GOOD TURNOUT AT THE PIZZA RANCH

We had a good turnout at the Pizza Ranch in Altoona for our spring dinner get-together. As usual, there were a lot of familiar faces, plus some faces that we haven’t seen for a while. That always makes for a pleasant surprise.

There was lots of conversation and reminiscing. There was discussion on where to have the next dinner get-together. There seemed to be a lot in favor of The Hilltop Lounge.

Jerry Smith asked the group if they would be in favor of having a picnic this summer. Most indicated that they would. More on this later.

Those in attendance were:

Shirley (Grant) and Ray Robinette-Jerry & Becky Smith-Bill Foster & Shirley Selover-Diane (Ballinger) & Jerry Ott-Barbara (Lowe) & Phil Penn-Larry & Margaret Fogelson-Jackie & Larry Soloman- Glen & Jan (Bales) Douglas-Bill & Norma (Treanor) Burke-Jerry & Carol Hall-Tom & Roberta Abbott-John Carr-Doyle Ables & Sharon-Nancy (Lund) Belluchi-Tom & Linda (White) Towers-Janeene (Miller) Carlisle-Sonny & Yvonne (Miller) Nauman-Lyle & Judi Norman-Larry & Pat (Rounds) Hockersmith- Don & Arlene Spaw.

As per majority request, the next Dinner Get-Together will be at:

The Hilltop Lounge

2820 Hubbell Ave

Monday – Sept. 24^th at 6:30 pm

Each person will order off the menu and pay their own check with the gratuity already added in.

CHANCE TO SHOWCASE YOUR TALENTS

Brush up on your culinary skills. We are going to have a Picnic!!!

Jerry Smith took the bull by the horns and scheduled a date with the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Commission for the following date:

What: EHS Class of “56” Picnic

When: Sat. July 21^st from 4:30 -7:30 pm

Where: Union Park-West Shelter House (just north and west of the Carousel).

This will be a Pot-Luck Picnic. So bring not only enough for yourselves, but enough to share with others. Bring your best Casserole, Chicken, Meatloaf, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad, Baked Beans, or whatever. Stop at KFC or Hy-Vee or Dahl’s, if need be.

Bring your own plates, silverware, napkins, tablecloths, drinks, etc.

This could be a lot of fun, so let’s have a large turnout.

Call Committee, do your thing. You do such a wonderful job on the dinner get-togethers, if you would call about July 10^th to remind everyone about the picnic, we could have one big party.

Call Committee members:

Jerry Smith A-B and Kaiser thru Kruzich

LaVae Willson C-F

Ruth Hagg Girton-James L Johnson and P thru Smith

Norma Burke L-O

Don Spaw Stroh thru Yeager

When these people call for the Picnic or the next Class Dinner get-together in September. Thank Them, for they are the ones that keep our get-togethers going.

WEB-SITE FOR EHS CLASS OF “56”

This Web-site was set up by Tom Lettington. It has a LOT of information, pictures, Quill copies, past NewsLinks, etc. on it.

To view the Web-site simply go to www.ehs56.org.

If you want to subscribe to the web-site so you can send or receive email from other classmates who are already subscribed, or want to change your email address, send an email to: mailman-request@ehs56.org. In the message body just type in the word ‘help’, and an email message will be sent to you with instructions. Be sure you have your name listed along with your email address for class identification purposes.

If you have questions, comments, etc, send them to: mailman-owner@ehs56.org.

A big Thank You to Tom Lettington for providing this valuable service to us.

A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS

First it was the big FIVE-O for the “Class of 56”.

Then Shirley (Grant) Robinette was voted “Doe of the Year” for the Des Moines Patriotic Order of Does, Drove #25. Then her husband Ray (Bud) Robinette was voted “Elk of the Year” for the Des Moines Elks Lodge #98.

These honors were bestowed upon Shirley and Bud for their unselfish and tireless energy in volunteerism for their Lodge, and their Community.

This was the first time in the history of the Elks & Does Lodges, nationally, that a husband and wife have been awarded this honor in the same year. .

Congratulations to both of you.

Further Congratulations are in order since Shirley and Ray celebrated another big Five-O on May 18^th. About 200 or so of their friends, work associates, etc showed up to help them celebrate their “50th” Wedding Anniversary.

Ray & Shirley volunteering for the Blue Ribbon Foundation at

The Corndog Kickoff last July at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

A LOVING MEMORIAL TO KAY (JOHNSON) INMAN

Kay and I were friends from kindergarten through high school We walked home together almost every day. I was in awe of her gorgeous sky blue eyes and bright smile.

At Phillips Elementary School we were brought closer together by our love of sports, especially softball. Kay was our left fielder and power hitter and could always be counted upon for a left field homerun. Our girlfriend Shirley (Grant) Robinette played right field and was another go to hitter. When we got to school early we would organize a “worky up team”. We fielded our best team in 6^th grade when we challenged the sixth grade boys to a game. With the help of our dads’ coaching, the girls won.

It wasn’t until Woodrow Wilson that we would often walk to the Johnson’s home after school. It was then I met the rest of the Johnson family. They were very warm and caring people. It is no wonder that Kay became a wonderful friend, wife and mother. It was also at this time that I learned of Kay’s diabetes. Watching while she gave herself insulin injections brought home how difficult her young life was, yet not realizing how much more difficult her life ahead would become.

Kay never ever complained. She saw good in everyone and didn’t participate in the usual pettiness intrinsic with teenage girl talk. We met new friends, always keeping our old friends.

East High School brought a whole new world to us. In the past Sports had been important from a participation standpoint. But now we became participants in the Booster Club, rooting for all sports. We found a mutual interest in clerical courses and synchronized swimming. The next three years were full of football, basketball, baseball, swimming, choir, golf, bunny hops, dances, walking the halls each morning singing the latest tunes, slumber parties, etc. If there was something we could join, we did. Cruising downtown after games, Babes pizza shakes and fries at the drive-in’s. Winter brought ice skating at Grandview, Choir visits to the hospitals and retirement homes, singing around the piano, hot chocolate, wool plaid Bermuda shorts (knee high)) with knee high argyle sox. Yes, we were quite the trendsetters. Spring meant an all day shopping trip to Utica for a new bathing suit. Successful in our endeavors, our summers were dreamily spent at Birdland Pool, and Sunset Beach.

Graduation meant separation for many long-time school mates and friends. Along this journey, Kay and I never lost touch. Almost without fail, with every visit to DM, we would be able to reconnect. As my husband had often commented, whenever you get together with your DM girlfriends it’s as though time has stood still. That’s the way it was with Kay and I. Phillips, Woodrow Wilson and East High, provided us with lifelong friendships.

We exchanged Christmas cards every year, enabling us to keep up with each other’s families. I looked forward to those letters, and will miss reading the news this year. However, my memories of our 63 year friendship will always remain a daily reminder of how fortunate I was to have had Kay in my life for so long.

Kay lived up to her stated purpose in the EHS “56 Quill. “To be a success in whatever I do, and make my parents proud of me.”

In loving memory of Kay,

Mary Lou (Katzmann) Goodman, girlfriend

ANOTHER HALF CENTURY CELEBRATION

Linda (White) Towers and her husband Tom celebrated their 50^th Wedding Anniversary on May 25^th, 2007. (We should all look this good 50 years later)

More comments on, and Pictures from the 50^thReunion!

TO THE 50^TH REUNION COMMITTEE

Just a short note to express my appreciation for all the work everyone did in the planning and putting on the 50^th celebration.

The whole weekend was superb, and Charles & I were so happy that we decided to attend.

All the events were fun, the atmosphere was warm, and everyone was so friendly.

A special treat was the tour of East High which brought back so many fond memories of my short time there.

I thank you also for the gifts we received which are being put to use, and will be neat keepsakes and reminders of the big celebration.

Hip Hooray! Dear East High!

My Best to you all and again, THANKS.

Cynthia (Moore) Huntley

WALLACE SCHOOL-1948-49

JoEllen & Don Sullivan

Bill & Donna (Nichols) Wilson

Janet (Bales) & Glen Douglas

Roberta & Tom Abbott

Dan (now deceased) & Karen Strosnider

Larry & Janeene (Miller) Carlisle

Sue & Dick Hamilton

Jackie & Larry Soloman

CALL OF THE GREAT NORTH MIDWEST

The North woods of Minnesota are covered in snow, cold, calm, quiet and very tranquil as I walk through the forest. The lake is snow covered without any ice shanty’s. Which means that I will wait awhile before I venture into the world of ice fishing.

This has been a year of emotional hills and valleys. One of my highlights was some company that came to visit with me to up-date our lives.

My other big highlight was that I also attended a wonderful high school reunion in May (Dear Ol East High) and it felt so very good to re-connect with friends of my child-hood. I admit we were a very good looking bunch. I did not see an old person in the room.

I have added many miles to my frequent flyer bank, Portland, Orlando, Washington DC, Palm Springs; unfortunately it was all for work with no time to play tourist.

Katy, my black cat is adjusting well to winter. But she has to use the closed garage for her “time-outs” when she begins to feel more frisky than I have felt in many years.

Hope everyone is well and happy. Please take care and remember what Garrison Keillor of “Lake Wobegon” says: “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Hugs to you all, Sandra Parsons

WONDERFUL SEVERAL DAYS OF FUN

Dear Classmates/Wonderful Planners.

I want to send this heart felt “Thank You” for a wonderful several days of fun. What a lot of work, and so well done.

It was such fun to see everyone, and to visit and reminisce. All of the planned activities were great including the Class Picture. I will enjoy the writing set, and the sweatshirt I won as well.

The Salmon at Saturday night’s dinner was great.

I really appreciate everyone’s help in providing such a great reunion. I know you all would probably rather be doing other things after these many reunions. So, “ThankYou” one and all.

. Stoney Creek Inn was great. See you in 5 years.

Mary Lou (Weisbrod) Nicholson

THE WHOLE WEEKEND WAS A BALL

To the EHS “56” 50^th Reunion Committee.

Wow! What a great reunion! Many Thanks to the whole committee on planning a wonderful time for all of us. We enjoyed every minute!

With real appreciation, I send this to Thank You for all your thoughtfulness, and everything it meant.

The Whole Weekend was a BALL! Thank You All so much.

It was such a shame to hear about Donna (Nichols) Wilson’s mother being killed in an auto accident. They used to live just a few doors down from my Grandmother on Mattern. I hope Donna is getting along well now. What a shock that must have been.

Barbara (Evans) Priest

IT COULDN’T HAVE BEEN BETTER

First, to Larry and everyone connected with the NewsLink. Thank you so much for the great job you’re doing with the NewsLink. I particularly enjoyed the December Issue..

During the past Christmas Holiday Season we went to Chicago to visit my oldest son and his wife. Our youngest son was in for the Holidays also.

We’ve come through some health issues in the past year; breast cancer for my wife, and I survived a ruptured appendix and surgery for a benign cyst in my back. BUT, as of this writing, we’re both in good health, and looking forward to a great 2007!

Again, one more BIG thanks for the 50^th reunion, it couldn’t have been any better!!!

Steve Larson

(Thank you Steve. Your nimble fingers on the ivories Saturday Night was a huge reason for it’s success.)

Mary (Crum) & Don Moses

Annual Alumni Association gathering on Thursday night.

Mary Lou (Katzmann) Goodman-Margaret Fogelson-Tom Pierick

LaVae (Konz) Willson-Linda (White) Towers – Jerry & Carol Hall at Registration at Prairie Meadows on Friday Evening.

Mary Lou (Katzmann) Goodman-Sally (Peterson) Goeser- Janice (Crain) Stuckrath

and Sharon (Burris) Howze in girl talk at Prairie Meadows.

In Memoriam to our Deceased Classmates

It is with a heavy heart that I add the following names of classmates to the deceased list:

Dan Strosnider 1/4/07

Susan (Bebe) Lupo 3/7/07

They answer to a different roll call now; but their spirit will remain with us always as a part of the “Class of 56”. They shall not be forgotten!

WIFE OF ANOTHER ALUMNUS HAS PASSED ON

Jerry Reese passed this on to me. The wife of Ray Logan has passed away in Florida:

Sandra Sue (Larson) Logan 6/31/06

HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

Please help us locate as many of the following classmates as possible. Last time, mostly through the efforts of Janeene (Miller) Carlisle we turned up about 15 of them. Since then we have found and lost several more.

CURRENT LIST OF THE LOST

Sharon (Crawford) Allstead Jeanne (Clark) Moore

Lily (Rose) Avery Dixie (Hart) Nelson

Karen (Anderson) Barton John Nelson

Shirley Brown Donald Patton

Helen Cooper Charles Price

William Downey Jeanne (Sacco) Randleman

William E. Fleming Wilma Richards

Robert L. Freeborn Margaret (Chapman) Roe

Robert L. Graham Lucille (Belzer) Ryan

John Hall Jack Slattery

Marilyn Jackson Betty Smith

Jim Jordan Elizabeth (Avitt) Smith

Barbara (Batty) Kimley Max K. Smith

Gary Lewis Richard Tibbitts

Gene Lewis Ruth Jeanine Turner

Frances (Tulley) Malloy Lynn Van Sickle

Ralph Marshall Anita Ward

Bill McGriff Tom White

Barbara (Byerly) Monahan Frances (Knotts) Wright

Lucille (Fortune) Wright

Address changes, articles for NewsLink to:

Larry Fogelson

3121 Twana Dr.

Des Moines, IA 50310

(515) 279-0013

email: chieffog@mchsi.com

Folks, I need material to put in the NewsLink.