A few things....

A couple things......

First of all, I am still alive.

Secondly, I heard that our classmate, Tony Miell, is getting married on November 14th. Congratulations to Tony and his fiancee, Lori!

Also, there is a benefit for Darcie on Saturday, October 17th. I'll know more details soon.

I have connected with Brad Bieber and Jerald Tew via Facebook! Today is Jerry's birthday, by the way.

Finally... I know it's a ways off yet, but does anyone have any ideas for our 30th reunion? I'll do the work again unless someone else absolutely wants to... :-)

BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthdays to Mike D. (9th), Tony (12th), and Tom (13th)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TONY!

May #45 be filled with all the

Mexican hookers you can handle!

DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

Tony and I were both delegates to the 2nd District Democratic Convention on Saturday, April 26th. It was another interesting, fun, and long day. We put in an 11-hour day and then left, but I read in the paper this morning that it went "well into the night." We are both going to the state convention in Des Moines in June. I heard the 2004 state convention lasted until 3:00 a.m. Ugh.

Tony was elected to the state platform committee and was one of four finalists to attend the NATIONAL convention in Denver in August. Here is a picture of Tony vying for that honor and I hope you know who is with me in the other picture. (If not, read the sign on the window behind us.)

A tiny bit of trivia: The older gentleman on the left (Tony's right) in the picture is the person on whom the character of Radar was based in the show "M*A*S*H". He was chosen to go to the national convention. I think everyone felt sorry for him because he probably won't be around in 2012!!!

For more information on the Iowa Democratic Party, you can go to http://www.idp2nd.org/. It has a list of all the delegates (by county - Tony and I are in Linn County) and a copy of the Convention Call Book (the order of business, the rules, and all the district platforms. Be sure to read the "Platform - Statement of Principles" on page 19 - Tony wrote it!!!)

COUNTY CONVENTION

This past Saturday, Tony Miell and I were both delegates to the Linn County Democratic Convention. It was a fun, exhausting, long day, but I learned a lot. Tony and I were both selected, as pledged delegates, to go on to the district convention in Mt. Vernon on April 26th AND to the state convention in Des Moines on June 14th. Tony wrote the Statement of Principles for the Linn County Platform Committee which was also accepted as THE STATE PLATFORM for the Iowa Democratic Party. It was amazingly impressive and quite an honor for Tony who was also chosen as a member of both the district and state platform committees.

Way to go, Tony. I am very proud to say I was there with you and witnessed it all. Good job!!

BOWLING WITH SCOTT AND DIANE

We spent Friday night tearing up the lanes with Scott Petersen and his woman, Diane. Tony kicked all our butts, but Scott said he broke 100 for the first time in over 20 years!!! Check out his fine form below!

CLASSMATES EVERYWHERE

Darc and I met up to have a brew and watch Tony play in his pool league. At our first stop, we ran into Colleen and her hubby, Denny. We then moved on to stop #2 to listen to Darc sing some karaoke and we ran into Carla!!!

PRAIRIE ACADEMIC AWARDS CEREMONY

The Prairie High School Academic Awards Ceremony was held this morning and I am claiming bragging rights! Our son, Wesley, received an honor roll award for a 3.5 g.p.a. Daughter, Ellyn, received three awards for highest honor roll (4.0), an academic letter, and an honors science certificate.

WE WON, WE FINALLY WON!!!

Tony experienced his first ever Iowa football game this past weekend and he got to see the Hawks beat Illinois, 10-6!! Getting up at the butt crack of dawn on a Saturday and drinking beer at 8:30 a.m. kind of threw him for a loop, but his brother, Barney, and I - the tailgating veterans - broke him in well!

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN GENESEO

Top left: Sharon and Tony

Top right: Todd, Carron, Sharon, and Tony

Middle left: Todd, Jen, Michael, and Elizabeth Schoon

Middle right: Todd, Brad, and Cris Schoon

Bottom left: Todd teeing off

The Schoon family had a beautiful day for Brad's benefit. There were tons of Anamosa people there for golf at noon and many more expected for dinner and the auction tonight. It was so wonderful to see Todd and Jen.

I would like to thank everyone who sent contributions to me, totaling $555.00, which I forwarded on to Brad's family. This is in addition to other classmates who donated directly to the bank in Geneseo, sponsored golf holes at the tournament, or donated items for the auction.

Todd wants me to greet everyone and to thank you all for your generosity and kindness.

HACKING & HAWKEYES

Friday was a day of golf followed by a day of tailgating and the game on Saturday.

My bro, Brad, was home from Denmark for the festivities!

TONY'S ARMPIT CANDY...

Quite appropriate, actually, since she is about the sweetest thing ever.

TONY, JEFF, AND

SOME GUY WE

DON'T KNOW...

but, he was very nice and mildly photogenic, no??

THE FOLKENS

(Don, it's really quite simple..... open the e-mail, click reply, type your message, and then click send.)

TONY, KARLA, AND HER

HUBBY, RANDY

CONNIE, CARLA, AND TONY ENJOYING A COLD

BEVERAGE