Our Own Published Novelist: Larry Crane

Just received (and it was issued in June?) the following press release about a novel published by our own Larry Crane. Congrats, Larry --- we're all very proud of you!! Just a thought --- there's still time to run out and purchase several copies for Christmas gifts.

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Bridge to TreacheryPRLog (Press Release) - Jun 23, 2011 - Brighton Publishing LLC announced the release of “A Bridge to Treachery,” by author Larry Crane. This suspense-laden gnashing of guns, ammo, terrorism and deceit is now available as an e-book through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other leading retailers.
Retired Colonel Lou Christopher is an ex-Army Ranger, contentedly working as a New York investment broker. After being assigned a number of lucrative accounts and becoming accustomed to living the good life, he discovers nothing good comes without a price.
When his former military skills are requested under a threat of losing everything he has, Col. Christopher soon discovers the price may be too high to pay. Handed a group of misfits to assemble into a military strike team, Christopher is coerced into leading the team on a mission of domestic terrorism.
His strike team is discovered; the mission is compromised. A deadly firefight erupts and only Christopher and a beautiful female member of his team survive. Was a terrible mistake made, with Christopher to blame—or was his team the victim of an ultimate act of betrayal?
With his strike force decimated, Christopher and his lone teammate turn from hunted to hunters. As time quickly runs out, they struggle to use their unique set of skills to exact a decisive revenge on those responsible for this treachery. Will New York—will anyone—survive?
“This is modern day John Rambo, with every bit the quality of writing and fantastic characters that David Morrell brought to his classic shining through in Larry Crane’s thriller,” said Kathie McGuire, director of Brighton Publishing LLC. “Larry Crane has created a lasting hero with Lou Christopher, someone that readers will identify with because he is tough, all-American, and ready to defend what he believes in.”

Larry Crane is a West Point graduate who began a seven year Airborne Ranger Infantry career in the mud in Germany, commanded Basic Trainees at Fort Knox, and completed his military service after a tour in Vietnam as an ARVN Ranger battalion advisor. He has written non-fiction articles for outdoor magazines, as well as numerous plays, and short fiction. He is currently at work on a sequel to “A Bridge to Treachery.” Crane has two grown children, and lives on the coast of Maine with his wife."

News of Mary Reiman Gordon's Passing

I received the following e-mail from Allene Rudolph Rondeau:

"I regret to be the bearer of sad news on Mary Reiman (Compton) Gordon. Mary passed away Saturday November 26th, 2011 around 7pm at her son's Jimmy's house.
She has been one of my best childhood friends, since we attended Lincoln school ... and will be dearly missed.
Allene (Rudolph)Rondeau"

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Mary's family and friends --- and to you, Allene, who is so deeply touched by this loss.

55th Class Reunion in 2012

Just received the following from Norma Deardorff Plummer:

"The DGHS Class of 1957 will be having their 55th class reunion the weekend of August 24th and 25th, 2012. Please put it on your calendar. Love to see you there.

Best wishes,

Norma Deardorff Plummer"


We had a wonderful time at our 8th grade graduation, and we had wonderful attendance at our 50th reunion -- why don't we try to surpass both for the 55th?? Y'all come!

Downers Hits the Big Time

An e-mail from Jim VanSlyke brought more news about the upcoming movie "Downers Grove". Click on the title of this blog post for more information.

Mary Reiman Gordon Needs Our Prayers

I received the following e-mail from Gordon Rondeau:

"Please have Mary Reiman Gordon put in our web class page prays. She needs are prayers badly.
She is in Hospics care. She has been moved from Arizona to her son's Jimmy's house in Elgin. She arrived Sunday. They do not expect her to last even a week.
Can send cards or phone messages through Jimmy ..... (847) 741-4934
13 N. Brindle Elgin, Il Sorry about this part .... did not get zip"

Won't you please remember Mary in your prayers?

Nora O'Byrne King's Life of Service

We knew Nora O'Byrne had moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, shortly after college graduation. And it wasn't long after that she "fell off the face of the earth". Several of us tried and tried to get a response from her, all to no avail. We knew she had married a man named Bill King, so on a trip to Alaska, I found his name in the Fairbanks phone book and tried to reach her at least twice --- there was no answer. Our efforts intensified before the class reunion; and John Spencer finally got a response from Courtney King, Nora's oldest daughter. From her, we learned Nora had passed away the same day I tried to call her. We have since learned Nora had quite a life after leaving Downers, tho we still haven't heard from Courtney with the full details. We did manage, however, to get a copy of her obit which will tell you about some of Nora's accomplishments. She was, indeed, a special woman.

"Nora O. King

Nora O'Byrne King, 63, died at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Sunday morning, Aug. 25, 2002. Her two daughters and husband were with her.

As a recent graduate of the University of Illinois, Nora came to Fairbanks in 1960 to teach in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. She married William J. King in 1961, bore two daughters in 1962 and 1965, and retired from teaching in 1982.

Nora then attended the University of Colorado School of Law, graduating in 1985. She was admitted to the Alaska Bar in 1985 and, at the time of her death, was an assistant attorney general for the state of Alaska, working in the area of child protection.

Nora was a creative person who saw the world as an imperfect place and tried to fix what was within her power to do so. Her teaching career was dedicated to trying to jump-start young minds and lengthen the reach of the disadvantaged. Her work with the state was largely devoted to the protection of the young from what people do to them these days. She loved large dirty dogs, art, fall in Fairbanks, and had a lot of time for people who did their jobs well.

She is survived by her daughters Gillian King and Courtney King; her husband William King; brother Elton "Curly" O'Byrne of Jacksonville, N.C.; sister Allyn O'Byrne of St. Louis; and brother and sister-in-law Terrence and Lilly O'Byrne of Sunnyvale, Calif.

Her parents Calvin and Audrey O'Byrne of Downer's Grove, Ill., preceded her in death.

At her request, there will be no services. Any donations should be saved for a rainy day."

Ray's Bucket List is Shrinking

Ray Vybiral seems quite intent on crossing entries off his bucket list. The latest: attend a Richard Petty Driving School. Ray, accompanied by his wife of 25 years (congrats!!), Marilyn, and his daughter, Shelley, accomplished his dream on 9/23/11,
by driving 8 laps around a 1.5 mile track and averaging a speed of 138.8 MPH.

Shelley Rode as a passenger in a car driven by a Richard Petty driver and reached a speed of 165 MPH --- her reaction? WOW!
As proof of his accomplishment, Ray was given a certificate of completion signed by the head instructor and Richard Petty, himself. Well done, Ray!

So what's next on your bucket list?