Comments from 2006

Share your current thoughts on the Main Discussion Page!

Name: Jim Holtan
Date: 17 Dec 2006

Comments

Baritones add a lot to any musical, so I can understand your desire to sign one up. Send me the dates...if it doesn't interfere with Spring Training, I'm in!

Name: Paul Mainz
Date: 13 Dec 2006

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Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays to you all! George, we need a clarinet in our orchestra for a musical next spring, and Jim, we could use a baritone too. Call for details! Paul

Name: George Stalle
Date: 30 Nov 2006

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Hi, everyone! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and that you try to avoid "Smoking Debit Card" syndrome in the coming days of Christmas craziness! Upcoming plans: my two winter concerts I have to conduct in the next two weeks, travel to Chicago for the Midwest Band Clinic, and then a faculty sabbatical proposal I'm trying to get together. If accepted, it would allow me to travel to Italy next summer and play with little village bands and attend the International Festival of Military Bands in Modena. Wish me luck! Take care, everyone. George

Name: Deb (Ballman) Thurow
Date: 22 Nov 2006

Comments

Just thought this would be the easiest way to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you alll have a Wonderful Holiday season. When we think about all our lives. We all have alot to be thankful for.

Name: Robert Maughan
Date: 11 Oct 2006

Comments

the pics are great and it looks like mo one has changed haha. I really wish I could have been there and could have seen some of the old friends and been there to see how we really have changed. would like to hear from anyone that remembers and strike up the old times. looking forward to comming to the next one if at all possible. Fantastic job on the web site and keep up the good work for the next one.

Name: Kathy (Rea) Hannah
Date: 09 Oct 2006

Comments

...and, so, the reunion came to me. At 4 in the afternoon that day I realized I'd never get down to Oconomowoc (from Appleton) w/out feeling like an insincere idiot, so I decided not to come. After dinner, my s.o. and I walked down to the AYC for a drink, about 8:30/9:00 pm. Phone rings at the bar and the lady who answers it calls out for, "Lady Di?" Lady Di? Who's sitting across from me but Diane Rasmussen? Sounded and looks like y'all had a kickass reunion....and now I'm kickin' mine. Slainte!

Name: Kendra Koester Butler
Date: 23 Sep 2006

Comments

It's been a few weeks since I've checked the website. Work's beens really hectic. But John and managed to make Jason's, our son, cross country meet at JSU, where he's a senior. Then last Firday I made the trip to Tuscaloosa to see the team run. They only have 5 guys on the team. The team did well, 6th out of 15 teams. Jason and I got to spend some time together which was great. And for you football fans, no, I didn't stay for Alabama's game against Monroe, LA. on Sat. Jason did and said the renovated stadium is awesome!!! I've never seen such serious college football fans as here in AL. Like Paul, I've bragged on our reunion and shared with a co-worker how neat the website is. She shared it with a classmate as a possiblity for getting ready for their reunion in a few years.

Name: Paul Mainz
Date: 18 Sep 2006

Comments

Hope this keeps going...It's good to hear from everybody about what they've been up to. I've had a few friends here in Rochester who have commented to me recently that they don't have much interest in going to their reunions. I simply tell them about the wonderful time I had at the COONEY 71 REUNION, and encourage them to to their's when they have the chance.

Name: Megan Rollefson
Date: 05 Sep 2006

Comments

Sorry I couldn't make it to the reunion, but I was celebrating my mom's 90th birthday that day with my whole family. I had hoped to get down to the street dance and see some of you, but by 7 p.m. I was in no shape to drive! I got together with Kendra Butler the following Tuesday, and she filled me in on who was there and what many of you are now doing. I have also looked at the website and read the comments from others.

After teaching and living in the Two Rivers area for 22 years, I moved back to Oconomowoc a few years ago because of my mother's health. I've been substitute teaching for several school districts in the area and also enjoy riding my horses, especially since I've had my hips replaced!

I occasionally run into some of you in the Oconomowoc area. Mark Schneck, are you still bartending at the Seven Seas? I haven't seen you there the last couple of times I've been out there. I also was surprised to learn of some of the deaths from our class that I wasn't aware of. Add me to the e-mail list and I hope to make the next reunion. Thanks for all your hard work Jim G. and Jim H. and anyone else who put this all together.

Name: Ernie Leidiger
Date: 29 Aug 2006

Comments

What a great time at the reunion, I only wish I had the stamina to have gone out Saturday night too, but two late nights in a row? - no such luck. My sixteen year old son John thought it was cool to see all the older folks swapping high school stories and reliving old times. He said I didn't embarrass him too much, though he overheard my comment about all the Cooney women looking great and that they hadn't aged a bit. I just told him that I was always a serious student but at times I needed a little extra help to make the grade. Thanks Jim for your leadership, I enjoyed the setting and the relaxed venue of the afternoon. So all, I now live outside of the Twin Cities so if you get north look me up, I live in Mayer, MN.

Name: Mary Gillingham O'Herrin
Date: 28 Aug 2006

Comments

Great Website! Couldn't make the party but enjoy checking for new pics and comments every week. Have lived in SW WIS near LaCrosse and Mississippi river for 25 yrs, beautiful out here. Bill (class of '72) and I have 2 sons, 1 daughter and 2 grandchildren. Just keeps getting better!

Name: PAT DITTRICH
Date: 20 Aug 2006

Comments

AGAIN I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH THE REUNION. IT WAS JUST WONDERFUL! THE RELAXED SETTING IN THE PARK WAS THE PERFECT SPOT TO PICK UP CONVERSATIONS THAT WERE STARTED 35 YEARS AGO, AND NO ONE RAN OUT OF THINGS TO SAY. FOR THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO MAKE THE REUNION, YOUR NAMES DID COME UP AND YOU WERE MISSED. HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE AT THE NEXT REUNION.

Name: Lynn (Zafis) Riggs
Date: 19 Aug 2006

Comments

I resemble that remark...

Name: Mark Schneck
Date: 19 Aug 2006

Comments

Five year old Dana Schneck was explaining to Grandma about the "big party in the park" she went to (the reunion). Grandma asked who was all there. She replied..."old people".

Name: Jan Stromseth
Date: 16 Aug 2006

Comments

Hi to everyone!!!! I soooo wanted to be with you all this last weekend. I have made some pretty major job changes this summer. I am closing my Counseling private practice, Epiphany Counseling, this month. I have had the business for 10.5 years. It has been a process filled with a lot of mixed feelings. However, I was asked to join a large practice with several offices around the city. It's a big step up, and I'm able to get on provider panels that I couldn't as a sole proprietor. I work a lot with women and children. About 5 years ago I also completed a two year internship in Seattle, WA and I'm also now an Advanced Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. I love what I'm doing. I work a lot with domestic violence, sexual abuse, as well as other forms of childhood trauma, and mood disorders ( primarily depression and bipolar). My 3 kids are grown. Matthew is 28 and finishing his BS in Computer Engineering at KU-Lawrence. He has sole custody of his son, Danniel, and has his own computer business. They live about 15 minutes from me. Amanda is 26 and working on her RN. She lives outside of Waterloo and is doing her clinicals in Watertown and Madison. Jennifer, 24 , is married to Andy who is doing his second tour in Iraq. They are based out of Grafenwohr, Germany and that is where Jen and one year-old Kaylee Sue are living. I was in the hospital for almost a week and got out about a week before I would have left for the reunion. I had MIRSA and it has taken awhile to get my strength back. Send pictures, I'm eager to see them. I hope we have another reunion soon! Thanks again, Jim and Jim. Blessings to all- Jan ps-my e-mail is in the directory, drop me a line!

Name: Kendra Koester Butler
Date: 16 Aug 2006

Comments

I just arrived back in Mobile after attending the reunion and visiting family and friends. I really enjoyed seeing and talking to so many classmates. But I missed talking to a good many I'm sure and missed some who I'm told were there. Oh well, maybe the next time. Would you believe that I saw Jackie Lyden at the airport today? She was heading to LA. In closing, let me say a big thanks to everyone who worked on putting the reunion together and the website. If anyone's ever in the Mobile area, please give me a call.

Name: robert maughan
Date: 16 Aug 2006

Comments

hey, how was the reunion? my mom, the attendence counselor, saw the site and wanted to say hi to all the office workers from the class of 71. she still remembers most of ya all. he name was mrs. maughan and we all were able to get the office workers to mark us off the attendence lists if we skipped any classes withour her knowing most of the time. she now knows hahahaha.

Name: Allen Andersen
Date: 15 Aug 2006

Comments

We have a Yahoo group. There are a number of photos and information about ministry events we've either facilitated or been a part of. The link to the group is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sovereignministries-events-updates/ If you'd like to join, simply cut and paste the above web address into your browsers address bar and hit enter. Then click the join button. We'll take care of the rest. We hope you enjoy the site.

Name: Mark Schneck
Date: 15 Aug 2006

Comments

The reunion was great! My only complaint is there were too many people I did not get to sit & talk to. I have recieved several e-mails from people who could not make it & it was great to catch up. I plan on sending e-mails to some of the people I missed, but not everyone is in the directory. Thanks to Gavin McCalla for our conversation about China & his experiences, but I have no e-mail address for him. Did you notice Dave Reul looked younger than most of us? How come I could eat at the Kiltie everyday in High School, but can't afford to today? So many of us still live in the Cooney area, why don't we run into each other? Thanks to everyonewho labored on this project, it was great!

Name: Nora Bollhagen
Date: 03 Aug 2006

Comments

First, I want to say that I really love the web site. Thanks to Jim and Jim for all your efforts. I have been living in the San Francisco area now for about 13 years and love it. My kids are all grown up and are much better behaved than their mother ever was....of course, short of being a convicted felon they would be! Jason is 30 and a firefighter, married and living in Texas (I told him I was ok with that as long as he didn't move next to Bush or started leaning to the right:)) Rebecca is 25 and a paramedic and going to school for her nursing degree. Amanda is 22 and a fashion design major. She has been attending the Academy of Art University in San Franciso, did a semester last year in Florence and is leaving in two weeks for Rome where she will finish and, I am sure, never come back. She is my last one to put through school and all I can say is.....Whew! I have some really fun memories of high school (well, not really attending high school, but the nights and weekends surrounding high school)and I know it was because we had some really exceptional people in our class. Have a great time at the reunion....I hope to make the next one....what is that, the big 4-0??!!

Name: Sue Radtke Gillingham
Date: 01 Aug 2006

Comments

Can't believe that it's been 35 years! How can that be when we're ALL still only 18 years old! I didn't realize that we've lost so many classmates. How sad. I won't be able to attend this years reunion as I will be in Ireland with my sister and mom. Everyone have a GREAT time. And contact me and let me know what you're up to. Would love to play catch up.

Name: Patricia Callies Houseworth
Date: 31 Jul 2006

Comments

I will not be attending our 35th reunion on August 12th, as we already have made plans to vacation in Naples, Florida. I honestly would have liked to have been able to make this reunion had we known about it a month earlier. Perhaps I'll be able to make the next one--would that be the 40th or 50th?

Patrick and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this December. Our youngest son, Hal, will be a senior at Wright State University this fall. He plans to teach history at the high school level. Our middle child, Sam, has his CDL and delivers recreational vehicles to dealerships around the country. He also has his umpire license and umpires baseball at the high school and college levels. Our daughter, Anissa, attends the MR/DD workshop here in Mercer County and has been a blessing to us. I am entering my 18th year in education and will be teaching 3rd and 4th grade special education. I would be interested in any updates you have available on our 1971 classmates.

Name: Al Andersen
Date: 28 Jul 2006

Comments

I found the In Memory page. Thanks Jim for all your hard work on this site and thanks to all who've helped.

Name: Al Andersen
Date: 28 Jul 2006

Comments

I wasn't aware that we've lost 20 classmates. Would someone put a complete list of those we've lost on this forum?

Name: Agnès Francke
Date: 26 Jul 2006

Comments

Back in 71, going to the USA was a huge experience for someone like me!!!. I had called my parents only once for my 18th birthday!! European students now travel everywhere thanks to the Erasmus program. Anyway, I have been back to the States many times, havr lived one year in Seattle and one in San Francisco with my husband and 3 daughters, but unfortunately won't be in Oconomowoc on Aug 12th. I am ready for a meeting with the Blue Dahlian club ladies at a more convenuent date. Thinking of you all. Agnès Francke from France

Name: robert maughan
Date: 24 Jul 2006

Comments

by the way i still miss wingers and the kiltie watching cooney kicking watertown, beaver dam and hartlands butts.

Name: Robert Maughan
Date: 24 Jul 2006

Comments

I was planning to attend but I have just found that I have two court/ Parole cases that have hearings during that week and the Board of Parole wont let me miss them. Sorry to miss but will be looking to going to the next one. By the way have been living in Magna UT for about 21 years now and have been married for all 21, I have three kids, Jason 26, Lacey 21 and Jerel 17. Would like to hear from any one so you can email me at the email on the site thanks and have a good time at the reunion. Drink a big one for me since I quit.

Name: Steve Koerner
Date: 23 Jul 2006

Comments

Hello everyone! I am not able to attend the reunion due to a number of other family comittments. For anyone interested, I am currently living in Canby Oregon, a city of approximately 14,000. My wife Nancy and I will be married 21 yrs next Feb. We have a dtr, Stephanie, 19. She'll be starting her 2nd yr. in college. We have a son Andy, 17 who will be a Sr in high school. I would like to say hello to everyone, and wish you all a great reunion. Please find my e-mail address in the directory if you'd like to keep in touch. Yours truly, Steve Koerner

Name: George Stalle
Date: 22 Jun 2006

Comments

Hey, everyone! Does it shock anyone that we have lost 20 of our classmates over the years? This seems to be a disturbingly high percentage. I had NO idea!!!! George

Name: George Stalle
Date: 22 Jun 2006

Comments

As time has gone by, I'm sure that I lumped myself into the "Cowboy of Road O" legend. Wasn't that film made in the pit behind the band room? You might like to know that "Stalle, The Film" won top prize last year at the Moorestown Friends School Film Club Film Festival. This 7-minute short featured my giving a rather whacked tour of my band room. "Cowboy of Road O" and Ed Kersten were my two inspirations. By the way, WHERE IS ED KERSTEN?

Name: George Stalle
Date: 22 Jun 2006

Comments

Name: Paul Mainz
Date: 16 Jun 2006

Comments

I added the Oconomowoc Hula Club picture in the News section. If anyone is interested in joining, as it states in the article, please contact Schwartz, although the phone number may have changed.

Name: Cindy Judkins
Date: 15 Jun 2006

Comments

I have been telling everyone that I have contact with and then some. I just got back from a 2 wk stay in Cooney.Just clearing the pass. I hope a lot of you will join us.I have to say its going to take the next 2 months to get ready and build up some steam for the next round. See you there!

Name: Jim Holtan
Date: 27 May 2006

Comments

I need some more 'high school days' pictures to put on the site. Dig into those old shoe boxes. If you find any good ones, scan them and send me a copy. (Or, you can mail them to me, I'll scan them and mail them back.)

Name: George Stalle
Date: 24 May 2006

Comments

Hi, everyone! I'm sorry to report that I won't be able to join all of you for the Reunion. That's the long-planned Stalle family vacation week in Cape Cod. I'll miss being with all of you. Have a ton of fun! George

Name: Chester Schwartz
Date: 10 May 2006

Comments

I think there has been an error in the 'Dicsussion' part of this website. As I remember, 'The Cowboy Of Road O' involved Holtan, Mainz, Breen and Schwartz! There were String Ray bikes and motor craft envolved. If Stalle was in it, I apologize, it has been a few years. Maybe you can bring the 'Epic' or the 'Pig and I' and show the class. If nothing else - load up on some Apple Beer!

Sorry I will not be able to attend the reunion. I will be on a rafting trip with my daughter. It looks like a great time - so everyone enjoy.

Name: Jim Holtan
Date: 20 Mar 2006

Comments

Brewers/Cubs on Thursday, August 10th? Anyone interested in making a group trip to Miller Park? I see the home game closest to the reunion is a day (1:05) game on Thursday. If there's any interest, I'll look into getting a group of tickets. Let me know.

Name: Jim Holtan
Date: 22 Feb 2006

Comments

Any Microsoft FrontPage users out there? If you have Microsoft FrontPage software, and wouldn't mind helping maintain the web site, let me know. This would help in two ways: 1) It would give us an extra back up copy of the web site and 2) There'd be an extra person to do updates and when the other person wasn't availble. Drop me a note: holtan@pacbell.net, or call me at 510.331.5581 Thanks!

Name: Jim Holtan
Date: 09 Feb 2006

Comments

Now how do we go about tracking down those 'missing in action?' We don't really know, based simply on the directory, who's aware of the site and the August 12th date. Some who have stopped by simply prefer not to list their details. What we have to figure out is how to get the word out to those who might not be aware. Any thoughts you have will be welcomed!

Name: Jim Holtan
Date: 19 Jan 2006

Comments

Looks like I may have dates screwed up on reunion pics. If you find something in the wrong place, please let me know