Linda Bourne (Hellard)

Arvie - Thank you for your recognition of Jim Terry's volunteerism on behalf of the Epilepsy Foundation!!

Mary Jo - Sounds like you have a great retirement plan there.  You will love it though if you're like most of the people I know, you'll be as busy as ever and wonder how you ever had time to work.

Great to hear from you both!! 

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

Hello Everyone:  Just a note to let you all know that David Miller (V-B Class of 1962) would like to extend an invitation to all 1964 class members (as well as the Class of 62 and the Class of 63) to attend events planned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Championship Football Team.

EVENTS:  Friday, October 14, 2011 - Football game and after-game get together at AmVets on Brown School Road.  Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 1 to 4 p.m., an open-house type get together at Christy's Pizza on Dixie Dr. right across from the high school. 

For further information on events, the 1961 Football Season, and what the team is doing for the school, please see the Drummer News edition for Sept. 7, 2011.  You may view the article by going to www.vandaliadrummernews.com.  Click on the headline to read the complete story.  Also, feel free to contact me if you wish either by email or telephone.  My contact information is listed on my profile. 

These guys have really worked hard to put together these events.  It would be great to see a good turnout.  Thanks, Linda

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

I received an email today from Jim Bachelder (as pictured in the Stonequarry section, Mr. Evans' class) saying that he thinks the girl to the left of Danny Oberer is Trina Latstetter.  He's asking if that rings a bell for anyone.  Comments, please?

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Hello my friends - I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that Janice was able to finish her walk before the toddlers!! 

Janice mentioned the 50th reunion and I would like everyone to put on their thinking caps and come up with some great suggestions for the reunion.  We welcome anyone who wants to be on  the committee, you don't have to be here physically, and your input is essential, and all suggestions are welcome.  We want this reunion to be something really special for everyone and memorable.

So please let us hear from you.  We need to start planning (the Class of 63 already has a date for 2013, the place and activities planned....we can't let them get too far ahead of us!!!!) and getting ideas from everyone.

Everyone take care and have a great Holiday season.

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Happy New Year everyone!  And also thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes....although, in reality, it is the anniversary of my 39th birthday.  It was so special I like to remember it every year!!! (HEE HEE) 

Has anyone tried the LIVE CHAT that is available on the website?  You can find it in the menu on the left side of the screen?  I haven't tried it yet but if you are interested, let me know and we'll see if we can get one set up.  As I understand it, any number can chat at the same time.  So, again, if anyone is inerested, let me know and we'll try to set something up.  I know the time differences may be a problem but once we get it set up and see how it works, it may not be a problem at all.  Let's work on it.

So far Janice is the only one who responded regarding suggestions for the 50th Reunion.  Thanis, Janice.  Once the committee gets organized and starts seriously working (since most of us are retired....I don't think we really work seriously anymore!), we'll keep you all updated on our progress.

Anyway, thanks again for the birthday (anniversary) wishes and everyone stay safe.

Brenda

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

Those of you who attended Vandalia-Butler Schools all 12 years may remember Mike Blauser.  He moved out of the district early on maybe second or third grade, but I do think that I remember him from Mrs. Fenters' first grade class.  I saw in the Dayton paper this morning that he passed away this past Saturday.   He was living in Bradford, OH.  He had two daughters and three grandchildren. 

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Hi Everyone -  Hope you are all having a great summer and staying cool.  We will be having a 50th Reunion committee meeting on August 7th so put on your thinking caps and send some ideas (within reason, remember the current economy) of things you would like the committee to consider.  We want to have a really great reunion again and hope more classmates will be able to attend.  The "core" committee members are:  Linda Bourne Hellard, Sharon Moore Harrison, Ed Hept, Ray Jones, Arvie Schieltz, Jim Terry and myself.  We have sent out invitations to classmates still around the area and hope to enlarge the committee.  Please contact any of the committee members if any one is interested in helping with the Reunion.  Again, the reunion is open to not only 1964 graduates but to anyone, who at anytime, was a member of our class. 

Brenda

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Those of you who attended Murlin Heights may remember Tom McElroy.  Tom was with our class in Junior High and Freshman year.  Arvie Schieltz was trying to locate him and found that he had passed away in 2011.  I have added his obituary to our Memory Section.  Please add any rememberances you may have of  Tom.

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Hi Everyone - I just got the following message from Marge Taylor Davis about her sister Linda Kline McDonald:

My sister, Linda McDonald is in MVH (Miami Valley Hospital).  She had a brain tumor and had surgery on Aug 11th. It was deep. They got most of it, but it  is cancer. So......shes still in the hospital, in rehab. Doing a little better. She has no use of her left side, so they are working with her. Poor Dick, he has really been through it.  Just wanted you to know. They have given her a year or less......but there is lots of prayer for her, and we are being positive and not giving up.  At first they dx her with MS. They were wrong.  Keep her & the family
in your prayers, we would appreciate it.   Thanks,  Marge.

 I hope that everyone will let Linda and Marge know that we are all thinking of them and wishing them the best. I'll keep everyone updated as I hear more from Marge.

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

Hi Everybody,

I have been emailing Marge regarding Brenda's post above.  I asked Marge about sending cards and she provides the following addresses:  Linda's home is 404 Funston Avenue, New Carlisle, OH 45344.  She is, however, still in the hospital which is Miami Valley Hospital, Rehab Unit, One Wyoming Street, Dayton, OH 45409.  Marge says "a shower of get well wishes would be a good thing."  Please be so kind as to take a moment to send a card.  Well wishes to Marge would be welcomed as well.  Thanks so much,  Linda

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

If anyone has any photos you would like to have added to the Photo Gallery section, please send them to me via email and I will post them.  If you have any questions, just get in touch.  Linda

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

Marge Taylor Davis emailed me this evening to report that her sister, Linda Kline McDonald, was moved yesterday to DaySpring Rehab Center Room 1105, 8001 Dayton Springfield Road, Fairborn, OH 45324.  Cards and well wishes would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

Marge's latest report on her sister, Linda Kline McDonald came this morning.  Marge said the new facility is beautiful and comfortable.  Linda  "is doing a little better.  She can feed herself and talk.  Left side is very weak.  They have an appointment Friday at the Cancer Center in Springfield."  Please keep Linda and her whole family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Thanks to everyone who attended the mini reunion this past Friday at Little York Tavern.  It was a great night and so good to see everyone.  Thanks to Linda Hellard for arranging it while I was out of town.  Good job Linda!! Those attending were Carolyn Cooper Klepinger and husband John, Ray and Connie Jones, Rich and Mary Fleenor, Linda Bourne Hellard and husband Tom, Ed Hept, Jim Terry, John Partlow, Arvie Schieltz, Marlene Flick Dexter; myself and my friend David Wanamaker.  From other classes - Larry Coleman, Karen Strobel Myers and husband Ron,  Dodie Wagner Davis and husband Bob and Dave Luciano. Be sure to check out the photos that will be posted on the site shortly.  Remember if anyone from out of town is coming to Vandalia for a visit, let us know and we'll plan on getting together.  It's always good to see old friends.

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

I received the following message from Marge Taylor Davis this morning regarding her sister, Linda Kline McDonald.

Janet Reichert (Stuart)

Hello to all !  I just wanted everyone to know I found my school friend and bus seatmate of many years, Pat Macy, through this wonderful website, and couldn't be happier than to know what a good life she has, after many years of wondering what happened to her.  If you haven't written Pat with some good school memories or just a note to let her know you remember her, please do.  She's a wonderful person !  My thanks to all who made it possible for us to meet this way.  Sincerely, Jan Reichert Stuart

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

Janet,  Thanks for taking the time to post the above.  It's always nice to know that someone connected with a long-lost friend via this site.  Thank you for sharing your experience.  Linda

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

The Reunion Surveys have been sent out to all classmates, even those that we do not have e-mail addresses for.  So far we've received 18 back via e-mail with 16 "yes" and 3 back via regular mail with 2 "yes".  I'm happy to say we have had 4 classmates who previously had not joined our site: BEVERLY CAMPBELL SMITH, LARRY GITMAN, CAROL HEETER FOX and RONNIE WELLS.  I hope that everyone will send them a welcome note and let them know we're glad they joined.  Thanks to everyone who has returned the survey, the responses will be a big help to the Committee in planning next year's festivities. 

Everyone take care and be safe!

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Our "Class of 64 Lunch Bunch" had our first official lunch on Wednesday, February 27th at O'Charley's on Miller Lane in Butler Township.  It was good to see Art and Cathy Barnes who came down from Fort Loramie, Ray and Connie Jones came over from Springfield, Jim Terry from Huber Heights and myself from Tipp City.  We were a small group but you couldn't tell that by all the laughter and joking with each other.  We had a great lunch and lots of memories were shared.  It was great to sit and just enjoy being with old friends.  We're trying to find a time that is good for everyone, so in March we are trying a breakfast get together.  We decided on Wednesday, March 27th at 9:00 AM at Frisch's in Huber Heights on Old Troy Pike just north of  the I-70 interchange, thinking that would be a more central location. Hope more of you can make it.   Everyone is welcome.  Hope to see you there!

Sharon Moore (Harrison)

Hey Brenda: 

I finally got a new computer this week and I'm trying to catch up my e-mails.  I apologize for not being in the loop with the Class Reunion Committee for several months now.

I'm sorry I missed the luncheon in February but we were in Florida for two weeks.  I plan on attending the breakfast  gathering on March 27th at Frisch's.  It will be nice to see everyone.  Let me know if  I need to be helping with anything before our next committee meeting.

See you soon.

Sharon

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Our Wednesday morning breakfast at Frisch's was small but hopefully in the future more classmates will be able to join us.  This month Beverly Campbell Smith surprised us and it was so good to see her and renew old friendships.  Jim, Linda, Bev and I almost forgot to order breakfast we were so busy talking and catching up.  Hopefully in the future more old friends will be able to join us.  In April we will be getting together for lunch at Ruby Tuesday's at the corner of Miller Lane and Benchwood at 1:00 PM after all the work crowd has gone back to work.  Hope to see some more old friends there.

We have received great responses to the survey that was sent out and several classmates that we had not previously heard from have responded and are looking forward to the reunion.  Arvie is still hard at work locating classmates that we have lost touch with and surveys are being sent to them as he finds them.  We would not be getting such great response if it weren't for Arvie and his tirelessness in locating and contacting old friends.  He is a machine and we are lucky to have him in our class and on the committee.

Be sure to mark your calendars for April 24th at Ruby Tuesdays.   Hope to see you there!

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

We had an email this morning from John Dickerson that David Wolfe passed away last August.  In his email, John said that he hadn't heard from David recently so googled him only to find his obituary.  Please see the "In Memory" page for further information.   Thanks John for letting us know.

Linda Bourne (Hellard)

Thanks Janice.

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

Thanks from me too Janice.  The support and thoughtfulness from the classmates is what keeps the Committee working so we can have a really great reunion. 

Brenda

Brenda Zenz (Windel)

I would like to apologize to all who had birthays in July - I don't know what happened but July came and went and I did not highlight July birthdays on the home page.  One minute it was June 1 and in the blink of an eye, it's August!  Hope everyone had wonderful birthdays and all your birthday wishes were granted.

Plans for the reunion are progressing and its been great seeing all the surverys that have been returned and the number of class members planning on attending.  We look forward to seeing everyone and especially those who have never attended before.  More information and a final reservation survey will be sent out next spring.  Just remember the reunion is for all class members  - whether they graduated from Vandalia or not because of moving from the area or leaving school for whatever reason - just that they were a member of the class of 1964.

Our monthly lunch get togethers are continuing and each month it's fun to see who will come.  Everyone in the area, or visiting the area, is welcome to come and renew friendships.  Keep checking the Home Page for the dates, location and time.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the summer.

Everyone take care and be safe.

Brenda