The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc. Feel free to comment on someone else's note or enter a whole new thought.

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

Daniel Hutchinson

I was reminded of a retired guy watching his budget going into the barber for a shave (when I posted the one of the Old Cowboy).  The old guy sees the prices posted, with the shave at $5.00.  He asks the Barber: "If he would only charge him $2.50 to shave one side of his face"?  The Barber said:  "Sure what side do you want shaved?"  Old Guy: "The outside"!.

Thought I'd post one for the grandkids.

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

Jane, just told me that you guys experienced an earth quake.  How bad was it?

Karen Peterson (Belliston)

Interesting discussion, you guys. Keep it up. It's entertaining. Just wondering what's going to happen next??? Say your prayers. I still love all our good ol' BLHS class of '62!

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

I hope all of you are doing well while under house arrest?  We're all at the age where we need to be cautious and follow the advice of the experts.

Gary Acker

Pete Belliston

This is a very insightful TED talk by Bill Gates given in 2015 about our vulnerability to a world-wide flu epidemic. Interesting.

Ferron Wimmer

Interesting question Gary , but think we would all give up our spot for the future. Yhe young is our future.

Daniel Hutchinson

Greetings Classmates,

First to Gary’s question:  I know the compassionate thing for an old person to do would be to give up the ventilator for a younger person.  Since, this is hypothetical, I prefer to think if any of us were in that position, there would not be the panic we’ve see with people buying toilet paper, and there would be enough ventilators for anyone who might have the need.  The decision to forego getting a ventilator for someone else would be a very difficult decision, to make, perhaps not for the older person needing it, but for the family not wanting to lose their loved one.  In the community you live in, the somewhat protected environment in Utah, most would accede to the need of the younger person, but there are pockets in our country where selfishness rules.

Second, to Pete’s post:  Thanks Pete for a very informative link regarding the dismal state of our preparedness for infectious diseases. I’ve already shared that on several facebook links, which should reach several hundred. 

Facing the Corvid-19 we are seeing now, brings it up front for sure.  Bill Gates, was correct back in 2015 when he gave the speech; not much was done to address it.  I suppose there are many reasons for it.  I know when we’re all living our comfortable lives, we don’t give much thought to what could happen; it’s not a desirable thing to think about.

From what I see with the present Corvid-19 Task Force, I’m encouraged we have the right people paying attention and getting the ball rolling to address most every aspect of preventing the spread, obtaining the medications, ventilators and logistics.  This certainly is a wakeup call for this more weighty pandemic.  The Ebola and past virus outbreaks weren’t touching all of us like this one, so we’re focused more on it.  With Trump, he’ll definitely pay attention to having more lasting preparations made for the future.  He’s been accomplishing so many things in a vast array of areas, I’m sure he’ll add this to his list of ‘promises to the people’. 

I do worry the President is working too hard, not getting nearly enough sleep.  He has the stamina of a super hero, but I fear it will catch up to him one of these days.  I hope it’s not until he gets more of these things up and working.

Oh, and Yes – thanks Pete for your contribution, the speech was very interesting.

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

OK, Gary, if it's left up to someone in a triage situation, then it's out of our hands anyway -- case solved.

Daniel Hutchinson

Thought this could fit in with the preparedness of Government?


 

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

Chuckling

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

Just in case you need some extra toilet paper and there isn't any to buy in the stores -- you can use this!

Daniel Hutchinson

Steven Nielsen

Great post Danny! Hey I've been missing in action due to the final details of retireing. But whew! I finally hung up my spurs and am back in Utah. Willard Utah to be exact and what a great town and great people! I was literally dieing in Houston Texas and I told Sue, "do you want to bury me in this swampland? The traffic, the hurricanes, the humidity, .. ugh. Actually Houston was very good to us, but with 6.5 million folks and every one of them on the freeways it ceased to be fun! Anyway I retired and Dan, I'm so darn sorry I didn't visit you there in your new home, that I could cry. It's so neat to see your continuing support of our class webpage! And while I'm at it HUGE THANKS TO PETE AND KAREN BELLISTON! Fantastic job and much appreciated. And Gary Acker you were always a handsome dog and had many females chasing you... did you ever get caught? Just askin'. Anyway, I'm retired...sort of and have more time to write. Please let me share one area of great interest with everyone here a moment:

When Sue and I left Utah to stay with Ron and Carol Hall so as to get started in Houston (they were great by the way) Utah had a population of about 900,000. Houston had 2.5 million and a person could get around fairly easily. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had one Stake, 5,000 +/- members and 6 or 7 buildings in the Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Pasadena,Beaumont, Baytown, Conroe metroplex, if you want to call it that. I was totally inactive and had never read the Holy Bible much less the Book of Mormon. A little over a year later Susan presented me with a new little baby boy, and as I held that kid in my arms, I decide to get my act together; to seek after God and His son. I attended the Presbyterian and Catholic churches wiith friends, (drinking buddies), and prayed a lot. One day a Bishop named O'Keefer Hopkins (O.K. Hopkins) knocked at my door and challenged me to come and visit the local ward. I blew smoke his direction and told him I didn't much care for Mormons. He laughed and told me he didn't like some of em' either. And he told me he knew a lot of good men who used tabakka'. That's what he called it. 

Anyway I ook his challenge and for the first time read both the Bible and Book of Mormon cover to cover. Then one night I attended a fireside given by Don Lind, a Mormon astronaut on Ancient America speaks. Lind presented a slide show of ancient ruins throughout the Americas and while sitting there among about 100 people, (many of whom were jewish and wore little beenie caps - don't know what they're called but there were a dozen of so jewish people there - and how they came to be in that fireside I'll never know but they were very respectful and I spoke to a couple of them afterward) long story short while sitting there listening and viewing the presentation, I knew what brother Lind was saying was true! I left that meeting with a new resolve to study more and to get my act together. (I grew up in an alcoholic home and had a rebellious attitude that took me a while to overcome) Anyway Sue and I stuck it out together and had 5 children in Houston. I'm still a student of our Lord and Savior's doctrine and have found it sweet and the only way to live. I still swear occasionally, but working on that too.

After 55 years in Houston here's some fun data; there are almost 7 million people in the Houston Galveston, Conroe area I outlined. Houston is now the 4th largest city in the USA and more than doubled while we were there. I understand that Utah now has a little over 3 million happy campers and a few soreheads. The church in the Houston area earlier described now has 23 Stakes, 56 buildings, a temple and 86,000 members. It more than quintupled during the time discussed. It's been very interesting and gratifying to observe. You know I have stories.

I love you all my dear friends. I'll never forget the warmth and friendship I felt at our 50th reunion, Dale Youngman, Dale Thompson, Shanna Goodman, Ferron Wimmer, Margaret Black (who said she'd worried about me) (Thanks Margaret! I was too) Mike Liptrot, Kenny and Bonnie Frew, David and Joanne Spindon, and so many many others I can't remember, were so very kind and there was such a profound feeling of love amongst everyone. It's been said before, but it is very true the class of 62 was/is special. By the way, does anyone know anything about Ron Nielsen? He joined us in Houston, started a company, became wealthy and moved to Austin?? I think. He and Karen were very good friends and I miss them! Cheers, Steve

Gary Acker

Ferron Wimmer

Good to hear from you Steve,how does feel to be back home ?                                                                             Dan- I love your alternative toilet paper. And truly that is it's good for ,keep up the good work.

Steven Nielsen

Gary, Looking up at the pipe that crosses Ogden Canyon is the closest I ever want to get to that thing! Were you guys crazy? Also, sort of like you Gary I joined the Army Reserve and was shipped off to Ft. Ord California where I did basic then coming back I got married and shortly afterward joined Ron and Carol in Houston. I did my weekly meetings and went to Summer Camp every year for 7.5 years but our unit was never called to Nam. By the end of the war I was so disgusted with Washington I don't know if I'd have had my heart in fighting anyway. When politicians fight a war it's a %#^&*%$ travesty you know it! Ferron, the last few years in Houston was similar to being in hell. The reason I know this is that Utah is Heaven! The incredible scenery, the hunting, fishing, the wonderful dry climate! I had mildew growing behind my ears in humid Houston. Don't get me wrong, Southern Hospitality is a real thing. The people were great, the economy 2nd to none and housing relatively inexpensive. But we ran our AC 24/7. In Utah when it gets cold it stays that way. Not so in big H. The weather changes dailey from hot to warm , then warm to humid, then 3 days of cold per year...you talk about flu?! The place ain't healthy. But then I'm slightly off-balance being back home. My grandkids are scattered from Dallas, to Seattle to Houston and momma isn't happy! When Ron & Carol split it was a heart ache. They had a wonderful daughter named Lori and she is a cracker jack in the world of medical insurance. Smart lady! Life goes on I suppose. Dan I'd try your toilet paper but refuse to give another nickle to the Clintons. Can somebody just lend me one a copy? 

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

Thanks Steve and Gary, it really is nice to see there is life out there on the BLHS site. 

Gary, I did the pipe thing long before the alcohol came along.  I think I was only about 14 or 15. and recall those days, they didn't have barbed wire, but the chain-link extended about a foot on both sides of the cat-walk.  I just went around the side, which had you dangling out there over those rocks you mentioned, it was dangerous stunt, but kids do crazy things sometimes.  I related the story before how impressed I was with the water roaring through the pipe, not too loud but impressive.  The water/pipe was cool, on a hot day like it was, I recall the pipe is about 3-feet in diameter, with a cat-walk on each side.  When getting to the center, I felt the cool pipe and laid my upper body over it to cool off.  That was a remarkable vantage point to look at the highway and cars below.  I was with a buddy, and we just went across, from the southern end, then got out on the north, we didn't return.  It was somewhat daunting; after the once over, reason set in and made us think we'd better not push our luck.

Steve, I’ve had a couple of occasions to visit Houston, my first time was when I was on my way to Tegucigalpa, Honduras for a two year tour, with a 1977 Chevy custom van.  It was when they first started customizing vans.  I bought it at a lot in Ogden (forget the dealership, a guy’s name on about 18^th and Washington on the west side of the street).    I recall paying 10-thousand dollars even for that van – that was a hefty price at the time.  We had just returned for a 30 day mandatory ‘home leave’ from Ankara, Turkey.  After our time at home was over, we drove the van to Houston, and recall the day we got there, getting out for something to eat, with the family, three kids and my former wife, it was hot and muggy.  I recall saying to my wife, why would anyone want to live in this? 

What brought us to Texas in the first place was a friend who worked for me in Washington at our Headquarters, he was born and raised in San Antonio.  He had sold me on the idea of giving Texas a try.  We sold our little restaurant, rented our house in La Paz, Bolivia and were just about ready to depart, when my wife Jane (my current wife of 32 years) and I went to a cultural charity event in the old part of La Paz.  Sitting at our long table (similar to the German beer gardens) was a longtime friend of Jane’s; a woman who served in Houston as the Bolivian Consul General for about 18 years.  Her husband was a real estate executive and when he heard we were heading to San Antonio he was very positive with the area but said “if you’re interested in making a good investment I would go out away from the city, like Boerne (pronounced Burn-ee).  When we arrived at the San Antonio airport, those days it was possible to leave the front door and walk down the street, now it’s a huge international labyrinth.  We walked down the street and I bought my very first pickem-up truck.  I figured, if I was going to be a Texan I had to have a pick-up truck.  It was a nice used white Ford.  We began checking out the schools, paying close attention the high schools, Michelle, my step-daughter was 15 at the time.  She was the reason we left Bolivia, to get her out of the feeling of being regarded as a second class citizen.  We thought we’d try the Boerne area, and loved it.  The High School Principle was a prince of a guy.  We bought a house about four blocks from the high school.  We loved living there.

I’ve never met anyone in the world as friendly as the Texans.  We live in a new development here in New Braunfels, and right across the street is a grass-widow from Hawaii.  She said she thought the people in Hawaii were nice, but the Texans have them beat.

Well, my friends,  you know I could go on for much longer, but this is already becoming a tome, so I’ll spare you for now.  Thanks to both of you guys for participating.  I think this is a fantastic way to reconnect, and get to know one another, more than we ever did in high school.  I’m finding from those who have participated over the past five or six years, we do have some very special people.  I pray the good Lord keeps all of you safe from this dread virus Covid-19. 

P.S.  I’ll tell you a little joke about those ‘pickem-up trucks’ another time.

P.P.S.  I know our friend Beverly Brown Purser has told us about her difficulty with her eyes and difficulty reading, so I hope making the font a little larger will be of help?

Daniel Hutchinson

OH, Steve, I meant to mention in my childhood, I spent many wonderful summer days in Willard.  My mother’s older brother, just two years older, married a young lady from Willard.  Her father was a farmer.  They used to have the Davis fruit stand on the west side of the highway, just as you were leaving Willard on the way to Brigham City.  I had many many wonderful memories in Willard – one of my postings not long ago I related some of it.  It is a beautiful area – the bay on the west and the mountains on the east, literally within reach.