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06/27/2005: "A NEW Beginning....June 27, 2005"

Here's the plan, my friends. There's always a chance of a mini-letdown after such a gala event as the Class of 65 40th Reunion. But, we've considered that possibility and have re-committed to continue the web site and continue to stay in contact with our classmates.

Here's some possibilities. First, when you get your 'memory book' there will be some important information included. You'll have email addresses of every classmate who gave us one. Those of you who didn't--please send them to me at pmitchell@rushmore.com. This will give you an instant form of communication with everybody. There will also be a completed roster of everyone we have an address for. So, you might as well add about 150 people to your Christmas list. I think you found out by the attitude at the reunion that everybody is pretty 'regular' and well worthy of being on our list of favorites. The key is to stay in contact. Start now!

Second, this web site was designed for you. We expect and need for you to participate in it. For any of you who didn't send a bio for one reason or another, now is the time to do it so I can get it in the memory book. I'll send a blanket email to everyone I have an addy for and ask them to send their info if they've been hesitant up to now. I think you all found out in pretty quick order that these people in this class are still all friends. In fact, looking back in retrospect, they are some of the best friends I've personally ever had and I'd venture to say that feeling might be with us all.

For heaven's sake, don't go into a 'hibernation'. I feel blessed--as if I just added many score of people to my 'favorites' list. I intend to stay in touch with many of you. In fact there was talk at the reunion among some of us 'rider' types of taking a Reunion Run sometime. I plan one this fall or winter. Get on the cycle and just skirt the country. When I'm close to a classmate's home I'll give them a call--maybe grab a cup of java....and keep going. Then Came Mitchell, instead of Bronson.

For those of you who have cell phones, why don't you share your cell phone number with your classmates. For example, if you're on a Verizon system, like me, you can call a verizon customer for free anytime. And after 9 pm you can call anybody for free! I'm sure it's the same for all cell phone servers. But, if you wait this might get more difficult to do. So start now. Everybody send me your email address, your correct physical address and your phone numbers. We have many of these but it doesn't hurt to duplicate. I'll start it out. As for me, 605-431-8697 is my cell #. Call anytime.

Now is the challenge. Let's see if we can continue the momentum. If we can we'll be accomplishing something very few, if any, high school classes are able to accomplish. Let's set a National example here. I'd just as soon see everyone in the country envy Riggs High Class of '65..Pierre, South Dakota. We know we were unique. Now let's take another shot at it and see just how 'unique' we really are!

We don't really want to post a class roster on the world wide web so we'll have to do this all by private communication. The ball is in your court.

Hat's off to my partners in this project...the Pierre Planning Commitee and our own 'get connected team', Jan, Cathleen and Larry. We've got a lot of pictures to post on the web site. Larry just sent an email to me today and reminded me it was time to 'get to work'--we've still got a lot to do. "This ain't over 'till," like Cathleen said, "the last classmate turns out the light.

There's still room for comments here...so have at it.

Replies: 25 Comments

Hello everyone, glad to see the website is still up and running. It is a great idea to stay on line and keep in touch. Because of the reunion, I was able to find Cheryl Ensz and talk to her. Pat Brasel has contacted me and plans on coming to Alaska on vacation. I expect to see her while she is here. Great work! Note our traveling e-mail address please.

Kay Gerlach said @ 08/01/2005 10:35 PM CST

Hi guys - I'm talking to Dave Lindekugel on the phone right now and getting together the last week of September - I'm going to be in Pierre Sept. 29th - Oct. 1st. Ask Kugel about the contest we've come up with, being the sick buggers we are! See ya all at the St. Charles, Friday, September 20th.

Penne Bloom said @ 07/22/2005 01:48 PM CST

BURT ELLIOTT

This article came out of the July 15, Aberdeen American News.

Former Aberdeen Central tennis coach Burt Elliott has been selected to receive a 2005 South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame Achievement Award. After coaching high school tennis for 35 years, Elliuott retired from coaching at the conclusion of the 2005 boys' state tennis tournament. A native of Pierre and graduate of Northern State, Elliott began coaching the Golden Eagles boys' program in 1971. Central won state titles in 1972, 1973 and 1974. In the early 1980s Elliott began coaching the girls' tennis teams. The girls won five Eastern South Dakota Conference titles and the boys would win six and finish as state runnersup three times. He was the state tennis Coach of the Year three times and was recently a finalist for National Coach of the Year. Elliott will continue his teaching duties at the high school and his position as a state representative at the Legislature. He insists that the game and coaching have given more back to him than he could ever have given in return. "The real value of an athletic program lies in what the athletes take with them and use in later life," Elliott said. "When a kid comes back 20 years later to look up his old teammates, that is my treasure."

P. Mitchell said @ 07/20/2005 10:00 PM CST

Penne, Post the dates you'll be in Pierre. Maybe we could get a little mini-reunion going at that place on Capital Avenue.
Cathleen

Duce said @ 07/19/2005 04:37 PM CST

Hey Boocock - I'm counting on that - you too Mitchell, wheel that bike up this way and anyone else who wants to see what a glorious place Oregon is - and I've got great scrapbooks with memories! I'm coming to Pierre in Sept, so make sure Ron Lutz is well stocked.

Penne Bloom said @ 07/18/2005 12:28 PM CST

Wow! I just finally got off the road and got a chance to read all the comments. I agree with everyone. It was a great time and we need to stay in touch. Since I travel weekly, don't be surprised if you hear from me! Penne, I am coming your way in early August so you will be my first call!!! (poor girl)
I expect anyone who gets in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area or the Clearwater Florida area to give me a call! (only in FL. about 6 weeks a year so you may not be successful, but atleast leave a message!)

Gerry Boocock said @ 07/15/2005 10:48 AM CST

I'm in agreement with Dennis....time was too short. Our hopes are that the life-long friends we've always had, and incidentally graduated from high school with, will grow from the web site and from communication back and forth. I know, for one, that when I'm in an area where one of the Class of 65 lives, I'll make a contact...maybe lunch--if nothing else, a phone call. I expect the same for anyone who's in the Black Hills. I haven't put my finger on it but this reunion was the best of them all. There was an obvious camarderie and connection. It was on a different level...it was genuine and heartfelt...the whole affair was wonderfully 'giving' and we were all fortunate enough to receive each other on these terms. I'm pretty sure it was all because of the dynamics of our class. We might not have known, forty years ago, how close we really were. But, I can tell you first hand, there was magic in the air, June 23-25...unconditional, not premeditated...just 'real stuff' and God knows the world needs more of just that sort of thing. I'm expecting some mini-reunions in the interim, but vote officially for a 45th. Personally, I'm planning on a USA parimeter cycle road-trip, in Sept. or Oct. Then Came Bronson! I intend to look up some of you if I rocket into your town. I wish we were doing another one next weekend and we could magically bring everyone back home again.

Paul Mitchell said @ 07/14/2005 07:14 PM CST

found this site today,Gaylord and Tom Nobel have really put the proper feeling of the reunion in prospective. The spouses really do connect, thats great, and we truly are a group of friends, no matter the length of time that passes. Paul, everyone on the committee, blog meister, everyone that attended,thanx for contributing to a great time. My vote is for a 45. Time was short, but I enjoyed seeing everyone, and catching up on their whereabouts. Now if I can just remember most of it.

ddouglass said said @ 07/14/2005 12:26 PM CST

While we were away after the reunion, some real close friends' son laid his bike down banged his head on the pavement and has yet to wake up. This kid(42) has the world by the back of the shirt collar, single, smart, great job, just an all around nice guy. The last we heard is that all vital signs were stable but there's not a lot of chance that the lights will come back on. His parents both in their 70's are understandably devistated. His father is a war vet, I've been told that this man in his prime would attack grizzlies with a stick if he thought he was right or someone needed help. The sight of this big man reduced to a sobbing hulk over just the thought of his only child laying there like a turnip for the rest of his life is way more than I need to see. All of this could have been prevented if he'd worn his helmet. I know that I'm probably as guilty as any one, just going for a short putt, around the block, etc. This guy may never be awake enough to even know that his nose is running, much less do any thing about it, so I'm asking all of us who enjoy motorcycling, regardless of what we think of helmets, think more about the effects on our family and friends who suffer most when something like this happens to one of us.

Jerry Brink said @ 07/13/2005 12:46 PM CST

Just got a short note from Cathy Specker, hurricane Dennis has left her untouched and is guessing the same for her bro, Don. Bet she'd be glad to hear from others of us--"Little" Nancy has absolved me of all my transgressions, guess that goes for Bert,too. Thanks guys.

jer said @ 07/11/2005 07:16 PM CST

Jan-I also heard about the day on the river. My confidential informant tells me that the only way we'll get the truth is to buy the negatives and go for blackmail. Maybe the driver of the tow boat would care to shed some light. Whaddya say Gary?

jer said @ 07/09/2005 10:13 AM CST

poor little Nancy Gilles, bet hubby Bert was glad when I did finally hit the trail, figured he was on to me from start. They were good sports tho.

jer said @ 07/09/2005 08:44 AM CST

Penne, See, I told you the traffic would increase! Jer is a hugable guy! Not many complaints from the girls, Jer!
I'm voting for a 45th - I even suggested a 41st!

Duce said @ 07/08/2005 07:08 PM CST

Penne
what the honorable Ms. Pendowski is omitting is that they made sure I knew their next stop before I left, and she mysteriously appeared at the head of the line when the huggin' was goin' on. No complaints from my corner.

jer said @ 07/08/2005 07:02 PM CST

Just a short word of thanks to all you who made our week-end an event to enjoy forever. I still think of something that happened and chuckle. I agonized over to or not to come for quite a while, but due to some gentle prodding from Cathy Ducey and some not so gentle from Lindekugel and others, this was a memory for the ages. Let's go for 45 with a gusto.

Jerry Brink said @ 07/08/2005 06:51 PM CST

Penne, Jerry is home now so we'll see more traffic here. He won't tell you that on Sunday he kept telling his coed classmates he was leaving, we'd all give him a big hug... thought he left. After about 10 minutes of his "supposedly" departure he he'd show up again; tell us he was leaving, hugs all around, Jerry's gone. Ten minutes later, he'd show up again with some excuse, hugs all around. This went on for about 10 departures. Of course after the 3rd time, we finally caught on!
One of my lasting memories was of Thursday night at the St Charles - Ron Lutz' Lounge. The early bird girls called the Class of 65 "boys" to meet us there. I won't forget Jerry and David L peering through the window when they arrived - all we could see is the top of their heads and eyes. It was down hill from there!! What a fun, late night we had. Penne, we were wishing you could have been there!! I'm sorry we took over your place of business, Ron!

Duce said @ 07/08/2005 06:47 PM CST

Hi everyone - I'm sitting here at my office waiting for Jerry Brink to call me and tell me all the reunion "stories" - I hope I hear some good ones. The pictures made me feel worse that I wasn't able to make it - I certainly hope that you're serious about a 45th . . ., so anyone know a story that maybe Jerry won't know that I'd find interesting? or something he won't tell me - I've got him on the line right now, and he wants me to clarify that these will be the stories as he saw it. More later . . .

Penne Bloom said @ 07/08/2005 02:30 PM CST

Check out the web site under 'photo's', then click on 'Scrapbook', part two. There's some new, wild black and white's that are a real hoot! Stay tuned for reunion photo's..coming soon. This ain't over until the last classmate turns out the lights---so stay connected on the web site...we're putting in new stuff every day. Anybody interested in reconsidering a 'memory book' send the moolah to Peggy...$10. It's going to be the buy of the month!

Blog guy

Bloggie says..... said @ 07/01/2005 07:09 AM CST

What do you call them if they weren't PJ's? Pedal pushers with little Winny the Pooh pictures? You were still wearing a three piece business suite but Helen and Colleen were in their slumber garb. No cobwebs in my head. I still have a mind like a steel trap! I know PJ's when I see them. I'm a PJ aficionado. HA HA

Blog Meister said @ 07/01/2005 07:01 AM CST

Paul, Thanks for joining us for a post-reunion dinner in Custer last night. We all enjoyed reunion stories and high school memories. Lots of laughter. I have to tell you, Paul, I think the cob webs in your head may have also clouded your eyes. I don't remember seeing anyone in their PJs. It was fun and I hope we can all stay connected throughout the years.
By the way, classmates, Paul is serious when he says he is getting on his Harley and visiting each and everyone of you this fall. That should make for some interesting Blog a few months down the road! Stay tuned.
Cathleen

Cathleen said @ 06/30/2005 08:28 PM CST

I'm going to change the blog site sometime next week and archive what we've already done. We'll start fresh and build it back up.

Leave your comments on the 'comment page' and your 'anything your heart desires' on the blog site.

I had the coolest date last night. I was invited to dinner by three fascinating women. That doesn't happen too often, at my age....and never a three-some of such beauty and intrigue. I don't usually speak to my personal life much but this folly begs for publication.

We met in the beautiful little town of Custer. I'd never gone out with any of these women before so it was all sort of new.

We had 'supper' (a midwestern term that is rarely heard outside of SD)at a new little cafe, in Custer, called the Song Bird Cafe. They might have named it the Song Bird because it has shadows of a 60's coffee house--complete with the singer who sang us oldies and some of his own originals.

We had some good wine, beer and food. As the evening wore on the conversation moved from the Song Bird, to the home of one of the three-some, where we all sat around and reminisced about the good old days and of the Riggs Class of 65 reunion.

We laughed late into the night. We talked and laughed 'till the cobwebs filled our heads. The last plan I remember making was something about a bunch of gals planning a 'slumber' party the next summer at my cabin near Keystone. They'd already figured they could gather up about 20 old classmates for the gig...sort of an annual pre-45th reunion primer, as I recall. Something was said about me being the 'poolman', or 'gardener', 'cable TV guy--something like that, which sounded intrigueing to me..between glasses of wine and uninhibited laughter.

We were all kind of sad that the reunion was over and wished it had lasted longer, but committed to constant communication VIA the web site. When I headed the truck back to Rapid City, I left these three beauties clad in their PJ's still enjoying each other's company. I grabbed my hugs, thanked them for a wonderful time and slipped into the night.

On the way home, I felt an instant meloncholy like you have when you leave dear friends....probably the same sort of feeling that most of us had when we left Pierre this past weekend. But, I knew I'd see them again.

So, Cathleen, Colleen and Helen, I have to tell you, that was the coolest triple date I've ever had. Actually, it was the only triple date I've ever had! The atmosphere, and good time was only surpassed by the quality of the company in which it was spent.

So, in 'trucker's' vernacular, ladies, have a safe trip home, keep the shiny side up, and I'll catch you on the 'flip-flop'!

Paul Mitchell said @ 06/30/2005 06:46 AM CST

I get "goose bumps" when I read all the wonderful comments from my classmates (so what, I can't help it if I am a sentimental slob sometimes!). We are family and we have an unexplainable bond.

Gaylord, I am going to send you by snail mail a few photos I think you will enjoy, also I will be returning the one you sent in for the web site. I can't believe I was sitting right next to you at the banquet and I forgot to give it to you then. Guess I just had too many other things on my mind.

I would be just a little curious to hear about the stats. on the golf course for Saturday. How many played? Any funny experiences, etc.

BTW, I hear there was a great time on the river Sunday afternoon with two boats, a pontoon, and 8-10 classmates. We want details!! AND the truth! (ha,ha)

Jan Kennedy said @ 06/29/2005 08:42 PM CST

Paul I have been thinking about what to say on this section and just cannot come up with the words to describe the great feeling I had this weekend seeing so many of our classmates (or family as I prefer to call them) return to Pierre. The bond we have is so incredible one cannot describe it. I have never known such a caring, fun loving group of people that after 40 years could remain so close. We definitely are unique. My childrens classes will never be able to say that. Say hi to Helen and the Ducey's and I am jealous you get to go to dinner with all of them. Keep up the good work and God Bless all of you that do the work so we can enjoy

Gaylord Sonnenschein said @ 06/29/2005 11:57 AM CST

That's a neat observation, Tom. Spouses are a big part of this deal. When they can see the 'magic' among a bunch of old dogs after all these years, that speaks volumes.

The trick now is to keep the ball rolling. This will take an effort on all our parts. But, believe me, this web site can be a safe haven in an otherwise pretty tumultuous world.

Jan has stopped by the Harley store a couple of times since the reunion (and dropped off a CD with over 395 reunion pics--Great), Jerry Brink says he'll be by sometime this week, as well as Ronnie Ray. I think I might see Cathleen and Helen today. Tonight, I'm going to Custer for some din-din with Cathleen, Colleen and Helen. Ron Walpole called me yesterday searching for some Harley stuff for some sort of BD Party for a co-worker's brother. The wheels are in motion.

It's easy to put the good times we had on the back shelf. It's just as easy to maintain communication with one another. As for me and my thoughts, we went to school and grew up with some of the neatest people on the planet and I have forty years of experiences to support that premise. The web site is the most logical venue that's available on a daily basis. PM

Paul Mitchell said @ 06/29/2005 08:11 AM CST

We have reason to be proud of our class. When spouses can sense the affection we have for one another it is real. Patti said her coworkers were getting tired of hearing about the upcoming reunion. They will really be tired of hearing about what happened and what is still going on. It is good that so many of you are not technically challenged. THE REUNION WAS AN ABSOLUTE HOOOOOT!!!!!! WHAT MEMORIES, WHAT FUN..THANKS AGAIN.

Tom Noble said @ 06/28/2005 07:45 PM CST