News Letter 2006

I would like to acknowledge the cash contributions I have received this year for the up keep of the web site and the once a year mailing to update address's etc.

I have not keep good records as to the individuals but the amount was $180.00 and of that Gordon Cole was the most generous.

Next year I am going to keep track by name and will acknowledge those who lent a helping hand at the end of the year

Letter From Bill And Beth Swanson

We come to the end of another glorious year with joy in our hearts for all the wonderful friends and family we are blessed to have. Our life has evolved into a marvelous adventure and we'd like to share the highlights of 2005 with you this holiday season.

A year and a half in our house has turned us into true suburbanites. We thoroughly enjoy the daily upkeep of a house punctuated by numerous projects and they have been numerous. Redoing rooms, electrical work (we now have ceiling fans in living room and master bedroom), landscaping and general reorganization. It's been fun!

Acme Printing still takes a lot of our time. January was spent with Washington Mardi Gras and National Prayer Breakfast printing. We still enjoy the work. Of course, we attended the Mardi Gras and had four great days of working on the event, seeing old friends and really enjoying a great party. Then the rest of the year, we took care of our faithful customers but on our schedule. Bill prints enough to keep his hands dirty with ink and Beth keeps up with computer work and accounting. We do just enough to make a little and keep our hands in the industry.

Bill's mom is still in the nursing home but in the assisted living section. She is doing quite well for a 95 year old woman. She plays bridge, bingo, reads vociferously and has her regular TV programs. Bill gets her out once in a while to break her routine.

Beth's dad has been another story. He has macular degeneration and his sight is marginal. In February, he gave up his car leading to our being his transportation. Then, in March, he decided to sell his house and move into a retirement community. The house sold four days after it was listed, and then the job of clearing out a four bedroom house ensued. Decisions on what to keep in his new apartment, what was to go to each of the kids, and what to dispose of took the better part of a month. But soon he was moved-and very happy with his new living arrangements. We are still his major means of transportation u hat is minor and we work it out easily.

Some travel has been on the agenda. Beth went to see her sister, Pie, in Kansas City in March. A good break for her and a chance for them to spend some girl-time together. W, we took a week to spend time in the Chicago area, and then we visited with frie onsin. This was another nice relaxing time for us. In November, we spent 11 d j'. Beth had a conference in Honolulu that took up 2 and /2 days, then the rest. e was ours to enjoy. We toured Oahu, Kauai, climbed a rain forest, took a helicopter ride, saw Beth's nephew, Bryan, ate wonderfully and drank many a Mai Tai. It was great.

In September, We spent a lot of time collecting necessities for and helping with Veterans displaced by Katrina. They were living in a Gulfport, MS Armed Forces Retirement home which was destroyed. They had one hour to pack one bag and leave. They essentially had nothing. It was a good feeling to help and all the vets were grateful. This was our good deed for the year. But Katrina's destruction of New Orleans has cancelled our Washington Mardi Gras for 2006. Bummer!!

Beth's health has been good. Many checkups through the year have shown no problems. We are keeping hopeful. Bill, at 70, just keeps rolling on. Of course, we did the Race-forthe-Cure in June. A great day, a good charity and keeps Beth involved with breast cancer issues, especially helping others going through the ordeal.

A bit of sadness this year, our 19 '/2 year old cat, Jenny Dot, passed on. She died peacefully at home in October. She is buried in our back yard next to her buddy, TLO. We miss her, first time in 25 year that we have been without a cat. We will think of getting another next year. Maybe two!

All in all, it has been a good year. We're busy without being rushed, our health is good, and our life is fun. We look forward to an interesting 2006 with projects scheduled, Acme is still fun and travel is planned. We'll see.

We wish you a wonderful Holiday Season and a healthy and prosperous New Year

Received an email from Kyle Dayton

Thru Classmates

My Name is Kyle Dayton, I'm Don's daughter.

A Belated Thank you for sending us this email. Just wanted to let you know that Don passed away on Friday 10 June 2005. at home, from complications from a long-time illness. He is survived also by my mother his widow Betty, and son Clay. We miss him very much!

We will be keeping my dad's email address active, in his memory.

Take care. Sincerely, Kyle Dayton

Kyle Dayton Class of 1951

Received an email from Phyllis "Werhan" Bauer

pjbauer16@yahoo.com

Do you remember Jim Tackett? An obituary for a James M. Tackett appeared in the Desert Sun (serving the Palm Springs area of California) this morning and I believe it is for him. He was 72 years of age and has a sister named Rita (she was a beautiful red-head) and brothers Tom and Terry. He was from Farragut, TN, formerly of Waukegan, IL and Palm Desert, CA and died January 28, 2006. He was founder and owner of Waukegan Blue Print. He was an avid golfer and fisherman...was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving with the U.S. Marines.

Phyllis

Personal Note

Umbarger@ameritech.net

My Wife Jane and I took a short road trip to Florida in February, we stopped to see two very old friends that I played with as a kid, we went to Big Hollow School Grade School together then on to Grant High in Fox Lake.

We had lunch with Jackie "Cavett" Walker at the Olive Garden Restaurant in Gainesville Florida. Then on to Daytona Beach to have dinner at an Italian Restraint with Bonnie "Sagel" Virnala.

We went on to Cape Canaveral for a cruise on the Fantasy ship of Carnival Cruise Lines. From there on to Fort Myers Beach and Cape Coral for more visits with friends before heading home stopping at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro Alabama the home of Lost Treasures from Around the World. If you ever lost a suite case on an airline flight there is a good chance it will show up there.

Jim

06/5/06

Received a phone call today from Don Rosing informing me that Curly Klecka passed away today at his home in Sun City, Huntley Illinois. He will inform me about the funeral soon.

Received an email 07/01/06 from Gerry "Krippner" Spears

Wa9shh@aol.com

Hi Jim good you got to the wake I did send a card Have not really stayed in touch with anyone in the area there since getting out of school and moving away. When I used to go out to Ingleside quite a few years ago it was to help my folks so never saw anyone. I do not have any ties around there any more except grave sites. Been now in Prospect Hts for 50 years this year same house same address. We still are on "two feet" and go in and out with the motor home and will keep going for as long as we can. Mostly home here in summer as we have enough projects going between house, yard and motor home. Took a couple nights out last week with our younger son, daughter-in-law and two year old granddaughter that is the most they can get their two schedules together. He plays quite a few cruises on the Odyssey out of Navy Pier plus playing with the Chicago Skyliner's Big band and many weddings, etc. with his own. During the school year he plays full time for all the Nequa Valley High School (Naperville) chorus program. She will begin teaching a summer course in children's performing arts for the Palatine Park District and during the year teaches at a private school in Elgin so they both keep a busy schedule. Our older son is a sports reporter so it is hard to get the family together all at one time even though it is a small family but at least they are in the area. Hope all is going well with you and your family should be nice out on the "lakes" now but I am sure more boat traffic all the time. We really don't care too much for traveling in the summer wait for when the kids go back to school! We were going to head down for a national motor home rally in S.C. but then heard from many that it could be HOT so decided to stick around here for now. Will be heading for Branson, MO for a Navy reunion around the 1st of October Now is the time to try to catch up hereafter being in Florida for the three months plus of the winter Take care appreciate all the news you send along. Gerry

Received an email 07/01/06 from Jackie "Cavett" Walker

Class of 1953

SEAWAIF@webtv.net

Hi Jim

It is so very nice of you to represent your class as much as you do. It really is very generous of you.

I don't remember Curly. But then I probably don't remember a lot of them.

I tried to pull up the historical stuff, but to no avail. I do not have the adobe and am not able to get it on this thing.

Sure hope you are feeling well, and certainly hope you will be alive for the 60th. reunion. Do enjoy hearing from you now and then.

I was on the school site the other night and saw the update from June 5th.

Take care my friend.

Jackie

Received an email 07/01/06 from Ed & Tobi Rastad

edtobi@poweruser.com

Thanks Jim for being there, for Curly. We know, death is so untimely sometimes, and each day is so precious. Good luck and Best wishes for making it to the 60th reunion!

Received an email 08/16/06 from Lester Gnadt

lestergg@earthlink.net

Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. That's exactly what happened with the Hard Drive/Memory on my computer back on August 7th and left me without Internet/email access until late in the weekend. Don't know who might have tried to put mail in my mailbox during this time span, so am sending this explanation to all on my contact list, to let you know that a lack of response on my part wasn't intentional, and that anything that was there was lost.

Repairs have been made so that all is now well, and I look forward to hearing from anyone/everyone who cares to communicate.

Les Gnadt

Received an email 09/15/2006 from Hazel Morley

morley5613@comcast.net

Hi Jim,

We are having our 55th class reunion for the class of 1951 at Maravela"s We start with a breakfast of rolls, bagels, coffee ,tea etc. Then we go to the parade. After that there is a tour of the school. Lunch back at Maravela"s for deli meat, cheese, breads. salads etc.

Then to the game. Our banquet starts at 5:15 with dinner at 6:15.PM Paul Wanthal will be playing till dinner. We have door prizes, and Music By Rex. Also a person from the Fox Lake paper will arrive at 7:30 to take a group picture.

We will share memories from our past--that's if anyone wants to.

On Fri night we have a gathering at Dinos for anyone who would like to attend. Just a few hours of renewing friendships again.

I am trying to keep the door prizes and live music a secret as best I can till the 30th.

We had 36 attend in 2001 and 22 attending this year. We did lose about 8 since 01.

I got some good prices from Maria at Maravelas and their food is good. Connie Walker is looking into getting passes to the game.

I feel we are going to have a full evening and I hope it turns out as good as it sounds on paper. also have name tags and a booklet with addresses, pictures from our 50th and other things.

If I can help you in any way just let me know. Jim Lumber and his wife are supposed to be there and he see for himself how it went.

Hazel Morley class of 51

Note: It is my understanding members of our class are invited. Check with Hazel

Received an email 10/13/2006 from Phyllis "Werhan" Bauer

p hyllis.j.bauer@comcast.com

The name "Jean Verginski" rang a bell. I'm sure she went to Grant but must have dropped out, as I didn't find her in either the '51 or '52 year books. I notice a couple of other familiar Ingleside-Fox Lake names: Krueger and Becmer.

Obituary appeared in the Northwest Herald

Jean Ann (Verjinski) Krueger
Born: April 13, 1937; in Ingleside Died: Oct. 11, 2006; in Ingleside She worked for Baxter Hospital Supply for more than 30 years INGLESIDE - Jean Ann (Verjinski) Krueger, 69, a lifetime resident of Ingleside, died Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, at her Ingleside home surrounded by her family. She was born April 13, 1937, to Leo L. and Dorothy M. (Dalziel) Verjinski in their Ingleside home. She married Richard J. Krueger. She was an active member of the Fox Lake Fire Department Women's Auxiliary and had held various offices throughout the years. After more than 30 years at Baxter Hospital Supply Manufacturing Co. in Round Lake she retired as quality assurance supervisor. She served as a Lake County Election Judge and enjoyed gardening, baby-sitting for her grandchildren and spending time with her family and friends. Survivors include her children, Joseph (Greta) Krueger of Johnsburg, Cindy (James) Albright of Antioch, Denise "Bunny" (Steve) Shaw of Alabama and Terri Doherty of Richmond; her grandchildren, Kristin Becmer of Mundelein, Jaime Krueger of Alabama, Kathrin and Melissa Albright of Antioch, Emily and Otto Krueger of Johnsburg and Conner and McKenna Doherty of Richmond; her father, Leo of Ingleside; a sister, Sandra Bentley of Belvidere; a sister-in-law, Patricia (Ernest) Huschke of Arizona; and many friends.She was preceded in death by her husband in 1988; her mother; an infant identical twin, Joan; and a brother, Leonard "Spike" Verjinski. The visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at the K. K. Hamsher Funeral Home, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Road, the Chapel on the Lake, a block west of Route 12 and a half-block north of Grand Avenue, Fox Lake. The visitation will be continue from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the funeral home. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at St. Bede Catholic Church in Ingleside. Interment will be private.Memorials made to the Fox Lake Fire Dept./Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 26, Fox Lake, IL 60020, would be appreciated by the family. For information, call the funeral home at (815) 587-2100.

Follow Up email 10/15/2006 from Phyllis "Werhan" Bauer

p hyllis.j.bauer@comcast.com

Bill Swanson solved the mystery of Jean Virjinski. She was in the Class of '55, so she was a freshman when we were seniors. She is in the '52 yearbook and I simply overlooked her name.

Received an email 10/15/2006 from Hazel Morley

morley5613@comcast.net

YOU MUST KNOW *77
I knew about the red light on cars, but not the *77. It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. *Lauren's parents have always told them never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc. *

Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called *77 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.

Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the *77 Cell Phone Feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an

unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe & quiet place. You obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them (i.e. put on your hazard lights) or call *77 like Lauren did.
Too bad the cell phone companies don't generally give you this little bit of wonderful information.
*Speaking to a service representative at **Bell** Mobility confirmed that *77 was a direct link to state trooper info. So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about *77
Send this to every woman (and person) you know; it may save a life.

Received an email 10/15/2006 from Char & Ed Portzen

charportzen@tds.net

Jim,

This is in response to you letter of last year. We were rather busy building a new house in Burlington Wisconsin and are just getting things caught up. Home Phone: 262-539-2120

Hope this updates you on us. We have been attending the semi annual dinners at Marvella's in Ingleside (across from Grant) and there are not many '52 classmates attending. This is the Grant Alumni Retiree's dinner and held on the 2nd Wednesday in May and October.

Just thought some other alumni may be interested. Always good food and a chance to catch up on things.

Drop us a line now and then, would love to hear from you.

Char Portzen

Received an email 10/16/2006 from Ron Cook

rbry34@sbcglobal.net

Hi Jim

Glad to see things are still rolling along The only thing new here is a hip. Its amazing what they can do in such a short time and with little or no pain.

Its good to hear from you guys.

Ron

Received an email 11/23/06 from Lester Gnadt

lestergg@earthlink.net

Just could not resist sending this card.

Hope you share this with others and make their day!!!
click on the word card

"CARD"

Received an email 11/15/06 From Irwin and Janet Buchholz

irjan@verizon.net

Hi Class

It has been a very busy year for us here in the Pacific North West. April rains convinced me it was time to replace the twenty – three year old shake shingle roof with a new composite roof. It took a couple of weeks for me to do it. I did have the help of our son who lives in the area. Fifty year warranty so I guess I will never have to replace this roof. Next on the replacement list was the approximately 1000 square foot deck which I had been neglecting for some time.

My wife, Janet has been training for another Three Day 60 mile Breast Cancer walk. This left me with time to assist Daughter and Son with some of their projects. Add to all of the above a couple of trips to Portland, OR and our annual family camping trip and you have a full calendar of activity.

In October Janet and I made a long awaited trip to Southern Utah’s Canyon lands, Arches and Capitol Reef National Parks. This trip was a hike your buns off venture. Many wonderful hikes of eight to ten miles on primitive trails with a lot of boulder and slickrock climbing. When we awoke one morning to see the snow line one hundred feet or so above our camp we decided it was time to leave for home. We have many memories of the sites of the ancient puebloan people who were here long before us.

As we start to prepare for Thanksgiving, the thoughts of so much we have to be thankful for engulf us. Our health, love, family and our many friends come rushing to mind. So if you are in the area feel free to stop by and join us, there is always room at the table.

We wish everyone a very happy holiday season.

Love and Hugs,

Irwin and Janet Buchholz

Received an email 12/08/06 from Rita "Frankenstein" Vogal

ritavogel@yahoo.com

A marry Christmas message from Rite

http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

Received an email 12/08/06 from Laverne "Mouse" Beskow Thompson

LMTANTIOCH@aol.com

Talk about memory problems, I don't even remember any actor ever coming to Grant!

If you find out, let me know who it was and what year. My God, my mind must really be aging fast.

On a more serious and sad note, we lost another classmate, Patricia "Pattie" Orth Flohr. Saw the death notice a few days ago.

Merry Christmas, Mouse

email 12/11/2006 from Phyllis "Werhan" Bauer

pjbauer16@yahoo.com

LaVerne Beskow-Thompson has brought to our attention the loss of Patti Orth-Flohr. The obituary from the News-Sun follows:

Patricia K. Flohr, age 72, of Bristol, Wisconsin, died Sunday, December 3, 2006, at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha.

She was born February 28, 1934 in Wisconsin to Ralph and Ruth (nee Drassart) Orth.

Formerly of Round Lake, she and her late husband were the owners of the Cottage Cafe in Round Lake. After retirement, they moved to Shrevesport, LA and then to Hot Springs, Arkansas. They returned to this area, and lived in Bristol, WI for the past fifteen years.

She enjoyed bingo at the Senior Center in Bristol, and was a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed many card games, especially Skipbo. Prior to her husband's death, she enjoyed traveling the United States with him.

Survivors include five children, Deb (Russell) Fichter of Atlanta, Georgia, Susan Haley of Bristol, Wisconsin, Mark (Sherri) Flohr of Bristol, Patrick (Hope) Flohr of Wauconda, and Randy Flohr of Ingleside; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marilyn (the late Swede) Ring, of Lake Villa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, George on November 11, 2002.

Friends may meet the family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2006 at Justen's Round Lake Funeral Home, 222 N. Rosedale Court, Round Lake, IL 60073. The memorial service will be at 8 p.m., with the Rev. Lisle Kauffman officiating. Inurnment will be private.

For those wishing to send an expression of sympathy, memorials to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.

For information, call the funeral home at 847-546-3300. Friends may send on-line condolences to the family at www.justenfh.com.

email 12/11/2006 from Patricia Mauck

pmauck@cfl.rr.com

Merry Christmas, everyone!

We are doing fine after all Dick's surgeries and looking forward to going to Wisconsin for Christmas.

Click on the site below and enjoy!

Best wishes come true,

Patti

http://www.jacquielawson.com:80/viewcard.asp?code=1017129949136

Received an letter 12/20/06 from Gordon Cole

gordyrae1@aol.com

Hi Jim

I have not heard any news about a class reunion; I know you want someone else to do it this time.

Don’t blame you it’s a lot of work. I think our class President and other Officer’s should take on this responsibility anyway just my thoughts.

Oh enclosed is my donation for the upkeep of the class web site, if I can be of more help let me know.

Take care and God bless.

Gordy

A thank you email to Gordy form class members would be in order, Gordy sent a $100.00 donation to help keep this site on the internet.

Happy New Year

Click on Picture and

Turn Up the Sound


LaVERNE "BESKOW" THOMPSON 2002


LUCKY SPOONER 2002


VIVIAN "CLAYBURN" WELCH


PHYLLIS "WERHAN" BAUER