Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

There's a group on Facebook called BHS Athletic History and this was posted August 2nd.

Continuing to look at basketball programs in Bloomington High history, today's "Best of BHS" features the 1961-62 boys' team.

The Purple Raiders went through a down period in the late 1950's before Carroll Wood returned from farming to resume teaching and coaching at BHS in the fall of 1957 as an assistant to Joe Morin. The following season, Wood would start the process of rebuilding following a 3-20 season.

In the fall of 1959, the school moved into its current location which offered a spacious gym for his program, plus Wood had several sophomores that entered BHS to build the program (at the time, the high school had only sophomores through seniors). Among those coming in were Bob Spahn and Rod Brent, which would be his backcourt in 1961-62, along with Don (Buzzy) Feek, Jim Shirk, and Ron Peterson.

Following a 6-17 record in their new digs, the Purple Raiders went 13-10 the next season as things were looking up. Along with center Ed Burwitz, the five seniors were able to push things a bit as they contended with Stephen Decatur for the Big 12 Conference title. 

As it turned out, BHS would tie the Runnin' Reds at the top of the Big 12 at the end of the season and claimed the InterCity loop title over Twin City members Normal Community, U-High, and Trinity (now called Central Catholic) as they headed into the Bloomington Regional. The team downed Leroy and Argenta to reach the finals, where they outran Beason in the finals, 98-68, before a crowd of 3,000.

A week later, "Woody's" boys were 74-56 winners over Tuscola in the Stephen Decatur Sectional, setting up a showdown with the host school in the finals, where BHS led by seven in the second quarter when the Reds woke up to took control, claiming a 55-49 win and ended the Purple Raider season at 23-3.

Spahn would be named all-state and later played at Arizona, while the remainder of the starting five would all be playing at colleges and universities within the next 18 months (Brent at Western Illinois, Feek at Illinois State Normal, Shirk at Southern Methodist, and Burwitz at New Mexico).

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Donna Graen Larkin!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Sandra Singletary Eich-Koester!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Jerry Brooks!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Larry Troxel!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

For those of you who went to Bent School I'm showing two pictures.  The first is how it looked when you went minus the playground.

This is how it looks today, the terrace that ran across the front is gone!

Janice Scott (Vitton)

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

I received a note from Betty Barthel Harmon that Judi Pointer Jenkins husband Joe,  passed away the end of July.  There is going to be a Memorial Service the middle of September in Bloomington.  Our condolences to Judy and her family.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Remember September 13th is the evening for the Dedication of the Bench.  We have been invited to BCC by a Classmate for a get together afterwards.  You can go directly from the Dedication so casual clothing is okay.  I want everyone to know, if you did or did not contribute towards the bench, it makes no difference.  This is an opportunity for us to get together and have a fun time.  Please come and join us, we're a fun group!  Janice put my information on a prior post, hope to see you.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Ira Keown!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Karol Lowery Bowser!!!!

Karol Lowery (Bowser)

Thank you Barb.  Blessed to reach that 80 button.  Heading forward to 90.  

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Just a reminder, you have until Sept. 1st to let us know if you'll be attending the get together at BCC after the Bench Dedication.   We're hoping to have a good turnout so you can e-mail me at menkenbarb@gmail.com, text me at 309-830-2414 or call me 309-663-1996. If you have any questions don't hesitate to get a hold of me, I'll try to answer them.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

I ran across this this morning and I remember all of them, guess I'm older than dirt!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Everyone have a safe Labor Day!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Carroll Funk McCormick!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

A couple pictures of downtown Bloomington.  Looking East on Washington Street, probably  from somewhere in State Farm's building.

Montgomery Wards building at the corner of Center and Front.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Breakfast Wednesday September 11th  at Shannon's at nine o'clock, hope to see you there!

, 

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Don't forget, this Friday, September 13th at six o'clock will be the Dedication for the Bench at B.H.S.  After the Dedication if you want to go to the Homecoming Game your welcome to or  to those who responded, you've  been invited across the street to BCC for hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks.  Really looking forward to this so we'll see you Friday night.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Sue Foley Noe!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Words of wisdom for the day!

i asked a friend who has crossed 70 & is heading towards 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following:
1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.
5. I stopped telling the elderly that they've already told that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.
6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
7. I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”
8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9. I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
12. I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.
13. I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last.
14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age?"



 

Phil Hershey (Hershey)

Words from a very wise person.

Karol Lowery (Bowser)

Words of wisdom for sure.

My grandpa would say old to soon smart to late.  At the age of 100 I asked him what was the s biggest change he saw in his life.   He said people.😳

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Last night we had the Bench Dedication at BHS and a good turn out for it.  Needless to say, when Patti Perry Daubs got ready to give her talk the BHS Marching Band decided to have a warm up, the brass section on one side of us and the drums on the other.  We all kind of huddled together to hear but the point was made and the bench looks wonderful, it's something we should all be proud of.  We then went to BCC for a buffet and the food was outstanding as well as the Company, all in all a fun evening.  A lot of pictures were taken so when I get them together I'll post them on the website.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Here are the pictures I promised:

This is where it all started!
 

This is what it was all about!

This a photo of some of the attendees, Steve Price along with his Dad, Ron and his Mom, Sandie Skidmore Price who is talking to Judy Cowart King snd Geoge King, next is Jeanne Olson, who is talking to Connie  Bush Bandeko and Darrell Olson, over Darrell's shoulder  is Gay Scott, Jeff Scott's wife,his sister Janenne Scott, and our own, Janice Scott Vitton.  I would like to say Janenne Scott did a lot of running for this venture, picking the plaque up and then going to the High School and taking pictures.  We thank you!

This group from left to right is Connie Bush Bandeko, Patti Perry Daubs, Mike Stockum, Mary Lou Dollins Farnsworth back, John Schwulst, Bob Rush, Susan Schwulst, Ron Price and  Sandie  Skidmore Price.

Jerry Vitton snd Byron Tucci.


 

Janice Scott Vitton, Patti Perry Daubs, me (I always take a horrible picture) and Byron Tucci in back.

A group picture, Darell Olson, Connie Bush Bandeko, me, Bob Rush, Mike Stockum, Mary Lou Dollins  Farnsworth. Judy Cowart King, George King, Patti Perry Daubs, Byron Tucci, Janet Scott Vitton, Jerry Vitton, Sandie Skidmore Price, Ron Price and my husband, Lee Menken.

Judy Cowart King and George King talking to Gay snd Jeff Scott.  Jeff was instrumental in getting the plaque attached to the bench because, after all, the High School is in his back yard!