Anchors Away

It was the trip of a lifetime for Ray and Marilyn Vybiral and Gordon and Allene (Rudolph) Rondeau, when the 2 couples met up in Fairbanks, Alaska, and spent the next 2 weeks sharing a Princess cruise-tour of the 49th state. After enjoying time in Fairbanks,
the trip continued to Denali National Park, where the fortunate foursome saw the "big 5" of wildlife as well as most of Mt McKinley.
A visit to the late Susan Butcher's home allowed them to watch dog sled training and even experience a ride behind the dogs.

The final leg of the trip was the cruise thru the inside passage with numerous shore excursions, ending in Vancouver.
It was a dream come true for the 2 couples, one that I shared with them, if only vicariously. I must add I figured out how Ray funded part of this trip -- he's got one lucky wife! The most recent comment from Ray is "I already knew that --- she married me!!!".

Guess Who Came to Branson?

What a wonderful afternoon we had! Jim and Carole (Johnson) Lehmann are in Branson for a week's vacation (it's Ozark Mountain Christmas time!), so we joined them for part of the day. After visiting for a while, we adjourned to the Branson Landing for lunch at the White River Fish House, during which we got to see the Fire and Water Show put on by the Landing. After lunch, we walked the Landing, up one side and down the other, munching on warm caramel corn part of the time. Then it was back to Jim and Carole's for some more chit-chat, before it was time for us to head home. Jim and Carole are another of those amazing couples who have celebrated 50 years of marital bliss, so needless to say, our heartiest congrats go out to them. And thank you for sharing part of your vacation with us -- we really enjoyed seeing you again, if only for a short visit.
Unfortunately, none of us was bright enough to bring a camera, so you'll just have to imagine how great we all looked (and we did!).

DGHS Becomes a Horror Flick

Found on the internet:

"Bret Easton Ellis, author of American Psycho, Less Than Zero, and The Rules of Attraction, has been tapped write a movie adaptation of Michael Hornburg's novel Downers Grove. The book is about a high school senior from the Chicago suburb Downers Grove who is paranoid about a ''curse'' at her school that causes someone in the graduating class to die in a bizarre way before the year's end."

Kind of makes you really proud, doesn't it? Anybody read the novel?

An Addendum: Both Gale Fitzgerald Kappe and Jim VanSlyke read the novel years ago. And Gale reports Second City used DG in a routine but referred to it as "Uppers Grove". Anybody else?

Dave Flies Like a Bird

I received the following great e-mail from Dave Spero today:

"About five years back I decided after seeing the movie “The Bucket List”, to make my own “Bucket List”. Of the many things that I’ve crossed off so far, travel included, I planned and executed my dream of “Sky Diving”. I contacted Sky Dive Chicago out of Ottawa, IL. After attending “Class” to learn what I had to do, I completed two tandem jumps with an instructor performing different acrobatic rolls and flips during my descent. Finally after another class I was able to make my “Solo Jump” last August. I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, by myself, at 14,000 feet. What an awesome feeling, free falling from that height to about 5500 feet when I pulled the rip-cord and floated to earth, landing on my feet in front of family and friends! I did all of this at the tender young age of 71! Back problems have prevented me from continuing this adventure this year."

What a great experience --- I think I'm jealous, tho too chicken to even think about trying. While it's hard to tell it's Dave, the pics give you some idea of the thrill of jumping out of a plane. And keep in mind Dave has lots more pictures and a DVD of his great adventure; contact him if you're interested.
Kudos to you, Dave, and your Bucket List. Keep us posted on what else you're up to!

The Good Old Days

What a trip back to times gone by! This is a brief exerpt of 60 years of TV in Chicagoland; click on the title of this entry to visit the past. Hope the link remains active ............

The Ken Pratts Celebrate 50 years Together

An e-mail from Wally (better known as Ken) Pratt gave us a heads up on the celebration of his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife, Carol (Koutnik), a member of the class of '55; they were married October 1, 1960. Our congrats goes to this couple, another in the long line of classmates hitting the big 50, which in this era of multiple marriages, must be some kind of record. To think I have only 10 more to go to join this select group.................

Judy Dian Larsen's Son Does it Again!!

How very proud (and worried) Judy and her family must be! The following press release details the whole story.

"Press Release Oct 15 For Immediate Release:

Larsen Reaches Tallest Point on Earth, Everest Summit, Today Setting a World
Record as First-ever Human to Hike to “Three” Poles in 333 Days; Renowned explorer, Eric Larsen, reaches Everest today and completes the third and final leg of his Save the Poles Expedition to tell the story on global warming

BOULDER, Colo. (October 14, 2010) — After over 44 days on Mount Everest, Polar explorer Eric Larsen announced today that he was able to summit Everest today, making him the first ever human to successfully reach the South Pole, North Pole and summit of Mt. Everest in a continuous 365-day period. On January 6, 2010, Larsen and his team successfully completed
a 750-mile, 48-day ski traverse to the Geographic South Pole. Larsen and a separate team reached the Geographic North Pole on April 22nd, Earth Day, after a 51-day, 500 mile push that included snowshoeing and skiing across shifting sea ice and sometimes even swimming across open water sections of the Arctic Ocean. His purpose for the Save the Poles expedition is to connect people with our last great frozen places and the environmental issues that are impacting them. Larsen uses these expeditions to promote individual action and national legislation on climate change issues.

“I have been to the ‘front lines’ of Global Warming during my journeys to the North and South Poles.” Larsen says. “We can save the poles and our planet if we act now.”

With today’s advances in technology and new social media platforms, Larsen has been able to stay connected with thousands of fans and expedition followers across the globe by harnessing solar power to assist with daily blog updates, tweets, podcasts, satellite phone calls and photo streams. Earlier this year, Larsen checked in with Twitter and Facebook followers by sending the first ever “tweet” from the North Pole on Earth Day. For the Everest leg of the expedition, Larsen has included video updates from the mountain on an almost daily basis, as well as a more interactive approach to conversing and answering questions via Twitter and Facebook.

“Not only can I reach more people than ever before through social media, but I can also actively engage a very diverse audience in conversations about these places and the issues surrounding them,” commented Larsen.

A member of The Explorer’s Club, Larsen isn’t new to the world of polar exploration. Larsen completed the first-ever summer expedition to the North Pole in 2006 where he pulled and paddled modified canoes nearly 600 miles. In January 2009, Larsen successfully led an international team to the geographic South Pole becoming one of only a few Americans to ski to both poles.

The Save the Poles expedition is sponsored by Bing and Terramar with major support from Goal0, Sierra Designs, MSR, Scream Agency, Stanley, Therm-a-Rest, webExpeditions and Optic Nerve.

The Save the Poles Expedition’s objectives are:

•Complete the first-ever expedition to the summit of Mount Everest, the North and South Poles in a continuous 365-day period

•Create awareness of global warming, advocate strategies for reducing carbon emissions

• Produce a documentary film, book and educational curriculum that focuses on the science of climate change, teamwork and the spirit of adventure

• Develop a post expedition multi-media lecture series for education in schools and organizations Mount Everest and the North and South Poles represent the harshest and most extreme environments on the planet. Yet as inhospitable as these places are to humans, they are also the areas most affected by people. Scientists estimate by summer 2030, the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free. Recently, the 1,250 square mile Larsen B Ice Shelf collapsed off of Antarctica and disintegrated into the Southern Ocean. A report by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change forecasts that if current trends continue, 80 percent of Himalayan glaciers will be gone in 30 years. While we are seeing the most dramatic changes in the polar and higher altitude regions, global warming is an issue that affects us all.

About Eric Larsen

As a modern-day explorer and expedition guide, Eric Larsen’s life epitomizes adventure. A polar adventurer, dog musher and educator, he has spent the past 15 years of his life traveling in some of the most remote and wild places left on earth.

In 2006, Eric and Lonnie Dupre completed the first ever summer expedition to the North Pole. During this journey, the duo pulled and paddled specially modified canoes across 550 miles of shifting sea ice and open ocean waters. Eric successfully led his first expedition to the South Pol in 2008, covering nearly 600 miles in 41 days. Eric is now one of only a few Americans in to have
skied to both the North and South Poles.

In November 2009, Eric returned to Antarctica for the first leg of his world record Save the Poles expedition. This time he completed a 750-mile ski traverse to the geographic South arriving on January 2, 2010. Two short months later he was dropped off at northern Ellesmere Island for a
winter-style North Pole Journey. The international team reached the North Pole 51 days later on Earth Day – April 22, 2010. He is currently embarked on the final leg of the Save the Pole expedition – climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest.

Eric's other expeditions include dog sledding in the Canadian Arctic, training trips to Hudson Bay and countless dog sled races (including the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon). He has summited Mt. McKinley, biked across the United States, been a backcountry ranger in Alaska and a white water canoe guide in Colorado. Eric has dedicated his adult life to sharing his love
for the outdoor world with others. As an educator, Eric strives to connect people to places and issues. In recognition of those efforts, Eric was elected as one of Outside Magazine's Eco All Stars in 2008. He was also inducted as a member of the Explorer's Club based in New York City.

Eric travels extensively giving motivational and educational lectures to schools, universities, nonprofit organizations and corporate groups. He is currently planning a book and documentary about the Save the Poles expedition.

Eric splits his time between Boulder, Co and Grand Marais, MN.

To see more about this modern-day explorer, visit www.savethepoles.com."

The Big One Didn't Get Away

Ray Vybiral recently sent this picture with the note: "A photo of the largest rainbow trout I've caught in my pond; the fish is 24 inches long and weigh 7 pounds. I caught it 10/5/10."
Congrats, Ray --- it's a beautiful lunker, but isn't pond-fishing kind of like shooting ducks in a barrel?? Just kidding...........

Dean Giegoldt Passes Away

Marilyn Shoemaker Schleifer recently contacted us with information about the death of Dean Giegoldt. Dean actually left school after his junior year to join the military; however, he very much considered the class of ‘57’ his graduating class. Dean was living in Simi Valley, CA and died on April 16, 2010, after a 2-year battle with brain cancer. Dean is survived by his wife Doreen, three sons, one daughter, and several grandchildren.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Dean's family and friends.

55th Class Reunion

The following e-mail has been sent to those classmates for whom we have e-mail addresses:

"DGHS Class of 57 Graduates Past & Future:
September 14, 2010


Please allow me to paraphrase a conversation that took place between classmates Judy VanSelow Engelthaler and Ed Stoyanoff at our 40th Class Reunion.
Ed: I think we should start having a Class Reunion every five years!

Judy: Why is that Ed?

Ed: Because we are going to start dropping like flies!



Fast forward to June 2007 our 50th Class Reunion; after many months of searching we accounted for 344 of our 357 classmates. Fifty-three of these were deceased, Ed Stoyanoff was among these fifty-three classmates. We have lost ten more since then that I know of and maybe more because I do not email contact with 98 of our classmates.



This brings us to the future and a possible 55th Class Reunion!

Does a 55th reunion hold any interest for you? Would you attend?

If so, what time of the year is best for you? What month?

Which would be more to your liking, A 2-day event or a 1-day event?

Anything special you’d like to see done ( we envision something very informal)?

Comments?

Please email your feelings and comments to me at johnspencer@phocalpoint.com.



If you would like to keep up with any additional happening please check out our class blog at www.dghsclassof1957.blogspot.com or our web page at www.dghs57.org.



Should you have something of interest you would like to add to our class blog please contact Judy VanSelow Engelthaler at judon@centurytel.net. Or, if you happen to be a member of ‘FaceBook’ why not join our ‘DGHS class of 1957’ group.



Thanks,

John"


We've already heard from a handful of classmates --- why don't you drop a line and let us know your feelings about this (or anything else, for that matter). We're looking forward to hearing from you!!

The Porter Said "....and in come the station"!

Do you remember the train wreck at Main Street in DG when we were 7 or 8 years old?
Ray Vybiral sent out these pics of the wreck to several DGers --- and Tom Austin filled in the details below. Since we lived a couple of blocks from town, and my dad worked for Civil Defense, I remember it well.

What follows is from Tom Austin:
"Indeed, Downers Grove, Main Street depot. April 3, 1947, at 10:41 PM. Dr. Ehler (Glen) just happened to working at his office late, and treated 11 victims of the crash. Only 2 were fatally injured of the 65 on the train. As luck would have it, John Kidwell was at the Masonic Temple, and working for Electro Motive Corporation, knew where the switches were to cut the power, which stopped the fire from spreading.

Scenario: East bound freight train passes through Downers Grove, and a 14 ton International Harvester tractor falls off. This is not noticed by the crew, and Mrs. CM Draper, who often worked late, had left, leaving the station empty. Seconds later, the Twin City Zephyr, on schedule from Minneapolis, St. Paul went through at the customary 70 miles per hour and hit the tractor. This took out 300 yards of railroad right of way track and the engine wound up on its side blocking all three tracks. First and second coaches jack knifed and took out the west canopy, the west waiting room, and filled the ticket office with debris.


Lobby of the Tivoli theater was the first aid station.

By midnight a temporary track was put in and beefed up to keep traffic moving when cranes arrived from the Chicago yard, and by the next day things were back to normal.

There never was anyone named as responsible for not securing the tractor, but several people lost jobs or were demoted quietly over the wreck.

My Uncle Art was a CB&Q fireman, so we were privy to a lot of the details."


Thanks to Garland Edgell and his magic touch with Photoshop, the pictures are much more clear. And if you click on the title to this story, you'll reach the archives of the Downers Grove Reporter and all stories and pictures about the wreck. Again, our thanks to Garland Edgell for providing the link to the Reporter.

An Edgell Update

A note from Garland Edgell brought us up to date on him and wife Betty (Myers):

"Betty had rotator cuff surgery on her right shoulder back in May and is still recovering by doing a lot of physical therapy. She and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on August 20th this year."

A very happy 50th anniversary to you both --- and Betty, hang in there and do what the therapist tells you. I know from experience that therapists know best. Hopefully, you'll be 100% in no time at all.

A Facebook Nag

If you've read any of the blog, you'll see Facebook has been responsible for several classmates reappearing after a number of years. We'd like to have as many classmates as possible on Facebook --- we've even started a class of '57 group. So why not sign up for Facebook and join the group? The more the merrier!!!!

Bill Fletcher: A Voice from the Past

After being "unavailable" for some 50 years, Bill Fletcher was enticed out of hiding by Judy Dian Larsen with a message via Facebook. What follows is Bill's response to Judy:

"I'm in Atlanta, where I've been since 1967, five years as a German professor at Emory Univ., eight years in city planning-related activities, and the last thirty years as a cabinet and furniture maker (to visit Bill's web site, click on the title of this post). I'm not much for reunions, so that's why you haven't seen me.

Been married for 44 years to Dorothy, who teaches art history at Emory. Best decision I ever made!

Four children: Eldest, Jessica, mother of two and museum conservator in Denver; Jeremy, jazz musician and teacher in Manhattan, father of one; Rosamond, architect in Brooklyn; and Rachel, coompleting a Master of Public Health at Univ. of. Minn.

I did enjoy looking at some of the DGHS photos on the occasion of the 50th reunion. Also took a virtual tour of DG on Google Earth.

Hope you are doing well."


I have looked at Bill's website, and I must tell you his furniture is outstanding. Check it out for yourself --- and if you're in the market for this, why not contact Bill? It's almost like keeping it in the family.

Dan Moravec on Facebook

Just got a note from Dan Moravec via Facebook:

"Hey Judy,I married Pat Krause from the class of "59".We have one son and two "Grand Babies" that live in NC ,230 miles from us.We still go back to Downers to visit our mothers,mine is 99 and Pat's 89.Larry Christy lives 15 miles from us and we get together often.We have lived here for 25 years and love the ocean and the nearby mountains."

Great to hear that Dan and Pat both still have their moms. And how wonderful Larry Christy, another classmate, is in Dan's neighborhood.

The Spencers Go Green

John and Ann Spencer's son, Paul, and his company, Clean Energy Collective, have developed a concept to provide solar energy for all, not just those who can afford to build solar homes. Called solar gardens, these areas contain large solar panel arrays, owned by up to 320 residents; the power generated will be sold to the electric utility, which in turn credits the homeowners with a proportional sum for the energy saved. Click on the title to this story to hear more about this from the local TV station.

Roger Compton Loses Mom

Notifications from Norma Deardorff Plummer and Alene Rudolph Rondeau informed us of the passing of Charlotte Compton, Roger's 99-year old mom. It so happens Charlotte was also Jim Tharp's mother-in-law, as he married Roger's sister, Mary, in 2002 after losing his wife, our classmate Sharon Soukup, to cancer in early 1998. What follows is Mrs. Compton's obituary:

"Charlotte J. Compton, nee Ross, 99, of Downers Grove passed away. Beloved wife of the late Alexander; loving mother of Don (Roberta), Roger and Mary (Jim) Tharp; devoted grandmother of 12; great-grandmother of 13 and great-great grandmother of 1. Charlotte was one of 9 children. Her brother Charles (Betty) Ross is her only surviving sibling. Charlotte was an avid gardener, participated in a Scrabble club and a quilting group. Visitation will be Friday, August 6, 2010 from 10 a.m. at Toon Funeral Home, 4920 Main St., Downers Grove, until time of services at 12:00 p.m. Interment Clarendon Hills Cemetery, Darien, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., P.O. Box 631047, Baltimore, MD 21263-1047 would be appreciated."

Our sympathy goes out to Roger, Jim and Mary, and the rest of the family.


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Are You Free for Lunch?

If you had visited Cress Creek Country Club on May 28 about 1:00PM, you could have joined 9 of our classmates for a 2-hour lunch and gab session. In attendance and enjoying the company of others were (from the left): John Spencer, Norma Deardorff Plummer, Brand Bobosky, Chuck Austin, Larry Connor, Carol Reeves Carlquist, Darryl Jelinek, Larry Bruder, and Bill Barnhart.

I'm sure you can figure out who's who in the pics that follow:









Next time there's a gathering (it's always spur-of-the-moment), make sure you're among 'em, so we can publish you, too.

A Budding Artist in our Midst

The following self-portrait was done by one of our classmembers. Got any guesses?
Personally, I think it's so good you'll know right off who this is.

Calling Dr. Benson -- Calling Dr. Benson

Our resident Professor of Orthopedic Medicine/Surgery, Dan Benson, has never been more needed than he has been lately by several other class members:

We begin with Barb Rall Peiffer who fractured not one but both her wrists in late March. She must be doing pretty well now, post surgery, because we see her popping up on Facebook every now and then. Hope your recovery is complete, Barb, that you're now as good as new.
Next comes Judith Anderson who walked around Las Vegas on a 4-day vacation, then home in Honolulu for some 6 weeks with a fractured (3 breaks actually) hip. After finally having x-rays taken, surgery was performed, 3 pins were inserted, and she's now on the road to walking unassisted. Hope you're healing quickly and completely.
John Spencer comes next with a left shoulder replacement. Haven't heard much about this, but we're assuming John came thru the surgery with flying colors and will stay out of the hospital until another part fails (life-long construction work will do a number on you). Happy healing, John!
Our most recent casualty is Ellen Brockway Bunning who fractured both her tibia and fibula (both bones in her lower leg) while visiting a park with her husband; surgery is scheduled for sometime next week. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ellen, for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

Come on, 57ers --- let's see if we can all stay in one piece without the need for surgery in order to accomplish it.

Our Sympathy to Jean Devaney

We just learned Jean Devaney recently lost her husband of 50 years to cancer. Our deepest sympathy to Jean.

"Hugo H. Dahm 71, of Downers Grove, lost his courageous battle against cancer on May 30, 2010; loving husband of 50 years to Jean Dahm, nee Devaney, devoted father to Bill, Jeff, Amy and David; cherished grandfather to Matthew, Jonathon, Connor, Erin, Declan and Avery. Hugo was an avid golfer and lifelong Cubs fan. Memorial Celebration will be held Saturday, June 5th 12:00 p.m. until time of Service 1:00 p.m. at Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main St. (1 blk. So. of Ogden Ave.), Downers Grove. In lieu of flowers, Hugo requested contributions to "Connor Dahm Fund" DuPage Credit Union, P.O. Box 3930, Naperville, IL 60567-3930."

Class of '57 Now on Facebook

We've created a group on Facebook called "DGHS Class of 1957", and so far, 7 of us have signed up. If you're on Facebook, look us up and join in the fun to come. If you're not yet on Facebook, now's the time. We're looking forward to welcoming the other 350 (give or take) of you to the class group.

Eric Larsen Now 2 For 2

Judy Dian Larsen's son, Eric, has now reached the North Pole after his success of reaching the South Pole; all that remains is his climbing to the top of Mt Everest before the end of the year to attain his goal of the "3 poles in a year". What follows is the note I received from Judy re: this adventure --- and I heartily suggest you visit one of Eric's websites, each of which provides a great deal of additional info about this undertaking ---

"Hi Judy, Son Eric and company arrived at the North Pole on Earth Day,
2010. Two thirds of his Save the Poles - Save the Earth program have
been completed. Check out www.ericlarsenexplore.com or
www.savethepoles.com. Otherwise, all is normal here, for our age,
anyhow."

Washington School on Facebook

A note from Garland Edgell tells of finding a group of folks on Facebook who attended Washington School in Downers Grove; it is called, "Washington School, Downers Grove, IL". If you're on Facebook, even if you didn't go to Washington, be sure to check it out. And if you aren't on Facebook (that's www.facebook.com), give some thought to signing up. I've already been "found" by a former resort guest I haven't seen or heard from in almost 20 years; and 57ers Judith Anderson and Rosemary Baker reconnected, thanx to Rosemary's daughter's use of Facebook.

Florie Shares her Thoughts

I received the following from Florie Sick Baumann and felt it was well-worth sharing:

"Dear Class of ‘57
I really love hearing about the accomplishments of our class. It was a wondrous time. I think we have lived in the best of times-and, perhaps, the worst(Dickens-soph eng?). I say this because from our privileged (and how did we know then?) place in space and time we lived on to see miracles. I think of our parents, some of them new immigrants, and the depression they endured. What was their prospect when they bore us?
I think of the innocence in which we grew up. What might we give for that for our grandchildren? Such concerns that we leave our children are not small. We were so lucky! We were born at a time when all opportunity was ours. It is a new world we live in now. The skills and talents we have left our children and theirs will surely be needed in the challenges ahead. I think that any good thing our children accomplish is worth celebrating together.
I like hearing about ALL our classmates. Not only those who have accomplished great things. I think life, everyday, is not a race to be won. It is attaining the best we can in our circumstance. It is celebrating the good things our children and grandchildren accomplish, sharing, again, the good place from which we arose and knowing that it was never easy, it always took effort, dedication, a commitment, and bravery in the face of odds- even though they were not the same as those our parents faced.
Be happy. We were and are so lucky...
Florie"

Any thoughts?







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SKYPE Links Classmates

I don't know if any of you have SKYPE on your computers; I don't know if any of you have webcams. But the combination provided for an amazing conversation between Judie Schneider Sostak and yours truly (Judy VanSelow Engelthaler) a couple of weeks ago. What a neat way to get reacquainted! SKYPE is an easily-downloadable FREE computer telephone system (www.skype.com)--- and with a webcam (not necessary, tho), SKYPE becomes a FREE videophone system. Check it out --- and let me know if you're on board with this.

Florie Joins Art Gallery

I received the following e-mail from Florie Sick Baumann:

"Some of you may already know that I am part of a brand new little art gallery in Benicia, CA -- Benicia Plein Air Gallery. It is in a cottage on the main street in an up and coming historic town. Come over and visit us. The gallery is open Thurs-Sun, 11-5. The riverfront is beautiful and there is more to do....."

Florie included a picture page of other things to do and see in 1 square block of downtown Benicia, but unfortunately our blog manager doesn't like it and won't let me transfer it to this post. I guess you'll just have to venture to Benicia and see for yourself. Besides, Florie would really appreciate your visiting the gallery and seeing her fine work on display.