The Golf team in 1957 and 2007

Yes, the class was able to put together a golf team for the Sunset Hills Golf Tournament. Of course, the only athlete in our class who has made news over the years was a girl, and we didn't even have competitive sports for women in Illinois in the 50s. So here's the golf team in 2007 with Greely, Dave, Salley, Dick and Glenn.

And here's Dick, Ken and Glenn in 1957. In addition to Greely, Glenn, Dick, and Ken, Norman Garrison (deceased) was also on the team, and Warren Burstrom was the coach that year, and Dave Henry before him.

Thanks to Nancy S. for the photo.

Zickuhr Reunion

Our classmate Dick and his sister Sylvia had a family reunion with their families.

Here's a photo of their dad and mom, Ralph and Ruth, at the dinner after our senior prom. As the article says, Ralph Zickuhr was the mayor of Mt. Morris from 1949 to 1961, and that he "felt it was important to develop a local celebration, not only for civic pride, but for the safety of staying in town and out of holiday traffic."

The class of 57 drill team

After only a few hurried practice sessions, the ladies of the class of 1957 appeared in the Fourth of July parade marching with their. . . walkers! I didn't see it, but my nieces tell me it was great. Lynne F. submitted this photo.

I'm going to make a stab at the names--back row, Marion D., Lynne F., Jean M., next row Francine K., Daisy W., and Ebba L., then catching just a glimpse of their back sides, I'm guessing Nancy L., Sylvia T., and maybe Salley O. How am I doing?

Where in the world is Ken Zinke?

For a guy who disappeared from view about 50 years ago, he gets a lot of attention--had his own page in the class booklet. Maybe through the miracle of the internet. . . Here's Ken as he looked in Carol Samsel's photo album. . . looks like maybe 8th grade.

A salute to our veterans

I'm back at Lakeside and won't be in the Mt. Morris parade today with my classmates, but I hope someone will e-mail me some photos to post (don't use this e-mail--but you can use it to ask me where). Last night at the program of the Brass Band of Columbus they did a salute to the veterans, playing all their hymns and had the veterans AND their families stand up. So here's my salute to our class veterans. Because of the pre-Vietnam era of our youth, the exemption of fathers and married men, and college students from the draft, many in our class were exempt from the military.

David S. did enough time in several branches of the service to count for all of us who didn't serve. According to the class bio, he was in the Air Force 1957-1961, the Navy Reserves 1966-1977, Active duty 1972-1977, and the National Guard 1981-1994. Besides all the states he served in he also saw Korea, Okinawa, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, Guam, Palau, Ulithi, Hawaii, and Panama, then because he must have been the oldest guy serving in Desert Storm, he also saw Saudi, Kuwait, and Iraq. It's a good thing Sylvia and Dave's romance back in the 50's was sparked by letter writing! I think Dave is just happy to stay home and garden and give commands to little dogs.

Sharon "Squeaky" G. joined the Navy a month after graduation and I'm thinking that's where she met and married in 1961 Lonnie (died 1993). Her bio doesn't say how long she served.

I know Lynne F.'s husband Ed (died 1998) served, but that was before their marriage, so she didn't do the term with him, but we salute his memory, too.

Bob C. also joined the Navy in 1957 and served until 1962 with an opportunity to see some interesting places. He also served three 6 mo. terms as a contract worker repairing helicopter radios in Vietnam after he left the service which led him to some new career opportunities.

Marv M. served in the Army.

Donna B.'s husband Dick who also was from Mt. Morris was career military, so she has seen a lot of places and military bases.

After college, Glen Orr served as Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps.

Myron B. served in the Air Force from 1962-1968 after graduating from the University of Illinois

Daisy W.'s husband Charles who died very recently was also career Army, so Daisy also saw a lot of places and moved frequently with her family.

Barb E.'s husband Jim (deceased) was in the service (don't know which branch) and she is active in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

I'm sure there are others, but Sylvia couldn't get bios on everyone for the booklet. So I'll ask for comments, or e-mail me and I'll add them.

Thank you everyone, for your service.

A successful reunion

The Mt. Morris High School class of 1957 had a wonderful reunion on Monday evening, July 2, 2007, at the White Pines. And a good time was had by all. I'll post some photos here. If you want to e-mail some of yours, send them to Sylvia or me. She can sort through and decide on dups.



The hard working committee made up of the locally available classmates provided a booklet, displays, round tables so we didn't have to eat cafeteria style, table decorations, special faculty guests, a program, a class photo, and lots of time for socializing. Our class was well stocked with funny people, so there were lots of laughs.

This was a display of "old" photos, and the scrapbook in front is a meticulously kept "archive" of our class activities and reunions during the last 50 years kept by Nancy S. An amazing feat!

Diane B., John T. (spouse), Marian D., Sharon G., Lynne F.

Francine K., Bob C., Priscilla D., Nancy L.

Tina K. and Norma C. and husbands

Doree D. and Carol S. from class of 58 "crashing our party!" How exciting to see them, too.


Sarah Y. and Dave B. probably talking basketball.

Former teachers who attended the reunion were Warren and Carol Reckmeyer, Ray and Esther Appler and Katie Dirksen. Photo sent by Nancy S.

This isn't the "official" portrait, but I think you can see we were a happy bunch. Click to enlarge. I don't have my editing software on this computer.

The Ladies' Breakfast

The Ladies of the class of 1957 meet for breakfast annually during the July 4th festivities, usually at a local restaurant. This year we met at the White Pines on Saturday, June 30 (where we would be meeting for the reunion on Monday). There was a good turn out because so many were coming back for the reunion.

From left, counter clockwise: Sylvia T., Sharon G., Marion D., Mary Jane F., Nancy G., Barb H., Nancy S., Diane B. Judy T., Salley O., Sara Y., Jean M., Lynne F., Norma C., Tina K., Valerie K. (class of 56).

Judy T., Nancy L., Lynne F., Salley O. and Sara Y. share some stories.

Sisters Tina and Valerie had a reunion of another kind. They brought their mother home for burial and a memorial service at Oakwood. She was 90.


Fran K., Barb H. Nancy S. say good-bye in the parking lot.


After breakfast, Coach Salley had the group practicing in the parking lot for the parade routine with walkers.

Mark this date for the reunion

A member of the reunion committee told me they are planning on Monday evening, July 2, 2007 for the reunion with the social hour beginning at 5:30 pm, and dinner at 7 pm. Most of us are retired, so we don't have to hurry home to jobs. Many people return to Mt. Morris for the Fourth of July celebration, and the Saturday evening locations are hard to book if you don't have a big crowd.

This post (written Oct. 20, 2006) will stay on top and be updated as needed.

Today's quiz: What were the names of our Superintendent and Principal? What was the name of our class adviser? Were you ever called to their offices? Don't peek at the other comments--someone might tell the teacher!


class of 1957