Paul Richard Hain

Dear April,

I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. I hope your life going forward will be rewarding and filled with happiness. 

Holly Semiloff (Ciotti)

OK: Zoom/school/covid -- you haven't lived until you are in class, Zoomly-speaking, and a student posts in the Chat "Ms. Ciotti, can I go to the bathroom?"   The kid is AT HOME, for petesake; what am I going to say: "No, you are in class, no bathroom passes now."????????????

You also haven't lived until you are in class WATCHING a student brush his teeth in a little Zoom-rectangle.  "Varaga (that's his name), why are you brushing your teeth in class, if you don't mind my asking?"  He swallows, shifts the toothbrush around and says, "I know I shouldn't miss class."  I am humbled.

You might also not have lived until you are in Zoom-class and a student is BOUNCING ON HER BED, BALANCING A CHROMEBOOK ON HER KNEES.  "Anzhela (that's her name), is there by chance a table and a chair anywhere near you???"   "Yeah, I guess so."

And for some reason, my 10th graders are not spellbound by the contriversial issue of the pros and cons of the death penalty.  And for some reason, my AP Lit seniors are nodding off (I guess) while Hamlet is browbeating his mother for marrying Claudius.  And for some reason, my AP Language juniors are slightly less than wowwed by Martin Luther KIng's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" -- all 15 pages of it.

"It's CS" -- It's Covid, stupid.

And once more I am reminded why I'm still teaching, these 36 years (and not stopping)  -- teenagers is teenagers, bless 'em, every one.

holly

Scott Mermel

Here's a view of remote learning from the other side.  For many months (until infections started to spike in November and we no longer felt safe because our daughter's family wasn't completed "podded"), I spent a day or two a week (my wife also) sitting with our 8 year old grandson supervising his remote second grade schooling to give our daughter a few hour break each day.  Our 11 year old 5th grader was fine; she could handle everything on her own for the entire 6 hour day, but it was a bit much for the second grader.  So, I got to attend second grade again and I was amazed!  Besides the three R's, which, of course, were very basic, the teacher covered concepts like empathy and sympathy.  I have to admit that some of the second graders' answers were better than I could have given.  I was happy the teacher didn't call on me!  With our direction, I think there was a good deal of learning going on, but I hand it to the teachers who got better attention and response at times from the second graders than I've seen on adult Zoom meetings.  Kudos to all our teachers and administrators for their contributions in these tough times.

Roger C. Kaage

It's great to have the (non-political) message forum back!  Thanks, Scott.  Where to start?  Like most of us, we've been TWT (trapped without travel) for a year.  Last February we were down in Key Largo.  Got home, looking forward to our April 3-week cruise from New York to Seattle, through the Canal.  No go, so we rescheduled it for this January.  No go, so we just rescheduled it for next January (2022).  Keeping our fingers crossed for that one. No long weekend in Chicago for fun and a show at the Opera House.  No trip to Lake Tahoe to visit our nephew and his wife.  No fall leaf-peeping, supper club searching trip to northern Wi.  Since Pat and I married in 1998, we've taken at least 4 trips a year, just to keep things fresh and new.  Going without any trips for a year has been a different experience--but not an altogether bad one.  Having nothing else to do, we re-dedicated ourselves to healthy diet and daily exercise routines, and we're both at a fitness level we haven't seen in 15-20 years.  Though we did lose some good friends in the past year, none were from Covid.  In fact, of our friends and family, only a couple contracted the virus.  No onerous symptoms, except for loss of smell/taste.  Can't imagine what that's like, and don't want to find out.  Really miss seeing friends, going out to dinner, just socializing.  But, with the vaccine now being injected (Pat and I are awaiting our second doses, as are most of our friends), we're already planning a dinner party with our best-friend 3 couples once we are all fully vaccinated and a couple of weeks have passed--maybe by the end of March. 

I'm glad to hear that most of our classmates have weathered the storm successfully.  It will be good to hear from more of you.  Keep us informed.

Trudi Ann Davis (Davis)

I am so happy to have received both vaccines and in celebration I am flying to Nashville to visit my niece.

My grandaughter was attending virtual kindergarden and I was called in to cover Fridays.  What a fun task, trying to keep Delaney sitting and paying attention.  She is a very active child and doesn't seem to feel that learning the alphabet is that important when there are so many fun things to do, like run around the house chasing her almost 3 year old sister.  I am so grateful that she is now in school five days a week, she is also happier.

I had yet another surgery to replace my left shoulder.  It went very well and am now in rehab.  Other than that I feel great and am grateful to have avoided covid.  This has been such a hard year for loss.  .  . loss of activities, loss of friends and relatives, loss of face to face connection.  I am tired of zoom although appreciate that it has provided continuation of friendships.  I go to church on zoom, go to meetings on zoom, keep up with friends on zoom, watch my adorable grandson in Spain on Whats App so I don't feel like I am missing his infancy.  I can't wait until I can fly again to Spain to visit.  So happy they will be coming in August.

Terry J. Bramwell

Hope everybody is doing OK. I have not been checking the message forum that often but it seems like it is not being used as much anymore.

I know a lot of us are glad we have received our shots and we are trying to get back to some type of normal life again. I suppose staying at home got to get pretty old after awhile for most of us. My big problem was going to the refrigerater too ofter. I think I gain about 12 pounds for the last year. Hope to get back to walking soon.

I know my wife and I are looking forward to some travel here before too long. I wiil mention that we will be going to Lake Tahoe in September and meet up with some of our classmates. Jim Archer, Bill Hohs, and Bob Yamaguchi and their wives will be joining us for a few days. It should be fun and I look forward to reminiscing with all of them.

Stay safe

Terry Bramwell

Donn Pearlman

Hello Niles West classmates! It's been a few months since I visited this forum.

Illinois is granting me special dispensation for safe passage to return to the Land of Lincoln for the World's Fair of Money in Rosemont (www.WorldsFairofMoney.com) where I once again get to play with other people's rare coins and paper money. It will be my first post-pandemic, fully-vaccinated visit back to my home state. 

Ronald I. Zager

Donn,

We miss your wit and wisdom on this forum--and also Sharry's.

Please place a $100 bet on bitcoin for me while you're in Chicago,   You know I'm good for it, and we can split my winnings 50/50.

Thanks,

Ronn

Trudi Ann Davis (Davis)

My oldest daughter is visiting from Spainwith her husband and 20 month old baby.  They are staying with me for three weeks and then they return to Catalonia.  We took a family photo with all four grandchildren who were wearing identical pattern outfits from the 17 year old to the 20 month old.  It was mostly fun except when Adria, the 20 month old decided he had enough.  Funny because the 17 year old did exactly the same thing when we did our last family photo and he was about the same age .  Life is funny.

II am so grateful that school has reopened for my granddaughter. I helped sit with her during her zoom sessions last year.  She wasn't the least bit interested and would do anything to get up from her chrome book.  Even my recitation of the excitement she would experience suddenly understanding that the letters spelled words that could be understood.  Nope, no interest there. To be fair she is an extremely active child and is only sitting down when she is really tired.  Her mother hired a reading teacher who was able to bring her up to the level kindergartners are supposed to be at.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

So good to hear from you, Trudi.    
Enjoy your family.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Psychologists Christine Langhanns and Hermann Muller concluded from studies of people solving math problems: "Sitting quietly is not necessarily the best condition for learning in school."

Research studying the body's role in thinking shows that the body must first be interacting with the world to activate and open up the mind for learning.

When our bodies are moving, our minds are more open to learning.

To ask students to sit still to stay "on task" actually increases the burden on their mind (their cognitive load) - they have to concentrate on quieting their bodies and fix themselves to their desk or digital screen.

Teachers are wise to normalize movement during class. Activity often helps people do their best thinking. Activating the body activates the mind.

-- Katie Headrick Taylor, Associate Professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development, U of Washington 

David Alex

There is additional information, including reviews, on my website, davidalex.net.  Here is a brief synopsis. 

N.  Mrs. Page is a passionate social and political conservative African American woman. When her caregiver, Eddy, a White liberal actor, refuses to use the N-Word in a play he’s rehearsing, they each learn something about themselves from the other’s perspective. 

Upcoming Productions. 

Black Sheep Players (Sharon, PA), September 10-12, 2021.

Lewis University (Romeoville IL), October 2021.

Angel Wing Project (Glen Burnie, Maryland), February, 2022.

Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York (Albany, NY), April 2022.

Note, I will be attending the production in Sharon, Pennsylvania on Sept 11 and Sept 12 (matinee).   Sharon is 30 minutes from Youngstown, Ohio.  I will be attending the opening nights of the other productions.

If you live nearby one of these cities it would be great to see you.

All the best and thanks for your support,

davidalex.net

mrdavidalex@yahoo.com

2626 Lakeview #2303

Chicago IL 60614

630-835-9288

Larry Metnick

I hope this message isn't too macabre, but I just saw an obituary for an Alan Rosen, age 74, married to Sharon. Does anyone know if this is our Lincoln Hall and Niles West classmate?

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Larry, I checked and found the names of our classmate's children and grandchildren match the names of the bereaved in the obituary which also lists a sister Debra and a brother Edward.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

There is a chapel service for Alan Rosen today, Wednesday, November 3rd at 1:30 PM. 
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Shalom Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Park,     
1700 W Rand Road      
Arlington Heights, IL
(847) 255 - 3520

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Burgundy Bunch, 
https://give.themmrf.org/BurgundyBunch

Larry Metnick

Thanks Janis, though sorry to hear it. I have good memories of Alan Rosen going back to fifth grade softball games.

Allan Norman Karlin

So sorry to hear of Alan Rosen's passing.  Only saw him a few times over the years, but it was always a pleasure.  Sincere, decent, smart -- all around good guy.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

The photo for Robert Edward Schwarz on the In Memory Yearbook Photo page is not Robey Schwarz.    
The photo on Robey's personal In Memory page is Robert Edward Schwarz.

Beverlee Ann Arpan (Marshall)

So, who is this guy?  Or should I say, was? Post answer if you know.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

I loved Robey.    
With all due respect, no one could take his place.

Donn Pearlman

Year-end greetings and best wishes to the Niles West class of 1964. May 2022 be a year of good health and happiness.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

As a Christian celebrating the good news of Christmas, I am encouraged to recognize and affirm that Jesus was a Jew - he thought of himself as a Jew and he embraced Jewish tradition. Jesus made it possible for us all to be a part of the people of God.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

from the prologue to the gospel of  John     
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons (and daughters) of God...Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God...full of grace and truth."

Paul Richard Hain

Janis,

Thank you for the reminder about the meaning of Christmas.  It's a greeting of love and peace.  We really need that in today's world.

Donn,

Thank you for the greeting, as well.  It's great to be alive to share greetings with all our high school friends.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Alan D Schwartz, Niles West class of 1964, is mistakenly shown as Robert Edward Schwarz on our website "In Memory Yearbook Photo" page.

Alan D Schwartz did not join the website so he may not be aware that his photo appears in the "In Memory" section on our website.