The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Message" button to add your entry to the forum.

Louise Asper (Johnson)

I remembered the same sermon, Don. I did mention it on his memorial site. The congregation talked about it for a long time lovingly and rather proud that they all laughed in church. I thought it may have been the parting of the Red Sea but it could certainly have been when Peter tried to walk on the water with Jesus. When my sister took his religion class, they studied about the people building  idols to worship when Moses was on the mount receiving the ten commandments. Cherri came home and we all helped her sculpt the golden calf--even my dad who died later that spring. Norem wanted them to use the arts to enhance their understanding of the scriptures. They could write a narrative, a drama, craft a diorama--he loved the arts and wanted the students to relate. A creative man and educator teaching to all the students strengths!
 

Don Knutson

thanks Louise, I remember my dad and others talking about Harlan and his style as it brought smiles to otherwise stoic faces...

Jim Gisselquist

AA Class of 1964 - February 2015 Phoenix Re-Reunion

At our 50th reunion in July, a number of us were talking about getting together for another casual weekend in Phoenix this coming February.  It seems like people had a great time at the reunion, and many said that they wished that they had more time to talk to others.  So, Ellie and I agreed to look at some dates and begin to do some planning for a Phoenix Re-Reunion for the class of 1964. 

We're looking at the weekend of February 20-22, 2015 in Phoenix.  (If there is a better date for some of you, please let us know as we're pretty flexible.)  The current plans are for people to arrive on Friday afternoon (February 20th), for an evening get-together at either Ellie's or my house (pot luck and talking), Saturday is still in the planning stages, but some ideas include (we're trying to find activities that all might enjoy and still be able to converse while enjoying the activity):

• Tour of the HEARD Museum (interesting history of the American Indian - with references to the schools in SD that we competed with in sports (e.g. Flandreau, Sissiton, etc.)
• Phoenix Botanical Garden
• Hiking
• Segeway tours in Scottsdale
• Volunteer in a soup kitchen or possibly help with a food packing with Feed My Starving Children organization.
• Golfing
• Other suggestions?

Saturday evening we would again meet at either Ellie's or my house for another pot-luck and chatting event).  Sunday morning would be open, but with invitations to our church (Esperanza Lutheran) - services at 8:30AM and 10:30AM.  We could then meet at some local restaurant for lunch before people would be heading out - or doing other activities that might interest them.

As you can see, this is still very early in the planning stages, and we need to know if you think that you might be able to make it.  As soon as I have a sense of how many are coming, I'll work on finding motel(s) in the area, and we'll collect ideas from you on activities that might be of interest to you. 

So, please send me an e-mail at jimgiz@gmail.com and let me know if you're even slightly interested and might consider attending.  We're hoping that many of you wil be able to find the time to make it to Phoenix for this event.  It'd be great to continue our conversations and re-acquainting with each other.  Again, even if there's just a remote chance that you might be able to attend, please let me know and your email address and Ellie and I will keep you informed as to further developements.  Also, if you're willing to help or have suggestions as to activities, please let us know that as well. 

Looking forward to hearing from many (if not all) of you - the more the better.

Jim Gisselquist and Ellie Watland

Sandra Boe (Anderson)

Phoenix sounds great in February.  We had 200 inches of snow last winter that didn't leave until May.

Cheri, Gloria and I were talking about an Arizona vacation next winter....maybe this is the incentive we need!

Sandy Anderson

Louise Lommen (Evenson)

Jim and Ellie,

Feb 20-22 is on our calendars for a class of 1964 get together in AZ. 

Thanks for putting something together.

Louise Lommen Evenson

Mark Madson

Phoenix sounds really great but our church Adult Choir travels to New Orleans that weekend to participate in a performance of Bradley Ellingboe's Requiem, under his direction, at the New Oleans Cathedral with other choirs from across the country. However, I don't think it's realistic for me to get out there this winter anyway so I'll be longingly watching for posts of all the fun you're having together. I hope it works for a lot of people! Great idea!!

Lonnie Ellison (Simonson)

Thanks, Ellie and Jim, 

That weekend works for us and we look forward to seeing friends again!  The activities sound great-I know any event that allows us to keep talking is a good one!'

Shirley Beitelspacher (Meddaugh)

Great idea, Jim and Ellie.  It sounds wonderful to me, but due to some possible conflicts, I can't yet commit.   I enjoyed seeing you all so much at the July reunion, and I have wanted to check out AZ as a possible retirement site, so I hope things work out.  

I talked to some of you in July about an upcoming cochlear implant this fall.  Yesterday, I finally had the surgery on the first ear!  (If this message is incoherent--blame it on the pain medication.)  The surgery went very well, and now I need to wait it out before it can be activated on 11/17.  Then it is a matter of the brain learning to hear with it until things sound normal.  I'm sort of in limbo until we see how I do with this one and how soon I can get the other one---maybe not for 6 months.  

Karen Wallem and I got to meet with Rana Limbo for lunch in DC last Thursday.  It was great to see her and I got to tell her in person how much I enjoyed her wonderful book Meaningful Moments.  Rana---have a great birthday!

Rana Limbo

Wow--so great to read all these posts and also to learn that so many are available in February! I think that weekend will work, depending on some health care appointments. Shirley, so glad to know that the surgery is over and that you're resting at home. Karen, Shirley, and I gabbed away over lunch at the Grand Hyatt. Of course, it felt like home, the way it always feels with Academy friends. Thanks, Jim and Ellie, for being the initiators of this get-together! Rana

Ellie Watland

It's great to hear from so many of you so quickly and even better that so many of you will be able to attend our re-reunion.  I look forward to seeing all of you in February.

Happy Birthday, Rana!

Ellie

Jim Gisselquist

Good to hear that a number of you are coming (or at least thinking of coming).  It'll be great to see many of you again.  For those of you who haven't responded yet, we hope that you'll seriously consider attending - the more the merrier!!   The weather should be sunny and in the upper 60s and low 70s, so another great reason for coming.  For those who haven't yet responded, even if you're only considering it, please let Ellie and/or me know. 

Hope all of you had a great All Saints Day and didn't eat too much candy.  Now it's time to begin to get ready for Thanksgiving. 

We'll keep you posted over the next 4 months prior to the event in February 20-22.

Marlys Hanson/Nelson (Hanson)

Hi Everyone,

MAY ALL OF YOU HAVE A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. DRIVE SAFELY IF YOU MUST DRIVE.

Sincerely, Marlys

Joanne Jackson (Burke)

Marlys Hanson/Nelson (Hanson)

Wishing all the class of 1964 a MERRY CHRISTMAS and  HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Maybe some of you will post some holiday photos!     Marlys

Louise Asper (Johnson)

Merry Christmas to all of you! We will be in Eden Prairie with our family this year. We will return to Sioux Falls on the 26th and leave for Mesa on the 27th. See you at the February reunion!
 

Mark Madson

I'm thinking of each of you with renewed fondness this Christmas. Something at the core of us remains uniquely true to who we are and sustains the bonds we have with each other though the years. The sands of time may diminish the clarity of memories gone by but they do not weaken the deep connections we have even though distanced by time and space. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

Mark Madson

Wishing you fun together in February!

Shirley Beitelspacher (Meddaugh)

Well said, Mark.  Merry Christmas to all of you!

Don Knutson

Well said you guys...

Louise...do you have room for a stowaway...??...though our winter to this point has been more wet then snowy..

Mark...you took the words right out of my mouth, I think...!!

Best of the holidays to all, enjoy family, travel safely.

Don

Rana Limbo

"Renewed fondness. . ." Thank you for those poignant words, Mark. I will carry them with me throughout this Christmas season. You definitely have a way with words, and I believe those speak what is in all of our hearts and souls. Love you, Academy friends. Rana

Adele Svanoe (Schwoegler)

Merry Christmas to all my classmates - thanks for making the reunion one that will be remembered well into the future.  As I turn another year older tomorrow I wonder where the years went.  Have fun at your mini reunion in Phoenix - we are enjoying sunny Florida and can't attend.  Enjoy your families - that's the one down side to being a snowbird - although my daughter and son-in-law are joining us here in Bradenton.  It's fun to return to this website so keep it going.

Adele Svanoe Schwoegler

Ellie Watland

Merry Christmas!  Wishing each of you and your loved ones a new year filled with peace, blessings, joy and hope.

Marlys Hanson/Nelson (Hanson)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.   HOPE IT WILL BE PROSPEROUS AND IN GOOD HEALTH IN 2015! BLESSINGS TO ALL. MARLYS

Jim Gisselquist

Class of '64 Re-reunion is rapidly approaching

The class of '64 re-reunion is only 6 weeks away (February 20-22) .  For those of you in the midwest, it's going to be 75 and sunny here today - wouldn't it be nice to get away from the cold at least for a short weekend?  

We'd love to see all of you again - and continue with the conversations that were started last summer - and maybe start some new ones.  

Again, the plans are to start the weekend by getting together for a pot-luck dinner at our home on Friday night, optional activities during the day on Saturday followed by an evening get-together at Ellie Watland's home.  Sunday is open to attend church (we'll have a list of options) or other local activities with people departing in Sunday afternoon.  As you can see, it's not a jam packed weekend of specific activities, but rather, two scheduled get togethers with open time for people to do what they want to do (we'll provide a list of optional activities)

Please let us (Ellie and/or me) know if you're planning on attending.  Once we get a better idea of who is coming we'll be able to provide lodging suggestions/options.  Ellie is currently looking at short term rental homes/condos in the area as they would be much cheaper than the local hotels as they are pretty pricey this time of year.  Please let us know by sending us an email indicating that you are coming and if you're planning on bring a guest/spouse.  

Contact info:

     Ellie Watland:  email:  my2pesos@gmail.com

     Jim Gisselquist:  email:  jimgiz@gmail.com;  cell:  847-363-5222

Loking forward to seeing many of you in February.  

Joyous Feast of Epiphany to all of you.

Jim

Ellie Watland

What do you see out your window? This is Arizona today.  

Wouldn't it be nice to sit in the sun and thaw out at the re-reunion February 20-22?  Think about it!

Ellie Watland

Here's a picture taken at our re-reunion, which took place Feb 20-22, 2015 (with some gatherings before and after those dates, too!).  Everyone had a wonderful time reminiscing, laughing and eating.  If there is a "next time," we hope more of our classmates are able to attend.