Friday, August 20th, 2010 – Mixer party at High Dive Pavilion, 500 E. Beardsley St.  This will be from 6:30 PM until 11:00 PM.   Classmates from both ’59 and ’61 are invited to attend this function as well.    Snacks will be served.   There is no cost for the mixer. There will be a cash bar with beer & wine. Dress is party casual. Shorts OK.

     Jerry Eagon  – jreagon@aol.com   extended the invite…and he also is the blog master for the Class of 1960 blog.   Check it out at http://www.ehs60.wordpress.com

     After graduating from EHS, Laurali graduated from North Central College in Naperville, IL in 1965 with a degree in secondary education but put off a career in teaching to raise her children.  She was an instructor for LaLeche league, also a second-grade teacher at New Creation Academy from  1999 until she retired to care for her mother in 2006.  Before that she was an aide at Elkhart Central High School and also worked at the Elkhart Credit Bureau.   She was a founding member of the New Creation Fellowship since 1979 and spend much of her time with church activities.  In May of this year, she graduated from Victory Bible Institute.

     Laurali is survied by her husband, Ted of Middlebury ; Her mother, Pauline Chester of Elkhart ; two sons. Mark ( Kaye ) of Dowagiac, MI and Matthew ( Cindy ) of Elkhart ; a daughter, Laura ( John ) Homan of Elkhart ; four grandchildren, and two sisters, Barbara ( Phillip ) True of Elkhart, and Nancy ( Tom ) Lewandowski of Mishawaka.

     An online guestbook is available at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com   Our  sincere condolences to the family. 

       EHS Class of 1961 reunion committee recently toured the Lerner Theatre which is under construction.  For those of you who are not up-to-date on Elkhart happenings, the Lerner Theatre is the old Elco plus the addition of land on the corner of Franklin and Main  …and it is being restored into a beautiful arts and entertainment center.   We are tentatively going to hold our 50th class reunion there on August 19th and 20th, 2011.

        Here are a few of the members in their hard hats !! ….  and a worker detailing the gorgeous ceiling.   

Date: January 26, 2010

To: Friends and Business Associates:

From: Jim Pettit

Subject: Health Update

Dear Friends and Business Associates:

I have had 6 month check-ups for my previous bout with prostrate cancer for the last five years.

About 18 month ago a small spot was found on my spine as a result of the prostrate cancer spreading. It was pinpointed and through radiation, it was treated and I was given a clean bill of health. I have learned that once you have a cancer, it can and it often times comes back, thus the purpose of this health update.

I was scheduled the later part of November 2009 for my 6 month check-up only to find out my prostrate reading had jumped considerable from the previous six months. Both my regular doctor and my urologist thought I had possibly had an infection so treated their suspicions with Cipro for 30 days. After the 30 days of the antibiotic, I again had a blood test to find out my prostrate readings had doubled again. Upon reviewing the findings with my urologist on Jan 12, I was advised he was along with my regular doctor, referring me to a specialist on such issues, a doctor of hematology and oncology. In checking out the referral with others in the medical community, he is most respected in his knowledge and application of the latest findings in chemical treatment, chemotherapy.

I underwent a complete body scan last Monday, Jan 18^th along with a CT scan to pinpoint the issues. The findings were that I have numerous spots on the bone from my waist up. As of today, I am getting an infusion of Zometa, a drug to make the bone become harder and resistance to the prostrate cancer which it is now feeding on the bone. In addition, I will begin chemotherapy on Thursday, Feb. 4^th for 12 sessions. A session is getting chemo on day one and then again in 3 weeks. This equates to 36 weeks of treatment. I have a battle before me and I have made up my mind to fight like hell to beat this cancer again.

I am headed to FL tomorrow for 6 days to attend a board meeting of our condo association on Friday and our annual meeting and election of board members for the next 2 years. I am in high hopes of being re-elected for another 2 years. I feel my performance and contributions to our association over my last 8 years as a board member will be supported by the owners vote.

I will keep you posted as I progress down the road to recovery.

Your thoughts and prayers would be most appreciated!

Jim

       Phil was also given "kudos"  from Danelle Steele, the prolific author, in her book, "Change of Heart" , a few years ago.   

       Phil has certainly made  the class of 1961 proud !!!!     

       Joan retired from the Northridge School System in 2005 where she taught 2nd and 4th grades.  She is married to another EHS ’61 alum, Jim Stiver.  They make their home  in Middlebury, Indiana.

Bob Shemberger and his wife Bert enjoying Hawaii in 2003.  Bob , who retired at age 59 and Bert live inTrail Creek, Indiana near  Michigan City .

One of our classmates, Jim Pettit , has "thrown his hat in the ring " to run for the mayor of the City of Elkhart.  Jim ,  currently a Elkhart City Councilman , announced his plans to campaign for office  at a news conference on September 14th.     Click here for the full speech.

   Jim has a campaign web site set up  at   http://www.pettit4mayor.com     and anyone interested in contributing to his campaign fund should send  checks made payable to "Pettit for Mayor Committee"   to Don Ross, Treasurer, 1600 E. Jackson Blvd.. Elkhart, IN 46516

  Good Luck, Jim !!