Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Jack,

I know that lady in the shamrock night gown, and I'm pretty sure that picture is a reunion picture of the BHS cheerleading team from the early to mid 40's..

Jack Habich

Rod, the script that came with the picture indicated it was from our era, and I understand Shamrock Girl has been asking about you.  "What ever happened to Rod Hayes?" she frequently asks.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Jack,

I know, I know.  That woman used to call me all the time when I lived back in B/N.  Said she was looking for a younger man.  She never knew I moved.  Whatever you do, don't tell her.  She was married at one time to that guy, (in the picture), walking into Ragusa's. 

Ed,

Did you see the news about the Civil War bullets.  City workers in Gettysburg, Pa. were cutting down a tree and found bullets inside the tree.  Said they would be put into a Museum, Right.  I wonder how many they found and how many will actually get to the Museum????

Jack Habich

Ahh.....no wonder that guy was willing to be the only customer at Ragusa's.

Ed Stanfield

Rod,

I did see that news about the bullets. They have found literally tons of bullets around battlefields. They are quite common and people dig them up in flowerbeds, gardens, etc on a fairly regular basis if they live on land that was fought over. A few years ago, bones were found at Antietam. They were determined to be of a union soldier. At Vicksburg bones continue to come to the surface in the battlefield park. It is a federal offense to be caught with a metal detector inside a National Park Service run battlefield.

At Chickamauga, none of the timber could ever be cut and used due to the metal imbedded in the wood after the battle.

It is pretty common in museums to see fused bullets... bullets that collided in flight and fused together. Remember a trained soldier could only get off 3 rounds a minute... it would take very fierce fighting to produce fused bullets..

My philosophy regarding found objects is to "let 'em lay" They have been there for a hundred and fifty years and should be left undisturbed. Others disagree.

It is estimated that over 70 million bullets were fired during that war.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Ed,

I should have known you would be right on top of this story.  You are for sure, THE MAN ,on this kind of stuff.  I'm with you on this, let them be where they lie.

Jack Habich

Class of 64:  Most generous with money.  Frugal with pictures.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Hey, does anyone know when and/or why Jim Hastings moved to Michigan.

Jack Habich

Jim used to live here in Barrington, but moved up there, and I mean way up there, at least 20 years ago, but probably much longer.  He likes it up there, and I believe he flies down for reunions.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Thanks Jack, but I think it has been less than 20 years.  My uncle lived pretty close to him.  I was, and still am pretty close to him.  He is my mother's way younger brother.  Whenever we went to see my uncle, which was pretty often, I would call Jim and we would go over to his house for a visit.  I'm pretty sure when he was at the "94" reunion, he still lived there, but I could be wrong.  Anyway, I tracked him down on the Internet and found this organization that apparently he belongs to, way up there as you say.  There were a bunch of pictures and sure enough, there was Jim.  First I thought it was the wrong guy, but then I said, no, that's Jim alright.  What the hell was he doing up there.  I'll try to get hold of him and get him on this site.

Terri Baxter (Whirrett)

 I am immediately going on a diet!  Please remove that picture as soon as possible!

But did enjoy seeing everyone.  Thank you to Mylan and all for your work in organizing and thanks to all  the locals for making the effort to come.  It was great seeing ALL of you but wish I had more time to visit with each person to find out what is really going on with them.  

We should have tables set up and have a clock, where we could sit with EACH person and get an "in a nut shell" one on one with each person.  (Isn't there a dating thing that has a take on this?????).

Will be back in SC tomorrow where it is still over 100, ugh.  Enjoy your nice weather while you can!

Stay healthy and happy.  Life is short.

Blessings, 

Terri (Boo) Baxter

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Terri,

I think you look great!  Remember, we've never been this age before therefore none of us are as little as we once were EXCEPT for those more fortunate than the majority of us. It seems as though I need to get a new closet because my clothes don't fit in the closet like they use to.    Sorry I wasn't able to make it, but am enjoying this site. 

We're all thankful for being healthy.  We're millionaires if we have our health.  Laugh, Love, Live!

Jack Habich

A good reunion fades but never dies.  An announcer does not announce its conclusion. 

Sounds like a good reunion is what you had the other night.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Milan, just wanted to add my thanks to all the others. The Gills venue was perfect. I can't believe that you were also able to provide a rainbow and hold off the threat of rain. JUST A PERFECT EVENING.

There are not enough words to say how rewarding it was to visit with everyone. For those who asked, yes Milan left early, those with more stamina didn't leave until midnight. For some reason I think that was only because Ed refused to leave until Gills ran out of Maker's Mark. Or it could have been because it was a Monday night and some of us are just too old to party through a 4-day weekend.

Holly, Boo, Julie, and Linda rounded out an amazingly wonderful turn out. And Miss Baxter, I absolutely agree with Helen, you looked great. Sleek, stylish and sophisticated. No need to change a thing.

KUDOS and thanks to all of you for the love you shared. That is the roof over the pillars of our memories. Let's do it again.

Ed Stanfield

Mel,

Statistically speaking, there seems to be a positive coorelation between a '64 Raiders reunion and Maker's Mark. What more can be said?

Milan Jackson

 The rainbow was the hard part, I almost ran out of yellow ink. :)

Milan Jackson

 We are looking for the words and/or music to the BHS Loyalty Song. Not the fight/cheer song. 

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Milan,

I'll bet that Cheerleaders may know the words to the Loyalty Song, suppose?

Judith (Judy) McLean (Wilder)

Milan,

Miss Selk may still have a copy of that.  A Cappella used to sing it at the homecoming assemblies.  I think we sang it at graduation too.  Most people only know the fight song but  those of us in A Cappella knew the loyalty song too.  

Enjoyed seeing everyone at the mini-reunion!  It was a great night and a lot of fun to visit with everyone.  I think we all looked pretty good for our age!  Hopefully we'll have even more there the next time we all get together.  I thought we all did pretty good staying out late.  On our way home my husband said "What are we doing out on a Monday night until after 11:00 p.m." The next morning at work I felt like I had a hangover and all I had to drink was Diet Coke.  Guess those are the things that let us know we are 65 years old not 25!!!!! 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Judy 

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

I got this from Mary Selk two years ago when planning the reunion. I'm including both the Cheer (aka. Victory or Fight) Song and the Loyalty Song for those who are interested. Hope this helps Milan. Maybe Judy could sing it for you since it did not include the score.

Bloomington High School Loyalty Song

B.H.S. is always loyal

To the violet's bright hue.

We will wave our colors royal;

To the purple we'll be true.

We will raise our triumph high, boys

Over orange, red or green.

We will show all beholders

That the purple is the queen.

Blooomington High School Cheer Song

Bloomington, we love thy name,

We will bring thee greater fame.

We're for you, yes, everyone

'Til the victory is won

      Rah! Rah! Rah!

All for Bloomington, our cry,

All for B.H.S. or die.

Come stand as one and all your praises sing–

For Bloomington the echoes ring.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Helen, I loved the story you posted. For several years I have been actively involved with the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter. My closest friend and neighbor is the CFO and VP of the Illinois Chapter which has caused me to donate 15 of my photographs to their office in Chicago, participate in their annual walk and, for the past 5 years to paint in their fundraiser called "Unforgettable Art" in Rockford. The Illinois Chapter has an office in Bloomington which is gearing up for this year's walk in early October. The name is being changed to "Walk to End Alzheimer's" instead of "Memory Walk" because many people were not aware what it represented.

If anyone in Bloomington is interested in forming or joining a team for Oct., please let me know and I can put you in touch with the people that are organizing it. A VERY WORTHY CAUSE FOR A DEVASTATING DISEASE. So often the humor surrounding loss of memory ignores the fact that this is a deadly disease and growing faster, even among young adults, than any other known affliction.

Thanks Helen, the message in this story is a wonderful and touching reality from which we can all benefit.

Milan Jackson

 Yes Melvin. It was sung to the Halls of Ivy. Thanks

Milan Jackson

 See Mel, I can edit it. (laugh)

Milan Jackson

 I do want to thank the Class of 1964 for your attention to the gathering last week. I was treated like one of your own. Lots of hugs and pats on my back. You are a special group. Keep it up.