Check here for all of the
upcoming
Alumni Events for the Class of
1955.
Remember... check this page frequently as
we will keep posting updates.
We will continue to provide this
website for you “computer wonks”. Our website address
will remain
http://www.ralclassof1955.com. We hope that you
will continue to access this website for class information
such as classmate events, status and location of
individuals, and inter-member communications between old
friends. All website suggestions and input can be sent
to
donfarmstrong@hotmail.com (webmaster).
We have closed down our mailing
address. Any mail should be directed to either
Don Armstrong, Frank Buck or Lloyd Nelson. Their address is
in the directory page of the website. Also, check their
e-mail address in the directory.
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The committee had an exit meeting and
concluded that we should consider the following:
1. Have the next reunion in 5 years
...coming this Sept 10th and 11th
2.
Eliminate the picture process -- each classmate is
encouraged to their bring own camera
3. Eliminate
the high school tour
4. Continue the golf
tournament..Mint Valley, Fri, Sept
10th. Cost approx $21.00
5. Return to the Monticello Hotel..Longview
Country Club
6. Continue with the Friday night reception...Longview
Country Club
Did we get it right? We encourage any feedback and
suggestions for the next reunion.
Your reunion
committee has met and we have reserved the Longview Country
Club, the site of our graduation party,55 years ago. The dates are September 10 and September 11, 2010.
We plan an informal "no host" gathering period on Friday, the 10th,
starting at 6:00pm. Saturday, the reunion will commence
at 6:00
pm with a brief registration period as you enter. Cost is estimated
at $40.00 per person covering both nights. This will provide for the
Saturday buffet meal and
Friday and Saturday service. The bar will be "no
host" again on Saturday. We plan on a
minimal program which should provide for maximum time for
visitation with old friends. (A registration form will be
sent to your listed address. If your address has
changed, please inform Frank Buck as soon as possible.
The golf
committee is planning on a Sept 10(Friday) tournament at
Mint Valley Municipal golf course.
More on this as we get closer to our date. We will provide lodging
information early next year. If you plan on golfing, please
inform Don Armstrong ,Jim Pangborn or Coke Keene via e-mail.
This will help in planning with the golf course..
We hope
all will enjoy this fun time and visit with old friends.
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We are adding a new section for announcements .
Please check these things out. Our luncheon
information follows the announcements:
Seattle
sources report that Don Armstrong has been inducted into the
Northwest Football Hall of Fame. NWFHF is a non-affiliated
sports group that recognizes former professional and
semi-professional as well as college players from WSU and
U of Washington.
Your webmaster just
talked to Jean Hautala Medlock and she reports that her last
meeting with her doctor showed no cancer in her organs. As
she explained, her doctor has no explanation for this
dramatic turnaround. She will continue seeing her doctor
monthly. She is so grateful for the many thoughts and
prayers from her friends and classmates. Good show, Jean.
The website
has been informed that Helen Reese Wann is deceased. No
other information available.
Yvonne Nelson
Jennings died two years ago as reported by her husband.
Dick Mackey is
having continual physical problems reported by his wife,
Martha/Beverly. He would like hearing from classmates via
e-mail: evergreen 2421@yahoo.com
(we have received the following
message from Beverly Mackey: "Dick and I sure enjoyed
seeing all the news and pictures on the site. He was
good friends with Sonny and Whitey. Just in case
anyone wants to send an e-mail, it is Beverly Mackey at
evergreen2421@yahoo.com. If you think my name is Martha,
it probably won't go through. I noticed this on the info you
posted about Dick. Have a good day. Beverly
Mackey).
El Duane
Whatley has died at home on January 30 as reported by the
Daily News. He had been fighting cancer for several months.
Our best wishes to his family.
Another
induction of R.A.Long High School's Hall of Fame took place
on Dec. 4. Whitey Nelmark was honored for his athletic
talents in football, basketball and baseball. Don Armstrong
was also honored.
LaDonna
Anderson Glibert has died from cancer. The Daily News
reports her passing in Albuquerque, N.M.on Dec 3. Our
condolences to Bud and his family.
The Daily News
reports the death of Jack Snyder. Jack worked for a local
foundry for over 50 years while missing only 3.4 days due to
sickness.
Gary Weston
reports in regarding his new e-mail address. He also says he
is feeling much better since a new pace maker and
defibrillator were implanted. We urge classmates to
contact him and wish him well.
Sonny Estes and Whitey Nelmark were
honored at a recent rally of local sports enthusiasts. They
were inducted into the "All-Century team" recognizing their
athletic honors and talent. Many other locals were honored
including Don Armstrong.
During the 1960's, Dennis Herlocker
spent some time with the Peace Corps in an Eastern African
game park. During that time, he met, courted and married his
wife. Dennis has written a book about his experiences. The
title of the book is "Buffaloes by my Bedroom: Tales
of Tanganyika". Part of the proceeds will go to "Friends of
Tanzania"(formerly Tanganyika). If you are interested,
the book is offered at Amazon.com for $18.95 plus shipping
and handling.
The Daily News reports the passing
of Nancy Shepherd . We wish her family well.
Carl Hokkanen has died peacefully
around 11:30 pm on December 22, 2008 after a long illness.
Gary Meyers has had successful
heart bypass surgery and is recuperating rapidly.
(Jan10..due to a misleading article,
your website reported Gary's surgery as a recent event.
We were incorrect. Therefore, please retract any well wishes
as his operation was approximately four years ago.
Seriously, we are thankful that Gary is alive and very, very
well).
The Daily News reports the death of
Harold Grasseth. Harold died on the 27th of Sept.
Whitey reports talking to Ron
Adkisson. We need another sighting to remove Ron from
the deceased list. (On Oct. 1...no second sighting has
been reported).
On October 8, Jim Watson has reported
a second sighting of Ron. Therefore, we will remove him from
the deceased list after many, many years. ( Warning,Warning...Watson
and Whitey are connected at the hip so this sighting
is suspect).
Clifford Goodrich has died in
Richfield, Wa. He passed away on August 25,2008
The Daily News reports that Gerald
Basie died on July 28, 2008
The Daily News reports that Lyle
(Pee Wee) Peterson died July 11th.
Gene Zidlar reports the passing of
Sherry Gorans Gray, in Bellingham, on June 11, due to a
massive abdominal infection
We just heard from Bill Herold.
He lives in Georgia about a 100 miles north of Atlanta. His address is in the directory.
Some snafu created his name being omitted. Great to
hear from him.
Sonny Estes was inducted into
the RALong High School Hall of Fame, along with eight other
former athletes. Nice going , Sonny. We all knew
you were good.
Whitey Nelmark was featured in the
book about local sports celebrities.."101 Sports Stories".
Why not our "Hall of Famer"? It is all very weird.
By the way..Whitey is becoming known as the Cowlitz County
sports trivia expert along with his "color " duties as a
radio broadcaster.
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Many classmates will be attending the
monthly luncheons which will be scheduled the
1st Wednesday of each month. We hope
you come and enjoy visiting with old friends.
Bring a classmate with you. Gloria (Boyd) Sanders and
Priscilla (Hautala) White will be coordinating this event.
Meeting place..Olde Creek Cafe on
Commerce Ave
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Lunch Bunch, July 7, 2010:
A record crowd for the lunch (30...I say 30 attended).
Gloria Boyd Sanders, Bert Robbinson and Wife Cookie, Roy
Nix, Jr., Evelyn Hooker Lenzi, Delores Percolar Porter,
Dale(Prettiest eyes in the class)Erdelbrock, Dorothy Snyder
Burnett, Lois Hendrickson Anderson, Judy Palmer Peterson and
husband Tom (class of 1953), Kay Kettwig Sparks, Frank Buck,
Janet O'Donnell Little, Roberta Fuller Cox, Lloyd Nelson,
Wayne Hardy, Norma Church Rister, Mary Jane Baldwin Bond,
Sally Fox Hubbard, Jerry McCormick, Whitey Nelmark, Betty
Richey Malone, Priscilla Hautala White, Jean Hautala
Medlock, Jim Watson, Fred Johnson, Bill Potter, Jackie Brown
Lorati
Who is this???? Eating at the same place and the same
time??? The Ol coach and a fellow named Williams, who
secretly wants to be a member of our class.
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Scholarship Fund
Note: Since the reunion,
we have received donations of $2,300. Great job
classmates!!
Our fund has been depleted to "0".
The R.A.Long Scholarship Foundation expresses
their appreciation for our generosity. Thanks to all
and we hope we can contribute in the future. Think about
this for our next reunion.
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Reunion time!
Check out these photo's
from the reunion:
Clifford Goodrich having a good conversation
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Marilyn Ockerman Segger and Sonny Estes
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Norma Church, Arlo Wixon and Whitey Nelmark
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Gary Gregg and Jim Hogg. (Bill Potter in the
background)
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Marilyn Ockerman Segger and Clark Townsend
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Moses family and Joe's friend. Jean Lancaster is enjoying
it all.
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Charles Childers and wife.
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Joe Moses up close
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Judy Palmer Peterson and Lois Hendrickson Anderson
chatting
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Ron and Dorothy Snyder Burnett
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Arlo and Mylo Peterson. (50 years between visits)
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Jackie Brown Lorati, Judy Palmer Peterson, Lois Hendrickson
Anderson,
Dorothy Snyder Burnett, Kay Kettwig Sparks
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Whitey and his old coach
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Dorothy Snyder Burnett, Kay Kettwig Sparks, Jackie Brown
Lorati
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Jackie Brown Lorati and Gloria Boyd Sanders at a committe
meeting
