WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU???
The Bismarck High School Class of 1981 monthly update
Volume 20, August 2002
Hi everyone,
Hope you are all doing great! More sad news this month, you will see below that we lost another classmate, I do believe that makes 20. It never gets any easier to report that kind of news, it is so sad…makes everyday together seem that much more important!
This month our newsletter includes an interview with Sheri Halbakken, same great gal that you all remember! Funny, funny girl! Also, Todd has Bismarck news, we have life highlights, we have some great new ideas for the newsletter and web site, and all kinds of other fun stuff! This newsletter sure keeps me busy, but I love it! With all your contributions you make my job so easy and so much fun! And Wendy, Dan and Todd always make all of us look awesome!
A big thank you to Jay Yeager and to everyone else for participating last month. Every interview, quote, news highlight is greatly appreciated!! Also, thank you to Larry Kessler, Julie (Mjolsness) Lindstrom and Dan who took the time to create three new areas for us this month! They all out did themselves!
Next month watch for Paula (Whitlock) Ludwig, doing well, and loving the lights of Vegas!
Take care, Lauri
This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of
Corey Mees
Corey Mees, 40, passed peacefully from this world lovingly surrounded by family and friends on July 7, 2002, in San Francisco, Calif.
He was the devoted son of Hillard Mees, Mary Mees-Bosch, and Pete Bosch; cherished brother of Larry Mees, Brian Mees, Vicky (Allen) Miller, and Darvin Mees; adored uncle of Stephanie and Tyler Mees and Christopher and Nicholas Miller; and treasured friend of Paul Candler and Colleen Butler.
Compassionate, openhearted, generous, and kind, Corey was passionate about conservation and the environment, reflecting his deep love and respect for nature. He found solace and joy at the ocean, in the forest, in the sunflower fields of his native North Dakota home, and in the garden he tenderly nurtured. Everything and everyone he had contact with was made more beautiful by his presence. He touched gently, tread lightly, loved easily, and was easy to love.
He is survived by a grateful circle of family and friends. His grace and light will inspire us always.
"In-depth and Personal with…Sheri Lynn Halbakken"
Name: Sheri Lynn Halbakken
Career/occupation: Commercial Driver/ Owner-Operator
Home: St. Louis- Gateway to the Midwest
Family: Three young men (20-18-17) that will always be my babies in my eyes. I am
fortunate enough to have a 12 yr. old Princess live here too. I have a wonderful boyfriend
that lives here in St. Louis. RC and I have been together for almost two years. No, I
didn't rob the cradle for those of you who went to the reunion, he is 11 months younger
than me. The kids all adore him, and my friends know he was meant for me, but I don't want
anyone imagining they hear wedding bells. I am content with dating steady, thank you :)
Significant others occupation: Warehouse Supervisor/Distribution Manager of an
upscale Tile Co. here in STL. They carry the pretty imported stuff from Italy like
porcelain and marble tile.
Where did you meet your "sig" other: I deliver for the company he works
for. They have been one of our clients for about four years. I though he was some pretty
nice eye candy the first time I saw him. Being the respectful guy that he is, we became
fast friends. It wasn't until the summer of 2000 when I was going through my divorce when
he asked if he could buy me a cup of coffee. One cup lead to another and the next thing we
knew, coffee turned into meeting for breakfast. I used to work 10pm-5am, so RC and I would
meet for breakfast. Yada, yada, yada.....now we are exclusive.
Greatest accomplishments: Waking up every morning knowing I am still alive. Really!
I am not getting younger but the competition is. Everyday that I can get through my day at
work, I know that is my greatest accomplishment. I am on the road with some of the
scariest people who hold drivers’ licenses and see death line the roadsides everyday,
and so now you know where I am coming from.
People whom you admire and why: Laurie Reed, for putting all the time into this, as
she does. You go girl!!! (thank you Sheri!) Also, I admire my mother
for everything she went through as a single parent. I call her often and just say two
words, "I'm sorry" and then hang up. She knows its me. I am now reaping what I
sowed when I was a teenager.
What do you have in your pockets: Usually change for a cup of coffee.
Fantasy (or reality) job: I certainly wouldn't want anything that keeps me in a
rut, I think I am doing my fantasy job, traveling all over and meeting different people
with different values and beliefs. I would rather do it in a luxury car, but then when I
go shopping while I am traveling, I don't lose my vehicle in the parking lot like you do.
Plus, I can fit more in my trunk than you can. Heehee.
Latest book you've read: "Understanding Dreams" (very good read)
Favorite music/musicians: I am all country but love that Old Time Rock and Roll. I
am exposed to my boys music too, unfortunately. Martina McBride, Creed, Alanis, Toby
Keith.....
Recommended movies: "Bone Collector", "Double Jeopardy",
"Vanilla Sky", but only if you can see it again right away, trust me!!!!
Favorite cities and why? Wow, too many, but I did enjoy Tampa, no particular
reason. I lived in Rotterdam Holland and you can send me back there anytime.
Where have you traveled? Like I said above, I lived in Rotterdam Holland for 3 ½
years and took in leisure tours of Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. I have been all over
the Midwest and dabbled in a few states in the South/southeast (FL, GA, MS, AL, LA, TX). I
could drive the trip from STL to Houston in my sleep.....and don't think I haven't,
heehee.
Favorite place to vacation? I would like to go back to Europe and take some more of
that in without little kids. Maybe someday if you start imagining wedding bells for me,
you can imagine a honeymoon in Europe for me......:)
Favorite foods: Mexican, Italian, Chinese,(in that order). Oh wait, good ole home
cooking from ND. Oh how I miss that.
Hobbies: Camping, boating, biking, skating, reading and wasting tons of time on the
computer.
What if any community service organizations are you involved with? I have been
involved in Junior Achievement through the kids’ schools. I have dabbled in anything
anyone needs help with. Girl Scouts, Room Mom, and helped out with several different clubs
within the school. That is when the kids were little and I had tons of time. Now they are
older, and I don't have anytime. So for those of you with little kids, it doesn't get any
better when they get older, trust me.
Pet peeves: People who don't use their blinker, and the same people who ignore the
fact that I use mine.
Memories of Bismarck (good ones): Small town atmosphere when I was growing up. You
could ride your bike forever and never worried about anything. Walking to school wasn't
exactly desirable, but at least we were safe. I will always remember the boy/girl parties
from Wachter when we were all young and innocent. Kirkwood Plaza was the big hang out when
Woolworth was still there and it was shaped like a "Y". It’s good that
Bismarck has grown so
much, but that small town atmosphere is certainly gone.
Memories of BHS (good ones): Changing the Mandan rocks to Bismarck. You know, the
ones on the hill that they changed to trees now. Heehee.
Favorite teachers at BHS and why: Hum, it’s been too long. Don't tax my brain
like that. Is this a pop quiz?
If you could, would you change anything about high school? I would have socialized
outside my circle of friends more. I think we all got set in our ways and stayed in our
little clicks, to a fault. Maybe it was the fact that nobody was allowed to be in our
"gang" (not politically correct).
Favorite high school hangouts: Down by the river and Volks.
Some new things to watch
for in the months to come!
Julie (Mjolsness) Lindstrom suggested this new area for us to
explore
each month! She was hoping that those classmates who are
parents would be willing to share some:
a) parenting techniques or "pearls of wisdom" they
have passed along to their kids
b) things your parents said or did and you swore you’d never say
or do when you became a parent (but of course you do)
c) unexpected surprises and laughs bestowed upon us
Other than the wardrobe, have things really changed in the last 20 to 30
years?
Although many of us don't have kids in Jr. High or Sr. High yet,
we could bank a lot of these answers for the future.
Julie offers the following line that she has used and how it backfired
on her!
Remember the starving children in India...
Andrew, her five-year-old wanted to know if we
could e-mail them his lunch!
Send them to Lauri, we can’t wait to hear what has
been tried and failed miserably!!!
"?????"
We swore we would never resort to recipes, but here they are!!!
"?????" is a new link on our web page which is devoted to recipes and great cooking! Recipes can be your favorite recipe from North Dakota, something you love to eat, something your spouse makes that is terrific, something you made up, a recipe which is native to where you are living now, or yeck a recipe from your mom! We do not care! All we want you to do is share with others-that's it! Simple!
Send them to Lauri at
keckmann@packersrock.com and she willPlease make sure if you take it from a cookbook or if credit needs to
be given to a special person that you let me know!
If your looking for a certain recipe let Lauri know also. She will get
the word
out in the newsletter and who knows what you may get in return!
HAPPY COOKING EVERYONE!
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
"WE NEED A NAME FOR THIS SECTION!!"
Well, the staff of this newsletter couldn’t ask all of you to contribute if they were not willing to do so also, so here are the first contributions to the web site cookbook! ENJOY!!
I love this recipe, it’s easy, pretty, and my family will eat it,
unfortunately it is kinda fattening, oh well, you can’t have everything! It’s
called Pineapple Dish Soufflé. I got the recipe from
my neighbor who is from the East Coast, she brought it to a potluck and we were all sold!
Lauri (Reed) Eckmann
OK, here's one of my favorites, it’s called Couscous Salad. It's simple and fresh, great for potluck or picnics and doubles easily, and it can be made a day ahead. Couscous is a teeny tiny pasta, however, I usually find it with the boxed rice. You may have to ask where to find it. I think it's with the ethnic foods at Dan’s Super Valu. Wendy (Cleveland) Seigel
To access any of these recipes, just click below!!!
http://www.bhsclassof81.com/Recipes.htm
PS-if anything is yucky, do not e-mail us!
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
Here’s looking at you babe
!!This is another wonderful opportunity which was created for our class by
Larry Kessler!
This site will allow anyone one of us to upload pictures of ourselves, our families, our
favorite activities, whatever! We just ask that you keep ‘em clean!
The link for this new site is www.ofoto.com!
You will need a special e-mail
address and password to access or upload photos, those will only be available from me
or Larry Kessler via e-mail!
Each month at this very location, I will let you know if new photo’s have been uploaded! Go check it out, there are photo’s ready for your viewing!!
A little ND humor!
I remember once in ND, it was so cold that I saw
a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets.
What is the difference between ND and yogurt?
Yogurt has an active living culture.
NORTH DAKOTA TEMPERATURE CONVERSION CHART
70 above
Texans turn on the heat and unpack the thermal underwear.
People in North Dakota go swimming in the Lakes.
60 above
North Carolinians try to turn on the heat.
People in North Dakota plant gardens.
50 above
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in North Dakota sunbathe.
40 above
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in North Dakota drive with the windows down.
32 above
Distilled water freezes.
Devil’s Lake water gets thicker.
20 above
Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, and woolly hats.
People in North Dakota throw on a flannel shirt.
15 above
Philadelphia landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in North Dakota have the last cookout before it gets cold.
0 degrees
People in Miami all die...
North Dakotans lick the flagpole.
20 below
Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in North Dakota get out their winter coats.
40 below
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in North Dakota are selling cookies door to door.
60 below
Polar bears begin to evacuate the Arctic.
North Dakota Boy Scouts postpone "Winter Survival" classes until it gets cold enough.
80 below
Mt. St. Helens freezes.
People in North Dakota rent some videos.
100 below
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
North Dakotans get frustrated because they can't thaw the keg.
297 below
Microbial life no longer survive on dairy products.
Cows in North Dakota complain about farmers with cold hands.
460 below
ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero in the Kelvin scale)
People in North Dakota start saying, "Cold 'nuff for ya?"
500 below
Hell freezes over.
BHS stokes the furnace a bit.
FAMOUS QUOTE….
Life is too short,
and you are not going to get out of it alive.
BIRTHDAYS!
Happy Birthday
to the following people,Sue (Seitz) Ott
Deanna (Geisinger)Dailey
Della Boutrous
Randy Roessler
Dennis Hopfauf
Scott Fettig
Timothy Mattis
Tammy (Schlinger) Siems
Wendy (Cleveland) Siegel
Dean Wolf
Deb Kirpach
Kerry (Morris) Wagner
Sandy Gross
Terri (Wilson) Hodgin
Dan Greinsteiner
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!
We hope you have a wonderful day!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Also, happy belated anniversary to Kaye (Bibelheimer) and Dave Knudson
they celebrated their 3rd anniversary on June 12.
Ray and Melissa Horner – 14 years
Curt and Denise (Rebel) Frieze – 16 years
Lori (Grishkowsky) and Arlo Pettis – 17 years
Corrine (McLean) and Dale Zerr – 18 years
Our sincerest congratulations to all of you!
BISMARCK NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
Contributed by
Todd Jueth
In good old Dakota land, Devils Lake parents have a strong movement going to change the nickname of the high school, the Devils Lake Satans. In my days of high school sports I can remember they had a devilish logo on their sports coats. Now they don't allow that, they just have red and white letters D.L. People need to get a life and chase real problems. But the sad thing is, it's certain this whole thing will not stop in Devils Lake. There has been a number of people right here in Bismarck who have objected to the Bismarck High mascot name of the Demons. The Demon nickname goes all the way back to the 1920’s when someone said a BHS team fought like a bunch of Demons and it has stuck ever since. The nickname is relatively harmless and worth keeping. Hey, if you don't like it send your kids to Saint Mary's or Century they can be a saint or a patriot, but don't mess with the demons nickname, too much history behind it.
Hey, it's been a real hot summer here in Bismarck. Heck, we hit 111 degrees one day - you would think this was Arizona. It's also been way to dry. We can’t buy a rainstorm to move thru western North Dakota, the whole darn place is burning up. There is a small town in south central North Dakota called Shields that burned to the ground due to a prairie fire that burned a couple of thousand acres and smoked right thru that town. Everything burned except, you guessed it, the BAR. Now Scott Beierle and myself could tell you some stories about this bar but that's a whole story in itself. Heck, we were not even 21 yet!
We need to hear from some of you out there! You are not too busy to just sit down and drop a line. Hey, just say hi tell us what's on your mind. This newsletter is picking up speed and only getting bigger and better. Remember, it's the class of 81’s letter for the class of 81- so participate. If I remember right, there were a lot of classmates on the floor of the Civic Center on graduation night, my vision was a little blurred, but I know you were all out there so let’s hear from you all!
That's all from me for now, stay safe and enjoy life, c-ya!
Other Bismarck news
Submitted by Basil Hipple, after a week long visit in Bismarck.
The Bismarck Tribune has redesigned their web site to make it more user
friendly.
You can find their site at www.bismarcktribune.com.
I have been surfing the new site, and found one new area which is
particularly interesting, the address is below. If you have some time to spare I recommend
you check it out! Basically it is a variety of stories that have been written by everyday
people in praise of their great state, businesses, community, family and neighbors!
It’s neat! L.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/progress/index.html
Midway Veterinarian Clinic will be closing its doors at the end of
August. Dr. James
Wheeler (Sue Wheeler's dad) will be retiring. He has been there since 1963. The
clinic was
opened by Dr.'s Tom Orchard (Todd Orchard's dad, class of '80) and Don Hastings in 1957.
Dr. Wheeler said he will definitely miss the work and the friendships made over the years.
Also, they are done for the most part with the Hughes remodel.
It definitely looks different with part of the track missing.
LIFE HIGHLIGHTS
Scott Carlson has accepted a new position with one of the largest United
Dave and Ken Horner (St. Mary’s, 81) have opened a new business
in Bismarck
called Spectrum Support Services. They provide non-medical in-home services to the
elderly and those in need. Some examples of the services they offer include
transportation, meal prep, cleaning, personal care, and companionship.
This is one of three offices that they currently have open. They also have an office
in Fargo and Sioux Falls. Ken also mentioned that he is interested in expanding
the business further. If anyone is interested in operating one (and becoming a part owner)
or they know of someone who may be interested, they can e-mail Ken at
ecd515@aol.com for additional information.
CONGRATULATIONS
Tammy (Pettis) and Marvin
Sine welcomed their grandson, Andrew Ryan Sine into the world on 6/29/02 at
10:47am. He weighed 7lbs 9oz, and was 18 1/2 in. long.
Everyone is doing great!
As everyone knows, Laura McDaniel and Terry Steen were married on July 19th in
Fargo. Laura let us know that they had a GREAT day, and she sent the photo below!
Left to right is: Wendy (Rios) Bosch, Terry, Laura and the Rev. Scott
Carlson
who officiated at their wedding
Thoughts and Prayers
Condolences
Our sincerest sympathies to Mark Walker and his family.
His father Jack, passed away on July 26th in Bismarck.
Remember when….compliments of Larry Kessler
Dateline: Fall 1980. Senior year. Todd Jueth, Pork Bosch, Bruce Sowka, Jay Yeager, Steve Pflipsen, Charlie Ellingson, myself and others whose names elude me. Someone had worked hard on fixing up an old Chevy truck for the Homecoming Parade. A large number of Varsity athletes rode in back of the truck. We sat at a small table. Sowka had arranged to have a keg inside, where we were able to get beer without getting caught. Someone else had arranged to have the tailgate (a piece of wood that could be pulled up) painted with "BHS" on one side and "Eat Me" on the other. Sowka and Jueth did the honors of flipping the board at the moment we past one of the news cameras on a corner. I don't even remember if we got into trouble.
New Phone, New E-Mail Addresses, and
New Postal Addresses
We have received new e-mail addresses for the following people: Scott
Carlson, Lew Harter Shannon Sailer, Nancy (Welch) Sandmeier, Rodney Stockert, Julie
(Weinberger) Monzelowsky, Elizabeth (Wicks) Kramer, Pamela (Zimmerman) Seratt and Dave
Horner.
We also have new postal addresses on Scott Carlson and Jim Joyce.
If you would like any of the new info., contact me!
Personal notes:
Robin Diede
Cynthia (Vollan) Nickel
Sheila Tracy
Brenda (Remmick) Baumann
Tim Mattis
Sara (Jensen) Fritz-she is teaching in Detroit Lakes
LeAnn (Leben) Holkan
Sandra Schumacher
Rita Ziegler
David Gelvin
Pearl Throndahl
Kathy Berg
Karen (Oswald) James-she is still in Bismarck, can someone help?
Mary (Sweeney) Crompton
THE FOLLOWING ARE FROM OUR CLASS MISSING LIST:
Debbie Beston
Marco Brecada
Jeffrey Conner
Corrine Feist
Tana Gregor
Jerry Hulm
Charles Johnson
Pamela Krogen
Brenda Loveless
Carlos Machado
Kelly Meyers
Timothy Miller
Regina Muncy
Joe Poitra
Theresa Ralston
Susan Scott
Cheryl Sparks
Timothy Steckler
Dennis Thompson
Doug Thompson
Mark Werner
Lorraine White Eagle
Richard Wright
Carol Zentner
If you guys are reading this could you please get in touch with me! Your addresses have changed, your phone numbers are disconnected, your e-mail boxes are full, or we have no clues on how to contact you! I am trying very hard to keep everyone in the loop and my information up to date! Thanks very much! Lauri
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO SEE US GO?