Bill Reeves was fitted for a prosthesis last week and will start physical therapy as soon as he’s able to walk on his new foot. He hopes to be driving again as soon as he gets approval from his doctor and the DMV. While he was waiting for his surgical incision to heal Bill had a wall display made showcasing his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Pee Wee called me last week to tell me that she is getting married on July 18 to Larry Smith of Grants Pass, Oregon and she asked me to share this great news with her classmates.
Pee Wee met Larry in church where he has been a church elder for the past 17 years. Since then their friendship has grown through their involvement in the church ministry. Pee Wee said that when they first started dating she told Larry that she was not looking for a husband– that she was happy with her life and very content being single and warned him, “so don’t get any ideas– I just want to be friends.” Well… after a year of being “friends” and a year of dating, followed by another year of dating while she considered his marriage proposal (she wanted to be sure), she finally said yes. By the time she accepted, she had fallen madly in love with him, saying, “Larry is the nicest man I have ever known and I want to spend the rest of my life with him.” Pee Wee promised to write a story about how their relationship evolved, which I plan to include in a future newsletter. By-the-way, for any of you hoping to marry again someday, this is proof positive that patience and perseverance pay off.
Here is a copy of their wedding announcement that was published in the church bulletin. Pee Wee asked me to tell classmates that it’s going to be a very small wedding with just her family and his family in attendance and the parishioners, since the ceremony will take place during the regular Sunday service. The following wedding invitation is meant for members of her church only, but she will send me photos and possibly a videotape of the wedding that I will share with classmates.
In the meantime, please leave your comments to Pee Wee at the end of this post. You may send cards to the happy couple at 294 Penny Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527.
Congratulations Pee Wee! You are a very special and wonderful person– beautiful both inside and out. You deserve the best and I’m sooo happy for you!
John Baumann & Janice Quick Ashborn checking out a hotel for our reunion
Our reunion committee met on June 5 to “get the ball rolling” for our 50th reunion that will take place in the Fall of 2011. Between now and the end of 2010 the committee will be looking for a venue that will suit our needs, placing emphasis on proximity to an airport, hotel amenities, cost, availability, nearby activities and food service.
Wasting no time, we started the meeting by visiting a hotel in Dana Point that would possibly satisfy most of our requirements, except that the hotel is not located near a major airport, which could be a problem for out-of-town classmates. We will keep you posted as we get closer to making a decision. Also, we’re open for suggestions, so if you know of a hotel that you think would be suitable for our reunion, please leave your comments below and we’ll check it out.
To view photos of the reunion committee meeting BBQ click on the following link: http://flickr.com/gp/9806517@N03/j7q955
Bill Reeves’ surgery was a success and he just found out that he may be able to go home on Friday, if all goes well and the Physical Therapy team releases him. He’s been building strength in his upper body so that he’ll be able to manuever the wheelchair that he’ll have to use for the next few weeks while his foot heals.
Bill wants to thank all of you for the cards, phone calls and visits. As some of you know, it can get pretty lonely in the hospital, especially for lengthy stays.
He is going to need some help with transportation for a while, so if any of you live near Vista, California and are available to drive him to and from medical appointments, Bill would really appreciate your help. In the meantime, let’s keep him in our thoughts and prayers.
You can reach Bill on his cell phone at 760-295-9655.
On May 22-23 Azusa Aztecs Class of 1961 held its semi-annual golf tournament. Bob O’Connor hosted the Palm Desert tournament with help from Richard Montes and Richard Rubio. Of course their spouses did most of the work– preparing meals, greeting classmates and making sure everyone was comfortable. Thank you Patty O’Connor, Joy Rubio and Rose Montes! The Saturday afternoon BBQ was moved indoors because after a good hour of lighting matches and jiggling tanks and cables, none of the men could figure out how to light the outdoor BBQ– that is, until Chuck Hardin read the instructions. It helps to have a techno nerd in the group. Adding to the fun, Bob O’Connor jumped into the hot tub with the tournament lineup in his pocket, so players had to wait a while for the paper to dry out before they could find out what teams they were on. Anyway, the food was good and the company, fantastic!
The tournament was held the next day at the Shadow Ridge Golf Course in Palm Desert. Butch Lightfoot, who drove from Phoenix, Arizona, was and is one of our best players. His teammate, Joanne Srack Mead, the only woman who played, twice beat Butch and Richard Rubio in her long putts (I witnessed it and caught it on video)– Yeah Joanne!Also caught on tape was Bob O’Connor using his foot as a putter at one of the final holes.
Bob gave me my own cart since I was taking photos and video of the tournament. The only mishap came when I accidently put my foot on the gas pedal (electric, really) instead of the brake and ended up almost giving Sonny Rau whiplash as I rear ended his cart. Luckily he wasn’t hurt.
It got a little windy and cold the last few holes, but everyone managed to finish, despite interference from tumbleweeds blowing across the fairway. Chuck Hardin’s team placed first and Roger Whiteley’s team placed second. Chuck, Roger and Dave Hartley (who drove down from Oregon) all received individual prizes at the awards ceremony with Chuck and Dave getting the most unusual prizes.
At the awards ceremony and dinner following the tournament I managed (with Chuck’s help) to display the photos and video I shot on the big screen TV for everyone to see. Richard Montes’ running commentary was priceless!
To see photos of the tournament and BBQ click on the following link: http://flickr.com/gp/9806517@N03/w4k055
And please feel free to leave a comment below.
How many of our classmates can you name in this old photo of the Girl Scout Follies?
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Here’s another photo provided by Sharon Hunt-Carden. Do you recognize anyone in the photo? Comments are encouraged and welcome.
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Here’s another photo provided by Sharon Hunt-Carden. Do you recognize anybody in Mrs. Phillips’ 5th grade class at Riley School? Comments are encouraged and welcome.
If you’d like to post a comment, click on “comments” at the bottom of this message. Scroll down past comments others have written until you reach the “Leave a reply” form. Enter your name and email address on the form and write your message in the box. When your finished, click “Submit Comment” and your message will be posted.
The above photo was supplied by Sharon Hunt-Carden. Thanks, Sharon. How many classmates can you identify?
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Corky Justice passed away Sunday March 21, 2010 at 5:00 pm with her husband Bob and children at her side. She had been hospitalized for nearly two weeks and had been heavily sedated. Corky had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in December 2009. Corky was a valued member of our class reunion committee. Always a positive helpful supporter of our class and our activities, Corky will be deeply missed by us as well as her family and other friends. Condolences can be sent to her husband, Bob Justice, 605 Hannah Ave, Exeter, CA 93221.
A short service will be held at Bob’s home (address above) on Saturday, March 27th at 3:00 pm. Following the service Bob has offered his home for a memorial service party in memory of Corky and her zest for life. This party was her wish. Please call Bob to RSVP at 559 592-2191 so he can get a count on people in order to provide chairs and refreshments. If you have further questions, please contact me at 619 466-7949. Janice
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Azusa High 1961 Blog 
