Maylo's Not At Home This Summer

A recent communication to us from Maylo Beil Hranac let us share vicariously in her travel adventures this summer. Maylo wrote: "We returned June 18th from a five week vacation. We sailed from New York city and eventually got to Copenhagen. We enjoyed many ports and spent an additional three days in Copenhagen and then three more in Manchester, UK. My husband has some serious health issues, but we were able to rent a mobility scooter - and he has a portable oxygen concentrator. Ten years ago this type of trip would not have been possible for people with physical/health limitations.

Now that we are back home we are busy arranging a visit to Fort Collins, CO. We have two great-grandchildren now, and one is joining his parents (he's just six months old) and flying in from Japan in July. The other great-grandchild lives in Denver. My husband had three children when we were married -so I acquired an instant family."



The above picture was taken in maybe 1953 or 1954 at a Job's Daughters function (several of the '57 girls were members). Can you find Maylo in this picture? Who else can you identify?

We Lost Wayne

Some 6 months after being diagnosed with small cell cancer of the lung, Wayne Malon lost his very determined and courageous battle with this evil disease. According to his wife, Pat, he passed away very peacefully in his sleep the evening of June 15.

Wayne worked harder than most everyone else in making the 50th reunion the success that it was, and he did it mostly behind the scenes. He helped locate numerous classmates; he served as liaison with our webmasters and contributed, in one way or another, most everything that's on the class web page; he helped identify the class members in the 8th grade photo, in the 50th reunion pics, in the individual grade school pictures, and in the various other pictures on the website and in this blog; he put most of these photos in proper format for posting; he scanned and prepped the issues of High Life and other documents for the web page ---- he did so much, and wanted no recognition for any of it.
Our condolences to his wife, Pat, his 2 daughters and their families and his numerous friends. Suffice it to say, he will be missed.

A Smile and a Wave Can Make a Big Impression

When we first moved to a rural Missouri Ozark community almost 35 years ago, we were amazed when we saw occupants of passing cars smiling and waving at us --- didn't matter that we didn't know the people; their friendly greeting made us smile, too, and soon we were waving right back at them. This wonderful tradition continues today, even tho we're no longer so very rural.

Thanks to a May 13, 2009, article by Catherine Leyden in the Downers Grove Reporter/Progress (sent to us by Norma Deardorff Plummer), we learned that one of our own classmates, Maureen McCollum Brdlik, started this same practice in Downers in 1993, when she first became a crossing guard at Oakwood and Prairie Avenues, near the Pierce Downer school. With time on her hands, she started smiling and waving at passing cars, and soon the drivers returned her friendly greeting. And now, after so many years, Maureen estimates about 80%-90% of drivers wave back at her. What a wonderful tradition to start --- just hope everyone pays it forward, and that it continues for many years to come.


(This photo was taken by John Cox, staff photographer for the Downers Grove Reporter/Progress; I hope there's no legal problem with reproducing it in this blog!).

As you can see, Maureen is a classmate to be envied -- she looks almost exactly the same as she did so many years ago when we strolled the halls of the high school. And there's little doubt her smiles and waves have made DG a friendlier and happier place to live. Good for you, Maureen. And, by the way, hope you can make it to the next reunion; we missed you at the big 50th!

Update on Wayne

John and I each received the following e-mail from Pat Malon, Wayne's wife:

"Hi All,
I want to thank all of you for your continuing support, prayers and thoughts for Wayne and I. As we travel down our path it is a lot easier with the help of family and friends.
I have set up a website to post information on Wayne's progress with his cancer. I will keep this updated and current. To visit the website: click on this-link-to-Wayne , and you'll find him on the Caring Bridge website. You will see his story plus journal entries I have posted. If you wish you may check the box in the journal section to "receive email notification of updates". By checking that box you will receive an email letting you know that I have put new information onto the website.
Again many thanks for all of the love and support we have received.

Pat Malon"


This is a wonderful website. Another friend used it when her husband was ill with esophageal cancer. Go out there and give it a look --- and leave a message of encouragement for Wayne, Pat, and their family. Support from friends really helps at a time like this.

Wayne Needs Your Prayers

Over the many months since the reunion, we've gradually lost touch with our hard-working partner, Wayne Malon. Many of our e-mails went unanswered, tho in one response, Wayne said he was very busy doing many volunteering jobs. Still it was strange not hearing from him on a regular basis --- before the reunion, the "e-mail" lines were almost always tied up with messages to/from Wayne, Norma, John, and/or me ---- and the phone lines came in a pretty close second. It was as tho we were quadruplets, always in touch about this or that. And that's why Wayne's disappearing act was hard to accept. We tried numerous e-mails; we tried phone calls. Even Christmas cards were of no avail. John and I were both sure something was amiss, but how to find out what.........
Finally, this morning, John called me with news that about broke my heart: in one more phone call to Wayne, John got the Malon answering machine. He started to leave a message when Pat, Wayne's wife picked up the phone. As the conversation went on, John learned Wayne had been diagnosed with small cell cancer of the lung in December. This is a fast and aggressive form of cancer, according to Pat --- and the location of Wayne's cancer has affected his esophagus so much that it is nearly impossible for him to speak. She gave John permission to pass on this info to all of you; she also said Wayne would enjoy receiving cards, notes, e-mails, etc. If you'd like his address or e-mail address, just contact John, Norma, or me. And most of all, if it's your thing, please remember Wayne and his family in your thoughts and prayers; I'm sure they can use all the support they can get.

You're Invited!! To a New Play....

John recently received an invite to a newly written, and about to be performed for the first time, play. The date is March 15 at the Boothbay Opera House in or near Cape Newagen, Maine, the home of the author (and our celebrated classmate) Larry Crane. If you're in the area around 7:30PM that evening, get a ticket and enjoy a wonderful evening, thanks to Larry.



"ESOPS and Tender Offers ..... a silly romp set in the mythical offices of Metro Bank and Trust, situated in a converted warehouse with an ice rink on the top floor. Beauregard Prescott is convinced that the first visit by the boss to his department in twenty years is to present him with a "fine brass plaque" for meritorious service. Millicent Fathelbob, his loyal secretary, is certain that it more likely spells disaster for him and for everyone else.
Come with your imagination in high gear, as this is a live script in hand reading - an evening of laughs and big comic sound effects that suggest a shabby office with industrial grade elevators, lots of doors , and a big dark vault.

The Boothbay Opera House

Saturday, March 15

7:30 PM

Box Office 633-5159

Cast: Ron Bouffard, Nancy Durgin, Amy Roche, Peter Panagore, Rick Prose, Carrie Langlois, Bill Michaud, Michael Feldmann .

Playwright: Larry Crane"

Classmates' Mothers Pass Away

It's a terrible way to start the posts for the new year, but we've learned of the passing of 2 of our classmates' mothers. Darryl Jelinek lost his mom in December, 2008, shortly before Christmas. And Richard Pigman's mom passed away in January of 2009, shortly after the arrival of the new year. Belated tho they may be, our deepest sympathies go out to both of our friends. Losing a parent is a terrible loss!