Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Great to hear from you Alexandra...and also that you are considering tocoming back this fall. Looking fwd. to seeing you. Sharon, I've ALWAYS wanted to see in her home at 9th. & E. Maybe that could be added to class itinerary.  

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

hi everyone!!i have connected with Joe Roberts in Michigan! I want you all to encourage him to attend our 55th this Fall! His email is Diggerbar@gmail.com! Thanks to all who write on our forum!!!😘😘

Bill Orr

Hey Joe!

Remember the gambling party in your basement with Terry, Don, and others. I was impressed with your dad's gun collection surrounding the gamblinging table. I remember you running around town in a Corvair and later Impala. I rember going to Burlington with you, Linda, and others for a great rime.

Hey! Come on back to where we had so much fun. We can do it again but with gusto!!

Missed you. Please fill us in with your life since leaving FM.

Seriousley, I think you will find a really great group of friends who wish to include you in the reunion fun.

I have traveled all over the world and have yet to find a greater group of friends than the Class of 1961.

Your friend!

Bill Orr 

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

I second Bill Orr's message to Joe Roberts! We sure do hope you come to our 55th Reunion Joe!

Charlie LaFrenz

Hi Sandy!  Charlie La Frenz here.  You probably don't remember me, but I want to let you know that you and your erudition have had a lasting influence in my life.  You are going to be so proud!  Back in the olden days, we shared a table in study hall, and we were writing in our 1961 year books. In my copy you began, "Charles, (or should I say Chasticles?)"  After reading your message, I remember looking at you and said, "What is CHAS TICKLES?"  You immediately corrected my pronunciation telling me, "It is pronounced CHAS-TA -KLEEZ!"  You had given my nick name a Greek ending and I thought it sounded awesome.  Since that time, over these many years, I have adopted your style and have been using similar endings on the names of friends and acquaintances.  An example:  Two days ago I had an appointment with my periodontist whose name is Tim, but I have always called him TIMOSTHENES.  Now, see how you have affected my life!  You will be pleased to know, that my life has never been threatened by my using this device which I will continue to use.  Fear not, because there is probably a time limit, so you can't be held responsible for being the cause of this character flaw.

     Also, many years ago, I spent about 2 1/2 years in Southeast Asia.  If I remember correctly, someone sent me an article saying that you had been attached to an embassy, perhaps in Saigon.  This is all very vague and it could have been someone else.  It was a long time ago.  Is there any truth to this?

     Hope you can join us at our reunion!

                     Best regards,  CHASTICLES                                                          

Alexandra Keith (Flanagan)

Hi Charlie (Chasticles),

Of course I remember you!  I am so pleased to hear that my priggishness did not stop you from laughing.  To answer your question, yes I was with the American Embassy in Saigon 1968-69. I was so unhappy with the war that I resigned from the foreign service shortly thereafter and decided ro go to law school.  So what were you doing there?     

All the best.

Sandy

Charlie LaFrenz

Hi Sandy!  Thank you for responding.  You asked what I was doing in Thailand.  In 1966, I ensisted in the Army Security Agency.  After basic training I was sent to the Defense Language Inst. in Montery Calif.  for 6 months of French, and from there to Ft. Devens Mass. for traffic and crypto analysis.  Our government, having a great sense of humor, gave me a top secret security clearence.  I was then sent to Bangkok and worked a Cambodian problem.  I extended my assignment in Thailand until my enlistment was completed.  I left in January 1970.  To say the least, my time there was intoxicating!  I was very lucky to be able to emerse myself into a different language and culture.  Being in your position in Saigon, I'm sure you were aware of what was going on in Cambodia.  Seems like yesterday!  Also, I do understand your decision ro resign and go to law school.  I haven't looked, but if you haven't already done so, it would be  wonderful if you would tell us about your life since 1961 in the Bio. section.  

     Janet and I go to D.C. at least twice a year to see her daughter and our grandchildren.  If you live close to the city,  it would be wonderful if we could meet for lunch.  Is that possible?

      Best regards,  

       Charlie, a.k.a. Chastacles

Alexandra Keith (Flanagan)

Hi Charlie,

Wow your experience sounds fascinating.  It also reminds me of my first foreign service tour.  I was being sent to Saigon so I asked if they would train me in Vietnammrse.  They refused saying well you know French so you don't need Vietnamese.  Of course, most everyome I met in the consular section did not speak French, the language of the elites.

We would be delighted to meet up with you and your wife when you are in DC area.  Do you have email address?  Mine us abkeith91@gmail.com  Let me know when you're in area next.

Sandy 

Charlie LaFrenz

Hi Sandy!

Actually, there wasn't much of a WOW factor in what I was doing, it was pretty routine, but could be interesting.  Janet has a conference in D.C. usually the 2nd week of Feb., and our 2nd trip is pretty random. .The kids go to the Cathedral schools, Jada is in the the  girls school, and Jacob attends St. Albans, so we sometimes go for grandparents day.  Our email address is, fifelafrenz@gmail.com, and we  look foreward to seeing you in D.C.

Today is probably the hottest day of the year, and Janet wants to do yard work.  WOPPEEEE! 

Charlie

Cyndy Day (Savage)

now let's not give Janet any grief, she is a terrific hostess and lovely person, though HOT is REAL. Here in the KC metro it has been like July/Aug.  I know you two are workers, your home and yard are stellar as are the occupants there of.

Charlie LaFrenz

Cyndy, you are, and will always be that cat;s P.J's.  However, Janet, even though she is a size 6, is strong like bull.  And I, having had a heart valve transplant, intend to use it as an  excuse whenever the need arises.  Also, since I am loaded with charm, (and humble about it) I still have the jewelry store on speed  dial in case of emergencies,  Actually, I did cut up and bag some branches. Do you think I should be cannonized?

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Charlie,  I love the funny "banter" going on between you and some of our classmates - keep it up, as I find it so entertaining !!!  Bill and I are certainly looking forward to this year's reunion - even though I believe we will be a smaller group than in years past, we will make up for it in quality personalities having a FUN TIME !!!!!  Your old across the street neighbor at 2419 Avenue G, Sandy Buckley Matthews

Charlie LaFrenz

Ah Sandra, those were the days!  Remember when that cop shot a dog in our front yard?  You were in tears as were most of the neighbor kids.  Please forgive this downer, but it just came to mind,  Thanks for commenting

Charlie

Cyndy Day (Savage)

Charlie I have always wanted a friend who has been cannonized so I vote Yes and I can take that off my bucket list; yea

Charlie LaFrenz

Actually Cyndy, I have about as much chance of being cannonized as I do being drafted by the Green Bay Packers, so put that back on your bucket list.  You've probably heard this story before, but many years ago when Janet and  I were in Rome, I got to shake hands with Pope John Paul II.  As he moved down  the line of people, he was either mumbling prayers or his shoes were too tight.  When he took my hands, his head moved back as if he felt something.  In that instant I thought,  "HOLY C--P, he knows something!"  Later his service was fantastic, and his voice made Charleton Heston sound like Barney Fife.  So, after that experience, we can determine my chances for cannonization are non existent.  The fact that I'm still good looking, (and humble) for a pot bellied balding geezer, does not play into it.  However, if you want to fill out an application for my sainthood, I'm sure Janet would be happy to sign it.

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Charlie...I think you could be without a doubt...a standup comedian! Love the dialog! 

Charlie LaFrenz

Thank you Nancy.  Would you be my agent?  Actually, if I had to go on stage in front  of people, I would probably wet my pants.

Cyndy Day (Savage)

Charlie LaFrenz

Wow!  So, baldness becomes a solar panal for sex drive.  Mine seems to be causing dementia, if I remember correctly.  

Last evening, we we went for a boat ride with friends, then to their home overlooking the river for a Cuban dinner.  Great evening, but too hot on the river.  

Cyndy Day (Savage)

Charlie is the river still as pretty from the Keokuk side as it is from Ft. Madison?  Nauvoo has gotten so much foilage the river bank has all but disappeared I was told.  We were at a funeral reception a few years ago at the Keokuk Marina I believe it was and the river on your shore was absolutely beautiful. We didn't get to go because Jack has recently had another cranial bleed and we are homebound and doing therapy 6 times a day but he is progressing,  but the rest of his siblings were at a family wedding and his brother from Colorado (solar panel brother) stopped by to visit for a couple of hours to cheer Jack up and his wife had a beautiful picture of the river  taken in Ft. Madison.  She was raised in West Point and they visited her family there after the wedding and came through Ft. Madison; she certainly took a beautiful photo of the river there.  I always thought one of the best views in the tri state area was from the point by Chief Keokuk.

Incidently, I would never BET against your mind, I think it is just fine.

Charlie LaFrenz

Yes Cyndy, it's still a beautiful sight.  During certain seasons we can see the river from our bedroom windows.  And during the winter, we can see the eagles.  We are not on the river side of Grand Ave.  Also, when David Schleidt died, his family and  I  took some of his cremains and scattered them over the bluff accross from our house over looking the river.  It was a beautiful day.  His family gave me his class ring, and it looks like it has never been worn.  

Cyndy Day (Savage)

That experience w/David had to me both heart warming and sad at the same time, so much of life is.  I know that my family knows I want my ashes in the Mississippi, right there at home. I envy your view but am so happy you and Janet have it, you are generous w/your home and that is who then should have it.  Jack was raised on the bluff, a similiar location and view only in Burlington so we are river rats.  I am trying to get him on his feet enough for a drive up home in the fall; it is a work in progress

Charlie LaFrenz

Hope all goes well and you two are able to travel.  If there is time, we would enjoy having something here at the house again.  Looking foreward to seeing you!

Jack Sears

Amazing some of us were in the same part of the world around the same time, so far away from Fort Madison Iowa. I was stationed at Army Finance in Long Binh, sorta a suburb of Saigon, 1967-1968. Glad we made it back. 

Charlie LaFrenz

Jack, did you take R&R in Bangkok?