Dear ’52ers….
So what’s that big blur in my dusty
old memory box? Why it’s Ghost of Reunions Past (55 to be precise!)!
What’s that high school Latin again? Veni—Vidi—Vici! We came—we saw—and
we WERE conquered!! Darn that was fun---let’s do it again in 55 years!!
In our class profile, we estimated that there were 2,079 years of
accumulated wit and wisdom represented at the reunion---15
pacemakers---12 new hips and 13 new knees—23 stints—6 gallons of
chemo---16 sets of false teeth---83 hearing aids and $200,000 worth of
prescription drugs in our suitcases!!! Thanks to all that participated
or sent notes of encouragement. Think we probably set another record
for class participation at the 55th--not only quantity but
quality as well. Can you realize that it’s been 60 years since we set
foot on the Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Cedar Creek (MC’s Loch Lomond).
The final act by the class at the
reunion was the presentation of a display of beautiful miniature crosses
which appeared on a velvet plaque made in Ethiopia which Hailu Sebsibe
had given as a house gift when he visited here sometime ago. The display
was given during the Sunday Memorial Service to the college chaplain to
hang in her office with an explanation of why it was special and who it
honored.. What a role model Hailu was for all of us—humble, loyal,
dedicated, intelligent, gentle man….am sure all who knew him could add
additional appropriate adjectives.
Also we regret to report that we have
lost another classmate who also possessed many of the traits that Hailu
did. Dorothy Tate (Tater as she was affectionately known) was a
non-traditional student in our class. She was older than the typical
52er as she had to work to save enough money to start the struggle
through MC financially—she served as a dorm mother in two of the smaller
dorms (Sherrick and East Hall) while working on her degree. She
indicated that she felt a connection with our class even though not many
knew her or of her fortitude and dedication in acquiring a college
education. She followed our class in the newsletter and from her
comments I am sure she knew us better than we knew her. Sweet Tater, we
were proud to have you in the class of 1952!
Due to circumstances, this letter is
late this year, but that’s not all bad since the Christmas cards and
letters have started to arrive. Like Jim and Jane Black Snyder---those
lucky ducks celebrated Christmas Eve last year in the Kings College
Cathedral in Cambridge, England and came home to travel extensively
during the year in USA. “Jim donated half a new piano in honor of Jane
to a new church”—now the congregational is trying to figure out what the
heck to do with half a piano—the minute waltz was already down to only
30 seconds—hardly worth while! They also did a great job of honoring our
deceased classmates at the reunion.
We’re having an old fashioned ice storm
and here comes this lush green card from Hawaii—Its Dick and Peg
Deschwanden Foster—look quick or you’ll miss them—‘cuz last year they
were in Australia, France(a bunch), Patagonia(where?—thought that was a
flower!), Turkey, England, all Hawaiian islands—oh, and Monmouth,
Illinois! Frequent flier miles? They don’t get a ticket---they own the
airline by now!!
Ken and Mickey Milligan Bailey are
staying very busy with Ken’s lectures, publishing and DVDs—includes lots
of national and international travel out of New Wilmington, Pa. He has a
new 435 page book soon to be released “Jesus Through Middle Eastern
Eyes”. Ethel’s older brother passed away this year and the class extends
its condolences..
And here come Barbara Schultz Hirakami
and husband Richard—they sent us a wonderful CD of Hawaiian music
featuring IZ Kamakawiwo’Ole—Martha is working on her Hula moves—she did
Fox Trot and Swing in a local Dancing With the Stars contest —this may
be her sequel dance!! Barb has had some health challenges but is feeling
pretty well now.
Where better to spend the winter than
in Sun City, AZ—that’s what Bill and Peg Mazanec Kennedy live when they
are not gallivanting for a summer in Logan, UT or Yellowstone or
cruising to Alaska—Question—why do girls with the name of Peg have such
involved names—Peg Mazanec and Peg Deshwanden—whatever happened to
little Peggy Smith?
For those of you who were not at the
reunion---the class honored John Gunn for his tremendous service in
relaying media articles on MC to his mailing list. John has not been
feeling real well so we pass along our collective concern to him in Gulf
Breeze, Florida.
Wayne Keller is Puyallup, WA’s great
hope in the Olympics (Senior Olympics that is!) He is competing in
multiple events at local venues and on the state level---and may need to
add a room soon to hold his numerous medals. His agent is negotiating
several endorsement contracts currently—just like Tiger Woods.
Junie Gustafson Salen and Stan are
wintering in Florida. June does a good job on keeping up with ’52ers
including an occasional geographical mini reunion.
So, Donna Zinger Pipenhagen, what do
you have to say for yourself? She mentions in her kind card from Wheaton
that she thinks the class of ’52 is kind of special in its unity and
enthusiasm. Anybody want to argue with that?
There was a nice note from Pat Acosta
Wiedenman indicating she enjoyed the reunion and meeting with old
friends. She was happy to take part in the Tribute to Gracie Peterson,
a treasured memory for all of us.
Hey, Shirley Moser Irion in
Bloomington, IL has her publicists working hard for her---Lou Brown
Whiteman sent an article and picture of her son winning his 4th
Triathlon in record time (Mo regularly paces him for 600 yards of
swimming—13 miles of bicycling and running 3+ miles---Yeh, right!!!) And
June Salen sent word that Mo had shot a hole in one and asked if that
qualified her for MC Hall of Fame—does in my book—I had a hole in 3
once! Ron and Mo are planning to attend our 60th in 5
years!!!!
Marta Searle Atchison indicated a good
time and remarked how well the campus looks (beautiful cover of
sparkling snow right now). She has had health issues but is looking
good. Still travels at the drop of a hat!
We have heard from Midge Gillet Myers
several times indicating her son is a forest fire official in California
and we all know what an exciting life that has been recently. She and
Judy Stetson Knox have traveled together including I think a cruise to
Alaska and Denali—and that is good stuff!
Here’s a name from the past---Ginger
Horner Bernklau (Jacqueline if you want to be formal) sends her
greetings to all and enjoyed the class picture. She still holds forth
in Lakewood, CO.
Speaking of Colorado, big Jim Nissen
reports that all is well there, now that they have had some moisture—he
continues to volunteer big time in Estes Park. Jim was unable to make
the reunion due to family illness.
We received an excellent letter from
Gordon and Loretta Greenwood from Slidell, LA reporting on their Katrina
experience---no water but lots of wind damage-lost 20 trees, 3 of which
landed on his house. They weathered the storm and did not evacuate.
They stated that New Orleans has a long way to go in completing repairs
and that the many volunteers coming down have been a great help.
(Including a group from Monmouth College). They send their regards to
you all.
Cay Turnbull Mongiat (Davenport, IA) joined the
happy reunion throng and is glad she did as she enjoyed visiting with
many friends she hadn’t seen for sometime. Cay’s husband, Ray, has some
serious health issues so we all send them our best wishes for the
future.
The Bill Witter’s (Shirley) of Myrtle
Beach are still holding forth and he is a super salesman for that area.
Let’s have our next reunion there in the middle of January five years
hence—no thongs allowed!
We visited in the Villages of Florida
recently and tried to find Bill Donohoe and Larry Gray who we understand
live there but to no avail. That is quite a dramatic place and the
closest to Heaven many golfers will get!
Bill and Pat Bailey in Baton Rouge are
still dodging hurricanes and living the good life. Bill keeps pretty
good track of what’s going on and checks in occasionally on e-mail which
I appreciate.
Speaking of e-mailers, Jim Samsel and
Ray Reutlinger could be writers for the late night comedians, now on
strike, as they come up with some great tension breakers from time to
time. Isn’t e-mail quite an invention? We used to do a version of that
in the Navy 60 years ago (Helped to break up a mid-watch at 3am in the
morning).
Joyce Hansen Scholten and husband Dick
should be in town soon to see their grandson play basketball at MC- a
starter under the new coach who played in Final 4 for Wisconsin—about 4
foot taller than Bobby Woll!!!
Bill Smallwood and Erma (Norris)
recently returned from a reunion of the submarine Sargo on which Bill’s
brother Jim was killed while protecting the sub and shipmates during a
disastrous fire. There is a 15-story dormitory at Pearl Harbor named in
his honor recognizing his actions during the fire. Bill could probably
beat anybody in the class running the 100 yard dash—he’d probably even
offer to run backwards—any challengers?
Swim class gossip---John Toal, Carroll
Toal’s little brother, reported that CT took on a snowplow in
Connecticut and came in second. No injuries but his car is for
sale---cheap! Take care of that voice, Carroll, we’re hoping for another
opportunity to hear you sing---still think the Met Opera should have
been there to hear your performance in Gracie’s memory. Thanks again
for your participation—very well done.
What do you call the male offspring of
the ocean’s edge? Son of a beach! Not sure where that came from or why
but it probably should go back to whence it came.
The Whiteman’s send our best wishes to
you and yours at this meaningful and special time of the year—good
health and peace of mind to you
all!
James Samsel
seumastoo@yahoo.com
Raleigh, NC
February, 2008
U.S. Navy 1950-1954. Graduated from U. of Colorado
(Boulder) 1961 - BSEE and BS Business.
Barbara Atkinson Bailey
jbbailey@bellsouth.net
Penney Farms, FL
March, 2008
We live in Penney Retirement Community (PRC); a
community that encourages volunteerism. In fact, all of our activities
are "run" by the residents. My volunteer activities on campus are too
numerous to list. Off campus I volunteer in the office (weekly) at PET
(Personal Energy Transportation), where very special wheel chairs are
made to go overseas (third world countries). I'm also part of FL Eagle
Watch Program.
Important Dates:
Alumni
Weekend -- May 29 - June 1, 2008
