Reunion Pictures 4

 

Group shot at Illini CC, Sep 7 2008

A preview of the official group shot, by Miriam Kennedy 

  

Closer shot, by Sid Arenz 

(Click on the pictures for larger views) 

Reunion Pictures 3

 

Carolyn Baldwin Quinlan, Sandra Murphy McCool, Judy Vicars Van Hagen 

at Panther Creek Brunch

Picture courtesy of Carolyn Quinlan

Reunion Pictures 2

 

Alan Kennedy, Miriam Kennedy

  

Suzanne Lee Boyd 

Pictures courtesy of Suzi Boyd

Reunion Pictures 1

Here are early pictures of the Reunion, courtesy of Dick Hart. In this scene, we're greeted at the front entrance to the dining room of Illini CC by Leslie Heineke Sandlin, Ann Tobin Hart, Champ Davis, and Jan Curry Davis.

In this shot, Keith Schnepp appears to be addressing some of the '58 men. I'm not able to recognize all the faces, so perhaps someone who does will send in a helpful comment.

Update: please read the comment by Judy Vicars VanHagen. She explains the picture and lists all the names. 

50s Party

 

Susan Farley, New York Times

For those of us unable to be in Springfield this weekend, here's a story in the NYT about "the world's biggest 50s party," held each Labor Day weekend in Parsippinany, NJ.

Check out the slide show of autos and fashions from those days. We won't call them vintage, right? But some of those folks do look a little grizzled!

Reunion Reservations 6

Reservations as of 8/27/08

Adams, Charlie
Ankeny, Jo (Lindamood)
Arenz, Don and Sydney

Bailey, Janet (Kerner)
Baldwin, Carolyn (Quinlan)
Barnosky, Bob and Jo
Beardsley, Janet and David Johnson
Blazis, John and Martie
Bluhm, Ray and Tena
Borg, Roy and Reta
Britz, Ruth and Tom Waymire
Brosch, Tom and Beverly
Brownback, John and Connie
Bruce, Bill and Diep
Bruce, Bonnie (Baker)
Brydges, Tom and Ellen
Burge, Lynda and Carrell Moss
Burnett, Gerald

Carmody, Mary
Carroll, Denny and Peggy
Carter, Bob and Sarah
Casper, Peter and Tavie
Castles, Sandra (Skeeters)
Chilovich, Ella Mae
Crouch, Carole (Ball)

Davis, Champ and Jan
Davis, Nancy (Henrichs)
de St. Jean, Sandra (Taylor)
Dunn, John and Sandy

Ebers, Joe and Shery
Eickhoff, Don and Marge
Ervin, Susan
Evans, Marilyn and Roger Bidwell

Flamm, Pat and Dave Crowner
Fleischli, George
Frederick, Janet
Fromm, Nancy (Gates)
Funk, Kim  (Friday night only)

Giuffre, Jan (Sables)  (Friday night only)
Green, Shirley and Frank Canavit
Gurgens, Diane and Al Urbanckas

Haake, Warren and Gwen
Hails, Bob and Vicki
Harmon, Chuck and Mary Ann
Heineke, Leslie and Bob Sandlin
Hill, Joe and Carrie
Hockenyos, Kris (Tipps)
Holman, Andy and Vera
Houghton, Mary and Charles Elberson
Huddleston, Dorothy and Tom Fitzgerald
Hyndman, Harry and Kathleen

Irwin, Bill and Peggy Royce

Jabusch, Larry and Mary
Jones, Juanita and Hamilton

Kennedy, Alan and Miriam
Klekamp, Betty (England)
Krueger, Liz (James)
Kuntzman, Herman  (Friday night only)
Kwedar, Steve and Becky

Lance, Ruth and Sam Gore
Leasman, Wilma  (Friday night only)
Lee, Suzanne (Boyd)
Leonard, Lee and Vicki Moody
Linxwiler, John and Anne
Lynn, Darlene (Klemaier)

Manuele, Joe
Markwell, Marilyn (Ruch)
Mason, DeeDee and Clay Wood
Matlack, Jack and Marilyn
Maulding, Beverly and David Berry
McCoy, Judy (Freeman)
McGaw, Judy and Tom Lewis
Means, Joyce (Pardue)
Meyerstein, Arnold and Jeri
Millhon, Jerry
Murphy, Sandra (McCool)

Oehler, Dale and Sharon
Owens, Bob and Carolyn

Pavlock, Jerry
Pearson, Mary and Hal Perkins
Peterson, Libbie and Charlie Britton
Plain, Albie  (Friday night only)
Prater, Lynn (Chandler)

Schein, Jey and Paul Kramer
Schnepp, Keith and Judy
Schroeder, Carol (Taylor)
Seppi, Vic and Joann
Shewmaker, Bob and Pam
Spengler, Phil and Polly
Stapleton, John and Nancy
Stein, Pat and Richard McPheters
Stephens, Allan
Stuckey, John and Linda

Taylor, Jim
Thomas, Stan and Mary
Tietz, Sharon and Jack Paine
Tinsley, Elizabeth and Steve Alexander
Tobin, Ann and Richard Hart
Tomek, Sally (Sahin)
Tozer, Clif

Vicars, Judy (Van Hagen)
Vespa, Chuck

Welch, CE and Joleen
Wicks, Bob and Glenda
Wike, Scott and Linda
Willi, Darlene (Guerin)
Wilson, Ron and Rita   

Yarbrough, John

DVD Project

Dear Friends,

Many of you have sent me wonderful photos, like these above from Carolyn Baldwin Quinlan. I have begun the scanning and labeling, a process that will go on for a while. Everyone will get their originals back before long, plus digital copies.

We've decided not to issue a DVD before the 50th Reunion, but after. That will let us include your pictures of the Reunion itself. So please send me your favorite shots from the festivities in Springfield on Sep 4-7.

As some of you know, I'm undergoing surgery today and the recovery period is 10-14 days. That means that I will not be able to attend the Reunion. I very much regret missing this special occasion. Please send me your pictures and thoughts, so that I (and many others) may enjoy from a distance!

Best wishes,

Will

Summer Afternoon

 

Catamaran on Lake Springfield

Diane Gurgens Urbanckas sent this image of a catamaran that sailed past her home on July 4. She and Al live on a no-wake bay, a quiet place where sailors take refuge from skiers and waverunners. The main lake that day was rough, so these folks came in to set anchor and eat lunch.

There's a parable here about going forth or staying home, or else just a sentiment about the lazy, hazy days of summer. Also, the picture reminded me of one of Henry James's rare happy lines:

Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language.

Reunion Reservations 5

Reunion Reservations as of 7/31/08

Adams, Charlie
Ankeny, Jo (Lindamood)
Arenz, Don and Sydney
Bailey, Janet (Kerner)
Baldwin, Carolyn (Quinlan)
Barnosky, Bob and Jo
Beardsley, Janet and David Johnson
Blazis, John and Martie
Bluhm, Ray and Tena
Britz, Ruth and Tom Waymire
Bruce, Bill and Diep
Bruce, Bonnie (Baker)
Brosch, Tom and Beverly           
Brownback, John and Connie
Burge, Lynda and Carrell Moss
Burnett, Gerald
Carroll, Denny and Peggy
Carter, Bob and Sarah
Casper, Peter and Tavie
Castles, Sandra (Skeeters)
Crouch, Carole (Ball)
de St. Jean, Sandra (Taylor)
Dunn, John and Sandy
Ebers, Joe and Shery
Eickhoff, Don and Marge
Ervin, Susan
Evans, Marilyn and Roger Bidwell
Flamm, Pat and Dave Crowner
Fleischli, George
Frederick, Janet
Fromm, Nancy (Gates)
Funk, Kim
Giuffre, Jan (Sables)
Green, Shirley and Frank Canavit
Gregg, Barb and Jim Slack
Gurgens, Diane and Al Urbanckas
Haake, Warren and Gwen
Harmon, Chuck and Mary Ann
Heineke, Leslie and Bob Sandlin
Hill, Joe and Carrie
Hockenyos, Kris (Tipps)
Holman, Andy and Vera
Houghton, Mary and Charles Elberson
Huddleston, Dorothy and Tom Fitzgerald
Hyndman, Harry and Kathleen
Jabusch, Larry and Mary
Klekamp, Betty (England)
Krueger, Liz (James)
Kuntzman, Herman
Kwedar, Steve and Becky
Lance, Ruth and Sam Gore
Lee, Suzanne (Boyd)
Leonard, Lee and Vicki Moody
Linxwiler, John and Anne
Lott, Sandra and Don Gossett
Manuele, Joe and Nancy Henrichs
Mason, DeeDee and Clay Wood
Matlack, Jack and Marilyn
Maulding, Beverly and David Berry
McCoy, Judy (Freeman)
McGaw, Judy and Tom Lewis
Means, Joyce (Pardue)
Meyerstein, Arnold and Jeri
Morrison, Jack and Caroline
Murphy, Sandra (McCool)
Oehler, Dale and Sharon
Owens, Bob and Carolyn
Pearson, Mary and Hal Perkins
Peterson, Libbie and Charlie Britton
Prater, Lynn (Chandler)
Schein, Jey and Paul Kramer
Seppi, Vic and Joann
Shewmaker, Bob and Pam
Spengler, Phil and Polly
Stapleton, John and Nancy
Stein, Pat and Richard McPheters
Stephens, Allan
Stuckey, John and Linda
Taylor, Jim and Carol (Schroeder)
Thomas, Stan and Mary
Tietz, Sharon and Jack Paine
Tinsley, Elizabeth and Steve Alexander
Tobin, Ann and Richard Hart       
Vicars, Judy (Van Hagen)
Vespa, Chuck
Welch, CE and Joleen
Wicks, Bob and Glenda
Wike, Scott and Linda
Willi, Darlene (Guerin)
Wilson, Ron and Rita   
Yarbrough, John

Old Springfield Films

Old Southtown Marquee

The Springfield Journal-Register ran a piece on July 13 describing early films of Springfield, 1935-50, taken by Mr. Tom Hamilton, Sr.

They show the digging of Lake Springfield, early swimmers there and at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Pool, the arrival of a steam train bearing President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and many other scenes. Fun to see for the places and costumes.

Mr. Hamilton's son, Tom Hamilton, Jr., had the films transferred to VHS and later to DVD, and now they are available in a YouTube style window, on the SJR site. Here's the link to the story and film.

The picture above is for Suzie Boyd, who laments the absence of the SouthTown theatre from the CinemaTour listing. The marquee is now an official Springfield Historic Site, and the above link gives the theatre's history.

Reunion Reservations 4

50th Reunion Reservations (7/12/08)

• Adams, Charlie
• Ankeny, Jo (Lindamood)
• Arenz, Don and Sydney
• Bailey, Janet (Kerner)
• Baldwin, Carolyn (Quinlan)
• Barnosky, Bob and Jo
• Beardsley, Janet and David Johnson
• Blazis, John and Martie
• Bluhm, Ray and Tena
• Britz, Ruth and Tom Waymire
• Bruce, Bill and Diep
• Bruce, Bonnie (Baker)
• Brosch, Tom and Beverly
• Brownback, John and Connie
• Burge, Lynda and Carrell Moss
• Carter, Bob and Sarah
• Casper, Peter and Tavie
• Crouch, Carole (Ball)
• de St. Jean, Sandra (Taylor)
• Dunn, John and Sandy
• Ebers, Joe and Shery
• Eickhoff, Don and Marge
• Ervin, Susan
• Flamm, Pat and Dave Crowner
• Fleischli, George
• Frederick, Janet
• Green, Shirley and Frank Canavit
• Gregg, Barb and Jim Slack
• Gurgens, Diane and Al Urbanckas
• Haake, Warren and Gwen
• Harmon, Chuck and Mary Ann
• Heineke, Leslie and Bob Sandlin
• Hill, Joe and Carrie
• Hockenyos, Kris (Tipps)
• Holman, Andy and Vera
• Houghton, Mary and Charles Elberson
• Hyndman, Harry and Kathleen
• Ice, Bill and Renate
• Jabusch, Larry and Mary
• Klekamp, Betty (England)
• Krueger, Liz (James)
• Kuntzman, Herman
• Kwedar, Steve and Becky
• Lance, Ruth and Sam Gore
• Lee, Suzanne (Boyd)
• Leonard, Lee and Vicki Moody
• Linxwiler, John and Anne
• Manuele, Joe and Nancy Henrichs
• Mason, DeeDee and Clay Wood
• Matlack, Jack and Marilyn
• McCoy, Judy (Freeman)
• McGaw, Judy and Tom Lewis
• Means, Joyce (Pardue)
• Meyerstein, Arnold and Jeri
• Morrison, Jack and Caroline
• Murphy, Sandra (McCool)
• Owens, Bob and Carolyn
• Pearson, Mary and Hal Perkins
• Peterson, Libbie and Charlie Britton
• Prater, Lynn (Chandler)
• Seppi, Vic and Joann
• Shewmaker, Bob and Pam
• Spengler, Phil and Polly
• Stapleton, John and Nancy
• Stein, Pat and Richard McPheters
• Stephens, Allan
• Stuckey, John and Linda
• Taylor, Jim and Carol (Schroeder)
• Tietz, Sharon and Jack Paine
• Tinsley, Elizabeth and Steve Alexander
• Tobin, Ann and Richard Hart
• Vicars, Judy (Van Hagen)
• Vespa, Chuck
• Welch, CE and Joleen
• Wicks, Bob and Glenda
• Wike, Scott and Linda
• Willi, Darlene (Guerin)
• Wilson, Ron and Rita
• Yarbrough, John

Movies

I'll admit, I get nostalgic about 50s movies and the place where I saw many, the Esquire Theatre on South MacArthur. On a gray winter day, I could spend a quarter and get four hours of entertainment, plus popcorn and a jaw-breaker. Who needs a video game?

A devoted movie fan has created CinemaTour, which aims to chart "the locations and histories of cinemas throughout the world." The database has a huge number of sites and photos. Go to Illinois, scroll down a bit, and you find 36 movie houses listed for Springfield. Most are now demolished. Did you know there was once an Empress Airdome (1917-18)?

Independence Day

Photo by 66ers

Baseball, hot dogs, and the Fourth of July.
Happy Independence Day, everyone.
Here's a video that celebrates the anthem
That has given us such a long run!

Armory to Go?

Photo by Seth Gaines

December, 1957. Cheerleaders in red and black. SHS band blaring away. Shelby Harbison of WTAX, calling play-by-play: "Willis flicks the ball to Proctor, Proctor to Hails in the corner. He sets, shoots....swish!" Pandemonium in the upper-floor seats. Cheerleaders whip the crowd into a roaring chant: S-U-C-C-E-S-S....

I bet we all have fond memories of the Illinois State Armory, on Second between Monroe and Adams. Not just high school basketball, but the Shrine Circus and Chicago Symphony graced the building. It stood next to the state capitol and gave its spectators a high up, birds-eye view of events far below.

Well, hang on to those thoughts, because the SJR has a story today suggesting that the Armory may soon face the wrecking ball. Preservationists want to save the building, but others say it's falling apart and obsolete. If they tear down that lovely Art Moderne edifice, you can bet that an ugly high-rise will soon take its place. Thoughts/memories? Please comment.

Robert B. Barber

Robert B. Barber, 68, of Springfield, died at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. He was born on Nov. 18, 1939, in Springfield, the son of John W. and Margaret "Marmie" Barber.

Bob attended Butler Grade School, SHS, and Bradley University, majoring in business administration. He worked for IBM for 30 years, served in the Illinois Air National Guard, and later managed real estate and business properties in Springfield. He was active in civic organizations, enjoyed outdoor recreation and fine dining. He leaves his wife, Nancy Booth Barber, two children, two grandchildren, and a brother, Jack Barber of Glenarm.

Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2008, at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut St., with the Rev. David J. Hoefler celebrant. Burial will follow at Fancy Creek Cemetery near Williamsville.

A full obituary appears in today's SJR, and friends may leave condolences online.

Reunion Reservations 3

50th Reunion Reservations as of 6/23/08

Check out this site to get in the mood! (Thanks to Sharon Tietz Paine)

• Adams, Charlie
• Ankeny, Jo (Lindamood)
• Arenz, Don and Sydney
• Bailey, Janet (Kerner)
• Baldwin, Carolyn (Quinlan)
• Beardsley, Janet and David Johnson
• Blazis, John and Martie
• Bluhm, Ray and Tena
• Britz, Ruth and Tom Waymire
• Bruce, Bonnie (Baker)
• Brosch, Tom and Beverly
• Brownback, John and Connie
• Carter, Bob and Sarah
• Casper, Peter and Tavie
• Crouch, Carole (Ball)
• Davis, Nancy (Henrichs)
• de St. Jean, Sandra (Taylor)
• Dunn, John and Sandy
• Ebers, Joe and Shery
• Eickhoff, Don and Marge
• Ervin, Susan
• Flamm, Pat and Dave Crowner
• Fleischli, George
• Frederick, Janet
• Green, Shirley and Frank Canavit
• Gurgens, Diane and Al Urbanckas
• Heineke, Leslie and Bob Sandlin
• Hill, Joe and Carrie
• Holman, Andy and Vera
• Houghton, Mary and Charles Elberson
• Hyndman, Harry and Kathleen
• Ice, Bill and Renate
• Jabusch, Larry and Mary
• Klekamp, Betty (England)
• Krueger, Liz (James)
• Kuntzman, Herman
• Kwedar, Steve and Becky
• Lance, Ruth and Sam Gore
• Lee, Suzanne (Boyd)
• Leonard, Lee and Vicki Moody
• Linxwiler, John and Anne
• Manuele, Joe and Nancy Henrichs
• Mason, DeeDee and Clay Wood
• Matlack, Jack and Marilyn
• McGaw, Judy and Tom Lewis
• Meyerstein, Arnold and Jeri
• Morrison, Jack and Caroline
• Murphy, Sandra (McCool)
• Owens, Bob and Carolyn
• Pearson, Mary and Hal Perkins
• Peterson, Libbie and Charlie Britton
• Prater, Lynn (Chandler)
• Seppi, Vic and Joann
• Stapleton, John and Nancy
• Stein, Pat and Richard McPheters
• Stephens, Allan
• Stuckey, John and Linda
• Taylor, Jim and Carol (Schroeder)
• Tietz, Sharon and Jack Paine
  
• Tinsley, Elizabeth and Steve Alexander
• Tobin, Ann and Richard Hart
• Vicars, Judy (Van Hagen)
• Vespa, Chuck
• Welch, CE and Joleen
• Wicks, Bob and Glenda
• Wike, Scott and Linda
• Willi, Darlene (Guerin)
• Wilson, Ron and Rita
• Yarbrough, John

Onward

Crummock Water, English Lake District

On July 1, I take the step that many of you have already made, into retirement. My feelings are just as mixed as anyone else: it's the end of a long chapter in life, and the start of who knows what to come. I'm fortunate in that I'll continue to teach, write, and travel, in measured doses. The picture above shows a place I want to go hiking, one day soon.

Anyway, Princeton ran a little story about my years here, I picked up an award for graduate teaching, and I'm in the process of clearing out a campus office. As Professor Emeritus, I have a space in the Library for research and writing. Retirement brings freedom from old routines and the chance for new adventures. I'm looking forward to moving onward.

Pictures for DVD

John Stone, Jim Peters, Linda Stone, Jean Taylor, Bob Newell, Allan Stephens
Terril Tiffany, John Vass, Tom Brosch, Henry Fink
(click to enlarge)

Do you have any pictures like this?
In old albums, the basement, the attic?
If so, send them to me for our Reunion DVD.

Thanks to Allan Stephens;
and Happy Birthday 9 days ago!

Reunion Reservations 2

50th Reunion Reservations as of 6/11/08

• Arenz, Don and Sydney
• Bailey, Janet (Kerner)
• Baldwin, Carolyn (Quinlan)
• Beardsley, Janet and David Johnson
• Blazis, John and Martie
• Britz, Ruth and Tom Waymire
• Bruce, Bonnie (Baker)
• Brosch, Tom and Beverly
• Brownback, John and Connie
• Carter, Bob and Sarah
• Casper, Peter and Tavie
• Crouch, Carole (Ball)
• Davis, Nancy (Henrichs)
• de St. Jean, Sandra (Taylor)
• Dunn, John and Sandy
• Ebers, Joe and Shery
• Eickhoff, Don and Marge
• Ervin, Susan
• Fleischli, George
• Frederick, Janet
• Green, Shirley and Frank Canavit
• Gurgens, Diane and Al Urbanckas
• Heineke, Leslie and Bob Sandlin
• Hill, Joe and Carrie
• Holman, Andy and Vera
• Houghton, Mary and Charles Elberson
• Hyndman, Harry and Kathleen
• Ice, Bill and Renate
• Jabusch, Larry and Mary
• Krueger, Liz (James)
• Kuntzman, Herman
• Kwedar, Steve and Becky
• Lance, Ruth and Sam Gore
• Lee, Suzanne (Boyd)
• Leonard, Lee and Vicki Moody
• Linxwiler, John and Anne
• Manuele, Joe and Nancy Henrichs
• Mason, DeeDee and Clay Wood
• Matlack, Jack and Marilyn
• McGaw, Judy and Tom Lewis
• Meyerstein, Arnold and Jeri
• Morrison, Jack and Caroline
• Murphy, Sandra (McCool)
• Owens, Bob and Carolyn
• Pearson, Mary and Hal Perkins
• Peterson, Libbie and Charlie Britton
• Prater, Lynn (Chandler)
• Seppi, Vic and Joann
• Stein, Pat and Richard McPheters
• Stephens, Allan
• Stuckey, John and Linda
• Taylor, Jim and Carol (Schroeder)
• Tietz, Sharon and Jack Paine
• Tinsley, Elizabeth and Steve Alexander
• Tobin, Ann and Richard Hart
• Vicars, Judy (Van Hagen)
• Vespa, Chuck
• Welch, CE and Joleen
• Wicks, Bob and Glenda
• Wike, Scott and
• Willi, Darlene (Guerin)
• Wilson, Ron and Rita
• Yarbrough, John

Our Veterans

I've compiled a list of '58 military veterans. If you see any missing or incorrect names, please let me know by comment here or an e-mail. Thanks!

1. Harold Barbee
2. Charles Baumann
3. John Blazis
4. Ray Bluhm
5. Roy Borg
6. Tom Brosch
7. John Brownback
8. Bob Brunsman
9. Wayne Canfield
10. John Dunn
11. Dave Dodge
12. Pat Dowling
13. George Fleischli
14. Jim Fletcher
15. Bill Golladay
16. Charles Harmony
17. John Harrison
18. Dick Hoke
19. Harry Hyndman
20. Bill Ice
21. Dale Jeffers
22. Alan Kennedy
23. Mike Keslar
24. Steve Kwedar
25. Dave Kobes
26. Pete Kobes
27. Mike McDaniels
28. Joe Manuele
29. Jack Matlack
30. Jack Morrison
31. Harvey Najim
32. Mike Nation
33. Bo Overaker
34. Leon Padgett
35. Stan Patrick
36. Phil Poulsen
37. Larry Ramey
38. Taavo Saviste
39. Bob Shewmaker
40. Tony Smith
41. Bob Stark
42. Allan Stephens
43. Chuck Vespa
44. Chuck Ward
45. Ron Weber
46. C. E. Welch
47. Bob Wicks
48. Bob Willis
49. DeeDee Wood

Wives who shared military life with their husbands.

Libbie Peterson Miller Britton