Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

1st row in front on left...........isn't that Randy Buford?  Second left in back, looks like Roger Kemp???? Just guessing.

Milan Jackson

I am not sure but I think it's Jim Buford

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Bill Buff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 Milan, I think you're right that it's Jim and not Randy Buford.

Harriett (Holly) Rust (Wood)

 Ok, enough about wines.  I actually very rarely drink wine or anything else as I am always the designated driver...but my daughter-in-law is a big wine lady and spends every weekend in Healdsburg and  that is how I learned about the Alexander Valley wines...and I do like going wine tasting and trying a few sips of different wines.  As to 2 buck chuck...it is my husband's wine of choice...but we don't have Trader Joe's in Colorado, so he drinks his wine out of a box.

Jack, your mother-in-law is an amazing woman.  A real inspiration for us all.  Thanks for sharing!

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Gluwein, is a seasonal wine that they drink in Germany.  It's served warm and in most places can only be found November through the end of the year at US Liquor Stores.  It's available at the Christmas Markets in Germany almost everywhere you go.  MMMMMM YUMMY and adicting to say the least.  I'm not a drinker either, but my brother and sister-in-law, while in Germany, got hooked on it and introduced it to us! It's much like hot chocolate on a cold winter night as long as it's heated.  If you haven't tried it, it's worth trying.

Harriett (Holly) Rust (Wood)

 Helen, anything chocolate or even resembling chocolate has to be good in my book!  I remember going on lots of Beich's tours to get the Katy Dids and Golden Crumbles.  Wonder if they still make them?

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Holly, I'm uncertain who took over Beich's, however I think Nestles bought them out several years ago. Butterfingers remind my husband and I of the Golden Crumbles, but still not quite the same.  And MMMMM ever so good was the Katy Dids!  Gluwein doesn't have the taste of chocolate, but serving it warm reminds me of how yummy a hot drink is and warms the tummy on a cold winter night along with a nice fire in the fireplace.  Gluwein reminds me of hot cider with a more grape suttle bite to it after it formints. It'll sneak up and bite you though, so be careful!  Guess this talk of hot drinks is preparing us for the holidays.   

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Helen, the Christkindlmarket in Chicago has Gluhwein every year. It is especially tasty on a cold day. The German American Chamber who runs the event was a client of mine. Sixteen years ago I designed the logo for the event which they still use. Anyone visiting Chicago between Nov. 23 and Dec. 24 can experience the event as if you were in Nuremberg Germany. For the past 11 years the Chamber has also done this event in Denver. So you can get your Gluhwein without going halfway around the world.

Holly, you hit a soft spot here. Golden Crumbles and Katydids were only made for fundraisers (remember the tin cans that opened with a key?) under the name Kathryn Beich. According to the Pantagraph, they were made from 1952 until 2008 when Great American Opportunities and Nestles bought them, but as far as I can find out, neither company any longer makes them. If you or anyone else knows a source, please let me know. I'm looking for Christmas presents for Marv.

When Beich's had their outlet store, they sold seconds for $1 or $2 per one-pound bag. My favorite was the caramel chocolate bar. For years, every time Marv came to Bloomington from Dallas, he would buy 10 to 20 bags of chocolate to take back to Texas. He would give 2 or 3 to friends and eat the rest. His life took a tragic turn when they closed the outlet store in 2008. So, with your help, I can finish my Christmas shopping early.

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

WOW!  The Katydids bring back memories for me.  My dad worked for the railroad and when they worked down at Beichs he would buy a huge grocery bag of the katydids for .25 cents a bag.  I think he also would buy other chocolates too.  Funny I'm not a big chocolate eater.              

Ed Stanfield

All this talk about candy... and I love the stuff..

And I am diabetic... dammit

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Ed, my heart goes out to you!  It's terrible loving something so much and you can't have it.  Chatting on this topic certainly doesn't help things for you either.

It's all coming back about buying seconds from Beich's.  I worked with a lady who is no longer with us, whos husband worked at Beich's. We loved the treats he would bring us, while working at Pantagraph Printing and Stationery, of all the yummy seconds from Beich's.  I believe the Katydids you're speaking of were much like turtles.  MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM YUMMY!  I too loved their candy.  My husband worked at Beich's when we first got married and smelled like Golden Crumbles when he came home from work.  Too bad they don't make Katydids any more.  Kind of like no longer being able to get an original and yummy Orange Freezes or Chilli 3 Ways from Steak N' Shake like they use to taste.  Do ya think our taste buds may have changed or that they just don't make them like they use to?!?  

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

For anyone who has not seen today's Chicago Tribune, the Business Section has an Executive Profile featuring Ron Bess. You should all take a look, it is a magnificent article about his career and character. Congratulations Ron! This is well deserved recognition.

If you don't get the Tribune, you can also find it on-line at:

www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-1107-executive-profile-bess-20111104,0,7713733.story

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

OKAY EVERYONE....I got the low down on Katydids, Golden Crumbles and Beich Caramel Bars.

I just talked to the Great American Opportunities company rep. I hate to break the news to Holly, but they no longer make Golden Crumbles. However, they do make Katydids and the Caramel Bars. AND, they can be ordered individually or as a group for fundraising.

Is anyone interested in us using this as a fundraising tool for the Class of 1964 50th Reunion? That should keep Steve and Sandy busy for the next couple of years.

GAO is contacting me in a few days with info on how to do this. I will pass the info on as I get it. The only condition is that we order a minimum of $300 worth. (No problem, Marv will eat that much all by himself. Right, Marv?) If we do this as a group, it might give us a little nestegg for the Reunion.

FYI, Katydids come in an 8 oz. tin for $13 or 7 oz box for $11. Caramels, Imps (peanut clusters) and many other candies are also available in various price ranges.

I emplored the rep to have upper management reinstate Golden Crumbles. Maybe we can all do this and get them back in production. I'm sure that would give a major boost to the global economy.

Let me know if you like this idea. If you can't wait, you can place individual orders by phone at:

800.251.1542

Ed, maybe we can work a deal with Maker's Mark for the next fundraising idea. Then Helen can stop feeling sorry for you. (Laugh)

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Sounds like a heck of a plan to me!  I will certainly order the Carmel stuff!  And Mel, what a great idea to suggest manufacturing the diet stuff for those challenged to stay away from sweets.  What a wonderful way to possibly raise enough money to have a FABULOUS 50th Class Reunion, which we'll probably have anyway.  GREAT SUGGESTION MEL!

Also, just read the neat article about Ron Bess!  A big hand of applause goes to Ron for all of his success throughout his life time! He continues to represent the Class of 64 through his many accomplishments! We never doubted that he would be successful on this journey through life!  Give him a B, give him an H, give him an S. BHS, BHS, BHS, for Bess is Best!

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Well Jack, Shackleford had a good race, but was never really in the hunt.  As far as the classic, well, I was right and I was wrong.  I said Ruler on Ice would be a good long shot to bet on.  Game on Dude, trained by Baffert was right there.  As I said, never count a Baffert trained horse out.  Uncle Mo ran himself out with nothing at the end.  Havre de Grace proved to be a good Philly, but not able to run with the Big Boys.  Based on past history, injuries, and the long odds, myself and many others thought Drosselmeyer was just not ready for this one.  Nobody expected him and they didn't see him till it was too late.  I'm really happy for Mike Smith, (jockey).  He is a great jockey and one of the really good guys still racing.  He's not a Hall of Famer for nothin.  He knew his horse and ran a really great race.  I think I must have watched the race about ten times.  You won't see many closer than that.

Jack Habich

Rod, I missed the part where youd said "remember, I'm not a registered handicapper" and bet everything on Uncle Mo.  As of this morning, I'm divorced, living underneath a bridge on I-294, and the only thing I've got going is a two week supply of Two Buck Chuck.

Thanks for the tip.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Jack, You didn't read the whole message.  But not to worry.  My uncle live near I-294.  I could have him pick you up AND bring some 2 Buck.  I know this isn't the best news, but at the last minute, I bet $500 across the board on Drosselmeyer.  My wife found out about the bet and took the ticket to cash.  Now I'm broke, living at the mission in Ft. Worth and when I cash in my cans, I buy a quart of Miller Lite.  Two meals a day at the mission, a blanket, a Miller Lite once in awhile.  Oh, Life is Good.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

This message is from Ron Bess today,

"Please give my best to all the '64's."

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Sharon Green Leipold !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Julie Hart !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan Jackson

Happy Birthday Mary Richard Carson !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve Jetton

Rod & Jack .... in a couple of weeks I'll be starting my annual gig at the Salvation Army where we take in donated food for Christmas distribution.  I will hold out a couple of bags for you guys - even though your recent misfortunes appear to be self inflicted.  We don't usually get any Miller Lite or 2 Buck Chuck but maybe I can slip something extra in your bags.

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Steve --  That would be great.  I'll get you an address to send it to.  I already had tickets to the Texas Brahmas, Bloomington Blaze games this Fri. and Sat..  It's too late to send it there though.  I tried out for the Brahmas, but it didn't work out for me.  They said, your a good skater, fast for your age, etc, etc.  But, they told me after one period, I would most likely be on IRL the rest of the year.  Oh well.  But, I have a great job lined up for next year.  The Texas Rangers Baseball Team has a Kids wiffle ball area and they are going to make it even bigger and better for next year.  I'm going to pitch to batters trying to hit home runs for prizes.  I'll probably get fired, since no one will be able to hit off me.  But, on the bright side, I'll save the Rangers money by not having to give out prizes.  Then when the Rangers are out of town, I'm going to be a Box Seat waiter at the Horse Race Track.  That's where I plan to really make a financial comeback, or, end up back at the Mission.  Things aren't too bad right now.  I have a regular trash bin route and the cans are mounting up.

Terry (Max) Maxwell

Rod... you posted a little late.  Yesterday, I took all of my aluminum cans over to the local grade school to their collection bin.  I could have sent them all your way to help you and try to get you out of the mission.  Sorry for the bad timing.  Wishing you all the best with your struggle.  Not sure if Jack is collecting cans, but Chicago is much closer to Wisconsin than Texas is.  I'll try to drink a little more so the cans will build up faster.  It's a great excuse to give my wife... helping friends and all... I'm sure she will buy it.