Wishing the M &amp; M&#39;s a Belated Happy Birthday

Sandy:

Thank you for explaining Jaekins. I had no idea. Perhaps my eyes played a trick on me. I always thought it was Jenkins. I am now corrected for the rest of my life. Jaekins (jaykins) it is!

Love ya, Linda

08/03/21 08:31 PM

#9735

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Hey Linda...

Your eyes are still playing tricks on you. It's Jeakins not Jaekins. But you are getting closer.

08/04/21 02:34 PM

#9736

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Sorry Max. I made that a big typo with that ea. Thank you for telling me! Appreciate you!

Love ya, Linda

08/04/21 02:36 PM

#9737

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!

I figured it was about time I joined the 75 club with the rest of you and I love the 'double trouble' label, which seems most fitting whenever Marv and I are in the same room. As you know I was able to have a birthday breakfast with him in Bloomington and last night my son, daughter and granddaughter came swimming, brought pizza, a bottle of good bourbon and a birthday pie. I love every minute I get to spend with them, so that is best present I could ever wish for. We're all going to spend a couple of days in South Haven, MI next week.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible this Saturday at Cheeks.

Finally, let me echo what others have said about the Colorado Raiders. You guys all look great. Thank you for posting the photo Chuck "Binky" Jenkins.

08/04/21 04:35 PM

#9738

Linda and Terry,

I got a chuckle out of you guys with my maiden name. It throws a lot of people. My Grandkids can't even say it right. Linda, you spelled it out much better than I did: Jay-kins. Jeakins did get pretty popular once my Dad and my Uncle had the appliance and TV store. By then I had the Singletary name. Then the Singletary became well known because of Mike Singletary, the Football player. By then I was a Sizemore. Now there are some Sizemore football players and a band that is from St Louis, called the Nick Sizemore Band. They have played at the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard and The Castle, recently. No relation.

Melvin, glad to hear you can be at the reunion this Saturday. Looking forward to seeing you and everybody. Allida, sorry to hear you can't be there. We will miss you and anybody else that isn't able to join us.

08/06/21 11:14 AM

#9739

Wishing the M & M's a Belated Happy Birthday

08/06/21 12:45 PM

#9740

In a previous post and in a conversation with Marvelous Marv, I mentioned that it may be both fun and a way to generate more interest and posts to the Raiders' Website if we were to highlight, list, whatever the good things that have happened to us since graduation. To keep it simple and perhaps make it easier should our friends and classmates wish to know more about a particular time period, I suggest we do this 10-year periods beginning in 1964. Hope this doesn't bore anyone, but here goes:

The Good Things in Life

1964 - 1974
Graduated from BHS
Finished 2 years @ IWU on a track scholarship
Dropped out of IWU (hated being in classrooms)
Joined the USMC
Volunteered for Vietnam (must love primitive camping)
Survived the TET Offensive
Came home alive from 2 tours in Vietnam
Went to work for State Farm
1974- 1984
Son Jeremy was born
Went to work for HBO
Moved to Pittsburgh, PA
Went to work for Shared Medical Systems
Moved to Columbus, OH
Met and Married Dorothy
Erin was born
Moved to Philadelphia, PA
Chloe was born
Seconded to Toyko - 6-month assignment
1984- 1994
Seconded to British Medical Data Systems
Moved to London, UK - 2-year assignment
Seconded to Madrid, SP; The Hague, NE
Assigned to Belfast, Northern Ireland
Survived the assignment in Belfast (height of the "Troubles")
Moved back to Philadelphia - 3 months
Transferred to SMS Miami
Moved to Tampa, FL - 6 1/2 years
Transferred to SMS Missouri Valley - Kansas City Office
Moved to Overland Park, KS - still here
1994 - 2004
Went to work for Dorenfest & Associates (Chicago Office)
CIO for a hospital in Duluth, MN - 18-month assignment
Went to work for CERNER
2004 - 2014
Chloe & Wyatt married
Retired from Cerner 2011
Grandson Oscar was born
2014 - Present
Grandson Theodore was born
Attended 50th Raiders' Reunion
Grandson Holis was born
Learned how to walk with a prosthetic leg
Learned an entirely new golf swing
Attended 55th Raiders' Reunion
- Called Bill Walton and Wayner Kearney to invite them to come to the reunion
- Both Bill and Wayne attended!

08/06/21 01:39 PM

#9741

Julie Hart

wow dave that's quite the resume! you've lived in so many different interesting places. think most of our lives have been pretty boring compared to yours.

can they 3D print you a new leg that fits?

haven't done much since i last posted. finally got to travel - the galapagos in july. almost not worth the hassle since traveling has gotten so complicated. supposed to go to tunisia with a friend in october and antarctica for the total eclipse nov-dec but covid matters don't seem to be going in the right direction.

unlike most places in the US this summer and last have been cooler and rainier than usual which is fine with me.

08/06/21 01:58 PM

#9742

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

OMG Dave, your travel and job history remind me of the Johnny Cash song "I've Been Everywhere". Still, Terry Troxell, Wendy Stephens Cullen and Julie Hart might have a longer resume. Some of us have been very fortunate to see many other parts of the world, which makes Bloomington feel all the more important being the place we will always call home. That, afterall, is where our roots are. It is revealing that your outline begins and ends with BHS, especially the last entry about Bill and Wayne.

Don't worry about missing the mini-reunion tomorrow, we'll all be talking about you...making up our own stories as we go along. Too bad you won't be there to defend yourself. LOL

08/07/21 06:20 PM

#9743

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Although I haven't posted anything for quite awhile, I do read the site most every day. In the near future, I'll post a few things that might interest a few people. However, I'm posting a bit of sad news. Some of you may already know this, but the BHS Class of "64" has unfortunately lost another member, as of this morning. He was a near & dear friend of mine for many years. I could tell sooo many stories. He would be David Uban. His obit is not available as of right now. RIP David, my good friend.

08/07/21 09:33 PM

#9744

Rod:

Thank you for telling us about Dave Uban. He has been my friend since 2nd grade at Washington Elementary. In BJHS his sister Carol would drive, he and I, when we went to a dance in town. Sometimes dances were held on Main Street at the Armory. He will always be in my memory. He married my friend Dianne Shaffer and had 2 children. He was such a good guy! My deepest sympathy and loving respect to his family!

Linda

08/08/21 08:02 AM

#9745

Jack Keefe

Hats off to Marvin and everyone who showed up at Cheeks to make for a great mini-reunion. We had a false start trying to book Gill Street, and almost lost our opportunity to gather. Marvin made sure that didn't happen, and pulled our event out of the fire. Thank you, Marv!

Also, hats off -- and a moment of silence -- in memory of David Uban. I had known him since first grade, and he was always a fun guy to be around. My favorite memory of him goes back to our days at Washington School, when his mom was our first Cub Scout den mother. Innocent days, those. Rest in peace, David. And condolences to his family.

08/08/21 10:42 AM

#9746

Very sorry to hear about Dave Uban.

RIP, Dave.

08/08/21 11:03 AM

#9747

Julie,

Would love to hear about your world travels. I know from the pictures you've shared with me that the list would extensive. I really think the class would love to see more of your pictures.

re: The Leg - the new prosthetic leg is made of titanium and with the electronics in it, is the lightest available, with the socket it's just over 20 pounds. The issue is not the leg, but rather the socket to which the leg attaches. The make a new plaster cast each time the stump (aka Residual Limb) atrophies. From that cast they make a socket and try to get it to fit so the leg stays on. I'm on my 7th socket since the amputation. The latest idea is to have a ratchet lanyard that attaches the socket to the socket liner (silicone sleeve that I have to put on before putting on the socket / leg). When I break the suction seal that holds the leg on, the ratchet still keeps the leg attached to the stump.

Want to lose a few pounds fast? I drop 20 pounds every night when I take the leg off , but I can't recommend that diet to anyone.

08/08/21 01:41 PM

#9748

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Dave:

I'm trying to make sure that my hips are not the same number as my age! Now if you can figure out what I can remove at night..........let me know! I live on a healthy diet and walk and exercise for 1 hour every morning. Sunday............I just coast!

Rod: Do you know what Dave Uban died from? Did his MS get worse as he aged?

Thanks for any information. He had told me that he had MS in his eye. But, that was many years ago!

Love to y'all,

Linda

08/08/21 11:16 PM

#9749

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO

MARV AND MEL!!! SO NICE TO SEE

YOU BOTH AT CHEEKS LAST NIGHT.🍾🥂🍺🍺🎂🎉🎊🎈

08/08/21 11:40 PM

#9750

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

I would like to thank Boo for getting

me into cheeks last night. Then one

of the M's gave me a nice shove on

my butt along with some help from

Dwight King to get on the bar stool. When I left Dave and

Linda Nafziger rolled me out the door

and stayed until my hubby came to

pick me up.

It was a nice turn out and great

seeing and chatting with everyone.

I'm having back surgery Thursday

and Friday I'd love to hear from you

all. I could also use some prayers

that this pain will be gone.

love you all

Suz

08/09/21 06:29 AM

#9751

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Suzi, when Liz and I first got to Cheeks, I did ask if they could give us a couple of lower tables and chairs, but they said they couldn't. And those tables were filling up fast. I've always had trouble getting on those high chairs and I kept sliding down. They aren't comfortable for me and I can imagine with your back problems and as short as we are, that sure doesn't help. It was so nice to see you and you looked really good. If there is anything I can do when you get back home and recovering from your surgery, please don't hesitate to ask.

Terry, You got away fromt he table before I could tell you how good it was to see you. That's a good drive down from Wisconsin, but I'm glad you made the trip. It was so nice to visit with you and talk a little football.

Dwight, it was nice to see you and you got to meet "the Jeakins". ha-ha

It was a fun evening over all and it was good seeing everyone. Thank you Marvin, for being sure the evening got to happen.

Melvin, Liz and I didn't see you when we left, but glad you made it down, too.

08/09/21 10:50 AM

#9752

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Sounds like a nice time at Cheeks. I hope someone will post a few pictures for those us thousands of miles away, to see. Thanks in advance

08/09/21 12:16 PM

#9753

Suzi:

I'll be praying for you early Thursday morning. Let us know how you do!

Love ya, Linda

Sandy Jeakins (Jay-kins):

I know what you mean with those higher tables and chairs. My legs just hang down and start swelling. Guess I am not built for them or else they are not built for me!

Glad to hear that Saturday was a good turnout and you all had a good time!

Love to all, Linda

08/09/21 01:21 PM

#9754

While I did not know Dave Uban, it was obvious from discussion at the gathering Saturday that he was very special to a lot of our classmates. I would like to extend my condolences to his family and friends. It is always sad to know that yet another of our classmates that we shared so much with as we were growing up is no longer with us.

08/09/21 01:30 PM

#9755

On a happier note, I would like to wish David Brock and his bride a jubilant happy 50th anniversary. For some reason celebrating their anniversary with their family was more important than joining us at the mini-reunion Saturday. Gee - I can't imagine that being more special . I guess it was because they had their priorities so straight. Congratulation on reaching such a great milestone.

08/09/21 01:30 PM

#9756

08/09/21 02:42 PM

#9757

Below are some photos from what was a fabulous turnout of 29 of our classmates and 10 guests at our first mini-reunion since Dec 2019. Boo (Baxter) Whirrett deserves special recognition for traveling the farthest, from S. Carolina, to join us. Max deserves special mention for making the one day round trip from Wisconsin to join in the fun. It was a most enjoyable evening and those that were not able to be there were greatly missed.

First is a shot of a couple of mermaids dipping their toes in the water during a tiki boat lunch cruise earlier in the afternoon Saturday at Heritage Lake. What a great day!!!

Judy and Boo. Bikinis were optional and they opted to be more conservative but still got to enjoy the water.

"Jet" and "Max" sharing tall tales on the tiki boat.

Debbie and Garth Golden, Diane Gardner, Liz Spillman and Sandy (Jeakins) Sizemore. Folks at the back table should all look familiar as well.

Rich and Karen Crusius with Ken Lehr.

Mike Mink, Dave and Linda Nafziger and Suzi (Denton) Merritt.

Kaye Fry, Pam and Dwight King, Mary (Giermann) Brucker, and Mike (Jim) Fry.

Dianne (Schaffer) Troxel and John Brown. John joined us for a few minutes and stayed for about two hours. It is always great to get time with such a great guy.

Mel Theobald, Roger Troxel and Steve Jetton all looking very happy.

I don't know what was happening at this table but it appeared to be somewhat mischievous - hmmm . It appears Boo wasn't sure she wanted to engage in their scheme.

Judy, Ann and Emmalyn posing for a selfie.

Diane Gardner as the life of the party entertaining Dave Holt and others.

Rita (Moore) Duncan, Marsha (Hutson) Brownfield with their husbands, Ron and Jim. Always a treat to have them join us.

Rich Crusius and Dave Holt pretending to like each other. Truth is, I think they really do, in fact I am quite certain of it.

My favorite classmate, Judy showing off one of her great smiles.

Another look at Debbie and Garth Golden who are such fun contributors to making us laugh and be happy. Garth appears to be in deep thought planning his next prank after gluing my butt to my chair in kindergarten. Maybe he was visualizing a chess board contemplating his next move.

08/09/21 02:55 PM

#9758