Alumni Sandstorm ~ 03/25/05
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7 Bombers sent stuff:
Jim Grow ('51), Jim McKeown ('53)
Derrith Persons ('60WB), Jan Bollinger ('60)
Judy Willox ('61), Helen Cross ('62)
Lloyd Swain ('66)
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BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Virginia Brinkerhoff ('54)
BOMBER BIRTHDAY Today: Karen Davis ('76)
BOMBER CALENDAR: Richland Bombers Calendar
Click the event you want to know more about.
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>>From: Jim Grow ('51)
To: Virginia "Jinnie" Eckert Stephens ('58)
Your maiden name caught my eye. Could you possibly be the younger
sister of a girl who lived up on the corner of Van Giesen and Marshall in
the '50s? Quite a pretty looking girl if I recall correctly but one who
for some reason would not have a thing to do with me.. I do remember her
looks though--tough as nails but a pretty little thing. Awhile back I
noticed in here that some Harmon fellow was possibly talking about this
same girl as he lived in the same Van Giesen area. They were supposedly
going out in the bushes in a Van Giesen cherry orchard on a fruit picking
scheme. Boy, one thing I do remember is she sure would not go out in the
bushes with me. She would not even give me the time of day. I remember I
was broken hearted but she never even seemed to notice. A hard hearted
little girl to say the least. In fact that's all I got from her -- the
least and nothing. One could safely say I was broken hearted. On a trip
to Spokane I had her name tattooed on my left leg but an airplane wreck
ten years ago took that part of my leg. My vision is so bad I would not
be able to read it anyway. I would be interested in knowing if this girl
might possibly be your older sister. I remember she came from a large
family and probably had little sisters. Oh, one other thing I remember.
Her father did not like me either.
What's with this Harmon fellow anyway. When I heard of the incident
I wondered. A little girl who is pure as the driven snow out wandering
around in the brush pretending to pick fruit. Sounds fishy to me. This
can not be the young little angel of my childhood dreams. What is going
on here. What would her father think and I am not referring to what he
thinks about me. I refer to what he does not know about this Harmon
fellow.
-Jim Grow ('51)
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>>From: Jim McKeown ('53)
Re: Lois Rediske (Bomber Mom)
To the Rediske Kids,
Boy, your note brought back a lot of memories for me. I remember
your Mom and Dad, since we lived next door to you on Acacia, across from
Spalding grade School. You guys were just little tykes when we were in
High School. I believe our address was 1307, but not sure....I remember
when your Dad brought home the first TV in the neighborhood.....it had a
screen about 4 or 5 inches wide, but, it created a stir....we all slipped
next door to watch.
Hope your Mom improves and is able to go home.
-Jim McKeown...banner class of '53
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>>From: Derrith Persons Dean ('60WB)
Re: an up coming event
ATTENTION CLASS OF '60
Planning meeting reminder
Place: Sterlings, GWWay, Richland
Time: 6:30 pm
Date: Wednesday, March 30th, 2005
Who: Class of 60, men and women
Let's plan to have a fun time!!
Happiness is sharing life!
-Derrith Persons Dean ('60WB)
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>>From: Jan Bollinger Persons ('60)
Re: What a Party!
The Bomber spirit was alive and well in Spokane last Sunday, as 30
alumni and guests stood to sing "Happy Birthday" and applaud teacher
Vera Edwards when she arrived with her daughter Gay Edwards ('64). A more
timid lady of 85 years might have felt overwhelmed at finding herself the
guest of honor and center of attention, but not our Mrs. Edwards! She
rose to the occasion with delight and hugs all around, and only a bit
misty-eyed. Never known for being shy, we weren't too surprised when
halfway through lunch, she volunteered to give a speech. (What a perfect
guest of honor!) It seemed a good time for her remarks just before
she cut her birthday cake, and she considered where to stand for her
delivery. When told she could stand anywhere she chose, she wondered if
that included ON the table! Yes, this was the same Mrs. Edwards we knew
and loved, and she's still a beautiful, classy lady with a great sense of
humor and lots of wisdom to share.
Following Mrs. Edwards' speech, Gay presented a handsome album to her
mother, a large collection of memories submitted by former students and
reprinted on colorful stationery. Another Bomber presented her a report
card from 1954 and asked if she wouldn't like to reconsider her comments
on that 7th grade report. Mrs. Edwards denied any recollection of Jan
Bollinger Persons ('60) ever being "over-talkative" as was recorded;
however, the consensus of the assembled Bombers seemed to be that it was
probably a very fair appraisal! (Now, why would they think that?!!)
Nine Bombers from the Richland area were in Spokane to congratulate
the birthday lady: Dan Haggard ('57) and spouse Marj Qualheim ('60),
Vera Smith Robbins ('58), Judy Willox ('61), Nick Nelson ('56), Derrith
Persons Dean ('60), Connie Dean O'Neil ('60), Kaye Ivers ('60), and
Marsha Lawell Hathcox ('60). All of those alums had attended the Bringing
Down the House party on Saturday night and were still in high spirits!
Gary Behymer ('64) came from Colfax, and Sue Elliot Homan ('62) and
spouse Tom came from Hayden Lake, Idaho. The Coates family was
represented by three generations: Richard Coates ('52) and spouse Kay
Mitchell Coates ('52), their daughter Julie Hedges ('75), and
granddaughter Melissa Hedges ('02 WB). Spokane Bombers attending were
Gloria Falls Evans ('58) and spouse Jim, Ralph Bean ('58) and spouse
Barb, Rick Valentine ('67), Jim House ('63), Linda Davis Brede ('67) and
spouse Doug, Ray Stein ('64), and Bomber friends Don and Jackie Rappe. As
usual, Gary Persons ('57) and spouse Jan Bollinger Persons ('60) were on
hand to blow up green and gold balloons.
After the party, ten Bombers regrouped at the Persons house for more
talking and laughing, and six of us played dominoes into the wee hours of
Monday. It was a day and night of nonstop fun! Thanks to all who
participated!
-Jan Bollinger Persons ('60) and
Gary Persons ('57)
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[Spokane Lunch website: nineofhearts.tripod.com/lunch.html]
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>>From: Judy Willox ('61)
Re: RHS Journalism Class fundraiser this week at Barnes & Noble
http://richlandbombers.com/Xtra05/RHS-JournalismFundRaiser.jpg
This voucher can be printed and used at Barnes & Nobel for the valid
dates. If customers use the voucher when making purchases at the Columbia
Center Mall Barnes & Noble between March 18th and March 25th, 2005, the
RHS Journalism will receive a percentage of those sales. Any funds raised
will be used to help subsidize the cost of Journalism students attending
this year's National convention that is being held in Seattle this
Spring. The convention will be a great skill building event for our
journalism students.
-Judy Willox ('61)
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>>From: Helen Cross Kirk ('62)
As I was just catching up on the week's worth of Sandstorms I've missed,
I was saddened to learn of fellow classmate, Robb Abrams ('62) cancer,
and I have sent to Maren to learn of all his addresses possible. The
last time I saw Robb was at the end of our last reunion in 2002 and he
looked very healthy, heading off for Egypt, I believe. I know I really
appreciated all the mail and support I got from Bombers and others when I
had breast cancer last May, and I had a very good prognosis, so let's get
Robb all the good wishes that we can to boost his morale. (I will send
prayers for him too. I have heard of some very seemingly lost cases
turning out good lately, and will be praying that this will be another
one.)
I just had my first mammogram after having had the surgery last May for
the removal of a non-invasive cancer. And I wanted to again urge everyone
to have their mammogram done if a year has passed. I don't know how often
they (the medical profession) urge men to have this done, as I have known
men who have had breast cancer. Incidentally, I was just giving my
health history to another doctor for my son, Ryan, who has high blood
pressure at 24, and the doctor said to me to be sure to have checks done
for colon cancer as they often go hand in hand.
Lately, I am wondering if I can even get all my check-ups done in one
year, before it is time to start over, but of course, it is better to be
healthy and preventing medical illnesses, than to be treating them.
Glad to hear that the Northwest is having some rain, as it was sure dry
when I was out in February. We have been having some back here too, but
that is nothing out of the ordinary. A sunny day with temperatures above
60° is what is unusual here. However, my crocuses are now blooming and
the daffodils look to be ready to bloom any day now, so spring is coming
to the Midwest, at least to the house by the little lake in INdiana too.
Happy Easter blessing to one and all, and belated St. Patrick's Day
greetings too. We didn't get to celebrate this year, as I was busy
learning how to make Russian pieroskies for our Russian dinner at our
church. For my first attempt at yeast dough since I had home ec in
Carmichael, they didn't turn out too badly.
Also greetings to you Wendie Walker Vermillion ('62) As I was going down
the gorge alone the beautiful Columbia River going to Portland, Oregon in
February, I was thinking of all the classmate living in the Portland
area and how lucky they are to be living in such a beautiful spot,and
your name came to mind. Soon we, too, will be having our 45th reunion and
can catch up!!
-Helen Cross Kirk ('62)
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>>From: Lloyd Swain ('66)
Just wanted to say a few words regarding bringing down the house
event. I couldn't attend because Charter broadcast the two media classic
basketball games live on channel three that night. What I believe lacked
was advertising and promotion tantamount to making events like this
successful. Most of the local cable, television and radio media will
give at least two for one commercials but you do need a budget.
I know you all put in a heck of a lot of hours and it is disappointing
when folks don't show and especially when the state band shows up. I am
sorry the attendance was so low.
-Lloyd Swain ('66)
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That's it for today. Please send more.
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