Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

I think the BHS teacher might be Miss Kraft.  

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Rats!!! Wendy beat me again. I'd recognize those eyebrows anywhere. Miss Lorraine Kraft it is. She was born in Towanda in 1899, got her bachelor's degree at UofI in 1922. She would have been 23 or 24 in this photo. Miss Kraft was a great inspiration to me.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Yes, Miss Kraft.  Her eyebrows were her trademark.   There used to be a sign on Old 51 Normal, just before you you get on Rt 39 that said Lorriane Kraft Farm.  Does anybody know if that was her farm.   Not sure if that sign is still there, but it was not long ago.   

Jack Keefe

Marvin, I'd like to have the 4th grade class composite if no one else has spoken up for it. It would be good to keep it in the Washington School family. 

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Even though I wasn't at Washington School I enjoyed seeing those pictures.  

Marvin Theobald

Jack - The picture is yours. I will get it to you very soon. It was my hope that someone in that class would want it.

Wendy, Mel and Sandy are right on. The picture is of Lorraine Kraft from the 1923 Aegis. I came across it in the BHS library while looking for Aegis Newspapers we were missing. The picture had hand written notes stating that Miss Kraft taught during the 1929 stock market crash, WW II, the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War. Her obituary indicated she taught English and math at BHS for 35 years. She graduated with an A.B. Degree (previously from Latin which is now known as B.A.) from U of I in 1922 and being in the 1923 Aegis it seems obviously that was her first year at BHS. If she taught at BHS continuously for 35 years her time at BHS would have ended in 1957 which was well before we were there. At some point she received a Masters Degree from Middlebury College in Vermont. It would seem she left BHS for a period and later returned to BHS. I do not know in what year she retired. While I was never in one of her classes, from all I have heard she was loved by all and our class was very fortunate that she was still there for us.

David Long

Good News & Sad News:

I'm happy to report that during this COVID time, the hummingbirds at my feeder are alive and well.

The sad news is that when they feed, they aren't social distancing!

Marvin Theobald

Dave - I am not sure if you mean the birds are not social distancing from themselves or from you.

Here is an easy at home test I recently started using to determine if I have COVID19. You might want to try this procedure yourself.

Take a glass and pour a shot of your favorite whisky into it; then see if you can smell it.  If you can, then you are halfway there.

Then drink it. If you can taste it then it is reasonable to assume you are currently free of the virus because the loss of the sense of smell and taste is one of the most common symptoms.

I tested myself 7 times last night and was virus free every time thank goodness.

I will have to test myself again today because I have developed a throbbing headache which can also be one of the symptoms. 

I'll report my results later.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Marv, Miss Kraft retired at age 65, the year we graduated in 1964. She lived to be 90, therefore she spent 25 years in retirement.

Dave, maybe if you spaced your feeders 6 feet apart, the hummingbirds would get the idea. I'm pretty sure they cannot use Marv's COVID test, but I do and it has been working very well so far.

More good news. I'm still swimming. Up to 48 miles. Turns out the pool will be open through Sept., which means my goal of 74 miles is still within reach.

Sandy, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was Lorraine Kraft's property. She had her roots in Towanda. I'd love to know if the sign is still there.

Marvin Theobald

Internet is amazing! I searched "Lorraine Kraft Farm" and found the answer to Sandy's Question. Below is a link regarding a 2011 event that mentions the farm and confirms clearly that the farm Sandy saw signs for is indeed one that our Lorraine Kraft owned. She donated it to IWU and the income from that farm "goes directly into our (IWU) scholarship program and support of the faculty". It is one of 33 farms IWU owns.

https://www.iwu.edu/news/2011/evt_AgDinner_00711.html

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Like Wendy, I enjoyed seeing the Washington School picture, even though I didn't go there.  I knew most of the people without looking at their names.  They didn't really change much from grade school to high school..  

Marvin, thanks for looking the Kraft Farm story up for me.   I should have thought of looking there.  I don't think there is anything you can't find out on the internet.  I didn't have her for a teacher, but knew who she was.

I also liked your COVID test.  My Daughter-in-law sent me that this morning on Facebook.  It was cute and I forwarded it on, also. 

Melvin, the next time I go out that way, I'll look for the Kraft Farm sign and let you know if it is still there.  I bet it is.

]

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Sandy, with the info Marv found, I'm betting it is still there. More than anything, I was curious about why it was there. Now we know. Please don't go looking for it on my account. I'm delighted that IWU students and faculty are benefitting from her generosity.

James (Jim) Rookus

WOW MARV....  sound  like your looking for a good excuse to open that bottle again! ! !

Love to read all the historical stories about the past !  Seems like that generation of teachers were very philanthropic ...remembering the story of Mary Selk.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Jim, you have me worried with your encouragement to Marv. He has my bottle of Evan Williams bourbon and I fear it will be empty the next time I visit him. Regarding our teachers, I'm thrilled to know that Lorraine Kraft used her estate to benefit IWU. Elizabeth Stein also set up a scholarship fund at ISU, in part because of her long time frienship with George Barford, head of the Art Dept. there and husband of Ruth Barford, who was our high school nurse. Does anyone know of others?

The slowdown in the last few days is likely due to the lack of a topic. May I suggest that tomorrow, Thursday if I'm still able to count, pick up on Dave's GOOD NEWS. Let's see if some of you, especially those who tune in but don't comment, can offer GOOD NEWS. God only knows, we can use it. Then comes FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY and SILLY SATURDAY.

James (Jim) Rookus

Well ...Michigan time it's 12:20 am which makes it Thursday so I'll be first with GOOD NEWS Thursday.  
Today is the FIRST Day of the rest of your life ... and at our ages .. they're numbered so make the most of each one!  Now my good news is after a too long of Covid No Work break ... just had multiple offers on a new listing of mine and sold it first thing this AM and by 4 PM sold that seller a condo that we got in quick before other offers and got it accepted! Half a Million volume in one day!   A good Covid recovery .. beginning a new season!  Thanking God for His well needed provision!

Marvin Theobald

Nice going on your sales successes Jim. That sounds like very "good news" for you.

I can report two good news events and one bad news. Good news first, another day of my whiskey related COVID testing as previously described is still showing that I am COVID free. Does anyone really believe I am practicing this method?

The other good news is that I am nearing my goal of finishing the reconfiguration of the hill between my house and the lake. As you can see, there is an accumulation of sticks to burn in the fire pit. I have enlarged the fire pit patio area and added 4 levels of terracing.

Now for the bad news. As Mel has previously mentioned and others often tell me, I do things someone my age isn't supposed to be doing. Well, I guess they were right because I have developed significantly inflamed arthritis in my right hip resulting in notable discomfort and a pominent lip. Looks like I will have to change my ways. My right hip will be replaced Aug 31. Don't know what my capabilities will be after recovery, but I plan to behave myself and hope that I can get back to being as active as I have been. I am looking forward to next spring hoping I can continue not acting my age. I will be in a rehab facility for a week after surgery, most likely without a computer. I will miss our almost daily exchanges, but I will be back with lots of spare time on my hands after that. In the mean time I am doing my best to get this project completed. Did someone mention stubborn? 

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Jim...  great news!  Sometimes things just fall into place.

Marv...  good luck with the hip surgery... sometimes I think this getting old ain't for sissies!  Hope recovery goes well so you can get back out there.

I can't think of any good news I have to relate here, so I guess my good news is that there isn't any bad news either.

James (Jim) Rookus

MAX ... agree it's really good news to not have any bad to report !  
MARV ... the patio is looking great and will pray for you to have a speedy recovery ... all my friends who have had the hip replace report usually very easy recover and much better than knee replacement ... my wife has had both knees done and recovery much longer than all our " hip" friends.  Have you noticed how at our age much of the discussion always revolves around medical stuff.... guess it goes with the territory!  Hope you get the patio finished prior to surgery so you can rest in it as you recover!
 

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Jim, that does sound like good news with your real estate deal.

Marvin, I will pray your hip replacement goes well along with a speedy recovery.  I have two knees that were replaced in 2013 and 2014. Although I got along good, they aren't as strong as my original knees were and there are a lot of things I can't do. I've heard hip replacements work better than knee replacements.  I hope you find that to be true.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

CONGRATULATIONS JIM!!! That's really GOOD NEWS.

CONGRATULATIONS MAX!!! No bad news is always GOOD NEWS.

Sandy, any time you post is also GOOD NEWS.

She doesn't know it yet, but I may have some GOOD NEWS for Sue. I'll let her tell you about it after we talk.

Marv, I haven't changed my opinion about your work habits. Can't believe how much you've done since I was there two weeks ago. It is really GOOD NEWS to know you might finish your job before the hippy thing happens.

My GOOD NEWS is related to swimming. My neighbor who has published two books, writes for Easter Seals, teaches memoir writing classes, and a frequent guest on NPR Radio is also an avid swimmer. Beth has been blind since she was 28 due to diabetes. She always used the pool at a local hotel, but that has been closed since early March. Last week I convinced her to try swimming in our outdoor pool and she loved it. So, in a few minutes, I'll be walking down the street to guide her to my place where she will be swimming for the fourth time in 8 days. Being in her company is a gift that puts a smile on both our faces. I can see hers and, as she said, she can hear my smile in my voice.

I'll hit 50 miles today, which is about all the GOOD NEWS I can handle in a single day.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Nice to hear about good news.  I hope your hip surgery and recovery go well, Marv.

congratulations Mel on your miles of swimming.

guess my good news is nobody I know is sick.  Have yet to hear of anybody I know getting this virus.

James (Jim) Rookus

MEL .... Did ya hit the 50 mark?  As they say . . . . . . . . . 
 

"Ain't it nifty ... to pass fifty!"

Good going!!!!

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Jim, thanks for asking. YES I DID. I'm at 50.1 miles. I'll let you know when I hit 74 miles. In some way, it feels like I'm doing this for all of us. Truth is, were it not for swimming, I'd just be a fat old you know what. But I'm still fat.

Elizabeth Spillman (Alex)

Mel - Congratulations on hitting the "50" mark ! !  

Marv - Hope all goes well with your hip and you have a speedy recovery..

It seems like neither one of the Theobald boys are acting their age, Mel is

in the senior swimming olympics and Marv is in heavy construction..

Great job Guys :)

Take Care everyone..     Liz

Terri Baxter (Whirrett)

Hello Everyone!   I continue to check in daily to see what is going on with participants!  We did have an outstanding class, full of  people who have stayed active, contributed to our world and enjoyed life!  All good !

Dave and I are doing our best to stay busy during this time.  Some days seem to be more interesting than others!  The weather here is so hot right now that outdoor activiites are curtailed somewhat!  I am glad my toe surgery is behind me, although the toes were not straightened. A disappointment, but I can walk.  So soon will be out there walking 3 miles a day, back to playing golf. I am missing the gym very much.  Was there at least 3 times a week.  Have tried doing Pilates and yoga at home, but not the same.

We are venturing out to the Columbia Food and Wine Festival tomorrow.  It is outside, with strict guidelines for attendees.  Will will sit at a table of six, six feet apart, masks worn except to eat..  I was surprised they proceeded with it but the city OKd it.  Probably in an effort to help the restaurents survive.  Mel, I envy your swimming !  I used to swim a mile a day for years.  Don't have access at our club when I would like,  Swim team takes priority!  Marv, will be praying for a successful hip replacement surgery,  I have many friends who have had that done with little problem.  Heres to a speedy recovery!  Jim, congrats on house sale, etc. It seems the housing market up is picking up, at least down here it is.  Keep the pics and stories coming!