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.
 

Lauren Dieterich

We're a bit above normal for rain for the year, here. So, I'm willing to donate the excess to anyone who needs it. The normal for the year to date is 4.99 inches. We are .13 inches above that. It rains, maybe a dozen times a year, here in Bullhead City, AZ.

Jim Cejka

Kristmas Kringle

Twas the week before Christmas, and everyone's gassed.

Months of intense shopping, are now gone and past.

Presents for kids and grandkids, have now been amassed.

We can sit back and veg, it's almost over, at last.

But wait, the bell rings, We're stirred by its jingle.

It's FedEx, our favorite aunt in Wisconsin, has sent us a Kringle.

OMG, quick check our list, this favorite aunt? How could she have been missed?

Now what, let's think? We need to send something, quick as a wink.

To the Net, Amazon, LLBean, or the mall.

We've got to do something, it's Christmas, for her too, after all.

We look and we think, with all of our might, for her, that something, needs to be just right.

She has most everything, she's a spry ninety-two, so now, at this time, what can we do?

We browse and we pace, hoping the Internet will be our saving grace.

Finally a thought . . . something delivered.

To cover the miles, and, hopefully, bring her a Christmas of smiles.

We'll send her a flower, one of those red ones, a yule-time tradition,

It'll make her happy, and save us from perdition.

So the problem is solved, the crisis is past, and we can continue, vegging and gassed.

Another Christmas is come, and this time we're set.

Thanks to electronics, it's the best Christmas yet.

So until next year, we await our delight,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night.

Lauren Dieterich

That's cool. But, I don't buy presents or send cards, anymore. My kids don't need anything; and, my brothers and I decided, many years ago, not to buy each other presents.

So, without further ado; MARRY CHRISTMAS to all of my classmates. ( Am I still allowed to say that ? )

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Thanks for the great poem, Jim. We actually did have the pleasure of receiving a Kringle from WIsconsin yesterday, and fortunately we had already sent Jon's daughter a gift :-) And I want to wish all of my classmates a Merry Christmas. And yes, you can say that! 

Barbara Blair (Brenzel)

A slightly belated Merry Christmas to all from me!

Barb

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

Happy BOXING DAY to you and yours! Here's to a joyful, profitable, and HEALTHY 2015!!

Lauren Dieterich

With New Years Eve coming up; and, the condition of the world , today; I find Col. Potter's toast from MASH to be appropriate. " Here's to the New Year; may it be a damn site better than the old year "

Garry Sellers

I wasn't aware that Paul Harvey was the son of a policeman who was killed on duty when Paul was three years old!  Here's the rest of his story about police.  I apologize if this offends anybody.  Well ... not really!

Jim Cejka

Garry,

As a former cop - thank you. And I hope that doesn't offend anyone.

William Nelson

Jim and Garry,

Thank you  both for your service and the Paul Harvey essay. We've got several cops in our family, including a son and daughter-in-law, and several nephews, and a granddaughter working to become one. We know how hard they work and how dangerous it can be, as well as how frustrating it can be.

Bill and Mary

Lauren Dieterich

I had an uncle who was Captain in charge of administration on the Milwaukee PD when he retired, an ex brother-in-law who was a Milwaukee cop and is now on the State Fair Park PD, and I was an Army cop. Having been stationed stateside in the mid 60's, it wasn't near as dangerous for me as it is for civilian police. But, I have been called just about everything that you can be called and in several languages.

And Jim, I still owe you an answer to your email from eariler this month. But, in the mean time, someone turn the heat up. It was 31 when we got up this morning. Both the day and night time temps are going to be 20 degrees below normal for the rest of the week. And, heaven forbid, it may even snow on New Years Day.

Jim Cejka

Hey Lauren,

I was with the State Fair PD part-time also for several years. It was a fun (sort of - heat and sore feet) break and lots of work for a couple of weeks. In two weeks I'd see more stuff and everything else than I'd see in some years with the Waukesha Sheriff. I'm sure we could exchange some interesting stories.

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

TO ALL MY '62 CLASSMATES:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hope your 2015 is filled with happiness, prosperity, and ESPECIALLY good health!

JEANNE

Jim Cejka

Hope everyone has a good and happy New Year.

And now, raise your hand if you really made it to midnight last night.

"May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions." ~Joey Adams
 

Lauren Dieterich

My wishes also for a happy, prosperous, and healthy New Year. New Years Eve made history in Bullhead City, AZ; first measurable snow. Weather service said a trace. We had a half inch in our yard. Celebrated the New Year at the Aquarius Casino in Laughlin, NV across the river. Judi came out a couple hundred ahead on the night. I read about a quarter of a book. I find the slots to be boring.

Jim Cejka

Terri,

Found a new favorite CA spot. Took some WI folk to Big Basin the other day. Been looking for a chance to go there, and it was worth it. Wow.

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Jim, you have discovered my very favorite CA spot! Took campers  there as a G.S. Camp Counselor at age 18, camped there many times as an adult, took our kids there to camp and hike, and just camped there as an adult this past summer with my church - and did the 12-mile hike to Berry Creek Falls!  THe redwoods are absolutely breathtaking and sacred. So glad you got to see it!

Jim Cejka

Terri, 

We went in the morning, so it was cloudy and a little foggy, which seemed like the perfect weather for that place. Besides the obvious trees, I was amazed by how quiet it was. A perfect place to just sit and be awed. Your 12 mile hike would take me about 12 days. It took us 2 hours just to do the 3/4 mile loop to see the Father of the Forest. We even got ambushed by a couple of banana slugs, but surprisingly, at my age, I could still outrun them.

The guy that was with us has been driving race cars in WI for like 30 years - dirt track and stocks - and he got woozy driving those roads to the park. I guess rolling and flipping doesn't compare to our beautiful CA scenery.

Lauren Dieterich

Jim,

    You wouldn't happen to remember the race driver's name. Because my youngest brother and I raced Sportsmen stock cars at Cedarburg, Hales Corners, and Slinger; 35 years ago. Didn't do all that well; but, we had fun. Jimmy Fenning, Carl Edwards crew chief last year, was one of the drivers that raced with us.

Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)

Yes, Jim - I am amazed they didn't have to call the paramedics to rescue me from the Falls. The prospect of ascending all the steep hills and switchbacks I had just descended almost did me in! Luckily, there was one other age-mate who was willing to walk back at the same pace. You're right: the ride there, with all the back & forths is the worst part. However, the majesty and silence among the redwoods on a foggy day is an unforgettable experience. I think all the cumulative square feet of redwood bark on all those trees is the best soundproofer there is. 

Jim Cejka

Terri - I wasn't even thinking of walking the 12 miles. I was figuring it took us 2 hours just to stop, look, and wow at everything in the 3/4 mile loop. I can imagine what we'd see on a 12 mile hike. Can't wait to go back.

Lauren - This guy raced farther north around the Chilton and Appleton area. I remember though going to the races in Cedarburg, Slinger, and Hales Corners. Later, my son's scout troop did the stands and pits clean-up the morning after the races in Chilton. I added quite a few nice tools to my tool box from things left behind by the racers. I also worked them as a paramedic or fire/rescue. I think my ears are still ringing from the noise.

Lauren Dieterich

Jim,

  I used to ( about 22 years ago ) go out to Doctor's Park; when I got off work in the morning, and, walk around the edge of all the picnic areas and up the stairs from the beach to the top of the park. There are 106 steps. I'd make 3 trips around; and I was planning on making it 4 trips. I stopped because I was walking in grass still wet from dew; and, got tired of my feet getting soaked every morning.

The only race track that I know of around the Appleton area is the half mile paved track at Kaukauna. We never raced on paved tracks. The last year that we raced was the last year that Slinger was dirt.

Jim Cejka

Lauren Dieterich

I worked 3rd shift for 23 years; and, usually 6 days a week. I also worked 3rd for a couple of months every summer for 5 years before the permenant 3rd shift. And, can't forget changing shift every 6 days while in the Army. So, I have no idea of what it's like to sleep through the night. Even though I have been on a day schedule for 14 years and retired for 7 of them; my body still seems to be on a night schedule. Isn't life interesting.

Barbara Blair (Brenzel)

Hi,

As I look outside the windows & see a blizzard or possibly just blowing & drifting snow, I'm wondering what the heck I'm doing living here!!  Wish I could say, California, here I come, but I'm not going to be able to make the get-together.  Darn!

Hope you all have a wonderful time and feel just a tiny bit bad at those of us that are battling cold & snow!

Barb