SHS1965

Thanks to all who attended this weekend's reunion. We committee members are blown away and thrilled with the memories of a phenomenal time had by all. Your individual expressions of sincere appreciation meant so much to all of us.

Our lifetime bond, as classmates who've gone out into the world from our beloved high school, has become reinvigorated. Now, we look ahead to 2010 when we'll meet again.

As promised, I'll post additional bios as they come in. I'll send addresses to whoever did not take the blog booklet. Let me know if you need them. I'll also post email addresses on your bio after receiving permission from you. Send to malove@imbris.net.

Also, I'd love to post a combination of shining moments from the reunion which you would like to share. We couldn't all be in the same place at the same time, so we'd love to read anecdotes of events you count as special.

Among the many for me was listening to Maurine Marks Wheatley, who'd just completed a long road trip from North Carolina to arrive in time for the reunion. Maurine has spent the past year in China teaching English.

After several months of knowing about the class blog, she told me she couldn't seem to connect with it to read the postings. Later, she surmised that her inability to pull up the blog might have something to do with freedom of speech and living in China. Maurine's reaffirmation of the many benefits we take for granted as Americans was nothing short of poignant.

So, send your thoughts. We'll maintain this blog as long as there's interest.

Thanks again for the memories. How sweet they are!

One night down, one full day and night to go. It's hard to describe the joy I saw on so many faces last night as an enthusiastic, charged-up group descended on Swan's Landing for the start of our reunion.

A bunch of us left just after 10 p.m. to go have some dinner. We learned after making two stops at the old faithfuls: Connie's and the Fifth Avenue Restaurant (old Travelers) that maybe we'd gabbed too long. Both were closed for the night.

As some of our group headed home, four stalwarts Karen (Arndt) and Jerry Kruse, Bill and I, kept up the quest to find someplace still open where we could get a bite to eat. We ended up with three of us standing in the parking lot of Taco Bell giggling and picking our selections from the big sign while Jerry drove the drive-thru to pick up the goods.

Taco Bell serves only from the Drive Thru after 10 p.m. Since some of us rarely are even up after 10 p.m., that came as a surprise. Our fancy dining out in Sandpoint (the restaurant town) consisted of sitting in our SUV gobbling down wraps with a lot of Cheese Whiz with assorted meats and Mexican flavoring. Karen and Jerry's pup Ollie watched longingly from their car parked next door.

Now, after a few hours of somewhat restless sleep, I'm getting cranked up on coffee and looking forward to the day ahead. My tired body is gonna be sustained throughout today's hike and this evening's festivities by thoughts of the dozens of happy faces and patient spouses who made last evening's opening night a memorable success.

Regardless of how the ol' body feels this Saturday morning, I firmly believe that class reunions are good for the soul!

Gail Kohler Watkins: I can't make it to the reunion, but have a trip planned for Sandpoint in September with my son and his family. I hope you all have a good time. I wish I could be there but hope for next time. Hope it will be soon before we all get too old. Ha Ha.

I work at Shasta Co. Social Services in Redding, Calif., and love it. I live by myself because my husband died four years ago. But I am enjoying life just the same, with my kids. I have one granddaughter; she is 9 months old and the most beautiful girl in the world.

Well, have a good reunion. I'll be thinking of you all.

See ya,

Gail Kohler Watkins.

We weren't sure what our classmate Ralph Osman's status was. After doing some sleuthing among his family members, I happily received the following email last night:

The report of my demise is greatly overexaggerated. Much to the chagrin, I am still alive as I write this response.

I was wounded in Viet Nam, but am fine. I presently reside in Auburn, WA. and work for the US Department of Veterans Affairs dealing with veteran benefits.

Thanks for getting in contact with my sister.

Ralph Osman
Class of '65

Ralph, we're ecstatic to learn you're doing okay. Wish we could have found you soon enough for you to plan to join us at the reunion. Who knows? Maybe you can. There's still time to head on over this way.

Tonight's get together is at 6 p.m., Swan's Landing at the south end of the Long Bridge. Tomorrow's begins at 6:30 p.m. at the new Elks Club on HWY 200 (Elks Golf Course) north of Sandpoint.

Note: I commented on this weekend's events on my personal blog at www.slightdetour.blogspot.com. I invite you to read those thoughts.

If we don't see you, thank you for your service in Vietnam and for the service you still provide all our veterans. We appreciate you and veterans of all wars.

Kathleen Brackney Hernandez: I've been working at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene for 16 years. I have two grown daughters, ages 29 and 31. They have blessed me with six grandchildren.

My husband and I enjoy hunting, camping and fishing. It's a good life.

Helen Hale Southworth: I am a farm manager on a 530-acre horse farm outside of Louisville, KY. I am into trail riding and showing speed-racking Walking horses.

Have one son who lives in Vancouver, Wash., and two grandchildren. My family still lives in Westmond, and I am home visiting with them.

Note: We have several other classmates attending the reunion who have not submitted bios. So, if we receive them eventually, we'll post them on the blog. Same goes for anyone who cannot make it to the reunion.

Greg McFarland: Graduated from St. George's School in Spokane in 1965. Graduated from Claremont Men's College, Claremont, Calif., in 1969.

Managed Oregon operations for L.D. McFarland Company from 1970-1981. Married Melanie Smith in 1980. Received MBA from University of Oregon in 1983.

Executive vice president of McFarland Cascade; Administration and corporate real estate, 1983 to the present.

Live in Milton, Wash., (Tacoma).

John Crane: Painting contractor in Everson, Wash. Have traveled to Japan, Brazil, New Guinea, and Ethiopia.

Married 35 years. Active in local church.

Francine Findlay Booth: My husband, A.F. Booth, better known as "Corky," and I have been married since 1976.

Corky worked for the Milwaukee Railroad from 1958 until 1978. When the railroad was no more, he then switched to Verizon from 1978-1983. They down-sized, so he was let go again. From 1983-2003, he worked for the City of Plummer. In 2003, he retired.

As for myself, I worked at Benewah Community Hospital, then at Tekoa Care Center. In 1989, I went to work at Kootenai Medical Center in the emergency department where I am a C-Health unit coordinator. I love KMC and my job.

Corky and I have four children and nine granchildren. We have lived in Plummer, Idaho, in the same place for 29 years.

Be watching the blog the next couple of days. Donna's bringing me the last of the registrations today, so I'll probably put up more than the usual bios by tomorrow. Then, I'll run what I have off and make copies for those classmates who don't have access to Internet.

Wherever you are, have a safe trip to Sandpoint. We're meeting tonight to take care of final details at 6 on the Edgewater deck. If you're in town early, come and join us.

Dann Hall:

Official Version

DANN HALL (1947- ) is the owner of the Hallans Gallery and the Dann Hall Studio in Sandpoint, Idaho. He is curator of the Ross Hall Collection. Dann established the Hallans in 1988 to preserve and explore the works of Dick Himes and Ross Hall.

Dann studied Political Science, Behavioral Science and Art at the University of Idaho, UCLA, and the University of Florence, Italy. Dann worked for Eastman Kodak, Xerox, and Litton Systems before establishing his own business. He studied photography through the Sun Valley Art Center, Hiro of New York, the Air Force Photography Dept. and various film projects as well as with his father, Ross. He was an associate professor of photography for the University of Washington. He has been hired for many extended photographic field trips in Canada, Alaska, and elsewhere by Dexter Press of New York and H.S. Crocker of San Francisco.

Unoffical Authentic Version

I left Sandpoint for Oakland, CA, shortly after High School graduation and was immediately snapped up by Granny Goose Potato Chips. The fellow who hired me, too, was from Idaho, and explained that all Californian business superiors understand that as Idahoans, we must surely be potato experts.

Several years later I ended up living in Florence, Italy, proud owner of a $25 Harley-Davidson, and garnerer of many tales of the insanity that is Rome.

That winter, I lived with Steve Walker and Gary Johnson, ski bumming in Brand, Austria. Which led to two more years of ski bumming in Vail CO, and an additional couple in Sun Valley. Most of that time was also spent bouncing between the Army and Air National Guard, skirting the peripheries of Viet Nam.

I also spent two summers smokejumping in Fairbanks and McGrath, Alaska, where I earned the legendary nick name "Freefall Hall" for almost failing to hook up my static line. I spent two years in LA working in internal security in a think tank. Although that drove me nuts, the company, to their credit (or disappointment), paid my way to UCLA.

I was also in the Van Nuys Air Natl Guard, where Jerry Mathers, (yes, THE BEAVER!) was a Sergeant.
I dreamed nightly of The Daily Bee Headlines: YOUNG SANDPOINT HERO (Class of '65) GOES TO VIET NAM AND SAVES THE BEAVER!

Sincerely,

Dann Hall

Andrea Venishnick Carlson: After 20 years of rain on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, I left the darkness for the light and moved to glorious Bend, Ore.

To make payments on my newfound lifestyle, I became a slave of the State of Oregon, helping rural Eastern Oregon communities to create and finance economic development projects.

I have three kids and five grandchildren.

See you soon!

Good Morning,

Heard from Paul Munson this morning. He's headed this way Thursday and will be hanging out with Andrea Venishnick Carlson and Jim Miller when he's not at the reunion. I also heard from Teri Schalz last night, wanting to know what geocaching is. So, I gave her some details and sent her to www.geocaching.com website.

It's obvious that "reunion" is on a lot of folks' minds this week. Bring your pictures from high school to share, and I'm sure we won't have to tell the grandparents among the bunch to have photos of their precious grandkids readily available.

Mike Parkins sent me his bio yesterday, so you're going to learn about another reunion committee member today. We're still harassing some others to get theirs in.

Mike Parkins: After graduation, I spent two years at Spokane Community College majoring in social activities. Grades were OK until the last quarter when I decided baseball was more important. So Uncle Sam nabbed me and spent a hitch with the U.S. Army. Spent one hitch in Viet Nam and then was discharged.

Went to Kinman Business School and received some kind of degree in Accounting. Was hired by The Pack River Company with my first job in Bozeman, Montana. Transferred to Polson, Montana, and finally Sandpoint.

Left Pack River and started P-J's Bar & Grill on lst. Ave in the same building Dick Anderson (Riccardo) started the first Riccardo's Pizza Parlor. Just S. of the Panida Theater. Many of the classmates should remember the pizza parlor.

Sold P-J's and have been working in the real estate business since then. Sandpoint has been discovered and is changing almost daily. I'm sure out-of-town classmates will be surprised.

I have two girls and one son. Janet lives in Gig Harbor, Washington and Sarah lives in Chicago. Each has a boy and a girl. Ryan is a Marine currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. He has done 1 tour in Iraq and is scheduled for another next fall. Hopefully he won't have to go back.

I look forward to seeing all the 1965 classmates this weekend.

Mike Parkins

We should have some more bios to post within the next day or so. And, of course, if you're out there and haven't sent one, I'll still take 'em any time. malove@imbris.net.

To view all bios: They don't all appear in the same view. You'll have to check the left column, scroll down and look for "archives." You'll find the bulk of the bios in the June and July archives. I've posted two a day in most cases, and I believe there are at least 50 appearing on the blog now.

Talked with Janis Puzuhanich Clarke last night. She's getting excited about arriving Friday afternoon and spending a few days in Sandpoint. Donna Olson Coulter tells me Helen Hale is here from Kentucky. She's going to join us for the class reunion meeting Wednesday night at the Edgewater. We have about 65 classmates confirmed and we're expecting to hear from several more in the next few days.

If you're in town by Wednesday night, we'll be meeting at 6 p.m. on the Edgewater deck, so join the fun.

Lots happening this week; the weather's supposed to be pretty darned nice. As news of classmates or activities comes, I'll post it. Might even add more today.

Yesterday, I saw Carolyn Culley Brown at the 4-H horse show. She was there to watch her son's stepdaughter show one of Carolyn's Quarter Horses. I told her I was doing nametags for the reunion.

She said, "Make sure you spell my name right."

I told her I thought I could handle that. A few minutes later, she was clapping because her granddaughter had won the championship for the junior age division.

I'll be announcing the show, starting early this morning, so I'd better get moving. Have made it to the N's on the nametags by the way, and for some reason, I had no problem whatsoever spelling "B-R-O-W-N" on Carolyn's tag.

I also talked with Karen Martin Rolf, and she had good news, as you'll read in her bio. Keep sending them: malove@imbris.net, and, yes, you can still sign up for the reunion.

Karen Martin Rolf: As a toddler I would call after my three older brothers, “Wait for me!” This afternoon I was reminded of that phrase as I phoned Marianne with our request to be added to the reunion guest list. I had been delaying the decision to attend until the deadline because of Federal District jury duty.

Good news arrived this p.m. I was released from my duties. Now! I feel like I have retired for the second time. My schedule is now of my own making once again.

My first retirement was five years ago. My husband retired from Boeing Computer Services in 2000. I left the local school system in Auburn, Washington, and we headed to Idaho. The only time we look back is to visit our three sons and two grandchildren.

We are retired from a work schedule and now have the option to fill our schedule with travel, camping, hunting, fishing, and our many friends. You can reach us at drolf@sandpoint.net or pick up the phone and dial . . . I am local once again!

Happy TGIF,

In one week, at 6 p.m. Friday, July 29, we'll be gathering at Swan's Landing on Lakeshore Drive just off the south end of the Long Bridge. Hard to believe so much time has passed since many of us have seen each other. Let the gabfest begin!

Let us know today if you're planning to come. Of course, we'll still be happy to welcome you if you should decide over the next few days to join us. Just trying to get as accurate a head count as possible. Thanks!

Today's bio: (more coming when we have the latest batch of registrations). Send your information to malove@imbris.net.

Gayla Archer Babcock: My son, Jim, got married in 1995 and in 1998 our granddaughter, Devon Rose Bristow, arrived. She is an Army brat, has long curly hair, is gorgeous, brilliant, tall, full of energy and everything else that I always wanted to be. They are in New Jersey right now so we don't get to see nearly enough of them. Jim spent a year in Iraq and I am very thankful that he is stateside now.

We had a great time at the meeting last night. Dann Hall tells us that entry fees for the golf scramble amount to about $400, and Hidden Lakes is throwing in about $600 worth of merchandise for prizes. At last count, he had nine tee times.

Cecelia Kallio joined our committee meeting on the Edgewater deck last night and said she wasn't coming cuz she was shy in high school and didn't know very many people.

Then, she started telling a story about some camping trip year ago. Said I was there (I don't camp but I wasn't going to press the issue). She has always thought I stole the watermelon that she was so looking forward to eating while on the trip.

Well, I have a good memory but nothing even clicks when it comes to having stolen a watermelon from a bunch of campers. Mail at age 5, yes, but no watermelons. Anyway, we promised Cecelia that if she attends the reunion, I'll give her a watermelon.

What will it take to get some of the rest of you to come? I may be able to spring for a few more watermelons . . . . cuz we want to see you. Send bios to malove@imbris.net.

More bios:

David Crowell: After high school, I attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1970 with a degree in mechanical engineering. While attending school, I worked summers for the U.S. Forest Service in the Sandpoint Ranger District.

I currently work at Boeing in Seattle as a customer service engineer in the spare parts department. I have been with Boeing for 23 years.

I live in Kent, Washington, am married to Mary Ann and have four sons. I enjoy playing guitar, canoeing, woodworking, gardening and traveling.

My family and I have a singing ministry where we visit nursing homes on the weekends.


My relatives live in Sandpoint, and it still seems like home to me.

Carley Pfeiffer Barta: Spent three years in the Navy. Married 4 kids, 6 grandkids. Retired from
AT&T as a communications technician.

Learned to scuba dive at 45 and can not get enough of it. Live currently in Florissant, Colorado. It's west of Colorado Springs. See how easy it is to sum up 40 years of one's life??

I will not make it to our 40th but will be thinking of you while I scuba dive Bonaire, NE Antilles.

Sorry I can not see you all but wish you well.

It's Wednesday, and if all goes well tonight, we'll try to have a reunion committee meeting. I think this week we all have the same appointed hour for it to begin, so that will be nice.

Hope those of you who are attending have received your "Last Minute Stuff" information sheet. I sent it in Monday's mail. If you don't get one, I'll post it later this week.

Of interest, along teacher lines, I've received confirmation that Bill and Ruth Straley, the Sodorffs and maybe the Smiths will be attending Saturday evening. Francis McDonnell promises to make it to our 50th; says he's got another reunion the same weekend as ours. Bill Adams does too, so he won't be in town, as do Bob Hamilton and Eva Whitehead. Lots going on that weekend all over the country.

Send bios to malove@imbris.net any time. I'll keep posting them as long as I receive them. Still have a few that have come in and since Judy's out of town, some of yours may have arrived in her mail. So, be patient if you sent one. They'll eventually appear.

One more reminder----look in June Archives to see the full list of summaries.

Now, for today's bios:

Mike Rosenberger: Mike Rosenberger - 146 E. Shingle Mill Road, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 -
208-263-0206. jeannegfw@hotmail.com

I am the owner of North Idaho Steam Cleaning and Restoration in Sandpoint (27 years) and
looking for a way to retire (any ideas?). In my spare time my wife, Jeanne, and I like to go fishing,
boating, snow skiing, travel, and attend car shows in our 1955 Pontiac.

We have been blessed with three grandchildren, Sam age 2, Brian almost 2, and Makena age 1.
Our little grandsons are in Denver, and our granddaughter is in Boise so we spend a lot
of time contributing to the airlines' yearly profit.

Life is good - we are looking forward to reconnecting with everyone in July!

Caren Hiatt Easterly: I am not going to be able to attend the reunion as I had planned (unexpected company).

I live in Post Falls, have a wonderful husband, four great kids and six beautiful grandkids, ages 6-14. Also have five step-kids and 11 step-grand-kids.

I have worked the last five years in the Post Falls School District as a paraprofessional, this past year with the speech and language pathologists and in the life-skills department, before that. I love my job. My husband is a loader operator for Central PreMix in Spokane. Retirement is getting closer for both of us.

We enjoy spending time playing with our classic cars. We have a '34 Chevy, '32 Plymouth and a '46 Ford that we take to car shows and just enjoy driving. We are very active in our local classic car club, helping put on shows. We also enjoy spending time on our boat on Coeur d' Alene Lake and at Bayview.

I will miss not seeing everyone from the Class of '65, but I have enjoyed reading on the blog about what everyone is doing. Thanks for doing that, Marianne.

My email address is frogybottom@aol.com.

Note: Thank you, Caren. We'll miss you too. Also, since Mike and Caren displayed their email addresses today, if anyone else would like theirs to appear with their bio, I'll post them but only with your permission. Let me know.

Happy Tuesday,

Donna's hoping we have an accurate head count for the restaurants before this Friday, so if you haven't registered, please let us know if you're coming (which nights and how many). Thanks.

Send your bios to malove@imbris.net----even if you're not attending.

On to the bios:

Jim Miller: The last ten years I have been enjoying my family, watching the kids grow, doing dentistry and living a "Great Life" in a "Great Home Town."

Russell "Krusty" Rojan: Well, hello to all of my classmates of 19 and 65. I was looking in the mirror the other day, and you know, if I am up close and I look in my eyes, I still see the barefoot boy with cheeks of tan that I know so well. Then, I pull back, and I see this man (not a young one at all), and just for a second, I wonder who in the hell is looking at me!! Finally, reality rears its ugly head. Anyways, that is enough of the PHILO-O-PHIZING.

Here's an overview of the last 40 years: After I received the word that Uncle Sam needed me, I enlisted in the USAF, where I did a double hitch and went to Vietnam. When I returned, I entered the Construction Phase of my life. I joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union and did my apprenticeship in 1975.

By the following year, I was bored with just being a plumber, so I began studying to be a general contractor. Since 1976, I have been both a licensed plumber and general contractor in California.

I have two children with my first wife, a boy and a girl. My son, Glenn, is now 23 and has a boy and a girl of his own. He is a heavy equipment operator. My daughter, Julie, is 26 and has a daughter. She and her mother run a State Farm agency.

After my release from my first marriage in 1990, I was at a rather low time in my life. Then this lady, who unbeknownst to me at the time was an Idahoan too, put a hand out and pulled me up. As it was, I had to come all the way to California to find a soul mate and a second life's mate.

My wife Linda has a daughter. Her daughter, Jennifer, is 29. She is a teacher and has two children, a girl and a boy. We are now in the process of leaving California and returning to Idaho to become full-time Idahoans again. We will actually be "Stitesites" We are moving to a new home not too far from Grangeville.

Again, hello to all, and I hope to see you soon!!

Linda and Russ Rojan

This was a huge weekend in Sandpoint----NORBA Nationals mountain bike races at Schweitzer, the wooden boat show and the All-'50s reunion. The latter brought in nearly 600 SHS graduates to the fairgrounds where they spent the weekend socializing and talking over old times in good ol' Sandpoint.

There's talk of organizing an All-'60s version in 2010, and if what I saw is any indication of the fun, we've got a lot to look forward to. Some people were so excited about this weekend's event they arrived in their RV's and set up shop three days early just to get all their visiting done.

Anyway, we've got a 40th-year reunion coming up in less than two weeks. We'll get that over with and then talk 2010. We're going to need accurate head counts for the venues by this week's end, so if you have any inkling of coming, please let us know. We don't want to run out of food. Thanks for helping us out.

A note about bios----remember they're mounting up, so you'll want to check the archives for June if you want to read them all. Send yours in if you haven't already (Caren, I have yours and it's coming soon). We'd love to hear about you. malove@imbris.net

Today's bios:

Mark LaMoreaux: I've been a photographer for 30 years now, living in Moscow, ID. Came for school and never left. Three kids, mostly grown now. All is well.

Still play a little music and dabble in several hobbies. Wife Chris is financial officer (chief) for us and part-time secretary at our reformed Christian Church.

Looking forward to seeing all of you who haven't been back yet!!!

Rosemary Kaye DeMers-Bell:

Dear Classmates,

I will not be attending but wish you lots of fun. My mother, Flossie Mae Bocook-Berg, passed away Dec. 22, '96.

I am still in Arizona, retired. My two sons and I live together. Have been in Arizona for 20-some years. I have had three jobs.

We love the Arizona weather. I was in Sandpoint during the '96-'97 storm, staying with my mother until she died.

Enjoy the reunion.

Your classmate, '65,

Rosemary Kaye

Happy Sunday. The huckleberries are on in North Idaho, and they ARE delicious. They'll be ripe higher in the mountains by the time you come, so bring your bucket.

If you still have a bio to share with classmates, send it to me at malove@imbris.net.

More bios:

Janice Slette Gingrich: Our lives have changed quite a lot over the last ten years. My husband completed his BA in Education and became a high school math teacher, so if he was going to have his summers off, so was I. I retired from J.C. Penney after 30 years. I became a regional manager for a tax preparation company out of Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1999.

We were in Safeway stores only during the tax season. What a wonderful life---work hard for seven months and have five months very relaxed (with pay). We played a lot of golf every summer. I had my first hole-in-one last June. That was a very exciting day.

But all great things seem to come to an end!

The tax company was sold to H &R Block in December, 2004. I became an assistant district manager and opened all 34 of our Washington locations by Jan. 13, 2005. That position lasted until March 1, 2005, when I became district manager for H & R Block in Bellevue. Needless to say, I'm back in a large corporation.

My husband has been teaching for five years and is now going for his Master's Degree online with the University of Phoenix. He will be "going to school" all summer and throughout the next school year. He plans to finish next July.

By the time July 29 gets here, we will both be ready for some fun and golf. See you soon!

Joan Andrews Thompson: My husband Bob and I are still living in Salem, Ore. We've just built a home on a golf course, and though we're still avid tennis players, we've eagerly taken up golf. It seems to be a bit more forgiving on these 58-year-old bodies.

Our four boys range in age from 26 to 32. All are single, but the youngest is getting married in two weeks.

My husband was intending to retire this year but was asked to lead a start-up company. The plan is to remain with them for approximately three years, depending upon its success. I'm retired from teaching (high school) and am enjoying my "free time," which manages to be filled with lots of activities.

We enjoy traveling, especially to warmer climates, making Cabo San Lucas and Palm Desert yearly visits. Our travel includes at least two trips to Sandpoint each year to visit family.

Looking forward to the reunion.

Before the bios, I've gotta say something about how this wonderful Internet and Cyberspace in general have aided our attempts to put on a reunion. You're currently reading one obvious advantage--the blog. I'm betting that several months ago, many of you heard the word "blog" and just passed it off as something you'd never care to explore.

I felt the same way until I started my first personal blog; now I write for four, including one for the Spokesman-Review. Anyway, this particular SHS1965 edition can continue indefinitely after our reunion. Maybe I'll eventually figure out how to post pictures, and we can spice it up a bit.

Then, there's the immediacy of email. Sure beats the Pony Express in getting the word out. Yesterday, an email-related event dramatically illustrated how phenomenal this tool has become. Robin Melior Bernhardt sent me a note and wondered if we'd ever found Nancy Smith Vlastelica.

Well, we committee members didn't know about the "Vlastelica" addition to Nancy's name, and we sure as heck knew the odds were pretty slim if we went to the Internet white pages to look up "Nancy Smith."

With that last name in hand, I searched for "Vlastelica's" in the white pages and found about a dozen. After writing down several telephone numbers, I picked one out of the crowd and punched in a number from Lacey, Wash., on my cell phone. An elderly lady answered. I gave my name and said I was looking for a classmate named Nancy Smith Vlastelica.

"She's my daughter," the lady said. I was stunned but thrilled that the first number I dialed found our long, lost friend. Nancy's mother said she was off at the lake for the weekend and to call back Sunday.

So, classmates, even before Nancy knows, you all know we've located her. And, thanks, Robin, for giving that vital piece of information. Love this Internet!

Now, on to the bios: (Several more coming, by the way)!

Robin Melior Bernhardt: Let's see--where to start. I'm definitely older, lots of gray hair, wrinkles; and a few new aches and pains seem to make themselves known on a weekly basis.

I work part-time as a medical secretary at KGH Hospital and have for the last 15 years. My three children live in the Tri Cities, thankfully only 45 minutes away. I have three lovely granddaughters whom I adore. Except for the 6-year-old, I'm the shortest by far.

Five years ago, my husband Duane and I moved from the Tri Cities to the little town of Irrigon, Ore., on the Columbia River, with plans of retiring. Unfortunately, my cherished Duane passed away three years ago, and I haven't been able to tear myself away from the river.

So, the last few years, I have been seeking out who I am and what I enjoy. I do enjoy maintaining my home, small yard, and very small garden. When I'm not busy with them, I love to go fishing, boating, riding on the back of a motorcycle, and reading. My newest hobbies are kayaking and golf lessons. Next reunion, I may be ready for your golf tourney, but right now, I seem to miss the ball way more than I hit it.

As our 40th-year reunion gets closer, I look forward to rekindling old friendships. See you soon.

Robin's email address: birdbern@msn.com

Carolyn Culley Brown: Kids, grandkids, volleyball, snowmobiles, jet skis, 4-wheelers, lake house, horse shows, tropical vacations, Corona with a slice of lime.

Same house, same job, still making it with the same, crazy old guy. It's been a great ride -- Pura Vida!

So, I go to the Hair Hut yesterday to get my hair zapped. That way, my fake mop top should look just right at reunion time. A nice lady is sitting there smiling at me as I walk in the door. She says, "You don't know me, but I know you. I'm Matt Turnbull's mother."

"Oh, okay," I respond. "By the way, why haven't we heard from Judy about the reunion?" She really doesn't know, but I express my disappointment that we haven't heard back. Two hours later, I come home, open up my email, and there's a note from Judy Turnbull. I don't know how such things happen, but I was happy to see it.

Sure hope that keeps happening and that we hear from more of you---even if you can't make it or if you've sent in your registration but no bio. Send information to malove@imbris.net. That includes you, Mike P. and Dann H.

Today we'll see what Judy's been up to---and Mark Hawkins.

Bios:

We planned a meeting last night, but some of us had different ideas of when the meeting would begin. So, some left just as some arrived---without seeing each other. Because of our sparse numbers, we'll try it again next week. In the meantime, I'll be sending out last-minute information about the recreational venues, times, etc.

I decided that since Chris Thompson and I are related via cats, horses and people, we need to appear together on today's bios. So, here we go. It all started when my brother Mike married Chris' sister Mary. Then, came my horse Casey who originated in his most basic form from the Thompson ranch at Wrencoe.

After that, my daughter Annie, and Chris' son Jeremy both visited a common cousin in Samoa. Annie flew from New Zealand at the time, while Jeremy flew from Seattle. For two weeks, they enjoyed Samoan culture and watching their common cousin's young triplets (then 1 year old) romp around----and, I'm told, they watched "Finding Nimo" fifteen times. Now, Annie rents a room in the same apartment as Jeremy in Seattle.

And to add one more connection, a few months ago, Chris' sister-in-law Rose Marie entrusted me with her 11-year-old Persian kitty queen named Charlie. So, with all this networking, we kinda run in to each other occasionally.

Now for the bios:

Bios have been dribbling in. I love to get 'em and post 'em. So, plan to send yours if you haven't done so yet. Right, Chris? Send to: malove@imbris.net.

We'll be meeting tonight to iron out final details. I'll let you know the highlights tomorrow and will be sending out one more letter to anyone who has signed up.

Several classmates have indicated they're coming, but we've yet to receive their registrations. So, please send those soon. We'll need to give head counts for Friday and Saturday nights. Thanks.

Bios:

Charlene Yeakel Hall: I am living in Seattle, Wash., with my husband of 33 years and 24-year-old son who is getting married this fall and moving out.

I work part time as an X-ray technologist in the medical department at a Federal detention center and county jail.

Ted and Denice Lutzke Strohmaier: Life is still about the same for us. We still live in Lewiston. Ted is working in his title insurance business, and while I am teaching fifth and sixth grades at Asotin Elementary. Both of us are looking forward to retirement in the near future.

Ted still enjoys golfing and traveling to sporting events. About two years ago, I completed an 18-year project, which involved co-authoring a textbook and workbook about Greek and Latin morphemes or word parts. My colleagues and I give workshops to area teachers.

Our son, Joe, age 32, lives in Lewiston and works with Ted at the title company. Our daughter, Katherine, 28, travels the United States, auditioning and performing musical theatre. She has performed out of the country twice, and I was able to see her show in Cyprus in 2000. Both children are single, and we are longing for some grandchildren.

Good morning, and happy sunshine on this Tuesday morning. I forgot to note that yesterday was Karen Arndt Kruse's birthday. So, happy birthday, Karen.

We still have several bios to go, but we also have folks who've sent in their registrations with no bios. If you're reading this and can put something together, send it to me: malove@imbris.net. I'll see that it gets on the blog. And, the blog can continue as long as we wish, so it will be fun to hear from folks even after the reunion.

Today's bios:

Rick Anthony: At the time of our last reunion, Janet and I were in the process of moving to Packwood, WA. We have lived here the last 10 years and still enjoy it. I spent 6 years as superintendent of the White Pass School District. In 2001, I retired after 31 years in education and started a new career. I work as a Field Marketer for the School Employees Credit Union of Washington, visiting schools throughout southwestern Washington. This has allowed us to remain in Packwood with our beautiful view of Mt. Rainier.

Since our last reunion, our daughter Jeannie has married and had our first grandchild, and our daughter Rebecca has graduated from Western Washington University. I seem to spend most of my time working – either at my job or in the yard. I have had fun landscaping our acre and a half – a job that will never be finished. When not working, I like to garden, play golf and go to Seattle Mariner and Seahawk games. We are just getting started on our goal of attending a game in each of the major league baseball parks.

Since my brother and Janet’s mother still live in Sandpoint, one or both of us make the trip there several times a year. We are really looking forward to this trip, since we will have the chance to see so many of our classmates. It has been fun reading about those of you with bios on the blog.

Janet Eakin Anthony: Living in Packwood took some getting used to (the bank is 34 miles away, and a movie is almost 2 hours each way) but we love it here. I started bird watching when we moved here and see an amazing number without leaving my living room. I have taken a few day trips to see birds and plan on some longer trips in the near future.

Our daughter and son-in-law, Jeannie and Don Bowen, live in Puyallup, although he has been called for active duty and will be in Iraq very soon. Using the excuse of helping Jeannie, I will have even more opportunities to do my very favorite thing - play with our granddaughter, Kate. She will be 11 months old by the time of our reunion. Kate was born on our 35^th anniversary, the same day our daughter Rebecca and my sister, Anne, returned from a month-long trip to Africa. It certainly was a day to remember!!

Rebecca made a career change last year and now works for the Portland Trailblazers in the Marketing Department. We have been blessed to have both of our girls living within 2-3 hours of us and we spend lots of time together. One of our favorite family activities is going to Seattle Mariner games.

I have spent the last seven years on the state board for P.E.O., a women’s organization dedicated to helping women with their educations. It was a terrific experience, and now I am ready to try new challenges. While doing that work, I learned a lot about computers and am now addicted to computers for work or play. It has been fun to have the bios on the website so I can click in anytime to see the updates.

Editor's Note: I just viewed the published blog. There are gremlins in the blogosphere. From where they come, I know not. So, if you see those html labels on Janet's bio, I cannot tell you why they're there. Apparently, the blog gods thought they were necessary. My apologies when these little critters show up.

They say it's gonna quit raining here in North Idaho; in fact, they said yesterday was the last of it (bucketfuls over the weekend) for a while. As I type, however, on this Monday morning, the puddles are still popping with water drops from above. Maybe by July 29-30, Mother Nature will get this need to wet the earth out of her system for a while.

Anyway, with the start of a new week, I'm back in the routine of inserting/typing bios on the blog. Again, I'll remind you to send yours in if you didn't get to it in time for your registration or if you're not coming to the reunion. We'd still like to hear about you and what you're doing. Send bios or other information to: malove@imbris.net.

We're having one more reunion meeting this week to finalize plans for the recreational activities. So, be looking for another letter by early next week.

Now to the bios:

Terry Gray: Seven months after high-school graduation I enlisted in the Navy. I spent the first 5 years on submarines in the Pacific fleet. I was then transferred to Washington, D.C., where I was a detailer, assigning enlisted personnel to operating submarines. My stint in the Navy lasted 8 years.

After leaving the Navy, I moved to Moscow, Idaho, where I lived for ten years. Then, I spent nearly a year in Anchorage, Alaska. I have worked at the University of Idaho for the past 30 years. I started by running a printing press at the UI Library. After returning from Alaska, I ran the library copy center for 3 years. I transferred to Printing Services where I have been doing the bookkeeping for the UI print shop.

I have been married to my best friend and wife, Christine Luedeking for the past 20 years and have lived in the community of Genesee for those 20 years. I was a member of the Genesee Planning and Zoning Commission for six years, chairing it for 2 years.

I have one son from a previous marriage who is attending graduate school at New York University. He is a teaching assistant in Nice, France, this summer.

I still love the outdoors. I like to fish and hunt, but my primary passion is Bird Watching. I am co-president of Palouse Audubon Society, which has approximately 250+ local members. I lead birding field trips for Palouse Audubon and Canyon Birders, another birding group in the Lewiston/Clarkston area. I have seen over 200 species since the start of this year and am still looking for more.

I can be reached at clgtlg@hotmail.com. I have been enjoying digital photography for the past 3 years and have a web site at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryandchristine/.

Nancy Caughey: Hummmm, changes in the last 10 years. I wrote so much last time that everyone should be up-to-date. I've been living with the same guy for 32 years, in the same town (Sweet Home, Ore.), with the same emplyer for 26 years, in the same house for 15 years; even my car is more than 10 years old.

Yes, I'm still working---still enjoying the fast-moving pace of the information technology world, but after surviving two rounds of Government "outsourcing," I'm definitely looking forward to retirement.

We now have two grandchildren: Madie, 4 1/2 and baby Jack, 3 months.

See ya in July!

Happy Weekend! Bios will continue tomorrow or Monday. I've got a busy weekend which starts early. Am announcing a horse show and speaking at a 30-year reunion tonight.

No rest for the wicked. Check in tomorrow and have a great day.

Get those registrations in!!!!!

Judie Hagadone Conlan: Now that my two sons are grown men and don't need Mom hovering over them, I have more time to play, travel, and relax. Over the years, my job with the Bonner County Assessor's Office has allowed me to see Bonner County at its best and meet lots of interesting people in my rounds as appraiser.

I built my home next door to the house I grew up in, and I treasure being able to still live in that neighborhood. I enjoy being part of the Sandpoint community---it's a wonderful place to live and work, and it makes a great base from which to travel to other places.

In my spare time, I love to work in my garden, watch birds, and travel. My grandchildren are on the Oregon coast, and it's not possible to visit them without enjoying a tasting tour through the heart of Washington wine country.

I walk or ride my bicycle the half mile to my office where I have served as Bonner County Assessor since 2003. I enjoy my work and look forward to helping meet the challenges Bonner County is facing.

Susan Stark Tate: Since the last reunion---we are still living in the rolling hills of the Palouse 10 miles north of Pullman, Wash. We are slowing down now to watch the wildlife go by our windows---moose, coyotes and whatever else goes by.

In 2001, I started a small accounting business in my home. I have a few select clients and am enjoying the more relaxed way of working.

Last winter we took full ownership of the Tate cabin on Bottle Bay at Lake Pend Oreille. We are looking forward to enjoying it more in retirement. Kirk and Tammy (our "kids") definitely are in favor of keeping it.

We have one grandchild so far. Jasmine will be two years old in July, and, of course, it a cute little one. She is giving her dad (Kirk) a taste of what an active child he was!

Our daughter Tammy is showing us what it means to stay active also. She is a triathlon participant (only half ironman so far), but also a marathon runner. She qualified and ran in the Boston Marathon this year. I am a very good spectator at the events and definitely appreciate anyone who does these sports.

Happy Thursday: We're still welcoming registrations. Heard yesterday that Russell Rojan is planning to come. Someone said he goes by the name "Krusty" these days. Oughta be a good story to go along with that. Anyway, we want to see YOU, so sign up and let us know you're coming.

Special Note: Class bios date back to June 25, so be sure to check the June archives if you're reading for the first time.

Today's bios:

James L. Baldwin: Since the last reunion, I continued to work for the State of Alaska in Juneau. I retired from this post June 1 and will likely start a private law practice in the fall.

I continue to fish for salmon in the summers and ski during the winter.

My oldest child Clani is a junior at the University of Puget Sound. My youngest Cody is entering high school. My wife Mary Ann works at the state library. She is an aspiring artist---oil and watercolor.

We like to travel. In the last 10 years, we have visited Australia, France, and Eastern Canada. This winter we will visit our daughter in Malaysia.

Linda Lunde Norlen: I don't feel old, but a 40-year class reunion sounds like I should be ancient. Where has the time gone?

Since the last reunion, my divorce from Jim Norlen became final in January, 1996, just shy of 30 years by three months. What a change in my life, and it was quite an adjustment. I survived!

I quit my job in Seattle at the National Health Lab as a medical biller and moved to Spokane to be near my youngest son Troy and his family. It was the best move I ever made. I love it in Spokane.

And, I've actually accomplished what I didn't think possible. I'm a proud homeowner! My home gives me a sense of security---my own place. I'm not out on the streets, and I have a beautiful yard to work in.

I developed rheumatoid arthritis with the stress of the divorce, and it didn't go away when the stress did. As a result, I'm on disability. I had my right knee replaced in 02/99, and I had a heart attack in 04/02 resulting in a stent implant in my right coronary artery because of a 99 percent blockage. I suffer chronic pain, but I keep active.

I love working in my yard, doing scrap booking and stamping, and being with my two sones and their families. I have nine grandchildren total, with the oldest granson graduating in 2004.

I have not remarried yet, but I would like to find a companion to do things with.

Ralph Alderman: Owner of Sandpoint Garage Doors, Inc., since 1992. I married Kathleen (Travers) in 1995. Just doing the best I can to handle life's everyday responsibilities.

Most of all, I am still enjoying the magnificent beauty during all four seasons of North Idaho after 58 years of being here----during the week, through my office window and the windshield of my work truck, and on weekends via snowmobile, 4-wheeler, dirt bike, horseback, Harley Davidson, classic cars and the hot rod.

He who dies with the most toys dies smiling, plus his widow can have one Helluva garage sale.

See ya all on Friday night.

Karen Arndt Kruse: Jerry and I retired from Washington State University (WSU) in July 2004, after 33 and 32 years of work, respectively. Jerry worked in housing and at the student union building, while I worked in Human Resource Services.

It surely feels good to be unemployed!!!

We had thoughts about retiring in the Southwest but currently have ended up in New Meadows, Idaho. Mid-week skiing at Brundage Mountain and golf at Meadow Creek Golf Resort are wonderful!

Good Morning on this beautiful day after the Fourth. The "ooh's and ahh's" for Sandpoint's fireworks show at City Beach were well-earned by those who orchestrated a fantastic aerial presentation last night. We sat in our living room here on Great Northern Road and cheered for nearly half an hour at the bigger, better-than-ever show.

Again, the broken record of persuasion will continue to spin: please plan to come to the reunion and send in that registration. The more the merrier.

If you're enjoying the bios and would like to have yours included---even if you didn't send one with your registration or if you cannot make it to the reunion. More than anything, we'd love to see you, but we'll be happy to read about you too. Send blog information and bios to me at: malove@imbris.net.

Now for today's bios:

Andrea Balch Boyle: The last reunion I attended was in 1975. Since then, we lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for three years and then moved to Ojai, California, in 1978, and have lived here ever since. I have worked as an escrow officer for the past 27 years and hold designations as certified senior escrow officer and certified estrow instructor.

My husband, Jerry, wrote a book called Apache Sunrise, which was published by Random House in 1994.
Editor's note: For Vietnam vets among our classmates, this comes from Amazon.com---From the Inside Flap, "Whether rescuing downed crews, flying fiery combat missions during the invasion of Cambodia, or being shot down himself, Cobra pilot Jerry Boyle saw war quickly turn from a scary game of bullets, rockets, and grenades to a terrifying race against death where just a split second could turn a scene of breathtaking beauty into one of sheer hell. A true story of courage and dedication by a real American hero."

My two sons, Brent and Matt, both live in Spokane. Brent holds the world record in the squat in weight-lifting. I also have two stepsons and a stepdaughter and seven grandchildren.

We purchased a house in Marion, Mont., a couple of years ago. It's a log home on ten acres, and we plan to retire there.

Lorraine Davis Sharp: From high school, I entered the United States Navy for three years. I was stationed in Bainbridge, Maryland, for boot camp, then remained on the base for another year working on officers' records. I was transferred to North Island Naval Base in Coronado, Calif., for the next two years where I attended PNA School (Personnel Man School).

After my discharge, I married and subsequently moved to Tulsa, Okla. I lived there for the next 25 years. During that time, I had four daughters. the oldest, Sharron, is now 35; the second, Barbara, is 32; and a set of twins, Marsha and Ruth, are now 30. We divorced after 11-plus years of marriage. Some time later, I remarried but remained in Tulsa, Okla., until my husband's death in 1994.

I worked for Amerada Hess Oil Company among other industrial enterprises as well as being a professional industrial photographer. I chose to move to Oregon to be with my family and for a change in lifestyle, where, two years later, I married a biker-truck driver. For ten years, I have been in Hermiston, Ore., where I finally completed a Bachelor's Degree in Theology.

During this same time, I also worked as office manager for Agape House, a mission helping the homeless and less fortunate, and completed a three-year counselor-training program with Good Samaritan Counseling Ministries.

I recently divorced but have remained in Hermiston, working at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla, Ore., as a Pathfinders Facilitator, teaching a cognitive reconstruction program (helping them correct some of their thinking).