READ FROM BOTTOM UP - LATEST ENTRY IS AT TOP
2008
Dec. 16, 2008
Warm Greetings from Verma
MERRY CHRISTMAS
HERE IT IS THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER ALREADY AND THIS YEAR IS COMING TO A CLOSE....I WONDER WHAT THE NEXT YEAR HOLDS IN STORE FOR US.? THERE WILL BE TOUGH TIMES AHEAD BUT IF WE HAVE FAITH IN OUR CREATOR WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL--TOUGH TIMES WILL BE FACED AND WE CAN ENDURE...WE HAVE OUR FAMILIES AND OUR FRIENDS TO HELP AND SUPPORT US IN TIMES OF NEED. WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR...
MY TIME HERE IN BATON ROUGE IS FLYING BY AND ALREADY IT IS TIME FOR ME TO GO TO ARIZONA TO BE WITH MY DAUGHTER, LORI FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS. SHE HAS TO WORK ALOT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAMILIES--SINCE SHE IS SINGLE, BUT SHE CAN MAKE ALOT OF MONEY BY DOING SO. SHE IS WORKING HARD TO BE DEBT FREE....
SHE HAS SIGNED ME UP FOR VOLUNTEER WORK WITH A SHELTER, AND OTHER THINGS TO KEEP ME BUSY WITH CHURCH AND THE TEMPLE RIGHT THERE....WE WILL ALSO DO SOME FUN THINGS LIKE GET MASSAGES, MANICURES AND PEDICURES AND WORK OUT WITH THE LORI'S DOGS AT THE DOG PARK...I KNOW THAT I WILL ENJOY THE NICE WARM TEMPERATURES THERE IN THE PHOENIX AREA ALONG WITH THE GOOD SOUTHWEST FOOD THERE. THERE IS LOTS TO DO WITH THE SINGLES IN THE CHURCH THERE AND I MAY TRY OUT SOME OF THE THINGS GOING ON...
MY WISH FOR YOU ALL IS THAT YOU HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. LET US ALL LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND BE AWARE OF THOSE WHO HAVE LESS THAN WE DO......LOVE YOU ALL, VERMA
Dec. 11, 2008
From Pantagraph again:
"50 Years ago (1958): Bloomington's unbeaten wrestlers swept to their third victory by handing Tremont a 36-6 reversal. PHIL BARE (103 pounds), Dick Menken (154) and Ron Brucker (175) contributed pins to Bloomington's point total."
What a delightful classmate "Yogi" was. Not only as a wrestler but also as a theatrical performer.
I wonder who might know his current status.
peace
jim bennett
Dec. 6, 2008
Another tidbit from the Bloomington Pantagraph
BHS honored in national ranking
Bloomington High School, Hartsburg-Emden Jr-Sr High School and Morton High School have been named among the best high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
District 87 Superintendent Bob Nielsen was in his car Friday when he learned of the honor.
"It was a great phone call," said Nielsen who confirmed BHS received "bronze" status. "This is truly districtwide. Our high school depends on what is taught in early childhood, elementary and junior high schools."
Rose
Dec. 2, 2008
Dear friends,
The holidays are upon us but life goes on and this is a reminder that giving of ourselves is one of the most satisfying things we can do. We have several classmates that a card or note from their classmates would mean the world.
You may or may not remember Susie Holder Sears. Susie went to school with us through her Sophomore year. Her husband, Dean, passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving day. HIs obituary was in The Pantagraph 11/30/08. Susie's address: 21237 E 950 North Road, Bloomington, Il 61704.
Cheryl Peterson McKinley is recovering from surgery. Cheryl was suppose to be in the hospital four days and ended up there for fourteen. She is currently at her daughters recovering but should be able to go home soon. Cheryl's address: 4102 Drexel Ave., Orlando, FL 32808
And don't forget Judy Bohrer Norton. Judy is dealing with a form of dementia. Judy has no family in the area and being remembered by her friends would be a lovely surprise. Her address: The Myerling, 2218 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington IL 61701
Susie Keiser Cook suffers from heart failure. Her address: 223 1/2 Bennet Ave., Long Beach, CA 90803
I'm thankful every day for my health but I can imagine how delightful it would be to hear from friends if I were ill, house bound, or had no family close.
If any of you know of classmates who could use a card or note, don't hesitate to contact me, Rose Robeson, or Karen Sperlin.
Rose: bhs60@speednet.com
Karen: klsmusic@comcast.net
Thank you in advance. You are all the best!!!!!!!!!
----Zona
Rose,
Just thought I'd send a note to inform classmates that the BHS football team is in the IHSA playoffs again. The Raiders will host Mount Vernon in the first round this weekend.
They probably will win. If so, the second round would be a matchup with arch rival NCHS here in town somewhere. BHS has made the playoffs every year since 1987, the third longest streak in Illinois.
peace
Jim Bennett
Nov. 30, 2008
Life in Louisiana by Verma
Rose,
I am at my older sister's apartment--she used to live in Blm. but moved here 8 years ago to be close to her grandchildren...She sometimes comes up to Blm. in the summer when it is deadly hot and humid here....We are in a suburb of Baton Rouge (know what the name means?) the suburb is called PRAIRIEVILLE which is redundant as there are no prairie's here only swamps and bayou's....I do like it here---It has everything a big city has to offer (it is the capital). I love the food--like---red beans and rice--jambalaya, gumbo and etoufee---also love the oyster Po-boy sandwiches....the other thing I like about being here is the music....it is cajun, zydaco ---you know the kind---fiddle, spoons, squeezebox (which is the same as an accordion)and guitar ....it's very lively and the people here love to dance...they have a special dance that I don't know the name of but I love to watch it...The Dad's will dance with their daughters and little children and they are very family oriented...all people in the south are very friendly....calling you by your first name but with Miss in front --like I am Miss Verma, no matter where I go....sometimes they call you Darling or Baby...sweet poeple who make you feel good........
One of the big attractons for me here is the warm weather it has always been in the 70's everyday since I have been here.....cool in the early mornings but by noon you have the AC on in the car and are taking off clothes to find something cooler....also many trees and flowers are in bloom all the time--funny to walk into a restaurant or mall and see flowers still in the ground in full bloom......The Live Oak trees here are beautiful with the Spanish moss hanging down from them, as well as the Crepe Myrtles.
There are many old Plalntations dating way back to Civil War time---most are located down what is called River Road...one has been in over 30 movies and looks like the plantation from Gone with the Wind...it is called Oak Alley but my favorite is Nottaway...........very Grand and picturesque...(try to put it online to see it)
A must see for visitors here would be to go to Avery Island about an hour away and see how they make Tabasco Sauce---that is where they are are bottled and shipped from...very interesting to watch...
A strange thing to see is many Drive thru Daquari places...don't know how they get away with that.....
Around Mardi Gras time they have a famous cake they sell in all grocery and bakery stores...it is called a King Cake...have you ever heard of them?? The story goes that if you take a cake to a function or eat a piece at a party or function and you get the "BABY" in your piece--then you are elected to buy the next King cake...therefore you really don''t want to get the baby...(I'M SURE IT IS PUSHED IN AFTER THE CAKE IS BAKED AS IT IS PLASTIC AND WOULD NOT GO IN AN OVEN) The cake is not really a cake but more like a coffee cake....there are many flavors --all kinds of fruit and even one they call a VooDoo which is chocolate....
Of course also at Mardi Gras time is many parades---depicting areas of towns or special people --like the King parade or the Zulu parade which is all black...and the highlight of any Mardi Gras parade is to see how many beads you can catch (they are thrown from the floats like we do candy in our parades) Sometimes you will see girls or women raising up their shirts to show their breasts in order to get more beads (NOT ME- MIND YOU)....Mardi Gras lasts a few weeks and is a fun time but really a crazy time---lots of drinking and nudity going on....You just have to know what parades to go to and what parts of town not to be in...
I will be leaving on Dec. 21st to fly to Phoenix to stay with my daughter Lori for about a month....Az. is very nice in the winter months also.----...I will then return to La. for another month beofre taking the train home.
Sorry I went on so long with all this---but now you know what I am doing and seeing.............also seeing a very nice man here by the name of Paul.....he keeps me busy....
Give my best to the gang................Verma
Oct. 18th, 2008
I found this in the Bloomington Pantagraph.
BHS Honors Grads
The Bloomington High School and District 87 halls of fame induction ceremony was held recently at Bloomington High School.
.....among inductees is our own
James W. Bennett, '60, retired special education program assistant and author of novels for teenagers and adults.
AND
Mary Selk taught vocal music classes 1949-1980. She was an adjudicator for music contests and initiated a music theory class that was put into the curriculum.
Rose
October 16, 2008
Address change for Judy Bohrer Norton
After living in her home on Pierce Ave in Bloomington for 43 years, Judy Norton moved to The Myerling Oct. 10. Judy’s son Joe, who lives in Tokyo Japan with his wife Miwako came for a visit along with Judy’s sister, Anny Tyson who lives in Branson MO. They decided that it was too much for Judy to take care of her home by herself and that she needed some help. With Joe and Ann and others, Judy was able to move and get settled in her new apartment.
Judy would welcome cards or a visit from her friends.
Judy Bohrer Norton
The Myerling
2218 E. Lincoln St. #18
Bloomington, Il. 61701
Judy does not have her own telephone but the main number is 662-5900.
August 27,2008
Hi Rose,
We've had problems getting on internet here--it costs a lot to use wi-fi, not like the free hot spots at home!
Dick and I spent a great time in the Lake District and then took 2 different trains to Portsmouth to visit the ship museums, a great D-Day museum and an old castle--one that Henry VIII had built!
We took a bus to Salisbury yesterday and took another bus to Stonehenge. That was interesting as a day trip--back to Portsmouth by bus in the evening after also taking in the cathedral and a great museum.
Interesting you chose to put the itinerary on the website--thanks.
We took another bus today to Heathrow airport and are staying at a hotel nearby so we can get the flight out tomorrow morning. We're using Dick's computer in the lobby of the Ibis Hotel. Found free bus service back to the terminal, so this helps.
Will email from the states next. Too bad to hear about Georgette's death the 20th, another alum gone. WOW.
Suan
August 21, 2008
I received word yesterday that Georgette Morrison Schupe passed away Tuesday. It should be in the paper tomorrow. Georgette had been fighting cancer for a long time. We really need to appreciate one another because things can happen or change so fast.
Zona
August 16, 2008
Hi Rose,
We just finished our concert last night at Canterbury Cathedral and I've finished packing so we can get the train later today back to London.
I found the computer lab/library in our residence hall on Thursday but haven't had much time to get online. I did send you a postcard--but it will probably not arrive until after we get home even though it is air mail--but maybe it will come sooner, certainly not before email!
It seems strange to be watching the Beging Olympics on TV and then looking out the window to see the cathedral and then email to the US!
We've had a good week--lots to see and do. We had a great director, Joseph Cullen orinigally from Glasgow. He is the choral conductor for the London Symphony Orchestra. We had the English Festival Orchestra accompany us. It was a great program.
We went with the tour to Dover Castle area on Tuesday, but it was so windy that the "Keep" area or tower was closed. We did walk through the WWII tunnels that were used by Ramsey as he led the retreat from Dunkirk--over 300,000 men were brought back here. There was also a hospital created in one of the tunnels--the first tunnels were dug during Roman times! Then during the Napoleonic wars--more were dug. Interesting chalk--not terribly strong stuff. On Monday, to back up, we had a walking tour of Canterbury. Wednesday was a tour of the Cathedral itself. Thursday we went to Leeds Castle. On Friday we toured the stained glass workshop on the grounds of the Cathedral. There they restore some of the windows from the Cathedral, but also other cathedrals and churches as well as create new windows. It was interesting.
These activities were in the afternoon, while we rehearsed in the mornings and evenings. It seemed that most of our time was taken up by something to do. We also attended classes and talks led by our faculty as well as a concert they put on. I found it interesting to learn about the differences in music education and training here as related to the US.
It has rained a bit maybe 60% of the time--but just part of each day. It poured after we got to breakfast this morning and was still raining when we returned--now the sun is shining!
I'm having some trouble with the keyboard as there is a different placement of several of the signs we use on ours. I'll have to try to find the pound sign-- € ah, that is control/alt 4! $ is just shift 4! There are only single quotes:' '.
Glad you have had some cooler temps. I haven't worn my shorts or sandals yet here--long pants, long sleeved shirts, jackets or raincoat and running shoes have been the order of the day, except for the concert last night.
We have watched some of the highlights of the Olympics on TV, and gotten some of the British emphasis--guess they have many great cycling and bicycle racers as they have won gold on them. We heard that Dana Torres was in the swimming finals, but this may be over all ready.
That's it for now, Dick just came in and said Rusty (his Aunt) is ready to get a cab to go to the train station. She still has to buy a ticket.
I'll try to email from London or when we get to Carnforth.
Thanks for keeping in touch,.
Suan
A Pop Quiz ...........August 2008
How many of our class mates do you recognize?
A request has been made to add names to the many photos on the web site. I agree, good idea! I did take some time today to try to do that. This a test for all of you. Go to the Photo Gallery section and then navigate to "Past Reunions". If you can send me names on the photos that don't have all the names - or are incorrect.... that would help. That's your homework.
Identify the photo(s) you are sending names to me for. You can tell me it's like the 11th photo from the top or like the photo "after Miss Selk and Bob Gaston".
For now, I'll just mostly go with first names. We'll see how it goes if last names could/should be added.
Don't make me get my ruler out and smack your knuckles for not doing your homework!!! Hee hee!!!