Classmate Chat

01/17/09 01:10 AM

Hi classmates! I was interested in the development of this website in the spirit of the poem below that circulated on the Internet. I'm hopeful that we'll all use this to connect and reconnect. In my work, I find that many people in our culture feel very disconnected and are searching for "communities" where people care about them and they can care about others. Sure we weren't all in the same "communities" in high school and it's doubtfull we'll all be in the same ones now or going forward. But we can use this site to find another community that we might be a part of. I'm hopeful this website and this forum can be used to bring us back together from distant lands or across the street from CLCHS! I hope you enjoy the journey and keep in touch with one another!

Around the corner I have a friend,

In this great city that has no end,

Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,

And before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friends face,

For life is a swift and terrible race,

He knows I like him just as well,

As in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine but we were younger then,

And now we are busy, tired men.

Tired of playing a foolish game,

Tired of trying to make a name.

'Tomorrow' I say! 'I will call on Jim

Just to show that I'm thinking of him.'

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,

And distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner, yet miles away,

'Here's a telegram sir,' 'Jim died today.'

And that's what we get and deserve in the end.

Around the corner, a vanished friend.

Remember to always say what you mean.

If you love someone, tell them.

Because when you decide that it is the right time it might be too late.

Seize the day. Never have regrets.

And most importantly, stay close to your friends

and family, for they have helped

make you the person that you are today.

Have a good visit here!

02/18/09 01:38 PM	#2
Linda Parts (Tobin Remus ) Is someone playing a joke about Steve Cupp? He was listed as deceased, and now is alive, living in Georgia?

02/24/09 12:36 PM	#3
Art Shand I just learned from Paul that Steve is in Georgia. Not only that, we live about 30 miles from each other as the crow flies, and never knew it. I'll try to hook up and when I see him, I'll mention that it is "good to see you're still with us", or something to that extent.

02/24/09 09:14 PM	#4
Linda Parts (Tobin Remus ) Good to hear that you alive and well Steve! Did you get to read all the nice things about yourself in the memorials?

02/26/09 10:52 AM

Art Shand

Amazing what you can learn in here! I now know there are at least four other 69-ers living in Jawja: Steve Cupp, Bob Allyn; thanks to Paul Fruin, Ted and Gloria (Jackson) Finger; thanks to a note in Mary Jo Brewer's (Farrell) profile. So far that makes five damn Yankees down heah that I am aware of. A damn Yankee of course being a nawthanuh who came down to visit the South and stayed. (It happens quite often!)

03/01/09 09:08 PM	#6
Debbie Bovee (Lanius) Glad to hear that Steve Cupp is still with us! He lived up the street from our house, and I remember his parents too and his brother, Jeff. Hope all are well.

03/07/09 03:59 PM

Paul Fruin

Hi Guys, just checking to see if anyone ever reads this section! This can be a great place for us to tell stories and such - or just discuss the joys of life. Does anyone have time to do that?

OK, I've got one: tell me, is anyone enjoying this site? Are you connecting with individuals: you lost touch with over the years; you never even knew during high school; you never cared to know before now? I'll confess all three! I'm just hoping we can reach the 73% of the class that has not yet found out about us because this has been a blast for an almost 60 year old to meet all you wonderful people and hear your life stories! Keep them coming - and you bashful people - post a photo! Don't worry about what you look like - come on, after this long, you are what you are - so revel in it and let us join you! You look just great the way you are but it's so fun to see what we all look like 40 years later!

I hope this will give us a venue to stay connected until we join the In Memory List! Glad you're here with us!

03/09/09 01:07 PM

Linda Parts (Tobin Remus )

In reply to Paul.... Yes I read this site, and wish more people would comment here... It is a good forum to exchange views and just communicate with each other... I have reconnected so far with Debbie Visin, Debbie Svjecar, Chris Vosti, Pete Deren,Kathy Riehl, Laura McCall,Mark Hamby, Kathy Kowalski, and a few others. I hope that our " cliques" from high school do not carry over to this site... We have all changed, and it would be fun to find out who we are now and what new things we have in common. I would especially like to hear from other classmates that have lost children...we can be a good resource for each other. Hope to continue the dialog...

03/10/09 11:36 AM	#9
Thomas Farrell In response to missing classmates, I am very new to Facebook, but I did a search based on CLCHS and found at least a dozen classmates, some of which are on the "missing" list. John Faellaci Bill Hubbard Keith Koehler Marian Ossman and others I requested that they become friends and will pass on at least the web site if they respond. Tom Farrell

03/11/09 08:52 PM

#10

Susie Wallens (Covey)

I am absolutely thrilled with the positive response we are getting from those we have been able to find so far.
Passing on the word is what will bring success.
It's amazing the one's I have told about the site who
have yet to join. I know they will at one point. The
plans are progressing and I really hope all will walk
away from the weekend glad they came. I really think
the "clique" days are long gone...I think by this time
most of us are just glad to be here and grateful for
each day and the blessings we have in our lives.
Continue to pass the word please...........
Looking forward to our big weekend. I'm afraid it's
going to come and go in a blink.
Well.....we can always plan a group "60th birthday
party"
Any volunteers for the committee??

03/11/09 10:24 PM

#11

Linda Parts (Tobin Remus )

A response to Gerry: It is actually interesting,, your observation that the long hair despised in the south in the 60's and 70's is indeed the hip look of Nashville now. I remember seeing Easy Rider and being very moved by it..it seemed that we were living it in a microccosm even in DeKalb Illinois where I was in college at the time... Though we still have problems today, I do not see students or young people in general lifting up their voices for a cause these days,,, perhaps global warming, and being " green "....I am glad to have been part of a generation that made a statement and hopefully passed some of it down to my children...

03/12/09 10:38 PM

#12

Linda Parts (Tobin Remus )

I would like to learn more about this drug given to the children in Africa.. Kat?? I admit I have never heard of this. I guess in looking at people's profiles, there does seem to be some " religious fervor", as you say, Gerry. I came to Christ late in life, and, living with the conviction that there is a higher calling and a future reward does make living in a fallen world possible, and makes one more willing to sacrifice our own needs for others...I do not equate " religion" with a faith in Christ... the term religion often is about surface stuff and rituals,,, I do know that if I had not had a faith in God, I could not have survived the death of my son, Sean, at age 23 three years ago. I believe the problems of the world will always be with us... they are just more with us now because of modern communication.... I don't think our legacy is wasted... people will always return to the truth of love and peace.... but maybe not until they are tested, down on their luck, facing tragedy.... I think of Mother Teresa's belief that, faced with the millions of poverty stricken people dying in India,, she felt that just helping one person was worth while... I guess that is how I want to go on with my life... doing just what one person, me, can do...That is really all any of us can do... Thanks Gerry for keeping the spirit of 1969 alive and well!!

03/15/09 03:33 AM

#13

Paul Fruin

Hi Guys! Well, I'm glad to see that some people are checking this page out - although I often forget about it too! :o)

Ger, thanks for always keeping things going - I know we can count on you for that! Not sure I'm seeing lots of "religious fervor" going on here - just lots of people that have different life experiences and many of us are willing to share them! That's our generation Ger! Never shy!

Some of us are communicating with all of you when you come here and we're just having a blast getting reconnected and we thank you for the opportunity! I also don't see "cliques" developing - we all seem to have outgrown that. But some of you are no doubt enjoying reconnecting with people you knew WAY back then. I'm enjoying the connection with so many of you that I did not know well at all back then!

Based on the feedback we get, this site seems to be fulfilling its purpose - to reconnect so many of us after so many years! Now we hope it fulfills the secondary purpose - to encouraqge you to come to the reunion so we can actually talk with you face-to-face! Hey, Ger Wilhelmi's even considering coming all the way from South Africa so you people in Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock and the like better grace us with your presence!

You realize of course that we're now the "old farts" of the current two young generations - those that our generation railed against! And they don't have a lot of compassion for our views either! They think our ideas and ideals are just as stale as we thought the "old farts" of our time were! It all comes around doesn't it!

Thanks for joining us here! And have FUN!

03/19/09 01:29 AM	#14
Pete Deren Ger If you recall I think a lot of people were on drugs during the 60's & 70's you old "flower child" !!

04/03/09 12:05 AM

#15

Joan Corrigan (Staker)

Well said, Paul.
Ger- I admire the passion of your convictions. I agree that the forum is probably not the place to air them. My impression is that the forum is supposed to be a place anyone can write memories, ask questions, post concerns, rather than an individual forum for our political beliefs. Though very informative, the posts may be off-putting to some and prevent them from joining in. Are you considering writing a book? The thoughts just seem to flow with such ease.

04/15/09 01:49 AM

#16

Pete Deren

Ger
You've always been "rebel" I remember in first grade when Miss Snydewyn(sp?)used to put you under her desk as punishment and kick you if you didn't quiet down.I think you under her desk more than at your own that year!
Maybe this was the start of your love for authority figures.I'm sure it was quite a treat looking up that dress!!
Oh, I almost forgot the other two lovelies - Miss Dimwick and Miss Knox. Now since you talk about old school marms. I think when were in grade school these ladies were working on teaching the third generation of most families in C.L..
Would have made great nuns.
A apologize to the rest of you who may not be able to relate since I really went back in time.
Funny thing is I went through school with a number of you from kindergarten through high school. Don't think that happens as often these days with everyone moving a few times in their adult years.

04/15/09 05:33 PM

#17

Paul Fruin

Well let's talk nuns Pete! Though it's been LONG ago as you say, nun stories are always fresh in the minds of we "parochial school" kids who didn't get to hang out much with "public school kids". I'll share one of my many favorite nun stories here but I'm sure others also registered here - like Susie Covey, Debbie Svejcar, Candy Kirchberg, Richard Foydl, Mike Flores and lots more of you - can maybe top mine? I know these aren't high school stories but they're from "back then"!

Mine is from first grade. We had a Lost & Found gathering every once in awhile down in the basement of the "old school". When the head nun was showing the items lost, I recognized one of my gloves and enthusiastically waved that it was mine - a dumb first grader move! My "punishment" (I guess it was important to teach those first graders to hang on to "their stuff") was that I had to stand in front of the 8th Grade class, with my arms outstretched, holding these two heavy books (they looked liked Bibles but I know they couldn't have been because we never read the Bible!) like I was being crucified! So Ger, I wished I'd been with you under the desk! Come on you St. Thomas graduates - top me on this one!

04/17/09 01:06 PM

#18

Susie Wallens (Covey)

A few St. Thomas memories (and there are many)
By the way...my kids did not attend St. Thomas....

Elly Henry, Tom Higgins, Donna Brown and many more
were "free kitchen help" for the huge parish St. Patrick's Day dinner...washing dishes..how fun! We got a tad bored and being kids were snapping towels at each other. How horrible!! Got caught, got sent to Principal and Pastor if I remember correctly. Were punished by doing "checks on the blackboard-remember them??" How
absolutely ridiculous!

Peggy O'dell played the organ in church (morning Mass)
Once again...free help!! I was the only one singing w/
her that particular morning. The priest turned to face us from the alter,sang out his lines...we got the giggles, which became uncontrolable and after quite a few minutes he sang the response himself. Once again...
in trouble!

Elly Henry and I were sent on a weekend retreat. I think our Mom's hoped we we get "the calling"
Didn't work...we snuck out a window for burgers during the night.

Peggy O'dell had the first "boy/girl"party. Anyone who
attended was going to get in big trouble w/the nuns...
Mrs. O'dell went right in and told them all off.
After school, parents permission, none of their business!!
Go Mrs. O'dell! Was a fun party!!

Our Mom's had to make our cheerleading outfits/no money in the St. T. budget.

All in all...lots of smacking, punishments, etc. but
I think we all turned out pretty darn well!!

ps. I saw Sr. Mary Anita and Sr. Ann Patrick a few
years ago.

04/20/09 03:49 PM	#19
Linda Parts (Tobin Remus ) Gerry, reading your last post, last sentence, where you say the evil is in not doing anything about the problems you discuss. What do you believe people should do? Are there realistic options for us as individuals?

04/25/09 11:46 PM	#20
Charlie Boss To Pete and Geri, Thank God You Guys are just how I remembered. You guys were good friends and it is really good to know I could talk to you just like we used to. Keep on Truckin

04/25/09 11:50 PM	#21
Charlie Boss Hey Pete, I too remember Miss Knox, she really put us to the limit

04/26/09 04:03 PM

#22

Paul Fruin

OK Teachers - that's a good topic! I'm just looking through my yearbook to see who really WAS memorable and it comes to mind for me, the most memorable teachers - the most helpful - were Math teachers - probably because I've never been good at it! How horrible it was to have to help my kids with it! I remember Mr. Van Horn was one who helped me understand Algebra and who was that older woman who taught Math at Central Jr. High? She was the second best Math teacher I ever had. The first was a guy at Los Angeles City College who also reminded me of Mr. Margolis - remember him, the Spanish Teacher? And ladies, tell us how Miss Seeliger ever got her hair put together like it is in our Senior yearbook? Wow, that must have taken some work!

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