Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Encore to what Karan wrote.....the monthly luncheon at Sharon's was wonderful, esp. the scenic view from her home, it's fantastic. Everyone should experience it's awe, at least once. (Ron Holvey, we all wondered why you didn't show up). Sharon and I, plus several others from our class, also attended the celebration in Old Settler's Park. There was a band concert, and dedication of a new shelter house, in memory of Bob Fahey, and his son David. The music was wonderful and we enjoyed visiting w/7-10 members of the class of '60. Was good to talk about old times at FMHS and all the good memories. Old Settler's Park is where I grew up, along w/other kids in the neighborhood, playing all summer. It sure looks different now. Am sure we all agree, it's a wonderful thing to able to say we're from "SMALL TOWN USA", where the living was easy, things were simple & relaxed. Our generation was & is, one of the best. Wish more classmates could be here to share things. We grew up experiencing so many changes, from not having AC or TV, getting dial phone (how many remember the assembly we had as sophomores learning about them?), power steering on cars, and many more. Now all the technology our grand-kids are learning & (teaching) us. If you think about it all...we were/are in the middle. Even my great-grand-children can use smart phones better than I can. Maybe it's because I don't want to be bothered w/them!!! We all are over the hump and on the down-hill slide of our lives, if we like it or not, but as for myself, I can truly say, as I look back God has blessed me SOOO much. He has lead me through a wonderful journey, ups & downs, great times as well as tragedies, but has NEVER left my side. LIFE IS GOOD.....

Linda

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

It was my pleasure hosting "THE GIRLS" from the Class of 1961at my home! We had pizza and cupcakes and LOTS  of talking and talking and guess what some more talking! A great time was had by all!

Georgia O'Donnell (Merschman)

Thank you Sharon for hosting the girls Friday. I always enjoy our get togethers. Your home and view are fantastic.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Sad to learn that Alice Long Helling's mother passed away this past Friday! Let's say a prayer for her and for Alice and family! God Bless them all!

Linda Hayes (Meyer)

I had a great time at Sharon's too.  It was nice to see everyone.

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Happy 4th to Everyone! 

I spent the 4th working but went yesterday (Saturday) on a one-day wine bus trip to Mosby Winery near Buellton, north of Santa Barbara.  It was a Celebration of Life for a friend who passed away in April at age 89!  Mosby Winery annually hosts a July 4th Festival including a BBQ, wine tasting and patriotic ceemonies.  The Vandenberg AFB does the military honors including the Flag Retirement while everyone sings "God Bless America".  I provided champagne for the bus on the way up.  It is nice to toast as someone else does the driving.  Yesterday's trip is probably the last wine bus trip for most of us.    Norman, the bus driver, is 83, the hostess is 89 with several others in their late 70's and 80's.  I am the baby of the group at 71!  I have been a member of this group since the early 80's.

Charlie LaFrenz

Marcia,

It's never too late to learn to drive a bus.  I bet you could do it with a cell phone in one hand and a champagne glass in the other.  Linda Shrader pulled into my driveway the other day in her Jag.  I bet she would come out there and drive that bus.  You might want to give her a call, or do people still do that anymore?  

Best regards,

Charlie

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Thanks Charlie, for volunteering me to be the new bus driver. As I remember, you would be the better driver, because you started before me and always did a great job backing out of the Rootbeer stand in FM!!!

I just got home about 6 this eve from a trip to see my daughter in Nashville, TN and we did go to a winery there. It's called Arrington Vineyards, owned by Kix Brooks, of Brooks & Dunn. It was high on a hill w/the vines on the hillside. The view went on forever in the rolling hills of TN.

Also, went downtown Nashville for the Art Crawl and to Printer's Alley, to check out the music. It's a great town to have fun in, just ask Patsy (Cordray) VanPelt, Melinda (Lang) Bachman, Sandi (Thompson) Philips, or Judi Perry.

Had a great wk. in June in Austin, TX, house sitting my son's house w/Sharon, Sandi, & Melinda. Girlfriends & classmates are fun to travel with. Making memories!!!

Need to plan another trip when the laundry is done!!!

Linda Lu

Cyndy Day (Savage)

well Linda, there are laundromats, take that laundry with you or buy new but go girl, get it done and have a great time and by the way, noticed Charlie mentioned the JAG; envy envy envy, wish I was with you riding in it. Love my rock garden so I think of you daily

Charlie LaFrenz

Hi Linda and Cindy!

Linda, you can go ahead and drive that bus, and I'll be happy to take care of the Jag.  You know how good I would look with my combover blowing in the breeze.  Linda according to tonight's paper, people in NY wear black, swager, strut, and put on their inner sophisticate, whaterer the hell that means.  So, be sure and do that Saturday night.  Looking foreward to it.

Charlie

PS Cindy, If Linda goes to Calif. to drive that bus, come to Keokuk and we'll take a ride in the Jag.

Cyndy Day (Savage)

I'm in, I can get to Keokuk; keep me in the loop and I'll grab my tooth brush

Bill Orr

I reviewed the Class of 1965 site and was impressed. They handled the departed in an outstanding manner. Although I was denied access to the Class of 1960 site I would not do the same to others.

I feel that our site is outstanding and would vote to keep it in present format. We could borrow some ideas from them to improve our's such as publishing the obituaries and allowing linkage to other sites.

Enjoying retirement and wishing you all the same!

Your friend and classmate

Bill Orr

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Thanks Bill Orr for your response.

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Classmates,  I read Sharon's email/post about the Class of 65 and her request for thoughts as to joining up with them.  Bill and I talked about it and our general conclusions were that unless you had younger siblings at FMHS and knew some of their friends......or had remained in the general Fort Madison area........many of these people were not really known to us.  We agree with Bill Orr about their Memory Page and the idea of actually publishing an obituary, if it was available, is a nice idea. Otherwise, we like the format under which our website was designed and would not change anything else.  

Hope everyone is enjoying their "lazy days of summer" and whatever your definition of of "lazy" happens to be.  Here in Eastern North Carolina, for us that means HOT and HUMID and always on the lookout for potential hurricanes on the horizon for a couple more months.  But, Bill manages to chase that little dimpled white ball around our golf course at least 3 times a week, and that keeps him happy.  As for me, quality time with wonderful friends for lunch, bridge and a little wine time keeps me out of trouble........along with lots of volunteer work within our Methodist Church and community.  We are wearing out I-95  between here and Atlantic Beach, FL (Jacksonville suburb), enjoying our granddaughters........Aila is soon turning 9 and Tatum turns 6 in January......they are the granddaughters of our youner son, Joe, and his wife, Tamrah.  Our older son, Jay, is divorced without children, and lives about 25 miles west of us in Greenville, NC.........home of the East Carolina University Pirates.  

Won't be long before that 55th Reunion time will be here and we look forward to another great gathering of classmates and their spouses/significant others !

Sandy (Buckley) & Bill Matthews
 

Brad Wiedmann

I reviewed the Class of 1965 website and I basically agree with Matthews/ Orr.  I liked the obit section, but would vote to keep ours, with maybe adding a link to other sites and enhancing the obit piece. Our format is good today and I wouldn't want it to go away. I personally knew more people in Class of 59, 60, 62 and 63.

Cyndy Day (Savage)

I agree w/the posted comments. I agree w/Brad Wiemann, I knew more people from 59,60,62 and as well. The obit section is good but I may just be used to ours but I enjoy it. I thought (though I cannot remember which one said it now) that links to other sites are nice. It sounds good that so many of the class enjoy our site, that is a compliment for sure

Karan Kreighbaum (Faul)

It seems as though all who have responded here are in agreement... we all seem to like our page as it is with the possible exception of adding obits and links to other FMHS class sites.

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Links to other class sites would be fine but, yes, I like what we are doing with our site .

David Murguia

Lets keep the the present format it's good the way it is .

Marcia Conley (Davis)

I like the present format but it would be nice to add obits.  If the site was going to connect with any class years, I would like it to be 1957-58-59-60. 

The way time seems to be flying, it will be 2016 very soon.  I have the update on my calendar and look forward to seeing everyone.

Karan Kreighbaum (Faul)

Thanks for the clarification email Sharon... explaining that you weren't talking about actually revamping our webpage. Sometimes you need to 'draw pictures' for some of us old folks!! I think having a link to other FMHS class websites is a great idea. You do such a great job of keeping the Class of '61 informed.

Brad Wiedmann

Yes, we all owe Sharon a significant amount of gratitude for her continued support for our 1961 FMHS graduates. Thank you, Sharon. 

Richard Gaule

Hi there everybody,

I believe the link is a good idea.  My first wife came out of that class.

Much gratitude and appreciation to Sharon for stayng with this.

Rule 36:  If it's not fun, don't do it.

Richard

Darla Qualls (Dennison)

I hate to keep repeating the same message but I too like our forum.  I also think we knew the older grades better than the younger so would like to see links to them.  

And yes we owe Sharon a huge thanks for keeping us all informed as well as all the reunion work.  So a Big Hug and THANKS from me!

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

I AM IN SOOO MUCH TROUBLE.....I forgot Patsy Cordray & Bob VanPelt's anniversary!!! Please forgive me Pat...that was July 28th. 1962. WOW 52 years together. You both deserve medals, diamonds or something!!! There was also another classmate who got married the same day, right Judy?

Think I'll just call Patsy and chat...probably an hour or so, catching up on everything.

Linda Lu