Karen McGregor (Bezemek)

Good to see the notes back and forth -- and to a few who I just sent notes to, I have my answer. Sad you are not able to make the party -- but we'll do our best to make you proud!

THOSE WHO MIGHT STILL BE ON THE FENCE -- WE CAN KEEP THE LIST GROWING THROUGH NEXT WEEK TUESDAY WHEN OUR CATERER NEEDS A HEAD COUNT -- SO JUST DO IT -- RSVP ASAP!!!

Anne Rigby (Haley)

I have been loathe to respond too soon - 5 years ago I had to cancel because of an auto accident (no one was hurt, but the van was totalled).  As of right now, I still have my reservations and family members have been told that I will be unavailable for babysitting duties.  Barring an unforeseen even, Niles here I come!

Vicky Schwan (Soderberg)

Despite my best efforts, there is no flight that will get me from the conference where I'm speaking to any place near Niles in time for Saturday night. Was really looking forward to seeing everyone! I know you'll have an awesome time and I can't wait to see the photos. If anyone makes it to Montana - you know you want to - please give me a shout. I'd love to catch up!

~Vicky

Debbie McLain (Gillette)

While it was great fun, coming back for #35, my oldest son is getting married in Des Moines on Friday, Sept. 26. It has been fun reading all of these posts and remembering all of you.  Have a great reunion and thanks to all the hard work!

Katherine Holloway

Hi All! I won't be able to attend this year. If I did I would have to wear caution tape saying no hugs or tuggs, I am broken.  It has been a tough year with me being in the ICU and hospital for 16 days in January with pnemonia and then on oxygen for the last 9 months here in Colorado.  I recently moved down from 9200 ft to 7200 and I am almost ox tank free.  On Memorial day I slipped and fell in a mud puddle while holding my ox tank in one hand and grabbing groceries with the other.  The SUV door severed my left shoulder off and now I have 14 pins in my shoulder and a plate running to my elbow.  I am enduring intesive physical thereapy but still have little range of motion and a lot of pain.  I am in the mean time overseeing renovation on our home from the flood damage last year. Just finished a local restaraunt owners wedding gown and dresses and I am engaged to be married myself.

I wished I could make there this year, you never know I have been know to show up in strager venues! LOL  I am so full of titanium, not sure if they would let me through the metal detectors.

I have little reception at my new home but I can read your posts. That is always fun.

I am hoping this finds you all well and can't wait to see the photo's from the reunion, I know it will be a blast!

Sincere Kat

Jim Lanier

Kat, as Dave Howells just commented to me, it hurts just to hear this!! Sorry we'll miss you; beams of healing energy are winging your way, special from me to you! 

For those of you who are within the local area, we're paying final respects to Tom Bonner after the NHS game tomorrow night. Find me if you are interested.

Wendy Rehm (Comar)

Hello classmates---I have created a 40th reunion photo gallery----just click on Reunion Gallery on the left navigation bar and you can upload your photos for all to enjoy.  Safe travels to all.  Wendy

Kristen Howe (Conners)

Looking forward to seeing y'all tomorrow!  Was able to make some last minute arrangements to make it up there in time for the dance at least!   (In the midst of moving right now.)

Sue Ratkay (Jacobs)

Karen McGregor (Bezemek)

Hey there, so glad you persevered!! 

See you soon! 

Steve Bender

A sincere thank you to the reunion committee for going out of their way to make this a very special reunion.  Up until this year our class has been very united about supporting and attending our reunions.  This time I was very disappointed in the lack of support - especially from our LOCAL classmates.  There were many people in attendance who really-really-really wanted to see and talk to YOU.  With all of the recent passing of so many of our faithful, it only fortifies the reason why we need to get together.

Again, thanks for planning two nights of special reminiscing and socializing.  See you at the 45th, and I challenge all the rest of our class to do the same.

Steve Bender

Michael Sirovica

Steve & Amy,

Thanks again for the beer coupon. What a great idea!

Tim Newsted (Newsted)

Sorry I missed our special event.  I will be there for #45!

All the best,

Tim Newsted

Wendy Rehm (Comar)

Does someone have a video of the song tribute that Jim Lanier and Dave Howells did so I can post it here?  Also, Stephanie--do you have a close up photo of the stairway to heaven that you created?

Remember, post any photos to the Reunion gallery on the left navigation bar for all to enjoy. 

Randy Toler

Great job reunion committee!  Thanks to Jim Lanier & Dave Howells for Tom Bonner tribute, a great memory that lives on.  Thoughts and prayers to classmates no longer with us time marches on.... I'll try to be at 45th, with campaign, work and 3 small kids just not able to make it, would have enjoyed some cool weather, it's 98 heat index right now in Tampa area, and of course miss the great company event bought together.  I remember the yearbook front page about different paths leading to different places for all of us, I look forward to those paths crossing again!

A new day is dawning most definitely-Mr. Tommy James

Randy

Jim Lanier

Kudos to Karen Bezemek and Suellen Foster, Stephie Hessey and all the folks who worked on the reunion, it was a great time! I've been thinking it must have been difficult without Tom, and I know you must have all felt his presence.

Here are the lyrics the the song I wrote not just for Tom, but all those who have passed and all those who survive with the sweet sadness of our memories.

Riding on the Evening Train

I’ve been riding on this train so long,

I’ve been surrounded by people and places,

Now I see they’re gone.

I’ve seen train wrecks

And I’ve seen county fairs

And I’ve called out for people I loved and cried

Coz they’re not here.

An old newspaper blowing down the line

Carrying stories of people and schedules

That ran out of time

I’m heading downhill

And I’ve lost my brakes

No locomotive has the pull this journey takes.

I’m Riding on the Evening Train,

No destination and no indication

I’ll be back again

Yes, I’m riding and I won’t return

Carrying memories of people and places

And lessons learned.

I’m late arriving and I’m gone too soon

And I’m preparing to pay the piper

Coz I called the tune.

Last train to Jordon

And I won’t be back;

I’ll be riding this train

Til this train runs out of track.

I’m Riding on the Evening Train,

No destination and no indication

I’ll be back again

Yes, I’m riding and I won’t return

Carrying memories of people and places

And lessons learned.

Sharon Simons (Hettinger)

Jim Lanier --

Nice set of lyrics. 

Tom Houseman

All -

Kudos to all on the committee who work so hard - the extra efforts are appreciated by us out of townies.

Mike Southworth - great job. Thx JL and Abbott - the song was very appropriate.

Looking forward to bigger and better in 2019 and beyond.

Wendy Rehm (Comar)

I got this message from Lynn Bassler Porter:

I want to also say thank you to ALL the folks who made this past 40th Reunion a success! It takes alot of hard work, time and energy to pull events such as this off and you did a WONDERFUL job. Karen thank you so much for taking control and helping finalize everything.  It was great to see so many folks I have not seen in quite a few years...you all look great and needless to say I think we had a few laughs!

Amy and Steve...yes thank you for your generosity for the beer tickets, that made our day too!

Hopefully next time around we can get more local folks back in the mix. Take care everyone and again a BIG THANK YOU for all your hard work!!

Wendy Rehm (Comar)

Question about how to load your reunion photos to our Reunion Gallery?   Click on "Reunion Gallery" on the left navigation bar---then click on "create your own photo gallery here"--then click on "add photos" which will bring you to a screen with a browse button in the upper right so you can browse photos and select one or many from your computer.  After they load, you can add text to each one if you want.  I will be posting a bunch of photos soon that I just received (thanks Karen).  But email me from my profile if you have questions.  Thanks.

Wendy Rehm (Comar)

I have posted 105 photos to the Reunion Gallery for all to enjoy!  Thanks for sending the disc to me Karen.  Wendy

Tracy Reed

Thanks to all who were responsible for the reunion photos!  I just wish I could recognize everyone!  Couldn't make out all the name tags even with my reading glasses!

Wendy Rehm (Comar)

I have added a new link to the Alumni Wall of Fame process at NHS.  If you know of a classmate that qualifies as a distinguished alumni---you can nominate them for this great honor.  The criteria and nomination form is found under the NHS Wall of Fame link.  Thanks to Dana Daniels for the information.

Sharon Simons (Hettinger)

So.........why is it so difficult to send a private email now?  I get the 'sending' message display for eons....finally gave up. --Any ideas? Thanks.

Wendy Rehm (Comar)

Hi Sharon---I was able to send you a private email today without any issues.  Is anyone else having problems sending private emails from someone's profile?  Wendy