Bruce Kordenbrock

Happy New Year to All.  May everyone's new year be happy, healthy and prosperous. 

A huge thanks to the 50th Reunion Committee on a very successful 'Gathering of Eagles.'

A special congrats to all B1G fans and especially the Michigan State University Spartans Football team for defeating a very good Stanford University team in the 100th Rose Bowl game.  Interesting little fact: U of M defeated Stanford in the very first Rose Bowl Game 49-0 and they suspended playing the Rose Bowl for 10 years.  Michigan State wins 24-20 in the 100th Rose Bowl Game.

Stephen Leuchtman

I noticed before the game that State was playing Michigan's original opponent, Stanford; and being a true-Blue Michigan alum, remembered that M beat them 49-0 in the first Rose Bowl.  It was my hope that Michigan and State could bracket the 100 years of the Rose Bowl with wins, especially since the Rose Bowl will never be its old self when it becomes part of a tournament next year.  We M guys are supposed to hate State, but I never have, in part because when I was in track at Michigan, I knew a lot of guys on their track and football teams (not to mention Petaja in hockey) who I had known and liked in HS.  Of course, OSU is another thing entirely...

State's success is very well deserved.  My litmus test for a college coach is whether, if I had a kid or grandkid good enough to play in college, I would want him to play for that coach in his program.  Unlike, say, Urban Meyer, I would gladly have any kid or grandkid play for Dantonio, who is the classiest of class acts---and who does everything the right way.

It pains me a little to say it, but GO GREEN!  Great way to start the new year.

Happy New Year, everybody.  Be safe in the snow and cold.
 

David Daniels

I don’t care where you went to school, I think we all should take a good deal of pride in what State accomplished this football season, especially closing it out that way in the Rose Bowl.Like Bruce said, UofM had beaten Stanford in the 1^st one, it’s only appropriate that MSU takes it from them in the 100^th game.I’ve always leaned heavily towards Michigan; never went there, but I did live in A² for a couple of years. Before that, I transferred from Wayne to Oakland, which at the time was still associated with MSU – my degree says both Oakland University & Michigan State on it.(If you can’t remember back that far, OU was originally called “Michigan State at Oakland.”) Technically, I am a grad of MSU.Anyway, in 2014 I am very pleased to be connected to the Spartans.

Besides that, my son is an alum of Clemson and I hope you all saw what the Tigers did to those nasty Buckeyes last night. Even though they didn't win, Michigan put a good scare into OSU (remember,UM wasn't ranked and OSU was #3, no on thought it could be that close); State beat ‘em up bad; and Clemson finished them off this morning (EST). Couldn’t ask for a better start to a New Year. Have a great 2014 Thurston people!

David Daniels

PS -- Do you know the only other time Clemson played Ohio State?  1978, Gator bowl: Woody Hayes punched the Clemson defensive player after he intercepted the ball.  Clemson won the game and Woody was fired.  Record to date:  Wins = Clemson, 2; Ohio State, 0.

Richard McKay

And even us that never went to no collage. LOL

Bruce Kordenbrock

Steve,

Nicely worded salute to a fellow State of Michigan team.  I totally agree with you about the fine quality and personalities of MSU's coaches, football with Dantonio and Narduzzi as well as basketball with Izzo. 

A great way to start off our new year.

bk

Marilyn Rouen (Dimitroff)

When MSU beat Ohio State in Indianapolis, we decided to go to the Rose Bowl.  Bo got tickets through MSU - he was the center on the 1965-66 team that played in the 1966 Rose Bowl.  It was a challege getting flights, a hotel, a rental car and parade tickets and a challege just getting around Pasadena on game day!  But it was worth it - no doubt.  The crowd was Green and very loud and crazy happy to win.  It was great to see so many  enthusastic Spartans - from little kids to folks older than we are!

On New Years Eve, we went to an MSU dinner dance. We celebrated the New Year at 9:00pm (E Lansing time) rather than California midnight.  There had to be 100 tables with 10 people each.  We were with another couple who are friends (from Stanford!) and picked a table.  It turned out that three women at our table graduated from THURSTON (1966)!  What are the odds on that?  And one of them lived with Leslie Rothwell's family for a while.  They were Debbie, Lorna and Chris - all live in Brighton.

And last note;  We had our final reunion committee meeting yesterday.  It was a good wrap up.  We were all still talking about how good it was to see classmates, how we wish we'd been able to talk to everyone and how special the event turned out to be.  It was bittersweet knowing that all the work is done but so are our meetings.  Patti, Bill, Sheila, and Elaine are still putting in much time and creativity into getting the DVD material organized.  We all feel fortunate to have reconnected to work together.  I hope the regional get togethers ddo take place.  

Jane Cinka (Herrick)

Marilyn,

That is so neat to run into past Thursstonites  at MSU when you were there!  Amazing you and Bo were able to get tickets for the Rose Bowl, too.   It must have been a thrill for Bo to be there again even as a spectator. Again the reunion weekend was so much fun...as everyone has mentioned, and it was wonderful to see and talk to old classmataes again.  Thanks again to the committee for this fantastic event.

Stephen Leuchtman

Bruce, I didn't mention Izzo because we were talking about football.  Of course, you are right about him.  Anyone who doesn't like Tom Izzo is either nuts, a communist-subversive-terrorist, or both.

Dennis Abraham

to all  our  thurston eagles class of 1963, a happy,blessed,healthy new year 2014,...wow...love and best wishes always,   dennis abraham

Bruce Kordenbrock

Michigan State's basketball team defeats a good Ohio State's team 72-68 last night in a great 'nail biter.'  Go 'Izzo Nation!'

Linda Garcia (Garcia-Shelton)

To Steve,

Yeah, I hate those communist, subversive, whatevers too!  Go Green!  Linda

Jan Carter (Ziegler)

Do you remember those old cartoons like Betty Boop & Felix the Cat?  I came across this web site everyone should enjoy.  It has all the classics.  Try it out.

https://archive.org/details/classic_cartoons

Richard McKay

Anyone remember any school closings because of snow?

Sharon Dumler (Davis)

When we were in 3rd or 4th grade at Fisher there was so much snow that the busses couldn't get through, and they sent us home on foot.  I remember how hard it was to walk through such deep snow.  I don't remember school being canceled because of the weather, but I also don't remember wind chill temperatures as cold as today. 

Catherine Micallef (Kosikowski)

Recently we had a mini-reunion in Fort Worth, TX.  Bob Nakoneczny (63) and his wife Patti, Connie (Johnson) Hurn (62) and her husband Richard, my brother Al Micallef (61) his wife Jane was out of town, Doug Coburn (62), his wife Melody (64) was in Michigan visiting family, freezing and wishing she was in Texas, and my husband Ed (62) all had dinner in Fort Worth.  We had a great time and had some great stories to share. We laughed and talked for hours.

Stay warm, even in Texas, it's been a long winter, snowed yesterday. Very, Very unusual.

Dave Lebut (Lebut)

I hope everyone up north is surviving what appears to be a VERY bad winter, as a full time AZ resident I don't miss any of that.  But it's hard to believe that we are already into the 2nd month of 2014, it sure goes by faster than it did in high school.

I am still thrilled at the great reunion we had in October.  At the reunion I mentioned to some of you that for the last almost 13 years I've been an active volunteer with the American Diabetes Association because my wife has diabetes along with all her siblings and many people on both sides of my family.  I started with them raising funds by getting donations to sponsor me as I was running marathons.  After running both the Kona and Rome marathons I became the coach for the Arizona area runners and walkers who were doing the PF Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon and 1/2 marathon in Phoenix every January.  After coaching for 10 years I finally retired after the 2013 race.  About 8 years ago I was asked to join the ADA's Phoenix Community Leadership Board which consists of volunteers and ADA staff and provides direction on and support for events (fund raisers) and programs (education, information and advocacy) in this area.  Nine years ago I got back on a bike, for the first time since junior high and rode in the ADA's Tour de Cure here in Phoenix.  I started at 32 miles and have ridden every year since increasing to 35, 62, 80 and last year 85.  This brings me to why I'm posting this, I am again riding the Tour de Cure this year on March 22.  I am shooting to complete my first century ride, yes 100 miles.  If you or your family/friends have been affected by diabetes you know what a devastating disease it is.  If this is you, or if you just want to help the 26 million Americans with diabetes and the 79 million who are pre-diabetic you can support the ADA's mission "to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes" by sponsoring me on my long ride.  You can either do it by following this link to my website  http://main.diabetes.org/goto/CoachDave  or you can send me a check, made out to American Diabetes Association, at Dave Lebut (Tour de Cure) 3529 E Mockingbird Ct, Gilbert, AZ 85234.  All donations are 100% tax deductible and will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for considering this request.  Dave

Carol Strucel (Rohlinger)

Another mini-reunion took place this afternoon in Tucson, AZ.  I've uploaded a photo on my profile page of Jane Cinka Herrick, Dianne May Trevino, Carol Erickson Bishop, and me at lunch.  There's also a photo on my Facebook page.  We had a wonderful time "catching up" on the past 50+ years, and the laughter was contagious.  So many years have gone by, a lifetime, but our friendships still seem to be on the "same page" as when we were going to school at good ole Thurston.  We are hoping to stay in closer contact and see each other more often in the future. 

Sharon Dumler (Davis)

Carol, That's a great photo of the four of you.  You all look healthy and happy!

Margaret Kottke (Leuchtman)

I have to agree with Sharon, it was a great picture of all of you!!! How nice to get together, I miss the lunches, and all the laughs we had while trying to settle arrangements for our 50 reunion!!!   We will have to get together again when this weather breaks Sharon!

Stephen Leuchtman

I'm not counting on it, especially for my alma mater, but wouldn't a Michigan-MSU NCAA final game be freakin' amazing?!?

David Daniels

Absolutely Steve -- could anything be better than that?

Bruce Kordenbrock

That would be great.  Especially, if U of M has to meet Wisconsin in the previous game.  Prove the power of B1G basketball.  Of course, Virginia, Tennessee, and Baylor may have some input to the equation!

Catherine Micallef (Kosikowski)

Ok, I am going to put a song in your head that is going to drive you all crazy.  There is a commercial on TV, I think it's about getting all you can back from income tax and the song they play is "REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD". Everytime I hear that song I think about our reunion, it did feel soooo good and judging from the postings that are still going on, it's not just me that thinks like that. Can hardly wait for the next time we meet.

Stephen Leuchtman

Well, it was a good run for both the Spartans and my Wolverines.  I believe the loss of Mitch McGary finally caught up with Michigan, since we got killed on the boards.  Kentucky was more athletic.  These tournaments are all about coaching, which explains State's success with Izzo as their coach.  I thought Beilein outcoached Calipari--but in the end, the Wildcats were just too talented.  Still, if their guy misses the three-pointer at the end . . . oh, well.  Great tribute to the B1G, as Bruce suggested in his earlier post.  Three teams in the Elite Eight ain't too shabby!