Jerry Rees

I am glad to hear from Bill Boomer after all these years.  I remember in September 1961 when four Bloodhounds traveled to Lawrence, Kansas, to become Jayhawks at the University of Kansas: Terry Tykeson, Linda Beatty, Bill Boomer, and me.  One of the reasons I attended the last reunion was to see him again, but alas he stayed home.  However, I was happy to spend some time catching up with Linda.  

I wish Bill Orr would quit pussyfooting around and tell us what he really thinks. I hope he does not get banned from this forum.

Bill Orr

Hey Jerry,

You really want  to know. You can't handle it!  Enough said. Just kidding. My last post was made after finishing off a half bottle of Jim Beam. Cheap but good wiskey. Anyway, I watched my least favorate president make a lying ass out of himself and had to have ten drinks in quick succession.It didn't help.

I have a handicapped Granddaughter and he insulted her. I am a retired military and he insulted a Gold Star family. He is a liar but worse he is guilty of Treason. I have farmers in my family who are going broke but they still support him. They are stupid. and yet as crazy as it is people still support him. In 1966  If I had known then what I know now I would have been the first to Canada.

Seems like a lot of people died in Viet Nam for nothing. .I remember argueing with Charles Alton about Viet Nam. He argued that draftees were doing the majority of fighting. I argued that Regular Army was doing the fighting. He was right. People like Trump got out of it and the draftees got killed. It's a shame.

Will be in SE Iowa the last week of September. Perhaps we can have a get togeather to discuss old times. 

Your friend,

Bill

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Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Classmates:  Some folks have asked me to make mention that this is a class website and our political views don't need to be aired on this site. My response to that is check the first ammendment. Freedom of speech is a right as an American citizen and while I don't condone profanity I do think people have a right to express their opinions. If you don't want to read the responses of classmates that is your decision and if you don't want to participate in this message forum that is also your decision. I defend the right to be able to express your opinion even if I disagree with it. That is my answer to the comments about what we can and can't say on this website.

Your Site Administrator

Sharon Tincher Scholl-Nabulsi

Charlie LaFrenz

Well said Sharon!  Thank you!

Bill, I haven't had a drink since 1983, but, in the family room I have a well stocked wet bar, and there is one bottle of Jim Beam that has never been opened.  If I can't come up with a way to send it to you legally of otherwise, it will be here waiting for you in September.  Because of our past experiences, we have a certain understanding from those experiences that enable us to be alarmed about what is happening today.  Eventhough I was never in any real danger and never carried a weapon, we did have Thai guards who kept us safe.  It seems really strange that you saw so much action and was in great danger, while I am the one diagnosed with PTSD.  If what we did was not analyzed immediately and sent through proper channels, could have put you  in greater danger.  The fact that we knew at all times what was really happening and the government was saying otherwise in all the news, and we were sworn to secrecy put us under lots of strain.  I think there are, or were, many of our classmates who were also envolved during these times who will understand why we lean the way we do because of what we see as chaos.

Now, some good news.  Janet and I, Menda, Carlos and the grand kids, are spending 3 weeks in Hawaii in August.  We have a house with 5 bedrooms and 6 baths, a guest house off the pool where Janet and I will stay for one week on the big island with the valcano.  Two golf carts come with the house, and we have rented 2 cars.  Next, we go to our favorite island, Kauai for 2 weeks with similar accomodations but no pool.  We'll have to use the ocean.  I have been in  touch with the former Carol Kempker class of 61 Aquinas and her husband who live close to where we are staying on the big island.  Some of you may remember David Schleidt took her to a prom and bought her a black orchard.  Looking foreward to  meeting up with them.  At the same prom, I had a date with her  sister Jane, who was wearing a pink dress identical to the dress Melinda Lang was wearing,  and she was sitting at  the next table.  Jane told me to dump a coke on Melinda because of the matching dresses.  WOMEN!  Melinda, If you are listening, I would never do that to you.  

Back to Hawaii.  We are located at the other end of the isalnd away from the valcano, but Carol tells me that at times, the trade winds are affected by the eruptions which brings in something call a Vog.  I'm not worried about the valcano because, the last time we were in Hawaii I bought rubber beach shoes which have lots of traction, so I should be able to easily out run flowing lava.  Me! Run! That's a HOOT!

By th way, what's happened to the world's greatest Homecoming Queen?  Patsy?

Jack Sears

So good to hear from my old friend Bill Boomer. So many memories. Studyng for our Ham radio licenses in Jr. High. Riding our "English" bikes from FM to Burlington to visit the most amazing (or as Bill would say "piercing") electronics parts store in the known universe. Bill's Dad was possibly the coolest guy in FM. 

I too did a stint at KU, probably inspired by Bill.  Hardly saw Bill at KU after I ganged up with an outrageous crew in my dorm. The crew's unoffical leader was dorm resident Prof. L.R.C. Angnew, Chair of the History of Medicine, who introduced us to Beyond the Fringe humor and the game of snooker. Turns out Dr Agnew was former school champ of the University of Glasgow. Needless to say my academic achievment was eseverly eclipsed by my snooker game education. Cant remember which cost me the most money.  Tuiton or snooker.

Look forward to hearing more from all of you. Politics. Memories. Family stuff. Life is too short. But we are still here kicking around. God Bless. 

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Hi Charlie

Thanks for the reminder about the dress at prom.  You know I looked at differently than Jane. I thought it showed we had good taste!!!  My date was Jim Schmidt but have no idea where lives today.

Since I haven't written on the forum for sometime, I'll give you a short version of my happening.  I spend each March in Florida where I rent a condo.  I take short trips about each month.  June was Dubin, OH, and an annual girls trip to a cottage in Gaylord, MI  End of month or early August will visit my youngest son and family near Marquette, MI.  September will go for a weekend to attend a wedding in New York.  Then October have a trip planned for Gulfshores, AL to the shrimp festival. 

I enjoy my granddaughter, Anna-Louise, who lives about 20 mins. from me.  She is 6-1/2 and such a joy!

I'm on the board of directors for the condo associiation which keeps me busy expecially during the summer months.

Happy to report all my broken bones have healed and that I'm in my third year since having breast cancer.  So far all is well.

That about sums it up.

Wish health and happiness to all 

Melinda

Charlie LaFrenz

Melinda, was that the year we all went to Jim's house for breakfast after staying up all night?  His parents served us on the lawn.

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Charlie you have a good memory.  Yes we did go to his parent's house for breakfast.

So glad we grew up in that era?  Special memories from high shcool.

Bill Orr

Our president has made us proud again. He is a Russian patriot. a real communist hero. He has delivered the United States a 200 Billion dallor busines tot he Russians a 1.50 Billion busines. What a wonderful Republican hero..

Can you imagine    a more Republican hero. God almighty how a American president could do such a treasonest act. Yes I am drunk but am sobber enough to know that our country has been sold out to the communist  Shitheads. I just want to get to within 10 feet of the bastard. 

He needs to be brought to justice and those Republicans who support him need to be brought to justice like the French did to the German colaborators in WW2.

LTC WS Orr

nk 

Charlie LaFrenz

Very well said Bill!   Right now, our Republic is in a very fragil state.  It is astonishing that people seem unaware that history repeats itself.  It is hopeful that our allies are able so see through this madness, and will be patient enough to stay with us if and when this comes to an end.  In all our travels abroad, I've never felt shame being an American, but  all of what is happening now is a national embaressment.

Charlie LaFrenz

How about some good news.  Last night my Janet Fife-LaFrenz was honored at an event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and named Woman of Achievement for 2018.  She made the front page of today's paper.  I knew ahead of time, so I showed up with two dozen red roses.  This morning she left for a conference in Mason Clity.  Her commitment to good  causes is nonstop.  I'm very proud of her.  AND...She can dance!

Kay Marsh (Eaves)

Tell Janet congratulations. She is a busy lady. I see her picture in the paper a lot.

Charlie LaFrenz

Thank you Kay!

Brad Wiedmann

Charlie,  Congratulations to Janet.  

I believe our FMHS site needs to be a forum for sharing our classmates lives,  I, for one, am always pleased to see/hear what is happening in our lives.  I certainly don't want this to be a site where I hear attacks.  I can turn on the evening news and get that.  I hope you are well.

Brad

David Kutscher

I agree totally with Brad. Having left Fort Madison after my sophomore year at FMHS I to enjoy seeing what  former classmates are up to, and yes I can find hate speech on either side, if that is what I want, in any number of other places!!

Dave Kutscher 

Karan Kreighbaum (Faul)

So glad I'm not the only one who doesn't want to read/share political reterick on our class site. That being said, Charlie... congrats to your lovely wife, Janet. And weren't you a sweetheart to deliver the roses to her.  I also want to take this opportunity to send prayers to all those who were affected by last night's (Thursday, 7/19) storm/tornadoes here in the tri-state area.

Charlie LaFrenz

Thank you Brad and Karen for your kind words.  And David, you are a member of the class of 61!  And to all, you are right this is  not the place to air our political views, but, after having lived a wonderful life, even with the ups and downs,  if some of us see potential tragedy, it can be difficult not to express out fears.  Never having had children, I am so lucky to have two amazing grandchildren I love very much and so I suppose it is natural to fear for their future.  I am to them, Papa Charlie.  What a wonderful gift.  And to finish, when things happen that gets you down and you need cheering up, find someplace to dance, even if your standing in front of the mirror shaving.   It works for me.  However Ladies, when shaving your legs, don't dance until you are finished.

My best,

Charlie

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Thank you Brad & David. My thoughts completely & totally. 

Congratulation Janet.

I just returned last night from 3 days at Little Swan Lake, Bushnell, IL with a gf. Knew I had a tree down but couldn't see any damage, as it was dark. I walked thru the yard & back meadow this morning to see the storm damage from last night. There's a huge tree down across from my house. Also, have lots of limbs, branches & twigs all over the yard. The good part is we also got 3" of needed rain. My son-in-law was already busy with a chainsaw. He & my grandson will take care of it all for me. I'm blessed to have family close.

I've only been home about 3 wks. from taking my whole family (19) for a week on the beach in Gulf Shores, AL. Also, stopped on the way home in the small town ,Camden, AL, to see a dear friend. I loved living down south. It was a great trip. God is so good...all the time.

Am praying everyone in the class is doing good. Would like to hear more from others about their families. Take care of yourselves.

Have heard from a 1960 friend that Gary Benjamin is very ill with brain cancer. It brings back everything my husband went through. It's sad to hear of loosing people we knew from our past. 

David Kutscher

Charlie, thanks for the kind words. It was hard for me to leave good friends, but as we all know so well we don’t always get what we want or think we want. Life however had been good to me, better then I probably deserve!! Dave Kutscher 

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

HELLO CLASSMATES.......Just read on the class of 1960 forum that Gary Benjamin passed away today at his home in AZ. I remember him as being one of the gentlemen in that class. That class gets together every year for a mini reunion. And every year they loose a class member. Wish our class could get together more often. I like to say. "I'm glad I did." instead of, "I wish I would have." Life is too short. 

Also, wih more people wrote on our forum...we need to stay in touch better than we do. But, that's just my opinion...which that & $1 won't buy a cup of good coffee. OR...I could say that's my 2 cents worth & that won't buy anything either.

Cyndy Day (Savage)

I agree Linda, I remember him fondly, he was one of the "good ones". Thank you for letting us know. I will remember his family 

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Linda,

Yes...I agree with all you said about our classmates  needing to stay in touch. Sadly, with many of us who are experiencing declining health, it can make it more difficult to get together. Traveling can be an obstacle for some.  Also, conflicting schedules put a damper on setting a date to come together.  

But, as you said...life is short! Let's put out the question:  if some of us are willing to try & make a date for a mini reunion...will you make an effort to come?  This forum can give us any commitment put there.  I'm willing to work with others to try and make it happen.

Nancy

Brad Wiedmann

Class of 1961,

I agree we ought to try and get together more often.  The groups most likely will be small in numbers.  For example, my brother, class of 1957, gets together for dinner 3 or 4 times a year on a Friday nght at the Elk's in Fort Madison.  Generally, there are 12 to 20 people that can make it.  Personally, I would be open to driving down to Ft Madison one or two times a year for dinner with a small group.  It's about an 8 hour drive for me. I also think we should all open up dinners to other classes, ie., 1960 and/or 1962.  Even open to Aquinas graduates.  We all share a common history of growing up.  I still participate in an every other year or so a reunion of undergraduate members of my social fraternity from Iowa State.  We have a group of 20-40 people, including spouses, from graduation years of 1960-1966 or so.

I don't think this would require lots of coordination or planned events other than a dinner.  

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Brad...thanks ever so much for your input. Hopefully, there will be more.  I remember from our 55th that it was suggested that we meet again this year,  just one day for dinner.  Well,  doubt enough time to pull it off this year, but worth a try for next year. And as you said...small groups could probably work. Set a date & place (in F.M.) and just see who can make it. Maybe enough to make for a happy mini reunion!

Let's hear some more input classmates!

Nancy

Marcia Conley (Davis)

I read all posts but have been preoccupied with health issues that affected my working, making me very frustrated and with limited mobility.  I have a severe back problem, have the best doctors but have found AGING is not for everyone, especially me!  The last procedure burned the nerve endings at the base of my spine to relieve the pain I've been having.  I am moving upright but slowly.  Traveling has become an obstacle.  BUT. I am not giving up and am planning my fall schedule but it won't start until November.  I'm not down and out YET!

I would be very interested in coming back to Fort Madison in 2019 for a visit.  I enjoy coming back home and visiting my sister in Burlington.   A small informal group would be okay with me.