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Andrew Flor

Good job on the survey, Peter!! Maybe we can have a Family Feud for the top answers at the reunion.  If at all possible, please try not to schedule the reunion for October 24th - October 30th. Thanks!

Gregory Groeper

Hi Peter:

Took me a bit to find the posted survey here. I did get the Excel - thanks again.

Perhaps you could post it on the 50th Reunion tab on the left. That is where I instictively went to find it.

Thanks

greg

Gregory Groeper

Howdy 76ers:

I'm checking again to see who else has an interest in helping on the 50th Reunion Committee. We have about a dozen already either committed or interested. We really could use as many "Lane Brains" as possible. ;-). Iinitially, there will be a lot of "desk jockey" work corralling all the cats... There are a lot of alums not active on Class Creator or Facebook or Linked-In we need to find and contact. Dividing the load of finding 1,000 missing persons would be helpful. Imagine a close to full turnout - Wow!

Take a moment to check out the survey we conducted (our Peter Ingraffia posted here). While the survey size is small, I trust it is representative of the whole and is a good starting point. As we move forward and hopefully add more active members, we can do a couple more detailed surveys.

I'm proposing a Committee Kickoff Meeting on Zoom for April 24 or 25 - tell me which is best for you plus time of day. A basic meeting agenda will be provided in advance via email to those who step up. Please contact me at my info below either way and with comments or questions. Your email, cell and address will be helpful in coordinating meetings.

Thanks in advance for helping this be the greatest 50th Lane Tech Reunion to date!

(When emailing or texting me, Please Use Subject Line: "Lane Tech 50th Reunion") Go Lane, Go!
Fraternally yours,
greg groeper
Lane Tech 1976-2026 50th Reunion Chair
Text to: 872.230.7135
Email: ggroeper@gmail.com

On Facebook:
Lane Tech Alumni - Class of 1976
https://www.facebook.com/groups/162877686780

P.S. Try to say "Semiquincentennial" 3x fast. The USA's 250th anniversary.

Edward Mc Carthy

Holy details Batman !  Nice work on the survey and the results.  Thanks to you guys.    It all has to start somewhere.   I am indifferent about dates.  My survey responses matched the majoritys answers.   I will move and change anything on my end,  enough in advance,  as the 50th reunion happens only once!  Not going to miss this.  How wonderful to have this opportunity and be able to see those who can make it. I was thrilled to attend the anniversary event a few years ago ie. girls at Lane.

And hey hey hey......I finally joined the alumni association.  Am a life member U of I Champaign, so why not give Lane Alum Assoc a try.  MIchelle, aka, super star, thank you !

I'll follow the email instructions to sign up for the zoom meeting and volunteer to help with what will be an arduous task for sure planning all this.  Manyy hands make lite work.  Whether we have a huge crowd or a minimal number show up, it will be a nice, fun, memory enhancing event.  Life is short.....enjoy what you can when you can.  No do-overs!!!! 

Gregory Calvimontes

Edward Mc Carthy

Greg.......

Gregory Calvimontes

Ken Ortiz

Hello all,

I am really looking forward to our 50 year class reunion and I have completed our survey. Of course I had to vote for a bowling outing as I still bowl and still do okay for my age. It was at Lane tech that my bowling skills really took off and I had some memorable bowling moments (but not all of them good) during my years at Lane.

I developed a love for bowling since grammar school but having Waveland bowl so close to Lane was a dream come true for me. I was able to keep my bowling stuff in the locker there and could just walk there after classes to bowl (I did their Monday club) and other days during the week from time to time to practice. Here is one of my first Lane Tech bowling stories and I hope you enjoy it.

I was actually a freshman at Lane when I got my first line of credit and learned about debt management and of course, it was because of bowling. Waveland bowl had a guy working the counter most of the time I was there and his name was Tom. Big guy, long hair, glasses, maybe 20 to 30ish. So my freshman year I would go there and practice sometimes during the week besides our Monday bowling club. Well, my funds were sometimes limited, as my allowance only covered so much bowling after bus fare, Mad Magazine purchases, 33-1/3 and 45rpm records, toys and games, lunches at Lane (I assume we paid for our lunches, but maybe we had free lunches? Help me out here folks), plus other expenses. So one time I bowled one too many games and I was short 30 cents, but Tom decided to give me that one game on credit as long as I paid him next time. So I signed up for Tom's credit services and was saved from 1) doing dishes, 2) oiling the lanes, 3) spraying stinky used bowling shoes, 4) having Tom call my parents to pick me up after he took my bus fare to pay for that extra game (or if you can think of other punishments he could give me, let me know). I also learned that if I didn’t square things up, I was refused bowling until my debt was paid in full. So by the end of my freshman year, I had a 3-4 game line of credit. But I also got more responsible and hardly used my line of credit after that.

I am hoping that some of our alumni here remember Waveland bowl during those days (and YES! Waveland bowl is still there!) Too bad it was not voted to be an outing. If it was, I wonder if my 12 pound Brunswick black beauty - drilled with conventional grip - my first bowling ball and I got it my freshman year is still there in an old locker inside Waveland Bowl.

Gregory Groeper

Lane Tech Class of 1976 50th Reunion - 2025-04-13 Preliminary Committee Report

Greetings Classmates!

I'm taking this opportunity to let everyone know where we are in regards to establishing our Reunion Planning Committee. We are still recruiting for more help, so that the load can be shared more evenly and our effectiveness as a group is more representative. Please don't sell yourself short, even a little help is welcome. At this time, we are building the skeleton upon which to flesh out the details and have people step into specific leadership roles. We still have apx 1,000 classmates to find and contact.

As of this date, the following classmates have expressed an interest and willingness to assist. Please note the legend describing their status.
--------------
LANE TECH 1976 50th REUNION COMMITTEE  (As of 2025-04-13)
RCY    Robert Cole, Kevin Donohue, Glenn Hamilton, Peter Hong, Conrad C Lenckos, Edward McCarthy, Timmy Wong, Lisa Yee (Abrams), Robert S Young, John P Zupko 
RCU    Georgette Mihalko (Rath), Per C Pearson, John Simmers 
RCT    Arabella Berkenbilt, Linda Kuykendall (Rowan), Maja Wiesinger (Ramirez)  
RCH    Andrea M Adam, Donna M. "Ria" Majeske
RCR    Peter Ingraffia, Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)  
RCC    Gregory Groeper 

Legend:
21    TOTAL
01    RCC=Chair (greg g.)
10    RCY=Confirmed
03    RCU=Interested/Unconfirmed
03    RCT=Ten/Temp Personal Delay
02    RCH=Will Help as Available
02    RCR=Resource (CC/LTAA Database, etc.)
--------------
We are planning to have a 'kickoff' Zoom Meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM CDT (8EDT, 6MDT, 5PDT). [Backup Date Friday, April 25, 2025 just in case]. Come as you are. Folks on the fence or "committee curious" are welcome, too. Our classmate Kevin Donohue, Univ.KY (UK) has offered to facilitate our Zoom meetings with his university account and be our "Projector Boy", as he puts it nostalgically. Details for the Meeting will be posted in advance on Class Creator and Facebook by Monday, April 21, 2025 to give everyone time to review materials and prepare. Please check your PC or Phone for the latest Zoom updates.

Thanks again to everyone who has stepped up and to all those of you who will be participating. We look forward to a great and memorable time, as planned and within budget.

Go Lane, Go!
Fraternally yours,
greg groeper (oh yeah, pronounced Gray-Per)
Lane Tech 1976-2026 50th Reunion Chair
Text to: 872.230.7135
Email: ggroeper@gmail.com
(When emailing or texting me, Please Use Subject Line: "Lane Tech 50th Reunion")

P.S. Please Confirm Cell # & Address for packets & timezone coordination

Gregory Groeper

IF YOU NEED THE DOCS - EMAIL ME AND I'LL FORWARD. NOT ATTACHED TO THIS POSTING.
NOTE: Please download and save the attached files for Reunion Committee work. We will go over them at our April 24, 2025 - 7:00PM CDT Zoom meeting. It might help to create a dedicated folder on your computer for Reunion files since we have a long slog ahead and there will be much data. Don't forget to Reply To All when adding to the email conversation and add yourself.

Zoom Meeting:
Thursday April 24, 2025
7:00PM CDT (8:00 PM EDT, 6:00 PM MDT, 5:00 PM PDT)
Please check your PC or Phone for the latest Zoom updates and install.

You have 2 choices when joining the Zoom Meeting:
1) Just copy/paste this link into your browser URL and hit the enter key
    https://uky.zoom.us/j/5804191958?pwd=287nrpIKS6zd7zSbhKPJt1OIdbf6FJ.1
2) Open your Zoom software on your computer and use these
    Meeting ID: 5804191958
    Meeting Password: 287nrpIKS6zd7zSbhKPJt1OIdbf6FJ.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings Classmates!

First up: THANK YOU for offering your valuable time and skills to assist as we embark on this our epic journey!

We will have our 'kickoff' Zoom Meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM CDT (8EDT, 6MDT, 5PDT).
[Backup Date Friday, April 25, 2025 just in case]. Come as you are.

Kevin Donohue, Univ.KY (UK) will facilitate our Zoom meetings with his university account. Details for the Meeting are included in the attachments in this email. I will also post the Agenda on Class Creator and Facebook to give others time to respond to join. I anticipate some initial' hiccups' but we'll eventually work out the kinks. Please be patient this first go 'round.

At this time we have 27 classmates who have expressed some interest in assisting, but 4 of those for whom I received notice of interest have not yet responded to me with contact info. 2 more are data resources. We are still recruiting for more help on the Reunion Planning Committee. As we go forward and reach out to find classmate contact info to invite them to the Reunion, ask if they'd like to help. We still have apx 1,000 classmates to find and contact.

I'd like everyone to consider their brief introduction when we begin. One of the things that will be helpful is if you could specify to past expertise as: Artist/Creative, Techie, Scheduling, Accounts/Money, Data/Spreadsheet, Negotiator, Sales, Fundraising, Management. This should help us put flesh on the bones of our Committee.

Here are descriptions of the attached files. Please keep in mind they are just a starting point, pending your collective input and modification. Please see the files:
Lane1976-50th RC-Agenda 2025-04-24.pdf for our proposed initial meeting agenda.
Lane1976-50th RC-Roster 2025-04-21.pdf for our current Committee membership.
Lane1976-50th RC-Officers 2025-04-21.pdf for an initial suggestion of Officers & duties.
Lane Tech 1976 50th Initial Survey 2025-03-31.pdf for the results of the Class Creator Survey.
LT-1976-50th-Letterhead.bmp for the suggested committee letterhead.

Thanks again to everyone who has stepped up and to all those of you who will be participating. We look forward to a great and memorable time, as planned and within budget.

Go Lane, Go!
Fraternally yours,
greg groeper
Lane Tech 1976-2026 50th Reunion Chair
Text to: 872.230.7135
Email: ggroeper@gmail.com
(When emailing or texting Committee Members, Please Use Subject Line: "Lane Tech 50th Reunion")
P.S. If you haven't already, please Confirm Cell# & Mailing Address for packets & timezone coordination for Zoom meetings. I'll be doing group emails and text reminders to help with everyone's busy schedule.

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Two weeks ago I moderated a panel with Wendy Wharton '75 and Sue (Lawrence) Lionikis '74 at Lane. We spoke to three classes of students in the "Women in Literature" classes about the school's transition to co-ed and what those first few years were like. Interestingly, the ratio of girls to boys in each class we spoke to was pretty much the exact opposite of what it was like in the 70s. The kids asked great questions and were fascinated to learn about the tiny group of sophomore transfers in 1971, that we had an underground newspaper, and that the boys swam naked! Here is their sweet thank you note. I share it because their messages are really for all lady-Bicentennials not just the panel.

Robert Cole

Amazing Michelle!

And, all the men I mention it to are amazed to hear that the boys swam naked, too. It must have been a Chicago thing.

I didn't realize all the girls were so fascinated with boys swimming naked! ;)

Robert S Young

What a great event!   
Yes, it was an interesting time, I recall all freshmen boys were required to spend time in the pool. The no swim suit policy sort of made sense, I can't imagine trying to keep hundreds of swim suits clean and "unspoiled". I'm sure in today's climate it's pretty shocking as well. 
Thank you and the rest of the women who participated.

Andrew Flor

Fascinating. Why is the ratio of boys to girls not equal? Is admission now strictly merit based at Lane or do boys not want to attend Lane these days?

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Andy...  Lane typically has about a 50/50 gender split for general enrollment which is around 4500 now, but specifically in the "Women in Literature" classes there's usually one lone (and possibly very savvy) young man surrounded by female students. ;)

Edward Mc Carthy

I recall total enrollment was 6,000 give or take back then in our day.  Can you imagine in todays geo-political climate and political correctness, attempting to force kids to swim naked!!!    And I also recall....that pool water was NOT even close to comfortable as in damn cold.   And the tile floors were disgustingly slimey and everything reeked of chlorine.  Although, all of that was part of what made Lane, uniquely Lane.  And none of us are any worse off for it all.   Ahhhh, the fond memories.  

Timmy Wong

I remember we had to take swimming class and pass as a graduation requirement.  We had to be able to swim the width of the pool to pass the class.  Before getting into the pool we had to shower and come out to get "inspected" where they rubbed your wet wrist. If there was any dirt or whatever on your wrist you had to go back and shower again.  It was a pain in the arse but required for graduation.  I believe the no swimsuit rule was because they did not want the fibers from the swimsuits clogging up the pool filter.  

OHHHH, the fun times we had at LTHS!!

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

For a "deeper dive" into why the naked swimming, you might enjoy this...

Baring It All: Why Boys Swam Naked In Chicago High Schools - WBEZ Chicago

Gregory Groeper

Isn't it funny... an article about Lane 'Women in Literature' - which mentions as an aside at the end that the girls were fascinated by the boys having to swim naked - becomes a thread about Lane Boys Swimming Naked! LOL We certainly were forced to 'measure up' one way or another. I think that's why they kept the water so damned cold.

I guess we're still not 'over it' ;-)

Grace Tanaka (Danziger)

Per C Pearson

Did anyone else get to the Lifesaving level in swimming? If I remember this correctly you had to swim the length of the pool underwater. If you made it, you were supposed to put a large black star with a magic marker on the top of of your swimming cap so the coaches could see who was a capable swimmer.

Lifesaving was a double hit of trauma. You were naked and now you had to touch another guy. Teenage horrors!! One test was, the “Victim” had to float on his back and lightly tread water with his legs spread. The “Rescuer” had to swim and push the victim by his knees to the other side of the pool. I wish they could have just tossed lifesavers and called it good. Thanks to Greg Znajda for bringing his swimming cap to the 40^th reunion. He did keep it all those years!

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Grace, girls could not take swimming during our tenure at Lane as there were no locker facilities... oh... and the naked boy issue.

There was a girls swim team and I'd post the picture but Ria might kill me.  I think they used the girls bathroom across the hall to change. Good times. 

This was not unique to Chicago, we just have the best stories and story-tellers!

Robert Cole

Per,

I remember the lifesaving designation in swim class. I remember...

• Tread water, then surface dive in the deep end to pick up a rubber dive brick on the bottom of the pool.
• Swimming a length underwater, carrying the brick.
  Didn't Lane have a pool that was longer than most, too? Like mayb 50 yds instead of 25?
• Treading water for 30 minutes in the deep end without touching the bottom or the sides. But, Coach Lewis used to go to lunch and come back, leaving his sadistic lifeguards in charge, so it was quite often a lot longer than 30 minutes!
• Demonstrating that you could do a 4-length IM... 1 length of freestyle, back, fly and breast strokes. Not competitive. But, you'd bettter be at least fast enough to satisfy Coach.
• Demonstrate the required lifesaving techniques.

It was so rigorous, not only did we get the "black star" but it qualified you for Red Cross Senior Lifesaving certification.

My father had attended Lane in the 40s, and was a lifeguard and (mildly) competitive swimmer for many years and said NO ONE ever had to do as much in High School as Lane did. I guess that's why Lane had a championship swim team for a bazillion years.

Robert Cole

Swim class wearing "nothing but a swim cap and a smile!"

One winter the heater broke down in the pool and Coach made us swim anyway. Shivering. Lips turning blue.
"Suck it up buttercup."

James Anton

Robert, the 30 minutes in the deep end was required to pass the class. Calling the lifeguards sadistic, you are being too nice. I would race through the showers to try and get my 6 lap warm-up done in time for class only to have a lifeguard straight from shop class wipe his hands on my shoulders and tell me to shower again. Yeah, it's the one Lane experience I would like to forget or better yet, wish I never experienced.