all on being able to continue this wholesome tradition.
New Additions to the GHS ’70 Cyber-Gathering
Let’s take a moment to welcome those who
have requested or have otherwise been added to this email distribution since
last month: Sandra Wilmot Wise, Mike Barcus, Sue Rhetts, Lucy Curtis Cumston, Sharon Heitz, Phil Wheeler, and Paula Johnston Fike.
It is really nice having you all here with us, and even though the gathering is in Cyberspace, anyone can participate in the way that Trudy Watson Boyd did last month.
It is really nice having you all here with us, and even though the gathering is in Cyberspace, anyone can participate in the way that Trudy Watson Boyd did last month.
For those who weren’t at the September
luncheon, the newsletter profile that Trudy
wrote and shared was very well received - so much so that I want to allow
anyone else who is willing to do the same.
Initially I thought people might be
reluctant to share themselves in writing, but after asking a couple, it became apparent that people are
indeed willing. So hopefully each month for some time we will be able to share
somebody’s profile and/or thoughts and reflections. Thanks again to Trudy for going first – the fact that
others are so willing is a testament to the success of her initial example.
This month we hear from Mike Barcus and Sandy Wilmot Wise:
Mike Barcus
Stephen, what a pleasant surprise to
receive your note; I enjoyed viewing the newsletter on your blog. I will
look forward to receiving future editions via email. When you asked if I would be willing to share
something about myself, I thought about your newsletter/luncheon theme “We
all grew up together in the Sixties, and now that we have arrived in our 60s,
maybe it is time we got to know each other better!” I reminisced about the pleasant
experience of finally making it back for one of the class reunions, our 40th
and briefly reconnecting with old acquaintances. The only other
time I ventured back was for the 10th, which ended up being canceled
(Actually a small group of folks assembled at the abode of Gary Vice and Karen
(Freeze). Mostly I contemplated your personal
efforts to connect classmates and renew old acquaintances; I decide to step up
my game and follow your example.
After graduation from GHS, my
goal (like many of us at that time) was to put Garrett in my review mirror and
explore new options. I headed off to
Ball State University where I partied hard, explored many majors, and met an
engaging young woman, Sue Watts. I graduated in ’74 with a degree in special
education and migrated to Westminster Maryland for my first job teaching
children with children with severe multiple disabilities & supporting their
families. In December of that year, Sue
and I “tied the knot” in her home town of South Bend. Wow, it is astonishing how fast time slips
by; we recently celebrated our 37th anniversary.
In ‘78, we journeyed to South
Carolina were I accepted a special education administrator position and she a
teaching position. In ‘83 we moved to
our present location -- Mechanicsville Virginia. I have been employed at Virginia Commonwealth
University (VCU) and have held a variety of positions related to evidence based
disability research, personnel training, and knowledge translation. Currently I serve as an Assistant Professor
with Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and
Administrator for the Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering
(VCU-CERSE). We are engaged in efforts
to further the science for evidence based rehabilitation research, education
and clinical care for children and adults with disabilities and rehabilitation
processes and outcomes for veterans, especially those with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI),
and Parkinson's disease.
Sue has worked for local school
districts as a special education teacher.
Currently she is a senior teacher (quasi administrator) for special
education at Lee Davis High School. We
have two married daughters, one living in Virginia and the other in Georgia.
When we are not working, Sue and I enjoy a variety of activities such as;
rooting for our favorite college sports teams, cycling, kayaking, touring
wineries, attending festivals, walking on the beach, spending time with family,
etc... We enjoy organic gardening, although at the present we don’t have a
vegetable garden.
My mother still resides in Garrett
(currently at the Yellow Retirement Apartments). I get back to visit a
couple times a year, usually in the summer and around the winter
holidays. I hope that my future visits align with a 4th Monday GHS
’70 Luncheon, so that I may reconnect with you and other classmates.
Sandy Wilmot Wise
It was great to see all of you at
the Peking Buffet. It brought back a lot
of memories.
After graduation I attended IPFW
for 2 years and then went down to Purdue for the remaining time. I met my
husband Jim while at Purdue at church. Jim was from a small town Mentone, near
Warsaw.
Jim began farming with a relative
of his and has been farming there ever since.
We were married in March of 1975, have been married 37 ½ yrs, and have 3
kids: Kevin (36), Jill(34), and Jeff(32). Kevin lives in Missouri and has 5
children. Jill lives in Michigan and has 4 children. Jeff came back to the farm
and is farming with us. He has 1 child and 1 on the way, for a total of 10
grandchildren and 1 more on the way.
In 1989 we purchased the farm at
the death of Jim’s relative. We farm 1700+ acres of corn and soybeans in
Kosciusko , Marshall and Fulton Counties. We also raise hogs (feeder to finish ). I help with the farming
when needed. I don’t have to help as much with Jeff here now.
I still help with loading the hogs
and driving the grain trucks. I unloaded the semi after I got home from Auburn,
so that chores could be done.
I mostly just do the book work and
(gopher work) running for parts etc. I
do a lot of volunteer work. Jim and I were 4-H leaders for 18+ years until our
children were done with 4-H.
 |
| Sandy at 60 |
We are active with our local
church. I also am a Master Gardener and do a lot of volunteer work there. I
still keep a small garden.
We keep busy visiting and keeping
up with our grandchildren. They range in age from ( 9 – 1) . Right now our
concern and prayers are with our son Kevin’s 5 year old daughter Madi, who was
diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Sept 5th of this year. We are
trying to help them as much as we can (they
are 7 hrs. away). I don’t make it to
Garrett or Auburn much anymore since both of my parents are gone.
I only live an hour away but life is busy
here. I hope to be able to come and visit with you in the future.
Thank you so much Mike and Sandy (and Trudy).
I have often wondered “Who are these people we spent so much time
with, yet in so many cases never really knew, except so superficially? Who were
they, and who have they become?” Of course even now we can know only so
much, such is the mystery of our lives, but these personal contributions really
do reflect some otherwise-absent knowing, and we are all richer for their
sharing. I look forward to hearing from many others in the months ahead, and I
have to believe I am not alone.
We all grew up together in the Sixties …
And now that we have arrived in our 60s, it is indeed time to get know each other better!
In Memoriam
This newsletter is being archived at http://ghs70news.blogspot.com/, and I have been wondering
whether to add a ‘page’ to that blog to commemorate our deceased classmates? My
first thought was to simply list names and post (when possible) an early grade
school photo, a more senior school photo, an adult photo, and the date of
passing for each deceased classmate. In time, this simple framework might be
expanded to include obituaries and/or classmate comments.
However, this is a much more grave and sensitive undertaking than
these current newsletters, and I am very hesitant to proceed without some very
serious, considered feedback ... And even then, I question whether I should
undertake such a project on my own – maybe others should be involved as well …
Or maybe others should undertake this project without my involvement?
After all, I was moved to write this newsletter, but there may
well be other classmates who would feel moved to construct and maintain an In Memoriam project – perhaps a classmate(s)
who would not need my help, and who honestly may prefer to work independently
of me. In that case I really do not need to be involved, nor would I feel
slighted – I have no ownership in this new project at this time. The key
consideration is that the project be undertaken by those who can and will
execute on the class’ behalf, without the personal conflicts that so often
ultimately undermine cooperative projects.
I guess what I’m saying is:
·
I would really like to see an In
Memoriam project go forward …
·
But acknowledge there may be others more suited and willing to
carry it out …
·
So can we explore the issues and options without causing more
problems than we solve?
In any case, I am aware of eleven, and
whatever does or does not come about, let us remember these when we are
‘together’ per this newsletter.
And please, whom have I forgotten?
*
Angie Muzzillo
*
Ben Hatton
*
Bob Pickleseimer
*
Chuck Bergner
*
Dolan Boyd
*
Ed Schlotterback
*
John Yarian
*
Peggy Chisholm
*
Randy Haffner
*
Rick Hyde
*
Sue Kirkpatrick
$5.62 with tax for the buffet if you
have water …
 |
| I discovered a soup bowl works better than the smaller desert bowl |
In Closing…
An ice cream toast …
That’s just about all for now, except
please help spread the word: share this
email and help get other classmates “signed up.” Anyone wanting to be added
directly to the distribution needs only email or call me [voice, not text – my
phone options are set to not receive text, even though the text may seem
to go through] at 630.251.6931, and I will add them. And please share your newsletter with classmates not using email –
perhaps print off a hard copy to pass along to a friend?
If you want to share class news, a photo, etc, just send it electronically to me (along with
descriptive text and perhaps your phone #). The idea is to make these bulletins interesting whether or not you want to or are
able to attend the luncheons. You all out there know a lot more about what is
going on than me, myself, and I, so please know that your input will be welcome!
Presently the direct email distribution includes 47 classmates, and so far 19 have
elected for their email address to be shown (in alphabetical order):
Bill Fetter, Bob Bishop , Carolyn Myers Kowal, Delana Runion Kantzer, Don
Campbell , Gery Barry , Jama Payton Campbell, Jeanne Hockaday McNeal, Jim Burns , John Jinnings , Lucy Curtis
Cumston, Mike Barcus, Pat Casey , Paulette Swank
Kobiella, Phil Wheeler, Rick Elder , Ron Gall , Teresa Koehl Thorne, Vicki
Miller Hodge
The others listed below are on the email
distribution as well, but email addresses are hidden per the Bcc option:
Arni Placencia , Barbara Tustison
Smith, Cindy Nodine DeWitt, Clyde Handshoe , Dan Yarde , Dave Ashenfelter ,
Dave Kobiella , Doris Sleek Jarnagin, Doug Smith , Gary Fike , Greg Weller ,
Jack Clark , Kathy Creager VanAllen, Lisa Englehard Murphy, Marisa Kennedy ,
Mary Yoder Weeks, Mike Rhodes , Nancy McKee Ireland, Paula Johnston Fike, Penny
Evans Wolf, Sandra Wilmot Wise, Sarah Haynes Sweitzer, Sharon Heitz , Steve
Tullis , Sue Rhetts, Tony Janueski , Trudy Watson Boyd, Wayne Smith
StephenRowe.OriGraphics@yahoo.com
