Darla Qualls (Dennison)

Sharon, never say never!  We just got home from two wonderful weeks in Hawaii.  We spent the first week on Kauai and the second week on Maui.  Kauai was my favorite but they are both beautiful.  The helicopter ride over Kauai was awesome, the only way to see the whole island as the road doesn't go all the way around and the center of the island is considered the wettest place on earth, so beautiful and green.  We also went to Molokai and saw the Leeper colony.  Those people were really treated horrible.  They just pushed you off the ship wheather you could swim or not.  Anyway we had a great time, just not crazy about the 9 hour plane ride but I figured since I did 20 to Australia two years ago I could do this.  Heading to Kansas in the morning for a friend's surprise birthday party.

Hope to see all of you at the reunion next year.  Keep up the good work Sharon!

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Sharon, I certainly appreciate all the good things you do.  We have to keep the reunion going!

Darla, Kauai has always been my favorite island.  I did the helicopter several years ago.  My friend and I are going for 4 days between Christmas and New Year's just to cathch our breath in the middle of our seminar season.  A very quick trip but very relaxing.  We went to Key Largo the same time last year.

For the first time ever, I was really sick during tax season (February-April) with a bad respiratory infection and a bloodclot on my lung. I actually thought about the possibility I might have to cut back or retire! I got over it.  Can't imagine ever retiring!!  With an adjustment to my medications and dissolving the bloodclot, I am back close to my normal but I did lose 30 pounds.

I am still traveling for the software company doing the tax semianrs but it is getting harder now that I also have psoriatic arthritis in my lower back.   Seminar season picks up again November and goes through January.

GETTING OLD IS A BITCH!!

I am busy with Sept 15 deadlines, followed by October 15 deadline for filing taxes.  Then it is time to regroup and get ready for next tax season.  2016 will be my 50th year in the tax profession and on August 1 I have now owned my tax practice in Costa Mesa for 30 years.

I definitely plan on attending the 55th reunion next year.

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Marcia,  It doesn't look like you have the time to grow "old" since you are still so busy with your Tax Business.  I guess if you really LOVE what you do, it's hard to retire.  We have a gal here in our community (Bill plays golf with her husband a couple times a week) who refuses to give it up and she will be 70 next June.  She was a teacher for many years here in North Carolina and then became a math specialist for the state, training teachers.  For about the past 15 years she has worked for Pearson Publishing Company, who provides the majority of textbooks to school.  She travels all over the USA (after the sales are made) to again "train" the teachers on how to do the best lesson plans and take advantage of the textbooks.  She is a true educator who loves seeing teachers help students become successful.  Anyway, I'm sorry to hear you had a rough winter with the respiratory infection and blood clot.........that doesn't sound too good !  We are also looking forward to the Reunion - spending some additional time in the midwest to see extended family afterwards.  

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Classmates:  It is with deep regret that I share with you that our classmate Vera Albers Burgus passed away last night. I am friends with her brother on facebook and he just posted this on facebook, "Vera Albers Burgus, my sister, passed away Monday night in Ottumwa due to complications from surgery. She fought very hard for 2 weeks but not she is with God in a much better place with her husband and son.  I love her and miss her."

May you all keep Vera in your prayers. May she rest in Peace.

As ever, Sharon

Jack Sears

God bless all retirees who like to keep working. Ive been retired for 10 years this month & despise alarm clocks. Had some post-retirement opportunities but I turned them all down. But, if I ever need a rocking chair they better bolt me in tight. 

Sad to hear of classmates passing away. May God rest their souls. 

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Jack Sears, it is good to know that you are retired so there will be no excuses next year in September to not come to the reunion. I am counting on you and there is no way that we will have a rocking chair for you. Just keep on going like the Eveready Bunny!!! Thanks for posting on Message Forum. We would all like to hear more about your poker games, etc. Take care and see you in a year!

Sharon

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

HI CLASS OF '61; THE LADIES OF THE CLASS OF '61 HAD A FUN LUNCH AT THE PIZZA HUT LAST FRIDAY, THE 25TH. THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE, JUDY SWANSON, SALLY MORTON, LINDA KIRCHNER, BETTY MCCLINTHEN, GEORGIA O'DONNELL, LINDA HAYES, KARAN KREIGHBAUM, SHARON DUNCAN, SHARON TINCHER, CAROL NARRIGON!!!  WE INVITE ANY CLASSMATES TO OUR LUNCHEONS THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME. WE MEET THE LAST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH EXCEPT DECEMBER AND OCTOBER'S LUNCEON WILL BE AT AMIGOS ON OCTOBER 30, 2015 AT 11:30 A.M.  Y'ALL COME NOW Y'HEAR!!!!

Loren(Andy) Andrews

Notice no one has commented or posted a FMHS Class of 1961 graduate Betty Lou Dodson Ballard passing away October 20, 2015 with funeral at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Farmington, IA at 10:30 am Friday October 30. Maybe I missed it. Complete obituary on Barr Memirial Chapel website.

Linda Hayes (Meyer)

Andy-  thanks for the update.  I didn't know Betty Dodson had passed.  It's hard to believe so many of our class have gone.  

Karan Kreighbaum (Faul)

Andy... Thanks for letting us know about Betty. I wasn't aware. Too many of our class members are leaving us too quickly!

I will send a memorial from the class for the Great River Hospice House as suggested in Betty's obituary.

Thanks again for being on the ball.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Andy: Thanks for the heads up about Betty Dodson passing. I do not take the Democrat anymore so I do miss a few. I will put them on our memory page. Thanks again!

Loren(Andy) Andrews

Was in Burlington Hawkeye obits 10/22 but not in Democrat until last night. Thanks.

Bill Orr

For the Jackson gang!

Jim Hawtrey's wife , Margie, has had a stroke and is in the UIHC at the University of Iowa. She will undergo brain surgery today or tomorrow. Their E-Mail address is:margiehawtrey@gmail.com.

Bill

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Very sorry to hear about Margie Hawtrey. I will try to send an email to James to encourage him & let him know I'm thinking about them both. Our lives can change so quickly, as so many of us know. It's so comforting to know there is someone thinking about you & praying for you. We all need to support each other. When we don't live close to family, we often feel isolated. It's always good to hear from friends when we feel alone or ill. It's such a small thing we all can do, but it's a BIG deal when you're the one going through something serious. Even a note here on the forum for support helps. I remember all the encouragement I received exactly 2 years ago. Thanks for helping me.......Linda Lu

Bill Orr

Reference Margie Hawtreys brain surgery yesterday.

I received this at 10:00 PM last evening.

 Margie is doing well. Her color is good.  Her conversation is good for the most part.

She will be in the UIHC for the rest of the week and then Physical and Speech therapy.

Their son and daughter are present and will help until no longer needed.

He thanks everyone for their prayers and concern.

Bill

Carole Narigon (Wilson)

Thanks for passing on the information.  I'll be praying for her!

Bill Orr

Reference Margie Hawtreys condition.

AT 9:10 last evening Jim reported that Margie has been moved to St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids and is doing well. Her son Ben and daughter Amy are with her.The doctors anticipate she will be there for 10 to 15 days and then released to whatever. She looks great. Thanks for your prayers! 

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

I received an email from Melinda Lang Bachman today. She said she had fallen up her basement stairs. Ambulance took her to ER. She fractured the C2 vertebrae in her neck. She will be in a brace for 2-3 months & can't drive. I'm sure that will be difficult for her to depend on others to take her places. I know her, she's very indepentant. Will be getting physical & occupational therapy plus home care to help her. I'm sure she'd appreciate hearing some encouraging words from classmates. Her address is: 3216 Alpine, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. 

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Thanks Linda...I will follow through.

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Have my reservation & Melinda Bachman's made at the Comfort Inn in Ft. Madison for Fri. Sept. 30th., 2016 and Sat. Oct. 1st. for the 55th. class reunion.........anyone else??

Bill Orr

Made reservations several weeks ago. See you then if not sooner.

Bill

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Sandy Brown took charge of making reservations for she & David, Bill and I and Terry and Margaret Noonan at the new Boulder Inn for Friday & Saturday night of our 55th Reunion - looking forward to seeing everyone !

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

I want to thank those who have sent me cards and phone calls since Linda posted about my fall.  They certainly helped to boost my spirit!  I had x-ray yesterday and the doctor said the fracture was progessing but will take some time to heal.  I go back in 6 weeks to be checked again. In the meantime I must wear the brace 24 hours a day.  Just thankful as it could have been worse.

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Melinda,  I was also sorry to learn about your accident - as many of you know I had major back surgery in October of 2014, with 6 fusions of all 5 lumbar vertebra and the top of my tail bone.  I have 14 screws and 2 Titanium rods now in my back.  I still wear a soft brace at times when I am on my feet for any length of time. So, I can readily sympathize with what you are going through with the fracture in a cervical vertabra - not fun at all, but as you said, it coule have been so much worse - leaving you paralized.  Bill and I send warm wishes for your complete recovery !

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Just a quick note to say "Hi".  i am looking forward to the Reunion next Fall.  I will make my room reservations in the next few days.

I am busy closing out 2015 tax season and gearing up for 2016.  2016 will be my 50th year in the tax profession and 31 years owning my firm.  Where did the time go!!I  I have seen monumental changes in my profession.  I have never regretted the day I chose it.

Thanksgiving is behind me and am looking forward to my short vacation to Hawaii between Christmas and New Years.

Tax seminars are ramping up and I will be going strong thru January.  Leave Wednesday for a 2 day seminar in San Antonio.  Then, I am all over Southern CA through the end of January.

I continue to battle a severe arthritis problem in my lower back.  Pain pills, no surgery possible.  I also had a recent scare with a retina problem with my right eye.  It is okay but I am limited for awhile to no night driving. That hampers my driving with the seminars.  May need to do some car pooliing.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE AND GOD BLESS!