WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU???
The Bismarck High School Class of 1981 monthly update
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide a positive, safe and supportive environment for all classmates in which we can share our personal lives. The staff reserves the right to publish only information that we feel is within the supportive spirit of this newsletter. Information which we feel is intended to be negative, class polarizing, mean-spirited will not be published at this site. That is not the avenue we want to take with this newsletter. The staff.
Volume 34, October 2003
Thank you to Todd Zarfos for sponsoring our site this month!! Greatly appreciated by everyone, I’m sure. Also thank you to everyone who sent stuff in!! WOW!
We have lots of news this month! We had a great response to our mid-month news request, I even had people send me news about others, so I could follow up on things that they may be too shy to share! I like that!! It’s nice to know that everyone is enjoying the newsletter well enough to want to participate on a regular basis. Pretty cool if you ask all of us!
Hope you have a great month, we will see ya all in November. Don’t forget to share your life with all of us, we love to hear your stories, your happy moments and your sad moments. Regardless we are all here for each other, each and every month!
See ya next month, Lauri, Dan, Wendy and Todd
"In-depth and Personal with…Paige Jones"
Name: Paige Jones
Career/occupation: Veterinary Technician/Instructional Technologist with the Purdue
VTDLP (www.vet.purdue.edu/vtdl) –
couldn’t help the plug!
Home: Indiana
Family: two cats: Baby and Desdemona
Greatest accomplishments: Right now – losing 50 pounds with Weight
Watchers!!!!
People whom you admire and why: Those who live their lives in honesty and
don’t hurt others – is that too hokey???
What do you have in your pockets: nothing
Fantasy (or reality) job: I love the job I have now!
Latest book you've read: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Favorite music/musicians: Point of Grace: Philip, Craig and Dean
Recommended movies: Matrix – both, X-Men
Favorite cities and why? New Orleans – for the great culture
and the food! Lafayette, IN because it is where I have put down roots and have a GREAT
support system of friends (I guess my "chosen family", Huron, SD – cuz that
is where Mom and Dad are living!
Where have you traveled? China – twice in three years with a friend
to adopt her daughters, Australia and throughout the US
Favorite place to vacation? Any place you would recommend? If I could
afford it, it would be Australia again…they speak the same language (almost) and the
money is in dollars and cents!!!!
Favorite foods: Wraps from RolyPoly – good and low in calories
Hobbies/second career: singing in a group called "The Sisters of Grace"
What if any community service organizations are you involved with? Used
to give blood regularly but got a tattoo when I was in Las Vegas last fall for my
brother’s wedding – so can’t donate for a year. Email me if you want to
know what and where it is.
Pet peeves: People who don’t use their brains or the sense that God
gave them!
Memories of Bismarck (good ones): Walking down the street to the ice cream store
that was in the strip mall about 2 blocks away! (Don’t think it is there anymore)
Memories of BHS (good ones): Actually – going with the band to Washington DC
and the trip to Salt Lake City with the orchestra!!!!
Who were some of the people you hung out with? Shari, Lori, Fred
Were you involved with any extra curricular activities, if so what? Band,
Orchestra…do those count? Track in Jr High…what a joke but did come away with
two ribbons!
A little ND humor!
I receive so much ND humor, that each month I will try to share something with you! For some reason only people who live in ND or are from ND can appreciate it or relate to it! Some you may have seen, some not, but heck maybe it will make your day! I promise to keep it clean!
Submitted by JoLynn (Wilson) Palumbo
Jeff Foxworthy recently performed at the Prairie Knights Casino (south
of Mandan).
This was part of his act:
If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and
sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by ... you might live in North
Dakota.
If you're proud that your state makes the national news 96 nights each year because Grand
Forks is the coldest spot in the nation ... you might live in North Dakota.
If you have ever refused to buy something because it's "too spendy" ...
you might live in North Dakota.
If you think a basketball team consists of twelve white boys ... you might live in North
Dakota.
If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March ... you might live in ND.
If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there ... you might live
in ND.
If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead ... you
might live in
North Dakota.
If you have apologized to a telemarketer ... you might live in North Dakota.
If you may not have actually eaten it, but you have heard of Lutefisk ... you might live
in ND.
You have worn shorts and a parka at the same time ... you might live in North Dakota.
If you have either a pet or a child named "Kirby" ... you might live in North
Dakota.
If your town has an equal number of bars and churches ... you might live in North Dakota.
If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number
... you might live in North Dakota.
If you know how to say Bottineau, Burleigh, Monango and Wyndmere ...
you might live in North Dakota.
If you grew up thinking rice was only for dessert ... you might live in North Dakota.
If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy ...you might live in North Dakota.
If you can't enjoy your patio during the summer for fear that the mosquitoes will carry
you away…you might live in North Dakota.
"CLASS FLAVORS"
We have pictures, Tammy (Schlinger) Siems shared her photos from her birthday gift to herself, story below. Check them out, looks like great fun to me!! The photos were uploaded to the album called "Some of Our Finest Moments"
HOLIDAY PHOTOS
Please remember us when you are taking those family pictures for your holiday cards. We would love to see those pictures uploaded to our ofoto.com site. You can upload them yourself, (use the holiday album for 2003), you can send me a copy via the internet, or you can send it to me postal mail and I will take care of it for you!
Parenting Pearls or Perils
The following is compliments of Sheri Halbakken
Lauri, I want to share a couple of things that are tried and true when I was raising
all the kids at home.
I used the "demerit/merit" system. When you do the dishes, you get a merit. Take
out the trash....merit. You get the idea. The "demerit" system kicks in when you
chose not to make your bed in the morning, or hit your sister. Not pick up after yourself
in the bathroom in the morning. Sassing back, leaving shoes laying around. ETC......there
is no money exchange during this system, just merits and demerits. Now when Friday comes
and they want to go to the movies, mall, or whatever their vice is at the moments.....will
they have enough merits to go. I set the value of a merit depending on there age.
You will see how quick they stop bad behavior when they spend 20 minutes doing dishes and
they turn around and smack their brother. You just smile and say, "Thank you for
doing the dishes for free" and walk away.
Now on a different note, I want to share with you my new technique for bonding with a
teenage daughter (or son, but I am just dealing with my daughter right now). I just
retired as you know and I have had to rekindle the bond Courtney and I had when she was
little. We are spending so much time together, but regardless of that, she feels I don't
understand her and I in return, feel she doesn't have a clue what it takes to try and
understand her or what I go through on a normal day.
Role Reversal (Like Freaky Friday) but I figured this out before that movie was
recalculated. Courtney and I have switched roles on a Saturday and once during the week.
Do this often though, so you don't forget the drama of each other's day.
During the week it went something like this. My alarm went off and I turned it off, again
and again. She got up and made coffee (it was pretty good) and tried to get 2 lunches made
for RC and Christopher. ~~~~ I do want to mention that she is not usually this cooperative
to play along with this role reversal, but she was working toward a reduced week of
grounding for a football game that was approaching, so now you can get on board with me
that this wasn't a voluntary thing.~~~~After she made the lunches, she had to check on me
because I still haven't got my butt out of bed. Now I am going to miss the bus. Of course
I implemented every bad behavior I have to deal with in the morning when it was my turn to
be her.....you get the idea. (foot note) I took her all the way to school that day because
she did miss the bus. After school we finished out the role reversal where homework was
involved (that was hard for me, lets not do that again). She had to fix dinner and get
things cleaned up while I talked on the phone all night. That was tough for me because I
just don't have much to say to my sisters and Mom any more. My girlfriend wondered why I
wasn't watching TV, heehee.
We just switched roles this past Saturday and after the day was over, I wanted to kill
her. I am not that bad of a "crab" (censored). She made me out to be so
"crabby" (censored). Now she complained that I made her out to be so lazy. SHE
IS!!!! I took a look at what she portrayed and vice versa. I spent Sunday trying to work
on my new image and she spent Sunday cleaning up her room. Bottom line, I am the Mom and
she did have a messy room.
She learned what I have to go through everyday trying to come up with meals and get
everyone jumpstarted for the day - laundry, phone calls, errands, etc. I learned that I
would love to be a 14 year old again, minus the social stress, mood swings, and constant
hounding from my Mom of what I am and am not going to wear and why I should keep my room
clean.
Every family will be different, and switching will take some patience some planning on
your part (clear your schedule because they won't get anything off your "to do"
list.)
Got to run for now. All is well here. I am getting cabin fever, but so far so good on the
"stay home Mom." I don't know how long I can take this though. Keep in touch and
I will let you know each phase I go through. Sheri
FAMOUS QUOTE….
"Destiny is not a matter of chance -- it is a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for – it’s a thing to be achieved."
- William Jennings Bryan -
BIRTHDAYS!
Happy Birthday
to the following people! Rod, Daniel, Byron, Shari and Paula are all turing 41, yes, 41! The rest are turning 40 this month! Take note, Laurie and Kent K. share a birthdate!Melody (Carlson) and Troy Karlberg – 20 years
Bob (Buchholz) and Linda Raber -18 years
Rob and Wendy Fontenot – 17 years
Julie (Msjolness) and Brent Lindstrom – 13 years
Lauri (Reed) and Kevin Eckmann -13 years
Tammy (Pettis) and Marvin Sine – 4 years
Our sincerest congratulations to all of you!
Todd gives us his view, and he is …..
Hey People its October what a wonderful time of the year. I think we are finally getting a true fall here in Bismarck the last day of summer it froze hard that night and the highs are sometimes only 57 degrees. If you believe in the almanac the farmers edition they say we are in line for lots of snow and we need it what started out a promising year for moister has turned into a fire hazard.
The Bismarck demons football team is rocking and I mean ROCKIN They are blowing opponents out by the average of 25pts The victims so far are Fargo North, Grand forks Central, Dickinson, Century, Jamestown. The demons are scoring between 30 to 45 pts a game and their defense is very stingy. I'm not quite sure but back in 1980 our defense set a school record for least amount of points scored on us for a season and if that still stands these boys are sure going to make a run at it because I don’t think the demons have given up more than 35 pts against them yet this year and that’s total games to date. Go demons.
Now there is some of you out their that could write in and voice your opinion about Todd Jueth because Todd went out and made hard comments about the Minnesota Vikings. But WOW are they doing good. But remember Viking fans It is the history of the Vikings to bring their fans up to a big high then smash their fans faces in the dirt by always blowing the big game. Maybe this is the year of the Viking but the season is still young and don’t forget the history of the Vikings.
The holidays are right around the corner can you believe it. Not long from now the jolly old man is going to be coming blowing out of the north pole. To give all those people gifts that they are sure to return for the money or something else. Ever been in that spot where you get a gift that you know just sucks but you have to put that( this is great, just what I wanted face on) that’s probably wrong of me to say I guess it's the thought that counts But hey man put a little thought in to this.
Remember when we were growing up and racing was dangerous and Sex was safe. Now its just the opposite. The same can be said about being bit by a mosquito in north Dakota we used to stand out side all night at the desert and get bit 100s of times thru our years parting down there. Now you have to be very cautious about getting one mosquito bite because it could cost you your life. That aint no crap. The mosquitoes carry what they call west Nile Virus and to date North Dakota has logged 497 cases, 44 in Burleigh County which is Bismarck and 4 people have died from it in North Dakota. The elderly people are the ones most likely to possibly die from it that is 65 years and older. But even if you get the virus you can be very sick for months to the point you cant attend your job it just wipes you out physically. They set mosquito traps down at General Sibley park awhile back and the first 100 mosquitoes they tested out of thousands tested positive for the virus.
Last month I told you I was fishing the Casino finals Walleye tournament. And I stated that I had set my sights on possibly finishing in the top five and that would be just great besides winning the thing. Well I have some bad news and even worse news I weighed two fish over the two day tournament that didn't amount to jack, and I should have seeked out Medical attention after the tournament because I got my ass kicked 30 miles down river and up river for two days in a row. If the dam library was open that night I would have checked a book out on how to catch walleye. Very disappointing but I'll be back next year for some more abuse until I get it right.
I would like to extend my condolences to a very good friend of mine and your class mate. Mark Hanson's dad just recently passed away I grew up two houses away from the Hanson family and marks dad Melvin Hanson was a great guy he had a true love for the outdoors. Melvin was put to rest at the Veterans cemetery by fort Lincoln south of Mandan to full Military honors.
Have a great month, Stay well, be safe.
LIFE HIGHLIGHTS
Tammy (Schlinger) Siems dedcided to celebrate her 40th birthday by going sky diving with her two boys! What an experience, she loved everyone minute of it, and is ready to go again!! Mary Fahlsing wrote and told me that Tammy called her as soon as she landed and that the adrenaline was truly flowing at that very moment!
Welcome to the world little one
Jeff and Kelly (Weigel) Barak are happy to announce the birth of
their first child,
Nicholas Thomas Richard Barak. He was born August 25th, and weighed 8 lbs, 1-oz.
Our sincerest congratulations to the new family!
Condolences
Our sincerest sympathies to Mark Hanson and his family. His father, Melvin Hanson, passed away in Dickinson on September 13th.
New Phone, New E-Mail Addresses, and
New Postal Addresses
Connie (Hoovestal) and Scott Beierle, Tammy (Pettis) Sine, Barb
(Matejcek) Schmitcke, Jane (Huckeby) DaCosta and Rodney Stockert.
If you would like any of the new info., contact me!
Personal notes:
UPDATE: Those is red have been located! To all of you who sent in correct information, made phone calls, checked alumni books, etc., THANK YOU! Your help is greatly appreciated!
Donald Grenz, everything in the reunion book is wrong
Karen Anderson - ND, ? phone, ? address
Troy Bailey- ? address, no phone
Beth (Nelson) Schumacher- ? address, no phone
James Barth- ? address, phone is wrong in the reunion book,
Paul Mundell- ? address, no phone
Anthony Roll- wrong number
Robin Diede- no phone, ? address, no e-mail
Brenda (Remmick) Baumann- no phone, ? address
Tim Mattis-phone is disconnected
LeAnn (Leben) Holkan- ? address, phone is disconnected
Sandra Schumacher- ? address, no phone
Rita (Ziegler) Keller - ? address, phone is disconnected
David Gelvin
Eileen Dosch - ? address, phone is disconnected
Wendy (Halpern) Tippett
Penny (Slavik) Meier-phone is disconnected, ? address
Mary (Sweeney) Crompton - phone is disconnected, ? address
Kathy Wilson - no phone listed,
Wade Marsh-in Phoenix, Az, maybe in Mesa, no real clues
Laurie Paul - no phone number, though we do have a confirmation on her address.
Joyce Sperle- ? address, no phone number
Lori Wenger- ? address, no phone number
Jeffrey Conner
Timothy Miller
Timothy Steckler-? address, no phone
Carol Zentner
Richard Hoffman - ? address, no phone
Janet (Cripe) Laudenslager-no phone number
Daniel Froehlich-? address, no phone number listed
Karla Gallagher-? address, no phone number
David Gregware-? address, no phone
Jim Grenz- no phone number
Carla Hanson - no phone number
Roberta (Hellwig) Rivera - ? address, no phone
Gayle Johnson - ? address, no phone
Marilyn (Meidinger) Lysford - ? address, no phone
Laura Minar - ? address, no phone
Sandy (Unruh) Frieze - no phone
Andrew Prussing -? Address, no phone
Debbie Beston
Marco Brecada
Corrine Feist
Debra (Freadhoff) Berger- ? address, no phone
Jerry Hulm
Charles (CD) Johnson
Pamela Krogen
Brenda Loveless
Carlos Machado
Kelly Meyers
Regina Muncy
Joe Poitra
Theresa Ralston
Susan Scott
Cheryl Sparks
Dennis Thompson
Doug Thompson
Mark Werner
Lorraine White Eagle
Richard Wright
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?
We are having great fun doing this for all of you every month! We are more than welcome to your ideas! Feel free to let us know your thoughts and impressions on where you would like this newsletter to go or what you would like to know more about! Also, if you are willing to be interviewed, contact us, we would love to hear from you! See you next month! Lauri, Dan, Todd and Wendy keckmann@packersrock