Bonita's report on the '63 reunion!

This summer the informal class of '63 reunion was held at the Geneva Golf Club. It's hard to believe that it was their 45th, but so be it.
I took a few photos, but I had only purchased my camera the day before so I was pretty much a newby and, frankly, out of the habit of taking pictures. One of the photo ops I missed was of fellow class of 65ers Sharon Bartholomew, Kathy Josephs, Gail Hanson, Bob Watson and me.
Everyone looked great. I hadn't seen Sharon since the last '63 reunion, but knew her immediately. From a distance she looks 18!
Anyway, some of the people pictured are; Dennis Ramey and Marge Lusty, Jeanne Aga Canavan and her hubby John, Gib Sibell and his wife, Danny Syvrud and his wife, Mary Berglin Oorlog and hubby Russ, Jerry Schulke (brother to Gary who appears in the photo with Dave and Mary) Jill Hultman and Linda Bjurlin.
The "Elvis" is Louis Merino, a local talent with a band called "57 Chevy" and a friend of Bob Watson's daughter, Missy.
Bob had a get-together at his cabin on Lake Darling on the 26th. Louis (Elvis) serenaded us with 60s tunes prior to our departure on a couple of pontoons. As we were waiting to depart, a water balloon came sailing through the trees via a big slingshot manned by Dan Syvrud. (People not pictured but joining the fun were Deloris Peterson, Gloria Danielson, and Carol Kiger.)
On the lake, whenever we got within shooting distance, water balloons were shot at us from the renegade pontoon, which eventually led to the Water Fight of the Century. Finally, victory was ours when the opposing pontoon almost capsized due to everyone scrambling to avoid getting wet from our pathetic little cups of water. Finally over, none of us could believe that a bunch of 60-something grandparents had a water fight on pontoons (and lived to tell about it).
Bobby said, "Wow! If the water patrol would have come by, we would all have went to jail."
Anyway, it was fun and I look forward to 2013 so we can see everyone again.
Bonita Olson Gilbertson

An invitation to march from Kathy Aga Lee

Happy Labor Day Weekend Stan,

Bet there aren't many of your blog readers who can boast being on the committee for the JHS Homecoming Parade and having a son who's a senior at JHS. Guess I was always a little delayed.

Anyway, I'm writing in the hopes you will post an invitation to ALL JHS alumni to march in the homecoming parade this year.

The district is doing someting brand new this year and having the parade, pep rally and football game on a Saturday afternoon. First try at afternoon game. So here are the details.

Saturday, Sept. 27
The big day is Saturday, September 27. The parade starts at 12:30 p.m. with the staging at Jefferson. Last year the alumni division was BIG. We had JHS alumni going all the way back to the late 1930s. There was a haywagon for those who didn't want to walk. The parade route will be from Jefferson to Fifth and Broadway. Red T-shirts are available, printed with the appropriate year of graduation. Buses will take marchers back to the high school for a pep fest, tailgating party and the football game.

Tom Lehman is the grand marshal. He is bringing his entire family, including his folks, to be in the parade. Tom will also be honored at the Cardinal Foundation luncheon on Friday, Sept. 26, and of course, all alumni are encouraged to attend that. But now I'm getting out of my domain.

Good old school district 206 is putting together a web site with all the info. But for alumni to get into the parade and get a T-shirt, the contact person in the district is Jill Johnson at 320-762-2141. Her e-address is jjohnson@alexandria.k12.mn.us

Thanks Stan. FYI God had it right when he planned on parents being young. Not only am I worn out from staying up 'til the kid is home, I'm at a point in life when $40,000 a year for college is making my retirement look very dismal. I won't be having a log palace on the banks of a local lake for my retirement home.

Doubt you remember, but I was a reporter in Black Pete's class when you were an editor for the school paper. You were always beating on me for my spelling errors and abundance of commas. Nothing has changed.

Kathy Lee, '66

Blondes with paddles. . .

Submitted courtesy Tom Obert

Robin Movald Niedenfeur and Kathy Sherry Skadsberg kayaking. Not sure when, where, why, what or how. . . the Cub's training being somewhat incomplete.

Summer fun with Sherry's family

Sherry Gorder Winter left Alexandria in the ninth grade, but she still has fond memories of her time there. That's Sherry and her husband, Larry, above, with grandsons Bryce (14), Dylan (12). Bryce is the one who reminds her of our former classmate, Richard Jacobson. What do you think? You remember Dickie Jacobson, don't you? He also moved away before graduating. The picture is from a family fly fishing trip to the Big Horn River in Montana this summer. The other picture is at Gooseberry Falls this summer and includes granddaughters, Alexandra and Maya and daughters, Lisa and Christine. Sherry would love to hear from you. Email her at sherjw@live.com. (That's a corrected address. Try again if you couldn't get through before.)

Little Mayo's sister

The Johnsons were in Alexandria recently and the cub captured their pictures after an evening of cruising the chain 'o lakes. Cathy (on the right), was in town from California with her friend, Ed Ricardo, and Caryn, with husband, Roger Rosengren, from Garfield.

Yes, we '65ers love the Class of 1966. Some day we may have a big party and invite them. Poor dears didn't get to have a reunion last time.

Shucks, now you're makin' the trailboss blush. . .

Stan,
You are AWESOME. We just watched your video of the Alexandria "CHEER, O CHEER!"
What a fantastic video. Your "connection" here in ABQ., New Mexico thinks you are the greatest, and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do to make this "blog" so interesting and unique!

Your "chili" friends in ABQ:
Carolyn and Harland Hoffland

Trailboss sez: Thanks, C&H. I do this stuff for fun, but it's wonderful to hear your kind words. Hey, we'll make more!

The Class sings Alex Fight Song

Cheer, O Cheer!
The recent discussions here of the origin of the Alexandria, Minnesota, rouser have focused attention on the music and words to this classic fight song. Here's a rendition sung by the Class of 1965 at a 1990 reunion. Two minutes.
(We'll carry on forever!)
-----

At right is a 1990 photo of the trailboss making this video. The picture was shot by Tom Obert. The shoulder-mount camera has been replaced by one the size of a cigarette pack, cost: $150.

Kathy Nelson ('65) Cihlar's mother dies

Laverna Nelson, 93
Alexandria Echo Press
Published Friday, August 15, 2008
Laverna Naomi Nelson, 93, died August 11, 2008 at Bethany Home in Alexandria.
Laverna was born March 30, 1915, to Elsie (Key) and Earl Crist of Clarissa. She grew up on a farm with one sister and four brothers. She was born in the house her father built and was delivered by a midwife.
She graduated from Clarissa High School in 1933.
On September 20, 1939, Laverna and Elmer Nelson from Browerville were united in marriage in Clarissa. They farmed in partnership with Elmer’s father in Browerville. Four children were born to them. In 1950, they moved to Nelson where they farmed until they retired. In
1977, they moved to Carlos and in 1994, they moved to Bethel Manor in Alexandria. Elmer passed away in 1995. In 2007, Laverna moved to BethanyHome.

Laverna was a very active person with many interests. She was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Nelson and was involved in many church activities. She was an active volunteer at Bethany Home for many years and a very special caregiver to many people.

Her outside interests were centered on her flowers and vegetable garden. Her flowers were used in many neighborhood celebrations. She spent many hours sewing, which included many quilts, play clothes, doll clothes, wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses, embroidery and cutwork. She also baked wedding cakes, prize-winning rye bread and caramel rolls. Laverna was fond of animals, especially white kitties, which were always named Felix. Laverna’s greatest enjoyment by far was having her family around her, including her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Laverna was preceded in death by her husband; parents; four brothers and a daughter-in-law.

Laverna is survived by her sister, Veneitta Peo of Michigan; children, Roger of Nelson, Larry (Janice) of Luverne, Kathy (Larry) Cihlar of Carlos and Linda (Keith) Miller of Moorhead; eight grandchildren, Jeff (Steph) Nelson, Becky (Chad) Olson, Michael (Janet) Cihlar, Jill (Cory)
Cihlar, Wayne (Staci) Nelson, Randy (Anne) Nelson, Chris Miller, Ann Miller; and 11 great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jack, Anna, Eli, Taylor, Grace, Ian, Celia, Seren, Teigen and Ethan.

A funeral service was held August 14 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Nelson with the Rev. Joan Wittrock officiating. Bev Steuck was organist and Jane Herth was soloist.

(Thanks to Paul Strandberg for emailing this.)

George Schultz, '67, retires his wings

George Schultz is an occasional contributor here. He's a couple years younger than most readers. He sent a picture and a note from his recent retirement. Thanks for the note, George. Wish we could get members of the Class of '65 to do this. -- and Congratulations on a distinguished career!

Stan,
In February, I retired from American Airlines after a 29-year career. It was a great ride, and I know I will really miss the people and the flying, but not all of the other stuff that goes along with the job these days.

Here are a couple of pictures we took on my "swan song" flight. It was a fun 29 years, but I think it is time to move on to other things.

George Schultz
JHS 67

The first photo shows George sitting in the cockpit while awaiting his gate. "It was snowing like mad in Chicago that day," he said, "and of course, we had a 20-minute wait for our gate while airplanes were being de-iced. The other photo shows the crew from his final flight. The First Officer is also a Minnesota boy, from St. Paul, a huge Gopher hockey fan who builds his flying schedules around the hockey games. He always takes time off to go the Frozen Four. " I think he would fit in great with the Alex Super Fans," George observed, adding, "My brother-in-law says that I would still be flying if all my Flight Attendants looked like these lovely ladies!"

Class of '66 plus one

Alexandria boomers from the Class of 1966 gathered at LeHotel Sofitel in Bloomington for lunch today. From left are Jerry Teeson, Barb Paciotti, Sheri Platto, Bob Johnson, Solveig Rolfsrud, Rick Beresford and Stan Rolfsrud. Sorry, didn't get the married names. We'll add them when someone sends them. Teeson and Beresford seem to be the organizers of this now-and-then get-together. Want to know what they talked about? Come to the next meeting. You're invited, organizers say.

Sunfish montage

Tom Obert made this picture at Camp Brosius, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

Jerry Vogt's Mom dies at 81

Alice Vogt
Alexandria Echo Press
Published Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Alice Helen Vogt, 81, died July 29, 2008 at Douglas County Hospital.
Alice was born March 3, 1927 to Patrick and Thecla (Osmoski) Hagan near Belle River. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River. She married Lovell “Speed” Vogt on June 25, 1946 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church and two sons were born to this union, Jerry and Daniel. They lived near Miltona for a few years and then moved to Alexandria. Alice ran a daycare out of her home for a number of years and also helped in the kitchen at Bethany Home in Alexandria for 10 years.

Alice was always a modest and kind woman who enjoyed having coffee with her friends and attending parties in her Birthday Club. She had a strong faith and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church regularly. She liked to embroider, read and take her dog, Sparky, for walks. Alice’s family was very important to her. She liked to cook for them and one of her specialties was her famous potato dumplings. She will be missed by those who loved and knew her.
She is survived by her sons, Jerry (Peggy) Vogt of Alexandria, Daniel (Cindy) Vogt of Marshall; grandchildren, Michael (Brooke) Vogt of Cold Spring, Ryan Vogt of Alexandria, Melissa (Shawn) Dieken of West Fargo, ND, Amy Vogt of Alexandria, Mackenzie Vogt of Marshall; great-grandchildren, Hudson and Delaney Dieken of West Fargo, Atticus Waters of Alexandria; nephew, Steve (Stacy) Pasch of Alexandria; and sister-in-law, Marie Jacobs of St. Peter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lovell “Speed” Vogt; sister, Frances Hvezda; and brother, James Hagan.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, August 2 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria with the Reverend Steve Binsfeld officiating. Laurie Youngers played the piano and Tom Mulder was the soloist. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery. Casket bearers were Michael Vogt, Melissa Dieken, Mackenzie Vogt, Ryan Vogt, Amy Vogt and Steve Pasch.

Who's playing our song?

Stan,
I have a couple of notes to add to the discussion regarding the Alex school song. Yes, it was a march called "College Boy," but it was not unique to Alexandria. As a matter of fact, at the time we were in high school, it was also the school song for Henning. I remember being in the JHS gym for a District 22 playoff game between Henning and Glenwood, and when the Henning band started playing their song, all the Alex fans stood up and started singing the words to our song. The singing kind of fizzled out when people began to realize that it was being played for the Hornets, not the Cardinals.
George Schultz
JHS '67

Trailboss sez: Yeah, you're right. I managed to erase that from my memory. Henning took us out in District 22 playoffs when they were the state powerhouse in the mid-60s, thanks to the Towering Peterson Twins who dominated the region for five years.
And thanks for the contribution, "Propwash". It's the only thing that keeps these lonely sites going. My sister, Linda, a pal of your brother, Roger, (Lou the Toe) says Hi. She was at the house for hot dish last night. We talked about your respective stage careers. Really, we did, it came up over salad. How's the family? Marie? Judy sees our mother occasionally at the Clearwater Suites.