Veronica Camargo

Bill Boyd

Thanks, all for your wishes, thoughts and prayers.  I wish I could be there.  I don't know how many cancers are represented in our class, but if anyone wants to acknowledge and support cancer awareness, wear a ribbon for each cancer.  Lung cancer is clear or pearl white.

Carol Little (Blake)

Bill, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so low, and wish you could make it to the reunion! Know that we'll be missing you and thinking of you! You'll be in my prayers and hoping for a good recovery. That's great that you'll be closer to your daughter, and enjoying a new climate! Take care, hold on to the good cells and lose those bad ones. xxx

Maureen Koehn (Fast)

Bill, count me in for prayers of support as you navigate the C road.  I have been involved with four people in the family with cancer since Christmas and know that your challenge  is daunting.  Praying for your faith to remain strong, relief of pain and coping, the uncertainty you feel, and your loving choice to spend time with your daughter.  You are so talented and I pray you get back to the stage again so the lucky audience can enjoy you in performance. 

Reenie (Koehn) Fast

Roger Morton

Bill, we will miss you at the reunion but it’s wise to stay home right now. I’ve been praying for you since your cancer was first diagnosed and will continue to do so. Your sense of humor and good attitude are great weapons and I hope you can continue at the improv. Blessings to you and Rhonda. 

Robert Hurley

Martin Libhart

Within the last few days, several have asked about dress (i.e. coat & tie, etc.) for the reunion, particularly the Saturday evening gathering. The Saturday evening dinner and musical entertainment is not a “coat and tie” affair. While there may be someone who desires to do so, it is not expected. (Personally, when I retired 7 years ago, I decided to “permanently’ retire coats and ties - with the exception of funerals and weddings :)  I have just touched base with several classmates today to confirm this before posting, and all agreed, indicating that they do NOT plan to wear a coat/tie any of the 3 days. 

Looking forward to seeing those who are coming for our 50th Reunion!

Martin

Carol Little (Blake)

I’d pay for a cake, or help pay for one, if you want to order one locally, Bob. Let me know how you want to work it out! 

Arlys Kessler (Nilles)

I volunteer to take care of getting the cake. I’ll order it from Brenda Turner in Newton.  She makes wonderful cakes for birthdays at Newton Presbyterian Manor.  

Martin Libhart

For those of you attending the reunion, here is information on the Thursday location (Stroud's Restaurant in north Wichita), and the Friday location (Grace Hill Winery near Whitewater).

For Stroud's, easiest route from Newton is: I-135 south to the Park City exit, then east to Hillside, then south on Hillside to Stroud's, which is at the southwest corner of 37th & Hillside.

Grace Hill Winery is a little over a mile west of Whitewater. (For those that are 'directionally-challenged", if you get to Whitewater...you've gone too far!!) From Newton take I-135 south to K-196, proceed east on K-196 to Grace Hill Rd., turn left on Grace Hill Rd., then proceed north less than a mile to the winery.

Robert Hurley

Brenda Drake (Anderson)

Thank Martin regarding the coat and tie.  I won't wear one since most aren't.  

Kim Saylor

David Hay and I will be wearing shorts to all the venues so if the mood strikes you please come join our splinter group. Everyone is welcome - we don't judge. Let's be comfortable.

Barbara Gabel (Gabel)

Thanks Martin for posting the address and direction to our venues. No w/ help from Google Maps I'll be able to find the gang!!

Roger Morton

I guess I’ll restore my top hat and tails to the cedar closet. 

Tom Clyne

What are these 2 things of which you speak, coat and tie, Coats are for keeping warm in Iowa, I have no idea what ties are for! Looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple weeks. I understand there will be a lot of older people there, hope we have name tags!!!  Tom

Martin Libhart

Tom.....we have your name tag ready for you.  -Martin

Bill Boyd

I previously mentioned an improv performance at the Blumenthal Center in Charlotte.  Well...I made it.  I expected it to be one of our usual performances...act stupid...say dumb stuff...create wild and crazy scenarios...get laughs...go home.  Well......first of all, The Blumenthal is THE performance venue for the Carolina's and competes well with venues in Georgia and Virginia.  It covers two city blocks and has a number of theatres and concert spaces.  We were in the "Stage Door Theatre" which is what you might call a "black box" or experiemental theatre.  It's a BIG black box because it seats 200+.  It was sold out.  That was enough for me, but we were introduced right behind a long-form group and I was the last one called on stage. Right behind my name I heard in a chant rising from from the audience...."Bill...Bill...Bill..."  I was sure they wanted to pay up and leave, but no, they were chanting my name.  I don't know 200 people, let alone in Charlotte.  When I was called on for one of the three games I played, it happened again.  "Bill...Bill...Bill..."  I guess that's where I was going. 

If anyone is near Charlotte in Early September, they will have a "festival" of comedy:  four days of improv, sketch, and stand-up...a lot of it family friendly (unusal)...THE QUEEN CITY COMEDY EXPERIENCE.  (https://blumenthalarts.org.) It will be in the Stage Door.  I won't be there, but the senior (and I do mean senior) short-form improv group will be there:  SOCIAL INSECURITY.  You can find us (them) on the internet, too.  And our (their) home is at Acting Out Studio.  I love old people!

 Also another group I performed with called "Now Are The Foxes"   ( Most still young enough to dream of fame and hilarity)

Connie Hale (Rhodes)

Setting Up & Decorating Times:

For those wanting to help setup and decorating tables, please come. And for those who just want to come and visit... please come.

26^th: THU:  Stroud’s Restaurant: Just come... enjoy good food & good company

27^th FRI:  5:00 PM start decorating tables at Grace Hill Winery/clean up will be gathering decorations, other details to be announced.

28^th SAT: 1:00 PM setting-up and decorate tables at the American Legion. And a big ‘Thank You’ to those willing to stay & help clean-up after reunion closings.

Connie Hale Rhodes

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Thank you Connie for all that you do. I know it all doesn't just "magically appear". A lot of time and effort go into planning and organizing everything. Don,t know if I will be able to attend this year. My sister is in the hospital and not doing good. Also Jerry is requiring more care and can't be left alone. I hope everyone has a great time this year and I can't wait to see all the pictures and comments about what went on with everyone this year!

Thank you Lee Buller for all that you do for us. Thank you Kem Nicodemus for helping Connie so much with the decorations. You are trully wonderful and talented ladies and I appreciate you sharing your talents so generously. Thank you all who have been filling in for Tom Collier and helping Lee Buller. It takes a team to put these reunions on. I know there is a lot of behind the scenes activity that goes on with these reunions.

So many of our classmates have lost members of their family this year. My heart goes out to all of you. Most recently Anita Llamas lost her mother.  Too many funerals in such a short period of time.  Gloria Garcia was a wonderful lady who I always admired and loved. Because of her and Jim and their kids I had a wonderful childhood.

Sorry I have not posted or sent message to those of you have lost loved ones. I haven't been able to get on the computer too much or facebook very much for awhile. Just know you have all been in my prayers. Also Belated Happy Birthday to those who I have missed sending birthday wishes to.

You all are the best classmates anyone could have! I am so proud of our class for being so close and keeping in touch. I wish I could attend more of the breakfasts we have at Breadbasket.

Please pray for Switlana Briar. She has leukemia and is going through treatments. She is an amazing lady!

Keep up the good works guys! Love you all and God Bless all of you!

Arlys Kessler (Nilles)

I add my thanks to Connie for her tireless work - as well as Lee, Martin and others who are working to make our reunion a success.

Terri - I'm sorry you don't think you can make it to the reunion - but family comes first.

Bill - I tried to put a post on your profile like I have done for others, but didn't see the option available, so will just let you know that I'm thinking of you as you continue your fight with cancer.  Congratulations on your recent improv accomplishment at the Blumenthal Center in Charlotte - apparently you have some notoriety.

Looking forward to seeing everyone next week.

Barbara Gabel (Gabel)

Terry: You have expressed all our thanksgiving and appreciation (especially those of us who are out of town and can only encourage/assist w/ words) to everyone who tirelessly toils to make these events the envy of all Railroader alumni. Thank you all!!!

I am especially sad that you won't be there to greet us w/ your wonder smile and warm memories. My prayers are w/ you, your sister and hubby for better health and a speedy recovery.

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Thank you Arlys and Barbara. I have always enjoyed talking to both of you. You have always been so nice and friendly which is why I started going to the reunions. You guys and some others always make people feel so welcome and appreciated!

Vickie Yotter (Moore)

I will miss seeing your warm smiling face at the reunion but I want you to know that you are in my thoughts on this special occasion. 

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Thank you Vickie! I will miss seeing yours as well! I loved dancing with everyone.

Shake a leg for me!  

Thanks for all your prayers. My sister is going down hill fast. They are trying to find a facility that will take her.  Her dementia has taken a drastic turn for the worse, She is combative and suicidal so it is hard to find a facility that will take care of her. She does have some lucid moments but they are becoming rare.