WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL TWO RIVERS WI CLASS OF 1989
Friday, March 31, 2006
DON STUMMEIER
As far as I know, I never laid eyes on him. No one ever will again either.
I believe Don joined me for my junior year. Looking at his yearbook picture jogs no memory for me whatsoever. I only remember his name for one reason.
He killed himself.
In the summer of 1988, Don was apperently on top of the roof of Evans' Department Store. From what I heard, he took a running leap onto Washington Street, and allegedly landed closer to the other side of the street. That's a hell of a jump. Needless to say, he was killed instantly.
Who he was or what problems he had I'll never know. My friend Dave commented that he had no idea who he was either. But as he thought about it some more, he then remembered that he'd had Don in homeroom. But he'd never had any contact with him.
During our senior year, Valori Franco (who I assume was friends with Don) put the name "Stumeier" on her senior sweatshirt as a tribute to him. Rest in peace Don.
UPDATE - 4/6/06 - Don's date of death was June 14, 1988. His location of death was the 1800 block of Washington Street - which I presume coincides with Evans' address. His remains were taken to the Malcor Funeral Home in Green Bay. He was buried in a very small cemetery in Depere. The name of the place is Greenwood Cemetery. The name of his gravedigger was Dave Calloway. Next time I'm in the area, I'll look up his tombstone, and get a picture of it. Is that ghoulish?
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 8:40 AM 3 comments
VENICE GROCE
I must admit, until I recently looked at my freshman yearbook, I had completely forgotten about this troll. That's a first.
I think Venice (that's a female by the way) may have possibly joined me at Clarke in 8th grade. If not, she definitely popped into town for freshman year. I don't really have any memories about her - other than the fact that she lived up to her last name. She was pretty damn ugly. And she wore some hideous glasses. The picture in my freshman yearbook is actually pretty good - considering the subject matter. But it's nothing to gaze at for too long.
Venice wasn't popular. She was definitely on the lower end of the social ladder. Not that anyone ever taunted her out in the open, but needless to say, because of her last name, combined with her looks, there were a lot of "gross" jokes. Cruel, yes. But at least no one made fun of her to her face.
After freshman year, she was gone. I believe she moved to Missouri, where she remains to this day. Somewhere along the line, it looks like she got married, and became Venice Wood. But she may be back to Venice Gross today, which tends to lead me to believe that she's divorced. But I don't know for sure. What she does today is unknown to me.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:01 AM 3 comments
SHANNON ALMAND
I believe Shannon joined me at Clarke. I don't think she was around at Magee.
I have basically one remembrance of her. She scared me. I don't know what it was about her. She had a look like she could be one of the bitchiest persons on the face of the Earth. I think she lived up to that look on occasion. She just seemed very snotty. She came across as someone who would love to pick on people, and hurt their feelings. I steered clear from her.
Shannon also seemed to be an adult or something. She just looked older - like a woman in the workplace or something. I don't know how to describe it.
Shannon stayed with us through our sophomore year. After that, she disappeared. Where she went is a mystery. And I must admit, I have no idea where she is today. It doesn't help that each of my yearbooks has her name spelled a different way. Needless to say, there are multiple people in the U.S. with that name - for each spelling. But none of them look to be the right age. If anyone knows where she moved to, let me know. Any clues could help.
UPDATE - 4/14/06 - Based on Tammy Swoboda's comment that Shannon is still in Two Rivers, I renewed my search. It took a little work. But I found her. Her name was spelled with an "A" not an "O." But beyond that, I still had to dig deep. Shannon apparently had a name change to Shannon Isherwood. Although I don't find any evidence that the name change was due to a marriage. She did however marry and become Shannon Stibbe. However, they have since divorced. They had at least one child together. Today Shannon does indeed live in Two Rivers. It doesn't look like she has ever lived in any other town in her life.
UPDATE - 11/18/06 - On August 12th, 2006, Kevin Dehne and I took our second trip to Two Rivers. We stopped by Shannon's house. She didn't remember either of us. Shannon was a bit leery of us at first. But she sat and talked with us for quite awhile - even though she didn't want to take a picture with us. Her overall attitude was that since nobody from her school days had kept in touch with her, she had no interest in keeping in touch with anyone either. She wasn't bitter or anything. She just seemed uninterested. Kevin ended up having the camcorder taping the entire time. So here's a portion of it - just a teaser, if you will. Since she wasn't all that interested in participating, I won't show the entire video. But here's what Shannon looks like today.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 6:48 AM 3 comments
ANTON NYQUIST
Anton joined me in our senior year. He was a foreign exchange student who hailed from Norway.
That's about all I know. From what I recall, I had absolutely no classes with Anton - none. I don't think I conversed with him in any capacity. Nonetheless, he seemed like a real likable fellow.
Anton seemed to be widely accepted by everyone. So I'm sure he was a nice guy. I just never got the opportunity to know him.
I think Anton stayed with three families, perhaps once with fellow graduate Amy Wozniak, and once with class of 1990's Dawn Warden. I could be wrong about this though.
After high school, Anton went back to Norway. On our senior video, he expressed a desire to possibly come back to the U.S. to go to college. But I can't find any evidence that he ever did. So most likely, he remains in Norway to this day. I have searched in vain to find some little tidbit about him. But he must be keeping a low profile over there. What he does today, or whether he's married or not, I do not know.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 6:27 AM 1 comments
Thursday, March 30, 2006
PICTURES
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 9:28 AM 2 comments
CHAD BENNIN
I believe I first got to know Chad during 6th grade. We had Mrs. Casey together. I'm pretty sure he was at Magee also. But my first contact with him was at Clarke.
Chad had two personalities. At times he could be snotty and annoying - very annoying. And at other times he could be fun and goofy. He had a big ego. Or was that just an act? I don't know.
Now that I think about it, Chad must have been at Magee. Because at the end of 5th grade, I was friends with fellow graduate Chad Daffner. And the two Chads were friends themselves. They were both wrestlers. So they had that common bond. Because of their friendship, Chad Benin came to my house once or twice. I have a vague memory of the two Chad's throwing some cookies at me from my attic, as I was looking up at them from my bedroom. I also have a very bizarre memory of the three of us hanging out down by the river. The two Chads decided to whip out their respective wieners and compare pubes. They were just starting to develop. I was a year younger than both of them. So I had nothing to show yet. For the record, there was nothing gay going on between them. It was just two boys comparing their peckers. Boys will be boys I guess.
During 6th grade, all the classes spent a night at Camp Tapawingo. We all took some sort of nature hike at night. And I recall seeing Chad try to lead Stacy Taddy into the bushes to do... whatever. But nothing actually did happen. Stacy wasn't having it, and pressed on with the walk.
In 8th grade, my friend (and fellow graduate) Greg Flemal got into an argument with Chad. The two of them decided to settle it with a fight. So the three of us walked over to the cemetery after school. And the two of them literally put up their dukes and went at it. What an odd display. First off, the fact that they calmly walked over together was strange. The actual "fight" consisted of a few mere punches before they stopped. And typically, they parted as friends - or at least friendly. Kid fights are weird that way.
In highschool, Chad continued to wrestle. He must have been pretty good at it, seeing as he stuck with it for all those years. By this time, his ego was out of control. And for the life of me, I couldn't understand it. He was kind of short and wore glasses. He didn't seem like the bully type. He didn't seem capable of being one. But man, he had the mouth of one. I dubbed him "God." And Richard and I ran with that nickname.
Chad was blunt. During our sophomore year, I was starting to get some stubble on my face. Chad was quick to point out that I needed to shave. Of course he was also quick to point out that I needed to get a haircut or do something with my hair. He was right of course. But his candor made him look like an asshole.
During junior and senior year, Chad went out with fellow graduate Kim Nokes. Lucky bastard! Kim was so nice too. What did she see in this egomaniac?
In our senior year, Chad and I had Ms. Neveau's mass media class together. At some point in the year, she wanted us to make a list of all of our favorites - song, movie, TV show... On this day, Chad happened to be sitting next to me. As his favorite song, he put down Def Leppard's "Don't Shoot Shotgun" - which can be found on their "Hysteria" album. And for his all-time favorite film, he wrote down "Child's Play." I didn't say anything to him. But that disgusted me. I wanted to ask him, "Chad, in 20 years, as you look back on your childhood, are you going to remember "Child's Play?" Or are you more apt to remember something Like "Star Wars?" "Child's Play" happened to be big at the time. And I'm sure he was just buzzed about it. But geez, put some thought into your answers. Now, it's been 17 years since that day. And if I were to run into Chad, and he were to tell me that "Child's Play" is still his favorite film, and that he has it, and all the sequels (which keep coming to this day) on DVD, then I will eat my words.
On our senior video, Chad can be seen mugging to the camera as he talks about wrestling. I think he was trying to be like a professional wrestler. But he wasn't quick enough to come up with something clever to say. But the attitude displayed was rather funny.
I realize this entry makes Chad look like an ass. And he was. But like I said, there were two sides to Chad. I've come to the conclusion that Chad didn't even believe a lot of his bullshit - that he was somewhat of a parody of himself. There was definitely a lovable quality to him.
I ran into Chad many, many times at the video store. And I must say, he was a delight. He was always happy, smiling, and fun to talk to. He was a good guy. Now THAT is the Chad I choose to remember.
Chad married class of 1990's Janet Anderson. It looks like they divorced in 1998. I believe they had two kids together. Today it looks like Chad has remarried to a woman named Barbara. I believe they live in Mishicot.
UPDATE - 11/22/06 - A comment got deleted. Here's what it said.
"I work with Chad, he's a maintenance guy with specialization in wiring/electrical. He usually wears a hat. One day the hat was off, wiping sweat off his brow--he is as bald as Homer Simpson. I'm not one to groove on another's misery, but it was a bit of a shock. He has the illusion of hair, what I would call a "hat ring". When the hat is off, the illusion is dismissed."
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:53 AM 4 comments
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
SANDY STOLTENOW
I first remember Sandy from 5th grade. She and I had Ms. Krause together. We got along pretty good. Although we were never friends or anything. At some point that year, I drew a series of mazes. I believe Sandy was one of the kids who completed all of them, and thus won a pack of gum from me.
I seem to recall Sandy being friends with Dawn Schmidt that year. I could be wrong about that though. But I do have a vague memory of the two of them playing with a Rubik's cube, trying to see which one of them could complete a side first. I think Cindy Rohrer also joined them.
Beyond 5th grade, Sandy and I never had much contact with one another. I never had a problem with her though. She seemed normal enough for me. She certainly never said anything unkind to me.
In high school, I believe Sandy went out for several sports. I want to say she went out for basketball, volleyball and softball. She was probably good at all of them.
After high school, I think I ran into Sandy a couple of times at the video store. I don't think we said much more than "hi" though. For awhile, Sandy lived in Green Bay. She may have attended UWGB. I don't know. I think she may have met her husband in Green Bay as well. Today she is known as Sandy Vancampenhout. One wonders if they enjoy camping out. Ha! I knew they had one child. But based on some very recently obtained information, it now looks like they have at least two children. It looks like they may all live in Two Rivers, with Sandy's parents.
According to Tammy Swoboda (who recently saw her) Sandy felt that she did some nasty things in high school, and was rude to her fellow classmates. Strange, I don't remember her being anything like that. From what I recall, Sandy was pretty nice. But I guess she knows herself better than I do.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 2:10 PM 1 comments
TOBY SCHWARTZ
I believe Toby was with me at Magee. But I don't have any memories of him until our days at Clarke. I didn't have him in 6th grade. But I'd see him in the gym after lunch. He seemed to always be milling around with the girls.
Toby was a littler guy. I got to know him in 7th grade. We had every class together. And we became pretty good friends. There weren't a lot of guys in that class. In fact, if memory serves, it was Toby, Jason Anderson, Kevin Dehne, Jim Colby, Wyatt Wood, Ron (Cuyler) Gretz, Rob Sisel, B.J. Lutterman and myself. So we were nine guys and 20-25 girls. I think us guys tended to be closer, simply due to being outnumbered.
In gym class that year, Toby was often "burned" by Kevin Dehne. In this case, "burning" meant having his shorts pulled down. I can recall Jenny Malley of all people encouraging this behavior in Kevin. But as luck would have it, Toby had the longest gym shirt on the planet. And when his shorts came down. his shirt covered his whole butt. I wasn't as fortunate. Once or twice mine came down - nothing like an underwear flash.
Something else happened in gym class early that year. 7th grade was the first year that we as students were made to take showers after class. The first day we had to do this, Toby and I actually ducked out of the locker room without doing so. Mr. Wolff was pissed. I remember asking him, "Why do we need to shower anyway?" To which Jenny Malley replied "Because you stink!" In Jenny's defense, she wasn't singling out Toby and myself. She was referring to everyone in general. But I still disagreed. It was gym class. It wasn't like we were running a marathon. No one ever got sweaty anyway. But I digress.
The next class, we all showered. As I was undressing, I was actually sitting next to Toby. And I noticed something... Toby was at half mast. It wasn't a full boner mind you. It was more of a Hollywood loaf. I remember thinking oh boy, this is really bad for him. I showered and got dressed. But after class, Jason Anderson came up to me and said, "You better watch out for Toby." I played dumb and asked why. Jason then said that Toby did indeed have a boner in the shower. Let the teasing begin! Toby heard about it all year long. Of course he denied it though. You have to, you know? I felt bad for him. As a guy, sometimes boners happen for no reason. I was terrified that it might happen to me at some point. But thankfully, it never did. Incidentally, after about a month, Wolff stopped enforcing the shower rule. And we all stopped taking them. So I guess we stunk for awhile. But gym class was 7th hour, the last class of the day. So be it.
Toby was one of the guys who would occasionally join us when we walked over to my house for lunch. On the way back one day, Kevin attacked Toby, threw him in a snow bank, and doused him with snow. Why? Because that's what Kevin did. Toby emerged a little wet, but no worse for wear.
I remember riding my bike over to Toby's in October. He lived right by Clarke. Toby was busy though. He was carving pumpkins with his mom and sister.
Toby once told me that he found a $20.00 bill in his neighbor's yard. he used it to buy the Star Wars Dagobah Playset.
I see to recall that Toby was a fan of Lionel Ritchie during 7th grade.
As the year went on, I got into more and more trouble. Toby was a much more straight-laced kid. But I dragged him down with me a few times. He tried not to get involved with some of my shit sometimes. But hey, I was fun! 7th grade was a blast! I know for a fact that Toby's mom hated me. She was involved with the school - on the school board or something. And I know she used to try to steer him away from having anything at all to do with me. One day Toby came to school and said, "Do you know that your name has come up for possible suspension 12 times?" My response? "Cool!" In actuality, I only got suspended twice that year. And both of them were decided at the time of the incident, not at a school board meeting.
In Mr. Stodola's science class, Toby and I used to play a game. He sat next to me, in another row. Julie Scott sat next to me on the other side, in another row. Pam Schley sat next to Toby on his other side. So Pam and Julie were three rows apart. During class, when it was quiet, I'd whisper to Julie that Pam wanted her. Toby would whisper to Pam that Julie wanted her. Then the two of them would try to communicate with each other from three rows apart, trying to read each other's lips, figuring out what each wanted - which was of course nothing. It was pretty funny to watch.
In Mr. Longhini's math class, Toby sat behind Pam and would regularly pull and snap her bra strap. This fun came to an end when Brenda Dax saw it and blabbed rather loudly about it.
In 8th grade, I think Toby and I had one class together. But for the life of me, I can't recall which one. Maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps we just ate lunch together. Yes, I think that's it.
At some point in 8th grade, Toby got a detention. He was freaking out about it because his mom would have been mortified. So he ended up telling her that he was able to stay after school to work on the computers. I guess she bought it.
In freshman year, Toby sat two seats down from me in Mr. Wheeler's science class. Julie Scott sat between us. When we did experiments and stuff, Toby and I would usually team up. I remember teaching him that if you stuch a pen cap up your nose and tickled, you could make yourself sneeze. I still use that method today if I have a sneeze that simply won't come out on its own.
Throughout high school, Toby and I never hung out. But we always remained friends - or at least friendly. Toby was involved in the school newspaper.
In the summer between our junior and senior year, I was hanging out with Scott Jaklin. For whatever reason, in the middle of the night, we decided to walk over to Toby's house. His parents and sister were out of town. For whatever reason, I brought up the subject of the catholic communion crackers, and how they tasted like shit. No, I'm not catholic. But once or twice I went with Dave Svatek to his church. And I took communion. Why not? Is that blasphemous? Anyway, Toby disappeared to his room, then came out with a bag of them. He then started to eat them. Toby had stolen several bags from his church. I loved the irony. I couldn't believe he liked to eat those things though. We also made some prank phone calls to fellow graduate, Brian Belongia. You can find details of that in my entry on him.
In our senior year, we had Mr. Hensel's class together. He sat right next to me. We got a free day once when Hensel was out. We knew it was coming the day before. So I went home and found all my mazes and notebooks from 7th grade. And we had a good day reminiscing.
In our senior year, various teachers required us to keep journals. Many students used these journals as diaries. Not that I had an abundance of intimate details, but I never put anything personal in mine that I wouldn't want others to read. There was a justified fear that it could end up in the wrong hands. A pair of those wrong hands belonged to Toby. Apparently he used to steal the journals of others and read them. And if I'm not mistaken, I think he actually got in trouble (with the law) for doing it as well. Incidentally, Toby had a journal too. He let me read it. In it, he mentioned that his sister was too trendy, and that his mom wore clothes from the 1970's. I don't know why I remember that. I just do.
There were rumors that if you bribed Mr. Hensel with chocolate, it could help your grade. I felt I was in serious danger of failing the second semester. So I was all set to do just that. But something better came up. One day in class Hensel was very distraught. He told us how his Latin/English dictionary was missing. Honestly, he seemed devastated by this. Toby told me that he had taken it - for whatever reason. So I asked him if I could have it. So he gave it to me. Then I returned it to Hensel, telling him that I'd found it on top of the lockers in the basement. He was overjoyed! And I passed, even though I shouldn't have.
After high school, whenever Meff came up to visit, we would often call Toby in the middle of the night, and tell him to turn on Dr. Gene Scott. He never seemed too amused by this. I think Toby was working at Walmart at the time.
I saw Toby again around 1994 or 1995. He owned a business at the J.C. Penney Mall. It was an antique store. I was greatly impressed with his Star Wars collection. I was getting into Star Wars again at the time. So I bought a lot of stuff from him, including a pillow case - which I still use to this day, much to the chagrin of my wife. Toby even followed me to my house one night to view my collection.
Toby eventually moved his business to a location right off of the highway by the Newton exit. The last time I saw him was around 2000. I went back once or twice since then. But Toby had sold the business.
A few years ago, I happened to see Toby's name in the paper. He had opened an EBAY store and was selling stuff for people. I believe he does that to this day. He's got impressive feedback. Today Toby also works part time at the Manitowoc YMCA, where he occasionally runs into my parents. As far as I know, he has never married.
UPDATE - 11/9/06 - Kevin Dehne and I have tried to see Toby on both of our trips to Two Rivers. We've stopped at his house twice on each day. Thus far, he has never been home. He did E-mail me however, and said that he was disappointed that he'd missed us. Although he lives on Memorial Drive in Two Rivers, he apparently works at a Sheboygan bank every other Saturday. Of course both of our trips have been on Saturdays. The picture below was taken on August 12th, 2006.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:23 AM 8 comments
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
LAURA FOWLER
I believe Laura joined me at Washington. I never had much contact with her until my junior year though. Prior to that, she was just another face in the hall.
For reasons I don't really know, Laura started joining us at lunch during our junior year. By "us" I mean Dave Svatek and Richard Wheeler. Laura was an interesting girl. And it was nice to have a female perspective on things. I liked her. Although I didn't like her glasses.
Laura was a self-admitted horny girl. She would never go into great details about such things. But she made it very clear that she loved sex. In fact, prior to our freshman year (I think) she and Dave had a little thing. All that happened was a handjob. And Dave didn't finish. As Laura stated, "He wouldn't cum!" Of course Richard and I teased both of them to no end about that. The same couldn't be said for fellow graduate Jeff Rehrauer though. Laura provided the same stimulant to him. And Jeff finished - very quickly. Forgive him, it was probably the first female skin his little head ever felt.
I also recall Laura telling a tale of being with a guy whose last name was Fricke. The name stood out because the guy may have been the younger brother of the psycho who tried to run us off the road once. Anyway, Laura said she had a lot of fun with him, due to the fact that the guy was incapable of finishing. I guess that would be good for staying power. But geez, not ever getting that payoff would suck for me!
I had Laura in Ms. Neveau's speech class that year. For whatever reason, one day I found myself laying on the counter in the back of the room. Everyone was kind of milling around. Laura came up, tapped me on the belly and said that I shouldn't lay there like that, because it reminds her of "other things." Ok then.
Later on that year, our school was entertained by some sort of band. We watched them in the auditorium. Laura mentioned that she thought one of the guys was really cute. We all thought that the guy in question looked like Jay Leno. The band actually ate lunch in our lunchroom. I asked Ms. Neveau if I could go down and get an autograph for her. She said, sure. So I did. When I got down to the lunchroom, much to my chagrin, the band was sitting at a round table with Mr. Wood. Nonetheless, I went right up to the guy to ask for an autograph for Laura. I told him he looked like Jay Leno, and asked if he could sign it as Jay Leno. As I was doing this, Mr. Wood butted his nose in and was demanding that I leave them alone and to go away. He was getting angry at me! What a prick. Anyway, the band jumped to my defense and assured Wood that it was ok. Wood was peaved, but shut the hell up. THAT was awesome! Anyway, the guy ended up signing it, "To Jay Leno" then signed his real name. He didn't get it. Oh well. But Laura was happy nonetheless.
Whatever brief friendship (or at least friendliness) we shared was done by the end of junior year. I don't think we shared any classes together as seniors. And she became another face in the hall once again.
I believe I ran into Laura a few times at the video store. She remained nice. She worked at Kwik Trip for awhile. She eventually married and became Laura Tegelman. It doesn't look like they had any children. But I could be wrong. They divorced in 2004. It looks like Laura has spent the last several years in Ohio, about an hour north of Cincinnati - which has an airport that I hate! But I digress. It's possible that Laura has remarried, and is now known as Laura Snider. But I could be wrong about that too. For a recent picture of her, look down. She looks pretty good! And no glasses!
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:09 AM 4 comments
Monday, March 27, 2006
KELLY KOTAREK
I moved to Two Rivers in 4th grade. One of my classmates in Mrs. Schmidt's class that year was Kelly Kotarek. The main reason I remember her is that my friend Chris Storlie had a crush on her. It kind of worked out well, as I had a crush on Sheila Zach. And Kelly and Sheila were friends, as I recall. So the two of us annoyed them, to be sure.
There was a thing called "germs." In other words, if you were to touch someone, you would have their "germs" on you. You could then touch someone else and say "Janice germs" or something to that effect. Ridiculous really. But hey, we were nine or ten at the time.
Chris and I used to buzz by Kelly and Sheila at recess. We would "accidentally" brush by the two of them. I'd touch Kelly. He'd touch Sheila. We would then "exchange" germs. I got Sheila. He got Kelly. We were both content I guess.
Kelly and I never had much contact over the years. She seemed like a sweet girl, always having a smile on her face. She was kind of small in stature.
On our senior video, she expressed an interest in making it on Broadway. She mentioned it like it was a little hidden secret of hers. Perhaps it was. But I don't think the bright lights of New York ever shown on her. Kelly eventually married and became Kelly Medenwaldt. Today she lives near and works in Janesville, for a religious-based charity. She may have also been involved in adoptions as well.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 9:43 AM 0 comments
Friday, March 24, 2006
SARAH PLAPPERT
I think Sarah was with me at Magee. At the very least, she was at Clarke. Sarah was one of the lucky classmates who got to share every single class with me in 7th grade. I'm sure she was thrilled.
Sarah was a really nice girl. She was cute too. In Mr. Swokowski's art class that year, I got in trouble or something, and was moved from my regular seat, back to a table with Sarah, B.J. Lutterman and Jenny Malley. B.J. was cool as hell. And Jenny and Sarah were hotties. That was one of the best days of my life!
Sarah was involved in theater. She was part of Manitowoc's Peter Quince plays. In fact, I remember seeing her in Grease. She played Frenchy. That was the summer of 1986. Because of her involvement, she knew a lot of people in Manitowc - including some who remembered me before I moved to Two Rivers in 4th grade. Tonya Wergin was one of them. Apparently they would tell Sarah some strange stories about me - which were probably true. Sarah would then relay them back to me.
In our freshman year, I personally thought that Sarah blossomed. Her boobs got to be pretty big. And she looked beautiful - a real woman. I believe I had her in Mrs. Fischer's french class that year. Or was it the language class with her? I don't know. But it was Mrs. Fischer, for sure.
In addition to theater, Sarah had another interesting hobby - shooting a bow and arrow. In fact, she would enter competitions. And I believe she won several of them. She was a great shot.
After freshman year, Sarah moved - I believe to Sheboygan. I haven't seen her since. I always thought she would be famous someday. But Hollywood wasn't meant to be. At one point she planned to go to Sheboygan North after high school. She may have done that. She eventually married, and is now known as Sarah Zeinemann. She and her husband live in Manitowoc, where Sarah has a teaching job at Riverview School.
UPDATE - 1/29/07 - I was able to find a recent photo of Sarah. It's a little bit small. But you can see it below.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:41 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
DANA GRASEE
Here's a girl who I believe dates back to Magee for me. But I don't know if I ever had any contact with her at all.
About the only thing that stands out for me is that in our younger days, some people would refer to her as "grass-ass." How juvenile, yet delightfully funny as I reminisce.
From what I can recall, Dana was somewhat shunned by the popular crowd. She probably wasn't pretty enough for their elite status. She wasn't looked down upon. She just did her own thing. I don't recall who she hung around with. But I think she was somewhat bright - perhaps a bit nerdy.
Dana lived pretty close to me - on the corner of 43rd and Columbus. I had a nasty incident with her little brother - who I believe was named Eric - class of 1997.
One late spring evening, in 1984 I believe, I was hanging out with fellow graduate Lisa King's brother Dan (class of 1994). We each had a metal rod which was sometimes used in barbecues. We were using them as "swords." We were wandering around in the field behind my house, and sauntered over near Dana's house. We saw a bunch of younger kids playing in the yard. We decided to go over and scare them. Dan didn't really want to, and kind of trailed behind me. But I got into Dana's backyard. And we did startle the kids. But I never got within 20 feet of anyone. After that, we just left.
About an hour later, as the sun was setting, I was heading back home. Dan had already left. Suddenly I was grabbed by class of 1988's Rick Zahn - who lived a few doors down from Dana. He was furious and was threatening to kill me. What the fuck? He dragged me back to the area, and brought me to a group of kids who were sitting on the deck behind a house on 43rd street. There were maybe 15 kids - boys and girls of all ages, all younger than me. And they were all screaming at me and swearing. I soon found out why.
Little Eric Grasee had told them all that I had hit him in the head with my "sword." BULL-FUCKING SHIT! Neither Dan or I got anywhere near any of them. This kid was totally lying for some sort of attention. And he was good too. Eric was present. And he described (in pretty effective detail) what I had done and exactly where I had hit him. I pleaded innocence - rightfully so. But I was defenseless. There were no adults anywhere to be found. Just a bunch of kids, and the muscle of Rick Zahn. Despite threats of calling the police, it was decided that I should apologize to Eric.
I was fuming inside. My instinct was to tell them all to go fuck themselves, and have them call the police. But then I thought better of it. Although I was innocent, I had a really bad reputation in the neighborhood. The cops were at my house every other week. There was no way in hell I'd be able to convince anyone that I was innocent - especially when this little liar was so damn convincing himself. I had been in his yard, with a sword. But I never touched him or anyone. And who would believe me over a little kid? So with my blood boiling, I swallowed my pride and humbly apologized to the little fucker. When it was all said and done, Rick took me and started to walk me toward's Dan's house. He was going to tell Dan's parents about the incident as well. Along the way, I told them that Dan had had nothing to do with this, and that I had acted alone. Rick bought it, and simply let me go. So at least I kept Dan out of this bullshit.
I vowed revenge on Rick. But it wasn't his fault. It was that little bastard Eric. I've often wondered why he did that. What kind of person would do such a thing? I could have gotten in serious trouble over his lies. Oh well. I'm probably a better person today than he is. Fucker.
Back to Dana. She blossomed a bit in highschool - at the very least, she gave herself a classic 1980's hairdo. She participated in the senior video, and wished us luck.
I think Dana went to college - perhaps to UWGB. She eventually married class of 1985's Mark Arneman. They have at least one child. For awhile, she worked for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. But she may not be with them any longer. Today they live in Manitowoc.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 12:40 PM 2 comments
TIM PETRI
Something tells me that Tim was with me at Clarke. But I might be wrong. But he was at Washington all four years, to be sure.
My first memories of Tim are from freshman year. We had a few classes together, including Mr. Heuer's algebra class. Tim's parents collected a lot of movies - as did Tim. So he and I had something in common. As I recall, Tim's parents were fans of Elvis' films. Anyway, I believe Tim actually loaned me a porno movie - which I of course copied for myself. In fact, it may have been entitled "Backdoor Brides." I actually recall the day I borrowed it from him. At some point that year, Tim broke his leg, and was in a cast for weeks. Subsequently he would always get to leave class five minutes early, accompanied by a fellow student, who would carry his books and stuff to the next classroom. Good gig! I think Marcus Petkevicius used to do it in Heuer's room. But on that day, I got the job, and got the tape from Tim's locker.
Around that same time, I also had Tim in gym class. Because of his leg, he couldn't play softball. Someone (I don't recall who) asked Mr. Bonino if Tim could hit, but have someone else run the bases for him. Bonino declined.
I belive I ran into Tim from time to time at the video store. He was always friendly enough. According to Brad Strouf, Tim and fellow graduate Peter Soucoup opened a bar together. It apparently closed. In fact, although it looks like the two of them were roommates for years, they must have had a falling out. It looks like Tim sued Peter over some sort of car accident - although they both listed the same address as their residence. Odd.
Today Tim may still be in the tavern business. It looks like he lives below one, in Manitowoc. In fact, his living quarters were searched by the police not too long ago. Although it doesn't look like anything bad was found, as I can find no record of any charges associated with the search. Tim has however been arrested for drunk driving on three occasions - one less than Peter. To my knowledge, Tim has never married. It looks like a young woman very recently got a restraining order against him.
UPDATE - 10/23/06 - Thanks to Kevin Dehne for spotting this ad, which features Tim and his wife. It's a small picture. But you can tell it's him.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 11:56 AM 4 comments
Saturday, March 18, 2006
WELCOME - ANNE WETENKAMP
Anne has joined this blog and left a few comments in her entry. Welcome Anne. If you have a pic, please send it.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 10:32 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
WELCOME... CURRENT WHS STUDENT?
Someone going by the name of "Dudeest" has chimed in with come comments about Craig Rysticken. What sets the dude apart is that he/she is allegedly a current student of Craig's. Welcome Dudeest.
On another note, I am writing this from my resort in Hawaii. If you get a chance, I highly suggest visiting this wonderful state. Despite the "missed approach" the rough landing, the torrential rain the last two days. and the death-inducing musdlide, there truly is no place I'd rather live.
Now if they only had a Fat Tuesday's...
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 9:43 AM 2 comments
Monday, March 13, 2006
I AM DRUNK!
Yes, folks. It is after midnight in Las Vegas - where I am right now. ANd I am drunk - seriosuly srunk from Fat Tuesday;s - they need one of these lovely establishments in Milwaukee. But I digress.
So what Have I LEARNED?
I've learnbed that everyone loves Erin Hynek - rightfully so. She;s a cool chick. I've exchanges several E-mails with her. She;s a good egg. She;s deserved all the accolades that others have said about her. How she doesn't age is a mystery of the gods.
Jeremy Karman. I talked to him. Man, he was so nice. Such a cool dude. If I swubng the other way, ND THE LAWS OF THE LAND ALLOWED IT, i COULD marry him. Well no, that's silly. He;s a cool and all. But I don't swing that way.
Jenny Malley - awesome chick. Grateful to get to know her now. Can't wai tto see her again.
Shawn Mehlhorna and Becky Prausa. My thoughts are with you both.
Tina Short - cool chick. I'd love to hear from you.
I'm sure there's more. BUT i NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM NOW. It';s late. We fly to Hawaii tomorrow. I hope I;'m not embarassing myself. I will right more soon! Toby, youre going to be next very soon!
PEACE AND LOVE TO YOU ALL!
Brother Walrus
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 12:21 AM 4 comments
Thursday, March 09, 2006
BRIAN BELONGIA
He was sometimes called Brian Baloney. I'm sure he was called a few other not so nice words as well.
I first met Brian in 5th grade. We had Ms. Krause together. Brian didn't have many friends. Actually, I don't know if he had any friends. So I kind of latched onto him a bit. For whatever reason, I would call him "The Fonz." He hated it. He even told Ms. Krause to try and make me stop. Of course I refused. He lived right across a small field from my house. I was on 45th street. He was on 43rd street. There was no 44th street at that time. So I could see his house form my kitchen window.
Let's call a spade a spade. Brian was a dork. No, Brian was a major dork. I was friends with him for a few years. Trust me. He was a dork. This is going to sound really shitty. But I didn't want any of my other friends to know I was friends with him. I was embarrased about being friends with him. Sometimes I wonder why we were friends. We had almost nothing in common. I was a troublemaker. He was a goodie goodie of epic proportions. We basically had one thing in common - a love for the Star Wars films. Both of us had big collections of all the Kenner Star Wars toys. We played with them constantly. We set up huge play areas in my attic, and spent countless hours up there. I guess we also had a love for Atari. But what kid at that time didn't?
In 7th grade, I got a Texas Instruments computer. Brian and I used to type in various programs, and sometimes even make our own. We made a lot of games - not with graphics mind you, just text-based games. Some of them were actually pretty cool. We even made catalogs for our games, just as Atari did.
One day Brian and I were goofing around. And I think I mooned him. I must have been tired of screwing around. Because I started playing Atari. Brian wasn't done apparently. He was up in my attic, then climbed down the stairs - butt ass naked. To top it off, he had a boner. I don't know what game he was playing. But I wasn't playing along. I just ignored him and kept playing Atari. Keep in mind, there was nothing sexual involved with his nudity. It was just a response to my mooning of him. But Jesus, could he have at least waited until his hard-on subsided before coming down? That was creepy.
Brian was spoiled. On Christmas morning, his entire living room was filled with so many presents, it looked like Santa's sleigh had been dumped of its contents. You literally couldn't walk in there. Brian's parents even went nuts on St. Nick, giving some high-priced gifts. All I ever got was candy. Was I the unusual one?
In 7th grade, Brian introduced me to a guy named John. John was in his late 30's, had cerebral palsy, and lived with his mother in an apartment on Mishicot Road, just across from the cemetary on the north side. It was quite common to see him tooling around in his electric wheelchair. John was cool. He was a leftover hippie from the 1960's. And he had a bit of a wild streak in him. But Brian certainly wasn't going to get that out of him. Me on the other hand...
John took a fancy to me. So I hung out over there quite a bit. He had great music and more Atari games than anyone I'd ever known. Plus he had a subscription to Playboy. How did Brian react to all this attention? He got jealous. Can you believe that shit? He tried like hell to turn John against me. He tried to get John to ban me from his apartment. Blah, blah, blah. As if a kid can tell a grown man what to do. Eventually that petty jealousy ruined what friendship Brian and I had. That was fine with me. I'd had enough of him anyway. It became real easy to hate Brian. He was a dork. And he was a jerk at this point. He had nothing going for him.
At some point in the winter during 8th grade, I was riding my bike home in the snow. I would often cut through Brian's yard. I noticed a snowman in the backyard. So I knocked it down. An hour later Brian's dad called to chew me out. I denied it and was pretty disrespectful to him.
A few months later, I decided to egg his house. I also took some rotten grapefruit with me. I tossed it all in the back of his house, then took off running. I was wearing shorts at the time. It was dark out. And I completely forgot about the brand new rose bush that my parents had planted in the backyard a few days earlier. I ran right into it - at full speed. Those thorns ripped into my flesh and actually brought my body to a complete stop. The problem was that I stopped halfway through. I had no recourse but to push forward. I literally heard my skin rip and tear. And the pain was unreal. I walked bow-legged to the backdoor, walked in, turned on the light, and saw nothing but red on my legs. I had hundreds of scratches and tears. I filled the bathtub with water and got in. It really stung. Within moments, the water was brown. Thankfully none of the scrathes were all that deep. But my legs looked like they'd been through hell. Thankfully I had underwear on. Otherwise I might not have kids today. I still have a couple of scars to this day.
As the years went by, both Brian's and I would occasionaly cross paths at John's apartment. In time the animosity died out. And we got along for the most part. But he was still a dork.
Brian was a very quiet member of my creative writing class with Ms. Sapa, during our junior year. One memory stands out. At some point, probably in mid-November, Jen Andersen noticed him and blurted out, "You're in this class?" Of course the funny thing was that it was a rather small class - and it was halfway through the semester. Not too many people noticed Brian.
In the summer of 1988, I was hanging around with Scott Jaklin. It was about 3:00 in the morning. For whataver reason, we decided to walk over to Toby Schwartz' house. Along the way, we went by Brian's. We threw a few firecrackers in his backyard. We may have pounded on the patio door as well. Once we were at Toby's, we decided to prank call Brian. Toby's sister had an electronic keyboard. You could record your voice, then play it back at normal speed, or faster or slower, depending on what key you pressed. We simply recorded "Brian Belongia." But when you played it fast, over and over again, and speeded up, it sounded hilarious. So we called him, the kept playing the very speedy version, "Brian Belongia, Brain Belongia, Brian Belongia." Then we'd throw in a long, drawn-out slow version. It's hard to describe. But it was quite funny. We were entertained anyway. About an hour later, Scott called him back, pretending to be a police officer. He told Brian's mom that they'd caught three boys who threw firecrackers at their house, and that he needed them to come down to the police station to fill out a report. I never found out if they did. But she believed the story.
Brian got a job working at Sentry. He worked there for maybe 10 years. He then decided that he wanted to be a priest. As Meff told me at the time, "Doesn't the catholic church like their priests to have at least some sort of charisma?"
In order to become a priest, you must finish college. I knew Brian for year. And to be honest, I never thought he was college material. In all honesty, he was rather dim. He looked like a classic nerd. But he didn't have typical nerd smarts. He was very easily outwitted. I did so many times. But power to him. He did in fact graduate from college. That really surprised me. And finally in 2005, he did become a priest. I remember reading the article in the newspaper. It happened to mention that Brian had taken an oath of celibacy. I think Brian took that oath in 1984. As Meff said, it's not so much that he had to take an oath. It's just the way it is.
Obviously Brian has never married. I think he's now priesting somewhere west of Manitowoc - perhaps in Appleton, or the Neenah/Menasha area.
UPDATE - 5/12/06 - I found a picture of Brian from a few years ago, shortly after he decided to look into becoming a priest.
UPDATE - 5/4/07 - I found a website for the church Brian is affiliated with. Here's the link. ST. MARY MAGDALENE
I also found a page dedicated to Brian at the church he used to be affiliated with. See the link here. ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH
On that St. Pius page, there's also a link to some of Brian's articles. Some of them are quite interesting, including how he combined church lessons with Star Wars and Scooby Doo. Check them out here. BRIAN'S TEACHINGS
Apparently at some point today, Brian will be installed as Pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Waupaca. See the first link in the update. So congratulations to Brian.
On the St. Pius website there is a gigantic boigraphy on Brian. You can read it below. Below that are some recent pictures of Brian, including 12 photos from the day he got "priested."
********************************************************
During the sports segment of the 6:00 evening news, Fr. Brian Belongia was born on January 14, 1971 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the son of Gerald and Ruth (Schepper) Belongia. He grew up and was educated in Two Rivers, the home of the Ice Cream Sundae, and graduated from Washington High School in 1989. He was baptized and received first Reconciliation and Eucharist at Sacred Heart Church and was confirmed in 1989 by Bishop Robert Morneau at St. Luke’s Church in Two Rivers. He has one brother, Jeff, who is ten years younger, who also was born and raised in Two Rivers. Fr. Brian’s parents have recently retired from local factories in Two Rivers, where they still reside. They are enjoying retirement and have also been supportive of his vocation. His brother, Jeff is also still living in Two Rivers and discerning life.
Fr. Brian developed an interest in bowling at a young age. As early as 1st grade, his is dad would take him to the bowling alleys on Friday nights to watch the bowlers and sometimes even try it himself, usually throwing several frames of gutter balls. Since then, he’s gotten much better at the sport-yes -- it’s a sport-- but still occasionally dumps one in the channel. Years later, he would come to enjoy a game of golf every now and then; however, he is prone to hitting shots into parking lots full of cars and onto condominium rooftops.
Although not an overly enthusiastic student, nor very popular among his peers, in high school, Fr. Brian did manage to discover somewhat of a skill: acting. He starred in three plays, including playing the role of Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey, a role made famous on screen by Jimmy Stewart. To this day, he still likes rabbits, despite being bitten on his finger by one of those furry puffballs when he was very little! As a matter of fact, he likes animals in general — just look in his room! One of Brian’s favorite things to do for relaxation is going to zoos and wildlife areas to check out all the animals.
Honestly, when Brian graduated high school, he had no interest in pursuing higher education and really thought and hoped school was over. He started at Sentry Foods as a stocker/bagger and over a ten-year span, or so, was introduced to the grocery business. Eventually, he assumed roles of dairy and frozen food manager became a 2nd assistant manager, which included running stock crews, ordering product, learning how to interact with many different people, and in-charge accountability in the absence of the store managers. Although he spent some time working amidst the fruits and vegetables and knows the difference between Endive and Escarole, ask his current housekeeper, he still doesn’t like to eat it.
Life was fairly uneventful for Brian until 1996. 1996 was a big year in Fr. Brian’s life. Brian was fairly active at church from a young age. He, like most of us, too, sat through hours and hours of religion classes, usually just praying for them to end. He always went, though, usually without complaining(can a priest stretch the truth just a little?) listened, did the work, and went to Mass on Sundays, as expected. He didn’t realize that the Holy Spirit was working within him at the time, but God was. Brian started serving Mass in 4th grade. For most this seems the normal time; however, at Sacred Heart, they recruited servers in 2nd grade! Brian wasn’t interested then… he would have rather have gone bowling… but his religion teacher was persistent with him, just as she was with the others in the class. Yes, even he was asked, “Now Brian, what’s more important, bowling or God?” In the fourth grade he started serving and, of all those who started serving before him and after him, Brian continued this ministry well into adulthood. Until he became a deacon, he loved serving mass and would do it whenever he was needed, including funerals and weddings. He also served at many Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions, which included benediction every Tuesday night and Stations of the Cross in Lent. It was a time when we were often reminded of a plenary indulgence being granted for participating in the Stations. He, however, was a typical server who sometimes wasn’t quite on the ball. He clearly remembers one Holy Thursday when all five servers forgot about lighting the charcoal for the incense and the most humble response of the priest that day: It was just a shake of his head and roll of his eyes and afterward he kindly reminded us that when the charcoal is burning, the coal turns white. He also has vivid memories of the priest snapping his fingers to the servers in order to get their attention. Brian learned very quickly to stay alert during mass and be in place at the proper times! In his senior year of high school he became the server captain at which time he trained servers and wrote the schedules. Somewhere along the way, his religion teacher felt serving was not enough; he should try lecturing, which he did for the first time in 8th grade. The first time he read the first reading was from the prophet, Ezekiel. He remembers having to ask how to pronounce the name, if he only realized then that that name is one of the easier names to pronounce.
Then something rather strange, yet expected happened: the pastor of Sacred Heart for 21 years, Fr. Don Marquardt retired and the parish was immediately linked with another parish: Holy Redeemer. At that time he met two new, actually not new, but other priests, one retired and one almost retired, who were saying masses at Sacred Heart. One of the priests was Fr. Paul Schumacher, who remained pastor of Sacred Heart for less than one year. Brian saw there was a need to help with writing the parish bulletin. At that time, the bulletin at Sacred Heart was still a one-page typewritten bulletin that wasn’t edited very well, but served the purpose. Brian volunteered to type them weekly. It was then that Brian realized he actually liked what he was doing. He was strictly a volunteer. He wasn’t getting paid; he even arranged work schedules to meet his commitments at church, and something stirred within him.
The late Fr. John Schmitt, who died just one month before Fr. Brian’s ordination to the deaconate, met him when Brian was serving mass one Saturday evening. Afterwards he said, “Did you ever think of the priesthood.” He said, “Not really”. What Fr. John didn’t know is that Brian had thought of the priesthood and his invitation that day gave him the inspiration and courage to look into it. Fr. Brian had been asked to think of the priesthood before and he even attended a Call By Name dinner in the diocese shortly after his graduation from high school, but he didn’t pursue it afterwards-at least until this holy, happy, and good- humored priest asked.
“Why not?” he thought. He enjoyed serving the Lord, so why not look into it when so many things indicated that this was possible for him. So, he contacted the vocations director who told him it would take at least eight years of schooling to become a priest. The idea of school again, something Brian thought was over for good, did not, at first, sound very pleasing to him. He wasn’t a good student in high school. Not because he wasn’t capable of doing better, but moreso because he didn’t necessarily want to do better. At any rate, eight years after graduating high school, Brian was accepted to Silver Lake College in fall 1997 provisionally for his first semester. That meant he needed to prove himself by earning at least C’s within the first semester in order to continue his studies, but, if he was serious about priesthood, he would have to engage the process…like it or not.
Just before beginning college, Brian received the exceptional support of Fr. Bill O’Brien, who has been Pastor of Two Rivers since 1997. Since Brian has started college, the four parishes in Two Rivers have merged together to form St. Peter the Fisherman parish, and his former home parish no longer stands. When it was decided a new church would be built in Two Rivers to accommodate all the people, Pentecost 2005 was originally set for the completion of the new church. This day was to correspond with the anticipated ordination of Fr. Brian. Incidentally, that goal was achieved and Fr. Bill felt what nobler event could the parish set for the completion of such a holy project?
College was a wonderful experience for Fr. Brian. In his studies, which eventually led to a degree in English with minors in religious studies and philosophy, he excelled at a pace even Brian did not know he was capable. In college, he grew in the love of the Lord, a love of learning, and strengthened many skills, especially writing and research. In college Brian developed a reputation that still is with him-just ask Fr. Tom- of staying ahead of the game and of being highly organized. It seems that, at times, he and the parish secretary are in somewhat of a competition in the category of most organized person in the office. All of this, entered with the intention of going to graduate Seminary to become a priest helped him to complete his undergraduate degree with magna cum laude honors in spring 2001, and this man never thought he would do that-let alone going on to pursue a graduate degree in theology at seminary! Many people are unaware of just how much formation and study it takes to become a priest.
In the middle of his experience at Silver Lake College, Brian’s grandmother died. It was the only grandparent he really got to know. His grandfather died when he was only 3 and his other grandparent died when he was 10. His grandmother never went to church that much; however, she was quite devotional and had boxes of prayer cards and rosaries she prayed often. She had a phobia of being in crowds of people, which kept her from going to church, but Brian does remember seeing her in church from time to time when he was very young. When, however, she found out Brian was studying for the priesthood, she was so happy and joyful. It was quite an unexpected reaction, but she said that she had been praying for a long, long time that someone in her family, one of her grandsons, become a priest. During her last months, Brian brought his grandmother Eucharist every Sunday until she died in 1998.
With College successfully completed, Brian was officially accepted as a seminarian in the Diocese of Green Bay and admitted to the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois in the fall of 2001. Silver Lake College had prepared Brian well for the intensive regimen of seminary, which included three components: Spiritual formation, academic formation, and pastoral ministry. The program also included internships and experience in the field.
This was to be an entirely new experience for Brian; since, until this point, he had still lived at home. As a matter of fact, he had never left the state of Wisconsin—even for a couple of days. The seminary rector, Fr. John Canary, joked with him stating, “you’re only 20 miles away from Wisconsin here.” The same questions emerged again: he kept wondering if he were capable of getting through the program. In short, he was and he did very well. His subjects of interest throughout seminary included systematics, which included studies in sacraments, the Trinity, and the theological views of many, many Councils and theologians including the Church Fathers and Doctors, and moral theology. The good habits he had developed at Silver Lake College continued in Seminary and he took his formation and studies very seriously. He remembers attending a ministry seminar at the seminary near the end of his studies at Silver Lake College, which was a program designed to introduce prospective seminarians to the seminary and its programs. After telling his vocation story to the Rector, Brian remembers his words of encouragement: “We’ll be seeing you real soon, Brian.”
There were also other opportunities for growth and experience that Brian had not had before. The highlight of his formation at Mundelein was an 8-week pilgrimage in the footsteps of Sts. Peter and Paul during which time he, not only flew for the first time but, flew 10 hours oversees to Turkey, Greece, and Italy, which included stops in Rome, Assisi, Sienna, Padua, Florence, and Milan. His first time on an airplane would take him half way around the world to the Holy sites of Tarsus, Antioch, Ephesus, Perga in Pamphyllia, Pergamon, Sardis, Philadephia, Laodicea, Cappadocia, Galatia, Philippi, Corinth, the Hagia Sophia, the Basicilicas of St. Mary Major, St. Paul outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, St. Peters and many more places too numerous to mention. The ancient Biblical world is no longer a place he reads about; Fr. Brian was there in some of the same places that Peter and Paul and many other great saints lived, preached, and served the Lord.
Seminary also afforded Brian the opportunity to experience parish work. Fr. Don Zuleger agreed to give Brian some pastoral experience in 2003. Little did Brian know at the time, this is where he would start his priestly ministry. In the summer of 2004, he completed a unit of C.P.E, or clinical pastoral education, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, which is an internship in hospital ministry. On December 18, 2004, Brian, along with Carl Schmitt, also a native of Two Rivers and nephew to Fr. John Schmitt, was ordained to the deaconate by Bishop David Zubik. Deacon Brian served briefly at St. Pius X before being ordained to the priesthood.
Fr. Brian graduated from Mundelein Seminary in May 2005, also with Magna cum Laude honors. Based on his positive experiences in college and graduate seminary, Fr. Brian would not hesitate to pursue a higher degree, such as a licentiate (essentially a degree with almost all requisites for a doctorate minus a dissertation) or doctorate if a need arises. Two weeks after his graduation from Mundelein Seminary, on May 21, 2005, Bishop David Zubik ordained Fr. Brian to the priesthood. Deacon Rick Simon, who was ordained the week before, was given the great blessing of serving as Deacon of the Eucharist at Fr. Brian’s ordination. Fr. Brian he was vested by Fr. Bill O’Brien and Fr. Don Zuleger. There was an explosion of applause at Bishop Zubik’s announcement that Fr. Brian had been assigned to St. Pius X. There was to be one little difference though. Fr. Tom Farrell would become the new pastor of St. Pius. Fr. Brian would have to learn to work with somebody other than Fr. Don, and who was this Fr. Tom? When Fr. Brian started at St. Pius on June 15, Fr. Don and Fr. John Schuetze were moving out and Fr. Brian and Fr. Farrell were trying to move in. Fr. Brian is grateful for the previous experience he had at St. Pius learning some of the ropes beforehand. He credits this for his ability to dive right into it amidst the transition. Fr. Brian celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Peter the Fisherman parish in Two Rivers the day of his ordination. Fr. Brian is very happy at St. Pius X Parish and priesthood is everything he thought it would be so far. Priesthood is truly one of the greatest things in the world and he looks forward to diving deeper into the ministry as time progresses.
On December 6, 2005, Bishop Zubik appointed Fr. Brian, at the recommendation of Fr. Bob Kabat, Judicial Vicar of the Diocese, an Advocate for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Green Bay. An advocate is someone who is able to assist those who are in need of procuring annulments. Fr. Brian is willing and able to discuss this process with anyone who may be in need and to help get the process started. He may also be able to clear up any misconceptions or questions regarding this process.
Fr. Brian has recently celebrated his 1st anniversary of priesthood on May 21, 2005. Just to show you how the liturgical year changes from year to year, in 2005, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity landed on May 21st the date of his first mass of thanksgiving in Two Rivers, whereas this year is was on June 11. Fr. Brian is enjoying the priesthood and the people of St. Pius X parish very much and hopes to be here for a little while longer.
BRIAN BEING ORDAINED (5/21/05)
MORE RECENT:
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 2:15 PM 25 comments
DYAN FITZPATRICK
Dyan is another classmate who came and went very quickly. I believe she joined us at Clarke for 8th grade. She was a one-year-wonder.
I had her in Mr. Swokowski's art class. She kind of had a thing for Ross Hofmann. Dyan was a girl who seemed to think she was really hot shit. In reality, she was lukewarm - at best. She wore a buttoned shirt nearly every single day of the year.
According to Meff, this girl bugged the shit out of him. In fact, she used to pick on him, call him names, be a total bitch to him for no reason whatsoever. This happened in Mr. Franke's class. I think it was during homeroom. Finally on the last day of the school year, Meff snapped. It takes a lot to get Meff to snap. But he did. What did he do? He put his hands around her neck and choked her. He wasn't playing around either. He literally wrenched her throat and prevented her from breathing. Finally, after several seconds, he let go. Dyan's head slumped onto the table with a thud. She was crying. She was beside herself. Someone helped her out fo the room. And she was never seen again.
That story creeps me out. But no, Dyan didn't die or anything. Her family must have moved. Perhaps she didn't want to deal with the infamous Two Rivers strangler anymore. Dyan apparently moved out west to Idaho. She's lived in the area ever since. However it now looks like she's relocated to Nevada, a few miles south of the Idaho border. It looks like she's married, and is now known as Dyan Hall.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 1:01 PM 5 comments
LISA PAUZE
Lisa Pauze falls into that brainy/cute look. I always kind of lump her in with people like Chris Soppe, Shannon Koch or Ellen Dawidowich.
I believe Lisa joined us at Clarke. She was kind of small as I recall. She wore glasses. I don't think I ever had enough contact with her to form an opinion as to whether or not she was friendly. About the only thing I can really recall is that during 8th grade, Jenny Malley approached her near her locker - which was by Mr. Stodola and Mr. Longhini's room. I don't know who they were talking about. But it was some sort of boy/girl giggly exchange with Lisa saying, "I don't know" in regards to whether or not this mystery guy liked her.
Lisa stayed with us through our sophomore year, I think. After that, her family must have moved somewhere. Because I never saw her again. She's lived in several places in Wisconsin since then. It looks like she currently resides in Green Bay. She's now married and goes by the name of Lisa Ott.
UPDATE - 10/9/06 - There has been a Lisa sighting. On Saturday, October 7th, Lisa went to see fellow graduate Greg Pagel perform at The Sands in Green Bay. Brandon Podhola also showed up. The results are below.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 12:39 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
NICOLE BAUGNIET
What was the deal with Nikki Baugniet? I don't know.
Nikki was around at Magee, Clarke and Washington. To the best of my knowledge, I never had her in a single class, at any level. She may have had some special education classes. I don't know. She seemed very weird to me - like she wasn't all there.
About the only thing I can remember about her was something from the end of 5th grade. Each of the three fifth grade classes were taken on a bus over to Clarke, so we could get a small tour of the middle school we'd all be attending the next year. As my class was standing in line in the hall, between Mr. Spatz' room and Ms. Hynek's room, Nikki stumbled by us, on her way back from her visit to Clarke. She was really loud, laughing, and incoherently mumbling something about Clarke. Everyone looked at her as if she was deranged. Whatever she said made no sense at all. After she left, even Ms. Krause replied, "What was that?" I have no idea.
Nikki did in fact graduate with us. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine. I believe she still lives with her parents in Two Rivers. Nikki had a younger brother, class of 1992's Marc Baugniet - who also appears to be living with them. What she does for a living is unknown to me.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 12:58 PM 2 comments
JODI LECLAIR
Jodi joined me at Washington, no doubt a product of the catholic schools prior.
I think I may have had Jodi in Mrs. Fischer's French class for both my freshman and sophomore years. She always seemed nice enough. But we were never friends or anything.
If memory serves, during our junior year, Jodi worked in the kitchen at the hospital in Two Rivers. My friend Dave (Svatek) also worked there. So I would occasionally have some contact with Jodi.
During our senior year, Jodi actually came to my house once. I'm not sure how exactly it happened. I was in my room, drunk of all things. And Dave came by with Jodi, and fellow graduate Lisa Moore as well. Lisa and Jodi were best friends. The four of us decided to take a drive. We picked up Scott Jaklin to go along with us as well. We spent a couple of hours driving around. Scott was particularly moody that evening. So we dropped him off at some point, then continued our drive. For whatever reason, we ended up across the street from school, playing on the ice.
Perhaps before high school ended, or just after it ended, Jodi got a job working at Red Owl in Two Rivers. She was a cashier. If my memory is accurate, she got itno some trouble. She ended up stealing some cash over a period of time. She got caught and was charged with something. I don't recall all the details. But I don't think she served any jail time or anything. We all make mistakes.
Jodi had a daughter at some point in the mid-1990's. I believe she got married a few years later, and is now known as Jodi Hanek. In February, 2005, Jodi underwent bariatric surgery - which I believe is the procedure where they make your stomach smaller. It's an option for people who are obese. Last I knew, the surgery went well for Jodi. Today I believe she lives in Green Bay, and enjoys the hobby of crocheting.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:16 AM 0 comments
CHRIS KAMINSKY
I believe Chris was with us at Clarke. He was kind of smaller in stature. He was somewhat bright. But I think a lot of people kind of regarded him as a little weasel. I had no problem with him though.
I had Chris in Ms. Neveau's mass media class during our senior year. He spent an awful lot of time talking about CD's. He may have been one of the first people to actually have a CD player. I don't know. But he would never stop heaping praise on the quality of CD's over tapes and records. In fact, he may have brought his player to class once. He brought his music too. I specifically remember listening to his CD of The Cars' "Greatest Hits."
Near the end of the year, I was involved in a mass media project in that class. We broke off into groups. I teamed up with class of 1990's Jason Krings and fellow graduate Tina Short. Our group was too small though. So Chris joined us, as did class of 1990's Dawn Warden. Jason had a camcorder. So we all came over to my house to film a goofy episode of "The Dating Game." Dawn was the prize. During the process, I chopped off Jason's hand with a machete, then proceeded to eat it. Needless to say, I didn't get the girl. Chris did. I still have that tape. Weird stuff.
I ran into Chris a few times at the video store. We were always cordial. I also ran into Chris several years later at UWGB. Both of us had the same major, and had a class or two together. It was weird though. We never spoke or even acknowledged each other. I believe Chris grauduated in 1995. I followed a year later.
To the best of my knowledge, Chris resides at the home of his parents in Two Rivers. I don't think he's ever married. What he does for a living is unknown to me.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:01 AM 0 comments
UPDATE - KELLI KUPSCH
Kelli has provided me a recent picture of her and her son. It's located in her entry. Enjoy!
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 6:50 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
SLACKING OFF
This blog has been a bit neglected in recent days. Well, it's got less new entries than usual anyway. Yours truly is going on a long vacation on Thursday. So I have to spend a lot my time catching up on some stuff. So the blog has suffered. Rest assured, this project is far from over. I still have about 90 more entries at least. Then when that's done, it'll be time to write about teachers, principals and of course one asshole vice principal. And for those teachers that I never had, I'll be happy to take guest entries from my readers.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 2:39 PM 2 comments
Monday, March 06, 2006
BRUCE DUVALL
Who is Bruce Duvall? I will have to give major props to anyone who can remember this guy. I have one rule in regards to this blog. If you passed through the ranks of the class of 1989 with me at any point, even if you didn't graduate with me, or graduate at all, I will write about you. This is Bruce.
Bruce came to Clarke at some point in 6th grade. He was put into Mr. Burnstad's class. He looked like a tough kid. He was a member of the black T-shirt crowd.
Why do I remember Bruce? One major thing stands out. At recess the morning of his first day in school, Bruce lit up a cigarette. He got caught, and was promptly suspended. Wow! It took me a year and half at Clarke to earn my first suspension. Bruce pulled it off in about two hours.
To my knowledge, Bruce never came back. If he did, I don't recall it. As far as I know, I've never laid eyes on him since.
I brought his name up in 7th grade once. And Jenny Malley commented, "Bruce was cool." He may have been. I don't know.
Surprisingly, Bruce Duvall is not all that common of a name. So I think I have some new information on him. It appears as if he's lived in Wyoming, Illinois and Michigan - where he resides today. He may be married to a woman named Denise.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 10:47 AM 3 comments
CHRIS SHIMULUNAS
Chris was actually a year ahead of me, and should have been a member of the class of 1988. But he must have been a credit short or something. Because he's officially listed as a member of the class of 1989.
Because of our class difference, I have little to say about Chris. But I do recall having him in French class my freshman year. His French name was "Christoph." He sat right in front of me. He didn't last the entire year though. I think he was gone shortly after the second semester started.
About the only other memory I have of him is from the very beginning of freshman year. I was riding my bike with Kevin Dehne after school one day. We were headed down Washington Street, when Chris drove by. He was sitting in the back seat of the car, and wildly flipped us off. He was actually flipping of Kevin. Kevn said that he'd recently gotten into a fight with him, and that the two of them were literally rolling down the stairs together, at each others throats.
Chris had a younger brother, class of 1990's Cory Shimlunas. Which of course makes him a brother-in-law to fellow graduate Paula Jonas. He may have had a sister too. I forget.
After high school, I ran into Chris a lot at the video store. And I mean a LOT! Chris was regular. In fact, we never took any information from him. We'd just right down "Shim" on the rental slip. Chris ended up getting maried to class of 1992's Katina Behrendt. I believe they have two kids.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 10:46 AM 0 comments
MATT DORAN
Matt joined us in our junior year. You may remember him for the big scar that ran up the left side of his face. Or you may not remember him at all.
Matt sat with Richard, Dave and I at lunch in junior year. He was a nice guy. I don't recall where his family came from. And I'm sure one of us would have asked him how he got that scar. I don't honestly remember his answer though. But I have a vague memory of him telling us that it was from a dog attack. I could be wrong though.
I had Matt in Ms. Neveau's speech class that year. On Fridays, we would sometimes play charades. Richard and I would coax Matt into giving subtle clues that only we could decipher - clues for plural or apostropies and such. He was a natural. Our teams always kicked ass.
One thing I'll never forget about Matt is that he once told us that he had a few mutant hairs around his nipple area that actually grew to be several inches long, and would hang down to his belly button. Why he let them grow that long is a mystery. But he did say that he cut them, and continued to, so that it never happened again. Strange.
That year, Richard had some sort of half-baked idea that all of us needed to go see the G.L.O.W. girls when they came to Milwaukee. G.L.O.W. stood for Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling. Richard was obsessed with them. The rest of us had a mild interest. We all said that we'd go. But it never happened.
If memory serves, Matt worked as a dishwasher at Kurtz' on Memorial Drive.
Matt once loaned me his tape of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" album, so I could copy the song "Iron Man."
In our senior year, I had little contact with Matt. He became really good friends with Jerry Legreve. I think the two of them planned to be roommates in college as well. On our senior video, the two of them did some sort of parady of Bartles & Jaymes.
I have not seen Matt since graduation. I suspect he did go to college, as he was pretty bright. I think he's lived most of his post high school life in Green Bay - where he resides today. To my knowledge, he has never married.
UPDATE - 8/15/06 - A few days ago, this photo was sitting in Erin Hynek's junk drawer. Today it's online. This is Erin and Matt playing air guitar at the 15-year class reunion. Matt looks like he just flew in from Key West.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 10:42 AM 5 comments
Saturday, March 04, 2006
WELCOME - TOBY SCHWARTZ
Toby Schwartz has logged in using an old nickname of his - "squarenuts." He's left some comments in the entries of Robin Richmond and Becky Prausa. Welcome Toby. How did you fine this blog? I haven't forgotten you. Now that you're here, look for your entry real soon - probably on Monday.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:33 PM 4 comments
Friday, March 03, 2006
UPDATE - SHAWN MEHLHORN
Carrie Franz has left one of the most interesting comments to date. You can find it in Shawn's entry. Everyone is now listed alphabetically on the right. So you can find Shawn there.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 4:40 PM 0 comments
LORI WAVRUNEK
I first met Lori at Magee. She and I had Ms. Krause together in 5th grade.
Lori wasn't the most popular of girls. But she was friendly enough to me. At the time, she was hanging around with people like Jenny Dent and Tracy Peterson.
I had Lori in 6th grade as well. We had Mrs. Casey that year. She was friends with Sara Prust. About the only thing I can remember is that at the very beginning of the year, we were all supposed to write down our favorite song. At the time, Steve Miller's "Abracadabra" was racing up the charts on its way to #1. She told me that that was her favorite. She was looking for my approval. In other words, she wanted to see if anyone else liked her favorite, so she wouldn't feel dumb if it were read out loud. I told her I liked it too.
Later on that year, I started a sort of newspaper called "The Daily Schnozball." It ran for two days. I sort of picked on Lori and Sara in the paper. Mrs. Casey was not pleased at all (the woman hated me - seriously) and made me stop writing it. So be it.
I think Lori is one of the people I had in every class in 7th grade. But I have no real memories from her that year.
In highschool, Lori and I shared homeroom together all four years. Based on our proximity in the alphabet, our lockers were always next to one another.
At some point in high school, Lori got fitted for some sort of head gear. She seemed to wear it for years. I always thought she had enough problems just being Lori. Then she had to deal with the indignity of head gear too. Life is cruel.
In high school, Lori was friends with Tammy Swoboda for awhile.
Lori's senior picture is odd looking to me. It's the only time I ever saw her without glasses for one thing.
I don't know if Lori went onto school. But I don't think she did. She eventually married and became Lori Hornes. To my knowledge they have at least one child. Today I think they live in Sheboygan. Lori may work for the Kohler Company.
At some point in the 1990's, I believe I read a tragic article in the paper about Lori. Allegedly, she was pulling out of the Club Bil Mar parking lot in Manitowoc, somehow missed seeing a truck, and had a bad accident. As I recall, an older couple was in the other vehicle. And I believe the man died. If I recall correctly, Lori was cited for something. But I should point out that all indications were that it was an accident, and that there was no alcohol or anything involved.
UPDATE - 8/16/06 - On Saturday, 8/12/06, Kevin Dehne and I "hit the town" in search of classmates once again. Our first stop was in Sheboygan, at Lori's house. We literally caught her as she was pulling out of her driveway. She pulled into the street, saw us, and stopped. Then she pulled back in and posed for a few pictures. She was in a hurry. So we didn't have time to talk too much. About all that was mentioned was that she was a member of the Jaycees. The photos are below.
UPDATE - 11/20/06 - Here's some video from that visit on 8/12/06.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 1:45 PM 1 comments
AMY JACQUART
Amy is somewhat of a mystery to me. She wore glasses, and was kind of a shy girl. I don't know who she hung around with. But she certainly wasn't in the upper levels of the social ladder.
Was she in any way related to Lee Jacquart? Save for the gender differences, they did have some similar facial features.
To my knowledge, I have never run into Amy since graduation. To my knowledge she has never left the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area. She married a guy and is now known as Amy Engelbrecht. I believe they live in Manitowc today.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 1:07 PM 0 comments
Thursday, March 02, 2006
KEITH WELNICKE
In honor of Keith's appearance as "2time ace," here's what I remember about him.
I first remember Keith at Clarke. I think he was there for 6th and 7th grade. But my first memories from him are in Mr. Monka's social studies class in 8th grade.
We had a substitute one day. I think her name was Mrs. Beth. Kevin Dehne and I would throw gum wrappers in her vest pocket as she walked by. Anyway, she made some sort of comment about how she was going to write some of our names down for Mr. Monka to see upon his return. Then Keith, from the back of the room, shouts out "Your mama!" I'm not exactly sure why. But that made the whole class laugh. Keith put his head down, as a clearly offended Mrs. Beth scanned the room to see where the remark came from. I don't think anyone told on him.
I remember that Keith brought to school a cartoon picture of a guy fishing in the water. Under the water, the guy's pants were down. And a fish was giving him a blowjob.
One day Mr. Monka asked if anyone had a lighter or a match. Keith had a silver lighter, and tossed it up to him. I don't recall why he wanted it. But when he was done, he tossed it back to Keith and told him that his use for it was a better use than what Keith was using it for - which was smoking.
In high school, I had Keith in homeroom for all four years. His best friend seemed to be Mike Zeman. To me, Keith always seemed like a bit of a doofus. But he was a lovable doofus - a real friendly guy. It was hard not to like him.
In the summer of 1987, I ran into Keith at the Lighthouse Inn. My family had gone there to eat. I was wandering around and found Keith in the lobby. He was working there, perhaps as a busboy. He was taking a cigarette break on the couch. We talked for a few minutes. As the 4th of July was approaching, he asked if I knew any place where he could get some fireworks. Apparently he was having trouble finding some.
A few months later, I had Keith is Mr. Wegner's government class. It was very early in the year. Keith came in one day and announced that his girlfriend (class of 1990's Dawn Love) was pregnant. Naturally, Keith became the center of attention for awhile. Of course he was asked why he hadn't worn a condom. Keith replied that he didn't like them. In fact, he said, "It's like fucking a bread bag." Great quote! Personally speaking, when I've worn condoms, I've found to be not much of a difference - well not so much that it's a bad thing. Anyway, Keith hadn't finished his assignment for class that day. When Mr. Wegner asked him about it, he said, "I've had a lot of things on my mind recently." No doubt. Although Wegner didn't know the big news. So he wasn't buying Keith's excuse.
A few months later, in homeroom, Keith and Mike were talking. Allegedly they were comparing each other's girlfriends. And for whatever reason, the conversation got a little heated. Mike then said, "At least my girlfriend has one big advantage over yours." To which Keith replied, "What?" Mike answered, "She's not pregnant." This made Keith explode. He shot up from his chair, and almost turned the table over on Mike, as he was swearing at him. Mr. Wheeler started screaming at them, saying he didn't need this on a Monday morning - and that the two of them were supposed to be buddies. I actually had my micro cassette recorder with me that day, and taped the tail end of this exchange. I still have it.
If memory serves, Keith's baby was due in March. But it was a few weeks late, and didn't arrive until sometime in April. I believe they named her Ashley. Keith brought some photos into school and passed them around in homeroom. Richard looked at one of Dawn and the baby, and said, "What is she smiling for? Her life is over!" Richard then drew a blue X on the baby's forhead in one of the pictures. In all fairness, he asked me if he should. And I encouraged him to do so. When Keith got the pictures back, he said to me, "Burt, why did you put an X on my baby's picture?" As always, I got blamed for everything. He wasn't really mad though.
I ran into Keith several times at the video store. He and his brother were always renting movies. When Keith's brother got married, he became a brother-in-law to fellow graduate Carrie Franz. Keith and Dawn apparently didn't have any future together as a couple. Dawn ended up marrying someone else, as did Keith - a girl named Jennifer. I don't know if they have any children together. But Keith's first daughter would be turning 18 next month, if my math is correct. Wow. As far as I know, Keith lives in Two Rivers today. He may be employed with Eck Industries. In 2003, Keith was cited by the DNR - something about being a fishing guide without a license.
UPDATE - 6/14/06 - Thanks to Carrie Franz for providing this recent picture of Keith, his wife, and his daughter. Obviously this appears to have been taken around Christmas.
UPDATE - 11/13/06 - On Saturday, July 15th, 2006, Kevin Dehne and I took a trip to Two Rivers. We stopped by Keith's house. But he wasn't home. So we ended up leaving a post-it note on his daughter's car. On Saturday, August 12th, 2006, we took a second trip to Two Rivers. Again, Keith wasn't home. But his wife was. Keith's wife is a big fan of the blog. Actually, she reads it more than he does. Because of her given profession, she's familiar with a lot of the people profiled here. She told us that Keith would be back in 15 minutes. So we headed to the home of Rob Sisel. Rob wasn't home either. So we went back to Keith's. Moments after we pulled into the driveway, Keith drove up as well. He noted that he was dirty from work, and wouldn't take a picture until he'd showered. So we all went inside. Keith's wife gave us each a soda. We then went to the gigantic living room and chatted a bit while an episode of Roseanne played in the background.
Keith and his wife were a delight. They had tons of stories and gossip. I probably shouldn't repeat most of it. But it was a blast. I bet we stayed there for at least an hour. They even offered to cook us brats. But we had more stops to do. And time was dwindling. So we declined. In retrospect, I wish we would have stayed. I was getting hungry by that point. Oh well. They can owe us a meal! Ha ha. Before we left, we snapped the photos you see below.
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 1:06 PM 2 comments
UPDATE - CRAIG RYSTICKEN & TERESA VOHWINKEL
I heard a Def Leppard song on the radio yesterday. It jogged a freshman year memory of Craig. I also added a Mr. Monka story about Teresa.
Lastly, on the right side of this page, I'm in the process of adding alphabetical listings of all my classmates. It will take some time, as I have over 100 to do. Right now I only have Jen Andersen and Scott Jaklin. But people will now be able to find someone simply, as opposed to weeding through the archives.
ENJOY!
posted by TWORIVERSWALRUS @ 7:48 AM 0 comments
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