June 25, 2015
Hi there,
Just back at home from a long long trip - - - was great - - started out with my cousins from Shelbina, Mo. they arrived on June 6th - spent a couple of days here, then off to Laughin for a little gambling, Marsha won $804 within the first hour and more later on - - I made my usual donation for the cause - - then we found out that the London Bridge was about 80 miles south of us. oops !
Got up the next morning and took a 6 1/2 hour boat trip down the Colorado River to Lake Havasu and went under the "bridge" / lunch and a l o n g trip back - - my "boating arm" is still peeling and I always have a pretty good tan - - took of for Solvang, Ca. and a wonderful wedding at the Old Mission Santa Ines on Saturday and reception at the PIG FARM on Highway 101 south of Buellton - - then a post weeding reception at the family winery on Sunday morning for the family (real extended), some of them must be getting "really" old as I had a real hard time recognizing them - - then Tuesdays morning we were of to Palm Springs for 3 days, up the tram to the mountain top, great lunch and COOL weather down below it was 114 degrees. The fire at Big Bear caught up with up just (smoke) just prior to our leaving, Now back home and still 114 degrees here . WOW the pool sure feels good.
Morey Barekman
June 14, 2015
Everyone,
We were writing an update through today and realized that the email was just too long, plus it wasn’t really compete enough to send. So this is an update through last Sunday and hopefully we can catch up soon.
Susan and Dave Jones
Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the delays in writing this report. We have been very busy and tired most nights. When last we reported, we were ready to head into Canada. We spent some time watching ships go through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, and then had lunch across the street from the locks. Security was high, but we were able to enter an observation area right next to the locks.
We then traveled over the bridge in the back ground where we could see the rapids, which were very pretty.
We traveled on to Sudbury, Ontario for the night. Sudbury is the Nickel City and there is a huge nickel mine here. Our next stop was the Capital city, Ottawa. Because we were in a hurry, we had a quick lunch along the way.
And here the best laid plans did go awry. We ate a quick picnic and enjoyed beautiful scenery before pulling into town. We had arranged to do a boat tour of the city so we wouldn’t have to drive downtown. The area we pulled into was more urban than expected. We made it to the GPS point where the marina was located with 15 minutes to spare, but none of us could figure out where to turn in. So we ended up fighting traffic on both sides of the river, nearly running over pedestrians and generally going in circles. The picture below is our only picture of Government buildings in the downtown area.
The relief upon finding our motel was short-lived when 2 bus loads of 11 year olds unloaded. None of us got much sleep.
We were happy to head east toward Quebec City the next morning. The drive was again beautiful with glimpses of the Ottawa River and later the St. Lawrence. What a great location for our hotel! Easy walking distance to the walled city. The first afternoon we walked around, visited the Frontenac Hotel lobby, the overview of the old city below and had a crepe dinner. Below is a picture of our hotel.
Some of us again did not sleep much due to late night talking in the halls. We were able to change rooms for the second night.
The next morning some of us took a harbor cruise which gave a good overview of the area. Picture above is from the top deck of the boat as we departed the dock.
We spent most of the afternoon walking the ancient streets, climbing up on the walls of the fort and the old city.
We then gathered for a dinner at a brew pub. Looking out our hotel window we were treated to a parade of a hundred or so “zombies”. Not sure what that was. Then, sadly, a group of 20 somethings checked in next door for what we guess was a bachelorette night. Lots of screaming. When they returned from dinner the party continued down the hall until Ted Kafer knocked at their door wearing his pajamas and told them how rude they were being. Another not so good nights sleep.
On Sunday we headed across a huge bridge , through customs 100 miles later and back into the U.S.A. It was a very backwoods drive, although no moose, only a warning sign.
The meet began on Sunday at Kennebunkport, ME and it was good to see lots of friends from across the country.
Our hotel was quite grand with views of the Atlantic ocean. Barbara Bush was having her 90th B’day party just down the road. Here is our friend Kelly, who seems to be everywhere taking pictures with his quad-copter.
We gathered for appetizers on the porch with lovely views of the Atlantic ocean. The Days, Christensens and Bybees had now joined us.
March 19, 2015
Registration for our 55th Class Reunion was sent out by email last night. If you haven't received this email, please contact Zona at zonag@me.com or (309)829-7735.
March 19, 2015
I'm sad to report we have lost 5 more of our classmates since the first of this year.
Helen Lockwood......January 15, 2015
William Squires........February 24, 2015
Sam Kelch...............February 26, 2015
Lewis Hodge...........March 9, 2015
Bill Hanner.............March 10, 2015
February 1, 2015
It was back in 1959 that Kent Gummerman and I were in Acapella together and sometime that year we dated a few times. Of course that was before I was "smitten" by a handsome young boy by the name of Don Lowery and he became "infatuated" by the likes of Diane Rehker --and so we went our separate ways....but who would have known that back when we were preparing for our 50th class reunion, I would ask Kurt about Kent....( Don had passed away in 1999)..."He's on Facebook" Kurt said and so on Aug 10, 2010 I found him and asked that golden question..."Do you remember me?" The rest is history, as they say..
We spent many winters together in Tx. and summers in Il. since that time....then on one of our trips back to Tx.It was Oct. 9th, 2014.. we had stopped at a restaurant in Alton, Il called Fast Eddies and it was there that a note appeared in front of my food...A very sweet note that he had stuck in a antique coffee creamer that he had taken from a shelf at my house. I was elated to answer him with a YES !!!......and so on Dec. 19th, along with his son Geoff and my daughter Sarah, we were married in San Marcos, Tx. at the Justice of the Peace in a court room....
We live in Dripping Springs, Tx. in a beautiful home that Kent had built 2 years ago. We love feeding our "wildlife" and anyone who is on Facebook can see what has arrived to eat at our deer feeder..things other than deer (which we have in abundance) like a bobcat, fox, wild turkey and they say there is a mountain lion that roams these parts...
We love to have company and have a separate suite to accommodate visitors so come on down to Tx. and we will give you a real Texas welcome.
Verma & Kent Gummerman
January 28, 2015
Just trying to catch up a bit. I've been most negligent of late. Norm has been in and out of hospital and nursing homes so much this Fall and winter, I've lost track of how many times. Long story short, he's been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Diagnosis long time coming but maybe explains a lot of mysterious happenings with him in the last year.
The biggest news for the class is Verma Rediger Lowery and Kent Gummerman got married! Congrats to a great couple!!!
Please go to Photo Gallery>Verma and Kent's wedding to see a few happy wedding pix and their beautiful new home in Texas.