Be aware, the "Message Forum" is NOT password protected.  Unlike profiles that are password protected, anybody who gets to this webpage can see what is written here.  Nobody can contact you directly based on this forum unless you reveal your personal contact information.  Use the "Message Center" for sharing personal contact information with another classmate.

This message forum is an ongoing discussion about anything and just about everything ... within reason.  One thing our class was good at was having opinions.  Almost 70 years of life experience certainly qualifies us as experts on most everything!   Ask a question ... give an opinion ... share some insights ... it's our web site, it's our forum.  That said, it's probably not a good idea to get into arguments about politics, religion, and the like.  While we're experts on everything, we also have a wide range of values and beliefs. This site belongs to all of us ... the whole range ... and we are not here to isolate, alienate, or subjugate anybody.  Of course insults, humiliation, sophomoric barraggadocio, and demented humor is expected behavior among some of us less mature people.
 

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Oh ladies, I do hear you!

And if MY candidate doesn't win, better start praying for the country.

Sandy Wachs (Oldham)

I think we are all in the same prayer group.

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Julianne, you are so spot on!

And for those of us with a busy schedule (that would be ALL of us, I'm sure) who might think they're just too busy to vote, below is a site with a little history reminder about women who were jailed and beaten, less than 100 years ago, while demonstrating for the right to do just that.

http://www.coe.ucsf.edu/coe/news/night_terror.html

Marian Schopp (Bringe)

AND - if you haven't done it in time for this election, anyone can vote via an absentee ballot and mail your vote. I put mine in a mailbox, just in case my mailperson does not think the way I think, and she accidently looses my ballot 

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

The thing that makes me saddest is that people are so polarized this year about their candidates and points of view. I have friends who don't e-mail me anymore because we disagree politically.  There seems to be so much hatred in some of e-mails I see. Nobody can even conceive of a candidate other than theirs being elected (and I have to say, I am guilty of that myself). My prayer is that after this election, the president and Congress are able to actually work to get something done for our country. And I will be sure to vote!

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

So well put, Terri! It's a shame that friendships, "neighborships," and relationships among relatives have to be ruined because of opposite political beliefs. Emails are a very tricky business regarding all of this. Unless I am absolutely certain of a friend's (neighbor's, relative's) political leanings, my finger doesn't even go near the "send" button when I'm tempted to foward something "brilliant" that someone has sent me. FACEBOOK presents another dangerous trap for expressing political opinions, especially  when they can be seen by strangers. I guess that my best advice is, unless one is totally certain that it's "safe" to opine, keep mum!

Klara Ruppert (Grigg)

Jeanne, i agree with you totally.  And with you as well, Terry.  We seem to be going overboard with our political passions.  It's to the point that political discussions are a no-no among certain of our friends.  Things just escalate and become too touchy.  We'll all be grateful when the election is finally over and feelings simmer down a notch.  That's not to say that I'm not doing everything I can to promote my choice, but I would then like to have us get to work as a nation, both parties slugging to toward the same goal..  I know, I know.  The next comment you're expecting is a request to join hands and sing Kum-Baya.  Aargh! Just call me a (somewhat tarnished) Pollyanna. 

And hey, I'm really late weighing in on this, but that was some FABULOUS reunion.  Many, many thanks to all you hardworking organizers.  And Gary, you made me laugh  Life is good.

Jim Cejka

Thank you girls for a moment of sanity.

We lived with my grandparents when I was at Custer, and I grew up with Grandma, the Milwaukee County Republican Party chairwoman, and Grandpa and my dad good union men. Interesting household at election times.

Marian Schopp (Bringe)

So far I'm happy.  You are all right in that the whole country, except for a tiny independent group, is cemented in their own candidate no matter what.  My family is a group of professionals, and we NEVER talk politics. Most of my Wisconsin family does not think the way I think.  I don't get how Americans can't be upset with the national debt, for one, etc., etc., etc.  

Karen Gerstl (LeDuke)

Marian,

I am happy too.  Looks like we might have been praying the same way!

Karen

Garry Sellers

Okay folks, coming from a family similar to Jim's, where my Dad didn't know there was a column for Democrats on the ballot and a Grandfather who was a lifetime union member and hater of anything that started with the letter R, except maybe root beer and refrigerator (a.k.a. ice box)  this is heading for dangerous territory.  My wife and I have a pact, I vote one way and she cancels it out with her vote!  Not intentional but that's what often happens.  We start talking again to each other somewhere around Thanksgiving ... if "pass the gravey" counts as talking.

I think we really should steer clear of any political discussions in this chat room. It can only lead down a dangerous path.  I love all you guys  ... even the Marines Jim ... and don't want to lose any of you to political differences.  Heck, it took me over 50 years to see Terri, Sandy, Nancy, Patricia, Angie and others scantilly clad in something other than my fantasies!  I don't want to miss the next act because somebody thought I voted Vegan!  I'm still waiting to see Jeanne, Jan, Karen, Judy and a whole bunch others join the squad!  It'll be quite a show at the Century reunion!

John Leopold

Darn, Garry... I was just about to weigh in for the other side.

Marian Schopp (Bringe)

Gaary is right. Let's keep this forum for everything else good about knowing each other. I can get too passionate around election time and a slip of the togue could be dangerous.  Thanks for calling this up short, fast 

Ray Thompson

Oh Garry--haven't been on the site in a bit and saw you mentioned my name more than once. Gotta love you buddy. I maintain my 1962 body by daily 5 mile runs and a swim across the lake and back. Actually a 5 mile drive on my ATV and a drive across the lake and back on my pontoon. It''s the Miller Lite that does it.

Politics--You are right--just stay away cause I know there was never a dem in our class.

Garry Sellers

Marian - I like that spelling ... Gaary with two "a's' instead of two "r's".  It's got some style points.  It hasn't been tried before.  My mother isn't here anymore but she wouldn't know the difference anyway!  She didn't the first time she tried to spell my name!!!  Think I might try it.  Never too late to change your name you know.

Barbara Blair (Brenzel)

Thanks for getting us back on track, Garry - better to remember our "good old days" & not get into the political.  I get such a kick out of when you "guys" go back & forth!

Barb

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Dear Garry,  Thank you for your excellent webmaster skills and wisdom in keeping us all on the straight and narrow vis a vis expressing our political views.  I welcome this, as my expression can become passionate (some have even said rabid). So far we have managed to avoid the loss of neighbor/friend relationships described by Terri – we just agree not to discuss politics. At home we had, for many years, the same dynamics you described (one vote cancels the other and “pass the gravy” by Thanksgiving), but Karsten finally came to his senses and now we are at peace with this (yuk, yuk). I welcome the opportunity to continue to admire and care about our wonderful classmates without having to try to ignore their views which I might find abominable (and they mine). Keep up the good work!

BTW, if Sandy drums up another "peep show" for all of you voyeurs out there, I'll be game again. The saving grace of it will be that by then your vision will have deteriorated to such a point that it won't matter.

Julianne (Julie) Eron (Felts)

I sure wish those that took pictures from the reunion would post them on the Reunion Photos site.  Although I was unable to attend the reunion I'd love to see the photos that the attendees took.  Patricia McCarthy has sent me a few that she took and from what she sent, everyone looks great!  It sounds like everyone had a great time, I'm so sorry I didn't get there.  Best Wishes to ALL!

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

OOhhh Nancy! Tell me your secret sometime (in private message, not on the Forum). We also have a 2-party, cancel-each-others-vote household, and there's no way either of us appears to be going to change. Hoping to be able to pass the gravy at Thanksgiving. Speaking of this time of year, the trees are probably beautiful in northern Wisconsin/Michigan right now! Our California trees are just starting to turn. Recalls those beautiful Fall nights in Custer stadium. We were having so much fun just being there, it didn't really matter that the team was losing. 

Jim Cejka

Terri,

Remember Custer stadium yes, but I also seem to remember games at the stadium at King (some cold, muddy games). Didn't we play games as home team there before/while Custer stadium was being built?

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

Jim...

Jeanne here (answering for Terri)...Yes, North Stadium (Rufus King) was our home field until Custer Stadium was on the scene.

Garry Sellers

You guys are all awesome.  I knew you'd understand.  Nancy, tell Karsten I'd like a word with him!!!

King's stadium was our home field until our senior year.  We dressed at Custer and then rode in a bus over to the game.  That way if we lost Spicuzza could stand up in the bus and yell back, 'Sellers, you're as useless as two tits on a goose!" just to raise my spirits.  Very thoughtful man.  Wonder why I chose being the stadium announcer in our senior year!

Kenneth Pallaske

Since I have know my wife, Lu, she has abstained from voting. Although we have similar political views, we rarely discuss politics in our house. New flash: she intends to vote this year. I do not see any reason why I will not be able to ask her to "pass the gravy" the day after the election instead of waiting until Thanksgiving. My parents were both strong union people. On the other hand....I have never belonged to a union in my life.

Gary! Um! Gaary! No, um, Garry! Whatever. You are a confusing brick thrower. I thought I was hard of hearing due to some hereditary malfunction. Now I know the truth. You were the raspy, loud,  irritating P.A. announcer at the stadium.

Oh boy! I can hardly wait another 50 years to see all you scantily clad gals with your cains, walkers and prosthetics "prance" around on the dance floor.

Jim, it still sounds like Garry is intimidated by Marines. Semper Fi!

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

I had forgotten that it was only ONE year we were in Custer stadium. I guess I do remember going over to King for some games - but then somebody had to drive us. Why is it that I don't remember parents being quite the chauffeurs that today's parents have to be. Maybe it was because my hardworking dad had one car, my mom didn't drive, and there were 4 kids to be chauffeured. I guess they had to pick and choose occasions. We had a foreign student (girl) stay with us last year, and we were constantly driving her and her friends to social occasions - and so were her friends' parents. Is that what you lucky ones who are already grandparents have to go through? Yikes!

Garry Sellers

Ken - I saw you dance ... no throwing bricks at my announcing voice!  It was that stadium job that trained me for the 50th reunion.  "Now dancing, Number 666, Ken Pallaske.  Pallaske is about to move his left foot, now his right, left, right.  Amazing .  Everybody said he couldn’t do it!   Marching!  To Elvis’s “Surrender”!!!  A stretcher is retrieving Pallaske’s body and his proctologist is administering fluids.”