John MacLeod

Holy Smokes Bullwinkle...........

After all these years it seems that we may still be psychicly joined or is that psychoticly?  I am amazed by the number of us who redone their profiles in the last two weeks.  Laurie Hansen has moved about as far as one can get from Edmonds and still be within the borders of the US.  Glenn Schoenmaker is back in the USA after serving the Lazy B overseas.  Glenn has had some health issues but says he is doing fine.  Mike Holman lives in Yelm.  Don't know if he has retired or not.  Janice Roulst lives here in Hoodsport and Desert Aire.  Haven't got her to register on the site yet.  Might get a twofer there.  She and Joy Michelson spend a fair amount of time together.  Chris Robinson is still hanging on the cliffs of Beacon Hill.

Well..............Rocket J.........time to get out of here

Sharon Cobbs (Reason)

I have been reading with interest all the posts for the Class of 1968.  I wish I remembered all of you, but back in the day, my twin sister and I, who are multi-racial, didn't fit in with any group, so were pretty much ignored by all, other than the two friends we made who were also multi-racial.  It probably didn't help that we were pretty shy, too.  I am so glad that times have changed, at least for me.  I am no longer shy (I think my husband sometimes wishes I was), and young people, in larger numbers, are more accepting of people who are "different."  That's not to say that sexism, racism, classism and homophobia are not still alive and well--but I do think these -isms and phobias have declined since we were kids. 

I did enjoy high school, though, and went on to enjoy two successful careers, first working my way up to become a Systems Analyst at the UW, and then becoming the Emergency Food Programs Coordinator for the City of Seattle.  Also met the love of my life, and we have been together for nearly 35 years (married for 25 of them).  We live in a wonderful town--Ocean Shores--and life is good!  I'm retiring from my job with the school district next year, and  looking forward to being able to travel more, and do some volunteer work at the local food bank and Paws. 

John MacLeod

Sharon............Great post.  I think you have articulated how great Franklin's diversity was.  Those were our formative years and I cannot imagine a more perfect environment.  Even today when I tell stories about school and the cross section of our society we represented, friends are amazed.  Many express envy and tell me how lucky we were.  Took me a number of years to realize how lucky I was.  To me it was just school and that is how it was supposed to be.

My wife expresses sympathy to your husband.  She knows what it is like to live with someone who can strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere.  She claims that I can strike up a conversation with a fence post.

John....

John MacLeod

Twins,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Seems like we had a ton of them.  Bolars, Binghams, Benekes, Cobbs, Brookins, Dunhams, Tholls, Sourianos.............and more.  My CRS Syndrome just kicked in.  CRS Syndrome is a transient non-fatal condition.  CRS stands for (Can't Remember Sh-t or Stuff if you prefer).  Help eliminate CRS in your lifetime by sending names of other twins from our class.  And no the Olson twins do not count.

Silently babbling................

John

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

So glad to see people talking here again.  John, you are off the wall as usual.  Sharon, way too many of us were shy back in the day.  Now we are just a little bit different.  Today, I am busy trying to bring a little bit of order out of chaos.  I see that Larry Sakamoto has moved to Hawaii. 

Peggy Johnson

Sharon - I think I remember you - were you in the Bel Canto Choir?  not sure....

Peggy Johnson

Brenda Riddock

Hey Hello there everyone.....  Just checking in to update my profile and thought I would say hi to anyone who is here listening.  All is well in my world for the time being, looking forward to celebrating the 4th with my family.

Best to you all,  Happy Fourth of July !!

Brenda

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Nice to see so many folks here. 

I remember you, Sharon, but I think I knew your sister a little better.  I had no idea you were multi-racial, but our neighborhood and Franklin were such melting pots, it was really hard to pigeon-hole anyone.  

Losing shyness is one of the things I love about getting older.  Yay!  No more wishing a hole would open up so I could fall into it and disappear.  (Well, not so often, anyway!)

Happy 4th to all!

Sylvia

Martin N Hill

I also would like to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July holiday.  I have been following with great interest the "In Memory" section.  Mary Medzegian and I sat next to each other in Algebra class at Asa Mercer in '64.  Her mother and mine attended Franklin together. They both graduated in 1944.

I nearly made the "In Memory" list last Christmas.  I was in Church waiting for the midnight service to begin when I noticed I could not raise my left arm to take off my jacket.  My wife, Sylvia, wanted to know what was wrong and all I could tell her was I couldn't lift my arms.  She asked if I wanted water and after a minute she brought some.  It didn't do any good.  I felt like going to sleep and I new that was wrong because I'm usually wide awake at that time of night.  Shortly after that Sylvia called 911.

The fire department was just up the street so they got to the church in about 3 to 4 minutes.  I was taken to St Agnes in west Baltimore, but after discovering my problems it was off to the University of Maryland hospital in downtown Baltimore.  It turns out I had six very large blood clots in my lungs trying to go thru my heart.  I remember the doctor saying he could do most everything he needed while I was under but I had to be awake in order to put a couple of tubes in my neck and down my throat.  After that procedure it was off to the operating room.  

The next thing I remember is waking up in ICU with number 3 son, Isaac, holding my hand.  I couldn't talk, walk or swallow but I was alive.  Three months of recouperating and a lot of time to reflect.  Looking back I remember  ignoring two warning signs -- two sharp pains that stopped me in my tracts.  Three different doctors told me I am lucky to be here.  For our age group if you experience any new or unusual pain, have it checked out.  If you're reading this chances are you have health insurance--use it!

Sharon Cobbs (Reason)

Thank you for all of your heartfelt responses to my recent post.  I think I would really enjoy meeting all of you again.  And no, I was not in the choir--singing is not one of my talents.  Happy 4th of July everyone!

Marlene J Souriano (Souriano-Vinikoor)

I am one of the  twins from the class of 68'. I too was shy which proved a huge disadvantage during those formidable years. I do remember the Cobb sisters and think we were friends. I really don't remember lots of our class mates. 

I'd like to remember those HS years as the impetus to change and mature, to follow our passions and be productive. I am happy to have grown since those days and wish I could have informed my younger self that the journey was only beginnng and there would be many opportunities to flourish and grow.

Happy fourth!

Marlene Souriano-Vinikoor

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

In hindsight, it amazes me that I was so aware of being shy, and so unaware that others felt the same way.  Maybe now I have a clue and can cut others more slack than I was able to do back then.  Of course there will always be John who doesn't seem to know whay anyone would feel shy.  John, we love you and wish that we could have enjoyed those years the way we do now as seen through your eyes.

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Marty we are glad to not be finding you in the In Memory section of this website.  Since I find myself trying to cobble together bits and pieces of information to do informal obituaries on people that I haven't seen in decades, I am personally glad to not be doing one for Martin N Hill.  Sylvia, I so appreciate you posting notes on some of the In Memory classmates.  It makes it so much more personal to have the rememberances and not just the "facts"  as summed up by dates and statistics.  Many thanks also to Nancy Wood Feldmann for pursuing information for me on Linda Joyce Spang Wilton.  For those of you in Seattle, we will be in town in August so let me know if anyone wants to get together.

Lyn McKinney (McGraw)

What a sweet surprise.  I obviously have gotten away from the forum and seldom check my email anymore.  Today was catchup day on the computer for me.  That's when I noticed the Franklin68 forum notes.  Hi John, how are you buddy?  Nancy, good to hear from yoou.  Let me know when you get to Seattle in August.  Perhaps I can track down Mark Weaver and catch  up with the both of you.  Marty, good grief pal, you are in such good shape I would figure you would immediately recognize triouble a brewin' when you couldn't lift your arm.  I too am so very glad you didn't make it in the In Memory section.  As for me, I took a medical retirement 4 years ago.  I'm living on Whidbey Island.  My two younger adult children are living with me also.  Due to multiple medical issues I just putter around sewing, reading, or resting.  No big outtings for me.  It was difficult adjusting to not working and have to admit I still stay in touch with many of my employees on facebook to see how their families are doing.  It is a great place to discover who needs extra prayers.  Now that the forum hopefully is restarting I will check in here also for any prayer requests.  That, thankfully, I am still able to do. 

Happy 4th of July to y'all

Lyn

Susan Niven

Great to see so many classmates posting messages.

All is good with me in Western Australia, enjoying a wet winter so far, after a long dry summer and fall. 

Hope this finds everyone well and celebrating Independence Day in style!

John MacLeod

Marty Hill..........My first meeting with Marty was quite spectacular.  We both happened to be at a Boy Scout training session at Camp Freeman out in Maple Valley.  Someone had left a fire unattended and it started some dry grass on fire.  The grass fire crept over and started a tent on fire.  This is where Marty comes in.  Someone yells fire, I turn around just in time to see this guy about 12 feet tall grab the tent by the top, pull it straight up out of the ground and slam it down and stomp the fire out.  Pretty impressive I'd say.  Marty and I met for real the next year at Franklin.  Met him, Barney Gibson, Ken Claflin and Norm Gove all at about the same time.

Marty glad to hear that you are still with us and doing well.....................John

Eddie Lau

Ok, I've been watching with interest and wondering what to say. I've never been much with words, so I'll just say hi.

Hello to all from sunny, hot El Dorado Hills, CA.

Eddie Lau

Jim Blyth

Nancy, I am planning a trip to Seattle July 23, returning to Western North Carolina August 4th.  If you schedule an open house during that time frame, I would love to attend.  My email address is JimBlyth@iCloud.com and my cell is 828-734-4444.  Please let me k

Regards,

Jim

Julia Laranang

I guess I've been feeling like Eddie Lau.  Enjoyed the messages, but didn't know what to post.  Forgive me if I ramble a bit.  I very much remember both the Cobb and Soriano (I know I spelled this wrong) twins.  Didn't really speak much to the Cobbs, but thought they were nice.  I sat next to Marlene Soriano (at least I'm pretty sure it was her) in several classes.  Had nice, if brief conversations.  I shared the painful shyness symdrome so common in teenagers. Fortunately, I had a few good friends who still remain to this day -- Nancy Ratezloff Groth, Marilyn Gates Domes (yes she's married to Steve Domes), Dorica Rockwell Jackson.  Also want to send a shout out to Diane Hunter and Donna Amira.  Missing Gail Bailey and her lovely smile and good conversations. Marty Hill!  So glad to here you're still with us.  I fondly remember you walking me to my sister's place after school.  At least you walked with me close to her place before you hopped on the bus to go home!

I've recently retired from working as a Management Systems Analyst at Seattle Center.  If you've been there in the past 20 years for any free event, I probably worked on it.  I was blessed to have a job I enjoyed in a fun place.  Essentially, my job was to help people have fun!  I guess I'm only semi-retired since I work part-time at my church.

My husband (Earl Jennings, Garfield class of '68) and I have been together 46 years (married 36).  We  got together the summer after high school.  Two sons, two daughters and 10 grandchildren.  Here's most of them.  This picture is a few years old and missing two of the grandkids but I my biased opinion, they are beautiful!  My oldest child (next to me) now has 3 teenagers!  So fun when you child is suffering through their chidren's teenage angst!  I'll stop for now.  Hope I didn't bore you!

Sharon Cobbs (Reason)

I remember you, Julia.  Does anyone remember Judy DeAustria or Sue, aka Jorja Kiyonaga?  They were our best friends in high school.  Judy dropped out, and we had a falling out with Sue, but I do occasionally think about them and wonder whatever happened to them.  You have a beautiful family Julia.  I'm jealous that you have so many grandchildren--we only have one-- but he's very special to us.  

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Sorry Jim:

We won't get to Seattle until the 6th.   Maybe we can meet up another time.  It feels as though it has been a long time.  Blessings to everyone.  Right now we are in Carlsbad, CA getting a break from the heat in Phoenix.

Julia Laranang

Hi, Sharon.  My sister, Hazel, is married to Paul DeAustria, Judy's brother.  I'm sorry to tell you that Judy died a few years ago from multiple health issues.

Nancy, Earl and I are looking forward to seeing you and Ron in August. Please send further details when you have them.

Love reading messages from folks!

John MacLeod

As Chief Dan George said in the movie "Little Big Man"............My heart soars.......I am so happy that there are so many new posters to the "Class's" forum.  We truly were blessed to be the Class of 68'.  There are many historians and authors who point to the year 1968 as the post WW II changing point in the US and world........

Eddie Lau

I noticed Jimmy Endo was listed as missing, and it so happens he visited my Classmates.com profile recently. I'll see if I can make contact.

Sharon Cobbs (Reason)

So sorry to hear about Judy.  We first became friends at Asa Mercer Junior High so I knew her a long time.  I last saw her around 18 years ago when I was working for the City of Seattle in the Alaska Building and she was working at a bank across the street.  She mentioned she had two children.  One was with Judy's mother and the other was with his or her father.  At least she lives on in her children.