Gail Hempstead (Uphoff)

My summer is starting with a room addition.  Crawl space is done and poured and footing down.  A part of the old roof line has been cut off and framing has started.  Already over budget and having second third and fourth thoughts.  Too late now!  I am babysitting this week for the second time this spring for 3 chickens 2 tomato frogs 1 snake and 2 cats while my neighbors are away.  In two weeks I will be watching 2 different cats while their family goes to Mexico.  Summer travel plans for later are not yet set.  Most of the summer will just be home in the garden when the heat isn't too high.  Would pray for rain but that slows the addition work.

Gail

David Long

My goal for the summer:

Shoot a sub-par round on the par 3 course

Continue working with the VA to get a leg that doesn't fall off

Spend time with grandsons

Enjoy naps

Try to sleep more than 4 hours straight w/o sleeping aids

Nothing earth shattering in Kansas.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Well, we are heating up.  106 today and expected for a few more days.  Good news is that we expect a small cool down by Monday!

Here's hoping the heat isn't too bad for all of you!

Gail:  Good luck with the new addition.  Hope you can hold them to within 10% of your estimated contract.

Dave: I hope you get a leg that won't fall off too!  ????????Superglue?

Good luck!

Love y'all!

Linda

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Dave Long:

I was just thinking about your leg (without a smart aleck comment).

I don't understand why the VA can't work with the civilian prostheticians to help vets.  Surely they have run into this predicament before.

My goodness, they even have exoskeletons that fit on people so they can get up and walk.

Just thinking out loud!

Bless you!

Linda

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Father's Day here was hotter than H  E  double hockey sticks!  I hope that everyone had an enjoyable day where you are!

Linda

Marvin Theobald

Been pretty quiet on our website lately. I have been severely distracted as I have worked for weeks to complete a major project inspired by something I saw in Kew West, Florida this past winter. As many of you know, I have a lake front house on a private 80 acre lake 20miles west of Bloomington. It is common to see 20 or 30 or more pontoon boats on the lake any given sunny weekend. I decided to bring a little flavor of the Florida Keys to the lake by replicating, as best I could, a floating tiki hut that does sunset cruises at Key West. Below is a series of pics showing the construction progression. I have one last finishing touch that may happen yet today to add a cedar shingled peak to the top of the tiki roof complete with a flag pole on top. I will post a final pic once that is done. It has been out for three crusies and is more stable than a pontoon boat. Going to be great fun, hopefully, for many summers to come.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Looks great Marv. Hope our classmates all get a chance to 'board ship' and sample the bar, afterall, it is a Tiki BAR. No seating for seniors or rails for the anebriated? And I was wondering about the flag: Will it be flying the Jolly Roger? Can't wait to book my first voyage.

Terri Baxter (Whirrett)

I'm anxious for a ride, Marv! Maybe the mini-reunion should be at your place! How presumptious of me! Boo 

Marvin Theobald

Boo - I would love to have a mini-reunion here and you are very welcome to come out and take a ride on the Tiki Bar anytime you are in town.

The top cap is now complete with flag pole which can be raised and lowered from inside the Bar area. I just need to find the right size flag now. As the pic below will verify, there are stools so Mel can have a place to sit since he is so old that he can not stand for long periods of time while cruising the lake.

Dennis Flachsbart

Awesome TIKI bar.  Enjoy!

James (Jim) Rookus

WOW MARVE... Quite the project!  Didn't anyone tell you how old we all are? Where do you get all the energy to do all the projects you do?  Looks amazing.  You mentioned already had taken a few cruises.  How does it propel itstelf out on the lake?  Is it towed by your pontoon?  How do you keep all the old unballanced seniors from falling off during the cruising?  

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Very nice Mr. Theobald... It looks MARVelous!!!
Will be out sometime to take a cruise on the lake.  

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

That was a good way to describe the TekI Bar, Terry!!  ha-ha  I also agree with others about it needing a railing.   I also wonder where you get all your energy from.  But I'm happy for you that you have it.    It is really nice, Marvin.  And one of its kind, I'm sure, on the your lake.

David Long

Marv,

I'm certain that is a welcome addition to the lake and during the big day when all the pontoon boats tie up for the party, yours will be the only one with a thatch roof for shade.  Are the solar panels in the roof to drive the motor for the boat or are you using the ram jet engine? 

Should be a fast spin around the lake.  Where do you keep the fish that you catch?  Hope to stick my foot in the water soon.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Hey you all.........

I just saw where McLean County was declared a disaster area from heavy rain of 4-7 inches in one day!

Is FEMA coming in to help?

Good luck to everyone!

Linda

Terry (Max) Maxwell

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

TO THE CLASS OF '64!

David Long

A belated Happy 4th of July to all!  Hope it was safe and enjoyable.  To all my Vietnam friends, hope it wasn't too painful with the fireworks.

David Long

Marv,

How as the flotilla?  Pictures?

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Mel:

It has been a month since I last checked on you.  Have you progressed to a better stage of your dental adventure yet?

Hope all is well!

Linda

Marvin Theobald

Greetings Raiders - Hope you all had a fantastic 4th celebration. Thanks for all of the comments on the floating tiki bar.

Jim R. -  It is propelled by a 24 volt 70 lb thrust electric trolling motor which is a little undersized but was given to me. It is adequate for cruising the lake but a significant wind while cruising could be a problem. Just have to go out on calm days. I had old people (our classmates) on it Wednesday and no one felt at risk of falling off. Don't want railing. Of the 8 sides, 1 has the motor and batteries, 1 has a ladder for getting in and out of the water, 2 have anchor support posts and the other 4 sides have cleats for pontoon boats to tie up. Also, people like sitting on the edge and dangling their feet in the water. Another benefit of no railing is, if someone has too much drink they hopefully will fall off .

Dave L. - Flotilla (our annual 4th of July lake event) was great fun. I had an open house on the pon-tiki, grilling hot dogs and provided chips, snacks, cookies, beer, soft drinks, iced tea and water. Had 80 - 100 guests through the day. Everyone loves the pon-tiki. Have had several requests to either build one or give first dibs if I ever decide to sell it. Did not get any pics at flotilla but will include a couple onthe 5th at the end.

In response to Max and Dave - By all means please plan to come out and join me for a ride. My house is your house anytime.

We had our annual Class of 64 Planning Committee meeting and potluck cookout at my house Wednesday with 11 classmates and 2 spouses in attendance. Very fun time getting to finally get time with everyone after the COVID concerns and, as usual, we had plenty of great food. Judy, Madelon and Pam were the only ones that stayed for a pon-tiki cruise around the lake.

Here is wishing you all a great rest of your summer. Enjoy and come join us at Gill Street Aug 7.

(Front) Sandy, Liz, Diane, (Back) Mike, Jack, Mary, Steve, Pam (sitting), Marvin, Judy and Madelon July 7

July 5

Judy and friend Jen on July 5

Marvin Theobald

Mini-Reunion Update

A December mini-reunion is now officially scheduled for December 4, 6:00 pm at the Ozark House in Bloomington. Hope to see all of your smiling faces August 7 at Gill Street and at the Ozark House in December.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Steve Frankeberger:

Before you moved in on E. Washington, next door to your house was a large old home without paint.  The neighborhood called it the witch's house.  It had to have been built in the early 1800's.  They tore down the house after the old lady who lived there died.  They then built 2 smaller brick houses.

Do you have any idea of the name of the people who owned the old house?

Hope all is well, happy, and healthy with you.

Love ya, Linda Bristow Elias

Steve Frankeberger

Linda,

When I moved to E. Washington St the two newer homes were already there.  Sorry, I'm not much help. That was so long ago, I'm lucky to remember the two newer homes.

Steve

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Linda,

As I've said before, there are others who have much more serious issues to deal with than I do. My dental work is about 50% over with. I still have six original teeth and have been given temporary upper and lower partials that make me look more like George Clooney than Marv. My dentist gives me twenty-five cents for every tooth pulled. When he replaced them, I called my granddaughter to ask, "Do I have to give the money back to the tooth fairy?" After a few seconds thinking about it, she replied, "No, I think you can keep it. It's OK." What a load off my mind.

All is good. Hope everyone of you are doing well and I'm trying to schedule a ride on Marv's Tiki Bar.

Cheers to you and all our Raiders64 classmates. Love to all.

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Mel...  

Glad to hear you are doing well.  
I'm thinking if it is a Tiki Bar/Pontoon wouldn't we shorten that to "Tikitoon"?