www.lhs65.com

Comments Received

We've included the Senior picture for those who have submitted comments, but will not be able to attend the Reunion.

2/22/2005  From Sherry (Steinman) Ashenfelter     sashen@wcnet.org

I was a student in the Lakewood school district from the middle of seventh grade 1960-March, 1964; leaving because my father was transferred to the "big town" of Toledo Ohio.  I was devastated to have to move to "that place!"  As it always does, everything turned out fine! 

I met my husband in Toledo and have lived in the Toledo Ohio area for the last 41 years!

I left LHS in late March of my Junior year (1964) and have lost contact
with the people I knew.  If anyone who remembers me wants to write, I look forward to hearing from them.  I'm not sure I'll be able to attend the reunion, but I truly remember my days in Lakewood with fond memories.

I am a wife, mother, and grandmother (of 5 granddaughters, aged 2 months, 12 years, and one grandson who is 20 months).  My husband and I travel the country visiting siblings and the two youngest grandchildren...AZ, FL, NJ, CO, CA during vacations.  I am working full-time as executive secretary to the CEO of and agency that has two nonprofit organizations and one for-profit software company who provide care for those with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities.  The agency is called Sunshine Inc. of Northwest Ohio (AKA Sunshine Children's Home). 

Hope to hear from someone who may remember me! 

3/8/2005  From Larry Oliver          Larry@formulacars.com

It has been more than 35 years since I've been in Lakewood, but I think about the many friends that I had there, and those are some wonderful memories!

I left school at the end of my junior year, but I actually finished by attending night school, and I went on to college.  Upon graduation in 1969 I went into the Air Force and became a pilot.  My first assignment was to (naturally) Vietnam, and I was flying an AC-119 gunship, which was the predecessor to the AC-130s you see in the news.  I split my time between operating locations in 'Nam and Thailand, and managed to fly 150 missions safely.  I spent 10 years on active duty, and was stationed in Texas, California and Spain to name a few.

After leaving USAF, I spent 10 years with Gulfstream Aerospace, and through some fortuitous events, managed to sell a lot of airplanes and become a vice president.  I left to join a start-up aviation company in Charlottesville, VA. and since then I have started a consulting company and a unique race car parts business.  Currently I'm a contractor working for the FAA on the Global Positioning System.  I'm not rich, but I've managed to have a lot of fun while keeping the mortgage paid.  I still have a strong need for adrenaline, and race formula cars and ride my Harley for kicks.

I managed to marry a wonderful woman who has put up with all of this for 35 years.  Our son graduated from MIT, and is the vice president of an energy company in NYC.  I have repeatedly questioned my wife about this, but she assures me that he is from my gene-pool.  He and his wife now have a two-year old son.  Our 20-year old daughter is in her junior year at Loyola University-Chicago, and she has been a joy for us.  She is as hard-headed as her father, and I've enjoyed every bit of it!

I'd love to hear from old friends, and I'm looking at the schedule with the possibility of joining you for the reunion!

Larry Oliver
 

4/10/2005  From Bob Bartholomew  rbartholomew@isp.com

Has it really been 40 years?  It's hard to believe.
Here I am retired from IRS after 33+ years and have a new career as a stay at
home Dad taking care of my 6 year old daughter, Annie Etheleen. Wife Nancy and I
were married almost 20 years before I finally read the book and God blessed us
with a little girl. What a retirement gift.
Had  quad bypass surgery in 1/2000 and recovered okay - just have complaints
like everyone else who approach 60.  I still think I am a kid , but the body
says different.  I do keep busy with Annie as a homeroom "mom" and chauffer for
scouts, swimming, karate, soccer and t-ball. I've been a Board Trustee for Parma
Hospital for 10 years, doing communications for a 4 community emergency response
team, committees at Annie's school and preparing for the Heart Association Heart
Walk.
I really hope to see a lot of classmates at the reunion - those that have come
the last several reunions, and especially those who haven't attended.   This is
the one everyone should try to make - you never know what the next 5 years will
bring.
Also, thanks to the six girls who have spent the time to coordinate this reunion
- it should be terrific!!
If there is anything I can do, please call. See you in August!
 

5/17/2005 From Jim Westlake  onlyjimnow@aol.com

Looking at all the classmates that we "cannot find" and it leaves a rather empty
feeling inside.  Sure hope that all those former classmates are alive and doing
well!
I agree with L.H. about Linda's picture...LOL...alot of good times were shared
by all...and, sometimes, not so good, depending on where you were coming from
way back then.
I moved out to the Palm Springs area about 9-10 years ago from Los Angeles. 
Toluca Lake area to be exact.  Wanted to move to the desert for the past 30 some
years, but, back in those days, there was nothing to do here. 
As some of you know, I have lived all over the US.  Where ever the job took me,
I went.  New York City, Dallas, San Francisco, Florida, and back to California. 
(Where I first moved to after high school.)  I was married then...young and
stupid...didn't last but 3 years.  Hormones talking, I guess. 
Now a days, I am a (if I don't say so myself) rather successful Realtor here in
the desert.  Actually, I moved out here to retire and was doing so till "9/11"
hit and the stock market went crazy...oops...gotta go back to work.  Not in my
plans, at the time.  However, I felt that I wanted to do something that was
completely non related to what I had been doing in the past and real estate is,
and has been, booming out here in the Palm Springs area.  The rest is history! 
I made an excellent choice!
Looking forward to seeing some dear friends (a few that I have kept in  contact
with) and renewing some that I have not seen or heard from in more years than I
would rather remember.
Life is great and I hope it has been for all of you!!!

5/23/2005 From Greg Lichko  greglichko@msn.com

Got caught up in website, fascinating to catch up on those who have responded,
wish more would do so...as for me, here goes...

Married, divorced, happily remarried for 14 years.  Two boys by first wife, #1
son is in Hong Kong, married to East German sweetheart, wedding was in Murren,
Switzerland three years ago in shadow of Jungfrau Mountain, Swiss Alps, proud
grandfather of Wyatt Ludwig, age 1.  In-laws do not speak English.  #2 son
recently married to Serb, whose parents live in Belgrade and do not speak word
of English.  Pete Duchzenko (sp?) where are you? 


Residing in RRiver for last many years, switched from the LEL to SWC, Go
Pirates, have never left West Shore area, other than Army duty in Hawaii, missed
Viet Nam though in recent trip to Hong Kong went to Ho Chi Minh City and Angor
Watt. Cambodia.  While in HCMC, visited the American  Atrocity War Museum -
ironically, people were extremely friendly there - and thought of a number of
our classmates including John Hunter, incredible hollow feeling.


Hard to believe it has been 40 years since graduation and we are all pushing 60. 
Things and people have certainly changed but I don't feel much different.  Still
enjoy many of the same things from back then including Cedar Point, the Browns
and the Rolling Stones though I refuse to pay $450 to see them.  Looking forward
to the reunion and reading up on those who take the time to check in on this
deal.  All the best.

5/24/2005  From Donna Bataka   clowns67@hotmail.com

I REMEMBER A LOT OF GOOD FRIENDS FROM LHS.  HAVE NOT SEEN MANY AS I MOVED TO  ARIZONA ABOUT 13 YEARS AGO.  AFTER MY HUSBAND DIED IN 89. 

I HAVE 3 DAUGHTERS AND 1 SON.  THEY LIVE IN TEXAS , OHIO AND ARIZONA.  I HAVE 7 BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILDREN 3 GIRLS AND 4 BOYS, I DO NOT GET TO SEE ENOUGH OF THEM.
 

 I WORKED FOR TRW SAFETY SYSTEMS AND HAVE RECENTLY RETIRED FROM THERE. WE MADE THE AIR BAGS FOR MANY CARS.   I AM RETURNING TO THE BUCKEYE STATE AS SOON AS MY HOUSE SELLS. HOPE TO GET RE-ACQUAINTED WITH SOME OLE CLASSMATES.  IT WAS SAD TO HEAR OF THE
ONES WHO  HAVE PASSED.  DOES ANYONE HAVE INFO ON NANCY HALL?  THANKS,  LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REUNION. 

5/28/2005  From Liz (Clark) Goerz  lizatpar@wowway.com

I don't expect that many will remember me, but, thought I'd write anyway.  I had
a good marriage to Bill Goerz who passed away February 3, 1990.  My mom passed
in 1992, my dad in 1994, and my brother, Larry (who was also an LHS graduate but
in 1960) passed in 1999.  It was a rough few years.  Bill and I were married 17
1/2 years and never had children.  I spend my holidays with Bill's two sisters
and my nieces.

To get away from the sad part, I sold my home 3 years ago and live in an
apartment style condo in North Olmsted.  I LOVE condo living.  I work as a
library clerk for the Cuyahoga County Library System and it's the best job I
have ever had.  I love it and hope to work there 7 1/2 more years.  I belong to
the Cleveland Hiking Club (actual hiking, not mall walking).  I have other great
hobbies too.  Painting with acrylics on canvas, photography, and sign language.

I have been blessed with being able to keep in contact with some of my old
cronies.  Some of them I have known since kindergarten.  Stephanie (Slavik)
Wolf,  Kathy (Bukala) Smith, Anna (Kolesnycky) Robb, Josie (Sirak) Bird, and Pat
(Wasenko) Bacho.  We get together every month or every other month and go out to
dinner.  We take turns picking the place.

SEE YOU IN AUGUST!!!

6/2/2005  From Steve Hay   shayguy@charter.net

Many thanks to our classmates who are doing all the work for what I am sure
will be a great 40th class reunion. It was great reading what some of you have
been doing. Looks like most of you, as I, are thankful and are enjoying life.

 
After 34 years of selling as a metallurgist to the foundry and steel industry I
have taken early retirement. I had to agree to a non compete with the old
company so will just consult for a year then maybe sell part time. Purchased a
farm for our race horses and remarried last year. We have 10 horses. We made
just about every Green Acre mistake that could be made this past winter and
survived. With luck we hope to have our first baby horse this spring. I just
love our farm and can't wait to get up to see the sun rise every day. Owning a
farm gives me the opportunity for some great boy toys like my tractor, spreader
[man can I make the shit fly], and my cool Ford turbo diesel. Sometimes I can't
believe the changes in what life can bring you. Can you imagine....I was selling
s--- for 34 years and now I shovel it and like doing it. [well maybe not so much
in the winter]

Well I hope you all got a laugh reading this, I look forward to seeing you at
the 40th reunion.

6/7/2005  From Diana (Dean) Chokenea   rchokenea@cox.net

Rick Chokenea and I dated our senior year at LHS and married in 1967.  Rick was
drafted soon after and served in Viet Nam until 1969.  Our first daughter was
born in 1974 and our second daughter in 1976.  In 1977 we moved to Arizona and
have been here ever since.  We now have a granddaughter (born in 1999) who is
the light of our life.  We are fortunate that she lives only two blocks away and
within walking distance.  We have lost touch with almost all of those we went to
school with except for Gayle Limpert.  Putting the pictures on this site was a
good idea to help identify those names that we may know are familiar but are
unable to put with a face after so many years.

We are looking forward to the evening of sharing high school memories and trying
to remember who was in what class with us. See you in August. 

6/28/2005 From Bill Rawlings     um86@wowway.com     

WOW, 40 years have gone by already.  It’s hard to imagine time has gone so
quickly (I can’t believe you guys are that old).  In ‘65 I left Lakewood with a
broken heart by leaving Joanne to enter the priesthood (what was I thinking?). 
After leaving the seminary (less than one semester) I was expelled from
Baldwin-Wallace College just in time to join the war in Viet Nam (not my
brightest move).  Somehow, I eventually ended up in Michigan and earned two
masters degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!!).  In
1976 I married Rita (a Bay bitch) who saved my life and my soul and continues to
be the center of my world.  Our children, Brian and Katie, have graduated from
college and are now off the Rawlings dole (wondered if that would ever happen). 
Over the past 30 years I have been the Clinical Director for agencies in
Michigan and in the Cleveland area (kina frightening, huh).  I have finally
found my true calling as a therapist working with veterans through the
Department of Veterans Affairs located in Lorain, Ohio.  Rita is the
Superintendent's secretary for Brooklyn Schools.  I maintain my sanity (as it
is) by riding my Harley as often as possible.  I have ridden to Daytona, Sturgis
and I ride to The Wall every Memorial Day to honor those who didn’t get their
chance to live out their dreams (particularly, Alex Tsiros and Jim McPike, two
of Lakewood’s finest with whom I served).

I was excited about coming to the reunion but, as it turns out, I am going to be
attending a wedding that day (got my picture on the web site though).  If there
are any activities Friday, maybe I can touch base with some of you there.  I’m
certain the reunion will be great, as usual.  I was able to talk with Rollie
McPike and he is also up for something on Friday.  I have posted my e-mail,
address and phone so get in touch if you have the urge.

7/1/2005 From Jacquie Davis    meadow618@aol.com

 'Tis a cool night in Lakewood ... it is 0354 and the leaves from the
massive oaks in the back yards down my street are rustling as though to say
thank you for the coolness of this night.  We have been sweltering here, as it
seems most of the country has.  I have just made my weekly trip to the website
that Tim Householder has so beautifully put together and am grateful to see the
list of attendees expanding as we near the date of our reunion. 

     I have read the comments you have been kind enough to share and am in awe
of the stories our lives have created.  We need not go any farther than those in
our class to experience every aspect of what the past 40 years has brought upon
us as people or as citizens of this country.  I think of some of the most
memorable times while we were in school ... like during the troubles around the
time of the Bay of Pigs ... sitting in the  “L Room” talking with everyone about
what might be if we went to war.  I recall walking down the middle stairwell of
the high school, in our junior year, to hear that President Kennedy had just
been killed.  I stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to feel, except
violated and frightened.  And in my senior year I wrote many a letter to Viet
Nam to a friend who had already graduated and joined the Marines after his
senior year.   I  certainly do not need to speak of all the happenings because
we have ALL experienced them to one degree or another.  That is what we will
discuss at the reunion.  One thing I do know, as I look at the pictures on the
list of the attendees and the memorial board ... that we have been privileged to
known a lot of great people in our lives.   Some of them may have been too shy
and quiet to ever be heard from in high school, but once we left we  finally
started meeting them, they sat next to us in our classes or jobs; we played on
the same teams, we skied on the same slopes, fished in the same lakes or swam in
the same pools.  We just never opened our hearts to the potential of knowing
them until we left.   I thank goodness that we grew out of that space ... that
we can now see people for what is in  their "hearts" and  no longer walk past
them without speaking.   Now we know that ALL people have something to offer or
from which we can learn ...  It is because of this that we grown and become
worthwhile ourselves.  

 
I look forward to seeing you all, learning of your families and other
adventures...
What a journey it has been.

Peace and Love, Jacquie

7/1/2005  From Dennis Sabol    winabr@peoplepc.com  

I have some sad news to relay to our classmates;

Michael Golden's mother passed away as of this morning, July 1st, at
her Lakewood apt. I would hope our fellow classmates would attempt to contact him or the family at this time of need.

Michael A. Golden

17600 Detroit Ave.

Lakewood, Oh 44107

7/6/2005 From Mary (Larson) Cobb   cobb@ms-mari.com

I left LHS after my sophomore year and went to White Plains, NY.  My 2 older
brothers and sister graduated from LHS.

I still remember getting a Speidel ID bracelet from someone at Winterhurst in
10th grade - can't even remember his name but he broke up with me by calling me
on the phone and played 'Breakin Up Is Hard To Do' !!!  Didn't forget THAT!

And I remember sitting in Linda Sibbet's bedroom listing to the Beach Boys sing
about California.  Well guess what - I've lived in California for 30 years and
love it here.

Then there was the time that my potluck friends in junior high who ripped a page
out of my diary where I proudly recorded that I finally found a bra that fit me
- 32AAA.  Wasn't that fun finding that being circulated....

Met my husband of 25 years through a dating service.  Two kids in college at
$75,000 a year so I'm not saving any money.  I am a software consultant
specializing in Oracle custom development.

Love to travel and have been to most of Europe and the Caribbean and Mexico and
Canada.

After I graduated from Ohio University, I became a ski bum at Squaw Valley and
wonder how my life would have turned out if I hadn't busted my leg in 5 places. 
I still ski every year, but not as gingerly.

Golf is my game - I stink at it but love to play.

Haven't seen any of you for 40 years - look forward to it. 

Is anybody else out there getting restless and wanting to be playful and
innocent again?  Mmmmmm- like being a barrister at Starbucks or serving cocktail
on the slopes...

7/14/2005   From Bill Welsh       bt21202000@yahoo.com

Looking foward to the reunion. This will be my first one. Hard to believe it's
40 years. Retired 4 years ago from the Cuyahoga County Engineer's after 35
years. Started  there shortly after High School. Ran Heavy Equipment, Cranes,
back hoes, paving machines etc. Sure don't miss running that paving machine with
the heat we have had this summer. My wife Rosemary retired 3 years ago and we
both love it. We both volunteer at church plus one day a week at an adult day
care in Rocky River. Sad to see how those people slowly decline. I can only hope
someone will be there for us if we ever need that help. A big thank U to all the
members of the reunion committee who made this happen.  Hope to see everyone
August 13.

7/15/2005  From Tom Loehr           TomRL@aol.com

I have just been reading the comments from some of the others and the flood of
memories that came back was astounding and a bit overwhelming. In comparison to
many, I feel as if I have led a small life.

Five months after graduation I was in an auto accident that left me with a fair
amount of paralysis. I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to
anyone. Actually it was a bit ironic because one of the reasons I went to
college was to get out of the draft for four years. Surely the war would be over
by 1969. Well, the  war wasn't over and I found out everyone faces tough times
sooner or later.

I ended up eventually enrolling at Cleveland State where I got a BA and an MBA
and best of all met Lin, my wife and my best friend. We will be celebrating 34
years of marriage this fall.

I have been in business for myself since college and am a registered investment
advisor managing investment portfolios for individuals and charitable
organizations. We are active in our church, enjoy playing at bridge and try to
get some bird watching in whenever possible.

We lived in Lakewood until last year when we finally traded the house for less
maintenance in a condo in Westlake. Won't have far to drive to get to the
reunion. Hope to see you there.

PS If there is Internet in heaven, I expect an e-mail from Edna Kleinmeyer
pointing out my grammatical errors.

7/16/2005  From Gay (Limpert) Tomson        rgt721@yahoo.com

Hi everyone!!  I'm really looking forward to this reunion (as I do all of them). 
I think it's great that so many of you are traveling from out of state for our
big "40".  Isn't it amazing how fast the time has gone.  It's sad that some of
our friends have passed away.  They will be in our hearts as we gather together
and share memories with each other. 

A big thank you to Tim Householder for putting together and running our web
page.  What a great way to communicate with each other throughout the years. 
I remarried 4 years ago to Ron (some of you met him at our last reunion).  We
have 4 kids.  He has 2 boys, Dan 23 and Ben 21.  My kids are John 35 and Julie
34 (they helped our at our 20th reunion).  Now they are married and have 2 kids
each (Jacob 3, Trevor 3, Jessica 2 and Mallory 1).  I have 29 years in teaching
first grade in the Brunswick School System.  Ron and I both belong the the
Optimist Club in Strongsville.  This is such a great organization.  Everything
we do it for the youth in the community.  So if you're looking for an
organizaton to volunteer for - think of the Optimist Club!

So many memories and warm fuzzies come to mind as I think of my high school
years and all of you.  I hope more people take the time to write a comment or
two.  I enjoy reading your comments as they bring me closer to the good old
days!  See ya real soon!  Love, Gayle (Gay)

7/16/2005  From Loretta Burton    

Hello to all of you! As I approach the time of our upcoming 40th reunion I
am reminded again of the memories of days past at good ole Lakewood High. (I
know who I am and where I came from) It's always special to once again connect
with a lot of you. Looking at the Web page saddened me to learn of those who
have passed on. Just to have been acquainted with so many and to give them a
moment of silent thought.

For me I have been out West for the past thirty years, residing in Calif
and Salt Lake City, Ut at this time. In 2002 I retired from Delta Air Line as a
flight attendant after twenty six years. It's been an enjoyable career but also
a relief not to work so hard-while just keeping up with life in general as we
well know. I sold my my home in Park City,Ut (ski resort) and would like to find
another small quiet town by the water and try to grow older gracefully. It's
been an incedible journey so far.

Jacquie Davis I like your comments. Thanks for all the efforts of the
organizing committee. I hope I'll be able to attend. Some items are pending.
Quentin Grady where are you? I lost contact with you.
                                                                             
Best Wishes ,       
                                                                                     
Loretta Burton

7/17/2005  From Jill (Florea) Kilinskas    jkilinskas@adelphia.net

7/18/2005  From Tom Gadd   tgadd@wdlarson.com

I would be interested in a Sunday picnic. I'm too rusty to play golf!

TOM GADD
CLEVELAND PETERBILT, LLC
8650 BROOKPARK ROAD
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44129
216.749.3302
FAX 216.335.9841
TOLL FREE 800.326.5556
tgadd@wdlarson.com

7/25/2005  From Joanne (Murphy) Douglas jbdoug@bigproductionsinc.com

It is fun to check the reunion website and see who has responded and how the
list has grown.. Oh, the memories, things I haven't thought of in years - High
school homeroom 311L, we sat in alphabetical order, I was between Barb O'Brien
and Jim McKinney for 3 years. As I recall we went through several homeroom
teachers.  Junior high homeroom was a completely different set of people - I
shared a locker with Phyllis Brivic but can't remember my homeroom number.

I have been happily married for 36 years and have lived in the same house in
Rocky River for almost 30 years. We have 2 wonderful sons who live nearby with
their wives and 3 of the cutest grandsons (all 4 years old and under, with
another on the way) possible. We are blessed to see all of them weekly.

We own a small manufacturing business in Westlake that really keeps us hopping.
We design and create inflatable football helmets, tunnels and mascots for high
school football teams all over the country. At this time of year we are so busy
we can't think straight. It is fun and every project we do is different for each
school.

I am looking forward to the reunion and seeing old friends.

7/27/2005  From Carl Gonzalez      bikecg@att.net

Those of you that have spent your valuable time putting this reunion together
for us...thanks.  You worked very hard to get this together.  This is not easy
to do.

It will great to see the "chums" I had back in the day as well as saying hi and
job well done to those that I really didn't know so well and vice versa, I
guess.  We have all come a long way and we still have a long way to go.

I had the pleasure of going to the 'farewell' to Madison School this year. 
Madison and Harding are being leveled to make room for a new Middle School. 
Many of us (at least eleven attendees that will be at the reunion) were
ex-Madison School Mensas.  Well, I have pictures of inside and outside Madison
and I plan to make a dozen or so CDs and give them to those of you are
ex-Madisonites.  I have shots of my Kindergarten through Sixth Grade rooms and,
yes, I remember where each room was.  (Don't ask me what I did five minutes ago,
but I remember each room.)  Being in the Auditorium/Gym area was really
nostalgic.  Anyway, Barb Bowen, Felicia Ippolito, Ron Wetterman, Ron Tober, and
the countless others, take a trip down memory lane.

Anyway, get your bad self out for the 13th.  I look forward to seeing everybody. 
This will be fun.

7/31/2005   From  Paula (Roehm) Wright  mklady4@earthlink.net

Comments:

I can identify most of the gals in the first photo: 

Kathy Dutton, Diane Frye, Barba Rehfeld, Lynn Dvokak, Linda Sibbett, Rae Reed,
Bev Pierce, Sherry Rundell. Who photo was it? How did I do?

Paula Wright

8/2/2005  From Pete Dudchenko   pdudchenko@aol.com  

Hello to all.

I've been following the website and especially liked the comments.  Thought that
I would share mine.

Forty years is a long time.  I moved away from Ohio about 25 years ago and lost
track of most of the classmates.  Spent 10 years in Chicago, 5 in Indiana, and
now 10 in Birmingham, Alabama.  Love it here

Got tired of the corporate life and decided, four years ago, to work for myself.
doing marketing consulting, acquisition brokering, and sales.  I have a terrible
boss.

My wife (Cleveland Heights - kept it in the LEL, at least) have a son, daughter
and son-in-law, all living in San Diego.

Would love to hear from anyone.

Best regards.

8/3/2005  From Pati (McFate) Habenicht   ezrunner@yahoo.com 

This is a great website!  I loved looking at all the pictures and reading the
comments. 

After graduating I went to Ashland and became a Spanish teacher for the Elyria
system. I also got masters' degrees in Spanish and in Psychology.  Started to
work on a PHD, but decided I was educated enough, and time to get on with life! 
I married Jim Habenicht in l969.  We had our first child-Tara-on our 11th
wedding anniversary.  Boy, the looks I get when I say that I was married on June
21 and she was born on June 21!  I also have a son, born on Mothers' Day in
1983.   The girl graduated from BW with 2 degrees (taking after her mom!), and
the boy is a senior in Defiance.

I retired (I like to say graduated) from Elyria in 1998 and substitute in North
Ridgeville.

 
I am currently a marathon runner, having qualified and run Boston several times
as well as 27 other marathons.  I also took up the bagpipe, much to the chagrin
of my neighbors!  And, as a signal that I am having a midlife crisis of sorts, I
am now licensed to ride a motorcycle, and LOVE it!  When I'm not doing one of
the above hobbies, I also travel.  My most recent adventure was to go to Ireland
to meet my family.

I would love to see all of you at the reunion, but unfortunately, I have to play
the pipes for the Huron Irish Festival that Saturday.  If I can I'll try to come
for the LHS tour.  It would be fun to see my favorite 'haunts' again. 

I'd welcome any emails to hear how everyone is doing!

8/5/2005   From Dennis Duffy  dcduffy@hotmail.com      

WOW, READING THESE  COMMENTS I FIND MOST OF YOU TO BE HAPPY
AND THEN I READ “IN MEMORIAM” AND THE LIST OF THOSE “MISSING”, I AM NOT MISSING JUST NEVER HAD THE TIME TO COME BACK FOR ANY REUNIONS BUT I WILL FILL IN THE BLANKS IN MY LIFE FOR SOME OF THE PAST 40 YEARS, I SUPPOSE MY ACHIEVEMENTS MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SAME FLAIR AS MOST OF YOU WHO READ THIS WEBSITE BUT IT IS MY LIFE AND I LIKE LIVING GRANDLY AND AM STILL DOING SO. HERE GOES:

LEFT LAKEWOOD AND JOINED NAVY IN 1966 SPENT MOST TIME IN CARIBBEAN PROTECTING OUR BORDERS FROM THE CUBAN MENACE, GOT OUT IN 1970, WORKED OIL RIGS, LAKE FREIGHTERS AND SEA GOING TUGS FOR WHILE.

ON A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA STOPPED IN ELDORA, COLORADO TO SEE CURRY COFFEY, A FRIEND FROM HUNTINGTON BEACH AND THE FABLED GREAT LAKES SURFING ASSOCIATION. STAYED IN THE MAJESTIC AND POWERFUL MOUNTAINS AND LIVED IN A SMALL MOUNTAIN COMMUNE, LIKED THE SCENE AND BECAME A GRANOLA EATING, HIPPIE, LONG HAIRED, DEADBEAT, BUSINESSMAN FOR MANY YEARS. LOVED IT! 

SOON I GOT INTO THE DOPE SCENE AND MADE MILLIONS SELLING THE STUFF THROUGH THE LATE SEVENTIES AND EIGHTIES, PISSED MOST OF THE MONEY AWAY PARTYING BUT NEVER THE LESS HAD A FABULOUS TIME, UNTIL I MARRIED A PROPER GIRL FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE (SUMMA CUM LAUDE FROM U.N.H.) WHO AFTER LIVING WITH ME FOR A YEAR OR SO SUDDENLY BECAME THE BIGGEST DOPE FIEND IN THE WORLD. (PAYBACK CAN REALLY BE A
“BITCH”)  I ALSO DECIDED TO EXPLORE THE DEEPEST DEPTHS OF DEPRAVITY AND DURING THIS PERIOD I WAS THOROUGHLY MESSED UP AND I FINALLY LEFT HER, THE RANCH, THE BUSINESSES, THE ‘FRIENDS’, ACQUAINTANCES, EVERYTHING I OWNED AND GLADLY WENT INTO A REHAB IN FLORIDA; THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE AND I LIVED IN ST. PETERSBURG,
FLORIDA FOR A COUPLE YEARS BUT BEING A DOPER AT HEART A YEAR OR TWO LATER I DID THE EXACT SAME THING AGAIN DISTRIBUTING IMPORTED GOODS FROM MEXICO. I ALSO MADE A BUNCH OF MONEY, (HARD TO BREAK THOSE BAD HABITS)  BUT I SOON GOT DEPRESSED WITH MY POOR ATTITUDE AND CRUMMY LIFESTYLE AND MOVED TO THAILAND IN 1987 WHERE I HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN ANOTHER  EXPORT BUSINESS FOR A COUPLE YEARS, SWORE OFF THE BAD STUFF AGAIN AND STARTED OVER IN BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, WITH BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, BEGAN WEAVING SILK UPHOLSTERY CLOTH AND LIVED A SIMPLE ALMOST MONASTIC LIFE IN PAKTHONGCHAI AND CHIANG MAI  AND LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT, BECAME A FLUENT THAI SPEAKER AND MET A PRAGMATIC AND BEAUTIFUL THAI WOMAN, STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW. WE BECAME BUSINESS PARTNERS, AND WHILE IN THE USA ON SALES TRIP SELLING SILK WE GOT MARRIED IN CLEVELAND IN 1990. TOOK THE LAKE ERIE LAKE CRUISE ALONG THE LAKEFRONT AND THROUGH THE FLATS, SURE HAD CHANGED, STOPPED IN AT THE “LA PETITE” ACROSS FROM THE OLD ROCKY RIVER HOTEL BUT IT WAS GONE. 

WENT BACK TO THAILAND WHERE I WAS PROMPTLY ABDUCTED BY AGENTS OF US CUSTOMS (SOME OF MY PREVIOUS IMPORTS FROM MEXICO IN THE LATE EIGHTIES WERE DEEMED TO BE HIGHLY IRREGULAR). I WAS TURNED OVER TO THAI IMMIGRATION WAS SENT TO A THAI PRISON, FINALLY WAS DEPORTED TO THE USA IN SHACKLES, WHERE I PLEAD GUILTY TO RACKETEERING AND SPENT SEVERAL MEANINGLESS BUT INTERESTING YEARS AS A GUEST IN SEVERAL FEDERAL PRISONS, (YOU CAN MET SOME REALLY OUT OF THE ORDINARY PEOPLE IN FEDERAL PRISON), FINALLY ENDING UP IN USP LOMPOC IN CALIFORNIA.

I LEFT LOMPOC IN 1995 WITH 10 BUCKS AND A BUS TICKET TO A HALFWAY HOUSE IN THE TENDERLOIN OF SAN FRANCISCO. MY WIFE AND YOUNG SON HAD COME OVER TO THE US FROM THAILAND. SHE STOOD BY ME THE WHOLE TIME, (LOVE THOSE THAI WOMEN). WE LIVED FOR MANY YEARS IN A CABIN IN MILL VALLEY CALIFORNIA ON THE SIDE OF MT. TAMALPAIS IN A ANCIENT REDWOOD GROVE. THE FEDS INSISTED THAT I HAD TO GET A REAL JOB (MY FIRST TRUE JOB ACTUALLY). I WAS HIRED BY NONE OTHER THAN THE CORPORATE SNOB AT&T AND HAVE WORKED FOR THEM FOR ALMOST A DECADE. STILL HAVE THE SWEETEST, BEST LOOKING THAI WIFE ON THE PLANET WITH THREE KIDS 14, 8, AND 6. LOVE THAI FOOD AND BEING A FAMILY MAN, LIKE BEING STRAIGHT AND GOING TO WORK EVERYDAY.

JUST BOUGHT A SMALL HOUSE NEAR THE OCEAN OUTSIDE OF PUERTO VALLARTA MEXICO WHERE WE ARE GOING TO OPEN A THAI RESTAURANT.

LIFE IS GOOD, GOD IS GREAT AND I AM HAPPY,
 

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU

8/5/2005  From Nick Kozimor   nkozimor@earthlink.net

Mary Lou and I are looking forward to seeing all our "old" classmates at the
upcoming reunion. See you there!

8/8/2005 From Barb (Bowen) Baer     uaboobaer@yahoo.com

How can it be 40 years since we graduated.  It just doesn't seem possible. 
We're too young and vital!

I just read Carl Gonzalez' remarks and am surprised to learn that Madison and
Harding are being/have been leveled.  I would love a copy of the CD.  I recall
the coatrooms at Madison most of all, and the 2 slides (one with the bump
halfway down), the huge baseball fields, and so on.  Then, I recall that nasty,
dark gym at Harding, but I also recall wonderful times and great friendships.

We moved to Chicago in 1969.  I worked for United Airlines for 37 years and
retired on my anniversary in April.  It's been a fabulous ride and I loved every
minute of it.  I was a member of the Emergency Response Team and flew to
Pennsylvania on 9/11 to assist with the families on flight 93.  This will always
be my most memorable experience.  We've traveled extensively and plan to do alot
more now that time is free.

We have 2 children, a son who lives in St. Charles and works in an aircraft
industry related job (it's in his blood) and a daughter living downtown Chicago
who is a graphic designer and will be competing in her 7th Ironman competition
on August 28th.  Hopefully, she will qualify for Hawaii again so we can go to
cheer her on.

Look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday evening and finding out what has
changed in Lakewood.
Barb 

8/9/2005  From Bill Miller    bmiller@moodynolan.com

Great web site!  Thanks and congratulations to all involved.  Can this be made
permanent?  Growing up in Lakewood and attending Lakewood High school was one of
the best things that ever happened to me.  Tom Loehr’s comments reminded me of
the great teachers—Edna Kleinmeyer, Melissa Miner and others that really helped
me and many others develop critical thinking skills.

I’ve been very fortunate in life.  I’ve been married to my wife, Janie, for 37
years and we raised two wonderful children.  Janie’s an attorney, and both of
our kids wound up in the arts.  Our oldest, Byron, graduated from USC in their
film program, lives in LA, and works in movies and television.  Our daughter,
Jessica, just received her masters’ degree from the School of the Art Institute
of Chicago, and is currently planning to move to Atlanta to be with her
boyfriend. My work as a healthcare architect is interesting, challenging and
emotionally rewarding.  They say architecture is an “old man’s profession,” so I
must be just hitting my stride!  At any rate, I have no plans to retire soon.  
We’re in the process of moving to a condo this summer, while trying to sell the
house we’ve lived in for the last 20 years.  For the record, our new address
will be:

Bill Miller
1198 Sanctuary Place
Columbus, Ohio 43230

In addition to work, I have many interests.  Janie and I love to travel.  I’ve
been doing more photography in recent years and have had several exhibitions
here in Columbus.  I’m looking forward to building a new toy train layout in the
basement of our new condo.  I’ve also continued my interest in music and musical
theatre.  I’ve been a volunteer for Columbus musical theatre groups over the
last decade, and I’m currently a trustee for Opera Columbus.

I’m looking forward to the reunion.  Hope to see everyone there!

8/9/2005  From Elizabeth (Lewis) Anger   eanger47@aol.com

In spite of my best intentions to leave the state immediately upon graduation
from Beloit College and never return, I'm still in Wisconsin.  I've lived in the
Milwaukee area for 30 years (would you believe) so HOG Bill Rawlings - come next
time Harley has a party, Hotel Anger is always open. 

While a student at Beloit, I had the opportunity to spend a term studying in
Costa Rica (beautiful country, wonderful people) and work in Yellowstone
National Park one summer.  The comments about our high school English teachers
really hit home - one of my favorite stories is about the professor who gave me
two grades on a paper (the second one an A) my first term in college.  I've kept
it because of his comment.  The gist of it was that on first reading, he didn't
think I'd met the requirements of the assignment.  Then he took a second look
and realized I'd written in such a concise manner (as opposed to the PHD method
used by most of my classmates) that I had indeed met the requirements.  Thank
you Melissa!  Those impromptu writing exercises have paid off more than once
over the years.

Overall it's been a fairly uneventful life - a first marriage I finally got
smart enough to end after almost 10 years (you can't say I didn't give it my
best shot), a second marriage to my soulmate, travel wherever and whenever I can
(the best trip so far - a cruise along the inner passage in Alaska in June 2004
to celebrate our 20th anniversary, followed by two days in Victoria, Canada,
where we stayed at the Empress Hotel, went whale watching and caught the roses
at their peak at Bouchart Gardens), gardening, needlework, reading (my husband
keeps wondering where else I will squeeze in another bookcase), and trying to
keep in touch with friends near and far.  Along the way I've worked for the
Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Atlantic Richfield, Unicare (nursing home chain), temp
agencies (the 6 month assignment in the International Department at Miller
Brewing was fun), and two or three law firms.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

8/10/2005  From Donna (Mahan) Koenker  dlkoenker@buckeye-express.com

I love this website.  Thank you to all who have been involved with it as well as
the reunion committee.  I look forward to attending and seeing old friends.

I graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Elementary
Education.  I met my husband of 37 years, Jan, when I was a first semester
freshman.  We got married in 1968, and moved to Oregon (a suburb of Toledo) and
have 3 children.  Gretchen is 33, married and lives in Twinsburg.  She has two
daughters, Taylor who is 6 and Peyton who is 4.  Brooke and Brent are our 32
year old twins.  Brooke is married and has two children, Jackson who is 2 and
Jamisen who is 1.  She lives in Columbus.  Brent is not married, and he lives in
Denver.  He loves all outdoor activities; skiing, hiking and biking as often as
his schedule allows.  We travel often to spend time with the kids and grandkids.

Jan and I live in a golf course community and enjoy golfing several times per
week.  He retired from teaching after 31 years and now works in a medical device
testing laboratory.  I have been teaching 1st grade for the past 20 years.  I
have taught preschool through second grade for 33 years, but not all of them
have been in public school so I will continue teaching to get my full retirement
benefits.  I still enjoy going to school!

I have so many fond memories of my days in Lakewood.  It was a great place to
grow up.  When I think of taking two buses to skate at Winterhurst after school,
I just laugh.  Often I didn't have enough bus money to get home and I had to
walk...probably 2 miles...in the freezing cold!  We skated in our skirts with
knee socks.  Now kids would not walk a block in the cold and they wouldn't think
of taking a public bus somewhere.  I think they missed a lot.  Potluck on Friday
nights was another great memory.  Can you look at tuna noodle casserole and not
think of potluck?  All those Catholics who couldn't eat meat on Fridays!  I
would love to see Carl's cd of Madison.  I agree with Barb.  The cloak rooms
were the best!

I look forward to seeing you all at the reunion! 

Donna