Class of ‘57 News Letter

February 2007                                            Vol. 21

Mission Statement

It is the purpose of the Class of ‘57 Newsletter to Keep our class members informed as to address changes and minor/major happenings.

 

Feit Tells About Three Homes

After spending the first six months of 2006 traveling through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California we fell in love with Arizona. Looking around, we settled in Mesa at a 55+ park (the only one that would allow us to keep our 65 lb Doberman). We looked at one manufactured home in the park, and as we were about to leave Barb spotted a window sign that announced a single wide unit for sale -- we talked to the owner, he wanted $750 (yes that is just $750). He just wanted to return to Wisconsin for more fishing and snow. Making the deal, we left Mesa, owners of our new home. After spending time in Indianapolis, we went back to Ft. Myers, FL and placed our home “For Sale.”

Returning to Mesa, we purchased a larger unit in the same complex, and now are proud owners of three houses. So, if anyone wishes to purchase a 3 bedroom in N. Ft Myers or a 1 bedroom in Mesa -- make me an offer . Barb and I love this area. We have done the usual travels in this area. Sedona, Grand Canyon, Kingman, Prescott, Tucson and yet there is so much more to see and do. Still working part time, I return to Indianapolis one week a month doing consulting work. If all goes well, this will continue until the summer of 2010.

If travels brings you to the Phoenix/Mesa area give us a call. Thom: 480-656-0826

 

 

Another Dream Realized

Robert Hall has realized another of his dreams. Bob flew his plane over the Rocky Mountains, something that he had wanted to do for many years. On this trip he was able to land and visit with Judy King Yockey (who is planning on attending the 50th reunion). He also visited Barbara Carver Fry who lives in Hurricane, Utah. Bob’s motto is, “Live your dreams while you can”.

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 Space Available

This newsletter has lots of space available. Stories of our classmates were not very forthcoming. As Janet Bridge Maybee said; “Either we all have very boring lives or else we are too lazy or too busy. (to send information to the newsletter) I always think that what we are doing will not really interest people much.” Or the way Joe Yoder sees it some people think others get tired of seeing the same names all the time. But, those are the people who are doing things and enjoying themselves. They are not bragging, but simply sharing.

The print in this newsletter is larger than usual. That is not just to fill the space, but to try to have type that is big enough for those who like to get it on the CCHSAA website. However, this time the newsletter is being sent to everyone in order to maintain the mission that Joe intended in the beginning which was to have an updated address list for the 50th reunion.

On the Mend

Janis Smith underwent a hip replacement in September. She is doing well and reports that there is really not much to it.

Jim Kissinger is recovering from a heart attack.

Gene Brown underwent surgery for a brain tumor on August 25th. He is well on the road to recovery after taking chemo therapy. His wife, Linda, said that she didn’t know what he was like growing up, but he is now a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. The Browns have three sons and four grandsons. She also mentioned that Gene lost all his beautiful red hair and had a little discomfort in his ears like you get when you fly in a plane or go up or down a mountain. He had worked for 44 years in a steel mill. While working he also attended college. He earned 4 degrees and is presently employed at Cleveland Clinic in the radiography department in Cleveland, Ohio. Gene is doing fine as of 1-25-07 and is looking forward to the 50th reunion.

 

 Did You Know

In the Middle Ages the common floor covering was thresh (straw). To keep the thresh from slipping out the open door, a board was placed on the floor to hold the straw in the room. Therefore we have the word “threshold”

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90th Birthday Celebration

Dorotha Sheets, mother of Maribelle Sheets Carter, celebrated her 90th birthday at Oak Pointe where she now lives, on November 25th. Members of the ‘Class of 57’, who happened to be the first to come through the door, included Jeanette Wince Brown, Pauline Juillerat Burch. Then came Carolyn Hilligoss and her husband Stan Fisher, Jerald Putman and his wife Carol also attended. There were neighbors and church members from the Laud Christian Church and people who live at Crooked Lake where Dorotha had lived for the last 30 years, school teachers, and a brother and two sisters were also in attendance.

After the celebration, on December 5th Maribelle and her husband Reinald flew to their winter home in Tucson, AZ. After buying a Christmas tree they settled in with warm weather and awaited the arrival of their Colorado family who were to fly down on the 21st. Long story made short. A Colorado blizzard hit the family members who could not get their flight, so Maribelle and Reinald flew to Colorado on Christmas Day. They had a great time playing lots of board games and cards with their two granddaughters. Maribelle hopes to never see another snowflake again!

Maribelle regrets that they missed Janet Bridge and her husband Bob Maybee who were to have visited them on December 27th. She did mention that the Maybees plan to be at the 50th reunion in September.

Maribelle also said that Ted and Sue Gruver visited her mother, Dorotha, in October of last year. She and Reinald had lunch with the Gruvers in Annapolis, Maryland in September.

 

WASHINGTON CENTER HOLDS REUNION

The Class of ’57 was represented at the Washington Center Reunion that was held on October 1. Those in attendance included Jeanette Wince Brown, Judy Reimer Thompson, Pauline Juillerat Burch, Carolyn Hilligoss Fisher, Jerald Putman, and Kenny Juillerat. This reunion was just for people who graduated during the 50’s. Families that were represented included Becks, Gambles, Coxs, and Juillerats. There were about 100 people in attendance. Also a “history” information sheet was published. Another reunion of this sort is planned for 2008

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Plans in the Making

Plans are being made for the 50th reunion for the Class of ‘57. The following was taken from the Columbia City High School Alumni Association’s web sight.

The 50th reunion for the Class of 1957 is set for Saturday, September 8, 2007, at Eagle's Nest Event Center in Columbia City. Mark your calendars now. More details to follow in the months ahead.

Serving on the reunion committee are: Rex Carpenter, Rosalie Farber Kleespie, Eugene Heckman, Shirley Hosler, Carol Schuman Krider, Janis Smith Kelly, Barbara Snepp Klopfenstein, and Patty Winebrenner Goldsby (who will be in charge of decorations).

Notice

The CCHS Florida Brunch will not be held this coming March. It will be postponed until March of 2008

Did You Know

Did you know that in the Middle Ages the houses were built with an open space between the outside wall and the eaves of the roof? Often people would stand under the eaves to get out of the rain. They realized that they could hear what people were saying inside the house. Eventually people would stand under the eaves just to hear what was being said. Therefore we have the word eaves-drop for listening to others who are unaware that anyone is listening

Rex Carpenter, chairman of the 50th reunion event, requests that anyone interested in helping with the 50th reunion contact him by email to rexcarpenter@msn.com or phone 863-422-0390 (winter) or 260-248-8408 (summer).

Hopefully most of you will find a way to attend on September the 8th. You will be receiving information about separate township gatherings similar to those held for the 40th reunion. If you think that we might not have the correct address for you please contact:

Joe Yoder

3636 Country Club Blvd

Cape Coral, FL 33904

Or:

Carol Schuman Krider

4590 W. Platner Rd.

Columbia City, IN 46725

 

Still Roaming Around the Country

By Janet Bridge Maybee

Janet Bridge and husband Bob Maybee continue to live in their Winnebago Adventurer motor-home. They have spent 4 wonderfully warm winters in Florida and 2 COLD winters in Bloomfield, New Mexico, where there are lots of great attractions within a short driving distance and photographic opportunities for Bob.

Bloomfield is not a new place for the Maybes as they had lived in this town from 1989 to 1992. While in this town Janet and Bob help a Navajo pastor in two churches that are about 20 miles out of town. In May of 2005 they returned to help friends who started a church in Bloomfield 6 years ago. Bob is officially the associate pastor. He preaches and teaches, and works with the praise and worship team. He also maintains the church’s 3 vans and drives to pick-up church members. Bob is an over all helper to the pastor.

Janet works in the office doing some computer work. She also helps in the preschool children’s class and with women’s ministry, and whereever else she is needed.

Living in a motor home has its rewards in that they can visit with family and many friends. In March of 2006 the Maybes traveled to Tucson to see Maribelle Sheets Carter and her husband Reinald. Last summer they enjoyed watching the Old Settler’s Day Parade. While in the area they were able to have lunch with (Polly) Pauline Juillerat Bruch and Carolyn Hilligoss Fisher and husband Butch. Janet is looking forward to the 50th class reunion.

Working at a Campground

Is Good For What Ails You

By Roger L. Bridge

We had a fantastic experience. We worked at a KOA campground in Buena Vista, Colorado. We were able to look at five different 14,000 ft. peaks from our campsite. I did a lot of maintenance work within the campground while Bev worked inside the store with reservations and merchandising. We put in an average of about 30 hours per week. We were there from about May 10 to Sept. 10. When we worked, we worked hard. After the first couple weeks, I seriously doubted whether I was going to be able to handle it. The elevation of 8000 plus feet made it very tough for both of us at the beginning. However, I hung in there and got toughened up and was able to complete the contract we signed. As it turned out it was the best thing I could have ever done. With the two Major surgeries I had gone through in the previous 9 months (first 6 plus hours and second 3 plus hours) I was in a very weakened condition and I needed some hard physical work to build this ole body up. I no longer have the mindset to do it on my own and need someone to push me. My boss did that. They were wonderful owners. Along with the owners and some other work campers, we have made some lifelong friends. I would love to do it again, but Bev is not real crazy about it. Just a week or so ago we turned down a position at Bar Harbor, Maine for this coming summer. I loved it. I am a people person and love to be around them in an atmosphere such as this. I have developed a hernia on my right flank (exactly on my incision), and we didn’t want to be in Maine at the same time I might need surgery again.

 

 

Group Outing

by Janis Smith Kelly

Bob Hall organized a group of 29 people the last of January to go to a Concert of Gospel Music. The group was the Legacy 5. It was held at Wawasee High School and is held every year. We ate at the Oakwood Restaurant on Lake Wawasee. We drew numbers and sat next to people we didn't know and had to introduce them to the group after we found out all we could about them. Bob thought he had everything under control, and that we would all sit together, until he saw Mardell Feit Hall, his sister Kaye, her husband Brian and myself all sit down together at another table. He just smiled and had this look that said something had to be wrong, but we assured him we didn't trade our numbers. Kaye and I reminisced about when she and Bob used to live across the street from my family and our neighbors, when she was only 1 to 5 yrs old. If anyone ever has a chance to go to one of the Legacy 5's concerts be sure to go. They are worth every penny we spent. They are having an Alaska cruise, a Mexican trip and will be at the Grand Old Opry over Memorial Day and Labor Day. They are funny and very talented. Thank you Bob for a very enjoyable evening.

Three of our class had our own chauffer. Jerald Putman and his wife Carol (Ott) invited us to ride with them in their Mercedes Benz. That car did everything but cook your food and drive itself.

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Address Changes

The following people are still on the move and have new addresses:

Barbara Bates Thomas

5734 Kleinpeter Rd.

Baton Rouge, LA 7081

Phone # 225-610-6060

barbthomas2002@yahoo.com

 

Thom Feit

120 N. Val Vista Dr. #222

Mesa, AZ 85213

Phone # 480-656--0826

tomfeit@cox.net

 

 

Janet Bridge Maybee

102 Rainbow Drive #190

Livingston, TX 77399-1002

This is a forwarding service for people who live in motor homes and travel all over the country.

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New Email Addresses

Gene Brown

gnlbrown@centurytel.net

Marlin Worden

Marlin_Worden@yahoo.com

(be sure to use the underscore between names. Also the M and W might be lower case letters instead of upper case.

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