Photos from the Pinecricker PowWow in Polo

The mostly local members of the class of 1957 met for lunch on a lovely fall day at the Pinecricker Grill in Polo on October 8. I thought the food and service was excellent, so if you're looking for a spot for your Friday night date, check this out. I took a few photos, and I think Sylvia did too, so let's see what we have. She has a much better camera and usually alerts people to "look this way," so I expect hers to show more faces, and fewer backs.

Here we have Bob C., Nancy S., Dave S., Sylvia T., and Ebba L.

I get some great "back of heads" photos--this is Bob C., Ron D., Lynne F. in the red, Fran K., Nancy G. standing, Marion D. and Diane B. The child is Diane's grandson, and the two guys you don't recognize are Fran's friend (green shirt) and my husband (blue shirt). Nancy S. husband Don was there too, but I don't see him in any of the shots. Jean M. was there, but maybe came after I took the photo.

Here's a surprise! Fran laughing, Lynne making a strong point, and Dave drinking a cup of coffee! Is there life after high school, as they say.

Photo from Sylvia added Jan. 16, 2011

It was a very hot day for October, and the sun was so bright we're all squinting, but we sat down for a mini-group photo on the bar side of the restaurant for a one last "see you next time."

I hadn't been to Polo in years. It looks much the same as when I was a corn detasseler in the 1950s, and the town has a very nice looking business district. Like Forreston it no longer has a grocery store. Shop local! Save your stores!

Mt. Morris Times story about class tree

"Members of the Mt. Morris High School Class of 1957 gathered on Kable Square Aug. 13 to dedicate a gift to the village."


"Members of the Mt. Morris High School Class of 1957 pose with the autumn blaze maple tree they donated to the village and dedicated Aug. 13. Pictured left to right are: Laurie Hough, daughter of Donald Hundertmark, Linda Hundertmark, Bob Coddington, Nancy Falzone, Dave Saunders, Priscilla Campbell, Lynne Wilburn, Greely Myers, Jeanne Scholl, Marian Thompson, and Sylvia Saunders." (Photo by Vinde Wells )

Autumn Blaze Maple selected for Class of 57 tree

What: Class of '57 Memorial Tree Dedication
When: Friday, August 14th
Time: 9:30 AM
Place: Campus(south portion)
Optional: There will be an 8 a.m. breakfast prior to the dedication at Spring Valley Coffee Shop located across the railroad tracks east of Mt. Morris, just past Kable News Fulfillment and across from Finch Funeral Home.

There will be a photo op on the Campus and the local Mt. Morris TIMES has agreed to take a photo for the paper.

Come if you can. . . Hope to see you there. . . casual dress.

Lynne reports that "our" tree is 10 ft. tall. According to a web site I checked, "the Autumn Blaze is an extremely fast-growing maple with brilliant red fall color. Under good conditions it can grow 3 ft. or more per year. It is tolerant of clay soils and drought and has a dense, oval head with strong branching. Developed in North Central Ohio, this tree will grow in a wide range of climates from Michigan to central Florida. It grows 50 ft. high and 40 ft. wide."

A big thank you to all the class members who worked so hard getting this done.

Several class members (Bob, Lynne, Sylvia and Dave) assist the nursery crew in finding just the right spot for the Class of 57 tree, under the careful eye of Tess and Buddy, the Saunders' border collies.

"Nancy S. marks just the right spot of our memorial tree." Photo and comments by Lynne. Bandshell in background.

"Fresh in the ground, tall and straight." Photo and comments by Lynne. In the background is the dormitory from the college years, sold to become apartments after its closing in 1932.

Our sympathy to the Coddington family

The step-mother of our classmate Bob, Elvira Marcella Coddington, 91, of Mount Morris died Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford. Born Sept. 17, 1917, in Benedict, N.D., the daughter of William and Martha (Umbach) Krebsbach. Graduated from Belvidere High School, Class of 1936. Married Bert Coddington on Aug. 28, 1948, in Belvidere; he died Feb. 6, 1995. Lived in Mount Morris since 1948, coming from Belvidere. She was employed as an accounting clerk in the accounts receivable department at McGregor Magazine Agency for 38 years, retiring in May 1987. Attended Trinity Lutheran Church. Member of Women of the Moose Chapter 485 and Mount Morris Senior Center. Survivors include stepson, Robert Coddington of Mount Morris; stepdaughters, Shirley Hackbarth of Jacksonville, Fla., and Donna (Tim) Sassaman of Hot Springs, Ark.; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brother, Ardell Krebsbach of Belvidere. Predeceased also by parents; and brothers, Arvine, Arbay, Arley and Arzell Krebsbach. Service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, in Finch Funeral Home, 405 E. Hitt St., with Frank Lay officiating. Burial in Plainview Cemetery. Visitation from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, in the funeral home, with Women of the Moose Service at 8:30 p.m. Memorials to Moose charities.

Senior Picnic

Although I'm using a magnifying glass, I might get some names wrong.
Left to right in front: Sharon R. and Ebba L. waving; Daisy W., Darlene H., H.A. Hoff, possibly David S. sitting in the shade, Ken Z. and Norman G. with his head turned. Left to right, standing up is Nancy S., sitting Carolyn M., Judy T., Mary Jane F., then possibly either Priscilla D. or Mary Lou S. waving, and Sally O. next to Darlene. Then back to the left again, I can't tell who is next to Nancy S. behind Carolyn's head, then Barb E. and Diane B., Kay A. and Lynne F., Nancy L. and Sara Y., maybe Pat B. with her head down, next to Ron D. and would that be Darrell M. with the open shirt? His head is down--can't see the face. I'm guessing the partial head there is Mike B. Then left side again I see Dorothy R. and behind her Nelson P., Jerry T., Jerry W., maybe Glenn R., then standing with the hat might be Greely, John M. showing some leg, Melvin K. and Nancy G., Francine K., and Dave B. I don't know where everyone else is--I'm taking the photograph. Maybe we divided into two groups or were waiting for some to return from hiking. I'm betting we had more than one chaperone! It was the 50s after all!

I didn't have this identified, so I'm going to guess that this was also the Senior Picnic because of Nancy L.'s shorts, and that they are ready to get on the bus. If it is the picnic, someone has shorts on under his jeans. Left to right, Nancy L., Norman G., Steve B., Jon M., and Bob C. I'm thinking Steve got a whole lot taller after graduation, because when he said, "Hi Corby," at the 20 year reunion, I looked up and asked him his name.