Milan Jackson

No apology is necessary. It's not like I've been doing it all along. I completely understand.

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Karen Blanford Kuhn !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Bob Casali !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Helen,

I think you're right on Eddie Peifer.  That seems familiar to me also.   By the way, I may be wrong, but didn't you used to live in a sub-division out on East Oakland Ave at one time?  I'll have to check with my Mother.  She knew all the Peifer and Bier families.  I think Donnie was living in Arizona or New Mexico a few years ago.  He was back in B/N for a family matter and my Mother had talked with him.

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 Rod, yes, you are right that we use to live out in Colonial Meadows Subdivision on Priscilla Lane until November 1978 then moved to Colorado Springs and have lived in our current and only house in Manitou Springs, CO for 31 years.  Were you ever at our house in Bloomington?  I know we had an after class reunion gathering while still in Bloomington, but there were so many people there I can't remember who was there.  I do know we have some pictures that were taken at that get together, but finding them is another thing.  Gloria Starkey married Bill Brown (Debbie Brow's big brother) and I married Tommy Thompson in a double wedding. Gloria and Bill divorced after 17 years but we'll be married 47 years in December.  Gloria lives in Pagosa Springs, CO and we see them occasionaly.  She and I drove back to our 45th Class Reunion a couple years ago.  It was fun catching up and seeing everyone.  

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 Milan, Gloria's sister Trudy married an Em Byer, but am not certain of the spelling.  Gloria is the youngest of 5 or 6 kids, I think, but don't hold me to that.  I should e-mail Gloria to find out for sure.  Trudy and Em live in Normal because we stopped there while in B-ton during our 45th Class Reunion.  Hope this helps!

Milan Jackson

Helen. you are probably right about who she married. Gloria has a brother, Ray, who I think is one year younger. Harlan was an older brother. I don't remember the others. I knew them when they lived on Chestnut Street. I fixed Ray up with a girl who he married but it didn't take. :)

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Helen, Yes I have been to your house in Colonial Meadows.  It was after one of the reunions.  I knew all the Browns, Eddie, Billy, and Rodney.  They all raced motorcycles.  I wentd to a few TT Scrambles to watch them when I went with Debbie for a short time.  Billy was the best of the three.  I think he raced a lot before he went into the Marines, I think it was the Marines.  Eddie was good, but then he ran into the wall at a race in Springfield, and that kind of ended it for him.  Rodney gave it a short shot, but he had that bad eye, and really never quite made it too big.  If you saw the picture Jack put on the Web of him, me, Steve Jetton, and Mike Kaluf, you will notice the girl with me was Debbie Brown.  I remember their dad when a concrete truck chute pinned him and crushed him to death.  That was really too bad.  Just one of those freak accidents.  He was a really great guy.  I think they used to run with the Graybeal's quite a bit.  I remember there two brothers, Walt and the other I can't remember his name.  Steve sounds a little familiar.  My son-in-law has a brother in Colorado.  I'll have to look and see if he is anywhere near you.

Milan Jackson

Walt and (Keith) Mike Graybeal. Walt died last year. Bill Brown was in the Marines. He lives in Haslet, Texas now.

Milan Jackson

 I prefered Reads but this was a good store.

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Milan, wow, I didn't know that Walt died.  We keep loosing the good guys.  He was a nice guy.  Didn't he marry Mary something?  Can't remember her last name but she was really a sweet girl.  

Rod, Nikki and Mark Brown (Bill and Gloria's kids) keep us up to date on Bill and Cricket his wife.  We use to go to Funks Grove and ride go carts at their Grandma and Grandpa Harris' house, Jeanne's Mom, every Sunday!  We were considered as family with the Brown's.  There was always a bunch of people that hung out at the Brown's house on Felton Place.  You guys are right that Walt's brother is Mike.  We never called him Keith.  And yes, it was awful when Bill Sr. got killed.  His funeral procession was the largest we've ever attended.  I remember when Debbie went to prom with you Rod, and recognized her in the picture.  I ran around with her quite a bit even though she is younger than we are.  Gloria and I visited her in Hudson while there 2 years ago for our 45th Class Reunion.  We were planning to go see Mrs. B. at the Nursing Home however she probably wouldn't have known me and only lived in the past. Whenever she saw Gloria she'd ask "How's Bill doing?"  She has Ahlzeimers and don't know if she's still living or not.  She and Bill Sr. literally met at a Demolition Derby while crashing in to one another.  I always like sharing that story. The whole Brown family was very sports minded.  I miss those fun days, but we can always reflect back on those great times.  At one point Rodney was on the missing classmates list.  He's lived in the same house in Bloomington for years so don't know how that happened.  Anyway, I love this site and reminicing.   

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 Milan, I believe Harlan Starkey died of Cancer a few years ago.  Gloria also has a sister Lorraine.  Butch Hoye also died a few years ago.

Milan Jackson

Butch was a lifelong friend. He was in a wheelchair near the end. He was one of the toughest guys I knew. At least until Jim Pearson beat him up in the locker room. Butch never carried a grudge about it.

I don't know when Harlan died but he lived in Hudson at the time. Myrtle, Gloria's mom, died in 1995 at the age of 88. All that were mentioned in her obituary were daughters,  Reva Ferraro, Bloomington; Zula Clouse, Arlington, Texas; Gertrude Beier, Normal; and Gloria Haines; and son Raymond Starkey.

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Roger Mardis !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

I lived next door to the Browns on Felton Place and I ran around with Debbie.  Her house was a big hang out for alot of guys.  Didn't bother me.  I loved it! 

It sure is a mess down south.  I feel so bad for all the people down there.  They have been through so much. 

I've enjoyed catching up on all the stuff going on back home. 

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Milan & Helen,  Thanks for the update on Billy Brown.  Wow, he lives in Haslet, Tx.  I live about 15 minutes from him.  He lives real close to Texas Motor Speedway and a golf course call Willow Springs.  My Son lives in Keller witch is just down the road a few miles.  If I get a chance here in the near future, I'll stop by, introduce myself, (I don't think he would remember me), and tell him all about himself from the old days in B/N   Ha!

Milan, have you talked to Carroll Lane lately?

Milan Jackson

Rod, I saw Carroll Lane this morning at breakfast. I can't say I talked to him because he was at the other end of the table and left early.

Marvin Theobald

After a long absence from the site I am doing my first Message. 

Mary Selk gracefully turned 90 on April 29 and I was privileged to attend a special celebration in her honor on May 7.  Note that Pat Rosenbaum magnificently planned the event with over 150 people in attendance.  Several people stood and "lightly roasted" Miss Selk.  She had an opportunity for a rebuttal.  Below is a Youtube link that will allow you to enjoy her rebuttal. I will post another video from the event later.

Patricia (Pat) Rosenbaum

Nothing is too good for Ms Selk - what a fabulous teacher and wonderful Lady.   She's still grand and remembers EVERYTHING and EVERYONE.

-pat

Milan Jackson

Amen to that, Pat. Thanks for the post, Marvin.

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Rod, could you do my husband and I a favor? If you locate Bill and Cricket, could you please give them a message from Tommy and Helen?  We send them love and hugs and we miss them!  Thank you so much!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Pat, I never had Mary Selk as a teacher, however I'm certain she truly enjoyed her 90th Birthday Celebration.  It looks as though she had a very good time.  She indeed is in great shape for her age, which goes to prove that having a good life encourages longevity!  Thank you for doing such a great job from the Classes of BHS!

Milan Jackson

Since I have been involved with BHS classes the past couple of years, I have worked hard and helped organize several gatherings. Each one of them has been a labor of love. I have to say that the Saturday afternoon I spent celebrating Miss Selk was the highlight of this love I have for our past. I loved every minute of it and what a fantastic lady! Thank you Pat for letting me have some involvement. It was thrilling.

If you ever had Miss Selk as a teacher, try to see her while you still can. Clocks are ticking. They are ticking for us all. Don't let things get away from you thinking there is always time. Put away your differences and let's all get together. Forget the cliques, the rich, the poor, the mean and the nice. We are all survivors at this point. Let's keep surviving.

Ed Stanfield

my old butt is draggin..

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 Milan, your kind words never cease to amaze me!  I watched the video of Mary Selk's 90th Birthday Party!  It was well organized Pat!  And Milan, thanks for reminding all of us that the clock IS TICKING!  We certainly need to enjoy each day as though it were our last!  You ARE the Class of 64's gift from heaven!  Thank you!