Tom Collier

Susan (Karst) Washburn passed away today (12/16). Our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to Pat Washburn and the family for this sudden and heart breaking loss.

Pat and Susan had planned to be at our house this evening for a Christmas gathering of the "card group" (classmates and friends) - and I know how much Susan had wanted to attend, after having been "house ridden" while fighting a serious infection recently.

Her laughter will be missed by all of us.

Sherre Baker (Winkle)

My deepest sympathy to Pat and their families. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. 

Cheryl Unruh (Ferris)

So sorry to hear this - our deep condolences to Pat and the family for your loss.  Cheryl (Unruh) Ferris and my family at Marshall Furniture (Jack, Donna, Steve & LaNae Unruh)

Nancy Cravens (Hillman)

So sad to hear of Susan's death.  Pat will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Vicki Daily (Chambers)

So very sorry to hear of Susan's death.  Prayers for Pat at this sad time.

Tom Collier

Just a wish for Christmas . . . .

and a recipe (because we always include a recipe in our Christmas cards).

Be Well -

Tom C.

*************************************************************

AMISH SUGAR COOKIES

~ A good, simple addition to your “drop” cookie recipes ~

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 10 min. Bake: 10 min./batch

MAKES: 30 servings - about 5 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened (regular, salted)
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 &1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter, oil and sugars. Beat in eggs until well blended. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture.
2. Drop by small teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Bill Boyd

You guys still have the breakfast get-together at Breadbasket?  Second Saturday?

Tom Collier

BILL -

YEP!

To clarify - Class Breakfast is every 2nd Saturday - BUT, if you (or any classmate) is going to be in town at a different time, then PLEASE let us know, and we can make other arrangements to fit YOUR schedule (breakfast, dinner, or just a get together).

Arlys Kessler (Nilles)

Weather & health permitting, I plan to be at Saturday's breakfast at the Bread Basket. Hope to get updates on Bill Boyd, Darla Klassen, Carol Little's husband.

Bill Boyd

I've been remiss... 

Here's an update:  I went to the surgical oncologist at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem shortly after my last post.  He wasn't happy with the quality of the CT Scan, so he ordered an MRI of my liver.  When he got those results, he still didn't see anything.  So the lesion in my liver has shrunk to nothing (although there are probably some pesky little cells floating about in there).  No surgery required.  Keep watching.

I went back to my oncologist in Statesville, and she checked with the Radiation Therapy people who think that the spot in my lung is too small even for targeted therapy.  I did two more cycles of chemo, and will have more scans in a couple of weeks.

Oh, and I'm getting used to being bald, too.  It's easier to remember to wear a hat, when it's cold, now.  I'm working on the theatre artistic director.  Maybe we'll do "Annie" next year.

Roger Morton

This is great news, Bill!  It sounds like the outcome could not be better. 

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Happy Birthday Mike Roberts! Hope you are having a great day.  I hope all is well with you and your family and that you have a wonderful year blessed with good health and happiness.  God bless you and your family.

Terry Bernowich Schmitz

Darla Klassen (Drosselmeyer)

Bill, This sounds like great news! I have been thinking of you. What a journey - You have handled it with such a positive attitude. You would make an awesome Daddy Warbucks! Hope that happens for you. I also have good news. My CT scan shows no cancer at the present time- Yahoo! I have my next round of chemo this coming week. After that, I will be on a maintenance program- treatment every 3 months for 2-3 years. So it looks like I will go into retirement cancer free.  76 more actual teaching days left- but who's counting! 👍

Rich Martinez (Martinez)

Bill Boyd

That sounds wonderful, Darla.  I was wondering about you, too.  Sounds like the best news of all!  Someone else remarked about my "attitude" recently.  I have to say that it's not really a conscious choice.  There are too many things I want to do for me to sit and wait to get sicker.  Enjoy your retirement.  And I'm not holding my breath on Daddy Warbucks.  There are four extremely talented men (besides me) with no hair at that theatre.

Mike Roberts

Tom I wanted to thank you posting the song Honey. When I saw it I remembered from back in 68 and it didn't remind me of High School it reminded me of my Mom who I miss very much because it was her favorite song. I remember one day in 68 and told me that she loved the song and it was a all time favorite. Its funny how things remind you of your parents and that is a good thing. Thanks again Tom.

Joyce Putnam (Hockett)

Classmates, forgive me for being so remiss in not responding to all your posts to date. Currently I find myself with more free time and have gone back to the beginning of the website and am reviewing all of the posts. Since I am an avid genealogist, I am realizing what a wealth of information has been created though this median. I would remind and encourage all of you to share and record all of your stories and memories not just here, but for your children and future descendants, and for historians of the future. We all learn from the history of our ancestors, and someday others may learn from us! Isn't it somewhat scarry and yet amazing to think we will be someone else's ancestors? But back to the present. I do appreciate being able to read about everyone's activities, joys and concerns. So please keep up the posting, and know that sharing and remembering is a real blessing to all. Thanks. Joyce

Bill Boyd

Excellent point!  It would seem some of the best history lessons could be from things that were written down by someone who was NOT thinking "I better write that down for history."

EIGHT WEEKS OFF!  My oncologist isn't even going to do scans until March 13th.  I'll see her again on March 15th to determine what will happen next (based on the PET scan she has scheduled).  I'm feeling great, right now, although I'm not getting as much exercise as I should. I need to be more intentional about that.

Thanks for thoughts & prayers. 

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Bill, enjoy your eight weeks off! You deserve it! I hope it will turn into more than eight weeks!

Joyce, so nice to hear from you!

Carol Little (Blake)

Bill, that's great news! We celebrate with you and Darla, hearing how things are looking so good.  You're right, Joyce, keep telling those stories and recording them as well. I enjoyed seeing Joyce at Christmas and we enjoyed recalling a friendship that dated back to our nursery days in Sunday School!  Each of us has a story and shouldn't be shy about telling and sharing it.  My news is good too, my husband Ron continues to recover and about the only traces of his brain injury are his fatigue (improving) and occasional searching for words, much like someone who's had a stroke.  Celebrate every day, every friend and family member!  

Connie Hale (Rhodes)

Bill,

Sorry I've been out of the loop for about a year now... trying to do better.

Are you still coming this month?   Friday May 5th  through 11th

Connie

Bill Boyd

Connie (et al). I am not going to be there this month. I don't know when (if) I will get back. Rhonda's Daddy lives with us right now, and just had a light stroke. He had some serious blockage in his carotid artery   They did surgery Monday. His eldest son came to take care of him and went into A-fib on Monday night. So now there are 2 Roy B. Claytons in the hospital. We are exhausted  

As far as my health goes, there has been no change. I go monthly to have my port-a-cath flushed out and do blood work. I see the oncologist again in June. 

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Sorry to hear all that has been going on with you. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Don't forget to take care of yourself!

Bill Boyd

Thanks, Terry.

Darla Klassen (Drosselmeyer)

Bill,  My thoughts are with you. I know that, with all that is happening in your life right now, it is hard to take care of yourself. But....take care of yourself! You are one brave soul. Keep knowing that there are folks out there to help. I go back in June to my oncologist. So far...so good.  I am still trying to keep those 7th graders under control !  Know I am thinking of you.