Message Forum

Dave Long:

Your surgery was pushed back to Feb. 11. Haven't seen anything on this site from you yet. We're still trying to cover you with prayer!

Linda

02/20/22 06:52 AM

#9960

I had an email exchange with Dave Long yesterday and he did have his surgery Feb 11. He said "Results are still out, but looking promising". I know you all join me in wishing our dear friend Dave a successful result and a speedy recovery. Best wishes to you Dave.

02/20/22 07:34 AM

#9961

Having been missing in action on the website lately, thought I would share a few pics of what has been keeping me occupied.

The ceiling of the original Sloppy Joes bar in Key West where Earnest Hemingay spent his idle time.

Sunset sail in Key West

Another look at sunset

Moon lighting at the beach in the Florida Keys

USS Tikila (floating tiki bar I built last summer) tucked in for a long winters nap on the ice and snow covered lake

And finally, for those who are also in for a long winters nap, a glimmer of hope that spring could soon be coming

02/20/22 07:43 AM

#9962

Mike Franks - Thanks for the info on the mass induction information. I was unaware of so many entering the Army on the same day. I only recognized 4 names on the list. I also had the opportunity to see Bill Rusk on occasion in Vietnam. He was not far from me and he was able to join me a few times.

Bill is on the far left

02/20/22 04:46 PM

#9963

Michael (Mike) Franks

Bill Rusk! That is a great pic. Marvin! Maybe it is a small world after all? I don't often relate to the RVN experience. I think it is best to look forward, rather than to dwell on the "old days." Those of us that were able to take that "12 momth vacation", know what it was all about.

I'm proud to be a Raider! I really like it when BHS kicks NCHS' butt!

BTW.......Class of '64, Girls........Still look great!

02/22/22 11:27 AM

#9964

Gail:

There is a street near where I live that is named Hempstead. I always think of you when I pass by it!

Love ya, Linda

02/27/22 12:01 PM

#9965

Gail Hempstead (Uphoff)

Hi Linda - and all Raiders

I know Hempstead is an old English name. Hempstead New York dates back to the 1600s. I have been looking at some of my family history during this long winter. Also once again trying to look at boxes of old photos to get rid of soooo much my kids do not want.

To any one interest in an old 1938 Purple and Gold Pictorial I have an extra one to give away of donate somewhere. Both my folks were BHS grads. I have all four years of these old "yearbooks" - but only 2 of 1938. Also if any one of you had folks in the class of 1944 I have some IL Wesleyan things I am not keeping. My folks were there for 2 years then my dad went into the service and my mom transferred to MN.

I loved the red tulips picture. This year I didn't force any bulbs. Yesterday I ordered some plants online for May shipping. Can't wait -- because my heating bills are crazy high.

Good health to all

03/01/22 12:16 AM

#9966

Gail,

My family on my dads side (Denton) landed somewhere close to Hempstead New York in 1630. The father was a minister and he founded the Presbyterian church. He went back to England but his sons stayed here. His name is Reverend Richard Denton and he is listed on the internet. He also founded Hempstead on Long Island.

Suzi Denton Merritt

03/01/22 03:59 PM

#9967

Michael (Mike) Franks

Hello to my old Lincoln School friend, David Long! I drove west down Bissell St. the other day and guess what? Your old house on Low St, is still there!

I also looked at our old pal Terry Maxwell's house. Where has the time gone? Remember when we were all Cub Scouts?

Heal quickly my friend.

03/07/22 03:19 PM

#9968

Hello all!

At the risk of turning this into 'Problems and Solutions', I need to ask a question to see if anyone has a remedy to my issue.

In the cliff behind my backyard wall there are several holes in the dirt that show the entries into the homes of a family of skunks. There are currently over 12 in their condos! At 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. their perfume is becoming overwhelming!!!!!

If I remember correctly, farmers used to make a homemade substance and spray their area that would make them leave their area. I think it might be ammonia. Fox will hunt skunk and their urine (like a dog) marks the area. When you don't have fox in the area............is it ammonia that you mark the area with to make the skunks leave?

Please help!

Thank you!

Linda

03/08/22 12:01 PM

#9969

Linda - A little internet research brought me to the website below. It suggests using pepper spray as well as other treatments. Hope this helps. Whooee - good luck.

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Skunks

03/08/22 10:14 PM

#9970

Thank you Marvin. I printed it out and sure enough............ammonia is one of them.

Thanks again.

Linda

03/10/22 09:34 AM

#9971

Marvin:

It worked!!!!! Yesterday I doused everything within 20 feet of their homes. I haven't seen them since, nor.......smelled them!

Linda

03/10/22 08:10 PM

#9972

Florida Keys update a little delayed. Boo Baxter Whirrett and husband Dave were able to join Judy and me a couple of weeks ago. We had a few fun days of enjoying this beautiful tropical paradise.

03/10/22 08:14 PM

#9973

Mary Eisenberg Mullins is going through old photos and sent a couple to me to post. She has indicated there are more to come. Can't wait to see what else she has to share.

Guess who?

03/11/22 08:32 PM

#9974

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

OMG, that is Diane Gardner. So beautiful. Like all of us, who we would become was always embedded within us. I recognize all of you from recent photos and realize that you have always been who you would become. No apologies, I'm not bashful about being an old fart. Anyone else feels that they haven't changed that much? Oh, not externally, but internally. OK, I admit that I never expected that in old age I would still be so handsome. LOL

Your comments will only reinforce my delusional fantasies.

03/15/22 12:24 PM

#9975

David Long

Hi All,

Thanks for your kind thoughts an prayers. I'll try to catch up everything in one message.

The surgery was partially successful. The first 2 days post surgery were great, then reality kicked in, or the pain meds wore off. I'm having on-going back issues that are now causing more phantom pain than before the surgery. My left foot almost constantly hurts - that's the foot that ended up in the medical waste disposal at KUMC. Follow-up appointments with the neurosurgeon next week along with another MRI of the back.

Dorothy and I are in the process of trying to find a condo/townhouse in Chicago. We feel the need to be closer to the kids and grandkids. So far, no joy in our efforts. The search continues.

Re: Vietnam. I waited until after my 2nd year at Illinois Wesleyan to drop out and join the Marines. As I was the only one in our family to ever go to college, my dad was understandably not happy. At that time, I was the only one from Bloomington to head to Chicago for the physical and induction ceremony. I believe there were 5 guys on the flight from Chicago to San Diego and on to USMCRD and the Yellow Footprints - Dick will know what I mean.

I only ran into one person from Bloomington while in Nam, Mike Smedley. Mike was photographing the fighting in the aftermath of a sweep around Con Thien and my Battalion, 3rd Marines, had taken part in that action. It was called Operation Kentucky and took place in late '67. Here's a picture of a bunch of us returning to Con Thien base camp. My radio operator, Herbie, and I are somewhere in the picture.

I was fortunate enough to take 2 freedom birds back the States. The 1st was upon completion of my first 13 months in Nam and the second was upon completion of another 8+months of a 2nd go round in the bush.

Mike Franks, when you went by the old house, did you notice the 1229 still stamped in the concrete steps up to the front door? That was my work when I was 12 and we poured those steps. You could almost say a work that lasts a lifetime.

Wishing everyone well! Enjoying the extra hour of daylight? Spring officially arrives next week and Kansas City may have SNOW on Friday. Hope you are having more success with your tax preparation than I am, maybe it's A.D.D., but I just can't quite get through all the new rules for deductions, et al. Peace, Health,and Prosperity to all! Prayers for the people of the Ukraine!

03/15/22 06:00 PM

#9976

David, I hope you recover soon. Prayers for a speedy recovery. 🙏🙏🙏>p>

Suz

03/15/22 06:02 PM

#9977

Great pictures Marv, Judy, Teri, and Dave.

03/16/22 07:12 AM

#9978

David:

As you heal, I pray the pain lessens. I remember an old neighbor of our's that had pain from WW2. He said he got the most relief with magnets. Don't know if that will help you, but I know it can't hurt you.

Prayer will continue for you.

Blessings and Peace,

Linda

03/18/22 11:01 PM

#9979

As always, sad news is never easy to pass on but we have lost two more of our classmates in the past few days. First was Steve Norton and today Denny Alexander. I have no details at this time and have not been able to find Steve's obituary. If anyone can find it please let me know so it can be posted on our website. Since Denny just passed today the funeral arrangements are not yet available. My understanding is that Denny and his son, Ryan, were in Huston with Denny's son Dennis and that at least for the time being Ryan will be staying with him in Houston. I'll try to keep you posted if I learn more.

03/19/22 12:11 PM

#9980

Allida Frisch (Altemus)

So sorry to hear about Steve and Denny. We are losing too many classmates way too soon. Prayers and hugs to their families and friends.

Dave I am hoping that you are having less pain now. I know you were hoping this surgery would improve the discomfort you have been having.

03/19/22 12:58 PM

#9981

Marvin:

Denny and I were friends since we were 7. Our fathers knew each other. They used to ride horses at our farm before they purchased their own horses. When Denny had his motorcycle accident about 25 years ago, I contacted his parents and stayed in touch with him about once a week ever since then.

Sometimes he would call just to talk. He grew lonely after having brain damage. But, he was steadfast in his love and responsibility to his sons. He wanted to desperately take care of Ryan and he did. Ryan became almost independent on his own, and Denny was proud of him.

Denny wanted to keep his son Dennis from having the responsibility to take over for him. But this has now come to pass with his death. Dennis has superbly stepped up to his task for his father and brother.

Denny has two wonderful sons and he was so proud of both of them. His pride was not misplaced. Denny tried, as best he could, after he was trained to use a calendar and post-it notes to schedule dates for Dr. appointments or anything else. This scheduling included his medications. He bought himself just over 25 years of independence.

Besides his real estate business, Denny had also become a licensed pilot and would fly his parents down to Florida. His dad had bought a plane. Brain damage took all of that away from him. Denny remembered older things in the past....the best. Our class interaction with him was always something he enjoyed because he remembered them all.

May God Bless his soul!

Linda

03/19/22 05:05 PM

#9982