More mini-reunion photos

Sara, Fran, Mary Jane and Sylvia enjoy the lovely weather and flowers

Sara's husband Bill and Dwayne.

Here's Bob C. chatting with Pat B., Nancy K., Nancy S., and Mary Jane F. Pat's husband Tom D. from class of 1956 at left.

Sylvia S. with the three Nancy's.

The guys sitting under a tree, l. to r. Fran's friend, Jim, Glenn R., Phil E., Diane's husband John T., Don F. husband of Nancy S., and Tom D., Pat's husband. Darlene H. in the foreground.

Enjoying the day are l. to r. Darlene, Donna wife of Glenn R., Diane B., Nancy L., Greely M., with Nancy S. in doorway.

Moe and Nancy's place has prairie grasses and wild flowers east of the house. Their 80 something neighbor still milks his cows and makes hay.

Another great reunion reports Nancy S.

The class of 1957 met July 3, 2009, for its 52nd year reunion at the beautiful home of Moe and Nancy near Seward, IL. We started arriving at about 1:00 p.m. The committee helped Nancy with the finishing touches of tablecloths, lawn chairs and food preparation. The ledge around the inside of the garage worked out just perfect for a place for our food. Our hosts furnished the tea, coffee, lemonade and pop, and John and Marian furnished the roast pork.

The women classmates visited on the patio surrounded by beautiful flowers, and in a big circle under large tents out of the sun. The men were under a huge oak tree. Dave S. went fishing and came back with a 5 lb large mouth bass he caught on his third cast. He released it back into the lake. Moe said grace and we all ate together in a group. The food was wonderful and we were blessed with absolutely perfect weather.

Moe and Nancy have a beautiful view across the country to their lake with birds and I’m sure a lot of wild life. A baby rabbit or two were spotted. Moe took us on a tour of their beautiful home and showed us his collection of artwork and limited edition prints. He then took us on a caravan and we drove around his 4-acre lake where he has a duck refuge with duck blinds, deer blinds, boats, canoes, and a rope swing. Everyone enjoyed this trip through God’s country. For the next several hours all of us joined together for a fun time just talking and reminiscing. There were a lot of laughs and good conversation.

The 29 attending were Nancy L., Nancy S. and husband Don, Nancy and Moe, Darrell M., Glenn R. and wife Donna, Fran and friend, Diane B., Lynne F., Marian D. and husband John, Mary Jane & Dwayne, Pat B. and husband Tom, Sara Y. and husband Bill, Bob C., Jean M., Ebba L., Darlene H., Phil E. and wife Kay, Greeley M., Dave S. & Sylvia T. Everyone mingled and conversation was great. It was especially nice to see classmates, Diane, Fran, Greeley and Glenn, all of whom have had health issues recently and had surgery this year, but still came to visit with their classmates.

This get together could be described as possibly one of our best reunions. It was casual and relaxed. It may have been small in number but sometimes small groups are better. It was a very successful and fun day.

The next morning we all met again at the Mt. Morris Firemen’s breakfast. It was pouring rain, but I think that just added to the atmosphere and we all sat there several hours just talking and laughing together. It was just a great time. Every once in awhile someone from other classes would stop by to visit also. I am sure all will remember it well.

A perfect ending to a very successful get together for the Class of 57.

We'll see you in July

"Hi Kids!

Time is drawing near for our picnic event at Moe and Nancy's. All final plans were made last week. . . all is in readiness." Writes classmate Lynne.

"As we get ready to party together. . . our classmate Greeley is having another type of event. On June 1st our Greeley will be having some colon cancer surgery. His cancer is well contained and the outlook for a complete recovery looks good indeed. I was able to have a visit with "G G" and give him some support having "been there, done that" nearly 8 years ago. But no matter how many times you hear, "If I can do it, you can do it," it is still an unsettling thing, to be sure. If anyone would like to send Greeley a note of encouragement and give him some grins, I am sure he will appreciate it. . .and Greeley has asked for prayers. He is planning on attending our July 3rd picnic. If you need an address e-mail me (lflemingwilburn at yahoo dot com) and I will provide or check your class booklet from the last reunion it should be in there.

Diane B. is currently recovering from a broken ankle at Pinecrest. . .she is our first classmate to take up residence there, however temporary it might be. . . a doubtful honor to be sure. She is undergoing therapy and some of us visited her last week to find her doing as well as could be expected. . . but bored. She, too, could use some cheering and some "atta girl" pats on the back.

I spoke with Fran today, and she is doing very well. But after 3 surgeries since October she is not really looking forward to her fourth on June 3rd. The fact that none of the surgeries found any cancer is a positive thing and she is grateful. She has one more surgery to go to remover the growth on the kidney, which she will now be able to keep and be done with hospitals. She has had a long bout, but you know Fran. Today she cheered me up! She has heard from many classmates and thanks us all for our thoughtfulness saying, "it means a lot, believe me!"

All three of these stars from the Class of '57 plan to attend our July 3rd picnic, as Fran and Greeley both said, "I'll be there if I have to crawl," and Diane said she'd probably have to hop! Again, if addresses are needed for any or all of three let me know. . .

See you in July.