Guest Blog--News from Mt. Morris

Watching them change gas signs and flush hydrants
by Murray, class of '56

This has not been a good time for Mt. Morris. Besides the high gas prices, poor economy and the market crash that everybody else has had to endure, Mt. Morris residents have seen the town's livelihood threatened by two of our three major employers that departed or soon to be departing. Quebecor World ( Formerly Kable Printing) the third employer is currently highly medicated and on oxygen. They filed Chapter 11 last Jan. and filed unsuccessfully to borrow 1 billion to stay in business. Corporate management did not turn the business around and it is still in deep trouble. The last report on the Toronto Stock Exchange showed their stock last closing at 7 cents. Yeah, that's right....7 cents. It was $18 dollars when I left in '95. Guess I shoulda stayed huh? For all you good people who want to return to beautiful Mt. Morris I will offer you my house. I'm on Hannah right across the street from the golf course. It comes with a bright yellow golf cart and a prayer. If the wind is right you can sometimes hear bagpipe music coming from Sylvia Saunders, 4 houses south of us. If you have something to offer Curt Miller, he will bring you sweet corn when it's ready. Pete Smith drives by every day making the rounds so if you are in his sights he will stop for a visit. It's a golden opportunity to find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Red Sox.

On your next trip to Mt. Morris you might consider saving on gas and flying in. They just built two more hangers at our airport for a total of 7. You won't have any problems storing your plane. Plus, of course they have that great fly in breakfast on the 4th. We had some light poles and lights donated to Dillehay Park which are currently being installed. The park has 4 baseball diamonds, 4 soccer fields, 2 tennis courts, 6 basketball courts, two picnic pavilions, a super playground facility for tots, two sand volleyball courts and Warren Long. It's one of the few things in town getting bigger. Makes me want to be a kid again among other things. We walk there every morning and meet people that have apparently committed to getting into shape. You know... the ones with the ankle and/or wrist weights that stride along pumping their arms. Yeah, that's right, the ones that last about 3 days. I was shooting baskets the other day after walking when a couple of teenagers approached and I thought they might challenge me to a game of horse. They watched for a few minutes and saw how old I was and more than likely figured it wasn't worth the risk/reward.

As you would expect there really isn't much to tell about Mounder town this year. The water tower didn't need painting so that was a bummer. Some of the natives enjoyed watching the people at the Mobil station change gas prices every few days. The flushing of the fire hydrants was interesting. Of course we did have that tornado blast through here in August. The people at the golf course are still cleaning up.

With the departure of Watt Publishing and Kable News there will less people to sit around and watch the grass grow. The governor is foolishly trying to close Lowden Park and Castle Rock Park. Hell, Lowden makes a profit every year! Go Figure. There is a Family Restaurant on the main drag that does quite a good business. The owner died and wanted his remains returned to his home land so they shut the restaurant down for a few weeks. When they were open there were many cars parked on the main drag for breakfast. When they closed you could shoot a cannon down Wesley in the morning and not hit a thing.

When school started I was sitting by the window having coffee and reading the news when I looked out my window and saw the two teenage boys across the street. Pretty soon the school bus stopped and picked them up. Huh? I mean, we live about 3/4 mile from the school. That, coupled with the fact that gas prices have been out of sight, caused me to wonder has the school board lost their minds? We already have the expense of trucking them down to Oregon. No wonder youngsters are out of shape. I guess I need to stop in at a board meeting one of these days.

Note: I've been waiting for an article from a classmate with some local news, but never got it, so Murray who has a regular e-list he sends to ex-pats agreed to let me use his latest.

Dorothy Yoder

DOROTHY M. YODER, 98 MOUNT MORRIS - Dorothy M. Yoder, 98, of Mount Morris died Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, in Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home. Born March 26, 1910, in Rockvale Township, Ogle County, daughter of Daniel R. and Helen M. (Stouffer) Samsel. Graduate of Mount Morris High School, Class of 1928, and also attended Mount Morris College and DeKalb Normal Teacher's College. Married the late A. Allen Yoder on Sept. 2, 1932. She was a homemaker and a lifelong resident of Mount Morris. Member of Disciples United Methodist Church, Mount Morris, and Ogle County Historical Society. Survivors include, son, Frederic A. (Louise) Yoder of Babbitt, Minn.; daughter, Sara A. (William) Davidson of Greenville; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Predeceased also by parents; sisters, Bernice Hohnadel and Lois Noonkesser; and brothers, Ralph, Maurice, Emmert, Paul and Carl Samsel. Service at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in Disciples United Methodist Church, Mount Morris, with visitation from noon to time of service; the Rev. Lora Zink, pastor, Disciples United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial in Plainview Cemetery in Mount Morris. Memorials to Ogle County Hospice, Disciples United Methodist Church or Mount Morris Public Library. Arrangements by Finch Funeral Home.

Class of 1958 holds 50th reunion

Recognize anyone?

Classmate makes us all proud

From Sept. 15 Rockford Star:

“Salley Wessels has won seven women’s Illinois Senior Amateur golf titles. No. 8 would be especially great for the defending champ because this year’s tournament is Tuesday through Thursday at Timber Pointe.

“You are so proud of the courses around here, it’s nice for other people to get to experience what you get to,” Wessels, a 13-time Rockford Women’s City champ, said. “It also helps you realize how lucky we are around here.” . . .

Wessels, 69, remains competitive against the over-50 crowd. She also qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur and will fly out immediately after Thursday’s final round. She will miss the first of two practice rounds at the U.S. senior to play in the Illinois Women’s Senior.

“I haven’t lost any distance yet,” Wessels said. “I still hit my 5-iron 160 yards. Of course, I still do some weight lifting, especially during the winter. I don’t want to think of it too much. It could be depressing.

“I don’t get into the age thing so much, but it makes me feel good that I can still play with them. It makes me realize how many new people come into the state senior when people reach the age limit. There isn’t any tournament I can play in any more where I’m the younger. If I’m going to play, I’ve got to be able to keep up.”

Murray T (class of 56) reported on the 22nd: Salley finished 5th out of 118 in the Women's Illinois Senior Amateur. She's now traveling to Tulsa, Ok to play in the USGA Women's Senior Amateur ( 9/20-9/25) which she qualified for in August.

Assembly, March 18, 1955

My husband's on a cleaning kick again. We already have the cleanest garage and office in the county, but he found mildew on some of the books! So I pull off my sophomore Latin textbook. (Yes, I "archive" a lot of things I'll never use again.) I open it up and find a completely incomprehensible translation of something from Mr. Kinsley's Latin class (I got a B on this paper and it was a gift), but also this cute program from a school assembly in March 1955, our sophomore year.





Neal J. wrote the program notes, and Ken P. (class of '58) did the drawing, which seems to be an Irishman playing a clarinet, but there's a barely detectible "M" on his shirt under the banner. Doesn't this sound just like the Neal we all remember and who left us before graduation to go on to college because he was so much brainier than the rest of us (except Nelson) and bored with high school?

T.V. Suite: Our Television Suite is a satire on the types of programs heard on television. It runs the gamut not only from western to a Glenn Millerish band but also in special effects. Our "Hillbilly Belles" are Norma C., Gayle O. (class of '55), and Joyce K. (class of '56).

I have no recollection of this so I don't remember what the Belles were doing--did I play the trombone? Sing? Dance? Anyone remember? My parents didn't yet own a TV in 1955, so I must have been clueless what it was about.

Other items on the program were Thunder Song by Finlayson; Scotch Folk Suite by Davis (Neal reminds the students not to applaud until after the last movement); Sincerely by Fuqua Reed; Santa Fe Trail by Whitney a collection of folk songs; Lookie, Lookie, Wolf Boy by Walters; Little Suite for Band by Erickson; Tweedlee Dee by Scott; and Time out for a jam session by Handlon which Neal described as "mayhem." Mr. Johnson was a savvy guy--he knew to include those pop tunes to keep us all interested. He was one of my favorites.

From our class: Flutes--Sylvia T.; Clarinets--Sharon R., Neal J., Dianne B., Francine K.; Alto Clarinet--Lynne F.; alto sax--Nancy L.; Cornets--Salley O., Darlene H.; Horns--Priscilla D.; Trombones--Norma C., Sara Y., Steve B., Myron B., Dwayne Z.; percussion--Jon M. Obviously, the class of 57 ruled the trombone section!

Ladies' Breakfast

Submitted by Lynne with photos from Sylvia

Eight ladies gathered at the new Mounder Grounds Cafe on Saturday morning July 5th for their annual Ladies of '57 breakfast. Mounder Grounds Cafe is a new breakfast stop for the ladies and it is a cozy, conversation-friendly spot. Catching up on a years worth of news were: Mary Jane F., Ebba L., Diane B., Marion D., Nancy S., Sylvia S., Sara Y., and Lynne F. These ladies and many of those classmates not attending have been doing this annually for over 50 years now. . . with no plans to discontinue. . . see you next year!










Photos from past ladies' breakfasts

At our breakfast it was made known that classmates Nancy and Moe K. have invited us to a mini-reunion gathering at their country home next summer. . . early plans indicate it will be a casual, outdoorsy event with a pot-luck style meal, just the kind of relaxed gathering that allows for lots of visiting and catching up. Nancy S. has offered to do the contacting and indicated some firm information will be forthcoming around the end of the year holidays. The getting together more frequently seemed be a well-received idea. The closeness of our class, fostered so carefully over the years, now shows in our plans to gather more often. Hope everyone reading this can make plans to come to this picnic gathering.

As most of you know by now, we lost our German Exchange student, Klaus D. in February of this year. We were all saddened by this and some have shared their sorrow and memories of Klaus on our MMHS 1957 web site. In the course of remembering Klaus both privately with one another and again at Saturday's breakfast, a memorial has been mentioned . . . a tree was suggested to be planted either at Dillehay Park or at the new Mounder Park across from our old high school (which doesn't seem to have any trees currently). Lynne F., the class tree hugger, has offered to take up the collection of funds and see to the planting, care and feeding of the new planting, and oak perhaps a good choice. Details will be talked over at our gathering next summer at Nancy and Moe's home. We hope our classmates will welcome this as a fitting memorial to Klaus . . . in the meantime your input would be appreciated.

Congratulations Bonnie and Ed

Our classmate Bonnie and her husband Ed celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 18, 2008 at the White Pines Lodge with family and friends, followed by a trip to Florida, according to a recent local newspaper article. They were married at Trinity Lutheran in Mt. Morris on May 18, 1958, and have two daughters, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Memories of another campaign

Classmate Lynne and her sisters have been active in the 2008 campaign, and it brings back some memories of their mother, Rose.

"We know Mom would be happy with our work for Obama, as this reminds me of her work for Adlai Stevenson in 52 and 56. She loved to tell the story of the lady that gushed to Stevenson, "Oh, all thinking people will be voting for you," to which Stevenson replied, "Madam, that isn't enough." I can remember our dining room table full of envelopes, stamps and sheets of information and her ladies working and chattering away. Supper on those autumn nights was always early and homework was done on your bedroom floor (I had a desk by '56). They'd go door to door, too and off to Rockford and Chicago to rallies. They had a lot of fun. I think they knew they were losing, but losing with class, as Mom would say...."

Prayer request for a classmate

Some of you know about the tough time our classmate Lynne has had the last decade. After Ed's death, she twice faced cancer surgery and was successful in that battle. She didn't give up and is a real fighter. However, the last few years she's had mysterious vomiting episodes (sorry if this sounds unpleasant, but I don't know how else to explain it) which are becoming more frequent requiring trips to the ER, bed rest, and even sleeping sitting up. Obviously, enjoying a good meal is out of the question. First they told her it was the flu, then the adhesions from her surgeries, and now she's going to get another opinion. If you've ever watched Lynne on one of her walks (I can't keep up), you know she loves the out-of-doors, being active, helping others, and of course, campaigning with her beloved party during election periods. So this baffling condition isn't easy to live with for someone who wants to be walking the dog and smelling the flowers (soon).

So, I'm asking all the classmates who might be tuning in, to send up a few prayers in the next few days--first for the doctors that they will be able to determine the problem, then for Lynne's condition that it will settle down enough for her to get her strength back with some food and rest, and of course, for healing.

Klaus Dreyer

Nancy S. called to let me know that Klaus Dreyer, a member of our class as an exchange student in 1955-1956, died in February. According to a letter from his wife Margit, "he died February 8th, 2008 in a hospital at Kaiserslautern, Germany. He had been there 5 weeks. She says "Klaus would have loved to see you at the 50th reunion celebration in 2007. He had a great time in America & he enjoyed it very much"." Nancy said, "I know that every letter I received that he always said to give his regards to any classmate I see along the way." Nancy also sent along this photo of a mini-reunion in 1984 when Klaus was visiting Illinois friends.


The top photo is from my album of a CBYF meeting at our home on Hannah, probably summer 1956, which includes some of the class of 1956. In the top photo with Klaus in the foreground are Carolyn M., Mary Lou S., Sharon R., and Jean M. Others at that evening event were myself, Sylvia T. and Deborah P. and class of '56 members, Joyce K., Barb N., and Gayle D. (and some I can't identify after 52 years). Klaus lived with the Robert Fridleys on their farm, descendants of original settlers from Maryland in the Mt. Morris area. Sylvia adds that he also lived with Jesse and Imogene Fridley, and John and Nell Thomas. He wanted to see the "West", so that summer he rode to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Eugene, Oregon, with Bill and Marge Powers. Bill and Marge were not coming directly back, so Klaus rode back with Annis and Elmer Paul.

According to the booklet prepared by the reunion committee, Klaus wrote that he'd been retired for 5 years and he and Margit had 2 adult sons:

"It would have been so nice to see so many of you again. My memories of Mt. Morris have always been very strong, very impressive. The year I was with you had the greatest effect on my life. It was the nicest experience I had in my youth. I have such nice memories, especially of Mt. Morris High. It was all so different from my life in my German hometown, also of life in school. In Germany we still suffered a lot from the after Second World War effects. My attitude toward life, towards the democratic structures was extremely influenced by my stay in Illinois. . . I often look at the MOUNDER and see you before me. It's like there had never been 50 years in between. . . I had always wanted to be a farmer, but ended up being a teacher at a German high school with English and Physical Education as subjects."

Recent photo sent by Margit

Second grade teacher, Miss Finkenbinder, dies

From the Rockford paper

OLIVE L. FINKENBINDER, 91
ROCKFORD - Olive L. Finkenbinder, 91, of Rockford died February 28, 2008, in Provena St. Anne Nursing Center. She was born March 29, 1916, in Jo Daviess County, Wards Grove Twp., the daughter of David Allen and Lillian (Espe) Finkenbinder. She graduated from Stockton High School in 1933, received her B.S. degree at NIU and her M.S. degree from Rockford College. Her post graduate studies were done at Syracuse University in N.Y. Olive began her teaching career in rural schools in Stephenson County. She continued teaching at public elementary schools in Mount Morris, Kukuihaele, Hawaii and Rockford, where the last five years she was the supervisor of Learning Disabilities Program. Olive retired after 38 years in the teaching profession and became an antique dealer in Scales Mound and later in Rockford at the State Street Mall.

She was an active member of many organizations including, Beth Eden United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Delta Kappa Gamma Zeta chapter. Olive enjoyed traveling with her friends to many states, Canada, countries in Europe and Australia. She also enjoyed watching birds, flower gardening and crewel. Survivors include her niece, Carol (Wayne) Noller of Stockton; nephew, Paul (Patricia) Noble of Chester, Vt.; and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Myrna Finkenbinder and Mildred Noble; her brother, Orville Finkenbinder; sister-in-law, Thelma Finkenbinder; and brother-in-law, William H. Noble.

Cremation rites were accorded and burial will be with her parents at the Kent Lutheran Cemetery, Kent. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, in Beth Eden United Methodist Church, 3201 Huffman Blvd., Rockford, with the Rev. Doug Bowden, pastor, officiating. A luncheon at the church will follow. A sharing time with friends will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be given to Beth Eden United Methodist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma Zeta chapter or any charity. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois, 815-282-6202.

Warren Burstrom

JR Worley and Warren Burstrom
At one of my "Monday Memories" at my other, other blog, there were 23 questions (called a Meme) about high school, and I mentioned Warren Burstrom as an example of a really great teacher. Another former student of his was looking on the internet for him and found my blog, and wrote:

"I Googled Warren Burstrom, who was my Calculus professor at Highland Community College in 1969-71, and found your blog mentioning him. I totally agree Warren was a memorable, inspiring and very effective teacher. It was not possible for any student to not pay attention or sleep in his class. He kept us entertained and on our toes. He was one of the best teachers I ever had. Why else would I Google him almost 40 years later?!"

Classmates in serious auto accident

A note from Sylvia: "Mary Jane and Dwayne Z. were in a car accident (1/11) not too far from their home. Apparently, someone ran a stop sign at a country intersection. Dwayne was thrown out of the car. Mary Jane was able to get herself out. Dwayne suffered broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and brain swelling and bleeding. Mary Jane had broken ribs and bad bruising from the seatbelt, but thank goodness, it probably saved her life.

Mary Jane wasn't hospitalized, is recuperating from her injuries at home. Dwayne has been in ICU, but will be released from there to a regular room, and then will be at VanMatre Rehab where they have excellent physical and occupational care. . . It will be a day at a time for awhile. MJ said their son came over tonight to feed the sheep and do the other chores."

Keep them in your prayers, classmates. They had their 50th wedding anniversary celebration in Leaf River in November.

Dwayne and Mary Jane Z.

Christmas memories

Our classmate Lynne blessed all of northern Illinois (and a few beyond the borders) with a letter to the Rockford Register Star in response to "Time to build new Christmas memories," Opinions, Dec. 10.

"I, too, have wonderful memories of a mother who took three small girls to Chicago on the train to visit Marshall Field's at Christmas time (we went twice a year, but always at Christmas time).

Each of us got to pick out a special ornament, have lunch, marvel at that huge Christmas tree and then go to the art museum for the balance of the day, as our mother was a commercial artist and a frustrated watercolorist.

Our mother is gone now, and we seldom get to Chicago anymore as we are all over 60. But the carefully selected ornaments and the special outings to Field's with our mother are among our fondest fireside memories.

Thank you for stirring the embers on some of our fondest memories--and my wishes for a very Merry Christmas."

And thank you, Lynne. I'm sure there were a lot of misty eyes as the readers recalled their special times.

Getting ready for Christmas

Our classmate and reunion organizer for many years, Nancy S., sent this photograph and note:

This is a picture showing all the beautiful Christmas trees displayed at the bandshell this year. These were decorated by the various clubs from Mt Morris. The American Legion is in the back with the big yellow bow. I helped with that one and it has poppies, American flags, yellow bows and POW remembrances on it. These trees are just beautiful I think, and I make special trips by there to view them and see if anymore are added. I hope you enjoy them and if you can use them, feel free to do so.

Nancy

Scenes of Mt. Morris

Today I was scanning an old photo of my grandmother's from the 1890s of the Ladies Dormitory of Mt. Morris College (I think it is now the apartments), and decided to check the internet to see if there were others. I came across Digital Past of the North Suburban Library System, found it there, and then clicked on Mt. Morris. Although some of the entries don't apply, I think there are about 15 photos from the college and town, including Kable's (misspelled in one entry), the Lutheran church, band shell, some street scenes, etc. Seem to be postcards. The scanned 1904 encyclopedia (all the parts are actually there if you click on the photo, then on the catalog record) doesn't seem to mention Mt. Morris, either the town or the college, so I'm not sure why it is there.

A few more photos

These are on Sylvia's disc. This group is of the ladies' breakfast and the class reunion, both held at the Pines, and some parade and 4th festivities.

Barb and Nancy
Coach Sally with Nancy and Sara prepping for the parade
When did MMHS morph into Pinecrest?
Lynne, Jean, Sara, Salley, Judy ordering breakfast on June 30

The busy reunion committee

Here's a photo of the hard working reunion committee meeting at the Saunders' home, and I've added Dwayne, Mary Jane and Nancy. Also a shot of the dining room at the White Pines State Park, the site of a life time of school and family activities and picnics for most of us.

from left: Diane, Marion, Lynne, Nancy, Greely, Salley, Jean (I assume Sylvia is taking the photo)

Dwayne and Mary Jane Z.
Nancy
Getting everything ready

A few more photos

Sylvia has passed along a few more photos of the reunion on July 2. I think this one is a reunion within a reunion. At first I couldn't figure out why these four were together for a photo--then I remembered they all started school together at Center School north of Mt. Morris.


Judy, Sylvia, Barb and Glenn at the reunion, July 2, 2007

Front row, lst grade: Richard [not at reunion] Barb, Judy, Sylvia and Glenn at Center School

Forreston's class of 1957

You may recognize some of these folks--15 miles down the road from us. The guys were probably on the sports teams, and I know some of the girls were cheerleaders. I don't know if Forreston had a football team, or golf and tennis teams then, but they did play some mean basketball, defeating the Mounders 60 to 44 in the '56-57 season with Mt. Morris defeating Forreston 75 to 72 in the '55-56 season, according to our yearbooks.

Sylvia and I could recognize the same three people. Carolyn now lives in Mt. Morris and has for many years; JoElla is Sylvia's cousin and my college roommate; and Geneva used to be a member of our class (I think she moved in 6th grade). Sylvia reports the photo appeared in the Ogle Co. Life, but I haven't located it online. The rest of the class went to Maxon's for dinner, that's why the group is a bit small. They obviously didn't have our excellent committee to corral them!!