Comments From Classmates, Teachers and Friends
 
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Mavis Anderson   July 7, 2008

Karen Furo Gerdes  July 1, 2008

Andy Philyaw  Feb 21, 2008

Clifford Cox    Jan 27, 2008

Nadine Richards Buchholtz   January 28, 2008

Laura Mullens Murrie   January 28, 2008

 

 

Mavis Anderson July 7, 2008

Hi Everyone,
I'm still at Winchester House, would like to see all of you, as you know all visitors are welcome here.

You can email at:  winchester_house_library@yahoo.com  attention Mavis

Or write me at: Winchester House  room 2219, 1125 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048-0015
Sincerely,
Mavis Anderson

 

Karen Furo Gerdes  July 1, 2008

Hi Guys,

What a pleasant surprise in my mail this morning -- your WHAT'S BUZZIN' letter.  It was so nice to go into the website and see WHAT'S BUZZIN'.  I look forward to its future development -- not a whole lot there yet.  I might suggest also adding the Winthrop Harbor, Beach Park and Zion school districts to your link page -- or maybe not.  How about a "new or current biography" page so we can tell when there is something changed?  I didn't even see where you put the WHAT'S BUZZIN letter on the site????? 
 
The most shocking was to read the IN MEMORY page.  So many "kids" gone.  It literally brought me chills to think of so many of our classmates passed on to their greater reward.  It almost brought tears to my eyes -- definitely a choke in my throat.  I'm now approaching age 67 (like all of us) and for the first time in my life, a good friend of mine is actually dying, and another (my best friend) just had a pacemaker put in last week.  I've had family pass on, but never a really close friend yet.  It sure makes one think about one's own lifespan.
 
The last couple years were very traumatic for my own family.  My husband, Bob, had prostate cancer surgery last February -- but all is OK now -- at least so far -- knock on wood!  He started with a bad PSA test in April 2006 -- and then the roller coaster began.  Honestly, I felt like I didn't know if we were coming or going.  We felt like we were on treadmills running back and forth to doctors and hospitals.  We thought everything was settling down and in July 2007, Bob had a couple silent heart attacks on a cruise in Alaska.  When we came back, he had emergency open heart surgery.  He had 95% blockage and maybe two weeks to live.  Very scary stuff!  He recovered remarkably well for an old codger (he's only 74) -- because he's very persistent -- and now we've got that all behind us.  Since we had so many deductibles covered, he decided to go ahead and have a knee replacement in November.  Finally, after all the therapy, etc., we have gotten back to a normal life again this Spring -- and Bob is doing fine now -- and me too.  Scary stuff!
 
We're again booking our cruises and hope to get back to our normal travel regimen.  Sometimes I think Bob lives just for the next airplane ride to the next cruise ship or national park or island resort.  He even postponed his cancer surgery for a cruise.  I was able to get away for another wonderful Yellowstone trip with my daughter and her family last August, and we're going to Florida again in October for some just plain R&R.
 
My first grandson graduated from ZBTHS this year and will be headed off to MSOE this fall.  I can't believe he is a young MAN already.  He had two cars entered in the Nostalgia Days event in Zion last week and brought home a couple trophies.  The second grandson is still in remission from leukemia, and we are hoping his life will continue without any further problems.  The third grandson just graduated from eighth grade here in Winthrop Harbor.  It seems like yesterday when they were just baBEEeeeeeeees!  I bet you can tell that my grandchildren are my life source.  Grandkids are the greatest thing ever invented since sliced bread -- I swear!
 
I keep reading where we have to keep stimulated to keep the old Alzheimer's away as we get older so I'm still doing volunteer work at my church, and am very involved in taking care of a handicapped sister.  You know what "THEY" say:  Use it or lose it!
Keep up the great work on WHAT'S BUZZIN' -- and
 
as always, just me,
 
KAREN FURO GERDES   July 1, 2008

P.S.  If you need any help with the reunion, you can put me on the volunteer list.  God willing -- I'll be available!

 

 

Andy Philyaw  Feb 21, 2008  

Hi Classmates!!

Greetings from warm and sunny Florida in February. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next reunion in 2010. It doesn't seem possible that so many years have gone by so fast. Sharon and I are happy, healthy and enjoying our retirement years. See ya soon!

Andy Philyaw

Safety Harbor, FL      Feb 21, 2008

 

 

Clifford Cox    Jan 27, 2008

Hi Classmates,

I often think back to my days at ZBTHS and my classmates and friends.    I hope to see you at the 2010 reunion.

Clifford Cox    Jan 27, 2008

 

Nadine Richards Buchholtz   January 28, 2008

Hi everyone,

Laura Mullens Murrie, Clifford Cox and I are working on development of this website.   We can use it to interact with you and post information (including pictures) about our class.   We hope you will take advantage of this comments area to communicate with your classmates.

If you want to send information and not have it posted to the comments area,  you can send emails to any of us.    An email to class@zbths1960.com will go to all of us.

Nadine Richards Buchholtz   January 28, 2008  

 

Laura Mullens Murrie   January 28, 2008

Hi everyone,

I hope you're giving a lot of thought about how to celebrate the 50th reunion. Please share your ideas here or e-mail one of the reunion committee members. We'd like to know if you want a 2 or 3 day reunion, what time of year is best for you, do you want casual wear, music, dancing, etc. It's your party.

Laura Mullens Murrie   January 28, 2008