Friday, January 29, 2010

A memory contributed by Ed Rowe

Ed found this among his souveneirs and sent it along for all of us to enjoy.
The program from our Commencement in 1959.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I'm heading south!!

Yes, even I, the abominable snowman, have had it with the cold weather! I'm headed south for a few weeks to thaw out. I was late to join the annual migration, but it finally called me too. So many of you have already headed south to the warmth that there are just a few hale & hardy souls left here in the Midwest. Don't stop sending in your bits and pieces for the blog - I will still have access to the internet down in the borderlands, among the cactus and prairie flowers. Let us know what new and exciting events are happening in your lives or the lives of your kids and we will pass along the news. I'm headed down near Brownsville, Texas to see the great wall of Texas and vegetate with all the vegetables that grow there. It may not be as exciting as the mountains, but it will be warm. I'll let you know just how warm it is and how exciting it is when I get back. Enjoy the cold!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Blogging - A note from Janey

Hello, Paseo classmates,

Soon after the reunion, Bob Pflanz created a web site for us to blog on and thereby keep in touch.

It has, however, received little use so we (Claudine, Bob and I) would like to promote its use a little. We think other classmates would be interested in your celebrations: birthdays, anniversaries, family additions, etc. as well as trips you’ve taken, great movies or plays you’ve seen or any other significant or interesting events in your life. If you want to contribute, send your comments to Bob at his email address, rhpflanz@gmail.com and he will post it for you.

If you just want to see what others have said please go to http://paseo1959.blogspot.com/. Then mark it as a favorite or save this email somewhere you can find it, so you can go anytime you feel the urge to reconnect.

I, for one, would love to know what nonsense you are up to. If you go to the blog right now, you can watch a one year old kicking a soccer ball around. He is the next Beckett and, of course, my grandson.

Janey

Check this out - From Larry Cameron

This YouTube slideshow is one you might enjoy-- of Overland Park / Kansas City area in the 70's and earlier.

When it loads, touch on the little red "x" on the right to clear the music info so you can see the subtitles at the bottom of the pictures.

Lower right hand corner has links to other KC videos. The 3 part on the history of KC is pretty interesting as are the ones on the Ruskin tornado. Also some links to the 18th & Vine Jazz district and some of it's stars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD-hQTEfSqc

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Some thoughts from Ed Rowe

Subject: FOR THOSE WHO LOVE AMBIGUITY & THE IDIOSYNCRASIES OF ENGLISH



1. DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY THINGS AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY THINGS.

2. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.

3. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION..

4. IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?

6. I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF- HELP SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.

7. WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?

8. IF A DEAF CHILD SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?

9. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?

10. IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?

11. WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?"

12. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?

13. IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?

14. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?

15. WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM?

16. IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?

17. CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?

18. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?

19. WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES?

20.. HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?

21. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?

22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.

23. DOES THE LITTLE MERMAID WEAR AN ALGEBRA?

24. DO INFANTS ENJOY INFANCY AS MUCH AS ADULTS ENJOY ADULTERY?

25. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?

26. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?

27. IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?

28. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?

29. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?

30. WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED "HEMORRHOIDS" INSTEAD OF "ASSTEROIDS"?

31. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?

32. WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?

33. IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL PERSON IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES, DO THEY BECOME DISORIENTED?

34. CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD?

A comment from Bill Koste

Comment to Sharon (Reeves) Robertson's Note

Sharon,



You can never tell where or when you might run into someone who went to Paseo.

Seventeen years ago my wife Pat and I moved from southern California to a small community, Farmington New Mexico, population 23,000. Its located on the Northwest Plateau in the "Four Corners Area" of New Mexico To our amazement this small town is also home to three former Pirates: Margret (Hartung) Hunter "54"; Charles Hunter "53"; and a youngster Terry Simcoe "61". Perhaps you might remember Margret's brothers Jon Hartung "57" and Steve Hartung "61".

So indeed its a small world; and just goes to show you that you can find Pirates; deep inland;high in the mountains; and even at Sams Club.

Bill Koste

2 comments from Claudine

To Jerry Nickeson

The life you described does not sound tough to me. It sounds like an all year adventure in nice weather.

Good for you.

Claudine

To Paula Johnson Neale

I never could comment on the blog either which is why I gave up and began sending my comments to Bob.

As to your professional link site, I read with great sympathy and understanding your encounter with this networking site.

I am not savvy about such things (this is a very serious understatement) , and will continue to steer very clear lest I inadvertently join up into some kind of kinky club. Imagine someone finding me on the other end of an invitation for "fun or some such. (smiley face here).

Claudine

Friday, January 22, 2010

Okay, all you name callers out there -

In their recounting of the glory days of grade school, many of my former classmates have referred to me by my nickname at that time of Bobby. It got me to wondering about nicknames and why some fortunate people never got stuck with nicknames like I did. I was Bobby and Ed was Eddie and Ted was Teddy and Bill was Billy and Don was Donnie and Ron was Ronnie and John was Johnny. We even had a Nicky and an Arnie and a Georgie.

Some guys lucked out with names like Roy or Rex or Weldon or Ivan or Dick, but most of us had to live with the superfluous and dreaded “Y” tacked onto the end of our perfectly good and normal names.

I suppose somebody thought it was CUTE to add the Y, but I resent that stigma.

I know some fellows who had to bear the Y throughout their whole lives like Johnny Carson (Eddie McMahon didn't have to). Some fellows went berserk like Billy the kid – they just couldn't handle it. Jimmie Stewart bore the weight throughout his life without a tear but Jamie Farr (from MASH) went bonkers and started wearing women's clothing. Johnny Wayne wouldn't let people call him by any sissy name (he finally resorted to being called Duke). But, watch out for Chucky!

I just want people to know that it wasn't fair – people like Rexy and Royy and Richardy (wait a minute – there was a Ritchie) and Dicky. Even Gregor couldn't escape. So, remember when you call your grandkids cutesy little names that they may come back to haunt you later for all the trials and tribulations you put them through.

Now my grandson, Zachary, is an exception (I call him Zach). He'll not have any inhibitions because of his name!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

A note from Jerry Nickeson (somewhere out in the desert)

From Jerry Nickeson, class of 59

Since your desperate for blogs I guess I'll send you mine and bore
everyone!!

I've been retired since July of 1998 and since then Jan and I have been
traveling in our motor home for 11 months of each year. This winter we
left WA State on Dec. 2, 2009 and headed south. We were in WA because
it's cool in the summer on the coast and we have a daughter and grand
kids there. We wanted to beat the snow on Siskyou pass in southern
Oregon this year, last 2 years we have driven over the pass on ice and
snow, so we left early, in Dec. My goal is to spend the winters where
there are Palm Trees so south we go.
Spent a couple weeks in Pahrump NV, a month in Las Vegas, now were in
Quartzsite AZ. OH, you never heard of Quartzsite AZ, it's a small town
of about 2,000 people 130 miles west of Phoenix on I-10. Between Nov and
March about 1 million people in RV's pass through here. Lot's of RV's
and RV stuff, and other junk for sale. Most of the people who pass
through just camp out in the desert on BLM land for free. There are
thousands of RV's scattered out in the desert, it's quite a site to see.
We'll stay in AZ until it get's warm in MO, then go home for a few
weeks, then hit the road again for somewhere unknown at this time. It's
a tough life but it's what we do, and hopefully will be able to keep
doing for a long time.

Happy travels to all of you in MO, try to stay warm!!

Jerry & Jan Nickeson

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

A reply from Claudine to Sharon

Sharon:

You may recall that Rodney tried to veto the idea of having 1959 appear anywhere on our shirts not wanting to advertize his age. We all thought it was vain at the time but....(put a smiley face here).

Claudine

A reply from

Sharon:

You may recall that Rodney tried to veto the idea of having 1959 appear anywhere on our shirts not wanting to advertize his age. We all thought it was vain at the time but....(put a smiley face here).

Claudine

A note from Paula (Johnson) Neale

Dear Bob,
Here is a note for the blog.

One reason I haven’t contributed to the blog is that it seems everyone’s life is much more interesting than mine, but I’ll try to get over that. I really do enjoy reading about everyone’s thoughts and adventures even when they are about everyday things.



Another reason is that I once tried and failed to comment on the hilarious depantsing segment and was irritated about it all. I have a Google profile, I think. At least I have Gmail, so why didn’t it work? Whatever, I’ll send this to Bob as we have been instructed.



And a final note of the “once bitten twice shy” variety about why some of us hesitate to try things online. A couple of days ago, I was trying to find contact information for a former student of mine. I found him listed on Linked in, which is a professional networking site. It was one of those sites where you have to join to get past the first page. That usually stops me in my tracks, as I prefer to avoid more spam as well as identity theft, etc. This time, though, I went ahead. Membership was free, and I had heard of the site. Somehow in the sign-up process, invitations to connect to me went out to everyone in my contact list who was already registered. I thought I said no when asked if I wanted to do that, but then no one ever listens when I say no.



Anyway the next thing I know my children are emailing me wanting to know why I’m looking for a job, and I’m getting responses from people I’ve never heard of agreeing to connect with me. Wish I had used my secondary email address. It would be a lot funnier then.



Best wishes for a happy and fulfilling New Year to all of the Paseo Class of 59.



Paula Johnson Neale

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

A PS note from Claudine

Hello again classmates.

I remembered another one of the movies I have seen recently and so will add it to my review list.

Up In The Air , a B+. I could not remember it because although it is a fun movie to watch it leaves you with nothing--no good feelings ,nothing to think on, just sort of air. George Clooney of course is beautiful. Maybe they should just do a movie of shots of him. That was the best part of this movie.

A PS on vacations as well:

I spent Thanksgiving in Charleston. I love Charleston and it is a wonderful place to spend the Thanksgiving holiday. The weather is very mild and it was sunny, the food is outstanding, and more and more of downtown is restored each time I visit . The Friday shopping streets are swarming with people and it is all very festive. If anyone decides to abandon the traditional family get together, this is the place to go.

We then went on to Asheville to visit the Biltmore Mansion. It was fully decorated for Christmas including 50 Christmas trees and was beautiful to see and tour. I t is worth a trip in itself and I think a must see site. I am not sure why I had never been there.


Next we stopped in Memphis en route to a meeting in Little Rock. Well, Graceland is closed on Tuesdays so we though we would hit it on our way back, but did walk around the grounds. Maybe some other time.

Little Rock is an ugly and nothing place. I hope I am not stepping on any toes here. Our hosts at the Clinton Library , however,were very gracious and we had some lovely evening events at the Library.

We were headed back to Washington with a planned stop by Graceland when I received word of the death of Sally's son, so we headed north and west instead to be with Sally.

When I was in Memphis all the souvenir stores were closed as well as the mansion for their annual inventory. If anyone is there soon I need the black short sleeved tee shirt with "Elvis" written across the front in rhinestones. It was in the window.

Rex, why don't you tell us more about your trip to South America?

And, the rest of you, please share your holiday experiences, trips, news of family whatever. Bob has said it better but any news is welcome and fun.

Claudine

A note from Jeanne (Ennis) Boyer

Janey saying she is not savey sent me into a tail spin. Is that one word or two? Whatever!

I have never blogged either. The fact that Janey is intimitated throws me for a bit of a loop. BUT, if I can send you stuff then I'm game. I just had a wonderful week with my daughter, her husband and the magnificent Graham (7 months old) here in Naples. My back is sore from picking up dead weight off the floor, my throat is sore from singing nursery songs and I'm close to clinical depression since they went back to Phoenix last Sat., but I'll ask them to send you photos and I'll add the words and you can do the magic. Assuming that is OK with you.

Hope all's well with you and your family. Thanks for all you do to keep us in touch. It's wonderful.

Jeanne

A note from Sharon (Reeves) Robertson

Hi Bob,
I am not sure why people are not contributing to the blog - lack of interest? intimidation or fear of rejection?? or what??? I loved Janey's "you-tube" video of her 1-yr-old soccer playing grandson!

Here's a funny (at least to me) story about our trip to Sam's Club a few days ago. As we were leaving the store, there was a young African American guy at the door checking our purchases vs. our bill of sale (as they always do). I had on my Paseo High School sweatshirt - the one ordered before the reunion. It has the name of the school, a graphic of the school and at the bottom it says, "Class of l959". He looked at the shirt and said, "Oh, did you go to Paseo"? When I answered, "yes", he said, "so did I - class of 07". I pointed to the bottom of the shirt and said, "class of l959 - just 48 years before you!" His eyes widened as though he couldn't believe I could still be alive. Joe, my husband, was with me and he said, "yes, we went to the 'old Paseo' and you went to the new one. We used to call it ' the prison on the hill'". The kid laughed - said he had never heard that but it was a good description. Just goes to show you never know how wide our Pirate presence might extend.

One day I wore the shirt to Wayside Waifs (our animal shelter) on one of my volunteer days. It provoked all kinds of interesting discussion - the staff person that day in Cat Adoption managed to tell me that she was 3 years old in 1959 and another volunteer within earshot told me that he was 11 years old in 1959. I am trying to decide whether to wear the shirt in public any more - what do you think??

At any rate, I like the blog - check it almost daily and I hope more people will be inspired to share stories.

Thanks,
Sharon (Reeves) Robertson

Monday, January 18, 2010

A note from Claudine to all of you

Hello Classmates:

Well Bob, you said all items would be welcome and of interest so here is the big test to see if the trivial pursuits and activities of those of advanced middle age are really of interest to anyone.

My Christmas at the beach was uneventful and unChristmas. No decorations, no music, no Santa Claus, but lots and lots of like minded people. Christmas is for children, their parents and their grandparents. It is a magical and wonderful holiday for those who are so blessed. The rest of us wish to get away from it all and are thankful that today's travel opportunities allow one to do so.

Our winter has been unusually cold. That means for us in the 20's and low 30's for a few days. Not the teens and certainly not below zero. So, I do not complain to folks in the mid west about the cold. Today it was in the high 30's and all the seats at our outdoor breakfast cafe were filled this morning. Everything is relative is it not?

As for the remembrance of religious Christmas music, the District supports two major Choral groups and each does a major Christmas event at the Kennedy Center --200 or so songsters plus a sizeable component from the National Symphony in support----both occurring during the week before Christmas. I always book both as I cannot get enough of Christmas music. The performances consist of only religious music, but for one number or maybe two of Sleigh Bells Ring or whatever. All the classic carols plus some medieval carols and usually quite a bit of French Chrism as music which I find especially beautiful. In any case for the portion of the evening devoted to the classic carols we all know, much of it is sing along and do these folks sing. For better, or in most cases, for worse (myself included here, but it does not dim my enthusiastic contribution). Rex is not alone in missing the religious music of Christmas. Overflowing auditoriums and enthusiastic singers bear witness.

Since my return from the beach and the New Year celebration I have seen the following movies:

It's Complicated, B+, the children are too perfect, the house is too perfect, the grounds are way too perfect, as is the ownership of this sort of glorious bakery business. The woman Baldwin married has not one redeemable value. It stretches ones imagination to see Baldwin paired with her, especially with the awful child. The son-in-law to be is not believeable--too good to be true, Meryl Streep is super as always, ditto Alec Baldwin, but next time give me a more believable setting and secondary characters.

Everybody's Fine Here, A-. This is the way life turns out. I enjoyed Robert Di Niro very much.

Invictus, A-, a film only those of you who like sappy, feel good films will enjoy as much as I did. Sappy, feel good, uplifting, and you know not nearly true but Morgan Freeman IS Mandela. What an acting job.

Crazy Heart A+. What a job Jeff Bridges does and if you are a fan of old time country western music there is a lot of it. Do not miss.

There are a couple more movies I have seen recently, but for the life of me I cannot remember what they were at this moment.

Tomorrow evening I am going to see Judith Collins. My fear is that she will look and sound old and I do not need any reminders of that. I will let you know.

I replaced my backyard deck adding a pergola/roof and a few columns. What began as something sensible kept growing and upon completion resembles a small Roman ruin in a very small back yard.

Please let us hear from each and every one of you.

These high school (and before) friendships are too precious to just let go of again.

And, if I ever think of my other movies I will send my reviews along.

Claudine

A note from Janey

Janey sent a note for those of you interested.
PLEASE NOTE that you can send any kind of note, picture, or video to rhpflanz@gmail.com and it will appear on this blog.

For instance, I would be thrilled to share my one year old grandson’s soccer prowess on the following youtube video, but am not sure how.
It’s at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0z3bGh61wM

Janey

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

January 13, 2010...It has really been cold

It really has been cold and wintry here in Kansas City since Christmas. Now I know everyone was really busy over the holidays and that it takes a while to recuperate as you grow more mature, but It's been long enough now. I know that not all of you have gone south for the winter - there are still a few hardy souls that enjoy the variety of seasons here in the Midwest. So, please send a note to include in this blog to let everyone know what an exciting life you live. I mean, you spent your whole life getting to this point so that you could have all this leisure time to pursue your special interests and hobbies and now it's time to let your friends know just how unique you are.

We are all interested in each of you and want to know more about you. We all check in to the blog on occasion with hopes of finding a new note from someone. You must have special talents or special kids or special grand kids or interesting moments that you've had during your life that you would like to tell us about. It's a new year and life is passing rapidly, so take the few moments to pass along a note about yourself or about some memory of another that you want us to know about.

It's a happy new year.