More photos from the SWCS 10-year soiree

LAKEWOOD, New York, USA - As promised here's the balance of the photos I received from the SWCS 10-year reunion held July 7.

These photos were all taken by Randy Carlson. (Thanks Randy!)

You might want to check with Randy about who is who in these... I started to write captions and then realized I was about to make some blunders.

Larger versions of these can be viewed by clicking on the photos which will take you to the photo page (flickr.com) where I posted them... You can make them larger for viewing on your screen.

If anyone else has photos they would like to see posted here, please send them to me at: mikefitz@csus.edu.

If you do send photos, PLEASE make them smaller than 1MB... about a third of that is plenty for good viewing...

Photos from the 10-year SWCS reunion

LAKEWOOD, New York, USA - The following photos and captions were passed along to me by Patricia (pbm@madbbs.com) from the 10-year SWCS reunion held last week.

As soon as possible, I will post some other photos sent by Randy Carlson...


1. MarilynMoore Sundeen, Polly Carlson Halfkenny and Mary Flynn Gokey


2. Mona Carlson Laughlin and Nella Logan



3. Polly Carlson Halfkenny & Mary Flynn Gokey


4. Mona Carlson Laughlin & Nella Logan


5. Sharon Erickson_______?, Janice Peterson Giltinan & Marilyn Moore Sundeen


6. John Sundeen, Lyle Jensen, Tom Pike & Richard Logan


7. Jim Laughlin & Mr. Giltinan


8. Eileen Groves__________?

Classmate Jesse Doud has passed away at age 60

CLASSMATES:

The following was sent to me by Lee and Marge Anderson. I believe it was published in the Jamestown Post-Journal.

==========

6/21/2007 - GREECE, N.Y. — Jesse M. Doud, died suddenly, Monday, June 18, 2007, at age 60.

Jesse is survived by his loving wife, Joan Doud; sons: Jacob (Robin) Doud and Adam Doud; daughters: Peggy (James) Menard and Sarah Soud; brothers: Niles (Phyllis) Doud, the Rev. Richard (Donna) Doud, Calvin (Marilyn) Doud and James ‘‘Archie’’ (Jennifer) Doud; grandchildren: Jessica, LaChelle, Veronica and Austin; sister -in-law, Roberta Doud; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Wilbur Doud.

Jesse was a truck driver for Waste Management, an avid hunter and enjoyed time at his camp in Ellington with his Boy Scout troop.

Friends may call Friday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Vay-Schliech & Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Road. His funeral service will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at Valley View Cemetery in Ellington. (Please meet the family at the entrance of the cemetery.) In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make contributions to Good News Community Church, 4797 Ridge Road West, Spencerport, NY, 14559 or Boys Scout of America Troop 173, 1924 Maiden Lane, Rochester, NY, 14626 in his memory.

For more information or to sign Jesse’s online guestbook, please visit www. Meeson Family.com


Jesse enjoying himself at last year's 40th reunion

The reunion of reunions coming in July

LAKEWOOD, New York, USA - I'm still struggling with my other life committments to attend the July 7, 2007 reunion of the SWCS classes from 1960 to 1970.

Right now, I'm not sure about getting out of Mexico to even get back to Seneca Lake for the summer.

But Randy Carlson reports that the reunion is on track and that people who want to try to jam in at the last moment should contact Brad Zimmer or Ron Ducat...

I hope you make it.

Here's the flyer for the event...


Reunion notice

Obituary - Keith D. Flanders, 1969 SWCS grad

JAMESTOWN, N. Y. - I received a note today that Keith Flanders, Class of '69, died last Friday.

His obituary from the Jamestown Post Journal is reprinted below.

===============================

3/20/2007 - Keith D. Flanders (‘‘Flan”), 55, of 58 School St., Panama, passed away at 11:30 p.m. Friday (March 16, 2007) in the M.C.V. Hospital in Richmond, Va. He was born July 5, 1951, in Jamestown, the son of the late Lewis W. Flanders and Carol S. Ecker. He was a 1969 graduate of Southwestern Central High School and had also attended Jamestown Community College.

Keith was employed by Hagemeyer as a store coordinator and also by the Town of Busti as a court officer. He was previously employed by Quality Markets for many years. Keith was a volunteer fireman for the Village of Lakewood for more than 11 years, answering close to 2,000 alarms. He was also an EMT for seven years and a dispatcher for the Lakewood Police Department. A devoted husband and father, Keith loved to travel and was an avid outdoorsman. His son and his love of the outdoors led him to be an active Boy Scout Leader. He had fond memories of his hike in the Alps with his daughter and also part of the Appalachian Trail. In earlier years he had toured the country camping at most of the major National Parks in the Rockies and western states. Keith loved watching the Bills games with his family and was a devoted Minnesota Twins fan.

Keith was a resident fixture at Erickson’s Restaurant where he spent much of his time chatting with the regulars or just enjoying quiet time over a cup of coffee. Keith loved a wide variety of music, his most recent favorite being that of Big Leg Emma.

Keith’s compassionate, caring ways were a comfort to countless people. He showed others an unconditional love that literally changed their lives. He will always be remembered for his ready smile, open arms and kind heart.

Surviving are his wife Candy, whom he married Nov. 25, 1976; his son, Sean Bernhardt of Jamestown; his daughter, Keylyn Flanders of New Bern, N.C.; two brothers: Jeff (Patti) Flanders and Neil Flanders, all of Jamestown; three sisters: Shelley (Fred) Sundheimer of Canton, Ohio, Laura (Jimmy) Smith of Lakewood and Denise (Pete) Eyler of Sugar Grove, Pa.; his grandmother, Martha Carlson of Lakewood; his a stepfather, Norm Ecker Sr. of Sugar Grove, three stepbrothers; a stepsister; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Lakewood United Methodist Church. The Rev. Violet A. Davidson, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Ashville.

Friends will be received by the family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Falconer Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department 2 Packard Way, Lakewood, NY, 14750, or to the Lakewood Memorial Library 12 W. Summit Ave., Lakewood, NY, 14750.

Diane Delancy's email and a photo of the Ruppies

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - My email contained this brief missive yesterday:

Diane DeLancey Nolly
e-mail and street address:

Streamside2000@aol.com

Diane Nolly

8525 White Rabbit Trail

Littleton, CO

80127

So we can guess it's the same Diane Delancy we knew from the Class of '66, who signed my yearbook "I hope we will always be good friends and drinking buddies."

Considering that I haven't talked to her since 1966 - or shared a beverage (that I remember) - it's safe to say that I didn't keep up my end of the bargain.

Diane! Come to California, the drinks are on me...



While I was rummaging around in the yearbook, grabbing a copy of Diane's photo, I also kept getting frames of Linda Davidson (isn't that a great shot of her?), so I'm including her photo from the yearbook, too. Linda was at the reunion last summer and I have lots of photos of her dancing up a storm...with the rest of us.



In other class-related news, I'm happy to report that John Rupp's wife Paula and their daughter Noelani are safely ensconsced in a new condo in Vermont. Paula sent along the shot below of the two of them, titled The Ruppies.

Paula said that she and Lani will be visiting Mexico at the end of April - Puerto Vallarta of all places! I will miss them by about a month, but it's nice to know they have passports and we can time the visits together in the future.

Oh-my-God! This just gave me a great idea for a class reunion.

How about holding a reunion in Mexico? The food is cheap, the margaritas intoxicating and the weather gorgeous, nearly year round. And I bet I can find hotels a lot cheaper than Webb's Resort to stay in. For the price of a weekend stay at Webb's, I think I can find you a beachfront palapa for a week or more, complete with a guy who brings you cold beer and cooks any fish you catch.

Of course, there is the small matter of airfares, I suppose.

Details, details...Don't bother with details. Let's start planning una fiesta right now.


Paula and Lani - The Ruppies

The reunion this summer will be exactly when?

JAMESTOWN, New York - So it's February and in the East - from reading the weather reports out here in California - it's unlikely dreams of summer have started yet.

Wait, let's think about that. Maybe dreams of summer are all that anyone is thinking about.

Whatever...

But by all accounts the July 7, 2007, 10-years-worth-of-SWCS graduating classes is still on.

My plans are still in flux (Where is flux, anyway?) for the summer with job stuff, Mexico stuff, Seneca Lake stuff and, well, just stuff...

Whatever...

But I hope we get a good Class of '66 turnout at the July 7 soiree. If other people have some dates in mind in addition, let me know and I'll post it here. (Even if you are simply going to be in the area, give a shout, si?)

The July 7 date looks unlikely for me to be in Lakewood - at least at this moment - but everything that far out from today's date is certainly subject to change.

In case you forgot how much fun last summer's party was, here's a few photos to remind you.

Later amigos.


Dance fever



See Zurh House scene



Lee Johnson


Dan Flanagan, class president and First Lady


The skating crowd

A special announcement about the next reunion

JAMESTOWN, New York - Here's the latest announcement for this summer's July 7 class reunion for the 1960-1970 grads.

If you can't read it in this format, click on the notice itself.

==================

Obituary for Roger Seiberg

JAMESTOWN, New York - I received this email this morning from Gayla Swartzman, sister of Dana Bolles and the late Rhonda Bolles.

Roger's obituary from the Post Journal follows her missive.

=====================

Hi mike, this is Danas sister Gayla Swartzman. Wanted to let you know that Roger Seiberg passed away on sunday 1/21/2007. He was 55 yrs. old and graduated with my sister Rhonda. He was living in North Tonawanda. His obituary is in the post journal, tuesday 1/23/2007. If you need more information, please let me know. Thanks.

=====================


Roger Seiberg's obituary from the Post Journal

The Class of '66 is still looking for classmates

JAMESTOWN, New York - Randy Carlson sent along the following list of folks who the class just hasn't been able to locate yet. Have you see these people or have any idea where they might be?


Bob Fulcher

I was in touch with Bob Fulcher's sister Terrie a few years ago, but her email suddenly went out of service and so that was that. She was living in Florida.

I had photos of these two classmates close on hand from the list.


Debbie Stabler


Tom Wrinn

Here's the entire list:

HELP NEEDED WITH UNFOUND CLASSMATES 2007

Mailed and returned or no current address Last known address

Kathy Bowman Scott
Diane Delancey Nolly Newport News
Linda Foster Cross
Bob Fulcher Cabot, Ak
Cubby Gleason Cortland NY
Linda Hetrick Gill
Ellen Hurt never had address
Pamela Sue Johnson
John Limberg
Roberta Lindbeck Knight Aurora, Co
Denise Norell never had address
Doug Pillsbury Hasbrouck Hts, N.J.
Melanie Robertson Reynolds
Debbie Stabler Melec Essexville, Mi
Ann Sivi Johnson
Diane Thorpe Hackett
Thomas Wrinn never had address

Please send email addresses to Mike F. mikefitz@csus.edu
Street addresses should go to Randy C. carlscus@netsync.net

Bob Swanson sends full lyrics for that drinking song

JAMESTOWN, New York - Classmate Bob Swanson has sent along the full chorus & lyrics to the drinking song I referenced yesterday. Thanks Bob!

Here you go:

Cheers, Cheers, to Southwestern High
You bring the whiskey, I'll bring the rye
Send the freshmen out for gin
And don't let a sober sophomore in
Juniors never stagger
Seniors never fall
They sober up on wood alcohol
While the royal faculty
Lies drunk on the bar room floor.

Also, Bob noted that Gunnie Nelson, owner/operator of the Pastime Restaurant in Lakewood (across the canal from the Rod & Gun Club) has passed away.

I spent many hours and many dollars at the Pastime, which had pretty good bands back in those days. I actually met my first wife there, now that I think about it. I'll leave all that for another day.

The seven graduations were looong, but good

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The seven graduations - even lugging the university 'mace' went as well as such things can, with only a few goofs in the program and more than a few students whose exuberance was fueled by alcohol.

If I had been a student (and not sitting up on the platform) and had any advance warning about how dull some of the speeches would be, I might have dosed myself with a little Grey Goose before the ceremony.

Interestingly, one group that graduated at 8 a.m. probably had the highest percentage of smashed students marching up to get their diplomas.

What was that song we used to sing?

Seniors never stagger,
Juniors never fall,
They sober up on wood alcohol,
And the loyal faculty,
lies drunk on the bar room floor.

Or something like that.

I only muffed my lines one, stumbling over the pronounciation of Dean Sanjay Varshney.

Oh sure, it looks easy from where you are sitting right now. Try saying that name in front of 2,000 people while your goofy hat is falling off your head.


Standing post with the university mace

Christmas greetings from Dianne Hagglund

JAMESTOWN, New York - The following Christmas missive goes out to all classmates from Dianne Hagglund, to whom I apologize if I misspelled her last name - I'm in San Francisco on my way to Mexico to celebrate Christmas on a surfboard with a margarita in my hand.

Here's Dianne's note:

I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.You talk of the cold and the frozen lake.Not this year ! It has been very mild ,the lake isn't frozen and today the temperature is about 44.

I was also thinking how different the holidays are now from 40 years ago.Then we wanted that new sweater or shirt, money or any other gadget we thought out friends might be envious of.Today we all want about the same thing.We want health,happiness for our children and granchildren.We also want health for ourselves so we can enjoy the time we spend with them.So that is what i wish to all of you this Christmas season, health and happiness!

I had earlier this year suggested we all write in Mike's blog. Since i didn't get to talk to everyone at the reunion, maybe you could write and tell us a few of the things you have done since we walked tha halls of SWCS.

We know what Mike is up to and Alan,and a few others.

Another time i will let you in on my 40 years after SWCS.

Take care everyone, stay safe this holiday season and enjoy your family to the fullest. Until we meet again in the summer of 2007,

Dianne(also known as Hag)

Diane and her three amigas last summer at Bemus Point

So, would you like to sit through 7 graduations?

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The end of the semester is a magical time for most people who teach college, largely because there will be no more term papers to read, no more lectures to prepare and no more campus politics to get your blood boiling.

But it also means graduation for many universities, even in December.

And at California State University, Sacramento, it means seven graduations: one for each college.

As chair of our faculty senate, I'm the designated chief marshal, which means I get to attend all seven and at each lead in the procession of faculty and students and say important things like: Please stand for the national anthem.

I'll probably be able to say that quite well by the fifth or sixth time I utter in front of several thousand people. (I wonder how many times you can listen to Pomp & Circumstance before you go completely mad?)

I remember our high school graduation only faintly. We were all lined up and had to walk across the stage in the auditorium to get the little folder that would eventually house our diploma. I don't think we actually were given the diploma that afternoon/evening. I think that arrived later, but I could be wrong.

What I do remember is a wild night of carousing afterwards and driving home at dawn from Lake Erie with the sun rising and the song "Red Rubber Ball" playing on the radio.

More than 40 years ago and I can still hear that song and still see how red the sun was coming up that morning as I came down West Summit Avenue, hoping to make it home before my mother, grandmother and sister rolled out, at which time they would have realized I hadn't been home.

Not that I didn't stay out all night many, many evenings long before graduation - they just never knew. Thank God for that downstairs window.

College graduation is different, of course, because for most of the grads it means going to work at whatever they have studied. I shake a lot of hands at graduation. Parents are usually so proud they are bursting. It could also be relief over not paying tuition and room and board any more.

So, I'll do my duty, starting tonight with one college, then four on Friday and then two on Saturday.

Please stand for the national anthem.

There, I've got my lines down cold.

Bemus point ferry is probably frozen solid

BEMUS POINT, New York - As I was griping about the cold and rain here (it's close to 60 degrees and drizzling) I ran across this shot of the Bemus Point Ferry, a reminder of summer and the reunion.

I regret that I didn't take a ferry ride last summer for nostalgia purposes, even if I had just ridden it sans auto. The ferry was a big part of my growing up and also it was a great target to buzz when we would bring our boats up from Lakewood.

On more than one occasion, we would roar up in the dark with our lights off and at the last second, turn them on, scaring the crap out of the ferry operator and anyone in their cars watching.

During the day, we were ever-so-polite as we didn't want the sheriff to nail our butts.

That narrows area of the lake is likely frozen solid by now, with ice skaters considering a run across from Bemus to Stow.

Ice skating. Now that brings back memories (however cold...)


Bemus Ferry crossing

Downtown Jamestown and the holiday season

JAMESTOWN, New York - Earlier this morning I wrote a long Christmas blog about growing up in Jamestown and walking the streets, snow crunching underfoot.

In those days, we didn't have to deal with failing computer technology, like I did earlier.

The entire missive disappeared into cyberspace, but the photos were saved, one of the recent Christmas parade downtown, the second of a snowstorm, , both are posted below.

So the short version, for today:

Ho-Ho and Merry Christmas, y'all.

Some classmates located by Det. R. Carlson

Jack & Linda Nobbs - 25th reunion
Originally uploaded by Brite light photos.

JAMESTOWN, New York - Randy Carlson, aka, Det. R. Carlson, reports that after relentless work and burning up some shoe leather, he has tracked down classmates Jack Nobbs and Dave Jones.

OK. Maybe he didn't exactly track them down, per se, but Jack stopped by to see Larry Nelson and reports that he now lives in Washington state. It's still good detective work, right?

Here's Jack's contact info:

Email: JAnobbs@aol.com

Address: 1924 W 10th Ave Kennewick, Wa 99336

I was too lazy to pull out the yearbook and snap a shot to show Jack in 1966, but I had this shot of he and his wife Linda from 15 years ago. (By the way Jack, I borrowed $5 from you at The Main Event bar that reunion. I figure with interest, I owe you, well, let's call it square, shall we?)

Det. Carlson didn't let on how he found the contact information for Dave Jones (trade secrets, no doubt) but here's Dave's info:

Dave Jones
42 Turnberry Ln
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601-1100.

OH! And if you lost Ken Sonne's email, here it is:

ksonne@rochester.rr.com.

I can't tell you how nice it is to post some happy news.

Here's a shot of Det. R. Carlson and Larry Nelson from this summer while they were on a case outside the SeeZurh House:

Classmates: Sue Pratt has passed away

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota -- I received word from Dan Beckstrom and also Bob Swanson over the weekend that our classmate, Sue Pratt, has died.

Her obituary from the Jamestown Post-Journal is reprinted - without permission, thank you very much - below.

I looked up Sue in my yearbook and noted that she didn't sign it, though I do remember her. She wasn't very tall and I remember she always seemed to be moving really fast when classes were passing. I also remember her with a smile most of the time.

It's pretty sad how many of our classmates are passing away. We are not that old, people!

Here's Sue's notice:

Dave Carlson tells his tale of retirement

Dave Carlson
Originally uploaded by Brite light photos.

By Dave Carlson

At the risk of turning some of you green with envy (who cares),
let me tell you I'm already retired! I left IBM at 55 with a tidy
investment and a modest pension.

How did I do it? The Swedish way: My wife and I had good jobs with IBM, we lived beneath our means, saved a lot, and invested it. Oh, and a little luck in the stock market, too.

All is not entirely roses, however as my ex-wife ran off with her college sweetheart (maybe that's a plus). But we had already accumulated enough to comfortably split our assets w.o. letting divorce lawyers taking half!

I'm now looking for someone to explore the world with and am "interviewing" lots of interesting ladies (one at a time, line forms to the left, please, and puh-lease, I'm kidding, maybe...). I'm not living large, that's not my style, but I get on the water most weeks and take a couple of interesting vacations every year (planning to kayak in British Columbia or Belize, next year, and Africa is on the near horizon). And that trip this summer paddling down the Colorado River was a hoot!

MIke, I like your idea of living on a boat. No room for inlaws. LOL!

But how do you take a dog for a constitutional in the middle of the ocean? My Akita is too big to be a deckhand! I’m not buying any coastal property, either, cause I don't want to leave it to a marine sanctuary in my will!



I've got a "happy" job, now, as a literacy instructor in grade school to keep me busy and to repay the community for the blessings I've received. Pay is great, more high fives and gap-toothed smiles than you can count! The hours are great and no hassles, either.

And now that I'm retired, what would I change? Well, I wish this rich nation would make health care available to all and would stop killing so many innocent people. How does anyone expect the world to love us when we're bombing the crap out of them??? BTW, what have the rest of you done to help fulfill JFK's, RFK's, and MLK's dreams? Your accomplishments and endeavors would be a wonderful topic for another day/blog!

Peace, y'all,

Dave Carlson
Holly Springs, NC

Allan Winger has joined the blogosphere...

Allan Winger, 1966
Originally uploaded by Brite Lights photos.

CYBERSPACE - Allan Winger joined the ranks of those of us who labor (this is labor?) in the blogsphere with his new blog, announced to most you via email in the last day or so.

This blogging is contagious, no doubt about it.

I listed Allan's blog on my list of links, so you don't even need to bookmark the url - but I still would advise it.

The more hits he gets from people reading, the more likely he will keep writing. It's a vicious, and fun, circle.

I'm sitting at my keyboard, alternately working, answering emails and then jumping back on the blogging bandwagon just for fun.

In my electronic travels through cyberspace, I ran across this poster, with which I can realllly relate.

Tom Priester at Class of '66 40th reunion

Tom Priester at Class of '66 40th reunion
Originally uploaded by Brite light photos.

MAYVILLE, New York - Tom Priester responded to my call right away, for stories about people from the Class of '66 era who have retired.

I saw Tom a month or so before our reunion and, just like at the reunion in Mayville, he was tan, fit and rested. We had him over to our house in Sacramento for lunch and my wife, ever curious, asked Tom what I was like when I was in high school.

He told her, too. I think he used the phrase 'a little squirrelly,' several times in the conversation.

He still gets to wear a whistle a lot in retirement, officiating at track meets, et al. Here's what he passed along...

====================

Tom in 1966

Dear Class of 66

Retirement is AWESOME! You get to play with grandchildren, do some traveling, and especially VOLUNTEERING TO HELP OTHERS. That is very gratifying. You can even visit class reunions like I do.
Give it some thought, first. Be sure you have enough $$$$ for health insurance. It is VERY EXPENSIVE.
Whatever you decide, have FUN doing it. We only live once.
Tom

=====================

So, as a natural leader, Tom Priester went first with his retirement story.

Send me yours, with or without a photo, and I'll post it here...

Cheers, amigos

Fitz

When you know that it's time for retirement

Arecibo beach
Originally uploaded by Brite light photos.

A SANDY BEACH, Earth - The shorter days seem to leave me time for reflection about what the next years will bring. Or it could be the case of wine I started working on this weekend.

Will there be more work? More stress? Less money (due to inflation)?

I try not to dwell on that stuff and instead to look at pictures like the one with this blog. Click on it. Please click on it. Good Gawd. Is that a real place?

Yup.

I've been to beaches like that. In fact I have anchored my sailboat in front of little resorts like that, gone in and had a couple of drinks - the kind they stick a little umbrella in. (NOTE TO TOURISTS: If you actually do get a drink with a little umbrella in it, well, chances are you are paying way too much for it. Move down the beach to the saloon that's short on umbrellas but has bigger glasses with more rum or tequila.)

When I started out as a journalist, the farthest thing from my mind was ever leaving that profession and when I started teaching - nearly 25 years ago - same deal. Retire? Never.

And in way, that's kind of true.

What I look forward to doing is having the time to do rockumentaries, finish book projects, learn the play the guitar better (provided the tendinitis is cured) and sit in the sun. OK, because my dermatologist now reads this blog, what I really meant to say, was sit in the shade with sun all around me.

When I hear the word retire used in the same sentence as my name, I always wince a little, because I expect to be even more busy, retired from the university than I am now, working fullltime+ with teaching and writing for three outfits.

There was certainly a lot of conversation at our class reunion about retirement. I know at least a dozen of our Class of '66 classmates said they are retired - or about to be.

Maybe a fun thing for this blog would be for people to let us know what it's like to be 'retired.' And, if it's not too much self-disclosure, to let the rest of the class know how you swung it in your 50s. Land investments,? Wealthy spouses? Patents? Ponzi schemes?

I know some of the folks I talked with at the reunion were talking about working until the very day they dropped in their tracks; others were buying coastal vacation homes.

I'm not buying a coastal home, mine floats.

But what kind of retirement plans do you have? Enquiring Class of '66 minds would like to know...