Grant community high school

Class of 1952

 

December 2000

CLASS NEWS LETTER

 Email From Rita Frankenstein

 

Sorry Donna did not get my E-mail about the reunion. I’m still a neophyte on this computer. I think it would be fun to go on a cruise for the reunion. My 2nd choice would probably be Fox Lake, and the 3rd choice would be Vegas, but we probably wouldn’t see too much of anyone unless you saw them at the tables. Got a kick out of the picture of the fisherman. The only one I might have recognized would be Paul Frost.  Thanks for all your work trying to get this together.

Email From Richard Mauch

Richard Mauck and his wife Patti came down from Trevor Wisconsin Friday afternoon we had a great visit over and a cod visit and have dinner us. I hadn’t seen Rich since school he hasn’t been to and of the reunions I wound have walked right by him on the street and never recognized him he is sporting a full white beard.                                                                   

E-mail from Tom Hansen

 

 

Hi,  Jim, Tom Hansen here.  Just wanted to bring you up to date on the goings-on here in Colorado.  

Real good that you take the time putting out your letters and complying a list of the old gang with Addresses and email address as well.  I'm sure this takes time and we should all appreciate you efforts.

   Living here in Security, which is about three miles south of Colorado Springs.  Came out here or should say I was stationed out here at Ent Air Force Base in 1960.  This was one of my many assignments while serving 26 years in the Air Force.  Retired in 1980.

  We fell in love with Colorado and settled here or I should say we live here when we weren't traveling around the states or the world.  I like to tell folks about our tour of duty in Bermuda.  Spent three years there.  We did have to spend times apart while I was overseas on an unaccompanied tour.

   My first wife and I had four children, two girls, and two boys.  Lost the youngest boy and then my wife.  I found another wonderful lady and will be married 5 years this December.

   After retiring from the AF I worked for Goodwill Industries in Colorado Springs for 15 years.  Filled the position as transportation supervisor and gave that up in December 1995.  Have not lifted a finger since.  That’s not true, as you and others know.  There always seems there is something to do especially those "Honey do's".

   As far as going on a cruise, I'll go along with the crowd.  Count me as a Yes.  The wife, Leona, and I get in some gambling, slots, here in Colorado. The state has allowed gambling in three old mining towns,

Cripple Creek, Black Hawk, and Central City.  We usually make our donations if you know what I mean.   Don't have much more Jim.  Thanks for your letters and keeping all of us involved.  You take care and God bless.                             Tom & Leona

 Tom’s e-mail address is tom_h80911@yahoo.com

 

                            

E-Mail From Irwin Buckholz

 

 

Hi you all out there,

      For those of you who did not know, about three months ago I was approached by a company who had the contract to decommission a sludge drying plant that I was involved in the construction of at the West Point Waste Water Treatment Plant in Seattle. They wanted me to return to handle the electrical portion of the project. The project was quite involved given that King Co./ Metro wanted to retain some portions of the job and junk others. Knowing the intricacies of the project and how interesting it was to construct it, I accepted with the condition I must be reimbursed well. I cleared all the Union hurtles and came out of my snug retirement to brave the traffic, the hustle and the very early get ups. 

     We began August 25, my crew of six showed up not knowing anything as to what to expect at the "poop plant". After an orientation we began by disconnecting equipment so the other trades could take it apart. There was a great deal of dust, dirt, and smoke from the fitters cutting torches. To view the plant with all those torches cutting away was like viewing a fireworks display. Hot molten steel would hit the floor and splash into hundreds of molten drops. Being that the entire plant was controlled by computer, there was a multitude of control wires every were.

      The memories came flowing back as if it were yesterday; I could recall just where cables were routed. Ah yes, also the memories of burning dried waste also returned when the fitters torches would ignite some quantity of waste trapped in a duct or conveyor. Not a very pleasant odor, but it did smell of money! So we endured.

     On October 6th the electrical portion was 99% complete, a month and a half ahead of schedule. So here I am re retired, back to the honey do jobs that Janet seems to always find for me to do. I do not miss the daily grind or the horrendous Seattle rush hour traffic. I enjoy going down to the Harbor Square Athletic Club to work out three or four times a week. Yep, I think I'll enjoy my retirement.

 Irwin

 

E-Mail from Don & Dolores Gerstein

 

Hi Jim,

        Thanks for the newsletter. We enjoyed reading it.

We will go along with the majority of your class as we are only invited

guests to your reunion. We will be Happy to see all of you no matter where.

        P.S. Change our email address to: deark@iglide.net

 

E-Mail from Bill Swanson

 

Jim,

     I have wanted to send this for months now, but something always comes up. 

The deciding push came early in November when George Vermillion called me and left a message.  I couldn't call back as I don't have a new number for him.  

And we (wife Beth and me) were leaving for Hawaii’s.  Then got back to a lot of work.  So, finally a bit of time to update on our goings on.

     Beth and I still own and operate a small printing business in the Washington, DC area.  It has been very busy the last few years.  Add to that aging parents to watch after, an apartment in DC, and a house in suburban MD leaves little time.  My mom (Ruth) is still living at 91 and living in our house. 

She drives a red Buick to the senior citizen center for poker and twice weekly bridge.  Needless to say, but she is doing well and often asks about some of the classmates.  I let her read your newsletters and she remembers

many.  Beth's folks live close to mom and are doing ok. Her dad is fine but her mom is not well so an added burden.  Plus, Beth is now a 4 year Breast cancer survivor so we are active in the Race-for-the-Cure here in DC.

     We have no immediate plans to retire even though I'm 65.  The business is still fun although Beth does try and make me take a day off now and then. 

I enjoy your newsletters and will probably attend a reunion if and when it is decided where to do it.

Would like to hear about Jim Kramer if you have heard from him and see if you have a number for George.  Will probably write as his address is in the last update.

     Thanks for the newsletters. Look forward to the next one. Bill Swanson

 

 

Letter From Art & Mary Smejkal Jr.

 

As we enter this holiday Season, we again are amazed at gods goodness to us. We have lived in our new home and have been retired one year. We love country life, the slower pace and the beauty we see around us each day and with each season. God has blessed us greatly and we give Him all the praise.

This summer was busy, Mary’s father started to have TIAs (small strokes) about June. He was in the hospital, rehab in DuPage, Windsor Park nursing home and then finally moved into assisted living at Windsor. Assisted living has been a wonderful place for dad. He has his own room, with his own furniture and pictures on the walls. He gets 3 meals a day, and someone is there all the time to watch out for him. We are very grateful that he is there and doing so well.

All our children and grandchildren are still in the same place they were last year. The adults are working, busy with activities and raising children. We are thankful for strong minds and bodies, and Gods provision for them all.

Mary had unexpected gallbladder’ surgery the beginning of November. She has recovered quickly and fully. Another’ praise to God for His goodness. Art is very busy all the time building things, yard work, and doing whatever. We both enjoy being home full time, never bored and doing things at our own pace.

As you enter this wonderful festive season, take time and thank god for the blessing He has given you this year. And especially thank Him for His wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

              Merry Christmas Art and Mary

 

PS. We would love to hear from all of you by phone, mail or email (davisams@aeroinc.net).

And remember, we have a lot of room and would love for you to come and visit us.

 

E-mail from Peggy “Rogers” Klotz / pegalegg2@aol.com

 

 

Hi! Jim and family hope your holidays were great mine were my son Mike sent a new gateway computer to me ups I have free trial AOL for 500 min with this e mail address than I’ll try another free offer I’m excited over this computer the old e mail address is no longer used by myself as it was my friend’s hope the plans for reunion are going along good there are cruises leaving from Tampa now carnival is here cruising to cozamel and other places that might be an idea right! Stay fit and happy PEG KROTZ email me back ok? bye !!!!!

 

 

Does anyone have an updated picture to put in a news letter

     Please send me news you would like to share and you to can get your picture in the newslette