Alumni Sandstorm ~ 05/13/05
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8 Bombers sent stuff: 
Dave Brusie ('51), Wally Erickson ('53)
Laura Dean Kirby ('55), Bill Berlin ('56)
Barbara Farris ('59WB), Mike Howell ('68WB)
Betti Avant ('69), Larry Davis ('80)
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>>From: Dave Brusie ('51)

To: Kirk Vitulli (Grandson of Art Dawald)
    Tell me a little about yourself, and your life! 

-Dave Brusie ('51)
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>>From: Wally Erickson ('53)

To: Jim Jensen ('50)
    Being a "Richlandiet" (new word), I certainly agree with
everything you said. Like many of us that have sent in memories 
of our past during our times of growing up in Richland; it's only
something you can express in words and detail. It had me thinking
about the time when we would have relatives, or friends out of the
area to visit... my parents would take us for a car ride to show off
Richland and all of the new construction that was going on. Now, this
was in the late '40s and early '50s!! We were so proud of Richland and
what was being done to make it great place to raise a family. One of
the things I remember being asked was "where are the sidewalks?" I
lived on Putnam Street and I still remember the "crushed rock" between
our lawn and the street. During the summer months my neighbor friends
and I would toughen up our feet walking over the crushed rock and
"hot" pavement. Hey, we thought if the Indians can do it, so can
we.... right? More memories!

To: Ann Clancy Andrews ('50) in Sacramento
Re: "Green & Gold"
    It's okay Ann, now you can "root" for the Green & Gold (Sonics).

-Wally Erickson ('53) ~ Still rooting for the Green & Gold. Beautiful 
                     day here over looking Lake Coeur D'Alene.
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>>From: Laura Dean Kirby ('55)

Re: Illinois Abe Lincoln
    My thoughts on the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
in Springfield, Illinois which was dedicated April 19, 2005.
    I went to see our newest Lincoln site yesterday. Lest there be any
suspense, my response was, "Wow!" I figured it would be just another
museum, boy was I wrong. The place is an incredible mixture of hi-tech
and traditional displays. The two movies are wonderful and I will 
not give it away but you have not ever seen anything like them. The
lighting, detail, and balance are striking. It is a much larger place
than I had imagined. Imagination is not lacking in the project. It is
as though Disney, The History Channel, and Walter Cronkite combined 
to tell the story of likely our greatest president. Of course many
original Lincoln artifacts are housed there. They make a point of
telling the whole story of his political challenges. My only wish was
that there was more on his childhood but for a mere one hundred and
fifteen million dollars they did a great job. There is a fine gift
shop and lunch room

-Laura Dean Kirby ('55)
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>>From: Bill Berlin ('56)

Re: Leaving Richland and moving back
    As I have said before, I left Richland the day after I graduated
from Col-Hi in June of 1956 and never came back. My parents moved to 
a new house in the Kennewick Highlands the summer of '56, thus when 
I came back from university it was not to the old GWWay house in 
Richland. Once I got saltwater in my veins, that was my destiny and 
any appeal that I had for returning to Richland, or for that matter 
the Tri-Cities, was gone. 
    In all of my travels I have see some pretty miserable places to
live, Naknek, Alaska comes to mind, so compared to that, living in
Richland would not be all that bad. My philosophy is "East, West, 
home is Best" and "Home is where you make it." That is to say that if
Richland does it for you, then live in Richland. It was a great place
to grow up but it is not for me in my adult life. Cuz Bev Smith Jochen
('52) has lived there most of her life and it has been good for her
and that is great for me. Anacortes is just right for me but it would
not work for everyone. I guess the moral of the story is, live where
it is best for you and if it is not the best for you, make it "your
home" just the same. There are some pretty bad places to live out
there folks.

-Bill Berlin ('56) ~ in Anacortes, WA where things are good and no 
                          thoughts of moving back to Richland.
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>>From: Barbara Farris DeFord ('59WB)

Re: Memories
    I too have great memories of growing up in Richland. I moved there
when I was 12 from Yakima. We left there for military reason after my
marriage then we moved back home to Richland in 1960. We bought a 
home on Thayer and raised our kids there till 1971 and then moved to
Springfield, MO. My husband's job took us there and we have been here
34 years! My how time does fly! I love it here because it is so green
and a great place to raise a family. We go to Richland quite often to
visit family and friends. Mom and Dad are resting in peace there.I get
such a neat feeling when we go to Richland and we always go to the
Spudnut Shop 2 or 3 times. My husband Dick DeFord ('56) worked there 
at the shop all through high school and didn't realize what a great 
job he had till looking back on his memories. We will never move back 
to Richland but I'm so glad I have the memories!

-Barbara Farris DeFord ('59WB)
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>>From: Mike Howell ('68WB)

To: Betty Hiser Gulley ('49)
Betty;
    Like my Doctor told me. "Why would you worry about getting
addicted at our age?" If you can live without pain do what ever it
takes so you can enjoy your life. Get on a pain med schedule so that
you are taking it to keep it from happening and having to take a lot
to get it under control. For Pete's sake, girl, you have every right 
to enjoy life.

-Mike Howell ('68WB)
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>>From: Betti Avant ('69)

    All this talk about if to move back to Richland or not to move
back. When I decided I was going to leave Kansas after 10 years I
decided I wanted to get back to the Pacific Northwest somewhere. Not
necessarily Richland, but close enough so I could visit my parents'
crypt out at Sunset Memorial Gardens on occasion. In fact that is the
reason I put on job applications, I want to return to my "roots". 
I may and probably will be on the move again 'er long. Speaking of
moving; my twin brother Robert moved to Kirkland a few months ago and
his oldest daughter, Sarah (RHS-94) moved to Kent late last year. I
don't think I would like Richland to live in again, but who knows, 
one isn't getting any younger. Everyone must find a place where their
hearts lead them.

-Betti Avant ('69) ~ Eugene, Oregon - where the rhodies are in bloom
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>>From: Larry Davis ('80)

To: Doug Martin ('80)
     I'm glad to see another classmate browsing the Sandstorm and
having the motivation to write in. Responding to "Bomber Ambition" 
my feeling is that Bomber Ambition has always been there along with
"Bomber Pride" and it's not something that all High Schools can say
exists. Many people have worked hard to instill these traits into our
youths. Keep up the good work all you Bombers.


-Larry Davis ('80) ~ in Kent where I'm heading to the airport and 
                    flying to Sunny Cal for a few days.
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That's it for today. Please send more.
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