NEWS
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CANCELLED - Winter fun is coming up SOON! ! !- CANCELLED
We
are sorry to report that our Hostess with the Mostest, Patsy Munger Lehr has
been ordered by her doctor to "Lay Low." Translated into what that
means for us - the pot-luck scheduled for Sunday, January 8, at 3:00 p.m. is CANCELLED.
It will not be re-scheduled.
Patsy feels she will be back in action by summer and says that the summer
pot-luck will go forward as planned.
We regret any inconvenience this will cause and hope you will plan on being with
us next July or August for the summer event.
Any questions please feel free to call or email us: Milt @ mnhill@cpinternet.com
- 218-722-7193 or Barbara @ babsfayth@aol.com
- 612-308-8180.
We know you join us wishing Patsy a speedy return to good health.
Time to gather and celebrate the winter solstice, the New Year, and the joy of our friendship that has endured over these 58 1/2 years. Isn't that amazing??? Make you plans now to join us at Patsy Munger Lehr's home, our class of '53 meeting place for our semi-annual gatherings. Patsy's home will be beautifully adorned with the trimmings of the season that will amaze and delight you. Starting time is 3:00 p.m. and it's pot-luck, you know the drill. Bring something Yummy to share, serving 6 - 8, winter food. Patsy's home is at: 1121 S 70th Ave W in Duluth of course. Phone if you get lost: (218) 624-4050. We are counting down to our 60th Reunion. This is the THIRD from the last gathering at Patsy's. You've always wanted to attend one??? Don't delay, there may not be a next time.
ATTN members of the Board of Directors: we will meet at Patsy's on January 8 starting at 2:00 p.m. Please get to Patsy's a wee bit early so we can start on time as we have a bit of business to attend to and a minimum of time. Thanks. Will be rescheduled.
Rumors are flying. . .
Now that the remodeling is done at Denfeld, the Duluth Denfeld Alumni Association is trying to put together another Duluth Denfeld Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. I have seen a preliminary list of those who are proposed to be inducted and while I am sworn to secrecy I will say this: YOU, 53ers, are going to want to be there. There are several potential inductees who are near and dear to your hearts. I don't know at this point if they will make the final cut, but trust me on this one, you will want to be there. The tentative date is July 28, no time set as yet that I know of, but as soon as I have more details, you will find them here.
Email Address H--L
Do you remember when we were in those innocent halcyon days of our youth, when being those innocent kids from the West End and West Duluth we used to use expressions like H - E - Double Toothpicks??? Well, I have to say, Milt Hill and I are in H-E-Double toothpicks over email addresses. So, could you help us out, please? Almost every time we send out a mass mailing sharing news we feel you want to have, it never fails that we get anywhere from one to a dozen emails back as undeliverable. Oy! Hear me pull out my hair, hear me scream. My cohort Milt is infinitely more patient, but I know he has spent some time gnashing his teeth. YOU CAN DELIVER US FROM THIS H-E-DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS! Even it you are positive we have your correct email address, please help us verify all email addresses in anticipation of mailings pertaining to the coming 60th Anniversary Reunion. Send me an email - babsfayth@aol.com - fill my inbox, make me happy, save my hair, and Milt's teeth. And don't miss out on any great Class of 1953 news. Thanks. (And please forward this to any classmates whose email addresses we may not have. Again, THANKS.)
Medal of Honor Winner and Denfeld Hall of Fame member has died
Please check the above article in the Duluth News Tribune for information on the passing of Minnesota's last surviving Medal of Honor winner and member of the Duluth Denfeld Hall of Fame. Mike was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August 2009 in the same ceremony that inducted out classmate David Karpeles. Mike was a much beloved member of the West Duluth/Denfeld community. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. We have lost a true American Hero.
The Summer Pot Luck (We will leave these photos up until we have Winter Pot Luck photos to post. If you want these, download them now cuz they will be gone in less than a month.)
First up on the agenda is the wonderful get together at Patsy's for our mid-summer Pot Luck. Probably one of the biggest pot-luck gatherings we have had in recent memory. Kudos to all the out-of-towners who made the trip to Duluth for this great event: David Lenning from Florida, Gayle P. Johnson from southern Wisconsin, Marcy Rendulich Ganucci, Betty Jorgensen Poehling, Doug and Pat Johnson, Shirley Smith and Bernie Kilgore, Berta Donaghy Finch - all from the Twin Cities, Jerry Fitzpatrick from California, Joannie Mitchell and Dale Asperheim from Kansas, Roger and Boots (Dianne Cloutier) from Texas, Jack McKillopp from Virginia, Howie and Barb Larson from Arizona. And, of course, hats off to all the great local reliables who are with us summer and winter. It was one of the largest "off-reunion" gatherings ever. Thanks to everyone who was there. It was so wonderful to see all of you. A great, great afternoon. Many, many thanks to everyone for the delicious goodies that were brought to fill our groaning buffet table. It was just wonderful. And to Patsy - how do we say "thank you?" She has done more for us and our efforts to keep our class connected by opening her home to us than there are words to say. We are so lucky to have her with her open heart and unbelievable generosity. When other alumni marvel at the way we '53ers stick together, much credited must go to Patsy for providing our wonderful gathering place.
And now for those photos you have been promised and have patiently been waiting to see: (Okay, I did a little "tinkering" today so that it will. hopefully, work better for those of you viewing this site on a laptop or small screen computer.)
HERE WE GO! ! !
Time to dig in to the wonderful buffet. A little dab of everything.
Betty, Carole Ann, Bizz, Sylvia, Milt David, Louie, Karen
Denny, Sylvia, Carol, Elaine, Gayle, Babs Carole Ann, Bizz, Sylvia
Denny, David, Jerry Diane, Babs, Joannie
John, Doug, and Pat Karen, Louie, Robert, Diane, Berta
Milt, Yvonne, Mary Ann, and Kay Babs and Bizz
Faye. Babs, David Clyde, Jack, Yvonne, Mary Ann, and Betty
Above photos are by Milt Hill and used with his permission.
Round Two, Pot Luck Photos
Howie and Barb Betty
Boots Carol and David
Carole Ann and Faye Denny and Sylvia
Doug and Pat Elaine and Betty
Faye, Carole Ann, Roger, Patsy, Bizz Howie and Milt
Jack, Bernie, Shirley, and Patsy Kay and John
Louis, Diane, and Berta Marcy
Sylvia, Faye, Denny, and Roger
The above group of Pot Luck photos were taken by Jerry Fitzpatrick and are used with his permission.
Okay, so, now you have had a chance to look at about 30 photos of this past summer's pot luck. Do you see all those smiling faces? (Not counting Louis) You have a few more chances to be a part of this group, smiling back at the rest of your classmates who were not able to attend. Please come and join us next time, won't you? Information on coming events is just below. Keep reading.
A small note: So many of you have asked how long Patsy can continue to host these wonderful gatherings. We put the question to her and this was her reply: "3 - three more." That translates to winter 2012, summer 2012, winter 2013. Our 60th anniversary reunion will be held during the summer of 2013 (god willing) and that, my friends, will be that. "The End," as Jim Morrison intoned in his song. So, if you have been thinking about coming "to the next one." Better not put it off cuz there may not be "a next one."
Future Dates: Winter Pot-Luck, Sunday, January 8, 2012; Summer Pot-Luck, Sunday, August 5, 2012. Mark your calendars and plan to be with us. Emails will be sent with the information closer to the individual dates. Be sure Milt has your current email address. Time permitting he may call a few classmates in the local area. As always, Pot Luck. Bring enough goodies to share, about 6 to 8 servings and WE WILL SEE YOU THERE! ! !
Old Friends Share a Cuppa and a Glassa (or a bottla???)
On his recent driving trip from California to Duluth last summer, Jerry Fitzpatrick passed through the Twin Cities and called his long- time friend Anna Marie Method. Luckily, Anna Marie was available and the two were able to get together and have a cuppa and spend a little time talking about their shared memories. Once in the Twin Ports, Jerry tracked down classmate David Fulda who, as far as we know, has not attended any reunions or events. David and Jerry met to share a refreshing beverage and lots of memories. Leave it to Jerry to find them wherever his travels take him. Old friends are the best friends.
Anna Marie Method and Jerry Fitzpatrick David Fulda and Jerry Fitzpatrick
They aren't throwing bricks, they're selling them!
Back to the Denfeld Alumni Association web site: www.denfeldalumni.com/ check the Merchandise tab and you will find in addition to T-shirts and sweat shirts, you can purchase for the small sum of just $20 including shipping, an original brick from Denfeld, rescued and removed during the recent renovations. Now here is a great treasure that every alumni would treasure. right? Proceeds to go - well to the Alumni Association, we suppose. Would be fun to have one, wouldn't it? A great conversation piece. Just don't throw it at anything or anyone. Bad move.
Welcome to a tour of the NEW "Dear Old Denfeld"
What a great turnout of alumni members of the class of 1953 attending the Open House at Denfeld. We saw Jack McKillop, Howie and Barb Larson, Robert and Diane Klepatz, Marion Johnson Ricard, Joanne Cameron Robson, and Jerry Fitzpatrick. It was also reported that Gloria Hammer Anderson, Lee Fadden, Mary Haug Larson and John Larson as well as others were there to look over the changes to our school. It was a special treat to see John Blasack's wife Mary Ann, his daughter Ann, and other members of his family. Friends from Moose Lake and Cloquet, Sisters Rita Nelson Baresh and Sonja Nelson DeRusha were there to see this amazing place. In addition to the photos we are posting below, we can suggest for additional photos of the New Denfeld the following:
1.) Public Schools site: www.duluth.k12.mn.us/DENFELD/
- Near the bottom of the Home page there are photos taken during the constriction
phase.
2.) Duluth Denfeld Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DuluthDenfeld?sk=wall
- Some photos taken during the construction phase can be found here.
3.) West Duluth Memories Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/48655939139/
- Roger Nesje and Mike Michaels have posted some wonderful shots, but you'll
have to search for them.
4.) Jan (Ted) Keppers has posted some excellent photos on her
Facebook page. They were at Denfeld for the Welcome Assembly as their
granddaughter was singing the national anthem.
A note about the "New" Denfeld. In a conversation with Joe Vukelich,
Denfeld faculty member and president of the Duluth Denfeld Alumni Association (DDAA),
he reported that in conversations with those involved in the Red Plan in respect
to their plans for Denfeld, the DDAA asked for three things: the Building, the
Name, and the Tradition. In Joe's opinion, they got all three. His view of the
remodeling, about 80% positive. He did not report details on either the 80% or
the other 20%.
In the meantime, we are indebted to Jerry Fitzpatrick for the group of photos shown below that were taken during the Open House at Denfeld on Saturday, September 17, 2011 and used here with his permission. If you know of other photos or have photos taken by you that you would like to share, please email me at (babsfayth@aol.com).
The New main entrance replacing the Tower Entrance The main entry way
The new main office The New cafeteria looking up at the Tower
The New cafeteria just inside the main entrance Another view of the New cafeteria
Stairway in new addition leading to New cafeteria Stairway on opposite end of the upper hallway to cafeteria
New cafeteria from above, food lines on left A new classroom, 3 rooms become 2, all new room numbers
Computer lab, around every corner, down every hall, computer labs Lecture Hall
First floor hallway with new flooring and new lockers New hallway with half-sized lockers
Another hallway with half-sized lockers (for freshmen???) Gymnasium
New text books, perhaps in the library
Best known photo of the New Denfeld, Tower through the
skylight along the cafeteria corridor
53ers
and friends, Jerry, Babs, Rita, Sonja, Jack, Marion, Joanne, and Howie.
In the corridor outside the New cafeteria.
Denfeld '53ers on Facebook
We may be 70 somethings or more, but we ain't nothin' if we ain't hip. I haven't counted lately, but there must be a couple of dozen 53ers who have taken the plunge and are on Facebook. It's fun and it's safe (if you are smart - and we are). And it's great to find friends, classmates like you who would love to "friend" you. So, if you are in cyberspace, come on over to Facebook and look for us. We'll be there. (www.facebook.com)
Losses
Barbara F. Humphrey, Chairman
Milt Hill, Vice Chairman and Treasurer
Joanne Cameron Robson, Secretary
Directors at large:
Clyde Rogers
Patsy Munger Lehr
Elizabeth "Bizz" Boyd Nelson
Faye Bjork Hietala
Roberta Donaghy Finch
Mary Haug Larson
Howie Larson
Jerry Fitzpatrick
Helmi Lepisto Hammer
Committee Chairman Emeritus: Claude Lutzka
To contact any of the above listed members of the Board of
Directors,
Please consult your Reunion 55 class roster for address, phone number, and/or
email address.
The following are members of the Board of Directors of the Denfeld High School Alumni Association and their year of graduation from Denfeld:
2011 Denfeld Alumni Association Board of Directors
Marilyn Monson (Goneau,
1946)
218-722-9470
*Rudy Monson
(1947) (Deceased)
218-722-9470
Adrienne Thureen
(Bergquist, 1957)
218-525-5664
adrienne @ denfeldalumni.com
Karin Swor
(Henson, 1960)
218-348-5843
karin @ denfeldalumni.com
Linda Paulick (Seger,
1963)
218-628-9224
linda @ denfeldalumni.com
Richard Swanson
(1966)
218-722-0796
swanny @ denfeldalumni.com
Joe Vukelich
(1977)
218-628-0519
vuk @ denfeldalumni.com
Anna Montgomery
(Jimenez, 1979)
218-624-3582
anna @ denfeldalumni.com
Mandy LeGarde
(Roman, 1988)
218-628-2584
mandy @ denfeldalumni.com
Tim LeGarde
(1988)
218-349-1580
tim @ denfeldalumni.com
Andy Ensign
(1991)
218-624-2086
andy @ denfeldalumni.com
Dr. Amber Erickson
(1997)
218-464-0450
amber @ denfeldalumni.com
Tom Skull (2000)
218-727-4663
tom @ denfeldalumni.com
Kristine Baird (Watkins,
2004)
218-591-9453
kristine @ denfeldalumni.com
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Last updated: January 4, 2012
