50th Reunion Pictures

The galleries of 50th Reunion pictures

are now available for viewing at this location.

Please browse, add comments,

and correct any errors.

If you took any pictures at the Reunion,

please send copies to me.

Thanksgiving

There's a familiar image, from the Four Freedoms series that Norman Rockwell painted in 1943. This one is Freedom from Want, and it's often reprinted at Thanksgiving. 

I remember family dinners like that, with several generations gathered at the table. We were thankful to be together, to enjoy the food and tell our news, and to remember those no longer with us.

Three classmates sent in those clever Jacquie Lawson animated greeting cards, all celebrating Thanksgiving. From Harriett and Rom Sidoli, there's a turkey; from DeeDee and Clay Wood, a pumpkin pie; and from Diane and Al Urbanckas, a homecoming. Thanks everyone, for sharing.

Wherever you are, we hope you have a happy and peaceful holiday.

Ken Mantle

Sad news for our classmate, Gay Logan Mantle: her husband, Ken "Russ" Mantle died on Thursday, Nov 20 at home in Pensacola, Florida.

Ken attended Lanphier and enlisted in the Navy in 1956. He served during Vietnam and received many decorations. He and Gay had three daughters and six grandchildren.

Services were held today in Pensacola. Classmates may read the full obituary in the SJR and also leave messages of sympathy in the Online Guest Book.

Street View

Want to see your old neighborhood?

Go to Google Maps and enter the address and ZIP.

Click on Street View. Then enlarge the view.

Click curved arrows to turn the view.

Click straight arrows to go up or down the street.

Move the little figure to see other views.

Or add a new address.

Much of Springfield is now visible in Street View.

I noticed: many houses are gone or remodeled.

And the trees are now HUGE!

Haunting

I don't suppose any of us believe in haunted houses?

Yet I live near one, and I remember a few in Springfield.

Troy Traylor, of Alton, IL. has a site on

Illinois Hauntings.

Scroll down for the Springfield sites.

They include the Lake Club, Dana Thomas House,

and several other surprises.

For lighter fare, check out the new Music video this week,

featuring rock 'n roll tunes and dances.

Gordon Jones

Harmony Boys in 1958

I'm sorry to report that Gordon Jones, drummer in the Harmony Boys quartet, is seriously ill and presently in Memorial Hospital at Springfield. Although he had a clean bill of health during his annual checkup in Phoenix, doctors now say he has lung cancer. He is undergoing chemo and radiation therapy, in advance of surgery.

Bob Barnosky reports that friends sent Gordy a long letter with pictures, reminiscing about times past. He got a tremendous lift from that, which is helpful in his present condition. Diane Urbanckas suggests that if other friends and classmates could take time to send Gordy a card, that would be great.

The address is Gordon Jones, 3300 South First Street, Springfield, Illinois, 62703. That's his mother's home; she sees him daily and can take him your notes. We don't ordinarily write about classmates who are ill, to preserve their privacy. But in this case, it seems that some attention would be welcome. Thanks to Bob and Diane for their help.

Veterans Day

Chicago Tribune

In honor of Veterans Day, the new President-Elect and Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq veteran and director of Veterans Affairs for Illinois, place a wreath at the bronze memorial at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Perhaps you saw this moment on television; the story in the Chicago Tribune provides more details. Today is a good day to remember all the veterans in our lives, and especially those among our classmates. 

Karen Lundsgaard Evans

A belated announcement: Karen Lundsgaard Evans died of cancer on January 5, 2008. Her daughter, Michelle Evans Eiden, sent us this information last summer, along with the above portrait, for the Reunion booklet.

Recently Michelle also sent this obituary announcement from the Chicago Tribune, which helps to fill in for us Karen's life. Our condolences to her family, and thanks to Michelle.

Vote Today

Have you voted today?

Every four years, we get the rare

privilege of electing our leaders.

Not true in many other countries of the world.

So please go VOTE, 

and watch the returns tonight!

Winter Weather

Think you know what's coming?

No, not the election; the weather!

Check out your region.

Consult the Farmer's Almanac 

for more details.