| ISSUE 34 |
 | March 2007 |
| ISSUE 34 |
| March 2007 |
Dear LP-53 Classmates, Spouses, and Friends;
Greetings of the New Year to you. May we find blessings in each day; strong and faithful if we are tried; humble and thankful if our walk is smooth.
Here, in the salutation, I want to tell you that you are much loved, treasured friends. All during the period from the last newsletter when I mentioned my wife’s critical illness, and continuing ‘til now, when I am happy to report that her health is being restored, Carolyn and I and our family have been touched by your concern, and thank you for your prayers.
I also want to include update information regarding Eleanor Mills Neave. I am so happy to have received a March 9 e-mail from Elly’s husband, Don, telling that Elly was home from the nursing home the weekend of March 3 and 4, and was home for the March 10 and 11 weekend. Don wrote, “If all goes well, we will bring her home for good on the 25th (of March).” Elly and Don appreciate our prayers and concern.
Let us remember to pray for each other whenever we know that one of us has a need for extra support to carry the burden of a heavy heart.
Because Carolyn could benefit from the physical fitness equipment at our Seniors’ Center, we joined. I suppose that I could get some benefit as well, but I play golf and she doesn’t. We notice that the Seniors’ Center has fewer handicap parking spaces in front than there are at the Dick’s Sporting Goods store. Go figure.
We went with some other seniors to a program at our high school, hosted by student council members (good kids). The program included lunch, with two students sitting at each table with their guests. Somehow, in the good conversation, I mentioned being retired from the Air Force. One of the students asked, “Were you in World War Two?” In the mind of teenagers (we were probably the same), a person over age 50 might as well be age 90. It is understandable that young people have difficulty putting history in perspective.
After the student’s comment, we talked some about wartime rationing of certain commodities ... sugar, coffee, gasoline, rubber, metals, etc. It was interesting to me to learn that all the other seniors at our table brought dimes to school to buy stamps to put in books (like green stamp books), as did we in Illinois, that were used to buy War Bonds. None of us, though, could explain who got the bonds?? Carolyn mentioned that the speed limit was 35 mph (did you remember that?). In 1942 the federal government ordered a nationwide speed limit of 35 mph, partly to save gasoline, but primarily to save tire rubber. Engineers estimated that the 35 mph limit would double tire life. By the way, state governors made the federal order legal by issuing executive orders.
When you think about it, we have a perspective problem too. Our children did not experience rationing either, and today’s high school seniors are children of our children.
No, we are not 90-year old WWII veterans, but all of us from the Class of LP 1953 are now septuagenarians (Ray Kobucher taught me that word). The youngest of our group turned 70 last December; our older members turn 73 this year. That’s a sign of the times. Forget your age, and remember the friends of your youth ... you will feel better already.
I’m glad to report that I don’t know a single song on the Billboard Top 10. None are worth knowing! I remember when I/We knew the Top 10 by name, we knew the music and the lyrics, and the artist(s). I thought there might no longer be a Billboard Top 10, so I did a Google search. There it is, www.Billboard.com but now with categories for: Ringstones, Ringmasters, Heatseekers, (I don’t even know what those are), R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap, Karaoke, Latin, Music Videos, and, would you believe Adult Contemporary (what does that mean?). Maybe, I need to get an iPod. Nancy Valesano sent me a copy of the brochure that was handed out for the November 7, 1949 Open House at the high school. Thanks, Nancy.
While placing the brochure in my scrapbook, I counted the pictures I have from my “growing up” years ... from age six months to high school graduation (Carolyn says it took longer). I have exactly 32 pictures covering 18 years. And, six of those were taken during one visit to Starved Rock in 1938. I have no birthday pictures, for any birthday during those years. Many years are absent any photo documentation. Maybe your scrapbook is like mine ... short on pictures. Photographic film probably was in short supply, due to silver content, during WWII?
I mention this to contrast with the photographic and video documentation that our grandchildren will inherit, whether they want to or not. I suppose that your children are not unlike ours, equipped with film and digital still cameras, and video cameras used to document every birthday, every sports game, every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, summer picnic, graduation, trip, award, home coming and prom dances, family gathering, and etc. Our grandchildren do not have a “growing up” scrapbook; they have photo albums (plural), tapes and disks. All very nice.
But,
in 50 years, all that they will be able to look at will be the still film
photos. We are creating a new “Dark Ages” with technology. Already, we have
some of those little video tapes that we cannot play ... no machine to play
them. New computers and their software will not “read” some old digital files,
and don’t have a 3.5-inch floppy disk slot.
Of course, our children don’t have a lot of 35mm slides, that neither we nor
they have a working projector for viewing the slides. Have you tried to buy a
bulb for a slide projector lately?
These days, when there are less than six notes on the kitchen table ... reminders of things to do and errands to run, I feel like I am pretty well caught up and can relax and do a Sudoku puzzle. When I get in my little red truck to run some errands, I take my notes with me, so that I will know where I am supposed to be going, and what I am supposed to do or get. By the time I get from our driveway to the “T” intersection exit from our plat, I have to look at my notes to know if I am supposed to turn left or right.
Do you remember the name of the bowling alley on First St. in La Salle? Kay Keenan remembered “Leon’s.” Bob Keenan remembered “Palace Bowl.” Between the two of them, they say it was “Leon’s Palace Bowl.” Jim Brooks said the name was “The Palace.” My brother, who began work there at age 11 in 1942, recalls that Richard Leon was the owner, and the name was “Palace Lanes.”
In the last issue I mentioned my experience in partnership with Bob Carter roofing a corn crib (I quit after the first job). Norman Taylor sent me a note saying that one morning Bob came to his house and asked if he would help him roof a barn. Norm agreed, and had a experience similar to mine ... high up, steep roof, hard work. Norm wrote, “I didn’t know that I was your replacement.” In mid-January I talked to Bob on the phone and mentioned this. His reply, “I went through a lot of friends doing those roofing jobs.”
Kaye Arkins and Lois Wilmot both sent me a special sports page article from the February 8, 2007 NewsTribune. The article was compiled by the Sports Writer, Jim Dresbach, as part of the 100 th anniversary of boys basketball at LP. Its title is; “The Top 50 L-P boys basketball players of all time.” The list includes two names from LP-53, Louis “Lou”Amsberg (we called him “Louie”), and Doug Kimber. Dresbach wrote a few words about “... the best who played ... during the 100 seasons of Cavalier basketball.” He wrote: “Lou Amsberg: A Cavalier from 1951-53, Amsberg made defense his forte on the high school court. He was a two-time winner of the King-Friz award that named the team’s most outstanding defensive player.” And, Doug Kimber, “The Cavalier captain was L-P’s most valuable player in 1953, and he led L-P to a perfect 10-0 record and an Illinois Valley Conference championship. That year, in the talent-packed Big Eight Conference, the Cavs held their own with a 5-5 mark.” Congratulations Louie and Doug on this honor. Graphic by Ken Baum
I attended most of the home basketball games. One memory I have is that the girls sat in the fold-out bleacher type seats, and the boys sat in the balcony section. I think if a boy and girl went together to a game, they sat in separate sections. Was there a rule that the boys and girls couldn’t sit together? Maybe it was the cheerleaders that wanted the boys up and out of the way, to make room down close to the floor for people who knew the cheers.
Looking at the 1953 Ell Ess Pe picture of our varsity basketball team, I am wondering; “When did basketball player uniforms change from those tight short shorts, and sleeveless ”H” shaped jerseys, to the current uniform of very loose, down-to-the-knee shorts, and two-layer jerseys?” I didn’t do any research, and I don’t like to be chauvinistic, but it seems to me the change took place when girls’ basketball became a varsity sport. Can you picture a girls’ team wearing short shorts and sleeveless jerseys?
With this issue, we note the passing of three more from our class. Our In Memoriam list now names 67 classmates.
Wayne H. Werts, 71, of 1710 12 th St., Peru, Illinois died December 17, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Joan, two daughters, four sons, and five grand children.
John L. Cobb,
71 of Beavercreek, Oregon died July 4, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Betty,
two daughters, one son, and five grand children.
Marjorie Kwatick Mathey, 72 of Peru, Illinois. I don’t have obituary information.
Family member: Sylvia Starovasnik Davenport’s grandson, Stephen Shannon, 21, was killed in Iraq January 31, 2007.
All those we love are part of us,
For things of beauty leave their trace.
And memories of all we=ve shared,
Are treasures time cannot erase.
..... Anonymous ....
Note: In early 2006, I received a flyer in the mail from John Cobb’s wife, Betty. The flyer described a project that the Cobb family was initiating to restore the music room in a historic Oregon hotel. The restored room would be dedicated to Dr. John L. Cobb, in recognition of “his long career of teaching, conducting, performing, and promoting the musical arts in Oregon and the Northwest...” John did not know about the project, and his family requested it remain that way until the dedication ceremony. I consulted with Kaye Arkins. The two of us decided that Class of ‘53 support of the project was appropriate, and we contributed $100 from the class’ account. Because the family did not want John to know about the project, I did not think we could take a poll of the class to see if a majority supported a contribution. I do not know anything about progress of the project. With John’s passing, it is no longer necessary to retain secrecy regarding the project. I hope and assume, that had you known, you would have concurred with contributing to support the project.
There is a story behind how we learned about John Cobb’s passing, and I want to pass it on. When Bob Carter did not receive the annual Christmas card from the Cobbs, he was worried and decided to call. He learned that the phone was disconnected. Bob had a friend try to e-mail John, but no response. In late January, 2007, Bob drove from Boise, Idaho to Beavercreek, Oregon to John’s last address (450 miles). He found a new owner, who told Bob that he thought John had died. Bob drove on to Canyon Beach, Oregon where he found the sister-in-law of John’s oldest daughter (that would be the sister of the daughter’s husband), who told Bob that John died from pneumonia contracted while in intensive care (don’t know why John was in intensive care). When Bob got back to Idaho, he had a friend do a internet search, and found John’s obituary. You just have to commend Bob for his effort and determination to find out about a friend.
Golden 50th
Bill & Norma Lipka, Feb 2
George & Carol Renkosik, Feb 2
Sharon Schwab & Charles Howarth, Feb 16
Donna Donatt & Tom Durham, Jun 8
Jim & Nancy Gherardini, Jun 19
Angie Brejc & Don Troglio, Jun 22
Dorothy Bacidore & Leroy Lipka, Jul 13
Barbara Kotecki & Kenneth Pyszka, Aug 10
Joan Lipka & Tom Prather, Aug 10
Earl & Patricia Mohr, Oct 5
Carol Lijewski & Joe Turinetti, Oct 12
Clyde & Sandra Karlosky, Oct 13
Minnie Venturelli & Harold Larson, Nov 15
Silver 25th
Kay Constantine & Bob Keenan, Feb 5
We celebrate with all of you, and pray God’s blessings for you and your families.
Bob Hughett sent me a letter addressed: “To My Valued Clients” (I”m not one). The letter was undated ... to be sent soon, announcing his retirement, effective June 1, 2007. One sentence in the letter reads; “From the time my high school football coach introduced me to the stock market in 1953, becoming a stockbroker was what I knew I was meant to do.” That coach was Walt Tyler. Bob’s retirement date ends a 50-year career. That’s a long time. I think he now knows more than when he started, and he should start over.
Just about all of us are now retired seasoned citizens, but some are not. Ron Senica still shows up around the golf course, but I am not sure if he is working, or just giving free advice.. I checked with Jean Myers to find out if she is taking down her shingle ... she said no, still working. And, I think that Bob Kessel is still pounding pork tenderloins before the Igloo opens each morning. Mary Jean is still, part-time, keeping the books at Brennan-Stuart Insurance. I know you can still find Darwin Croisant at Wal-Mart (thanks Darwin for watching out for my niece). Warren Kalisiak still opens the doors at the FlowerMart. I suppose that Darryl Lamps is still operating his floral business (I hope he has quit referring basketball games). I hope that Joan Rogalla Anderson is still creating wheatcrafting works of art. I think that Art Pyszka is out of the insurance business and retired, but not sure. Fred Paulicka still has nine irons in the fire, but e-mail traffic indicates he is spending a lot more time at home. Richard Nawa said that he was thinking about retiring this year. Last I knew, Marilyn Carr was doing part-time secretary work for a retired pastor doing missionary work from office in Peru. Any others not yet retired, I don’t know about. Of course, the homemakers are still on the job ... thank you very much.
Ray and Judy Klobucher spend their winters in
Estero, Florida. In January, Ray was reading the Ft. Myers NewsPress and saw a
article about a golf tournament. Checking to see if any neighbors might be
playing, he spotted
the name, Robert Hughett, who “had shot a sparkling 69 on the opening day, top
score for the Super Seniors.” Ray called the golf club and found out that
Hughett was from Lincoln, Nebraska. So, he knew he had his guy and went to the
tournament to find Bob.
Lois Peters Wilmot, Marilyn Schalla Duffy, and Carolyn Knaff took a bus trip to Aurora, Illinois to attend a Bobby Vinton concert (it was good). Chuck Ganze and his sister were on the bus, as well as Gene Wozniak and his wife. Lois didn’t recognize Chuck (she only went to school with him for 13 years, K-12), or Gene, but Chuck’s sister told him who she was. Five from LP-53 on the same bus ... that’s pretty good. Lois, Marilyn, Carolyn, Gene and Ann all live in either La Salle or Peru, but last we knew, Chuck lives in Belvidere, so don’t know where he got on the bus. Chuck played on the ‘51-‘52 and ‘52-‘53 Cavaliers. Commenting on the top 50 players, Chuck told Lois that he thought Jim Brooks and Bob Kowalski should have been named to the list.
We continue to push this endeavor. Since last issue, we have received a couple of additions ... thanks to those who sent pictures. Please send your then (around time of marriage) and now pictures to Jim or me (we will scan them and return). I know this might be difficult to do for widows and widowers in our class, but I hope you will consider sending a picture. I promise that either Jim or I, or the two of us, are going to produce a nice album.
Joan Terry Antonovich new address is:
43 Tahquitz Dr., Camarillo, CA 93012. Phone: Home: (805) 388-3861; Cell: (805) 208-0939.
Joyce Grubar Hoelzer: joyceh119@sbcglobal.net
Don Castagna: oneputtterdnc@aol.com
George Renkosik: segren@ivnet.com
Rosie Tomminello Lane: rlane@pngusa.net
Marilyn Carr: marilyn.carr@insightbb.com
Golf will be planned for the afternoons of Thursday, July 19 (no plans following golf) and Friday, July 20. We will plan to gather for dinner dates Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21. MJ and Jerry Stuart will host a pre-dinner gathering Friday, as they have done for several years (thank you very much). Details with place and time will be provided in the June newsletter.
We will have a short 55 th Reunion planning meeting on July 18 ... probably a dinner gathering (a convenience for me so that I don’t have to travel a day earlier) at place to be determined. I will send info to all those who usually help with reunions.
The dates for our 55th reunion will be September 25-27, 2008. Put those dates on your calendar, and plan to attend. A block of rooms has been reserved at Starved Rock Lodge (Ph. 800-868-7625) under contract for: LP Class of 1953 (the reference you use when making a reservation). Your credit card will be charged at full price for the first night when you make your reservation. We will receive a senior discount, but it will not be applied until check in, and identification is presented. The discount is 20 per cent for Thursday night, and 10 per cent for Friday and Saturday nights. Our reserved block includes these rooms (2006 prices subject to change, PLUS taxes):
The Starved Rock Room has been reserved for Thursday, September 25. This will be a “welcoming,” with cash bar and heavy hors’ d’oeuvres. We are paying for the room ($250) from our class account balance. I have some volunteers in mind to pay for the hors d’oeuvres. So, the only cost to individuals (other than my “volunteers”) will be what is spent at the cash bar. If you would like to be one of the “volunteers,” let me know.
Please send any suggestions that you have for our reunion agenda.
Eleven (11) of the 15 varsity basketball team in ‘51-‘52 were juniors, from the Class of LP 1953. Unusual
In 1949, the annual cost per student at LP was $301.45. In 2004, the per student cost was $8,883 ... roughly 30 times more, and very close to the national average. LPO tuition costs in 1949 were $2.00 per semester hour for district resident students. In 2004, the IVCC (successor to LPO) tuition cost was about $60 per semester hour... roughly 30 times the 1949 cost. In 1949 the faculty median salary was $4,100. I don’t have the same figure for 2004. But, if the 30 times factor held, the median salary would be about $120,000. The reason that the multiplier holds for per student and per semester hour costs, and not for median salary (a direct cost), is due to overhead (my conclusion).
In 1949, the high school had a Superintendent, Mr. Dolan, a Registrar, Mr. Wilmot who was also Dean of LPO, a Dean of Boys, Mr. Tyler, and a Dean of Women, Ms. Knight (talk about sexist ... yes, the words used were Boys and Women, not Boys and Girls). Mr. Tyler and Ms. Knight also held full-time faculty jobs. Mr. Dolan and Mr. Wilmot were the only overhead costs.
In 2004, the high school has: a Superintendent, a Principal, a Assistant Principal, a Assistant Principal for Special Education, a Assistant Principal/Athletic Director, a Curriculum Director, and a Extension Center (don’t know what that is) Director. All of these positions are overhead, non-teaching.
Please send information, retirement activities, stories, address changes, etc. to:
Kaye Arkins OR Alan Berry
437 N. Woodland Ave. 2358 Meadowgreen Dr.
Oglesby, IL 61348 Beavercreek, OH 45431
(815) 883-8818 (937) 429-0092
Email Alan at: beansb@woh.rr.com
Email Jim Brooks at: james.r.brooks@lpths.org