Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Thanks Ric for the pictures and the map.  So many memories.

Al Ovadia

I am so excited to hopefully see everyone again this summer and am thrilled about the choice of Seward Park for the picnic. I grew up on Seward Park Ave., right behind the tennis courts and could sneak through the blackberry bushes and spend hours there as a kid. For many of us, Wayne Henry, Dale Cohen, Shelley Hill, Georgine Torbenson, Lianne Given, Fred Westergard, Greg Wold, Tom Rhodes, Dave Eberharter, Jay Franco, Jack Halfon, Phillip Anderson, Christine Hollister and Michelle (probably forgot someone) the park was often our playground as we all lived only a few blocks away. Sledding down Juneau, playing hide and seek in the Japanese garden, swimming to the dock and having sno cones on a hot day. Listening to music in the Ampiheatre, secretly feeding the fish at the hatchery, riding bikes or walking around "the loop", feeding the ducks or playing tennis (poorly). Powwow, chameleons on a string and so much more. The Park holds a special place in my heart and I am thrilled to have a chance to visit it again and spend the day with many of you.

Philip Anderson

Having the good fortune of living in a home that looked out at Seward Park and Andrews Bay, right next to Michelle's, I am looking forward to coming back and reconnecting with classmates and the Park. Lots of memories that are similar to Al's of time spent in and around the park and on the water in my 8 foot styrofoam saliboat. Hope this finds all of you well and thanks for posting the pictures of the Park and for the idea of having a 70th birthday party which for me is less than two months away. All the best...Phil

Don Lorenz

Even thou I grew up one block south of the hydroplane pits my memories of Seward Park are of riding my 10 speed bike like a mountain bike thru the woods. Many thrills as well as many spills. I will not be able to get together for the 70th picnic. I am always out of town the last week of August fly fishing somewhere out in the wilds of Alaska, Montana, etc. I will be out of town from August 24th - 30th. Health blessings to all.

Don Lorenz

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Hello everyone.  Just checking in with the Corona virus thing going on.  Suggesting that we be available to help and encourage each other as we walk through this trying time.  Blessings everyone.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Good idea, Nancy.  We are hunkered down in Toronto, hoping the government and the hospitals have done a good job for the tsunami of cases sure to come.  But since the weather is turning spring-like -- even tho it's still cold! -- we are going for many walks in our neighborhood.  There are lots of other walkers out, particularly people with kids on bikes or with dogs -- and we all smile or wave to each other as we cross the street to keep our distance.  It is lovely to see the spring bulbs finally poking their noses out and one sheltered place has tulips and daffs coming up, way ahead of the crocuses in our yard.  We're trying to do as little shopping as possible -- one to avoid the virus -- and two, it's so exhausting to come home and try to disinfect everything that we've brought in:  shoes off in the entryway, coats off.  Wash hands. Change clothes if we've been anywhere clothes may have contacted anything. Wash hands. Wipe down all products we bought (or mail we're bringing in) and put it away, Wash hands. Wipe down surfaces that products or mail were on. Wash hands.  Go take a nap!  Stay safe out there, everyone.  Good luck to us all.  

Ric Rivera

Since our age group and that, a vaccine will come in the near future. It is best to proceed with caution.

For now, our 'FHS 70th Birthday Picnic'is likely, "ON HOLD," more information will be coming if canceled.

King County Public Health

“New limits on large gatherings, other emergency strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19’

https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus/group-limits.aspx

https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus/protection.aspx

Ric Rivera

With sad news, but with a cautious outlook for the health of our FHS Quaker clan were canceling. But we have next year to look forward to hanging out together. In these challenging times, please be proactive in taking steps for your health and care of loved ones.

Here is a couple of Coronavirus Statistical Resource and News links both Locally by County, Nationally, and Globally.

https://coronavirus.wa.gov/

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/

Susan Niven

Please stay safe and well!

Ric Rivera

THE PARALLEL YEAR 2020

Ric Rivera

Election-year rhetoric. Someone in his campaign feels empowered to stretch an incendiary spin to divide with the likes of Rush L. Quaker Gary fires back.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Go, Gary! 

Susan Niven

To all my FSH classmates!

Paul Nogaki

Hey Ric & Sylvia, 

I know that your beliefs are very important to you, as mine are to me, but I feel that if we make this FHS'68 site a place to draw lines and argue politics, it will no longer be a place where we can come and say "Hi" to old friends that we've known even since Kindergarten, but just another place to argue and insist that we're right and anyone who feels differently is wrong. 

May I quote some wise sage whose name slips my mind right now; "The only sure barrier to truth is to assume that you already have it."

I don't know if we have any agreed upon guidelines at this time; probably not, but maybe we should have some if we don't already. Is this an item for the Administrator?

Yaela Ettlinger (Yaela Ettlinger)

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Does anyone have current contact information for Jim Eastwood.s widow Becky.  Some want to contact her.

thanksl

Julia Laranang

Thank you, Paul. I love to discuss politics, too. However, I agree that this site is not the place.

Robert W Talbot

Nancy Raezloff Gross; try John Hein for Mr Eastwood's Widows information 

Ric Rivera

Hi Paul and All,

Though, I hesitated for sometime posting. I agree with you to a point, my friend. I saw the posts through many different lenses; perspectives, if you may. I will come back to that later.

Given the heightened atmosphere we are living in, you may not agree that my political views, they were dropped off at the front doorstep. I was going to leave a disclaimer that some may interpret context differently.

In the same breath, in my eyes, it was not my intent to draw a line in the sand for the sake of debate- argumentative conversation, sowing positive - negative political narratives, or amping or offending our emotions, or pander-patronize implicit biases. (presumption of already having it)

So of the perspectives, the lenses, from the standpoint of High School Class and Classmates, it is our diversity foremost given the context which they present themselves. Be it an image or how we view the text; it is going to question our emotional EQ no matter what; we are human. I apologize.

In turn, is it not okay to mention or show a degree of FHS protesting racism image?

Maybe that of our 1968 class-sit-in?  

It would not be appropriate to write or show another class year. - We have talked amongst ourselves about discrimination & racism here on this forum that pertained to our years at Franklin after.

In an openminded conversation of our time and classmates then and now, it is not a reflection - comparison of the Franklin spirit of who we have become, who we are?

Regardless of our outside beliefs and influences. Is it not, of the nature of our diversity, given context show the different perspectives of the Franklin spirit?

With that said, Political Beliefs aside, it is not what this forum represents. There are other platforms.

To share 2 quotes: “Let us not emphasize all on which we differ but all we have in common. Let us consider not what we fear separately but what we share together.” – JFK

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” - Galileo

My thoughts on guidelines, if any are; Self-regulation in Show of Respect – Kindness - Camaraderie

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Thanks everyone for your help.  I have confirmed that John Hein is in contact with Jim Eastwood's widow Becky.  He will forward messages.

John Hein

Well put Sheriff McCloud. I think you may've morphed a Dirty Harry quote and derived the armpits analogy. Nonetheless, clever euphemism. I'd be the 1st to concede I'm not a legal eagle by any yardstick, but what about that 1st amendment thang? My dilemna has always been a bit of a head-scratcher: I've never been sure that my views ARE views. Whatcha gonna do? Peace. 

John Hein

John, John..... Let's be honest here, credit where credit is due: Paul could grace the cover of GQ without regard to age. Me? Doctor's orders, I'm wearing a mask, even after dark !!! Anywise the groaner you're about to peruse is your own fault; you remembered me with your koala narrative. Q. What do you call snake evolution? A. HISSS-tory.... Bah-dah-boom...tsshhh...... yer welcome.....

Al Ovadia

John, let's see you in the glasses so we can make our choice. 

Al

Janice Lynn Ferrera

Hey John - how come I didn't know you were this funny in high school?

Paul Nogaki

Hey John & John, I guess you know too, at this age a compliment is that much more appreciated. Thanks so much.

Probably some others are going through what I went through about a year ago, when the standard yearly optometrist appointment revealed both glaucoma and the beginning stages of cataracts in both eyes. I'm very thankful that I opted for the more expensive treatment on the cataracts, and now I have no more glaucoma and the more expensive lenses with the cataract surgery have given me back 20-20 vision! (Dr. Marcus Meyer, in West Seattle and Burien). The only glasses I wear are sunglasses.