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

Memorial Day

Memorial Day comes at high spring and for many Americans is the beginning of summer. It's also a day for us to remember our family members, neighbors, and friends who served in the armed forces, whether in war or peacetime, in the defense of our nation and our freedoms. I asked Bob Shewmaker about our classmates who had served, and here are his thoughts:

"Yes, it would be interesting to have a list of '58s who served in the armed forces, since we were in the Cold War era and the runup into Southeast Asia, trying to learn how to conduct a different type of warfare--which we still don't know how to execute.

"I remember after being commissioned and in grad school in October of '62, when the Cuban Missile Crisis came along, we all thought that we would be lucky to finish the semester. Those in the military formed strong bonds, since we spent a lot of time together, often in isolated circumstances, and we had some life changing, once in-a-lifetime experiences together. I still keep up with some of the close friends from those days and remember the ones who gave their lives.

"Last March, I was on the way to Williamsburg and exited off I-95 to stop at Quantico Marine Cemetery to visit the grave of Bob Willis. Now his site is surrounded by more of his Marine comrades."

In coming days, I will feature stories about classmates who had military careers, starting with Bob Shewmaker. Please send your thoughts and stories to me, or make a comment.

Update: today an Illinois National Guard unit returned after a year in Iraq. Check out the video. Thanks to Judi Dunkel Headrick for the link.

Latest Signups

Above: Allan Stephens appearing as Chief Magistrate of the village of Kolyenchikov, in Neil Simon's "Fools," which played at the Rose Barn Theatre in Richmond, KY, last month for six performances. In the play, Alan's character presides over a town where people are idiots and incapable of love. The magistrate is not exempt from these flaws, but he does his best.

Allan has not yet signed up for Reunions, nor have I, but we will soon. Many folks have signed up, and here (to goad us into action) is the list, as of 5/24/08:

• Arenz, Don and Sydney
• Bailey, Janet (Kerner)
• Baldwin, Carolyn (Quinlan)
• Beardsley, Janet and David Johnson
• Blazis, John and Martie
• Brownback, John and Connie
• Casper, Peter and Tavie
• Crouch, Carole (Ball)
• de St. Jean, Sandra (Taylor)
• Dunn, John and Sandy
• Ervin, Susan
• Fleischli, George
• Frederick, Janet
• Gurgens, Diane and Al Urbanckas
• Heineke, Leslie and Bob Sandlin
• Holman, Andy and Vera
• Houghton, Mary and Charles Elberson
• Hyndman, Harry and Kathleen
• Jabusch, Larry and Mary
• Kwedar, Steve and Becky
• Lee, Suzanne (Boyd)
• Leonard, Lee and Vicki Moody
• 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
• 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
• Willi, Darlene Guerin

Please dig out your packet, fill in the reservation forms, and send it to Keith or Judy today.

And please remember pictures for the forms and the dvd! (See entries below).

Lake Springfield Beach

In recent years, Springfield has survived tornadoes, blizzards, and an earthquake. But news today has rocked the town: the beach at Lake Springfield has closed. We don't know for how long, because the decision arose from a budget fight between the city and the CWLP, according to this story in the SJR.

Lake Springfield was a WPA project in 1931-35. Workers cleared land, built a dam, and dug a great reservoir to impound Sugar and Lick creeks. With construction of purification and hydroelectric plants, the lake became a source of Springfield's water, light, and power, plus the recreational pastimes of fishing, boating, and swimming.

Doubtless we all have our memories of visiting the lake for a swim on hot summer days. When we meet on Friday, Sep 5 at the Motor Boat Club, it will be sad to think that a grand old beach is no more. Got any comments or memories? Please share.

Welcome Home

(Click to enlarge)

Hello '58s,

Here we are at Panther Creek: wind-blown and smiling after another fun, productive meeting. Please send us soon your information sheet, current picture for the information sheet, and reservation sheet. Classmates are really enthusiastic about the Reunion weekend and we are getting their replies every day.

Back row: John Dunn, Keith Schnepp, Ron Wilson, Janet Frederick, Roy Borg.

Front row: Carolyn Baldwin Quinlan, Diane Gurgens Urbanckas, Judy Vicars Van Hagen, Ann Tobin Hart and Janet Beardsley Johnson.

Not present: CE Welch, Mary Houghton Elberson, John Brownback, Judy McGaw Lewis, Libbie Peterson Britton, Janet Bailey Kerner.

SHS Pennant compliments of Ann Hart and SHS banner compliments of Roy Borg. They're a hint of many surprises to come, on September 4-7, 2008!

Judy

Reunion Reservations 1

Pictures and reservations are starting to arrive. Above are Don and Sydney Arenz, somewhere in France. They also lead the list of 50th Reunion reservations as of 4/18/08:



Arenz, Don and Sydney

Bailey, Janet (Kerner)

Baldwin, Carolyn (Quinlan)

Beardsley, Janet and David Johnson

Blazis, John and Martie

Brownback, John and Connie

de St. Jean, Sandra (Taylor)

Dunn, John and Sandy

Frederick, Janet

Gurgens, Diane and Al Urbanckas

Houghton, Mary and Charles Elberson

Lee, Suzanne (Boyd)

McGaw, Judy and Tom Lewis

Meyerstein, Arnold and Jeri

Morrison, Jack and Caroline

Owens, Bob and Carolyn

Pearson, Mary and Hal Perkins

Prater, Lynn (Chandler)

Stuckey, John and Linda

Tietz, Sharon and Jack Paine

Tobin, Ann and Richard Hart

Vicars, Judy (Van Hagen)

Vespa, Chuck

Wicks, Bob and Glenda

Willi, Darlene

Sarah Temple Green

East coast trip: June 1957

Sarah Temple Green died on April 10, 2008, at her home in Springfield, Missouri. The cause of death was pneumonia. She was born on December 18, 1940. She attended Hay-Edwards Grade School and in the 6th grade moved to Dubois Grade School, where she was "Sadie" to her many friends.

At SHS, Sarah was active in Pep Club and the Junior Capitoline. She studied Physical Education at Eastern Illinois University and later taught PE at Eisenhower High School in Decatur and Lanphier High School in Springfield.

Sarah had a prior marriage that produced a daughter, Stacy. On August 14, 1980, Sarah married Tom Green. For many years she managed the business side of his practice in chiropractic and acupuncture.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bill and sister Virginia. Her survivors include husband Tom, daughter Stacy (husband Dennis), and granddaughter Samantha.

Sarah's friends remember her as fun-loving, always laughing and upbeat, ever interested in her friends and willing to offer help or advice. She was fond of animals and treasured her dog and cat. Despite serious illness in recent years, she stayed in touch with her school friends, pictured below.

For help with this notice, our thanks to Judy Vicars Van Hagen, Carolyn Baldwin Quinlan, and Janet Gillum Plohr '59.

Friends at Dubois Grade School
Judi Dunkel, Donna Haycraft, Sharon Galasse, Donna Pickett, Judy Timm.
Sandra Galasse, Joanne Grove, Sarah Temple, Judy Vicars, Marcia Ruzes
Photo: Carolyn Baldwin Quinlan

Send Us Pictures

Reunion Committee folk will be calling soon,
to urge you to make reservations,
send in payment,
and also your pictures.
Here are the pictures we need,
and thanks to Don Arenz for lending us his.
(Click on pix to enlarge).

1. A portrait of your high school self.
We will use the Capitoline,
but if you have a favorite,
send that instead.

2. A portrait of your present self.
One with other folks is fine,
but please choose a good one of you.

3. Any thing you have from the good old days.
Grade or high school, 1945-1958.

Summing up,
Portraits: send to Keith
Oldies: send to Will

For instructions on how to scan or send pictures,
see the last page of the Reunion packet.

The Great Illinois Flake

If you're not rolling eggs this Easter, check out your local bowl of cereal. Two sisters from Virginia recently found an "Illinois-shaped" corn flake at their table.

They posted the flake for auction on eBay. On Friday night, it sold for $1,350. The lucky winner wants to start a traveling museum to publicize a trivia web site.

And you thought our economy was in trouble? The full story is on the CNN web site.

Picture: Donald McIntire, AP Photo

St. Patrick's Day

These are the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland. I have an Irish friend whose great-great grandfather sailed from here in 1849, running from the famine to a new life in America. As their ship passed the great cliffs, his mother turned to her 10-year old boy and said, "Look at those and remember, for you'll never see them in this life again." He died at 100 in 1939, and he never returned to Ireland.

To many of us, St. Patrick's Day is shamrocks and green beer, but to Irish-Americans, it's a day to celebrate exile and survival. It's a good day to remember that we're a nation of immigrants, some arriving early and others late. We have a lovely greeting card from Harriett and Rom Sidoli on this theme. Please enjoy St. Pat's Day, and also the approach of spring!

Reunion Packet

You have received a Reunion packet in the mail, but we now have an updated and corrected version available on the Web. To download it, click here. You will need Adobe Reader, Apple Preview, or a web browser to read and print it. The links in the file are live, just click on them.

If you have questions, leave a comment and I'll reply ASAP.

The Envelope, Please

Our stalwart Committee journeyed through deep snow and bitter cold on February 25 to advance plans for our 50th Reunion in September, 2008. They made assignments for creating favors, name tags, gifts, and hosting activities. Here you see them folding letters and affixing labels to the envelopes that will soon reach your door. Be sure to write back soon and make reservations! (Click on the picture to enlarge.)

Left: John Dunn, John Brownback, Mary Houghton Elberson, Carolyn Baldwin Quinlan, Keith Schnepp. Right: Roy Borg, Janet Beardsley Johnson, Janet Frederick, C. E. Welch, Ron Wilson.

Photo: Judy Vicars Van Hagen (just visible in mirror).

Chicago does Springfield

Ben Franklin once wrote that New Jersey is "a barrel tapped at both ends," by New York and Philadelphia, and Springfield has a similar relation to its two giant neighbors, St. Louis and Chicago. When writers from those urban centers deign to visit, they usually find only Abe Lincoln and road food.

Alan Solomon, a writer for the Chicago Tribune, has a piece in today's paper that repeats the familiar claim: visit Springfield only if you love history or the horseshoe sandwich. He invites readers to tell him what he missed. Maybe some of you can, or else enter comments here.

Where's the beef?

Eleanor Green

Eleanor Green '58 died on Tue Jan 29 in Springfield.
She was a homemaker and raised two children,
plus six grandchildren.

Memorial services are Sat Feb 11.
Details are in an obituary notice in the SJR.
Friends may sign a Guest Book there.

Eleanor's home was at 2702 South Glenwood,
but we don't know if she attended West Grand or Butler schools.
Thanks to Judy Vicars Van Hagen for this information.

Mel-0-Cream

Springfield is the birthplace of many foods: horseshoe sandwich, Cozy Dog, Maid-Rite, Ray's Chilli, and Mel-O-Cream doughnuts. For a complete history of this delicacy, and a tour of the modern plant, visit the company's home page.

One item left off its News page: according to today's SJR, the M-O-C shop at 217 East Laurel can't get a full health code clearance. It's had 18 inspections in the last 6 months. Little matters like poo left by rats, cockroaches, ants, flies, and mice. I'll pass on the chocolate-dippers.

Remembering Tom

Jack Downs sent pictures from his trip to Georgia
for brother Tom's funeral, Jan 18-19.
Above is Lumpkin Campground,
Tom's pet project and favorite place to visit.

Tom's church, to which he devoted many years of service.

A church tribute, on the day of services.

Tom's brother and sons:
Jack, Todd, Tommy, Scott

Pictures by Jack Downs

Committee

Stan Thomas, John Dunn, Ann Tobin Hart, Mary Houghton Elberson,
Judy Vicars Van Hagen, Janet Beardsley Johnson, Janet Frederick.
(click on pictures to enlarge)

As we draw closer to a 50th Reunion in September, the Reunion committee meets more often to plan events and check pulses. So far, everyone seems fit and willing to face the rigors of a 3-day invasion from all of us outcasts who left Springfield long ago.

New faces at the table include Stan Thomas, who spent the last few years in Las Vegas and St. Louis, now returned with Mary to live near their daughter and 19-month old grandson. Also appearing is John Dunn, who has recovered nicely from lung surgery six months ago.

Ron Wilson (red sweater), CE Welch, John Brownback, Keith Schnepp, Janet Bailey Kerner, Roy Borg.

In early March, they will send a reservation letter for the Reunion, held over the weekend of Sep 5-8, 2008. Please make space in your calendars to come back home again to see old and new friends.

Pictures: Mary Thomas
Camera: Janet Bailey Kerner
Captions: Judy Vicars Van Hagen

Sixties

After that sad message, it's time for more cheering news. Elizabeth Tinsley Alexander sent me a link for a website called Take Me Back to the Sixties. It's got music, images, and lots of nostalgia. Tom Downs often sent me links of this sort; so it's a little tribute to him, too. O Happy Days.

Tom Downs

Tom, Scott, & Tommy Downs: Christmas, 2004

Tom Downs died suddenly on Thursday, January 10, 2008, in Washington, DC. He had gone there to see his son, Tommy, receive promotion to the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8) in the United States Army. They went out for dinner afterwards and Tom had a massive heart attack.

Tom was widely known in the Class of '58 and will be sorely missed. He had a natural smile, a friendly manner, and he stayed in touch with friends over the years by e-mail, calls, and visits. He attended several Reunions and was looking forward to our 50th next September.

Tom attended Springfield Junior College and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He worked as an industrial engineer for Sangamo Electric, Magnavox, Abbott Laboratories, and NCR in Ithaca, NY. He married twice and had three sons: Todd Lee, Scott Allyn, Thomas Marsh, and one grandchild.

In 1979 Tom settled in Dawsonville, GA, where he worked for Scientific Atlanta, and later DCA, as Manager of Requirements Planning. He designed and built a rustic home in the Georgia mountains. He became active with church and community work and sang in several choirs.

After retiring in the early 1990s, he joined Home Depot and worked there up to the time of his death. A devoted alum of Harvard Park School, he contributed much to its memory page, and he was especially fond of his 4th grade teacher, Anne Laura Webster.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: Bearden Funeral Home: visitation Fri, Jan 18 from 6-9 and funeral Sat, Jan 19 at 2:00 at Bethel United Methodist Church, both in Dawsonville. An obituary appears in the SJR for Wed, Jan 16, linked to a Guest Book for friends to sign.

Tanzania Journey

This place is Ngorongoro Crater, in northern Tanzania. The crater has a high encircling ridge, forming a natural corral for wildlife. In this pool you see hippo, and nearby are zebra, impala, wildebeest, hyena, and lion.

Over the holidays I spent two weeks in Tanzania, serving as study guide for 25 Princeton alums and their families. We landed near Kilimanjaro, then journeyed in safari wagons to overnight stays at lodges and tented camps.

By day we hunted with cameras, and in the evenings we had fireside discussions. On Christmas Eve, two Santas showed up with gifts for the youngsters. On New Year's Eve, the camp staff danced and serenaded one of our birthday Dads, who danced right back.

The trip home took 40 hours, a journey from 94 degrees to 0. As always, I'm glad to be home, but the good memories will linger. I have posted some pictures of the trip that you may enjoy.