Looks like he got off to a great start with a yummy cake that was, unfortunately, baked with several unsuspecting gnomes waving "50" banners, that were mistakened for birthday candles and lit on fire!
Next, the celebration continues at a cozy pub, where the birthday boy is surely taking it easy on a work night; sipping tiny glasses of Vernors, in tribute to his home state.
Jim, you don't look a day over 37, good thing you have plenty of reminders that you're not.
HONG KONG (Aug. 12, 2011) - Rear Adm. Robert Girrier, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Seven, and Capt. Thom Burke, Commanding Officer, USS Ronald Reagan hold a press conference with Chinese media on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan is one of two aircraft carriers currently underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Dylan McCord)
Ron Morgan's friends and family threw him a surprise birthday party, disguised as a costume, Halloween party. Happy birthday, Ron. May you have many years of endless lakes, & truck beds of fresh fish in your future.
...I still haven't bought my IU wear. Nancy returns to Bloomington for a bit of fair-weather friends, food, fun, & football. We are joined by classmate & IU darling, Melanie. The day was a bit warmer than in 2009 (below.) In 2009, our then, junior and nervous freshman, are now a graduate and a junior.
As we all approach that "before and after" decade called Fifty, it's hard to believe these lovely classmates, Lora and Carol, aren't stuck in an earlier time. Here, Carol is at the receiving end of Lora's mad talents. Both ladies look fantastic. Keep smiling!
Recently, classmate Carl Phillips, IMHO, took the vacation of a lifetime, and hopped (or shall we say, swaggered) aboard the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier for a Tiger Cruise. "Tiger Cruises allow friends and family of deployed Sailors and Marines to spend a week aboard a sea-going vessel to experience the ship's day-to-day operations and enhance public relations with the Navy." Who was hosting this little trip with from Hawaii to San Diego? Why, classmate, commander, and IMHO, man with the job of a lifetime, Captain Thom Burke.
How easy does the Navy make entertaining their guests look?
PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 5, 2011) – The aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 pass in formation over the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a Tiger Cruise Air Show. Tiger Cruises allow friends and family of deployed Sailors and Marines to spend a week aboard a sea-going vessel to experience the ship's day-to-day operations and enhance public relations with the Navy. Ronald Reagan is returning from a seven-month deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Tidd/RELEASED)
The passing of both our classmates, Jack Trusty and Warren Bates, in only six days, reaffirms my commitment to bring us together as a class as often as possible. In the meantime, I'm hoping that anyone reading this blog will take a moment to think kindly of those classmates who made an impact on you, and who you no longer see or speak to, due to life's ways. Perhaps it's time to use this amazing utility called the Internet, to look up that special someone's address, and drop them a note or card to let them know you are thinking of them.
I remember Warren as a quiet and very gentle soul. If you think about it, we are each other's "witness" during these childhood years that seem so far away now.
My caring thoughts to Warren's family and to his friend and our friend, Jeff Hunter. Warren G. Bates, age 49, of Holly, died Sept. 9, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Sat. Sept. 17, 2011 at the Dryer Funeral Home, Holly with Rev. Sharlyn Gates officiating. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Holly. Visitation will be from 6-9 PM Thurs. and from 2-9 PM Friday. Warren was born in Detroit on May 3, 1962 the son of Gordon and Helen (Dale) Bates. He loved his family, his dog Mabel, the outdoors, gardening, and shooting pool. He was a member of the Holly Moose Lodge. He is survived by his mother Helen Bates of Holly; 2 brothers Curtis (Jane) Bates of CA and Stuart (Loretta) Bates of Hartland; sister Laura (Richard) Spens of Livonia; special friend Carol Shanks of Flint; nieces and nephews Rachel (Robbie) Loutsios, Matt Bates, Cody, Sierra, and Savanna Bates, and Steven, Elijah, Kimberly, and Paul Spens. He was preceded in death by his father Gordon Bates. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. www.dryerfuneralhomeholly.com
I can really relate to Jack and Lynne's wedding pictures. Stock car culture is a joyous and colorful world. Jack was a school bus driver for Rabun County (GA) Schools; leaves wife, Lynne, and two sons.
If I plan a big party every five years, will you come?
Yes...there will be a Class of 1980 35th reunion; a five class reunion, same venue(oh my word, was that not wonderful?) 1978 through 1982 in 2015. Send your email address to fotonuvo1@yahoo.com
Last Thursday, Nancy, Jacqui, and I were all up north at the same time and met for lunch at Siren Hall in Elk Rapids. My daughter joined us for a perfect meal on the outside patio. Click the title above for a direct link to Siren Hall. Our appetizer was the crispy goat cheese cake with amazing grilled tomato basil vinaigrette, arugula, shaved fennel, pine nuts.
We couldn't resist trying Siren Hall's orzo & shrimp pasta salad, served with baby greens and crunchy bread; crazy good.
This is a nicely produced video of the USS Ronald Reagan and an informative interview of Class of 1980's, Thom Burke. Thom gives his first hand account of flying a helicopter to a devastated area of Japan after the tsunami.
Last May, Becky Waller McKeny was in town and had lunch with Nancy Dryer Deeb. I have sweet memories of these original Holly Elementary girls in Brownies.
I love "themes" in blogs. Above, is my 2nd installment of what I'm going to call "Beloved Classmate, Don Johnson, Cooking." The 2nd appearance of smoke is not lost on this author.
I was happy to see Zach on my computer this morning. Click on this blog title above, or Zach's wonderful portrait below to read his Parelli instructors profile. When I was researching classmates for the 30th reunion, it pleased me to find so many still owning horses. There is nothing like a great relationship with a good horse. Here's hoping Zach, who resides in my favorite region of Michigan, attends the next reunion. (Which will most likely be a 35th in twenty-fifteen.)
I don't know how it happened. Social media has become as much a needed utility as electricity or indoor plumbing. From housing embarassing photos of your kids and their friends, to uniting large numbers set on toppling dictator, Facebook has become everyone's looking glass. Just when I think I can give up Facebook until the next class reunion, the USS Ronald Reagan's Facebook page posts this image. Although having a front row seat to everyone's lives can sometimes be unnerving, the view from here is pretty sweet. Holly's own Captain Burke.
PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 14, 2011) – Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class JRay Norris, from Wash., renders a salute after passing the flag to Captain Thom Burke, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during a burial at sea ceremony. Twenty-one service members and their spouses were committed to the sea by the crew of the Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan is currently underway conducting training exercises in preparation for an upcoming deployment to the Western Pacific and Central Command areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicholas A. Groesch/Released .
Jim is my next honored
Next, the celebration continues at a cozy pub, where the birthday boy is surely taking it easy on a work night; sipping tiny glasses of Vernors, in tribute to his home state.
Jim, you don't look a day over 37, good thing you have plenty of reminders that you're not.
