Robert Radofski (Sullivan)

Hi one and all and many belated birthdays. Sorry I missed the pre-reunion, but it was nice to see all the pictures. By the way, who got the hole in one? 

First the Irish complaining, It's been raining a good bit and it's gotten down to 7C/45F at night so the down duvet is working overtime. Having come from central coast California and a prolonged drought, I'm always welcoming the rain. The locals think I'm crazy. We have been getting a lot of sun.

After 20 months of isolation and fully Maderna vaxed, I managed to play in three sessions in October. The music was rusty and a bit wobbly, but the craic was mighty. At least as much chatter as tunes, and that's what I missed most. All the pubs are open here, but since it's a small town and music is most important, every one is being cautious. Sessions are slowly coming back. 

I'm repairing stringed instruments, learning to cook Chinese cuizine, practicing many new tunes. Just keeping busy and appreciating where I am in the world right now. And it's great to read the posts and see how everyone is keeping. A very happy Haloween to all, and go easy on the drink, or....

Tom O'Brien

Happy Birthday to Phil Roy. Another one but it beats the alternative,

Hope the day was filled with all your wants and I know your looking forward to tonights game.

Stay safe and healthy and wishes for many more.

Philip Roy

Mike and OB

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Phil

Tom O'Brien

Geez, first it's Phil Roy, now Pete Pappas. The baseball team is starting to take over this spot.

Hope the year was good and wishes for the next to be better.

Stay healthy and best to all you and the families.

Make sure the cake and ice cream keep flowing.

Lucia Lenhard (Johnson)

Loved the phrase “beat the alternative”, OB you rock.

Bob Rad/S: You too are rocking in an oh so Irish way! 

Mike Young

Rob, glad that the music is starting to flow again (and the craic).  The Irish have always been known for their humor, drinking, music and converational banter.  Did that Jack-O'Lantern have some of your Chinese cooking?  On another note, I'm presuming that your Gaelic has expanded widely, do the Irish actually eat dulaman?  I saw a video of a song based on the seaweed and found that it's a common food for the Irish.  True?  I tried seaweed once.  ONCE.  Only once.  Glad that you're getting out to the pubs.  Merry unbirthday to the rest of us.  Pete the birthday wishes are sincere, albiet late.  I hope you make the next year all that you want it to be.

Mary Anne Shirk, are you still out there?  Doing well?

Bonnie Ellison (Zook)

Thank You Veterans....To The Class Of 1963, today being Veterans Day, I would like to say “Thank You” for your Service.  The years have passed but our memories has not, so many were injured, so many did not return.  War was not something I learned at Shrine , even though we were taught that subject.  I learned exactly what War was with the Vietnam War.  Roy (husband) served two tours there along with other countries.  May we remember our classmates that did serve and are no longer with us.  

Janet Flick (Stickel)

Bonnie,

Wonderful tribute to our Veterans.  We are proud of you all. 

Robert Radofski (Sullivan)

Bonnie and Janet, Thanks for remembering those of us who found ourselves in the middle of conflict, a time we would rather forget, but shaped how we dealt with the rest of our lives. If we lived. Thanks to those who sacrificed their lives for us.

Mike, I don't know about dulamon, my Irish/Gaelic is slow going, or almost non-existant. But seaweed has been in my diet for 40 years, in my miso soup, on salads, and around sushi to keep all the small stuff in place. A lot of Japanese food contains seaweed and it is very healthy. Very delicate but tasty food. A group of Scandinavian women have established a succesful sustainable seaweed farm in the North Sea, growing, harvesting, selling to the world. They also have converted the left-overs by fermentation into livestock feed, cutting cattle and pig methane by 70%. 

I'm in the epicenter of a covid surge in Ireland right now. Fully vaxed, but... Plus the musicians here in Ennis put on a Trad Fest this week that was long scheduled, so we have hundreds of people from all over the world in 30 pubs all squashed together.  This is a real treat for those who don't live here, but I can play with these people every day of the year, so I decided to be safe, stay home and practice new tunes. Thank God there are thousands more to learn. 

Stay safe everyone, and be kind to someone today. They just might need it.

Lucia Lenhard (Johnson)

Well said Mr. Rad/sullivan. Stay safe. 

Mike Young

I  know of no way to express thanks to someone who has willing put their life in danger.  It is equally difficult to know what others feel when their loved ones have put their lives in danger.  I am so much more than appreciative of those who have done so and those who have waited for the safe return of loved ones.  Bonnie you expressed things well.  I am so glad that those in our class did return home from harm's way.  Here in Pinehurst Veteran's Day is one of the five biggest days of the year, Fourth of July and Memorial Day are also widely celebrated.  We have had more flags up for at least a week than one might imagine.  Restaurants have given free dinners to veterans, and we're not talking about burgers.  So many of the golf courses have had either free golf for active military as well as veterans, or charged just cart fees.  So many of the private carts have been sporting flags too.  Thank you Janet and Lucia for your expressions of thanks.  Rob - that's such great advice to be kind to people.  We never know what effect our actions will have on others or what a difference we could make.  I'm glad that you have your music and seaweed - stay safe and healthy one and all.

Tom O'Brien

Happy Birthday Jean, hope your day is filled with love, life and happiness. Not to mention cake and ice cream for a brecurser to turkey day.

Wishing you many more to come.

Mike Young

Happy Birthday, Jean - I hope you're staying warm up there in New York with a day filled with grandchildren and love.  It would be good to see you and Pete at our Reunion again next year.

Tom O'Brien

To One and All,

As we approach this week of Thanksgiving, let me wish all a Wonderful thanksgiving.

For the first time in a couple of years, we can feel better about being together.

Hope your day or days with family are filled with love and happiness and the turkey comes out cooked to perfection. You may or may not have cake and ice cream, but you can sure have pumpkin pie and whipped cream.

Enjoy the day, week, and year and be safe for the holidays.

Some of you might think I have a sweet tooth, but the truth is I have a sweet mouth.

Mary Ann Shirk (Hribar)

Hello to all,

I have read many recent posts and love to hear good news and pray for those in the middle of life's difficulties. Mike asked if I am still out there. Well, sort of. It has been almost a year since I lost my Bob, my sister Kathy, and my brother Jim. I know that no one gets a free pass in life, but this year was a challenge.   Each of my four daughters' families have had their own challenges also this year. I spend many sleepless nights worrying. But I feel my energy and spark coming back. The loneliness is overwhelming, but I find myself adjusting to this new life. I pray all of you are well and living life, loving life and laughing often. 
With love to all, 

Mary Ann

Lorrie Olesak (Bookbinder)

To all who are reading this, I wish the very best for the upcoming holiday season ... We have much to be thankful for after the last year (and more) and I, for one, am happy that our nation is still intact ... for myself and my family, I can ultimately say that we are alive and well and living in many areas of the nation as happy and healthy citizens ... I don't often post on this blog, but read it enthusiastically because hearing all about my classmates is a joy and a wonderful "blast from the past" ... all of your contributions are humorous, heartfelt and enjoyable ... but when you get right down to it "OB" TAKES THE "CAKE"  ... 

Tom O'Brien

To Mary Ann and Lorrie,

Great to hear from you both and glad to hear as hard as it is and has been a tuff year.

Stay sweet and prayers are said every day to keep us all strong and healthy.

Mike Young

Mary Anne, it's good to hear from you - my thoughts and wishes have you in them often.  I have always admired your spirit and character.  Lorrie - your wisdom is so well expressed as usual.  You are right - O.B. takes the cake.  Personally, I am more partial to chocolate. Sadly, as so many cheap  movies say - "resistance is futile" when it comes to chocolate.  I try to be a man for all seasons, so I don't wait for April Fool's Day to do something foolish, why waste so many opportunities by restricting myself to one day?  Additionally, I try to keep the Chrismas Spirit all year.  Kindness and compassion should never be out of season.  The same goes for Thanksgiving - we have so very much to be thankful for in our country and society -so many freedoms and rights.  We also have the people in our lives who have enhanced them, I'll thank many of you for starring in that role.

Thomas Hughes (Hughes)

Tom O'Brien

One thing I am thankful for today is.......There are only 12 more days till December 7, then no

more Medicare ads on TV.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!   and today we can have pie.

Rick Fournier

A joyous and Blessed Thanksgiving to all.  We have so much to be thankful for this and every day.

Tom O'Brien

Happy Birthday, Annette.

One day after the big turkey day and wish for a bigger day for you.

Keep your forever smile and happy demeanor always.

Enjoy your day along with the cake and ice cream.

David Unger

It is so good to "see" all the messages on the forum.  About the last week of September, my myasthenia  gravis condition decided to pay me a visit.  This time it effected both eyes at the same time. Thanks to my Neurolgist, I was finally able to start daytime driving again about 10 days ago.  Night time is still a bit of a challenge, but I am improving each day.  It was a very special Thanksgiving family gathering this year and yes I had two pieces of pie.  So much to be thankful for.

I have been following the all the recent postings and feel so grateful that I am getting back my eye lid control.  Many of us have had to face very difficult times and to see the outpouring of support and prayers has helped us keep going. 

I am suddenly feeling the need for another piece of pie, with whipped cream.  December 7th feels like a long way off, and I can assure you all I have no intention of going to any store today.  

Mike Young

Happy Birthday, Annette.  I agree with O.B. - share that effervescent smile with the world.  I hope your day was full of love, laughter and family.  Speaking of which, I have a very difficult time imagining you as a grandmother, yet, I'll bet you have more than a greatgrandchild or two.  Many more good years for you, Annette.

Dave - I'm pleased that you are seeing the world differently.  And, one piece of pie rarely suffices, don't neglect yourself.

Rick we're all in agreement with you, be thankful every day.

Mike Young

A Happy Birthday to Sue Busch, the quiet lady with a soft smile.  I hope that all is well with you and those you love.  We'd love to see you this August at our Mini- reunion.  Troy is a short hop and we do a social dinner after our golf - love to see you and anyone you'd care to bring.  A Merry Unbirthday to the rest of us.  Just to check - O.B., cake is still the celebratory food of choice for unbirthdays, isn't it?