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Pages: 1 2 3 4 Steve Hopkins - 07-14-2009 Dear Barb, You had asked me to write a few words on the reunion and my observations and recollections and, until I made the return drive back to Billings, nothing really came to me until I reached the badlands of North Dakota. By the time I spotted the thunderheads’ rolling in off the Beartooth Mountains in Montana it all came as clear as the lighting bolts I was watching flash across the prairie. When I decided at the last minute last to drop everything on an impulse, jump into the truck and head to Edina Minnesota, little did I realize what a nice metaphor it was to be. If one lives in the relative aridity of central Montana and has not ventured into the ‘eastern ‘ states ,of which Minnesota qualifies for me, a person tends to forget about the dramatic terrain and climate change that takes place once you cross the 105th meridian a little west of Bismarck North Dakota. By the time you reach Fargo and descend down I-94 into Minnesota, around Lake Wobegon it hits you. The lushness of the foliage, the fecundity of the black top soil and the humidity makes you realize that this is indeed a rich and fertile land compared to the paucity of the high plains. The richness of this place and land we came from {Edina] is also quite evident in the people it has nurtured and produced. This first came to me early Friday evening when I met for a libation and some treats at an outdoor pub with Barry Bremer, Todd Huebscher and Tom Keegan.. For two raucous hours we talked ,told stories and laughed until my stomach ached and the tears ran down my cheeks. Little did I suspect the fun had just begun. We went on to the gathering at ‘Bunny’s’ when even in the parking lot I spotted the gracious [expatriate Montanan] Penny Paris, and into the honky tonk where the energy was flowing and I ran into’ you’ the girl next door, Brad Bringgold , Bill Thompson and countless other fine folks that made for a lively evening and a fine Pre Game warm UP. The next day, I enjoyed a few light activities, a cocktail hour at Keegan’s and then on to the main event at the country club, where right away at the door I met you, Patsy and Peggy ,so a great social triple play right out of the chute. From there on it was a surreal evening with laughter, socializing and some very spontaneous interaction. Which brings me to my point. The richness and fertility of the class of 1969,is not in any monetary , career success, or social standing ,it is in its humanity and civility to one another after forty years. My observations of this event bare this out over two evenings of repertoire ,questions and answers ,some unimpeded , some altered by perhaps a touch of alcohol. The fact remains that I saw an awful lot of humanity having a hell of a good time. Greetings were polite, genuine and enthusiastic, insults were given lightly and returned even more succinctly . I did not see anyone belligerent , overly rude or trying to settle some score from years ago that does not matter anymore. People were tactfully dressed to each’ unique personality and demeanor. No one seemed to push their agenda or lifestyle. It may have happened some where in that room ,but not in my orbit of casual vigilance. That then is the legacy of Edina.. We had the privilege , and good fortune to have lived there and been educated in a system that was not broken. This may or not be apparent to one who still lives in the Minneapolis area, but from one who has spent plenty of time in the rural west and the third world it is very obvious that suburban Edina creates very civil and decent people in a world where the commodity is getting scarce. If you don’t believe this, I have a bar in Butte Montana I could take you too. We had a huge class of kids and I am sorry I did not know more as I know there were friends there I did not have ample time to speak with or even see ,for which I have regrets. After forty years ,yet,you still meet classmates, that you never knew. I enjoyed meeting Marty Kupper and visiting with him and I also had an engaging conversation with Claudia Gisselbeck. They made me wish I had also known them forty years ago. So to the Edina class of 1969, Thank you for your friendship ,fellowship and civility. I wish I could have known more of you and your stories. You are a special group and for forty years as a class you have stood the test of time. Warmest Regards, Steve Hopkins Edina '69 Class Reunion Committee - 07-14-2009 Dear EHS ’69 Classmates: Wow! What a memorable 40th Reunion Weekend we just experienced. Starting with the jam-packed Sherm’s gathering at Bunny’s, where the challenge was putting a name from 40 years ago to a 2009 face, to Claudia’s elegant “girl’s night” event, to the fun-filled golf event on a perfect Minnesota morning and culminating in the fabulous Edina Country Club Gala, there was nothing but fun events, great friends, shared old memories and now brand new ones to cherish. People came from as nearby as Edina and as far away as Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, Montana, Alabama, Washington state and DC, New York City, California, Texas, even Honduras and Hawaii! What an opportunity to visit with some favorite faculty (thanks to Larry Stotts, Bud and Ginny Jensen for being there), listen to some oldies but goodies provided by classmate Tom Bates and Hayseed Cree, feast on delicious gourmet fare (and desserts to die for from Claudia!) and just talk and talk and talk! The planning committee would like to THANK YOU ALL for supporting this wonderful weekend event by being there and participating in all that went on. We worked hard on this, yes, but we it was worth all the work; we all thought the weekend was successful beyond our wildest dreams. Stay in touch, check the website often and keep your eyes open for information about a possible 5-year get together in 2014. We just can’t wait to do it again! Sincerely, The Edina ’69 Reunion Committee Karen Taylor Sheie - 07-13-2009 I wanted to thank the committee for all your time,work, and energy in planning the reuion. Appreciate it all greatly. Fred Carpenter - 07-13-2009 I just wanted to thank the reunion committee for organizing such a FABULOUS evening. I know it was a lot of work, but it was greatly appreciated by everyone. It was a super-Christmas in July. I have brought (force marched) my wife ,Colleen, to all four reunions, and now she can recognize some people before I do. Once again, thankyou reunion committee. And note to Trish- since I talked to you and Ray at the reunion I think I'll deduct the cost on my taxes.What do you think? Molly Conlin Cavin - 07-13-2009 Hi old friends, What a fantastic weekend ! Thank you to the committee for all their hard work, creativity and caring. From the slide show, to the card for Rollie Ring, the newspaper accounts of all our past glories, Hay Creek's fabulous music, the little marinated vegetables and Claudia's desserts, and much more; it was just great ! Didn't get out to the golf course to literally tear up the greens, but I know those who did had a great time. I talked myself hoarse Saturday but went home wanting more. And I didn't everyone look so young ! Most importantly, thanks to the committee for locating everyone and turning out the throngs ! Molly Conlin Cavin stay in touch ! Kathleen McGraw - 07-12-2009 If anyone gets to New York City, email me beforehand, and I'll give you a wonderful tour of the Metropolitan Museum. (kathleenmcgraw@gmail.com) Karen Vecchi Sisk - 07-12-2009 Sorry, email address is kssisk@yahoo.com.......still early yet and I don't have my glassses on! Ha Karen Vecchi Sisk - 07-12-2009 Sorry to have missed the reunion this year, went to the 30th and had a blast! I have been in Denver Colorado for over 30 years now. I am widowed and have 2 grown children . Lost my husband in a car accident 14 years ago , raised my son and daughter and got them both through college! We are all doing great! Enjoying life and doing lots of traveling. Would love to hear from you ! My email address is ksisk@yahoo.com Thanks for this great website and will be anxious to see all the pictures. Hope you all had a wonderful time! Mary Gohla Penchoff - 07-10-2009 I am making back for this reunion, and enjoyed reading about some of the old lost friends from way back been on this posting. I live in Arlington, Virginia just ourside Washington, DC and have been in marketing for 20 years. Still see Judy Carter Brink and Candy Lundstrom Gravier just about every year. Drop me a note if you couldn't make it but would like to connect. Jan (Janice Wiley) Roberson - 07-07-2009 This is a great site! I haven't made it to any reunions, so it is fun to see the photos. We live in beautiful Montana near Glacier Park and have been here for some 20 years. I'm married to a forester, have a daughter at MSU and a son in high school. I've been a teacher in some form or another most of my life. Most recently, I've been a tutor/teacher to the VonTrapp children who live near and are good friends. Blessings... Martha (Marcy) Reeves - 07-07-2009 Sorry to miss the reunion. I will attend the next one, if still living. I am married, with two grown boys, and am a professor in the sociology department at Duke University. I wish Title IX had been in effect in 1969...I certainly would have gotten out of home ec. and probably would have run track or pole vaulted instead of been a cheerleader! Barbara Seaberg - 07-02-2009 The numbers are growing by leaps and bound! Today we have 193 classmates signed up to party at the ECC on July 11th! We've extended the deadline, so send your check and registration TODAY...don't miss this once-in-40-years opportunity. Go Hornet! Lucinda Anderson - 07-02-2009 I'm sorry if we didn't get a chance to visit at the 30th because I will be missing the 40th. Every once in awhile, we make it to the Winnipeg Folk Festival and this is one of those years. I'm living in Minneapolis working during the school year at Lake Country Montessori School. My husband, Roy McBride, our 12-year old daughter Lacinea, and I spend our summers in Osceola, Wisconsin on our dandelion ranch. Best wishes to all of you. John Rosell - 07-02-2009 I'll be there(the reunion) you be there. Run don't walk to get your tickets I retired this spring after 34 years of teaching science and coaching . Google, Herald Journal John Rosell and read about my retirement Colleen Sedgwick Belgum - 07-01-2009 Hi all...I just read through the list of you that will be attending, and wish I could be there with you! I still live and teach in north central Minnesota, and would love to hear from you. Email me at kestrelkyrie@hotmail.com or find me on Facebook. Pages: 1 2 3 4 |
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