Don Leach

Hi, Andy -

No one will ever forget you!   :)     Don

Marcia Conley (Davis)

October 15,  the dealine for filing 2013 tax returns is over!.  Whew!  My 48th Oct 15th and 28 years with my firm, MKD Business Services in Costa Mesa.  Going for 50 years!  BIG Party in the future!  No plans ever for retiring because I love what I do and have the most loyal clients anyone would ever want.  I am in third generations since I purchased the firm in 1985.  Have grown from 250 clients at acquisition to about 1,000 today.  Very little advertising, mostly referral.

The next few weeks will be wind down time and get ready for tax seminar travel starting the middle of November and ending the end of January 2015 while still managing my firm and gearing up for tax year 2014 filing.  And  the cycle of life goes on!

Looking forward to the 2016 Reuinion.

Good health and prosperity to all. 

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

GOOD MORNING:  SANDY BUCKLEY MATTHEWS ask me to post some information for her. She is 15 days out of her surgery and her 12 inch incision is healing clean as a whistle and she is walking with the aid of a walker round and round the house at least 6 times per day for 10 minutes at a time. she has lost a little weight but she says that weight was just 'extra stuff' she didn't need anyway.  Sandy is only sleeping about three hours a night and then when she wakes up Bill helps her get her "turtle shell" brace back on. She wants to thank all the friends and classmates that have sent her cards and  phone calls.

While I am in this message let us all pray that Mary Vasquez Mendez will be good as new after her back surgery in Iowa City today the 21st of October. Mary has had ongoing back issues for years.

I hope this message finds you all well and enjoying this lovely Fall season. Fort Madison is a blaze with beautiful trees. Congrats to Marcia Conley for all her accomplishments and her desire to keep on working.

As Ever, Sharon Tincher Scholl-Nabulsi

Nan Nelson (Hays)

GOOD MORNING SHARON...Thanks ever so much for letting us know how Sandy is doing. I'm so happy to hear her healing is progressing.  She has beeen in my prayers every day and now Mary will be also.

Sincerely, Nancy Hays

Loren(Andy) Andrews

For those classmates that went to Jefferson, Miss Maxine Gerdom our 1st grade teacher in 1949-50 stopped by the museum today and posted her photo on facebook "If you are from Fort Madison you remember" was great chatting with her.

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

I would like to personally THANK ALL THE CLASSMATES WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY. I am very proud of every one of you!!! Thanks goes out to:  Loren Andrews, Jerry Applegate, Bob Brannon, Dennis Brown, John Frey, Dick Gaule, Ron Kinkeade, Bill Kreiger, David Kutscher, Charlie LaFrenz, Don Leach, Carlos Lozano, Gabe Martinez, Bill Matthews, Gary McVey, David Murguia, Bill Orr, Bill Patrigo, Bob Pezley, Jack Sears, Gary St.Clair, Willis Strunk, Blaine VanAusdall and Bob Wollever. You gave of your time and talent to insure our freedom. THANK YOU.....

Nan Nelson (Hays)

AMEM, Linda!

Sandi Thompson (Philips)

Well said, Linda!

Marcia Conley (Davis)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!

I have so much to be thankful for this year. 

Just put my turkey in the oven, on my way to Church, and after Church will return home to fix the remainder for family this afternoon.  Weather is wonderful, sun shining and mid-60's right now.  Low 80's this afternoon.  Don't miss the cold and snowy conditions.

Have a safe and thankful Thanksgiving. 

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Seems like our class isn't very interested in writing on the forum anymore...at least some participate. I'm thankful for those. When something reminds me of the past, I have great memories of all my years in school K-12th. I have vivid memories of each year...many don't seem really important. Not sure why I remember some incidents, did I think they were important at the time? I wonder about so many things...but Larry always told me, "Don't wonder too far, you'll get lost". Maybe that's why I love to travel, I'm lost & trying to find my way!!! My advice to everyone, is to "get lost", it's fun...wandering to different places.

My last adventure was in the Ozarks. A girlfriend I worked with & I spent a wk. in Osage. We didn't leave the condo one day, it snowed 3" & "it's all hills in them thar parts". The warmest afternoon, we went hiking around the the ruins of a castle. We drove west of Camdenton, MO on 54, left on Rte. D to HA HA TONKA State Park. It was Nov. & so peaceful, with the sound of leaves under foot, maybe 4-5 other people, weather was crisp & fresh, birds singing all around, hardly any leaves left on the trees, so you could see for miles from the hilltop. The view was breath taking. We also went to the Natural Bridge near by. It was the anniversary of Larry passing & it reminded me of my favorite poem, "Out In The Fields With God" by Elizabeth Browning. I spent a wonderful day with a wonderful friend "out in the hills with God. We plan to go back...anyone else interested??

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Memphis, TN with my children. Lisa & I drove down, Lamar & family drove up from Austin, TX and Lori drove over from Nashville. We all stayed with Courtney & Brad (Lisa's 2nd daughter) & their 2 basset hounds, Franklin & Gertrude. It was great.

Am praying everyone will have a blessed Christmas & healthy New Year. I plan to, "out in the fields with God".

Linda  

Gary McVey

I appreciated your post. Certainly the ozarks are a place that can restore your soul.  Our 2nd home is about 100 miles south of Camdenton, between Springfield & Branson. We seem to be more at peace there than anywhere else.  Gary Mcvey

Marcia Conley (Davis)

It is good to have a "place" to find peace.  I find it on the shores of Kauai near  Princeville.

Brad Wiedmann

Linda,  Always appreciate your posts

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Awesome responses to my post...

Brad, it's nice to be appreciated, thanks.

Marcia, it's great you can get away to rest, relax, refocus & get revitalized. That's important.

Gary, I'm impressed you & Barb have a place in southern MO, even more that you feel it's peaceful for you. Half way between Springfield & Branson is beautiful counrty. I visited Branson twice this year. Try to get down to Eureka Springs, AR when there's time. You do know David Murguia lives in Branson, right. I'm sure he'd like to see some classmates. Maybe we should plan a trip there & see how many would be willing to go also. There's lots to do there & plenty of places high on a hill to find solitude & enjoy the view.

Thanks friends...

Patsy Cordray (VanPelt)

Linda, your post was inspiring and appreciated!  I agree with you that peace and quiet speaks loudly to our souls. Love you dear!

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Patsy, you are a dear friend and confidant. I treasure your friendship.  

Bill Orr

Hey Linda,

Keep up the good work!

Bill

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Mr. Orr...thank for the encouragement. You have a good memory of our grade school years at Jackson. My brother, Ron passed away in 2005 in CA. My Dad did have quite a gun collection. I remember my Dad having a M1 but not much else about it. He was a Marksman & a Sharpshooter. Had lots of medals. He would go to the rifle range at the prison with Howard Frey. He was a big hunter & fisherman. Mostly went with the Bartlett brothers. I grew up eating rabbit, squirrel, duck, pheasant, quail, & lots of fish. Still like it all, but hard to find anyone who still hunts for them. I remember you Mom, tall, thin, black hair. She was so nice. Do you remember some of the kids that moved away and didn't go on to JH with us, Steve Currier, Linda Turner, Sherry Wright, Lynda Johnson, Jenny Emrick & Ernie Gallaway. A Jackon reunion sounds like a great idea. I'd like to see in the building since it's been turned into apartments. Remember the janitor, Mr. Winke? He lived on the corner of 5th. & Ave. G. Remember all the teachers we had? Miss Menke's bug? Great memories...

Linda 

Marcia Conley (Davis)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLIE.  I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE.......praying you all have had a good year & also praying for a great one to come. Enjoy your day & your families. We are all blessed to be loved by someone, & live in a great country. I say the last part, lightly. Things & times, morals & ethics have change so much from our era & up-bringing. I am comforted to know someone is in charge. Take care...Linda 

Jaynie Drummond (Davis)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to y'all! 

Karan Kreighbaum (Faul)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE CLASS OF '61

Marcia Conley (Davis)

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone.

I have had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.  A girlfriend and I are leaving Friday night on a redeye for the Florida Keys for a few days rest and relaxation.  We both have a busy January completing the seminars before tax season starts February 1.

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Marcia...hope you have a great time in the Keys, resting & relaxing. You deserve every minute,,,just wish I was joining you. My parents owned a lot on Big Pine Key, but we never went down. Have a drink for me...or several. Take care.

Marcia Conley (Davis)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2014 was a good year and I look forward to 2015 being an even better one.

I recently spent 3 days in the Florida Keys and was able to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Now I am back in CA and it is freezing!  48 degrees when I drove to the office this morning!

Same New Year's resolution - eat healthy and lose weight.  Maybe it will happen in 2015.

I wish everyone health, happiness and prosperity.