Jack Keefe

Thank you, Suzi. For everyone, here's a short update on Janet's cancer treatment: the serious chemo, surgery and radiation are all done. She's now getting light chemo three times a week and will finish that in March. After that -- five years of meds and hopefully a normal life again. She has certainly earned it. 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

There is no end to those of you who are extending your support to each other. In light of recent posts, I want to thank Jack for his update on Janet, whom we all love, and Suzi for informing us about Dave, both of whom have had more than their share of health issuses. Not everyone has had to deal with their issues, but we understand them. To all of you, I wish you good health and want you to know that your classmates are here and cheering for you. You are all extraordinay and should be celebrated.

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Our class is so blessed because we care about each other.  We are from a generation of caring and giving.   This town of ours is a wonderful place to raise kids.  Bloomington High School has one of the nicest campuses that I have ever seen.  This shows that the people who live here care.  I have so many fond memories of growing up here.  I grew up on a one block long street with about eighteen kids living on there but during the summer we probably had close to thirty, because of all the kids would come and play ball in the back lots.  (girls too)

Well I guess I have rambled enough.

 I want to wish everyone good will and love one another.  Tell your family and friends "I love 💗 you."

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Suzi
 

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Suzi:  Ditto!   I agree with you!

Love ya, Linda

David Brock

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all.  Enjoy every day--it is a gift!!

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

I just finished Mel's book, Time Without Dates.  I enjoyed it very much.  Although, I have had it since the mini-reunion, I was in the middle of another book so I finished that one first.  It was thought provoking, funny and sad.  Very honest about his life and his family's life. 

I have owned Jack's book, Echoes of Purple and Gold,  for awhile now and I really enjoyed reading that, also.  I especially  enjoyed the chapter on John Magoun, who the street I live on is named after. I never used to like the name of the street but after reading about him, I like the name and I think I would have liked him as a person. But all the chapters were interesting and kept me wanting to read more.  

Our class is so fortunate to have two wonderful Authors in our class. 

I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy, Healthy, 2024. 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Sandy, thank you for your comments about my book. Much appreciated how you summed it up in two sentences. So glad you enjoyed reading it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR RAIDERS '64 NATION!!!

Jack Keefe

Thank you, Sandra, for the kind words about Echoes of Purple and Gold. And thanks to all classmates who have bought and read the book. It was a fun project to research, write and eventually publish, I'm working on a new one, but have no idea when it will be out.

To amplify one of Sandra's points: our class had two other authors (maybe more) in addition to Mel and me. Fred Walker wrote and published a novel, and Sherry Shickle was a children's author. Sadly, both are now deceased and their books don't show up on Amazon. They may be out of print. But Fred and Sherry deserve to be recognized in any conversation about authors in the class.  

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Whatever you hope for this season, I hope it comes true for you.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Jack, Vicki Keller Leary has also published a few children's books, all of which are in my granddaughter's library. They are all available on Amazon in Spanish or English...

La Historia de Kickapoo John (The Story of Kickapoo John)

Roberto El Valiente (Robert the Brave)

Roberto E Rapido (Rapid Robert)

For some reason I cannot upload the images, but you can find them by using this link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Vicki+Leary+books&i=stripbooks&crid=2EM3B8WH9Q87Z&sprefix=vicki+leary+books%2Cstripbooks%2C79&ref=nb_sb_noss

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Thanks, Jack and Mel.  I had no idea there were other authors in our class. For sure, they should be mentioned and honored.  As does Vicki Keller Leary, who still writes.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Wow!  I didn't know that V. Keller is a writer.  It seems like I've known her forever.  Our family also knew her sister Pam.

Love to y'all!  Behave!  Santa is coming to town!

Linda

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Merry Christmas to all!

Linda

Jack Keefe

Thanks, Mel, I didn't know about Vicki. We were both in Mr. Hildreth's homeroom (#111) for three years. I wonder what he would think if he knew he was babysitting two future authors (plus a future doctor, firefighter, and who knows who else?) every morning. 

To Vicki, apologies for leaving you out of the conversation: I had no idea you were a writer too. I have a new great-granddaughter and she might enjoy them once she learns to read.

James (Jim) Rookus

CHRISTmas  Blessings  to  ALL !!!

Carol and I wish you all a very special Christmas Holiday

as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord!   I tried to 

load our Holiday picture, BUT today my new MAC would not

co-operate with my HP brain to get it downloaded!

Best wishes to all.... and to all a good night !!!

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Jim, I tried to upload a picture the other day and couldn't do it.  Now I'm wondering if was a problem with the website since you were having trouble, also.  It worked today.

I hope Santa was good to everybody.  One more week and 2023 will be a memory.  I'm hoping good things for everybody in 2024.

Nancy Weaver (Cupp)

That was such a pretty pic of your tree!  Merry belated Christmas!  Weve been sick two weeks with a nasty cough, shortness of breath, and  fever, in the beginning.  No more fever, but still have the cough.  Aaarrrrgh!  You all have a great week and New Year!  

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Thank you for commenting on my tree, Nancy.   It's hard to get my ornaments to show and this picture shows them better than others I've had in the past.  As you can see, I have many and it seems I always buy a couple of new ones each year. ha-ha

I would love to see others post pictures of their trees before they take them down.

I'm sorry you are sick.  It is never a good time to be sick, but it is especially bad at Christmas.

David Brock

We have all survived Christmas.  Happy New Year to one and all!!  May all your dreams come true.

James (Jim) Rookus

Well .... finally got it to upload, but sidewase.... better than not at all....  Sandy your idea is a good one.... see if we can get a dozen or more send pics of their trees too !  Yours is beautiful .. you're like my Carol...  LOTS of Ornaments... the bigger the better !!!  Her biggest and fattest ones are at bottom to help weight the tree down!.... Until three years ago our tree was twice as fat and a bit taller, but was getting to difficult to lug up the stairs and assemble so found this skinny one in a consignment store (CHEAP) so I replaced it and gifted the fat one to my neice so we still get to admire it but dont have to deal with it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERY ONE !!!

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Sorry my tree was sideways.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

 Jim, I can't believe how tall your tree is, but it is beautiful.  Be very careful using a tall ladder. I like the train around the bottom, too.  My Son fiishes the top of my tree for me because I can't reach that part.

Wendy, your tree is beautiful, too. Better side ways than not at all.  

I see there are Facebook groups that you can join to post pictures of your decorations and trees and see everybody's.  But I prefer to see some my classmate's trees.  People I know and care about.  That is much more meaningful. 

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

Sue Peterson Koppenhoefer
 

Hope you have a wonderful and blessed day !!!

Sandy I agree with your comment .....

so  Raiders 64 let's see more pics of your Holiday Decor and Trees !!!

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

My comment should have been:  My Son FINISHES my tree at the top for me because I can't reach it."  I really wasn't trying to make up a new word.  ha-ha

Happy Birthday to Sue, also.  I did wish you Happy Birthday on Facebook.   I hope Madelon and Pam and I can make a trip to see you this Spring, like we did a couple of years ago.  That was such a good day.  Madelon is better and so is Pam's Husband so maybe......

James (Jim) Rookus

Sandy .... can I come too ???  Hahaha