David Brock

Marv--As to specific heirloom Tomato varieties, I am partial to Cherokee Purple and Brandywine.  They are all good--especially with bacon and lettuce.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Dave, I am a big fan of Heirloom tomatoes. Marv loves Big Boy, Early Girl, and Beefsteak varieties. Not sure what he planted this year, but I'm pretty sure Heirlooms are not among them because they are not bright red or perfectly round. Maybe you can convince him that Heirlooms are among the most flavorful out there, even though they are not bright orange or uniformly circular. I'd love to know what others are into. Nevertheless, I will gladly accept any tomatoes Marv's garden produces. Year after year, I have been the beneficiary of his generosity. Several years ago, I planted BION tomatoes in his garden and the deer trampled them to the ground. So, I never got to find out if they were as amazing as promised. They were called BION as an acronym for Believe It Or Not. Maybe someday, I'll find out.

David Brock

Melvin--Many of the Beefsteak varieties are hybridized, but there is an heirloom Beefsteak that I have good luck growing.  Early Girl is 1 of the plants that usually make it into the garden because they  are the first to bear--usually around July 4.

James (Jim) Rookus

HOLLAND MICHIGAN is home to an annual                   TULIP FESTIVAL every May !

We walked around all day admiring the beatiful tulips and indulged in our favorite treat, Elephant Ears made by a traveling vendor!  Enjoy the TULIPS !

Sorry the photos are a bit blurry.  Don't know why, on my phone they are perfectly clear ....?????

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

RICH CRUSIUS

HOPE YOU HAD A

WONDERFUL DAY !

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Rookus:  Thank you for the view of beautiful flowers.   I always think that I will take photos of our 13 different kinds of cactus in the Spring.  But, I never do.   I need to put that on my to-do list.

Thanks again!

Linda

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Rich Crusius:

Happy Birthday!  (and many more)

Linda

Nancy Weaver (Cupp)

Jim asked about getting a motor home.  We have watched this lady for a while now, and she has helped many buyers get help.  There have been nightmares of motorhome buyers who bought brand new motor homes, only to have them start falling apart and the companies often did nothing to take care of the problems, and made them wait many months for solving.  Part was due to the covid time, when the manufacture of motor homes became shoddy workmanship. Brand new vehicles falling apart. So if you spend a little time watching her videos,  it may save you a lot of money and several things to consider.  Don't watch just this one, there are many more that may have information you are looking for.  I think her channel is called @LizAmazing.

https://youtu.be/o51rxJTUx-Q?si=395-hW7Vd3Ant0bo

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Nancy, in regard to Jim's future as a vagabond traveler, I have nothing to compare it with. But I just watched the link you posted and it is amazing. It covers things I would never have considered. I am pretty much an inert kind of person, so life on the road is not on my bucket list. Besides, I could never afford it. Yet, if I could, this video would be enormously helpful. Who knows? It may influence Jim's future. We'll see if he can park at Miller Park and still make it to the mini-reunion. That would be nice.

And...HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICH!!!

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

ALAN SWARTZ

HOPE YOU HAVE A

WONDERFUL DAY !

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Holland Michigan is on my bucket list.  I love flowers 💐 and I'm  not able to get down to plant them so my daughter and her husband help me out.

Linda Bristow (Elias)

...................and...........what is everyone going to do on Mother's Day...........tomorrow?

Linda

David Brock

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all of you Raider moms out there. Have a blessed day.

We will be having a quiet day after morning worship service--celebrated Friday  with family.

David Brock

Mel--Travelling/motor home may not be a priority, but many Military bases have & maintain camping parks for veterans--free or almost free.  Many also modern facilities(hotels).  In Alabama, for example, not only do bases have camping facilities, but the State Parks have free or almost free camping for veterans--up to 30 days at a time.  Other states may also provide that benefit.

Marvin Theobald

We have lost another of our classmates. Don Brown passed away May 4. Unfortuantely I have not been able to get this posted until this late date and a memorial service is set for 4:00 to 5:00 today at Beck Memorial Home in Bloomington. His obituary will be posted in the In Memory section.

David Brock

Prayers and condolences to the Brown family.  RIP.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

He probably won't see this, but I want to wish a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to John Nolte. He is and always has been a special part of Raiders64. It would be a gift if he chimed in here.

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

JOHN  NOLTE !!!

HOPE YOU HAVE A

WONDERFUL DAY !

Marvin Theobald

DON"T FORGET

MINI-REUNION

5:00 Monday May 19

The Windjammer

2303 Stern Dr

Bloomington

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

KAREN BLANDFORD KUHN!!! May 17

HOPE YOU HAD A

WONDERFUL DAY !

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

Hope you take some pictures at the mini reunion

Marvin Theobald

Photos from tonights mini-reunion, especially for Wendy, since she made a special request them. Missing in photos are Sharon, Mary, Jack's wife Janet, Sue, and Suzie's husband Dave. A total of 26 joined in the fun. As usual there were quite a few that would normally be with us that were unable to join us. Hopefully we will see them in August.

Marsha and Rita

Sandy and Pam

Madelon, Jack, Liz and Sandy

Diane, Pat, Kay (Jim's Wife), Ken and Jim (AKA Mike)

Pam, Anne and Suzie

Pam with husband John

Mike and Marvin

Judy, Rita and Marsha with husbands

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

VICKI VOLLRATH DAVIS

& DAVID PETERS

HOPE YOU HAVE A

WONDERFUL DAY !!!

James (Jim) Rookus

Marvin ... Please remind me of the last names of the 3 gals with husbands in the last picture 

David Long

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