Stephen VAN Wye

Hey Nobu - 

I too am looking forward to the "Buckeyes" venture through the new playoff system. Just wondering, at Fairwood, who was your kindergarten teacher? Was it Mrs. Church? Will have to try the mayo sometime soon,

Also wondering, do you get to any of the other islands? (our favorite is Kauai) And what are you currently teaching - is it art? And one more thing,.. doing any photography lately? Maybe you should have a dedicated website with your artwork/photography/etc.  Go Buckeyes!   Go Cavs!!!

Frank SCHREIBER, Jr

sorry to hear about norman i hope all had a merry christmas working at the post office im glad its over hope every one has a good new year

John Nobu Naylor (Akagi)

Aloha Steve and fellow Braves

I didn't have the priviledge of attending kindergarten here. I attended school in Japan through the 2nd grade but had to repeat when I arrived in the US because I couldn't speak a word of English. It was culture shock for sure.  I remember: Mrs. Fowler/2, Mrs. Collister/3, Ms. Bibich/4 (I really liked her), Mrs.Southam/5, and Ms. Benson/6, Mr.Neptune/principal, Ms. Palmer/secretary (I started a rumor that the last 2 were having an affair and I remember hearing it circulating when I was at Roehm Jr. High... gonna fry in hell for that)

I like all the islands for different reasons but I like the Big Island the best (biased of course); bigger than all others combined plus it has 11 of the worlds 13 climatic regions. The people possess more of the old aloha spirit here than the city slickers of Honolulu. Kauai is small but truly beautiful.  Waimea valley and Napali coast are breath taking.

I love ceramics but dabbled / have taught all mediums including digital, which I barely knew to enough to get by. Students today are much more in tune with technology. No web site for my art but if you really want to see a sample of my work, I can attach to your e-mail.

Few more days until THE game! The suspense is killing me! Go Bucks!

Stephen VAN Wye

Aloha Nobu - it must be nice to be over there "year round"!
Yes, we found the Big Island extremely interesting - and noticed how most of the locals were very friendly. If you can, post your ceramic pics either here, or send to my email (b4liv4ever@aol.com) plus do you have any tips for using an electric kiln? Barb and Robin plan on using a kiln that we have this spring.  Special clay type... etc. - I have no idea about it. 
Well, we will soon see how the Buckeyes do! - hoping for a great game, and who knows, maybe another championship.  We will see.
Turnovers might make the difference... we need to protect the ball.
Go Bucks!!!

.... BEAT THE ducks, BUCKS!!!

Jon Bittinger

Nobu:

So...OSU came through rather nicely. We watched at my good friend/neighbor's house, an Alabama Grad and, well, why wouldn't he then be an enthusiastic fan... So, it was enjoyable watching on our side of the room...not so fun on the other side...ebb and flow...yang and yang...

...and on to the National Championship game for OSU..!!!

Side note: in contrast, my eldest daughter and I drove down to Mobile, AL...a few years back to watch my Alma Mater, Kent State play in the Go-Daddy Bowl...a nice bonding experience with my girl...but, under 37 degrees & a 20 knot wind...and a Favorite Team that basically deviated from what got them there (with two 1000-yard running backs, they decide to throw all game) not a stellar game experience... That game reinforced why I always envied the teams, their fans and their marching bands that flew to Hawaii for their games...

Huli Pau..!

Scott

John Nobu Naylor (Akagi)

Scott, Steve et all

How sweet the victory against the #1 ranked team and the champioins of the SEC, who ESPN has built up as the untouchable premiere conference in the country. Now, we can put the myth of SEC speed and talent to rest. It can get cold in the southern belt too, just like the westcoast.  I remember watching the Browns at the old municipal stadium when the temps were in the 20's and the hawk blowing off the lake was unbearable...couldn't wait for the game to be over but the long trek back to the terminal tower was reminiscent of a death march to a Siberian gulag. But look at me, I built so much character through such experiences that it sustained me through the rest of my adult life...and you chalk them off as learning experience and dress warm no matter how rediculous your look, don't wear sneakers when you are going to be standing on ice cold concrete, and don't drink anything with caffeine. 

I agree, if you are going to travel, why not go the extra mile and go to a venue like Aloha Stadium. Win or lose, you are assured of having a great time, tasting the various pan Asian and Polynesian cuisines, relaxing on the beaches haing drinks with little umbrellas sticking out of them. University of Hawaii performs a traditional warrior chant pregame and post victory celebrations (a little rare in recent times). Check it out. Most of the local high schools perform this ritual as well and is a big hit at the school pep rallies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYOi-dtYInE

Go Bucks. First time back in the National Championship game since the glory days of our very own Jim Tressel.

Jon Bittinger

Nobu: A tennis team could try that...somehow, I guess...wouldn't have the same impact..! Thanks

Stephen VAN Wye

Hi all -

- Nobu & Scott -your recent posts are interesting & funny too. 
One of my fav youtube videos is vocal too (but fiction)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtPiGYsllos
Buckeyes have looked amazing the last couple of games. I wish they had more similar "tough" games during the regular season. Browns need to know how to recognize QB talent and could learn from the Buckeyes, i believe.

vs the "ducks" - my guess - 48-34 (Buckeyes win!) D - is key, and of course turnovers.

All for now - Best wishes to everyone!
-steve

John Nobu Naylor (Akagi)

Congratulations Buckeyes on winning the National Championship! What a fairy tale finish; from the gloom of the 1st and 2nd string QB's going down with injuries, only to continue the improbable finish with the 3rd string QB! Also: Congratulations to Jim Tressel for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Arthur Rohlik

The yodeling You Tube was terriffic. Did anyone else imagine the incredible voice of Bobby McFerrin performing the audio track? I sought the credits for that but was not successful. I got a US dollah to wager... cash money!

Doc

James Kelly

Sorry to hear about Norman Ives.  And to all of our classmates that have gone before.  My thoughts and prayers going out to the friends and family.  We are a great group.

Stephen VAN Wye

James- I agree - a great group here!

Doc, regarding Bobby F. doing the yodel for Jimmy's skit, you are probably right. He's amazing - another one of my fav youtubes included Robin Williams/Bobby F.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU

Nobu - often remembering IZ - with this one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I

BTW, not a promoter of Youtube, I just enjoy whats there for us ol timers to enjoy whenever we want! At our age, we need to stay positive!!!

-steve

Juliana Savino

I'm so sorry to hear about Norman Ives. I knew him from select band at Roehm, and liked him. He was his own person. I remember him telling me he was a distant relative of the iconic American composer Charles Ives which I thought was unblievably cool, music nerd that I am.

Jon Bittinger

Julie: Select Band WAS fun...first time I was pressed to play...ummm, better than I thought I was capable...

All those music teachers would gather at my neighbor's house...at Mr. Demkowicz' ... McCann, Bergantino, Kocher, Nuzzo... Since I delivered papers...one evening, Lenny Peterson and I stuffed Bergantinos car with back issues...stuffed FULL... Somehow it felt right...a little mischievious... Mr. D said they all had a good laugh...

Jerry Kocher and I player some trumpet voluntarys at Fran Nuzzo & Gerry Wilhelms wedding...like 1971...

Cheers All

Arthur Rohlik

Cool YOU TUBES.

One of my guitar buds wants to start making videos of himself playing and singing for posting on Y.T.

If he ever gets around to that I'll see if we can't get previews.  

John Nobu Naylor (Akagi)

I had 2 very motivated students in my video class a few years back. They posted many of their class assignments and became youtube sensations. Their work was always funny but for their final project, I stipulated that their work must have a serious public service announcement message.  So they came up with this...and posted a disclaimer that it was not funny because it was a school assignment. In any case, I thought the piece, "Adjusting the Sails" was their best work during their academic year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyAnsePv7p8

Jennifer Runyon

First, my response is not intended as a reply or response to any other post.

Secondly, I would like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of the birthday guys and gals that recently had birthdays.  A special shout out to Gale in Arizona who was one of those.  As for myself, I've decided to stop having birthdays sometime ago.  Has it worked?  No so much, but worth a try.  I'm always reminded of birthdays when I feel a new ache or pain and then realize birthdays are the downward slope of life.  Oh well, the ride's been, and continues to be, fun.

On another note, an additional Berea ikon is getting ready to pull an Elvis and leave the building -- Whitey's.  Although there are numerous new shops that remain, they are mostly located in strips on Bagley, not downtown.  Downtown is a fraction of what it used to be -- still charming -- but much smaller.  Only three original businesses remain -- Dick's Bakery, Baker Funeral Home and Suburban Clock.  All of the rest came later or are fairly new -- without much appeal.  It's still nice to go back once in a while and remember it as it once was.  I guess it's kind of like looking in the mirror.  You see the new you, but remember how you used to be.  Then reality sets in and you recall how many times you said, "just wait til I get older."

Jen

Arthur Rohlik

WHITEYS gone. danngit. I and many of my peers were able to clothe ourselves in post-military look in late '60s and early to mid '70s.

Is SKIPS pool hall gone, too? That was the tavern/bar beneath Berea's ATTIC PLAYHOUSE. Well before rock-n-roll, the Attic Playhouse used to host an annual foot stompin' rafter shakin' folkfest concert by THE LEWISTOWN SINGERS. This was an ensemble of folkies that met at Lewis Research Center at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. They found their musical satisfaction together. It was the one event where the BLT could get some satisfaction in drowning out the occasional hollering from SKIPS. Hollering and pool cue thumping was often audible during theatrical performances upstairs at THE ATTIC PLAYHOUSE. HA! Take THAT, you beer swillin' rowdies! 

HALELUJAH!

KUMBAYAH HA HA!   

Michael Burley

Wow - Whiteys was a great store.  Sad to see it leaving, but we are "older" and things have moved on.  Isn't the pizza shop, wasn't it Pizza King? - still by the post office?  Or, am I hallucinating?

Keith Herbold

1st post long time reader!! I know of most of the posters here but don't know if you remember me except Scott and Deejay. I just had to respond to Nobu's student's "serious video", that was awesome!! I watched a few others and these kids are talented!! Sorry for the loss to Norman's family! The class of 1971 is scattered across America and we have so much in common, then not so much, it's intereseting to see how we have deveopled. Keith 

Stephen VAN Wye

Hi all,

I check back every now and then, and have really enjoyed everyone's posts!

I thought I'd share these with you:

A recent duet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vi2NOPZSaY&feature=youtu.be
------------------------
And an older duet from the 70's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_D0i7UC9UY&feature=youtu.be

To me, they are precise and beautiful.
Best wishes to all!  -steve

Delores Brown (Gardner )

I was just back in Berea two years ago and it was fun to take my hubby thru Whiteys..   Guess nothing lasts forever, but if Dicks Bakery closes........    Hope to see some of you at the All Class reunion in July!

Jennifer Runyon

Yes Art, Skips has been gone along time.  Also, to respond to the post about Pizza King -- gone.  Might as well throw this in too -- Parkway Shops - gone.  Parkway was replaced by Giant Eagle, a coffee shop, jewelry store and dollar store.  The coffee shop is located where (ok, this is going to take us waaaaay back) where Marshall's Drug Store used to be.  The entire strip where Gray's Popcorn and Candy Store used to be was torn down years ago and town houses now stand in their place.  The former Western Auto store building still stands and houses some sort of business, but not a store.  Of course most of you probably know that the Berea Theatre was torn down years ago and was replaced by a University Hospital facility.  Finally, the most recent building to be torn down was Roehm Junior High.  Only the gym remains standing with a face lift.  It's now part of the Browns regime.  I visit Berea often and my fond memories still warm my heart of the town that once was and I still shop at some of the stores to do whatever small gesture to help keep them in business.  Yes, Dick's is always on my list of shops -- who doesn't love their date and nut cake!  It's nice to see so many of you posting your memories of now and then.  Finally, something good to read!

John Nobu Naylor (Akagi)

My family lived upstairs of Western Auto for a few months back in 1960 while our house in a Bob Schmidt subdivision was being completed. Mr. Harwood was the manager of the hardware store, a really nice man, whose son and daugher both graduated from Berea. Doug was a man's man even as a high school student; very mature and witty. Judy and Mark Bedford went "steady" for awhile and I remember the long walks home across town along with Ed Zelaski, Kevin McCarthy, Steve Fisher, etc. We would stop at Gray's for coke and listen to the juke box. Then we would stop by Baskin Robins for a cone that cost 35 cents. There was Martha's Rest Home along the way on Prospect by Baker where old people (probably our age now) would wave from the porch. Then we would inevitably run into Bob Googelick, where we would be entertained by one of Berea's famous personalities. A little ashamed now for not displaying more maturity on our part in handling the mentally challeged issue. Speaking of; anyone remember Safari Jayne? In any case, just a walk down memory lane across Berea town during our high school days.

Fred Esposito

Ah yes Safari Jane. Also was Trainman and the old man who always rode his green bike around town.