Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

I have seen some posts about a big train coming through Bloomington.  I know Jack Keefe likes trains.  Did anyone see it?

Jack Keefe

Did someone say TRAINS? Here are two images of the Union Pacific Big Boy locomotive's stop in Bloomington last week. The top view is from the Locust Street bridge, with the ISU dorms in the background. The second is from the Front Street bridge, which is now a footbridge and part of Constitution Trail. The old bridge was closed and removed almost 30 years ago. In the second view, the train is about to cross West Washington Street. Hope you enjoy!

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Thanks Jack!  Was it noisy!  Did the engineer blow the whistle?  I live a long way from any tracks here in Seattle but when the atmosphere is favorable I can hear the whistle.  Heard it this morning in fact.

Jack Keefe

Hey Wendy and anyone else who missed this engine -- it's a very noisy machine, and yes, the engineer blows the whistle. There are several types of steam whistles, named more or less for the way they sound. Three of the most common are the steamboat, the hooter, and the chime whistle. Union Pacific engines, including this one, used a steamboat whistle. If you remember the old Illinois Central steam whistles on the east side of Bloonington, those were also steamboat whistles.  

Jack Keefe

GRACE PERIOD ANNOUNCED

Your social committee has worked out a ten-day grace period for the birthday party signup. If you hope to come but can't be sure until later, let Sharon Green Leipold know and we'll keep you as a yes. This is all about ordering food from the caterer. 

Remember: FREE food; FREE beer, wine and soft drinks; FREE parking, and FREE admission for guests, such as husbands, wives, care-givers, etc. All invited, all welcome. And we've got cake, including one that's gluten-free for those who prefer it. 

Sharon's contact into is on the home page. She'd love to hear from you.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

There is soooo much on this site that is really cool, interesting, and brings back many memories for me.  Some of those I'll address later.  But, for now, I have a question.  Myself and Cheryl will be attending the 80's Birthday weekend.  We will be arriving in B/N on Wednesday.  Long story short, we come back every year around this time, or at Labor Day.  Sometimes it's a short visit, sometimes not.  My question is this.  Is there anyone who would like to play a round of golf at Higland Park golf course on Thursday, 8/22, which is a day before all the festivities.  If not, no problem.  If so, I may think about bringing my clubs.  I've been playing this game for 68 years, and I still play twice a week.  You don't have to be a great player, (we're too old to think that now days), I just think it might be a lot of fun, if enough people have an interest. If so, leave a message here, or text me at rodhayes46@icloud.com.  I keep an eye on the weather there, and that could be a factor.  

James (Jim) Rookus

I  never knew what I was missing all these years not having daily facials !  Now that I am subjected to them I'd not choose to go back !  SO REWARDING ‼️

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Have seen a lot of pictures on the internet of the damage in Bloomington from the storm.  Hope everyone is ok.  

James (Jim) Rookus

WELL here I am again apologizing yet again for missing a bunch of Birthdays !  This moving has just thrown all my regular activities off schedule !  I'm too old for moving.... should have done it earlier !

SO HERE IS ANOTHER CATCH UP at least prior to our BIG CELEBRATION on FRIDAY !!!

HOPE TO SEE A LOT OF YOU THERE ! ! !

Jack Keefe

IT'S HERE!

BIRTHDAY PARTY THIS FRIDAY!

This is going to be a great afternoon. As of today, we've had 56 classmates and guests sign up for the 80th birthday party at the Doubletree. Here are some last minute details:

PARKING is closest in the west lot off the Anglers Rd corner at Morrissey Drive. Use the west (conference center) doors and look for our people. Party room opens at 12:45 pm. Food will be set up by 1 pm.

SHOW AND TELL? If you have a favorite story you'd like to share, we'll start that around 2:30. Life-changing events maybe? Can be from anytime in your life, not just school days.

CENTERPIECES belong to the Doubletree, so we won't be giving them away at the end of the day. 

AND REMEMBER: The usual gathering at Cheeks is this Saturday night beginning at 5 pm. More great food and company.

James (Jim) Rookus

PACKING !!!  Getting ready for the drive to Bloomington on Thursday !!!  My mouth is watering for a lunch stop around Chicago for my favorite PORTILLO's  BIGGY BEEF !!!  And maybe even again for dinner in Bloomington later that evening !  Looking forward to seeing Ya'll FRIDAY at 1:00 ! ! !

A Special THANK YOU to Jack and others on the committee who so dilligently planned this party ! 

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Well  James, we're setting here at DFW, waiting for our flight to B/N.  It's been over 100 for 25 straight days, and 8 more in a row to go.  No rain since July 15.  So, we're looking forward to a cool, maybe a little wet trip in B/N.  I know all about that packing.  I packed the light way.  Cheryl of course, packed for summer, fall, and winter.  Anyway, it will be great to see some old friends and relatives.

James (Jim) Rookus

  W O W ! ! !

WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD AT 

THE BIRTHDAY BASH !  

I'm sure everyone in attendance will agree that all of you that were absent were missed !  It was so gratifying to rekindle some old friendships and meet face to face for the first time some new ones formed on this site !

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO WELCOMING ESPECIALLY TO MY BRIDE WHO IS A STRANGER TO BLOOMINGTON !  SHE HAD A MARVELOUS TIME !

OF COURSE OUR BABY "MUFFIN" WAS SO HAPPY TO GREET US AFTER OUR 5:45 MINUTE DRIVE HOME !  Sorry Marvin is not home to fix the sideways picture....

James (Jim) Rookus

A Few quick pics from today's party... sorry they all came out sideways.... WHERE IS MARVIN when we need him... His presence was sure missed today !!!  Also not the best pics but will have to do until someone else can post some better ones !

Jack Keefe

Thanks to everyone who came to today's birthday party! We're hoping everyone had a great time. The social committee, which included Pam Hohenstreiter Zweng, Sandra Jeakins Sizemore, Liz Spillman Alex and Sharon Green Leipold, put in a lot of hours to make sure we had a great event. And we did, thanks to them.

The two travelers who came farthest were Rod Hayes from Houston and Jim Rookus from Grand Rapids. That's dedication! Jim Ogan and Marilyn EvansTate also attended for the first time in many years. It was great to see them as well. If I left anyone out, I apologize.

A reminder of our annual mini-reunion tonight at Cheeks, beginning at 5 pm. 

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

I just want to say thank you to the committee for putting on such a great party.  I think everyone had a great time and it was nice getting together tonight at cheeks. See y'all in December. Good job.
 

Suzi

GO RAIDERS

PS.  My stool that I had at
cheeks tonight to get on the stool cause I'm too short, Dave put it on top of our car while he was putting my walker in the car and forgot it. Needless to say I no longer have a stool. He has to go out and buy me a new one.

James (Jim) Rookus

GUESS WHAT ‼️  WE FORGOT SOMETHING AT THE BIRTHDAY PARTY ‼️

We didn't sing happy birthday to ourselves‼️

🎶🎵🎶🎵  "Happy birthday to US .... Happy birthday to US ... HAPPY BIRTHAY .......  🎶🎶🎶  RAIDERS 80th .... 🎶🎶🎶  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US ‼️

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Janet Cox

        AND

Ken Kerfoot

Hope you have great birthday blessings !

Jack Keefe

FINALLY. THE CAKE!

In reponse to a diminishing number of requests, here's the cake from last week's party. It was delicious.

Thanks to Sandra and Pam for picking it up and giving it an official Alumni Escort to the Doubletree.

James (Jim) Rookus

Here are a few pictures from the birthday celebration LIZ asked me to post for her !

James (Jim) Rookus

More pictures from LIZ‼️

James (Jim) Rookus

Can you believe ... a mile from home our 60th anniversary lunch along with grandson Ivan's 10th birthday lunch (born on our 50th) in a sand and live palm tree🌴🌴🌴🌴 outdoors sports bar/restaurant in Michigan ‼️ <>> Every summer they truck in about 50! palms and plant them for the summer ‼️ Sand in your toes and palm breezes ‼️

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I need to pay tribute to my beautiful sweetheart for being by my side for the past 60 YRS ! ! !  I am so thankful to God for bringing her into my life and giving me the priviledge of sharing it with her.  She is the light of my life .... the wind in my sail ....  and the beat of my heart !!!

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Jim and Carol, Happy Anniversary to you both and may you have many more.

Great picture of you both.

James (Jim) Rookus

Thank You Sandy ......  BUT  remember how old we all are....  I seriously doubt there will be too many more !

I'll be happy with as many as God gives us !

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Yes, Jim.  You have a point.  Ron and I used to say, since we were marrried at 17, we could have had many anniversaries if we lived long enough.  But that didn't happen, since he died in 1985 at the age of 38.  We had 21 very happy years together.  The night he died, I told the nurse, I had just lost my best friend. Ron and I grew up together.  My second marriage lasted  23 years  He died in 2013.   Although, we didn't have the closeness that Ron and I shared. 

It doesn't matter how many years you have, but how happy those years are.  Sounds like you and Carol are still very happy. And I pray God grants you many more years together.