Al Ovadia

I'll let Ric handle this one.

John MacLeod

Well, time to feel old and broken down.  One of our mid-20th centuray cohorts has done it again.  Unnamed (Judy Payne) has done it again.  She just completed 3 marathons in 3 days.  78 miles of hiking trails in the Sierra Mtns.near Tahoe in under 36 hours.  Should have invested boot and  boot  lace futures.

Smokin-it girl..........................

John Hein

OK, so, 'unnamed' is a marathon maniac, eh what? I can't do 3 marathons, I'm restricted to 3 squares a day, but I make the most of it. O'er this past weekend I went to Chelan to see the vintage hydros and met up with a couple of 68ers. Had a great time, weather was soooo very Chelan; postcard perfect! If you don't recognize any of us, well, that's a good thing too, but ain't that white fedora jus' too kewl?.... Njoy!!!

Wayne Cofer

Way impressed with what Judy Payne did. I did a lot of running in days, including several marathons -- but never more than one at a time. Just hiking that far for three staight days would put me a world of hurt. 

Your are my new hero ! 

Wayne 

Karen Kummerfeldt

Wow.  Judy's accomplishments are phenomenal! 

And John H, I do like the fedora!

Karen Kummerfeldt

Has anyone heard from Jim Blyth?  I believe they live near Ashville, NC, and that area was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. I sent him a PM a couple of days ago but have not received a response. 

Jim Blyth

jimKaren, Thanks for checking in on us.  We are both fine, our community has been devastated by Hurricane Helene and the resulting floods.  Our houses were spared in the flooding in the aftermath of the storm, despite two of them being located on mountain streams.  We elected to stay in South Dakota when we heard what was happening in Western North Carolina.  Our plans are to stay here into November while I hunt pheasants and then we will head to Charleston, SC for Thanksgiving and from there we will decide if we go home or continue our travels.  All of the interstates from the west and north are closed into our area, making it difficult to even get back into Western North Carolina.  It was wonderful seeing so many of my high school friends in August.  Connie and I continue to enjoy living in our motorhome with our two puppies and we are very comfortable on our friends 300 acre farm in Mitchell, SD for the next month. Happy holidays to all of our friends.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Wow, Jim, sounds like you lucked out. Glad to hear it! 

Yaela Ettlinger (Yaela Ettlinger)

John MacLeod

Ready or not, it's time to vote.  I see we have a couple of classmates who have a b-day on the fifth.  Party on.  Only one vote and one b-day, no drink minimum or max.

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Word has come to me from Trollice Flavors by way of Donna Amira, that Tommy Battles has passed away.  If anyone finds any details, please let me know so that I can post it.  Thanks.

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

I just posted a message on the In Memory section for Tommy Battles and it includes date and time for a memorial service.

John MacLeod

I reccomend that everyone read Tracy Dahlby's testimonial to Tom Battles.and Tom's dream.  We are so lucky he had a dream, shared it with the Class of 68 and dragged us along.  He really was an inspiration for us.  Thank you Tom and to Tracy for sharing Tom's dream.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

John, it was a wonderful tribute. Thanks, Tracy. Thanks, Tom.  

Ric Rivera

The Link Here: http://www.gofundme.com/s?q=charles+oliver

Ric Rivera

On December 10, 2024, was the Tommy Battles Celebration of Life.

I got there late. Here are some pictures to share of our FHS classmates who attended. Sandra Martinez, across from Sandra, is a '66 sophomore, Jimmy Gabutero. In another, Charles Oliver with Ted Williams and his granddaughter. The poem by Helen S Rice always resonated with me when I first heard it. The farewell suits Tommy. Rest in Peace, FHS brother, Tommy, ALOHA. 

Karen Kummerfeldt

Thank you, Ric, for sharing all this.

Happy Holidays to you all.

Ric Rivera

Have a Happy New Year 2025. Stay Healthy and be Safe, have Fun. Try something new! And be Kind!

Ric Rivera

WISHING ALL THE BEST! IN HEALTH - BE KIND - BE KNOWLEDGEABLE - BE UNDERSTANDING - BE CENTERED - AND CHECK IN ON YOUR HEART - AND REMEMBER TO BREATHE WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH!

AULD LANG SYNE

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Has anyone heard from Al Ovadia to confirm that he is okay in the LA wildfires?

Al Ovadia

Let me begin by thanking so many of you for your prayers and heartfelt wishes.

Nancy and classmates: We are safe for the moment as the fire has stalled in some areas and has been moving away from our home. We live in a canyon and we are at the mercy of the wind. Tuesday is supposed to bring another high wind event. If the wind changes direction, we could be at risk. We have just returned to our home last night as the power was finally restored. We had been staying at our daughters since Tuesday. 

It is bittersweet to return home when we know so many people have suffered immeasurable loss.

UPDATE: MONDAY AFTERNOON 1/13/25

Souhern CA Edison says they will once agaoin turn off our power because of high winds. It was nice to visit our house but we will now leave and hunker down at a friends. High winds expected to last until Thursday.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Wishing you and everyone n California all the best, Al. This is so awful and terrifying. I still haven't heard from one of my friends in Pasadena and while I'm assuming she's alright but busy and stressed and possibly without power,  you just don't know. It's all heartbreaking. 

Janice Lynn Ferrera

Albert - I'll be sending good thoughts your way!

Judith E. Payne

I add my warm thoughts and support for you, Al, and the so many others that are suffering in LA.  Climate change has moved California to such a crisis.  It is terrible to see.  

Karen Kummerfeldt

Thank you for letting us know that you are okay. What has happened in California is unimaginable. Please take care, and know that you are in our thoughts.