How Much Do Your Memories Mean to You?

One of the fundamental reasons for all class activity, discussion, reunions, is to create and enjoy memories. In fact, it is probably the entire reason for doing any of this. I know that Linda and I have truly had a blast in seeing the Reitz Class of 1967 enjoy this rebirth of class spirit. I might point out the sad fact that some more recent Evansville high school classes cannot muster enough classmates for a reunion without joining several class years together, you know the Class of 65, 66, and 67 reunion sort of thing.

And then there are the family memories. Grandparents, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and even some great grandchildren in and out of our lives weaving the delicate fabric we each call our lives.

And then there's work memories, for better or worse. Bosses, jobs, foremen, coworkers, subordinates, private contractors, consultants, all those things that go into careers in a lifetime.

Memories all.  I remember a Star Trek: Next Generation episode where Dr. Beverly Crusher finds herself surrounded by disappearing shipmates for whom the computer suddenly has no memory. One by one, her friends and shipmates disappear until she is alone with Captain Picard who has no memories of any crew except for the two of them. She begins to question her sanity and cries out in frustration. Even this little episode synopsis is a memory.

That is what is happening to Steve Jarboe. Each little stroke he has strips him of chunks of memories, those little things we hold so precious; those moments we remember that make life worth living. So Madison, his daughter has devised a plan to help him hold on to those memories, a memory book, filled with your memories of Steve, things you did together with him, moments you shared with him. She got a letter to us describing what she is trying to do:

Okay, just to recap, I want to gather stories about my dad from anyone and everyone who knew him to compile into a book to give him this year. As most know, he has had some health issues that, especially recently, have affected his memory. I think it would be wonder ful to show him the memories that others have of him and for his family to have a nice keepsake.

How many stories a person sends in is up to them and the amount of time they have to put them together. I would like for them to be typed if possible (for easier reading) and to have the sender’s name included on each one just in case something gets jumbled together when I’m organizing everything. If multiple people have a shared memory of my dad and want to write it together as one story, that is fine! Just so long as everyone’s name is on it. Everyone is also more than welcome to write a letter to my dad, either to go with their stories or in place of a story.

I would love to have at least one photo from each person, even better if it is of them and my dad or goes with a story. But at least a photo of themselves to go with their stories. The amount of stories they send up is up to them as well, but the more the better. It would be greatly appreciated if any pictures sent could be labeled with the sender’s name and any caption they want to include (or instructions for which story it accompanies.

I will be figuring out printing options in the meantime and will be organizing the book pages as I collect everyone’s memories to put into it. Stories and pictures can be sent via email or mailed. It doesn’t matter too much whether they sent them to you or me as long as I get them in the end. If someone prefers to mail their stories I would appreciate it if they could call one ofus to let us know that they have sent them so we know that they have sent them, just in case anything gets lost in the mail. Here is my contact information if anyone has questions or wants to send their stories and photos directly to me.

So, friends and classmates, let us send those stories in to us via email or snail mail and we'll get them to the Jarboes in Kansas or send them directly to Madison:

Madison Jarboe

10017 W. 68th St

Meriam KS 66203

Help the Jarboes rebuild Steve's life by rebuilding his life's memories of Reitz and you. Here is something that costs nothing but means so much. We know we can count on all of you.

Pulling Together

I'm using this forum to repeat a message that I posted to the home page of the Reitz Class of 67 website:

As you all know, Steve Jarboe has always managed to support all of our class events. Through thick and thin, Steve has always been there, offering monetary support, encouragement and his quiet and wise presence.

Right now, Steve is going through the health challenge of his life and we are asking that you all take the time to send your prayers and cards to him in Kansas. Let’s be there for him as much as he’s been there for us.

Steve Jarboe

7112 Aminda Dr.

Shawnee KS 66227

A Summer Visit and Another Reminder

Linda and I just got back from a visit to my parents in New Jersey. A summer road trip to my parents' home, my high school home for my mother's birthday. Linda was trying to keep our destination a surprise but my dad messed it up by calling me to ask if the trip was still on. He didn't know about the secret part of the trip. When I seemed surprised, he realized what he had let the cat out of the bag and without missing a beat told me to just forget that he had called. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Yes, we are all aging. Time keeps ticking away.
I am just lucky that I have been blessed with a long lived family. 3 of my grandparents lived to well over 100. That is my ambition as well and the grandkids had better not get within range of my cane or risk getting one up side their heads.

I had a lot of time to spend with my dad this trip. We agreed that each minor memory loss (the 4th item on the grocery list, the reason for the trip down to the basement, etc.) gets you wondering if this is the beginning of the end down the road to addlepation. We commiserated on how easy it was to squat down to pull weeds and how hard it is getting back up. My dad eats lunch with a bunch of old guys every Thursday, and every now and again, their number gets smaller by one. We weighed our desire to get a discount against the tacit admission that we were older than dirt.

It was just a couple of days, but I came to an even greater appreciation of the old guy than I had before. Amazing how much smarter parents get as you get older and I suddenly realized how blessed I was to still have both my parents as I enter my own dotage. Like Joni Mitchell reminded us in the early 70's. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

Once again, a really enjoyable experience was tempered by sad news. Dennis Brush, another Reitz Class of 1967 graduate, who had been in bad health when we first contacted him before the Cottonwood reunion, succumbed to his various health issues this past week. I have placed his obit and a recent photo on the class website.

If you've still got them, give your folks a call just to say hello.

A Cruise, A Condo and a 50th

Everyone that participated in the Class Cruise of 2013 is now recovered from the trip and back in the swing of things back home thinking about the spring (if it ever manages to arrive) and beyond.

I think all in all the trip to Canaveral, the cruise itself, and the trip back home went pretty smoothly considering the logistics of 20 or so people all traveling different routes to get to the same place. No viruses, no engine problems, just relaxation, sunshine and good food and company.

Makes you want to go back to where it's warm and sunny; speaking of which, we held the Orange Beach Condo drawing 2 weeks ago. The winner was Karen Pfettscher Long Miller. She still has a couple of weeks to make arrangements with Gary Malin or she loses it to Larry Broerman, who was drawn as runner-up. Although not the smashing success of last year, the drawing still managed to raise quite a bit toward funding the Pig in the Park celebration in the summer of 2014.

And we're not done yet! At the suggestion of Carolyn Johnston Warnick and Terry Hudson who prevailed on Linda and Tonja Rosso Duncan to help organize a 50th reunion of the West Terrace class of 1963. From preliminary contacts, looks to be at least 15 or more -attending a school tour by the current principal and a get together afterwards on Saturday, June 8 (schedule dictated by the availability of the principal). Specifics will be announced as soon as possible. The entire low cost function will probably be funded by a simple pass the hat among the attendees.

Homesick, post caribbean cruise, condo blues

We're back from the Class Cruise 2013 and nearly everyone that participated is recovering if not from colds they've caught from airplane traveling passengers or somewhere then from the shock of returning to arctic cold and work and  all the routines of home.

It is hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we were on a floating city, a ship of opulent extravagance and considerable grace. Even though it can be difficult to understand after the first morning that breakfast doesn't just appear but must be made, and that after meals dishes don't just disappear but must be cleared and washed, it's still always good to get home.

Best of all, the people with whom you just shared a marvelous vacation are still here to share fellowship and friendship at home too. I've heard that some of the first time cruisers are already scheming their next cruises. Ours is already booked for May.

First things first though. The Condo drawing will take place on March 10 at the West Side (Pearl Drive) Hacienda at 3:30 (that's PM, by the way). That's something to look forward to and we hope to see as many as we can pack into Hacienda for the drawing for the fabulous Orange Beach condo beach vacation. It's a great location and a great place to unwind. Best of luck to all the entrants.

By the way, the West Terrace School kids are organizing a 50th Grade school reunion for early this summer. Wouldn't it be great if we had similar gatherings of other grade school groups?  We're just sayin'......................

Not ones to rest on laurels, we are starting to give some thought to the Pig in the Park in 2014. Well, in truth, I was actually eating ribs at Wilson's BBQ, lamenting the demise of Steptoes and trying to figure out an excuse to go to Owensboro, when I happened to think of the next class event. That's about as far as we've actually gotten but there's still time enough for that.....

And finally, as a parting shot:

Winter is here with a Vengeance

Our view from the patio window Xmas 2012

Well, it's official and there can be no doubt. Winter is here and here with a vengeance. After last year's pitiful winter of .5" of snow, we were more than due for the bigtime snowfall we got a couple of weeks ago. Clearing the driveway was yet another reminder that either snow is getting heavier or I'm getting more out of shape. While I was happy to see the County clear the road so quickly, I was less pleased to have to dig out the end of the driveway again.

In fact, between the contentious Xmas we had on Syls Drive and the sudden snowfall, Old Man Winter chased us out of town and we spent a quick week in St. Augustine, FL. I can testify that Florida is relatively warm compared to the snowy vistas we left behind.

Now the snow has melted in time for frigid icy cold. It doesn't take but a quick trip to the mail box to realize that we're not in the warm South anymore. What better way to escape from the wintery blahs than a week's vacation in an Orange Beach AL condo graciously donated once again by Gary Malin.

10 bucks, 1/10 of a Ben Franklin for a week on the Gulf. We've extended the sale of tickets another two weeks ( the committee felt guilty drawing for the condo while on a cruise ship, I guess) so send your ticket money in to Linda or get hold of Linda Gamblin or Patty Qualls or Bob Willis in the next few weeks so you have a real good chance of winning a great vacation.

We'll announce the drawing. It'll be toward the end of February, somewhere local again (last year we used the drawing as an excuse to hold Parkway Pizza hostage for a few hours) and draw out the lucky winner and a first alternate (just like Miss America.....if the winner is unable to fulfill their obligation to enjoy a fabulous vacation on the Gulf, the first alternate will take their place.......etc., etc.)

As the late Billy Beal used to say at the end of his enzyme detergent commercials on TV, "Don't wait....Do it today!"