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.

Gary Acker

Steven Nielsen

Great to hear from Dan again! - Hey Pete Belliston, I need your list of class member's email addresses and or phone numbers so as to get the 60th year class reunion plans underway. I realize you do not have a complete list, in fact what you have is limited, but please email me what you have at my personal email address. -- Dave Hansen and I have talked once, but I've not heard from Lynn Johnson nor Ruth Austed. If they can't serve on a planning committee, we will take anyone who can. 

BTW, Concerning our BLHS website, Kudos to Karen and Pete for thier diligence, professionalism and outstanding job throughout the years!! 

All the best, Steve Nielsen.

Steven Nielsen

Dear Class Members: I just emailed the following message to Pete Bellisrton: 

Steven Nielsen

Ferron Wimmer

Just a note about Judy Schaum she past away May 21 .We will miss her , she was always the fun one . 

Daniel Hutchinson

I was going through some of my old short stories, and was wondering if any of you might remember this?  If so, and if you can get through it, what do you think? -- Is there any interest in reading some more of my short stories.   I don't recall much reaction seven years ago, 2015.

I have several stories penned, if there is any interest?

"Boy, the time flies.  I hope you find this of interest?  I noticed I sent this to my high school classmates in June of 2015.
----------------
OK, here's something I just banged out on my experience with the U2 Spy Plane.
Francis Gary Powers – U2 Spy Plane Shoot Down
 
This goes back several years, as the years pass the memory dims, while I still have a good memory at age 71, I want to record some of these items to share some personal experiences.

This from the State Department’s Office of the Historian
”U-2 Overflights and the Capture of Francis Gary Powers, 1960

On May 1, 1960, the pilot of an American U-2 spy plane was shot down while flying though Soviet airspace. The fallout over the incident resulted in the cancellation of the Paris Summit scheduled to discuss the ongoing situation in divided Germany, the possibility of an arms control or test ban treaty, and the relaxation of tensions between the USSR and the United States.”
On my first overseas assignment with the CIA, as a Telecommunication Officer, to Nicosia, Cyprus.  We used to have a major communications relay facility on the Island of Cyprus.   What does this mean ‘relay facility’, and where is Cyprus?  Before the days when everyone began using satellites exclusively, we used to employ High Frequency (HF) radios to transmit a message through the airwaves.  HF radio frequency is refracted from the ionosphere on what is called the “E” and “F” Ion layers’ that is the signal would be transmitted up and would be refracted/bent back to earth at great distances away.  I know this is getting a little convoluted, but the reason for explaining this, is for our need to have relay facilities in various locations around the world, to allow for various embassies, and other activities needing to send messages back to the U.S. could do so via a relay facility.  Cyprus is an island on the eastern end of the Mediterranean.
At these relay facilities, there were quite a large number of us assigned to provide service for several locations using us to relay their message traffic.  Often we would be called upon to provide someone to travel elsewhere to provide Temporary Duty (TDY), for our people other locations who needed some relief, or for special activities.  One such special activity with which I was involved, was the U.S. sending a U2 Spy Plane to Cyprus, for the purpose of overflying the Suez Canal.  This was early 1972.  One of my friends and colleagues was sent to set up a communications facility for exclusive use in support of the U2 operation.  The British had graciously given us a cover location at the Akrotiri Royal Air Force base on Cyprus.  Akrotiri is near the city of Limassol.  My friend was given an office in a vacant hanger right next to the runway.  This friend named David was engaged to be married, and only had a few days before he was scheduled to return to the States to marry his High School sweetheart.  He was fortunate in hitching a ride on a C-130 support flight back to the states.  I was asked to go down from Nicosia to replace him.  I drove down from Nicosia to the base, arriving late afternoon, and my buddy, left on the flight the next morning.  I went into the office, with all of the equipment setting around in temporary fashion, wires draped all over the place.  My first day, there was a scheduled flight over the Suez.  In the same office --- large office where I was, there was also the guy who would monitor all of the systems, not only on the aircraft but the pilot as well.  I had turned on all of my equipment, tuned the receivers and transmitters and made sure everything was ready to go, to pass information to Washington, related to the flight.  This was done real time, with my typing directly to the Flight Operations center at Langley, and one at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where the U2 operation was headquartered.  You may recall many of our Space Shuttles would land at Edwards because they have the longest runway in the world.  As an aside, the runway at La Paz, Bolivia is the longest commercial runway in the world, where I lived for so many years. These spy planes had spectacular capabilities, where a long runway was not needed, but to have plenty of runway was much easier on the aircraft.
 
I think it’s worth mentioning what the work environment was like inside the CIA.  From the day I entered on duty, we knew and sensed the professionalism, yet there was a relaxed attitude throughout.  For instance, everyone from the Director of the Agency on down was on first name basis.  As years went on, there was more of an air of official interaction, not quite as it was with the old timers, many of the original members who founded the Agency were still around, or their influence was felt.
I mention this because whenever we went anywhere in the world we knew we would be working with professionals, that we could trust, and the atmosphere would be relaxed and cordial.  Most places we went, we would be working with total strangers, and yet we would feel like old friends very quickly.
The flight took off at about 6:00 A.M. and the fellow monitoring the machine, about the size of a large microwave oven, which printed out a tape with several channels, which represented all of the systems of the aircraft and Pilot.  This tape very much resembled the tape coming out of an EKG machine.  As soon as the flight began to roll down the runway, the machine was spitting out the data tape.  The aircraft was so fast, it didn’t take more than 20 minutes for the plane to be making its pass down the Suez Canal.  At this time, the Russians were the influencing power presence in Egypt, pretty much-controlling everything.  Along the Suez Canal, the Soviets (it was still the Soviet Union then) had installed SAM III missile sites all along the Canal.  The U2 had just barely begun its pass, when the monitoring equipment, constantly monitoring the revolutions of engines on the ground, including those of missiles.  Most all of the time the missiles would have their engines running at an idle.  If they ever exceeded a certain level of revolutions, it meant the missile was being fired.  This was the case on my first day on the job.  The Russians were firing a rocket at our U2 Plane.  The Pilot, with these special ops planes, were called ‘Drivers’.  He was able to monitor the same information in the cockpit.  The two of us monitoring the tape on the ground saw the readout go first to ‘amber’ (the revolutions were going up) to ‘red’ (they were firing).  The Driver immediately began taking evasive action and got out of there.  Concurrent to this, I went to my Teletype machine immediately and began typing the events of what was going on, back to Washington and Edwards.  Naturally, it goes without saying, things were a bit tense, but as I said, the plane had a lot of fantastic capability, and there was really no danger in the missile actually taking the plane down.  The plane was too high and too fast for the missile to be effective.
The British were very hospitable to us, we would go eat breakfast at the Royal Air Force Officer Mess, and in the evenings we were welcomed into the Officers Club.  Almost every evening most of us in the group would go have supper together.  Since I had remembered the political backlash of Gary Powers being shot down over the Soviet Union.  I asked one of the Drivers sitting across the dinner table from me if he knew Powers, he and the other Driver sitting next to him, both knew and worked with him.  I asked why the plane was shot down.  Both of them with giving off a ‘humph’, explained the procedure was when leaving Pakistan on its planned flight path over the Soviet Union to land in Norway, was to climb to 70,000 feet, and glide for a very long way, with the engines off, to prevent the Russians from being able to monitor or pick up the plane from the emission of the engine.   Throughout almost any country, there will be areas, or what is termed hot zones, where radar is heavily painting the area.  These are around military installations, heavily populated areas, and sensitive sites, like missile launch pads.  There are areas in-between these heavily painted radar sites with little capability to pick up the engines or to be picked up on radar itself.  Gary Powers failed to follow procedure on the flight.  After gliding for say, a thousand miles, the plane would eventually descend, the procedure was to get to the altitude to prevent detection, knowing where they could turn the engine on to regain altitude again.  Powers didn’t do that and waited too long.  When he turned the engine on, he was picked up, and the Russians scrambled fighters to intercept him and were able to get to him before he got back up to the high altitude (which used to be classified).  The Russians fired a missile which took him down.  Powers was able to bail out and then was captured.  The Russians made a big deal over this.  If you’re interested there are some good pieces of the whole incident.  Just Google U2 Spy Plane Shoot Down, and you’ll get quite a bit to choose from.
The Drivers sitting across the table from me having dinner didn’t have any sympathy for Powers, saying ‘he got what he deserved, for not following procedure’!
I believe I provided some of you with this before, but since I’m re-writing it because I must have trashed my previous version, perhaps some of the information will be new.  There is always something else that comes to mind when I’m writing these things.
One of these Drivers I came to know quite well, and was a great guy, These guys are a breed of their own, almost fearless, yet very intelligent and patriotic.  This one I was talking with, I asked if the stories I’d heard about the plane being able to take off and be out of sight within five seconds was true.  This guy affirmed this but said it caused quite-a-bit of stress on the aircraft.  He wasn’t a very tall guy, maybe 5’10’, but stocky, with board shoulders.  The cockpit of the U2 was very narrow/tight.  He told me to come out of my shop before flight time the next morning and watch what I do.  The flight preparation/ops room was right next to where my office was, and as I said right on the edge of the runway.  The following morning I went out just as a couple of support crew brought the Driver out, helping him into a box van, where there was a seat mounted right in the center of van (about the size of a UPS delivery van, maybe a bit larger), One of the guys was carrying his oxygen tank/pack, another was ensuring that there was nothing which could snag or cut the flight suit.  The flight suit they wore was the same one the Astronauts wore.  He told me they cost 95 thousand dollars, just for the suit.  I thought that was a lot of money, particularly for 1972.   The support guys had him in the van, where when seated he was facing backward.  He looked out and saw me, and gave me a thumbs up. 
They took the Driver to the plane which was already on the runway.  The extremely long wings, which allowed the plane to glide for long distances when filled with fuel would droop almost touching the ground.  They had little poles, with a caster on the bottom, which hooked to the end of the wings to hold them off of the ground.  As soon as the plane took off, those poles fell off.  I failed to mention, I had heard the plane could take off in about a city block.  The plane itself was practically all engine, very very powerful and noisy.  The crew got the Driver in the cockpit, which with his broad shoulders, he had to sit with his shoulders bent forward because it was so tight – making for an uncomfortable ride.
The Driver began revving the engine, louder and louder, and amazing it was able to be running with so much power and still sitting still.  As soon as he got to the revolutions he needed, he let the brakes go, and off he went.  He had only been rolling about the city block I mentioned and lifted off.  He tipped the plane on end and shot straight up, virtually vertical.  It took right at five seconds and he was out of sight.  You could still hear the engine, but the plane was already out of sight.  When he returned to base, the Ops Officer in charge of the Cyprus operation, asked him, “What the hell did you do that for”?  I was standing there and the Driver said, ‘Well Hutch wanted to see it”!  The Chief just looked at him, shook his head and walked off.  Those Drivers were a pretty valuable commodity, so nobody really gave them too much grief.  The Driver turned to me and winked.
 
Oh and Dave came back to Cyprus with his new bride, a beautiful blond girl, who already had her nursing degree.  Our group was very close, and we all had a great time together.
Just one of my experiences – I hope you enjoyed reading it?
Dan"

Pete Belliston

Dan -

I really liked your story. You've had some interesting and unique experiences that are far removed from what I've had. A CIA operative in a foreign land - what's not to like hearing about that? And, I'll bet you would get an "A" in Ms.Neal's class for your writing.

I remember you wrote something about Gary Powers before but, at this age, you could write this same thing again next week and it would be new to me.

I'm good for lots more, or the same one again :) - bring them on!! 

Thanks,

Pete

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

Thank you Pete and Gary -- In that case I'll repost some of the stories I've alrady written.

Had to chuckle about the memory, Pete -- my memory is waining some as well.

Daniel Hutchinson

This is just another tale of a highlight to my tour in Bangladesh.  Lengthy and also an old one I wrote.

I hope you don't think of me being bovaristic?  Please forgive my tendancy to ramble at times.

"It was November of 1990, I took my family to Dhaka, Bangladesh.  After failed attempts to get a couple of plumb assignments abroad before retiring, my boss wanted me to stay in the States.  Consequently, I opted for the lesser, more undesirable postings we had in the Agency.  Dhaka was like stepping down two rungs on the ladder of my career.  It meant I was taking myself out of competition career wise. The added money though was a boost.  We have several of these undesirable posts around the world, as an incentive they pay a premium.  It’s said to be only paid for health risks, but in actuality it’s an inducement to get people to go.  With all the perks, going to Bangladesh was equivalent to two promotions pay wise. 
As in all of the overseas assignments, the U.S. Government picks up the tab for rent and utilities.  The only bill we were responsible for was our telephone bill.  In Dhaka, I was given exclusive us of a new Mitsubishi Pajero (Montero).  They drive on the left in Bangladesh; thus, the car had the steering wheel on the right.  This was the first time I had the car with the steering wheel on the right but did have my ’67 Mustang on my first assignment with the Agency in Cyprus, where we drove on the left. 

It didn’t take long to get down the shifting with the left verses the right hand – a little strange at first.
----------
2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991
(6 months, 3 weeks and 5 days)
The U.S. Led invasion of Iraq with coalition forces took place.  I arrived in November of 1990, with my family for a two-year tour of duty (we stayed 2-1/2 years).  Prior to arrival I was assigned to our Headquarters at Langley Farms (CIA Headquarters).  Working as a Communications Watch Officer, I was the voice of two directors both the Communications Director and the Office of Information Technology Director after hours, weekends and holidays. When the Iraqi’s invaded Kuwait they laid siege to the U.S. Embassy.  They shut down all electrical power the city, water and commercial telephone service, including the U.S. Embassy.  I was keeping constant contact with the Embassy via what we called a ‘Crisis Communications Network’.  After a couple of days, the only food left in the Embassy were a few cases of tuna fish.  My colleagues were telling me, they were eating tuna fish in any fashion imaginable. Fried, boiled, baked, tuna salad.  They told me that they would probably never eat tuna fish again.  Of course, this was after the very tense period of not knowing if the Iraqi’s were going to honor the diplomatic protections afforded diplomats abroad, or if they might just over run the Embassy, take them hostage or worse.
In Communications we had very strict security restrictions for tapping into the Communications emergency power system, or air conditioning systems.  For several technical reasons we had to remain totally autonomous.  It’s obvious the power system could not be tapped to the point of depleting the needed power to run our transmitters and receivers, along with sundry communications equipment. 
At one point when stored emergency water ran low, I was called by the Communications Officer requesting permission to put the Embassy swimming pool filtration pump onto the Communications generator.  I told them “Under the circumstances, you do whatever you need to do, to help make your lives more comfortable”. They found it necessary to begin using the water from the swimming pool for drinking and cooking that tuna.
After the Embassy people were released one of the younger officers reported to Headquarters for debriefing and begin some additional training for an onward assignment.  His wife and 18-month-old baby proceeded to their home leave point in Arizona.  I received a call from the wife, who was asking for some help with health insurance, because she was at the emergency room with the baby.  For security reasons, we could never go overseas with a health card, which could be traced back to the Agency.  We had to retrieve our health cards once we returned to the States.  In this case the young officer had not yet picked up his card.  I began making phone calls to the Communications Headquarters, which was not located in the main Headquarters building.  I was calling the cover people, and the medical folks.  It turned out the card and number needed for the young mother was in the Commo, personnel file, but it took about 30 minutes to find it.  In the interim, one of the assignments officers I was talking with (Steve) was one of those people who was always playing the political games, always trying to display his efficiency.  He never passed up a chance to be noticed by the higher-ups.  He (Steve) began telling me I needed to start talking with them about my onward assignment.  I became really annoyed at this, telling him “I don’t give a damn about my next assignment right now, I’m trying to get some help for this young mother out in Arizona”!  He was obviously upset with my response, but I was able to get what I needed to help the young mother.  I never did call Steve back but went around him when it came time for me to consider my next assignment.  This was one example of the political games played, which was what went against my basic belief of what I was best suited for; that being a ‘field man’, I belonged overseas.  Overseas, I was pretty much my own boss, and that sure suited me over the politics played in Washington.
 
The War, Desert Storm was launched in August 1990, and I arrived with my family just three months later.  The American Ambassadors in the Muslim world all granted non-essential personnel the option to leave their respective countries.  In the case of Bangladesh, the Muslim population numbered 86%, and it wasn’t certain how much solidarity was going to be shown by the locals in support of their Iraqi brothers.   Some of this I’ve related in my previous writing, but I thought perhaps it might be of interest to read one of the highlights of this period.
The Agency had made an offer to anyone in the world with Iraqi presence a sizable reward to any Iraqi who would turn over their cryptographic key, which would allow us (the U.S.) to monitor all of their communications which would be a huge coup in intelligence gathering capability.
We had a Case Officer (what many call Agent, but Agents are only foreign nationals) The Case Officer was having some success in courting the Iraqi Communications Officer and his wife.  It was a delicate operation, for a couple of reasons.  The Iraqi’s had tight security all over the world and watched their people like hawks.  The Communicator was receptive and friendly, but extremely nervous.  He and his wife had to leave their two young daughters in Iraq with grandparents for the Iraqis to have ultimate control.  If they were shown to be disloyal the Iraqi government could very well kill the children and the grandparents.  As you can imagine this is a very effective tool for control.

After several casual social meetings, our Case Officer was able to establish some trust, particularly with the Communicators wife.  She had a lot of sway with the husband and eventually over the course of about two months they were getting close to accepting our plan to spirit their children, grandparents and to receive the sizable amount of money, which would ensure them a decent start in a new location.
As the time grew near there were a couple of tense meetings, where our Case officer along with the Iraqi Communicator and his wife were in serious danger.  It was during a few of these meetings, always in the dark of night; the Chief of Station and I in a non-descript old beat-up car, provided cover, just in case any shooting started.  The Chief and I were only armed with Browning 9-millimeter semi-automatics, after the first of these tense meetings, the Chief reported the results to Washington, and they came back with the question of whether or not we had current weapons certifications.  We both needed to be re-certified, and the nearest place where a certifying officer was located was in Bangkok, Thailand. So, several of us went to Bangkok to run through the certification process. 

The Chief was a guy who had an ego so large, it was almost humorous.  When I beat his scores in the weapons certification it bruised his ego, but I was able to joke with him, and assured him, I still took orders from him – had to feed his ego a bit.
The final night came where the Communicator came out with the cryptographic key, which was used worldwide by the Iraqi’s, whereas we in the U.S. use only point to point, unique keying material between two points.  With many countries, mostly third world countries they can’t afford to do this. If they use cryptographic protection to begin with, the worldwide key material is the norm. 

We were parked on a dark street, I was driving, and the Chief riding as passenger.  The Case officer went separately to meet with the Iraqi.  We were poised to give him support if things went sour.  You can never know 100%, if these people might turn on you, causing a set up situation to take out one of our officers.  It really is a tense situation in these cases. While the chief and I were sitting in this old car with local plates, it was totally innocuous.  We were parked in a dark place under some low hanging branches of a tree, when a couple of local police came strolling close by the car.  We slumped down a bit, and don’t think they paid any attention to us, but we didn’t know if this was going to be the start of some trouble or not, so we were ready, hand on our guns, with a round chambered.  After they just strolled on down the street and turned a corner, we gave a little sigh of relief.
The Case Officer was successful in obtaining the key material, and we learned the following day that it was obtained the day before by one of our people in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, so the large reward was given to that guy, but we gave our guy 1/5th of the amount for his giving us the key.  As it turned out nothing was ever detected, no suspicion was cast upon the Iraqi Communicator nor his wife, so we didn’t have to spirit his children and parents out of Iraq. 
This is just one of those times which made the job interesting/fun."
 

Steven Nielsen

Dan, great stories! Vivid detail,,,

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

One more of my missives, written while we were still living in Cochabamba, Bolivia, in 2016.  I sent this to some family membrs who expressed some interest in my years of being away from family, there in Utah.  One of my regrets, has been the loss of  family closeness.  I haven't been a part of the lives of nieces, nephews and friends.  Yes, the experiences have been many, but at a cost.

Daniel Hutchinson

OK time for a little humor, From my dear Jewish friend in Bolivia:

"Three friends from the local congregation were asked, "When you're in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?"
Artie said: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man."
 
Eugene commented: "I would like them to say I was a
wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives."
 
Al said: "I'd like them to say, "Look, he's moving!"

"Why were hurricanes usually named after women?
Because when they arrive, they're wet and wild, but
when they go, they take your house and car."

"A man goes to see the Rabbi. "Rabbi, something terrible is happening and I have to talk to you about it." 
The Rabbi asked, "What's wrong?" 
The man replied, "My wife is poisoning me." 
The Rabbi, very surprised by this, asks, "How can that be?" 
The man then pleads, "I'm telling you, I'm certain she's poisoning me, what should I do?" 
The Rabbi then offers, "Tell you what. Let me talk to
her, I'll see what I can find out and I'll let you know." 
A week later the Rabbi calls the man and says, "Well, I spoke to your wife. I spoke to her on the phone for three hours. 
You want my advice?"

The man said yes and the Rabbi replied, 

                                                                                                        "Take the poison."

Ferron Wimmer

Steve neilson,  I taked with Karen the owner if the Timbermine today and she said they hav an overhead screen and a TV, no projector. I hope that helps you

Daniel Hutchinson

I'm happy to say Cassidy Hutchinson is no relation; eventhough it's embarrassing to even have the name association.

Steven Nielsen

Dan Hutchison, I love your true to life stories, also your Jewish humorismsk; great stuff...But I need to know if you and your sweetheart are planning to come to Ogden for the 60th year class reunion. Franklly, I'll feel terrible if you do not make it! You've always been so supportive of the class through your writings and yes I have fond memories of the kind of person you were throughout the years at Mound Fort and Ben Lomond. Please do your very best to attend ! -- And Gary Acker, how did your upper teeth surgery go?? I hope great and do know this, there will be a prize awarded at the Class Reunion for the person with the most spare parts, i.e. knee implants, stents, tooth implants, (point for each one) pace makers, new lenses after catarac surgery, hair implants, by-pass double, triple points apply, etc. etc. Personally, sometimes I feel like the 64 million dollar man! -- A quick report on the 60th year class reunion's progress here: Clare Profaizer, Charlotte Stone, Dennis Taylor, Dan James, Madalyn Leonardi, Charlotte Tschaggeny, David Spindon, Dave Hansen, Ruth Ann Young, Mike Liptrot, Bob VanFossen and Val Lasko have all been very supportive and also in helping track down classmates. Furthermore, Martie Peck Bond and Karen LeSuier Seeber have just joined the committee and we're greatful for their added strength. The event will be a blast! Tender memories, loveing friendships, catrching up and just plain fun for members of the greatest class of seniors to ever grace a high school. And I've never been more serious. Our class was special, very special, just ask a guy who was struggleing with a very difficult home life and sense of self worth during those turbulent years. - p.s. please remember Jerry Davis and Mike Liptrot in your prayers, they both could use an uplift rght now ! Cheers, Steve Nielsen

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

Thanks Steve et al.  I am going to make the drive up from Texas, but my dear wife will remain home.  She just had a knee replaced and our daughter who just moved here from California is having some medical issues.  My wife, Jane wants to stay and help care foe our three grandkids.

I would like to see everyone, looking forward to the event.

I should be in the running for the medical procedures.  Gary, I'm keeping you in my prayers re the teeth problems.

Ferron Wimmer

Hello everyone . Great to hear all of your comments .I think a prize for the most medical proceders woud be great but Dan I think I got you all beat . 8 back surgeries both knees replaced both thumbs rebilt two carpiltunnels shouder surgery hernia  caterac and 9 trigger fingers. I'm a real mess . It.s going to great to see all of you at the reunion . Glad to hear your comming Dan .Thats all I can say. See you all there

Daniel Hutchinson

Ferron, your list surely has me beat -- I had those shivers running up and down my spine reading your list -- wow!  I'm looking forward to a nice visit.

I'm hoping part of the program will include our classmates going to the lectern to give us a run down on their lives -- how neat that would be.

Steven Nielsen

Dan, I'm so glad you're coming and like you I'm in awe of Ferron's run ins with the medical industry...Holy smokes Ferron you've really been through the wringer! I've got nothing to complain about. And Gary, I may be wrong but I went to Jerry Davis' house yesterday and all he could do was crack the door. I couldn't hear him through the locked storm door and I'm not sure he knew me...but I left a book and a flyer with the details of the reunion. I also asked him about Sharon but could not understand him well.

Let's all beat the bushes looking for lost classmates and give them the particulars. Tell their families and friends if you can. And again, just for an update the event is:

August 11th, 2022 at the Timbermine Steakhouse in Ogden, starting 4:30 in the afternoon running until 9:00 p.m. Please send your RSVP to: Dave Hansen - 1349 N. 275 E. - Centerville, UT 84014 plus $35. per person. Make checks payable to:Ben Lomond Class of 1962 and along with your fee please indicate weather you would like Chicken, Beef or Fish as your main course.

Dan there will be a microphone and podium for folks who want to give a short synopsis of their life and add whatever they'd like to old friends; also dancing, 50's & 60's music, a cash bar for those who wish to partake of the spirits and a good time for all.

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

I wonder if this will bring back mamories for any of my Classmates?

"I was musing over some of the old movie serials, and was thinking how we would go the movies on Saturday morning Matinees.  I believe we could get in for a dime, and it was an all morning affair.  At intermission we would, if we would have enough money to go get some Holloway’s, or Black Crows, a Big Hunk, Dotts, a bag of popcorn, and maybe a drink.  These were the things to choose from, but we would only have money for one thing, and a drink. There were four or five series, like Bat Man, The Lone Ranger, The Little Rascals, and all kinds of westerns, with stage coaches going off a cliff with the hero on board, to cut until the next week.  Of course he always jumped just before it went over.  One of my favorites I can still see in my mind’s eye, was the Ma and Pa Kettle series.  I’ve imitated Pa Kettle many times in my life.  Like the wife coming in from the kitchen to get her husband to do something as he’s lying on the couch, and he saying “OK OK, I’ll get around to it, but you don’t have to remind me every six months”!

I recall they would have contests, and give away a new Schwinn Bicycle, or something nice.  I remember for intermission one time, they had a guy who was a Yo-Yo expert, and he did some fantastic tricks with the Yo-Yo.  He made a spider web, which I tried for years to replicate and never was able to. 

One time I was standing in the long line waiting to pay, get the ticket to go in, and there was an Indian (Blackfoot) family standing behind me, and I can still recall the horrible stench of people who never bathed.

One thing that came to mind, was Every time the Lone Ranger and Tonto road off into the desert at the end of the show, they were going to the next town to solve a crime, but the funny thing is, they never had any saddle bags or food provisions.  And, where did the Lone Ranger get the silver to make his bullets.  Did people in Hollywood think his side kick Indian was ‘stupid’, because they gave him the name “Tonto”, which means ‘stupid’ in Spanish?

I guess I was about seven, when different characters would travel around and stop at the little neighborhood grocery stores and put on some kind of show.  I lived with my grandparents at 1073-23^rd Street, and just a half a block down was one of those little grocery stores.  One time Aunt Jamima came and they had a long table set up in the front of the store and she cooked pancakes for everyone who wanted some.  I don’t recall having any pancakes, but I sure was impressed with her, she looked just like her picture on the box. 

Another time, about three blocks up the street on 23^rd, two blocks above Harrison, there was another little grocery store, and Hop-along Cassidy came with his horse Topper.  He let all of us who wanted to sit on Topper – I did and remember how far off the ground I was.

Awh the memories of being a kids.  We had seasons for everything, water-gun fights, rubber-gun fights, match-fights, we played baseball until dark; mostly at the Lorin Farr Elementary School on 22^nd and Harrison; marbles in the dirt.  The girls played hop scotch, and the boys played marbles.  We used to keep our shooting taw in one of mother’s old powder puffs, we slit the seam just enough to use the powder puff as a pouch to hold our prize shooters.  We used to go down to Crosses Western Store on Washington, where we could buy ‘Bulls Eye Agates”, they were the Cadillac of shooting taws.  When you had a few moons in the agates, it was like having notches on a gun.  It meant you had really hit some of those marbles out of the circle hard.  When I couldn’t find anyone around to play marbles I even played hop scotch.  I taught all of my kids to play marbles and hop scotch.  A couple of years ago, I came across a couple of nice size rubber heels, and thought, those would be great for playing hop scotch – I have them in my garage now.  We flew kites, and made paper airplanes.  Oh and yes the Yo-Yo’s – we even got special waxed string so it would sleep longer.  I recall the middle finger on my right hand almost falling off (not really), from having that string tied around my finger all day long.  How about roller skating around the neighborhoods, on the sidewalks, with those metal skates with the famed skate key?  I recall having some sore wrists or sore bums from hitting the cracks and falling, not often but enough to have something to remember for a few days.  We did all kinds of things for practically no money outlay.  Boy, did we have fun!"

Gary Acker