Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Great picture Sharon of you and Linda.  Still hard to believe she is no longer with us. Thanks for posting.

Don Leach

Great photo!  Thanks for sharing.

Patsy Cordray (VanPelt)

Such a good picture of you and Linda!! Sure do miss my dear friend!   

Jerry Rees

In the spirit of Mrs Van Tyle, I would like to share my LTE that appeared in the July 9 KC Star:

FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY

Wearing a mask is not about personal freedom. It’s about loving your neighbor. Wearing a mask is more than personal protection for oneself. It’s a selfless act of kindness and respect for others.

There is a delicate dance between freedom and responsibility. Many years ago in my eighth-grade American History class, I learned that absolute freedom is a myth. It does not exist.

In any civilized society, my freedom ends where someone else’s rights and well-being begin. The freedom of my fist ends at someone else’s nose. We don’t have the freedom to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater.

Wearing a mask is a religious, political, and patriotic statement—an act of maturity. Strong, compassionate, and resilient communities are built on shared sacrifice for the common good as well as the freedom to think and act, which is relative.

- Jerry D. Rees, Leawood

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

I knew all of you would love that photo of Linda and me! She was a hoot and so much fun! I pray that all of you stay safe and stay healthy! 

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

I just wanted to say "Thak You" to Jerry Rees for sharing his recent Letter to the Editor and reference to our dear high school teacher, Mrs. VanTyul.  As I refelcted on Jerry's words I couldn't help but think how, after finishing her International Relations Class (plus I had her for Spanish), she had planted a seed in us as to how we were to be responsible citizens in our world - showing us through her wise words that there is a price for our freedom and we should always strive for justice for all.  Her seeds took deep roots in many of our classmates, when they went out into the world in government work and service - but I truly believe she shared so much wisdom that we didn't realize, at the time, would serve us well as we entered adulthood.

Just my two cents this morning - Bill and I are doing well - I'm having to be a little more cautious with social distancing after recently being diagnoised with an auto-immune condition that requires me to be on Prednisone long term - the good news is the pain has settled down to being much more tolerable.  Our county (Pitt) here in eastern North Carolina has over 1000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 10 deaths, and that has been due to a spike since the 4th of July holiday (when it seems everyone got together and went to the beaches or had home parties, without masks !)

Everyone stay well and blessings to all of you !

Darla Qualls (Dennison)

Very well said Jerry.  I couldn't agree with you more.  Maybe if everyone did what they are suppose to we could get these numbers down.  

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

I too want to thank Jerry for sharing the article! It was right on target! I can't understand what is so difficult about wearing a mask when you are out and around people! This virus would certainly calm down if everyone would wear one!

Lynda Beattie (Boomer)

Thank you, Jerry!

Judi Perry

Jerry, that was a great message you sent to the KC community.  Hope people listen and take to heart what you wrote.  Thank you so much.  I realize that masks can be unomfortable, however, it is much less so than either getting COVID or spreading it.  Also use gloves when filling up you car at gas stations.

William (Bill) Patrigo

Thank you Sharon (2x), Melinda, Sandi, Cyndy, Brad and Sheila for your kind birthday greetinges.

Relative to birthday greetings, I will share a story. For a long time I have regularly followed blues music - attending concerts, going on blues cruises, etc. (I also practice the guitar, asserting that when I grow up I will be a professional blues guitarist.) Therefore, opening the hyperlink which my son sent me to to view a video on my bithday blew me away!!  Clicking the link, a video of Bobby Rush, a nationally known blues musician and singer personally wishing me a happy birthday and singing a short personalized birthday greeting appeared. I was absolutely amazed!!  If you want to view this, the link is https://www.cameo.com/v/OJB4c3WCj

The website where my son had the video made is cameo.com and includes hundreds of celibrities who will make personalized videos for a fee. The fees and video messages previously prepared by each is shown on the site. Since I was unaware of this service I throught I would share it with my classmates.  As I indicated, the video was a great and completely unexpected present.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Hey Bill: I tried to download the video but it wouldn't download! Any suggestions? So nice of your son! Would be fun if you drove that DeLorean to Iowa for our 60th class reunion! Ha!ha!

Brad Wiedmann

Sharon,  I was able to open the video from Bill P

William (Bill) Patrigo

Sharon, I tested the hyperlink several times after I posted the message and it worked.  I tested it from the posting a couple of minutes ago and it again worked.  Perhaps there is a problem with your browser.  I think that you could copy the hyperlink, then paste into and open from the address bar of your browser. Alternatively, you could go to the website (www.cameo.com), search for Bobby Rush, then open the video identified as BP (he has about 4 videos).  These are my best suggestions.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Bill:  I got off my I-phone and went to my PC and I was able to click on your linke and open the Birthday greeting to you. It was really cool. I'm sure you were thrilled that your son sent this personalized video birthday greeting to you. Very original and thoughtful. Again, Happy Birthday Bill and I'm sure you had a wonderful day.

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Thanks Bill for sharing the birthday video.  What a great idea!  I'm sure that made your day special! 

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

I received this on Facebook and thought I would share! I hope you all had a good laugh!

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Thanks Sharon   That was a good one!  

Georgia O'Donnell (Merschman)

Very funny because it’s so true.

Joyce Casady (Sheumaker)

Thanks Sharon---I needed a good laugh!   It was really good!

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Classmates: Again, it is with great sadness that I tell you that our very own Jack Lee Mathena, 77, passed away on August 1st at his home in Cape Girardeau, Mo! His obituary can be found online at www.crainsonline.com! He is survived by his wife Karen, a daughter and two sons, a grandson and great grandson! He has been cremated! From the Class of 1961 may Jack Rest In Peace!

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

OUR 60th Class Reunion is more important than ever as we have lost 7 classmates that we know of in less than a year! So put it on your calendar(pending the Covid-19 is over)! I hope to see you and we all have a Great turn out! September 10-12-2021! 

Marcia Conley (Davis)

LET'S PRAY THAT COVID-19 IS PAST HISTORY VERY SOON.  I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR 60TH REUNION.  I HAVE SOME HEALTH ISSUES TO OVERCOME IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS BUT AM GOING FORWARD THINKING IT IS ALL GOING TO WORK OUT.

I HAVE MANY REASONS TO GET ON A PLANE.  ONE FOR THE REUNION NEXT YEAR AND THE OTHER TO FLY TO GEORGIA TO MEET MY FIRST GREAT GRANDSON WHO WAS BORN JULY 20, 2020.

COVID-19 CAUSED THE CANCELLATION OF ALL THE SEMINARS I HAVE DONE FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS.  THE EXTENDED TAX FILING DEADLINE TO JULY 15, 2020 HAS KEPT ME BUSY BUT ONCE THE OCTOBER 15, 2020 EXTENSION DEADLINE HAS COME AND GONE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO DO WITH MY TIME.  I LOVED PRESENTING AND TRAVELING AND ALREADY MISS NOT DOING SEMINARS. WEBINARS HAVE TAKEN OVER BUT THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AS LIVE ONES.

I HOPE EVERYONE IS WEATHERING THE PANDEMIC AND EITHER SHELTERING IN PLACE OR AT LEAST WEARING FACE MASKS.  I OWN AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS SO MY OFFICE HAS BEEN OPERATING FULLTIME BUT WORK IS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN.  I SHOULD BE IN LAS VEGAS, DALLAS, NORTHERN CA, RENO, SEATTLE.DOING SEMINARS.  I NORMALLY DID 8-10 SEMINARS DURING THE SUMMER AND WEEKLY STARTING NOVEMBER THRU JANUARY.WITH TIME OFF TO FLY TO HAWAII FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.  I AM HOPING HAWAII OPENS BACK UP IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR.

GOD HAS A WAY AND I GUESS HE WANTED ME TO SLOW DOWN.  I HAVE A VASCULAR PROBLEM IN MY LEGS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO WALK.  I HAVE SPENT THE PAST YEAR USING WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE IN THE AIRPORT.  THAT IS A VERY HUMBLING EXPERIENCE.  I HAD TWO SURGERIES IN 2019 ON MY LEGS.  A CANE HAS BECOME PART OF MY DAILY WARDROBE.

PRAY FOR A VACCINE!

Cyndy Day (Savage)

That was funny Sharon, I'm laughing out loud. 

Also:

We are remembering Jack's family. You do a wonderful job of keeping us all in touch, what a treasure you are. Blessings

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Bill and I wanted to post on theClass Message Forum, for those class members who don't live in the Fort Madison area, that Jack Eaves, husband of our classmate and friend, Kay Marsh Eaves, passed away earlier this week in Grinnell, Iowa.  Kay and Jack had moved  there a few months ago from Fort Madison, as one of their sons lived there and he and his wife were helping care for Jack and Kay.  We had a closeness to Kay and Jack when they were first married and rented Bill's grandparents little house on the alley behind their home on the 2100 block of Avenue E.  Bill's grandparents loved them like family and Kay and Jack reciprocated.  I also loved to stop and chat with Kay when we visited and she worked all those years at "Jack's/Shop-Ko"...........such a warm and friendly smile for everyone.  Anyway, Jack's service is being taken care of through King/Lynk in Fort Madison and his obituary was in the Evening Democrat this week, if you might want to read it.  Jack left a wonderful legacy in helping develop young men in the area at his boxing club and was recongnized by many for his work with those youths.  With sincere sympathy to Kay and their sons/wives, grandsons/wives, and great-grandchildren, who they adored !