Great 50s Video

For those of us lucky enough to come of age in the 50s, this video will bring back many memories, especially those of the cars and music of the era. Click on the title of this post, turn on your speakers, and sit back and enjoy. Thanks to Frank Fusco for this.

We've Lost Jim Smith

John Spencer received the following e-mail from Wes Upton to notify us of the passing of Jim Smith. Below Wes's e-mail, I have printed Jim's obit. It goes without saying we send our deepest sympathies to Jim's wife, Karen, and his family and many friends. "John, I thought you would want this info for your records. On Jan 19nth Jim had a massive heart attack and passed away. His son (Dan) called to tell me about his Dad and what happened. If you wish you may e-mail "Startribune.com" to see his obituary and sign his friendship book. I sure you all join me in celebrating my old buddies passing."

Dr. James L. Smith --- "Smith, Dr. James L. age 73 of Mound, MN, passed on January 19, 2013. Born July 16, 1939 in Basco, Illinois, to Elbert and Margaret (Webb) Smith who preceded him in death. Survived by his loving wife, Karen Kay (Eddy) Smith; his four sons, Daniel (Cathy) Smith, Michael (Kate) Smith, Jeffrey (Cyndi) Smith, Gary (Colleen) Smith; and his two daughters, Lesley (Todd) Vlaanderen and Jacqueline (Rick) Saunders; his two sisters, Donna Poborsky and Marilyn (Randy) Smith. Jim was the proud grand- father of Sarah, Emily, Grace, Nick, Alex, Theo, Josh Smith, Julian Holmes, Lauren, Kathryn Vlaanderen, Sydni and Chayse Saunders. Jim's lifetime pursuit of academic excellence started in teaching. He later received his PhD from the University of Iowa, which led him to his career goal as a superintendent (and Hawkeye fan). He was blessed in his retirement to return to his love of teaching with the students and staff of Wayzata High School, who he considered his extended family. Jim's heartfelt commitment to his community, church and families, will be deeply missed by all. Memorial service 11 am Friday, January 25, with gathering of family and friends from 10 am at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2451 Fairview Lane, Mound, MN 55364. Interment will be at St. John's Memorial Garden at a future date. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers directed to St. John's Music Department, or the James and Karen Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund. Huber Funeral & Cremation Services Mound Chapel 952-472-1716"

Another Voice From the Past

Received a short note from Scott Butler right after the holidays. Tho I've seen him and his family occasionally on Facebook, this is the first time I've heard from him. I hope he won't mind my sharing his note with the rest of the class: "Hi Judy, Nice to see you on FB from time to time. I try to check up every now and then on classmates going to the bloodspot. The classmate I remain close to is Curt Keller although I haven't seen since 2007 when we met up in Arizona for a fun get together in Tuson. So I'd like to say be well and happy though out our new year ahead of us. Scott" Thanks to Scott for touching base with me after all these years. I hope you keep in touch, Scott; and I hope the rest of you will remember to drop a line every now and then. I appreciate it more than you can imagine.

Another Published Author

Received the following announcement from Frank Fusco: "I have just published my book 'The New Rifleman' at Amazon Kindle. It is available now. Please look and consider buying. Frank" "The New Rifleman <<< A botched presidential election leads to the sitting President discarding the Constitution and turning America into a brutal dictatorship. The protagonist assassinates the President, using a rifle of the type that would have been employed in the Revolution of 1776. His escape and survival in the wilderness of the Arkansas Ozarks using 200+ year old woodsman’s skills is non-stop cliff-hanging adventure. A mysterious relationship with a mountain lion eventually leads him to a community of new revolutionaries who share his desire to return America to a Constitutional form of government. The spirit of the protagonist is not unlike that of the original revolutionaries who created America in 1776." Larry Crane was our first classmate to announce the publishing of a novel --- Frank has now followed. Anyone else care to join this pretigious pair? The best I can manage is this blog..........

A Little Plagarism

While surfing the internet, I happened upon a website "Growing up in Downers Grove" -- and while reading some of the entries, I found a link to Fenger High School's Class of 1958 website.On the website are many wonderful memories for those of us lucky enough to grow up in that era; there are links to Riverview, the Cinnamon Bear (one of my favorites), radio shows, and many more places to jog your memory --- the selections are seemingly endless. If you have lots of time to kill, I recommend a trip back to the 50s, thanks to Fenger High School. Click on the title of this blog entry to transport yourself back in time --- and enjoy!

The Tivoli Strikes Again!

I'm long overdue with this story, but so it goes. It's still a great story and more publicity for DG and mostly, the Tivoli Theater. Michael Phelps Meets Idol, Michael Jordan, While Taping Ryder Cup Sports Show in Downers Grove Tivoli Theatre. "Michael Phelps had the surprise of a lifetime Monday—a first-time meeting with his idol, Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan, right here in Downers Grove. The superstar athletes were both guests on "Feherty Live," a Golf Channel show that taped Monday at the Tivoli Theater, 5021 Highland Ave., as part of the show's Ryder Cup coverage. The episode will air at 8 p.m. (CST) Wednesday, two days before the tournament begins at Medinah Country Club. Commentater and former pro golfer David Feherty surprised Phelps—a scheduled guest—with a visit from his idol in front of a live audience. Phelps was so overwhelmed he could barely talk, according to the Associated Press. "I froze. That’s the one person in the world who could do that to me,” Phelps told the Associated Press. “I literally have always looked up to him ... He’s the greatest.” Feherty and the Michaels joked about Phelps' golf game and retirement plans before turning their attention to this weekend's Ryder Cup, the Chicago RedEye reports. Phelps ended his illustrious swimming career at the London Olympics this summer, breaking the all-time record for medals, with 22. “I’m truly honored and humbled that he’s looked at me as a motivational figure,” Jordan said. According to the Associated Press, Jordan and Phelps have been exchanging text messages for a few months, and had planned to meet up during events at Medinah. "I'm a fan of his," Jordan said of Phelps. "He's met my sons a couple of times, and they were telling me how he is very competitive and looking to play golf and a couple other things. I said, 'You know, anytime he's ready, I'm ready.""