Hi-Life II Vol IX #12 Dec 2011

8/3/2019 Hi-Life II Vol IX #12 Dec 2011

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An update from our

fearless leader

Ed Heinlein

This will be the shortest email in the history of America and the World. (later events have

proved this statement to be untrue.) These are my three wishes:

(1) Vivian is gonna be surgeried upon this morning. (Wed., Dec.14) My first wish and prayer

is for a safe operation and a successful outcome.(2) I wish all our ailing Classmates and their family and friends would heal completely and

promptly.

(3) My last wish is kind of a hoot. This wish involves one of Marilyns gkids, Chad Hays,who is in his first year teaching math in Jasper, a small town in southwest Missouri. An

old foggy teacher came up to Chad and accused him of being the only teacher in the

school who wore ties every day. Chad replied that he would continue to do so, as he

wanted to be a good example for the kids.

The story got me thinking about an old tradition that I started with my old law firm.

Every December, each of the lawyers in the firm wore a different Christmas tie each day

from Dec 1 until we closed for the holiday.

I also learned that Chads tie wardrobe numbered 5 ties. So I have since sent him 4 ties:

3 Christmas and a special one for Valentines Day. He apparently loves the idea of

extending his tie collection. So my third wish is that those of us who used to wear ties

on a regular basis should go NOW and pick out the best tie you own and no longer use

and send it to Chad, noting that the tie comes from the BEST Class EVER. It will be a real

hoot!

Actually, I do have one more wish. Noting that December 31 is fast upon us, I wish that

every one of us would join the Club 57, and donate $57 to the Classs scholarship fund

so you may take advantage of the tax break this year. More on this next time, but

please consider making the donation now.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

P.S. Chads mailing address is: Chad Hays, 463 Fieldcrest, Pittsburg, KS 66762


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Christmas Downtown Lee's Summit 1930's

December 24, 2010, Lees Summit Tribune

By Kathy Smith

Downtown Lee's Summit 30'sPhoto Courtesy of Kathy Smith

Looking at historic photos of Lees Summit is a wonderful experience. I think about the folks who traveled the

downtown streets I travel every day. It is fun to reflect on the shops, the merchandise and the great merchants which

have always made our downtown come alive during Christmas. The Lees Summit Historical Society has a few

photos of our great downtown that were taken by Dwight Miller, father of the beautiful Helen Miller Martin. Dwight was

the owner of a local newspaper and a jack of all trades. He took some wonderful photos that have transcended time.

Whether it is a fire scene or a great view of the buildings downtown, his photographic eye was great and its easy toconjure up various time periods just from looking at his photographs. The 1930s, for example, was a time before

WWII and life was fairly simple in this thriving farming community. The decorations in the business district were all the

rage. Festoons (I love that word) of glittery rope were strung across the street from one building to another. The same

festoons decorated what few lights there were downtown. Two large Santa figures completed the festive decorations.

One was located on a gas station at 3rd and Douglas and the other on a building on the corner of North Main and SW

Third. The downtown merchants funded the decorations. A big town parade was going to be held two days before

Christmas. I can imagine the children of that time being giddy with anticipation. A recent snowfall of two inches

coated the streets and sidewalks, completing the Norman Rockwell-like picture of our downtown. It was a time when

the city had a shortage of water. With no local water source, the city used to have water delivered to a site such as

the Old Mill, which was located on the corner of 4th and SE Main. There was also a pond at this location that was the

local ice skating rink for kids.

As far as what Santa would bringtimes were lean. The Great Depression didnt hit this area until the 1930s. Farmkids would have received homemade items that their moms or grandmothers made. The gift could be a dress made

out of feed sacks or a special scarf or beautiful quilt. Real stockings which were hung on the mantel moved as the

flames in the fireplace danced and created a waft of warm air that filled the room.

Toys that little kids dreamed of were in the Sears or Montgomery Wards catalogs. Kids would mark the pages of the

colorful catalogs called wish books. Popular games of the day were Monopoly, Sorry and Scrabble. I am sure that

Chinese Checkers was in the mix as well. The 3D Viewmaster was a hit of the day for adults and kids alike. Kids

dreamed of the Flexible Flyer sleds that could race down the hills that dotted the countryside. In the downtown, the

hill on SW Third towards the railroad tracks was a favorite of town kids. Electric trains would have been a dream

come true for some kids. City kids were the most likely to get the store-bought toys which filled the windows of the

downtown stores.

When families came to town on Saturday to buy supplies and a few groceries, the farm kids would walk the sidewalksin wonder and awe. Stores stocked with colorful ribbon candy, candy canes and those neat filled candies that only

appear at Christmas beckoned the children. If the father of the family had steady work, then Christmas would be

great but if Dad had lost his job it would have been a difficult time. On Christmas morning, the excitement of pulling

down the stockings and digging through the candy to look for the orange that was a staple of all Christmas stockings

was an exciting event. Kids of that era are in their eighties now. The Christmases of those days may be forgotten but

they are a part of who they are. It was a simple time back then. In this day and age of cell phones, IPads, video

games and all of the distractions of this century, I think we could all use a dose of those old-fashioned days.


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and Christmas Downtown Lee's Summit 2011

Mayors Christmas Tree lighting ceremony

Friday, November 18, 2011

The crowd waits for the lighting and Santa! Santa arrives in a fire truckLOTS of people!! (photos taken from the Downtown Lees Summit Facebook album)

I couldnt resist sharing this one with you. It came to me on Facebook and I HAD to pass it

on . . .

A Nativity Scene was erected in a church yard. During the night, someone came across this. An abandoned dogwas looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep. She chose baby Jesus as her comfort. No one had the heartto send her away, so she was there all night. We should all have the good sense of this dog and curl up in Jesus lapfrom time to time. This is too sweet not to share. No one mentioned that the dog breed is shepherd.Looks just like our dog, GeeGee, that we had for 13 yrs. She was our first baby and raised

our kids for us! So very appropriate that she's lying in the lap of Jesus. Shes just trying to

protect him.

GeeGee with

Kelly, our first child,

now 47 yrs old!


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Obituary

GRAHAM, JOHN "JACK" II [husband of Pat (Callahan 57) Graham]

Age 75, of West Mifflin, formerly of Vero Beach, FL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family onNovember 26, 2011. Beloved husband of Mary Patricia Graham; loving father of Cary (Dr. Dale) Fletcher

of Chesterfield, MO, Kristy (James) Merritt of Manchester, CT, and John "Jocko" (Jana) Graham ofJefferson Hills; proud grandfather of Alexander, Adam and Hannah Fletcher, Benjamin and Jacob Merritt,

Andrew, Annmarie, and Katherine Graham; son of the late William J. Graham and Eleanor Schad Graham.Jack was the past Chairman and CEO of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, a retired Captain in theAir Force, an avid pilot, and sportsman, who loved the outdoors. Visitation will be on Monday from 4-6

p.m. and Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, INC., 301 Curry HollowRd., Pleasant Hills. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas

a'Becket Church. Inurnment will be at Jefferson Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributionsmay be made to theAlzheimer's Association, 1100 Liberty Ave. Ste E-201, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or to theAmerican Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15205. Send condolences at post-

gazette.com/gb (or Pats current address is 1200 Village Lane, West Mifflin, PA 15122)

And from the mailbox . . .First, a report and pics of the Colorado gtg on Thurs, Nov.17

th, from Barb (Fann) Lewallen

Garry and the Colorado Gals (plus their spouses) gathered last Thursday and had a great time eating and

talking, in that order. We are a group of travelers and this was a chance to catch up on where we have

been and the plans for the next year. Jack Place was a Coloradoan when we met the first time so Garry

gave him a call and we took turns talking with him. It was good to include him in the festivities.

We hope to be able to plan for the summer get together earlier next year so other classmates may plan

to meet with us. This summer went by so quickly that all at once Thanksgiving is here. What happened

to September and October? Have a blessed Thanksgiving. Barb Lewallen

Judy(Yeaman) DeTar-Hicks, Eve (Cook) Hoygaard, Barb (Fann) Lewellen, Garry Garrison . . .

(I LOVE Garrys shirt!!) . . . and spouses
http://media2.legacy.com/adlink/5306/1490001/0/3380/AdId=1103284;BnId=1;itime=411573493;ku=1192518;key=ALZ;nodecode=yes;link=https:/act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5080&5080.donation=form1&set.TributeType=MEMORIAL&set.custom.honoree_name=JOHN%20GRAHAM&set.TributeMessage=A+gift+has+been+made+in+remembrance+of+JOHN%20GRAHAMhttp://media2.legacy.com/adlink/5306/1490001/0/3380/AdId=1103284;BnId=1;itime=411573493;ku=1192518;key=ALZ;nodecode=yes;link=https:/act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5080&5080.donation=form1&set.TributeType=MEMORIAL&set.custom.honoree_name=JOHN%20GRAHAM&set.TributeMessage=A+gift+has+been+made+in+remembrance+of+JOHN%20GRAHAMhttp://media2.legacy.com/adlink/5306/1490001/0/3380/AdId=1103284;BnId=1;itime=411573493;ku=1192518;key=ALZ;nodecode=yes;link=https:/act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5080&5080.donation=form1&set.TributeType=MEMORIAL&set.custom.honoree_name=JOHN%20GRAHAM&set.TributeMessage=A+gift+has+been+made+in+remembrance+of+JOHN%20GRAHAMhttp://media2.legacy.com/adlink/5306/1490001/0/3380/AdId=1103286;BnId=1;itime=411573545;ku=1192175;key=ACS;nodecode=yes;link=https:/www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/Legacy/index?dn=mem&fn=JOHN&ln=GRAHAMhttp://media2.legacy.com/adlink/5306/1490001/0/3380/AdId=1103286;BnId=1;itime=411573545;ku=1192175;key=ACS;nodecode=yes;link=https:/www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/Legacy/index?dn=mem&fn=JOHN&ln=GRAHAMhttp://media2.legacy.com/adlink/5306/1490001/0/3380/AdId=1103286;BnId=1;itime=411573545;ku=1192175;key=ACS;nodecode=yes;link=https:/www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/Legacy/index?dn=mem&fn=JOHN&ln=GRAHAMhttp://media2.legacy.com/adlink/5306/1490001/0/3380/AdId=1103284;BnId=1;itime=411573493;ku=1192518;key=ALZ;nodecode=yes;link=https:/act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5080&5080.donation=form1&set.TributeType=MEMORIAL&set.custom.honoree_name=JOHN%20GRAHAM&set.TributeMessage=A+gift+has+been+made+in+remembrance+of+JOHN%20GRAHAM


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Our friends light up our lives!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love, Dean and Marilyn Pruyn

Gerald and I would like to send our Christmas blessings to you! As we get busy getting ready for Christ's birthday,

let us not forget what we are celebrating. May the true love of Christmas enter your heart this year and may you

spread peace to all you meet. From our house to yours love, joy, and peace. Mary Ann and Gerald Morie

This has been a fast year for sure. Lots of sadness and happiness. Sadness is we lost our dear dear friend Fred and

happiness is our health (mine is so so but at least we have it) My Mom always said if you don't have your health

you don't really have anything. I had a dear friend in Alabama lose her daughter in a car wreck last month and she

isn't doing too well at all. They were the best of friends and it will be a long time for her to recover the loss if youever do. We were neighbors in Atlanta when we were married to our first spouses and used to play cards till early

morning hours when our husbands were out of town. Her daughter was the same age as my youngest.

Tom's brother will be here this weekend and will stay 3-4 days. This year my boys will be here with us. First time

in a long time we have all been together. Of course, Russ (my oldest) is now a single guy so it will be he and

Amanda, Rick and Lily and tom and I.

Want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May 2012 be a good year for us all. Take

care, MargaretOffen

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! And a very Happy New Year. I think we're about due for some good times again.Thank God for all we have and our health and still good looks? LOLLOL Love you guys and gals, Pat Damsgard

Hoglund Later, received another message from Pat Hoglund . . .

Carol Doran (Jim's wife) was here for a few days. Loren was working so she and I sat around the dining room table

and shared memories and Kleenex and it was very nice and comforting. He's been gone since June 7 and it just

doesn't seem possible. He's at peace tho, so that's a good thing. He had so much to go thru. Carol met some

girlfriends at the RiverWalk and saw the new led lights and they were spectacular. Did a little shopping at River

Center Mall too. Would like to have done the boat ride but it was too darned cold and windy!

Hope you are all well - maybe even fat and sassy! It's C O L D down here in sunny, hot Texas! They were even

talking about snow. Yeah, right. I'd just settle for rain! Our weather report is for 28 degrees in the next few

days. Yikes! I had to go out and buy a coat! Saw two guys in shorts at Wally World. People are really crazy.

Luv ya, Pat Damsgard Hoglund

Merry CHRISTMAS! to the classes of 57 & 58 !!! Love, Helen Sylvester Mueller

Merry Christmas to you and yours. Luv, Pat (Callahan) Graham


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For all my pals and gals in the class of '57 (and '55,'56, '58 and '59),

MY last Christmas? Maybe so, maybe not. You never really realize what you had, and maybe still have, until you'repast the point of technicolor memories and have a decided case of melancholy ruminations. So it is with me. I know

I've been fortunate enough to have led, at least to my ego, a most interesting life. My career has placed me for ayear or more each in Kansas City, Denver, Washington, DC, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Iended the lap here in Pittsburgh. For shorter periods I lived in Des Moines and New Orleans. I moved so manytimes I had zippers on my furniture. Today I have the love of a remarkable woman and that's the best part of mylife right now. At least she tolerates me. Over my 45 years in the radio biz I've been acknowledged by my industrypeers with numerous broadcasting awards. I've met and spent time with major figures of the day including RonaldReagan, James Michener, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, the Beatles, the Beach Boys and scores of otherluminaries. I've traveled as the guest of the Pittsburgh Steelers to their first four Super Bowls, all victories. Iwas there at the creation of the Terrible Towel for the Steelers and I was responsible for the infamous Thanksgivingturkey drop later reenacted on the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati. I've attended nearly every major sporting event inthe country including Super Bowls, World Series, Final Fours and Stanley Cups and have put my fanny inside mostmajor arenas and stadiums coast to coast. I never cry over the "what ifs" in life but I do shed an occasional tearwondering where it all went and why so quickly. In our lifetimes we've witnessed things that were unthinkable even25 years ago, things like portable cell phones the size of a pack of cigarettes, high-def, big screen TVs, satellite maps

in our cars and cruise ships the size of Peoria, Illinois. We've seen our politicians more incompetent and corrupt thanour forefathers might believe. And I must mention high school buddies who are now fat and bald (I have my share ofwrinkles, too). An old Hindu saying goes, "In the first 30 years of your life you make your habits." I'll paraphrasethat a bit to say, "For the next 30 years of your life your habits make you, and for your last 30 years you questionit all...the purpose of life, your relationships, personal and professional, those roads not taken and, most importantlyof all: What's next?" I spose we'll see soon enough, won't we? But I pray...not THAT soon!

My Christmas wish is for each of you to know just how much you've meant to me over the years and especially thisyear of turmoil for me and Karen. It won't ever be forgotten by me. I'm most grateful for your thoughts and prayersthat were responsible for helping me through this year. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And, of course, Icouldn't have done it without Karen. I know this year was a major trauma for her but she stood by me every minuteof every day. God bless her. While I'm not out of the woods just yet and am facing radiation treatments beforeChristmas I just know that God has a hand on my shoulder. My fantastic doctor/surgeon said it quite well lastweek: "...You're still here, aren't you?" A year ago he didn't think I'd be celebrating this season. Ah, ha...it's hard

to keep this Angel down. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who, with moi, had a blast at the originalLee's Summit High School. Ted Atkins, Pittsburgh, PA

Wishing each and every one of you a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year. AND a healthy year. Seems as

we grow older our health becomes an important part of our lives. And I HATE the phrase "it is just part of the aging

process"!! This has been a challenging year for me but overall, it has been a good year. The last week of May I was

invited to go to Indiana with one of my daughters and her husband for a week. It was a work week but it was

enjoyable to spend time with them. They live in Texas and I don't see much of them. They own a house in Indiana

which they needed to do some work on. Their oldest son and his family had been living there - so cleanup time was

required.

The first of October I was invited again by my daughter to go to Colorado Springs to visit their youngest son and his

family. That was a great visit and especially since I hadn't seen their baby (my 18th great grand baby). One of our

trips was to take the Cog train to the top of Pike's peak. It was cold the day we went but it was an enjoyable trip,

although I would have preferred staying at the little town at the base of the peak. The ride was disappointing in the

fact that we didn't see any animals - like sheep. This year has been a bad year for drought conditions. It was too hot

to really do anything even grow anything. My garden burned up and there are no pecans on the trees this year. The

pear tree did make but the fruit is about 1/3 the size it should be.

Again, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Rowena Garner


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I received this suggestion from several classmates Pat (Damsgard) Hoglund, Vicki (Hurlock)

Rittman, Larry Beary (hope I didnt miss anyone; good idea!) . . .

Something to consider.... 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with

monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense ofAmerican labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for otherAmericans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced byAmerican hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chineseproduced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hairsalon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washeswould love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on a Chinesemade flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for thesummer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancyeatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't aboutbig National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on theline to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by theAmerican working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repairbusiness up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit theminto scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, howabout going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When youbuy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks toburn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glitteringcity. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging

away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, andthe benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.


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OR, another great suggestion from Santa . . .

Happy Holidays everyone. We hope you all have a safe and fun time with your families and we wish you

a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are keeping warm with all this COLD weather and hope

everyone else is too. With love, Carol & Cecil

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2012 to LSHS'57 classmates!

This has been a quiet year for Bill and me due in part to his health issues ( back pain is not good!) butwe are looking forward to more travel in 2012. I think I need a "sun break" soon! Like someplace with

palm trees! We are no longer camping as we gave our 4-w drive pickup/camper to Bill's son/family.They will enjoy and use it.

The Fall Colorado GTG was most enjoyable. Even though we do not see each other often, the friendshipscontinue. Staying in touch with others on Facebook is fun as well.

We will be staying in town for Christmas and look forward to Bill's granddaughter spending a week withus. She is a freshman in college and we are looking for "fun stuff" to do while she is here from NorthernIdaho. I hope you all enjoy whatever activities you have planned. Eve Hoygaard

Last, but definitely not least, Carl and I send all of you our best wishes for averyMERRY CHRISTMAS and a healthy, prosperous andHAPPY NEW YEAR!Were looking forward to 2012. Marilyn Williams


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Doo Wop Answers: 21. (b) Bully 22. (c) peepin' in a seafood store 23. (b) cause there ain't no curefor the summertime blues 24. (a) Mr. Earl 25. (b) butt 26. (c) ding a ling 27. (b) she's my baby28. (a) right here 29. (c) motorcycle boots 30. (c) Boney Maroney

Classmates birthdays coming in January . . .

Jan. 2Theresa (Rice) MehrerJan. 3Mary Lynn Willis

Jan. 5Gary Clark

Jan. 6Jean (Lush) Staub

Jan. 7Judy (Kuhar) Montgomery

Jim Davis

Jan. 10Edna (Polston) Vinzant

Jan. 16Bill TurnerJan. 20Paul Coverdell (deceased)

Jan. 23Kenneth Barr (deceased)

Jan. 24Barbara Mulkey (deceased)

Jan. 25Alice (Owens) Daniel

Jan. 26Judy Chrisman (deceased)

Jan. 31Roland Koch (deceased)

Submit yournews to . . . Marilyn (Prewitt) Williams . . after having a very2813 NE Kendallwood Pkwy #4

Gladstone, MO 64119(816)437-9422; cell (620)224-6623

[email protected]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PAUL D. COVERDELL CLASS OF 1957 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND DONATION

Donor Information Name ___________________________________ Class Year _______

Street___________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ____________________________________________

Phone ______________ Email Address __________________________

Please make your tax-deductible check payable to: Coverdell Scholarship Fund

In Memory Of______________________ Comments:________________________________

[ ] Check is enclosed [ ] Payment by Credit Card: Amount $__________________

Card #________________ Card Type__________________ Exp.Date___________

Signature ____________________________________________________________

Mail to: LS Educational Fdn, 301 NE Tudor Rd, Lees Summit, MO 64086-5702

Hi-Life II Vol IX #12 Dec 2011

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