Class Notes from December 2000 and earlier

(12/13) Martha Holman, wife of Earl Holman, died on Dec. 12 at the age of 94. Click here for details. Mr. Holman's address is 3418 Caroline, 49203, if you wish to send a card. A memorial service is scheduled for 4:00 on Tuesday, 12/19 at the First United Methodist Church, 275 W. Michigan Avenue.

(12/12) Here's an open invitation to all classmates from Carol Campbell who is helping Libby Warner plan a party:
"Hi Everyone!! There is an impromptu party this coming Saturday, Dec 16th, at Libby's. It will be about 7:30, informal, for chili and salad and whatever you would like to bring along. Address: 3817 Guest Rd, Jackson
RSVP to 517-783-2897 or my email: carol0145@aol.com
Sure hope you can come. If I've forgotten anyone you can think of, please pass it on."

Not much news to report but thanks for stopping by.

(10/15): A full moon, cool weather and warm fellowship marked the Annual Wienie Roast and Hayride. Here are some photos.

(10/14): The photos from the 55th Birthday Party in Las Vegas have been posted. Click here to see the fun we had.

Saturday, October 14 at 7:00pm is the Annual Wienie Roast and Hayride! Classmates and friends are welcome. Bill and Janet Forbes cannot host it this year so Gary and Jeanette Childs have stepped forward. It will be held at their home. Their address is 1047 Grosvenor Road in Grass Lake. Take Michigan Avenue to Wolf Lake Road (just west of downtown). Go south about a mile to Grosvenor Road. They are on the southeast corner. Bring a lawn chair, your beverages and something to go with hot dogs. Wear a farmer's outfit and you will have a chance to win a prize. RSVP to Gary and Jeanette at (517) 522-4389 or by email at childs@dmci.net

(10/8): Wow! What a whirlwind trip. A total of 45 of us (including 29 classmates) descended on Las Vegas for a few days of fun, reminiscing and sensory overload. Click for a group photo. More photos and some text will be posted later in October. 

(9/24): The latest count on Las Vegas attendees is 38!

(9/6): Mark and Anne Lee reported that Phil Lee will be undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer on September 13 at Duke University. He would be appreciative of prayers, cards and email. His home address is 1526 Waxwing, Dewitt MI 48820. Thanks.
Update 9/16: Phil has made it through the surgery fine and is resting down there for a week or two before returning home.

(9/5): Interest is starting to pick up for the trip to Las Vegas. It appears we will have a turnout of several dozen classmates and guests. September 15 is the deadline to sign up for the dinner and birthday party on Saturday night, 10/7 (click here for details). If you would like to join us out there but have not yet made reservations, you can use the internet or your local travel agency. In addition, our travel agent is familiar with the packages may also be able to help you:
Marge Ballou
Uniglobe Destinations Travel
2745 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor MI 48105
(800) 826-8165 x221

(8/30): Juanita Stuart Watkins passed away suddenly on August 24. Click on her name to read the obituary that appeared in the Citizen Patriot. Of the classmates we know are deceased, she is the 22nd.

(8/23): Over 110 letters about the Las Vegas trip went out on August 22. Click here to see a copy of the basic plan and the reservation form.

(8/21): A planning meeting for the Las Vegas trip was held on August 6. About a dozen of us worked out a basic schedule for the weekend and compared notes on who we thought was coming and who may still interested but have not yet made reservations. At this time, the count is up to almost thirty classmates and another ten or so spouses and guests. A letter summarizing the schedule and listing the potential attendees will go out in late August. Over 100 copies will be sent. Addressees include known attendees, potential attendees plus about 40 lost classmates who have recently been found through listings in the Jackson High School Alumni Directory 2000. See News (as of 6/25/99) for details on this directory.

(7/24): Our Class Trip to Las Vegas for the Columbus Day weekend is just over two months away. A planning meeting is scheduled for 4:00 on Sunday, August 6 at the home of Gary and Jeanette (Wing) Childs in Grass Lake. All are welcome. Bring a snack to share. Soft drinks will be provided. Please email them at childs@dmci.net if you plan to attend. Click here for details.

(7/23): We have learned of the passing of classmate Phil Lasky on July 6 and teacher Louise McIntyre on May 3. Click on their names for the obituary.

(7/3): Dona Secker Byrum has reported that Mary Sue Cornell passed away on June 14.

(6/23): No real news but be aware that the trip to Las Vegas is getting closer. It is time to think about reservations. See below for details. We will probably hold a planning meeting in late July to discuss details. If you would like to join us for the meeting but have not been involved lately, let me know and I will make sure you are invited.

Reminder (5/25): Our trip to Las Vegas is just over four months away. If you are planning to attend, you should probably be making some reservations. Scroll down to the news from April 2 for details.
A committee meeting to plan details of our activities will probably be held before the 4th of July. If you have ideas to offer or would like to attend, please contact John White. Following that meeting, we will contact each of the classmates who expressed interest in the trip. There is still time to get on that list. Click here to add your name.

News (5/24):
Harold Wing (1907-1991), a lifelong naturalist and father of our classmates Suzi Macfarlane and Jeanette Childs, was recently honored with the dedication of a hill in the Haehnle Sanctuary. Each fall for many decades, he would hike to the top of this hill and settle in to observe and count the number of sandhill cranes that migrated. The complete story was in the Citizen Patriot on May 24. Click on the link below for the electronic version:
http://ja.mlive.com/news/index.ssf?/news/stories/20000524jharold001.frm

News (as of 4/26):
Jack Sowle notified us of the passing of Don Loegering, an auto shop teacher at JHS for many years and then at JCC.

News (as of 4/25):
The Harris Publishing Company has responded to my question with an assurance that the JHS directories should begin shipping shortly. If you have any concerns after a few weeks go by, you can email them at customerservice@bcharrispub.com

News (as of 4/2):
Several dozen classmates have asked for more information regarding our collective 55th birthday party in Las Vegas over the Columbus Day weekend (October 6-8). The committee has not met to discuss details but it is not too early to make your reservations for your flight and hotel rooms. Here are some basics: Our "headquarters" will be the MGM Grand Hotel. Many of us will be staying there. The tentative schedule is for an casual reception on Friday evening, some sort of event on Saturday and an informal banquet on Saturday. We may also have an early-bird planning meeting on Thursday and an afterglow on Sunday.

You should be able to make reservations through your local travel agent but here is the name of mine in case you have any questions or could use her help:

Marge Ballou, Uniglobe Destinations Travel,
2745 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor MI 48105
(800) 826-8165 x221

More News (4/2):
Greg White, class of '81, and webmaster for www.yearbook.net, has recently updated his collection of old JHS yearbooks and soon will be adding them to the site. He is also asking visitors to register as they stop by. Click here for his full message, then use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

News (4/1):
While you can still use the List of Classmates button at the top of this page, I am experimenting with a more efficient way to assemble and display the information. Click here for the list by name and city. Email addresses are also included for those classmates who have indicated that is OK to post theirs. If you have any updates or would like your email address added, please contact me at jwhite@gwn.org or use the electronic Update Form.

Thanks, John White

News (as of 3/5/00):
The letters sent out at the end of February to all classmates have begun to result in updates to the listing of classmates and entries in the Guest Book. Note: Guestbook has been disabled due to spam.

If you want to update or confirm you entry in our database, Click here.

News (as of 2/28/00):
I am working on a list of links to Jackson-related websites. Click Here for a preview. Please send me a message to suggest others. Thanks. John<

News (as of 2/27/00):
A total of 22 classmates and friends of the class gathered at the Lee's home to stuff envelopes as noted below. Check it out in the Photos page. The mailing will be going out on Monday, 2/28 to over 450 classmates. We do not have current addresses for the remaining 100 or so. The letter includes a list of those for whom we need your help. You may submit (or confirm) your own contact information and let us know if you have more information on our "missing" classmates by going to the Contact Us page.

News (as of 2/14/00):
Interested classmates are invited to an envelope-stuffing party and potluck dinner that will be held at the home of Anne and Mark Lee on Sunday, February 27 at 4:00. Their address is 242 South Rosewood in Jackson*. Their email address is majcj@modempool.com and their telephone number is (517) 764-4288. Please give them a call or send an email to let them know you will be coming. They will supply the beverages. You need only bring a dish to pass. All classmates are welcome. Spouses, relatives or guests are also invited to attend as long as they have some skills in stuffing envelopes.

The purpose of this meeting is to prepare a mailing to all our classmates. The letter will help get the database up to date and promote our upcoming trip to Las Vegas. If you know of someone else who may like to join us, please extend this invitation or let me know and I will send one directly.

*Rosewood intersects E. Michigan Avenue about 3 miles east of US-127 and 2 miles south of I-94. From the Sargent Road exit of I-94 take Ann Arbor Road east to Gilletts Lake Road then south to E. Michigan. Turn left to Rosewood then south to 242. Bring their phone number with you in case you have to call.

Greg White ('81), our friend at www.yearbook.net, has recently sent a new year's message with information about his site. He has 1) posted the yearbook photos from 1919, 2) created a search form for people in the yearbooks he has on-line and 3) has added to his list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you haven't stopped by in a while, it is surely worth a click.

Bill Forbes suggested an alternative to the upcoming class trip to Las Vegas. Click here for details.

Julie Clark Durfee sent in a photo from Tallahassee, FL. Click here to see it. You can also contact her by email atjd2cea@aol.com

Get ready for a mailing sometime soon about our trip to Las Vegas in October, 2000. Click here for more

Jim Bowzer has been in Foote Hospital for some time but now expects to be home for the holidays. While in the hospital, he received several messages from his classmates but any new ones should probably go to his home address.

No news

News (as of 10/28/99): Donna Bocard McDonald passed away in Jackson on 10/21. For details, see the Obituaries page.

News (as of 10/25/99): It is almost time to start planning for our collective 55th birthday trip to Las Vegas. Click here for details. The next meeting of the committee will be late this fall.

News (as of 10/24/99): Janet and Bill Forbes braved the cold and wind to host their "World's Biggest Wienie Roast" on Saturday, October 23. In addition to their family and other friends, about two dozen classmates and spouses attended. Carmen Saucedo entertained the group with his guitar and singing.

News (as of 10/23/99): Accompanied by a number of supporters, twelve former '63 classmates participated in the Euphony Choir reunion on Friday, October 22. A total of about 40 alumni joined with the current Euphony Choir on stage as a part of the school's Fall Concert. They sang the traditional "Cherubim Song #7." Click here for photos.

News (as of 10/2/99): Party, Party Party! Janet and Bill Forbes are celebrating the completion of their new home on Center Lake with "The World's Biggest Wienie Roast" on Saturday, October 23 beginning at 5:00pm. JHS63 classmates, friends and relatives are welcome. BYOB, lawn chairs and a dish or snack to share. They will supply the wienies, coffee and hot chocolate. Moonlight boat rides, a huge bonfire and renewed friendships will be the highlights of the event.
Their home is located at 3649 Hoyer Road in Jackson. The phone number is (517) 764-9791. From US-127 and South Street, take South Street east to Flansburg Road. Turn left on Flansburg to Hoyer. Turn right on Hoyer. Go 3/4 mile to 3649 on the left side. Here's a map.

News (as of 10/1/99): Rick Simpson passed away on 9/28. For details, see the Obituaries Page and the photo album.

News (as of 9/14/99): George V. Cripps, 81, passed away on 9/14. He was a teacher and Director of Vocal Music at JHS for fifteen years until he left after the 1961-1962 school year. For details, see the Obituaries Page

News (as of 9/8/99): Yet another site, http://school.mlive.com/school/JHS, to keep you in touch. This one has a listing of upcoming reunions for a few classes plus links to the other sites listed below.

News (as of 8/24/99): The web is abounding with sites to help you keep in touch with classmates. Here are two more:
www.classmates.com
www.planetalumni.com

News (as of 8/18/99): Terry Beasley, the current Choir Director at JHS, is planning a reunion of Euphony Choir members at a concert on Friday, October 22. If you, or someone you know from the choir, may be interested, please read the invitation letter.

News (as of 8/16/99): We have received our post cards from the Harris Publishing Co. regarding the JHS Alumni Directory. We called in to confirm our address. Their phone number is (800) 201-4772 if you didn't get a card but want to be listed.

News (as of 7/30/99): A Yahoo Club has been formed for our school. You can stop in to browse or join for free. You may want to check it out at
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/jacksonhighgraduates
The Yahoo site also includes a number of links related to Jackson and the high school.

Also: Our school itself has a web site and way for alumni to register in its database:
http://jps.k12.mi.us/jaxhigh/

News (as of 6/28/99): Greg White, class of '81, and the webmaster for www.yearbook.net has posted the senior photos from our yearbook. The '61 and '62 editions are also there. Please send him a message if you want him to link your email address to your photo. You may also want to thank him since my experience in website development, scanning and photo manipulation indicates he has spent a great deal of time on us, not to mention the dozen or more other classes!

News (as of 6/25/99): The Harris Publishing Company of Austin, Texas has an agreement with the School to publish a directory for all JHS classes throughout the years. I have been contacted by the company for our roster. They have sent me a package that includes a description of the procedure they will use and an endorsement letter from the principal. Once they get our list of addresses, they plan to contact each of us for verification and updates and will not print a listing if we ask that it not appear. I am not sure how I will respond to their request since I am not comfortable with sharing our list with a commercial organization. I will seek the advice of the members of the reunion committee at the next meeting this summer. If you wish, you can visit their website at www.bcharrispub.com
Update (from July): I did send the company our list of names and addresses after discussions with other classmates and after I was assured that they would use the list only to contact graduates and ask if they wanted their name listed in the book

News (as of 6/15/99): The voters approved the bond issue mentioned in the item below.

News (as of 6/6/99): Jackson voters to decide fate of our high school in a Bond Issue vote on 6/14!
You can read thetext of the article and follow the progress of this issue with the online version of the Citizen Patriot.

More news (6/11/99): Greg White, another JHS grad, has started a web site dedicated to our school. He has scanned and posted the senior photos from many yearbooks. He tells that me that he now has a '63 edition and that it will be up soon. He has created an elegant site at www.yearbook.net. Stop by to visit and sign his guest book. Give him your email address and he says he will link it to your photo!