Karen McGregor (Bezemek)

Lynne, Deb, Rex - joined the Eagles recently so I would agree with this as we could likely use the meeting / event side with room to talk. Am thinking Front St Pizza is a bit tough acoustics wise. Lynne, I'll bring the files I have regarding the last time I was involved. Should fill in some of the org or coordination blanks. When a time and place is decided, provide specifics to Wendy Rhem Comar who as, site admin, can put up on the homepage and, I believe still can send out a brief email to the master list. Of course some emails will have changed but it's a start. 

Karen McGregor (Bezemek)

Lynne, Deb, Rex - joined the Eagles recently so I would agree with this as we could likely use the meeting / event side with room to talk. Am thinking Front St Pizza is a bit tough acoustics wise. Lynne, I'll bring the files I have regarding the last time I was involved. Should fill in some of the org or coordination blanks. When a time and place is decided, provide specifics to Wendy Rhem Comar who as, site admin, can put up on the homepage and, I believe still can send out a brief email to the master list. Of course some emails will have changed but it's a start. 

Tracy Bishop

Good morning all, I would be happy to help out with the reunion as well! Just let me know when and where!

Deborah Lunger

Hi everyone,

I have some sad news to pass along.

Babette Racht passed away last week. She died unexpectedly.

Her obituary is now available on Brown Funeral Home's website.

What a lovely picture of her.

Babette and I grew up as next door neighbors in Ballard Hills.  We shared some great times together from the time we were 6 yrs. old until after I graduated from college and moved away.

Very happy memories of our childhood together.

Just one .....Crawling out her bedroom window to lay on the roof with baby oil and iodine lathered all over. And a large piece of poster board covered in foil, angled over our faces, to make sure we got the best rays of the sun!!!

Lord what we know now!

Where does the time go????

There is an open house this Saturday, Jan 14 to honor her- unfortunately I have covid and will not be able to attend.

Rest in peace my friend.

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Deborah Lunger

Okay, I'll try again

The picture of Babette and the obituary show up.

https://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/3842/Babette-Racht/obituary.html#tribute-start

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Anne Rigby (Haley)

Such sad news!  I have fond memories going back to Westside of Babette.  She gave me a great purse for my birthday - still remember after all these years.  Rest in peace, dear lady.

Mike Southworth

I'm so sorry to hear of Babette's passing. Like so many, I have wonderful memories of her - particularly through the elementary school years. Praying for her family during this difficult time.

Wendy Rehm (Comar)

Thanks for the update.  So sorry to hear this news.  I have updated the In Memory page with Babette's obituary.  I also learned of the passing of our principal-- Dan Stevens in November so I added him as well.  If anyone has streaming information for the Bill Weaver tribute on Feb 6th, please let me know so I can post it.  Thanks all.  Stay well. Wendy

Lynn Bassler (Porter)

I wanted to get back to everyone concerning the kick off meeting for the our 50th Class Reunion and meeting before the Feb 6, 2023 Basketball game on behalf of Bill Weaver. Game is at 7PM.

I met with the Martins Coffee Club this past Wednesday (thanks Joe for organizing that) and I said I would try and post something so we can get things rolling.  It was mentioned we might try and meet prior to the game at the Eagle's so I stopped in and spoke to Julia.  She said we were welcome on Feb 6 before the game.  She did say that the Class of 65 always meets on Monday's but there should be plenty of room in the side room for us and them.  Monday's are their $ 2.00 Burger Special so I told her I would post this to the class and if you plan to join us at the Eagle's and eat please let me know that way I can give her a head count so we don't overwhelm the place!

I will plan to be there by 5PM.  If you can let me know via this site by FEB 1st whom will want to eat for sure and whom might be joining us at the Eagle's that would be wonderful, I'll relay that info back to her.  I'll also ask if you'd like to bring past information you have on the past reunions I can gather the information and start a file/build a tote whatever is needed based on the amount of information you bring.

Mike Wheeler is working on the Class of '73 so he has shared possible locations, costs etc so we have a bit of a starting point.

If anyone has any questions and want to call me, my number is 812-878-7542.  I look forward to seeing everyone if not at the Eagle's at the basketball game.  Pass this info on to anyone you know that may not view the site very often (like me!!)

Rex Carpenter

Lynn I am planning on being at the Eagles before hand & may eat. Don't know for sure as I keep a grip on my appatite as I have in the last year & 1/2 have lost over 100 lbs. I was at or above 315 lbs at our last reunion & am now , today at 206 lbs. I do plan on going to the basketball game too. I also am willing to help anyway I can with the planning. Thanks & hope you had a good Christmas & a great New Year so far. Rex.

Karen McGregor (Bezemek)

Hi Lynn and Rex too! 
Please put me, Deb and Jean down for the meeting at the Eagles and we will plan to eat there as well. 
I'll bring my stash of past reunion information. Can't thank you enough for putting all this in motion! 
look forward to seeing everyone that joins in! 

Rex Dillman

i missed this month  martins mtg....the whole week was a mess.  i got message abrt Babbette   Rod gave me info  before i saw  from here... at least my e mail does send me  info from class of 74 again  .. .... i went to Babbettes celebration of life event... reasons why i wouldnt post... if want to call  house phone  has answering thing... 269-695-3349 .... my new  cell junk will be reactivated tomorrow if i get a # to call back to. so yall know... thanks  

Melody Conrad

Hi Lynn!  I plan on joining you all at the Eagles on Feb. 6th, but won't be able to go to the game.  I'd like to help with the reunion also.

Rex Dillman

 i would go but as the  TBI  dr thinks i might have a seziure  he had dont drive at night put in my licence info      thing.... damn it messes me up  even going to football games!!!!! so ya know...  i drove back from college classes after dark... unless i say im helping a  person or emergency, ive done that..... no cop has saw me screw up havent got caught yet. my luck it would be reunion or a game event.....hell i could drive my tractor with lights on it!!!!! 

Terri Bayles (Howells)

David (Abbott) and I hope to join you at the Eagles for dinner before the game. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Tracy Bishop

Good Morning Lynn,

I plan on attending the reunion meeting and the basketball game.  Will lend a hand wherever I can! Please include me for dinner too. Look forward to catching up with all that are able to attend!

Thanks,

Tracy

Lynn Bassler (Porter)

Thanks everyone for letting me know your joining me at the Eagles on 2/6.  I'm building the list and so far we have 10 people.  Any reunion info be sure to bring it along too! 

Just thought I'd send a quick update on where things stood, I'll update weekly until the 6th!

Have a great weekend!

Steve Bender

Hello Class of 74:  Exciting news 

Pam Weaver, Amy Bender and Steve Bender have partnered to create the Bill Weaver Memorial Scholarship. Actually, we will be providing two scholarships each year, one to a boy at Niles High School and one to girl at Buchanan High School.  Criteria for the scholarships will be sportsmanship and character with a preference for students who participate in basketball.  What a great way to celebrate Bill's great playing career at Niles and his fabulous coaching career at Buchanan.  Bill affected so many lives in such a positive way and we are so excited to carry on his legacy forever.

We will be publicly announcing this at the game February 6.  Anyone who is interested in donating to this edowment fund please send your contribution to:

Michigan Gateway Community Foundation

111 Days Avenue

Buchanan, MI  49107

c/o Mike Rowland - President/CEO

269-695-3521

Toni Bodjack (Bruegmann)

Steve Bender

Bill Weaver Night

Pam Weaver and I met with Athletics Director Matt Brawley yesterday.  Here are the details on February 6.

1.  Cash tickets only at the door

2.  The evening is a triple header boys basketball vs. Buchanan. Frosh start at 4:15

3.  The Bill Weaver tribute will start immediatley after the varsity boys do their full warm-up - around 7:00

4.  The public address announcer will cover Bill's accomplishments at Niles-Buchanan-Eastern Michigan

5.  There will be a moment of silence

6.  The Bill Weaver Memorial Scholarship will be explained - every year 1 scholarship given to a Niles Boy and 1 scholarship given to a Buchanan girl based on character and sportsmanship - flyers will be available at the door on how you can donate to the Scholarship Endowment Fund.

7.  Niles is going to put a plaque up next to the Ed Weede and Joe Whitwam awards for the winners of Bill's Niles scholarship (this is the first award ever given for boys' basketball)

8. Niles is printing 100 Bill Weaver Night t-shirts that they will be giving away for FREE

9. The Bill Weaver Night will be an annual event when Niles + Buchanan play in basketball - rotating boys and girls

10.  To honor our class of 74 the DJ is going to focus on 70's music - there will be a section for our class to sit

11.  Both student sections are pretty special with Jessica + Dustin Cornelius leading them = great atmosphere

12.  At the conclusion of the game a signed ball by both teams will be presented to Pam

13. It will be a fun evening and great to see one another again

Marti Robinson (White)

What a wonderful way to honor Bill!  Wish I could be there - any chance this will be live streamed?
 Marti 

Rex Dillman

 thanks for info ... will be there  no matter  what so ya know ... 

Lynn Bassler (Porter)

Update for the week...

1st I want to say thanks to Steve Bender for keeping us updated on the new scholarships, it is a wonderful tribute and idea for the future generations!!  Thanks Steve!

Also the update on the game details sounds like 2/6 is going to have alot going on other than just the game!

I have a couple more forlks added to the Eagles, I'll let the Eagles know this week about how many Class of 74 folks to expect.  Looking forward to seeing everyone.  Marty I can't answer the question about streaming maybe someone else can add their 2 cents!  I barely get this typed and sent out to the class!

Everyone have a great safe week..

Dana Daniels

If people going to the game identify themselves as members of the Class of '74, they and their families will be let in for free.

For anyone who wishes to stream the game, please go to this site, https://nilesvikings.bigteams.com/,  and review the announcements.  There are instructions provided and a link to the streaming software.  I don't know if any audio comes through, but the game will be shown.

Niles Community Schools is honored to be able to do this and Bill's name and his scholarship plaque will hang in the hallway across from the offices at the High School.  

Dana

Marti Robinson (White)

Thanks, Dana!!