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.

Boooo

Are you ready for goblins and ghosts?

In case you don't get any in your neighborhood,

Harriett and Rom Sidoli have sent a card 

that will liven up your Halloween.

Also, there's a new video in the Music channel

for you Judy and Mickey fans.

From Girl Crazy (1943)

New Videos

Check out the new flicks at Music and Video in the '58 site. 

Thanks to Lee Lochbaum for the Perry Como. 

And see the great films of Springfield in the 1930s and 1940s.

Please send in links and suggestions!

Save SHS

The Vinegar Hill Association in Springfield is organizing a drive to rebuild/expand SHS at its present site, the corner of Lewis and Adams streets.

The Association has a website where residents of District 186 may download a form, fill it in, and send it to members of the School Board. (Too bad school alumni can't respond!)

The Board is considering a proposal to relocate SHS west to Koke Mill Road. The old building would become a fine arts or technical academy and also administrative headquarters.

Vinegar Hill is the area directly west of downtown. The VHA is devoted to preserving and protecting its historic character. If you grew up in that area, you might like to join the Association for a mere $10 in dues.

New '58 Site

ANNOUNCEMENT

Our web site has a new look and contents.

You'll find it at the regular address.

You may read this news blog at the site.

Check out the music and video pages.

Also a contact form for writing us.

More new stuff soon to come!

Thanks to Jerry Johnson '58

for the image of his Senators pin.

Western films

Saturday at the Esquire (South Town, Pantheon) on a winter afternoon. Kids with popcorn and candy, settled in for a newsreel, cartoon, and a double feature. Like as not, one of the films is a Western.

In Hollywood they are oaters, shot in a few days on a back lot dressed with fake boulders and aging stars. They tell a skewed version of the Western past, favoring settlers and trashing natives, but no matter to the kids; for them it's all about good and bad guys, lots of shooting and chases on horseback, and riding off into the sunset.

Bob Wicks, long a big fan, sent a link to a site devoted to Those Old Westerns. It's a slide show of scenes and stars, with music. You'll see names and faces you may have forgotten. My personal favorite in this genre are the films of John Ford, which feature beautiful shots and good acting. Oh, and a big galoot named John Wayne.

Computer Tips

Ever wanted to take that computer and just . . . ?

Well, relax. One of the brightest guys in the tech-writing business

Has just compiled a set of tips that is worth printing and saving

Next to that expensive little toy that you hate to love

But can't do without on a day to day basis.

Enjoy. And stop asking me for the bookmark to this site!

Just kidding.

Singing Six

Bob Hails, Janet Beardsley Johnson, John Brownback, 

Bob Wicks, Judy Vicars Van Hagen, Carolyn Quinlan 

A sextet made up of Singing 7 and Senators.

Reunion head counts:

24 Golfers at Panther Creek  

37 for lunch at Panther Creek

165 for reception at Motor Boat Club

160 for dinner at Illini Country Club

71 for brunch at Panther Creek

That's excellent participation in all the events.

Thanks to Carolyn and Judy for picture and counts.

Last F-16

 

Shannon Kirshner,  State Journal Register

     The last of the F-16 fighter jets assigned to the 183rd Fighter Wing at Capitol Airport left the runway today. This marks the end of the unit's mission, which dates back to the 1940s in Springfield.

    In recent years, the unit focused on engine repair and controlling air operations in the Midwest. Now all the fighters are reassigned to other parts of the USA.

    The story in the SJR gives full details and provides a film of the last fighter's departure. Also see comments below the SJR story for some gripes by today's citizen residents.

    Thanks to Judi Dunkel Headrick for providing the story tip. 

Bob Owens

 

Bob at the 50th Reunion

     I'm sorry to report that Bob Owens died on Saturday, September 13 in the St. Louis airport. He attended the reunion and then spent time visiting family. A friend, Jim Sexton, drove Bob to the airport. A few minutes later, Bob collapsed inside the terminal. He was taken to a hospital but efforts to revive him failed.

     In his reunion biography Bob reported that he attended Cathedral Grade School and his favorite memories of SHS were the early morning gatherings in the auditorium. He was retired from a career with the Barnes Group, which manufactures components for a variety of industries.

     Bob is survived by his wife, Carolyn Ann, along with three children and one grandchild. An obituary appears in the SJR for Sep 28, 2008. You may sign the guest book and send messages to Bob's family.

Picture by Judy Van Hagen 

Reunion Decor

Our fantastic Reunion committee worked hard to get the weekend right, from scheduling events at different venues to decorating the tables and providing souvenirs. (Click on pictures to enlarge.)

The primary color scheme (of course) was red and black. Somehow, they managed to locate black table cloths and napkins.

 

Here's a closer view of a table at Illini CC, all set for feasting.

 

And a final touch was 50s confetti, in appropriate shapes.

 

Pictures by 

Diane Gurgens Urbanckas

Judy Vicars Van Hagen