Marvin Theobald

One more fun thing to share! A friend called to tell me about a pair of eagles in a nearby tree along the Mackinaw River. I grabbed my camera and got there as fast as I could. The adult Bald Eagle flew off right after I arrved, but the one pictured below let me get close enough for this shot before it flew away. My zoom lens is only 135mm so it is not great for this kind of shot. but it was a pretty cool experience.

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Marv...

Congrats to you and Mel for taking the initiative to get this awesome statue on display where it belongs.  I find it hard to believe that they would just set aside like that.  The base also looks great.  Very nice work!  After reading the two attached articles from the library, I thought it would have been nice if they would have at least mentioned your names.  Personally "A member of the Bloomington community and his brother" doesn't really do much for me.  (This will also be a great write-off for the company!)

Max

Ed Stanfield

Marv

He is a juvenile and called a "dirty bird" because he has not gotten his distinctive coloring

Breat Pic of a great bird

There is a nesting pair that have takern up residence at Shiloh Military park in a tree fairly close to the Illinois Memorial. Named Hiram ( Grants true first name) and Julia, the Grants raise a brood every year. 

sadly most do not survive to adult hood due to various reasons including being killed by juveniles from earlier broods... Usually the brood is 2

Beautiful Pics and a narrative can be found at shiloheagles.org or com or something...

egg laying is usually mid January

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Hi everyone:

What are you doing with all of your grandchildren for Halloween? Mine are going to be Maleficient, Oak??? from the Hobbit, Dennis the Menace (he's 2), Karate Kid, and the oldest is too old to dress up.

And.........no, they aren't packing eggs nor tomatoes!

Hope everyone has a fun Halloween!

Linda

Dianne Shaffer (Troxel)

Roger and granddaughter Revin and me at Firemans Halloween party.  Was soo much fun!  We have as much fun as the kids.  Happy Halloween!

Vicki Keller (Leary)

Nothing better Diane. Happy Halloween!

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Shaffer:

Thanks for sharing the photo.   She's precious!

Received email from Roger Cox.  Do you want for me to forward it to you?  He has been in a serious motorcycle accident: broken pelvis, broken legs, broken everything.  He has had 14 surgeries.

He ended by telling me that as soon as he is able to that he can't wait to get back on a cycle because he likes the wind in his hair and on his face.   Think I will tell him to have someone drive a car so he can stick his head out of the window!  He has really gone through a lot and is learning to walk.  What is it with my old friends and neighbors liking motorcycles: you, Denny Alexander, and now Roger!

Let me know please.

Love ya, Linda

Dianne Shaffer (Troxel)

Linda I will not be riding again and we got a convertible for that air in our hair fix. Please let Roger know that I pray for his recovery and wish him well.  He was a big part of our teen years.  Love you.

Corlyne (Corky) Shull (Greene)

Glad to hear you are not going to ride again ..... but .... a convertable is great :)

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Hi Corky!   I see that you are on this morning too!

Question:  Is our class, in Bloomington, helping to feed people for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Please let me know so that I can donate to the effort.

Linda Bristow Elias

Milan Jackson

Our class, 1963, did last year. We bought 45 turkeys for the mission.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Milan:

I love that!   I hope our class will do something comparable!

Linda

Milan Jackson

We did a separate collection. Once we knew what funds we had to give, we contacted grocers in our area. Some didn't care if we shopped there or not. I was surprised that Sam's was the most interested and made us a good deal. It was fun. It was like collecting things for Christmas baskets like we did at BHS. The mission even sent us a thank you card.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

If anyone from our class does raise funds for turkeys, somebody please let me know so that I may participate!

Linda

Steve Jetton

Linda and others, I know that here in town the Mission and Clare House are a long way from their goals for turkeys and food bags.  I was going to go out and get a few turkeys today, in fact.

I would be willing to coordinate the effort and do the "grunt work" if any classmates wish to donate.  I can keep all updated on the forum but will keep individual donations private.  Will communicate on the individual level via email or snail mail.  You could simply send me a check to "BHS class of 1964" but I will make sure to keep it all segregated into a separate fund, to be used only for holiday food donations.

The Mission is taking holiday donations until 11/30, Claire House 11/26.  I am sure they would not turn later donations away.  In any case, I'd want to shoot for getting this done by, let's say 11/24 ... thats 2 weeks.

I understand that many of you donate generously in your own communities, so there is no particular pressure to get involved with this effort.  Anything we get is good and well appreciated.

Okay, lets have any feedback or better ideas or volunteering to help out.

My address is:  3712 Helen Dr,  Bloomington,  61704.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

S. Jetton:

Making out a little check tonight and will mail tomorrow by Priority Mail.

Linda

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Linda, Steve, Milan and the whole Class of 64,

You guys are the greatest. I'll be forwarding something as well.

Also want to mention that I WILL BE AT THE MINI-REUNION ON THURSDAY. SO IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP I'M GOING TO TAKE IT KINDA PERSONAL LIKE. You know what I mean?

Don't think I mentioned it before, but I'm finally going to join the Grandpa Club. It's about time! Due date is April Fool's Day. No kidding.

Steve, did you check with Mike Meece? He is one of the founders of a food pantry. Just curious. Thanks for taking this on.

Steve Jetton

thanks Linda & Mel .... and others I've heard from.

Mike Meece is involved with Midwest Food Bank, a large and impressive operation.  In addition to local food distribution, they get involved with national and international disaster recovery.  I talked with Home Sweet Home Mission and they said they are partnering with MFB and Cub Foods.  You make your purchase at Cub but don't actually have to lug the turkeys out, MFB takes care of picking up, storing, and distribution.  Will go that route depending on prices. 

A lot of geese on the pond across the street.  I wonder if that's a viable alternative to turkeys? 

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Mel:

Congrats Gramps!   I pray for a healthy, happy child born without a joke!  A sweet birthday separate from April 1 might be nice.

I have 3 friends born April 1.  They really get teased.

Linda

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Mel...

Congrats on being an upcoming Grandpa!  In my mind, there is nothing better than having grandkids.  You will fall in love all over again.

Spoil 'em rotten,

Max

PS:  Sorry I can't make it to the mini reunion this time :(

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

First, I would say the 50th. was really well organized and thought out.  Thanks to all that had a hand in it.  We really had a great time.  My one regret is that I wish I could have spent more time with the people I talked with and for sure those I didn't get a chance to at all.

Linda - First to answer a question you had for me.  Yes, I saw your ugly, pathetic dogs had a great season.  They finished 2nd. in their division.  Very good.  But, their mascot still sucks.  Just remember, the team will change every year.  Those guys are playing to make it to the BIG TIME and the BIG BUCKS.  I think they are affiliated with the San Diego Padres.  At least you get to see a lot of young kids who really hustle.  They have to, because the next move for them is to, as they say, the Biggies.  You mentioned the lack of people on the site lately.  I think maybe since everyone had a chance to re-unite at the 50th., there is a more conversation on a personal level and things like the internet and facebook.  Maybe it will pick up as time goes on.  Sorry I didn't get to talk with you more at the reunion.  I wanted to you a little about Texas Politics and living so close to the Mexican border.  Later maybe.

Mr. Steve Jetton - I'm worried about your mind Steve.  That story about Bump.  I think you told that before.  Even had a picture of the house.  However, I heard a different version of how he got to be called Bump.  As the story goes, a young man with a pony and a camera came to town, taking pictures of kids on the horse for a fee.  Their mother wanted a pic of both boys on the horse.  Well, the horse spooked and Bump, who was on the back, fell off and got kicked in the head.  Hence, the name Bump was born.  

Sorry Max, Marv, and Mel.  I don't think you'll be doing any work here in TX.  Just the transportation fee of equipment would be too much.

Now for you Mr. Habich.  I realize the Bears defense is really busted up.  I give you that.  They're just not healthy at all.  However, I don't care what those old Bear players say, or Trestman, or you Jack.  Jay Boy has finally brought his cancer to the Bear locker room, just like he did in Denver.  I never liked Cutler as a person and I hated him as a QB.  When Denver got rid of him, they almost declared a Holiday.  I could go on for some time about his faults and he has many as a QB. I'll just say this.  For the 2014 NFL season, he is the highest paid QB in the league at $17.5 million.  He is the 4th. highest paid QB in guaranteed money in the NFL.  The other three don't get much more either.  He was and still is a pathetic person and QB.  He has tarnished the Bears name.  He got what he wanted, that Denver was too smart to give him.  Now they are pretty much stuck with him.  Trestman and his OC haven't been too impressive either.

Suzi - How was that.  You know Jack is an old buddy and a good friend.  But I hate Jay Boy so much I just had to give it to him.  He'll come back with something I'm sure.  Right Jack.

Ed - How bout those Frogs.  I was at the game last week against K - State.  Man, they really have a couple great DB's.  Maybe they will get to play Bama this year.  

Well, gotta go run some errand.

Rod - GO BEARS - GO FROGS - go bama.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Rod:

Politics and living on the border:

Seldom do political statements have anything that actually deals with everyday life and interaction with our border.  Most discussion is 'puffed-up baloney' that someone gleaned from a little research or that someone else filled them in on.

The essence of what is real is obliterated, when people, who have yet to learn about customs on both sides of a border mix into  NAFTA issues and try to follow/ or not follow the laws governing NAFTA; overspill of each side into the other side; interaction of citizens just trying to make ends meet to be able to feed their family; versus the huge divergency of big money, who seem to scam everywhere they can!  It affects all of us to some degree and that is overlooked by people trying to get a quick grasp on our area to espouse anything political here.   In short..........they're full of it!

I have found there to be good and bad people from all walks of life, religion, country, race, etc.  The same is true for Mexico.  However, if we choose to go to another country, we are charged to fulfill their entry and exit laws, by passports being needed, etc. 

Why then, are others allowed not to follow our laws for touring and visiting, immigration, and work visas?  We're being asked as a country to allow our laws on the matter to be broken.   You don't see us asking for another country to change their laws! 

We also are asked to extend Social Security benefits to elderly relatives of newcomers within a short period of time of their arrival.  This is so difficult for our system to sustain- in view of the people who have been paying into SS for their entire working life.   It dilutes our benefits to our people when our system is basterdized to accomodate others against our pre-set guidelines.  Anytime money is 'taken out of our pockets', the USA residents will have an ongoing ranting rage about the injustice of the system.

Now...for the children who are trying for refugee status: Good Lord what a mess!  Should we allow the perpetual horror in which they live?   Is it up to us even though they are in a different country?   Hmmmm, yet it is to our borders for which they look for survival.  They are, of course, near our back door.  There isn't any easy fix.   In some ways it seems that we are returning people to Guatemala who are perpetrating horror against their own country.

But ......glad you're interested!   Now I'll be quiet!

Nice to have seen you at the big 50 reunion!

Linda

Richard (Rick) Leininger

President,per your comments about social security, now being called an "entitlement" by govt,despite the large contributions by most of us,I suggest reading the essay by Milton Friedman, a Nobel,prize winning economist, titled, Is,"Social Security a Government Ponzi Scheme"? Google it to read it online! I think he makes a good point. the govt  financing for SS DOES  seem to meet the definition of A "Ponzi", SIMILAR TO THE INVESTMENT SCAMS OF CHARLES Ponzi & Bernie Madoff!   the government pays the Ss of past contributors from SS "contributions" from current "investors" That's essentially the classic definition of a "Ponzi game " During the past debates among Presidential hopefuls, one created a squeal of outrage when he referred to Social Scurity as a government Ponzi game  After the squeals of outrage by many  recipients of SS, ONE NETWORK COMMENTATOR REMARKED WITH SURPRISE AT THE public reactions ,when he bluntly stated That, SS IS A "GOVERNMENT Ponzi"   READ Milton Friedman' comments Or Google the question, "is Social Security a government Ponzi scheme?"   Rick Leininger

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Rick:

Actually I did read that.   However.........there's nothing in it that's going to make big changes. I don't like to just talk about stuff like this.   I want to see positive action achieved for the good of the American people.  (Not just for some of them)

I would just like the original concept to be regarded instead of it being made to mutate by manipulation. (Not necessarily in progressive modes nor honest attempts.)

Linda

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

ROD,

THAT JUST ABOUT SIZES IT UP!

WELL SAID.  THE BEARS JUST PLAN SUCK, SUCK, SUCK!

OH MIKE DITKA WHERE ARE YOU WHEN WE NEED YOU SO BADLY!

SUZI