Ice-Storm

The most dreaded winter words are ice-storm. On Jan 27-28 a big one hit Richmond KY, and Allan Stephens sent us an account of his epic struggle with Ma Nature. 

Electricity went off at 7:30 pm, and his basement sump began to overflow.

He lit candles around the sump, then began to bail with a pitcher into a bucket. Each bucket was two gallons, or 16.68 pounds. Then up a flight of five stairs to dump in the toilet. 

A few trips would not be bad; he did this for nine hours until 5 AM, with help from wife Mary Lou and an additional, heavier 5-gallon bucket. 

On day 2, the rain turned to snow and the sump level subsided. Al went out in search of a generator; no dice. Tried McDonald's for coffee; the line was three blocks long.

Finally at Wal-Mart he found a bilge pump and marine battery, hooked it up and began to empty the sump.

By now the inside temp was 40 so he lit a wood fire and raised the house to 50. While he enjoyed some hot soup, the power returned after a 25-hour outage.

Five days later, some of his neighbors STILL do not have power. Thanks to Al for his letter, and get some rest!

Cuckoo

In this time of national economic crisis, Illinois and its current governor are providing a bit of comic relief. Mayor Daley of Chicago, normally no barrel of laughs, had this to say about the Governor's state of mind the other day.

Obama Horseshoe

Springfield restaurants, ever ready to set trends, have fashioned three variations of an "Obama horseshoe sandwich" to mark the inauguration of the 44th president, and the fourth from Illinois (we include Grant and Reagan).

The State Journal-Register proposed a competition, and three chefs responded, at Maldener's, Sangamo Club, and D'Arcy's Pint. You won't find the usual combination of hamburger, fries, and cheese sauce; these concoctions emulate Chicago-style hot dogs and Hawaiian comfort food, in keeping with the new President's tastes.

The story appears today in the SJR. For background on the horseshoe, see this Wikipedia article, which proclaims that Springfield is indeed the birthplace of the artery-clogging sandwich. Do any of our readers still eat this stuff?

A Considered Life

As promised two years ago, Jim Hollis has produced his 13th book. They keep rolling out, each one building a bigger audience for Jim's profound yet practical approach to human problems.

What Matters Most draws on Jim's background in literature and psychology to ask how can we find our way to what he calls a more considered life. He asks us to deal with fear, tolerate confusion, learn to grow, and always pursue life as a journey.

You may learn more at Jim's web site , which lists his lecture schedule, perhaps at a city near you. His latest book is available at Amazon or your local store.

Happy 2009

New Year's Eve in Sydney, Australia

It's Jan 1 there, so let's celebrate!

Enjoy some nice cards from

Judy Van Hagen 

Al and Diane Urbanckas 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

to us all!

A Year Goes By

As this year ends, watch one go by in 40 seconds.

Moving

On Jan 12, 2009,

the '58 website moves
to a new address.

Boston Charlie

From Walt Kelly's Pogo Website

Of the many ways to express holiday sentiment,

one of my favorites is Walt Kelly's parody

of the traditional English carol,

Deck the halls with boughs of holly.

Kelly's version begins:

Deck us all with Boston Charlie,

Walla Walla Wash., an' Kalamazoo!

The rest you may read at the Pogo site.

And if you want to hear the tune, 

here's a scene from a movie we like to see

every year at this time.

Jim Taylor

Our classmate, Jim Taylor, died on Thursday, Dec 11 2008, at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown, KY. 

Jim was born in Springfield and attended Stuart grade school. In the 50th Reunion book, he wrote that his favorite memories of SHS were faculty members Lenore Ashinhust, Marguerite Zimmerman, and Jack Turner. He was also fond of formal dances, the Alamo, and the Tick-Tock Inn.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Carol Schroeder Taylor, also a '58 classmate. He was a former manager of O'Charley's and credit manager of Sears. He was an avid fisherman and lover of horses.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gail and Edith Barnett Taylor; and a brother, William Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Carol Taylor of Elizabethtown; a daughter, Laura Taylor and John of Elizabethtown; a brother, David Taylor of Chicago; a sister, Frances Myerscough of Springfield; two grandchildren, Preston and Ian Taylor, both of Elizabethtown; and several nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be expressed online at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown, which is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Season's Greetings

Diane Gurgens Urbanckas enjoyed the story on elder ball and sent a picture of her Mom, who will be 88 on Jan 23. Here she is with Santa at the 2007 Christmas Pops concert of the Springfield Symphony, held each year at UIS. They make a good match, in their red and black velvet, of course recalling our SHS colors as well.

In another picture, Diane appears with the art and environment committee at St. Jude Church after they finished decorating the Advent wreath. She and I got to speculating on the little sphere that appears in the picture's center. Some folks think these are spirits; Diane says a speck of dust, and I say it's a flash reflection on the shutter, just before it closed. She was using a timer.

What do you think? Let's hear some comments.

Elder Ball

Photo by Don Treeger 

Basketball is now a sport of choice among seniors, it seems. This lady is ready to sink a free throw in an Elder Olympics contest held in Agawam, MA. One 93-year-old made three consecutive shots, all from her wheel chair.

Today the NY Times has a feature story on Ken Mink, 73, who plays guard on the varsity team for Lambuth University in Jackson, TN. He's a crowd favorite, and they call him "Our Medicare Man."

Obvious moral to '58s: it's never too late--get out your sneakers and hustle!

Twelve Days

A week from today, Dec 14, we begin the 12-day countdown to Dec 25.

Here's a partridge in a pear tree, to anticipate that day.

Dave and Hedva Kobes have sent a Jaquie Lawson greeting card.

It reminds us of all our carols, trees, and gifts through the years.

Merry Christmas.

Larry Keafer

OMAHA, Ark. - A Celebration of Life service will be held for Larry Gene Keafer 68, of Omaha, Ark., from 12 - 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at the Illinois Baptist State Association, Springfield. Burial will be at a later date in the Rochester Cemetery, Rochester.

Mr. Keafer passed away Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson, Mo. Cremation was under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home in Branson, Mo.

Larry was born Sept. 24, 1940, in Danville, to Arthur and Eugenia (Miller) Keafer. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1958. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Larry married Toni Ford on Jan. 6, 1962, in Springfield.

Larry worked for the state of Illinois as a project manager of construction projects. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Omaha, Ark., the National Rife Association, Ducks Unlimited, and a life member of the North American Hunting Club. He and Toni moved to Omaha, Ark., from Chatham.

He is survived by his wife, Toni of Omaha, Ark.; two sons, Chris (wife, Joyce) Keafer of Midlothian, Texas, and Chad (wife, Pam) Keafer of Omaha, Ark.; two brothers, Eugene Peck of Oakland, Calif., and Mike (wife Diana) Keafer of Rochester; a sister, Joan Jett of Tucson, Ariz.; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society for Lung Cancer, Heartland Division; 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64105. Friends may sign a guestbook at the SJR site.

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.