A. S. S. ~ Alumni Sandstorm ~ 09/12/23
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9 Bombers and Don Sorenson sent stuff:
Marilyn "Em" DeVINE ('52)
Rex HUNT ('53)
Mike CLOWES ('54)
Helen CROSS ('62)
Nancy MALLORY ('64)
Patti McLAUGHLIN ('65)
Terry DAVIS ('65)
Tedd CADD ('66)
Karl SOEHNLEIN ('68)
Don Sorenson (NAB)
Next A.S.S. will be published when I feel like it.
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NEW HOME ADDRESS:
Maren Smyth
144 Briant Street
Gretna, LA 70056
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>>From: Marilyn "Em" DeVINE ('52)
SENT: 8/25/23
Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska. We got here at about Midnight but didn't
get to daughter Keri's house (just a few miles from the Airport) until
nearly 2 a.m. because of a fiasco with renting a car. Delta Air had fixed us
up with Dollar car rental but the 4-door PICKUP was supposedly the only one
available. I couldn't get my leg up high enough to get into the cab! Good
grief! We went back down and I checked with a guy at a different rental
company and they had an SUV for nearly $400 dollars less so I canceled the
first one and went with the SUV. Still bigger than we wanted or need, but it
will do. An Attendant started it for me so I didn't realize it's one of
those newer ones that has no key. (Thank goodness it isn't a Hybrid!!!) Had
a heck of a time getting it turned off when we got to Keri's. We realized
the lights that stayed on were a courtesy thing to let us get to the house,
but when I thought the car was off, it wanted to roll down the driveway. I
did finally get that taken care of and the time was 2:10 a.m. when we
finally crawled into bed for a very sound sleep. We have had a nice visit
this morning with my daughter and met her roommates. Laurie is a Chef at the
Rusty Goat Restaurant just a block away. Funny to have a nice Restaurant in
a neighborhood. Her husband is a Chef at a high end (read: expensive)
Restaurant we may or may not decide to go to. Thursday: I'm excited to know
the State Fair is going on in Palmer this weekend and next. My
Granddaughter, Jill, and her family will meet me there on Sunday!
I wrote that section this morning and now things seem to be falling apart:
daughter Keri tested positive for Covid this afternoon. She had been exposed
last weekend but didn't think anything about it. On Tuesday she woke up with
cold symptoms and has napped a lot since we arrived. She has or had,
incredible plans for Sunday and next week. A family dinner because Terry
and I and her eldest daughter will be here from New Zealand. I haven't
seen Jaime for several years. (I was the Delivery Room Nurse when Jaime was
born!) Plus Keri has or had a graduation reunion in Kodiak with friends from
our years there. Five or six are coming from all over the States. Terry and
I will check for Covid Saturday and again Sunday and hope we are clear.
Best Bomber regards to Alumni out there,
-Marilyn "Em" DeVINE ('52) and Terry SHEGRUD about '55
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>>From: Rex HUNT ('53)
SENT: 7/28/23
well I am sure you have heard of the domino effect! Well I am experiencing
it. It started way back in 1965. I foolishly crashed a motorcycle when my
wife and I were touring Arizona and southern Utah. My wife thankfully was
not harmed. But I damaged a leg and my lower back. So in 1974 I had my first
back surgery. I settled down and started a business to raise my kids and
send them to college. But in quick succession my oldest son got Hodgkin's
Disease. before we got him well, My wife came down with a horrific cancer in
her head that spread to her shoulder and right breast. with debilitating
treatments and terrible surgery she pulled thru but was in poor condition So
I had an ill wife an ill son 3 kids in school and trying to start a
business. I managed to send all 4 of my kids to college and care for the love
of my life. but 11 years took their toll. I had a massive heart attack in
1989 gave the business to my 2nd son and moved to Hanford Calif. Where I
started a small business to support my wife and I. till one scorching hot
day in June of 2000. walking up my sidewalk to the house I had another heart
attack. My so weak almost enfeebled wife somehow drug me into the house out
of the heat and called 911. after some rehab I was deemed well enough for
open heart surgery and a 4way by pass. needless to say I sold my small
business and retired. My elder son who had been cancer free for 28 years was
struck with cancer due to the over radiation they gave him back in 1974.
This time it was no joke. he lived for 3 years in University Hospital in Las
Vegas. But my wife spent as much time as possible visiting him and trying to
maintain his home as his wife fled 7 days into his cancer treatment. thus
far we have no idea where she is.
With no time for a respite, My wife suddenly flared up with her cancer.
with a horrible hospital mistake she passed away in 2006. My son lasted till
2008. I came out of retirement just to give me something to do. I worked
till February 2016. Then needing a pace maker my cardiologist/surgeon
spotted something while in my chest. I went to my Hanford doctor who calmly
laughed it off. So after 3 months I went back to San Luis Obispo for a Med
exam and I was told that it was too late for surgery but my lung cancer had
taken almost 1/4 of my right lung. I took all the radiation I could, then a
year and a half of chemo. neither made a dent in the cancer. I was told
basically I was done. So I decided to marry a woman friend I knew was in
hardship and leave her my home to make sure she had a place to live. (was
worst decision I ever made). With in 3 months she was diagnosed with (wait
for it) LUNG cancer! I am weak as a kitten from my own treatments and now I
had a wife to care for. She fought a valiant battle for 5 months and she
passed from the exact same cancer I had.
I surprisingly was still hanging on. So my Oncologist decided try KEYTRUDA
on me. I took that for a about 14 months. It stymied my cancer. so now it is
stopped as have all my treatments. Meanwhile my heart is deteriorating. I
had 3 different procedures then last November they tried to repair a heart
valve. they screwed that up (still need that done.) but they damn near
killed me with duplications of medications. After which I spent 9 days in
hell or was that Bakersfield?
3 weeks ago, after some cat scans and blood work ups, I was diagnosed with
loss of about 50% of my kidney functions due to all the meda and x-rays I
have endured over the last 6 plus years. Now today I was informed I now have
some LIVER malfunctions not yet fully diagnosed.
But the worst of it was when my caretaker went to the store to buy me a
small watermelon. there were no small ones so she bought a huge melon 19
inchs long and 12 inchs across. Weighted some 43 pounds. well I am able
to just lift a 8 pound milk carton. My caretake was in a rush and quickly
left and I tried to lift and carry said melon from the car to the house. Of
course I dropped it. cats and bird have been eating it all day.
So don't be giving me any grief this week. I might lose my sense of humor!
Moonlight!
rex hunt
Yellow moon and wispy clouds of white!
And I am alone, without you this lovely night!
The clouds ebb on, blot the stars from the sky!
I am so alone without you; I wonder why?
Tis quite, the haunting song of a night bird,
the only sound to be heard.
such beauty of sound and of sight
Yet: I am alone without you, this lovely night!
Then comes dawn, the light of day,
The fears of night steal away!
I'm awed by nature all around.
but the hours pass, the sun goes down!
Fears, doubts surge and swell,
as thoughts of you within me dwell!
If these thoughts I could only quell,
Naught would matter, not heaven nor hell.
or if you were with me to stay,
the difference between night and day!
OH! come stand by my side!
On the wings of happiness we would ride!
-Rex HUNT ('53wb) ~ from lovely downtown Hanford, CA where
the temps hit 111 this week and there were crazy people
trying to get a suntan. Oh wait thats the Mayor and the
Chamber president You ever say Hello to someone and they
were stumped for an answer?
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>>From: Bob Carlson, aka Mike CLOWES ('54)
SENT: 8/19/23
For 8/19: A double-barreled entry for this date to say ?Happy Birthday!?
to Lois WEYERTS ('56) and Ken CHUBB ('53).
SENT: 8/16/23
For 8/16: One of those ?good news/bad news? kinda day. To be precise Elvis
died; and many years before John BRUNTLETT ('54) was born. Take your pick.
Me, I'm wishing John a ?Happy Birthday!?
SENT: 8/1/23
For 8/1: A ?Happy Birthday!? to Ann Engel ('63) and Alumni Sandstorm. Quite
the day.
SENT: 7/31/23
For 7/31: A ?Happy Birthday!? wish to the Bomber's ace skin diver
Tom HEMPHILL ('62). Who knows, maybe one day he'll conjure up another
Portland area Bomber Lunch.
SENT: 7/29/23
For 7/29: A ?Happy Birthday!? wish to fellow classmate Dixie Trout ('54).
SENT: 7/26/23
For July 26th: Here's a dual ?Happy Birthday!? for DiAnn SCHUSTER and
?Ginny? WEYERTS (both '54). Just because you are now old enough to
frequent adult watering holes, doesn't mean you should (without friends).
-Bob Carlson, aka Mike CLOWES ('54) ~ Silverton, OR
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>>From: Helen CROSS Kirk ('62)
SENT: 7/23/23
Really happy to see another Sandstorm in my box!!
Rex Davis(49) and spouse Happy Anniversary!! 70 years!! Wow, a milestone.
And Rex Hunt(53) in Hanford, California, I am constantly amazed at your
posts and stamina.
The class of '73 who published a very interesting reunion schedule (except
where out of towners like me might get a discount room if coming in for the
event.) mentioned future reunions with Club 40.
I received a Club 40 invite to a reunion on September 8 and 9 at the old
Dessert Inn this year. It is being billed as the last reunion they will
host, and plan to dissolve the group, unless a complete slate of officers is
presented at the business meeting to be held on Saturday, September 9 in the
main ballroom of the Holiday Inn (the slate must be present at the meeting,
or a list of the Slade names and contact information is to be addressed to
RHS Club 40 President, POBox 1832, Richland, Washington 99352 by August 17,
2023.
[This Sandstorm is too late for any of this, Helen. Sorry. Maren]
Maren knows I'm not the best at skills of getting information, but I will
try to copy all of this invitation to be presented here in a Sandstorm as
soon as possible, unless you have already done this in a Sandstorm, Maren.
Oh, and the cut off date is August 17, 2023. Although that date may be for
room registration only. I would hope Club 40 has already published this
information in the Sandstorm, as another way to try to reach as many Col
High graduates as possible.
I am planning to come to the Club 40 reunion as possible my last reunion at
Col High, as my class is not planning to organize any more.
Hope to see a lot of Col High friends from high school days there.
-Helen CROSS Kirk ('62) ~ West Harrison, IN
Sent from my iPhone
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>>From: Nancy MALLORY Johnson ('64)
SENT: 8/31/23
It has been soooo HOT this summer. Often in triple digits (with humidity).
Cooler the last couple of days _ only 80's. Lots of rain this month, but is
dry now.
Hope no one was adversely affected by the hurricane. Messaged one Florida
Bomber and she was ok.
Schools have been is session since the first of the month. My daughter
teaches and now her daughter is teaching -- first year. Grandson does online
school.
Talked to my sister Karen ('71), our brother David ('64) is doing well.
Hope all you Bombers are safe and well and cool!
-Nancy MALLORY Johnson ('64) ~ in W TN
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>>From: Patti McLAUGHLIN ('65)
SENT: 7/24/23
What a heck of a month. I was supposed to be on a small ship cruise around
my beloved British Isles, but the travel company went bankrupt! At least I
got my money back. I couldn't get my U.S. mail (or Tri-City Herald - I
prefer a paper newspaper) for 11 days because the mailbox lock was broken
and the postal service took that long to repair it. I DO correspond with
people and the post office is now paid to "deliver" the newspaper with our
daily mail. It comes at 8 PM. And for the first time in over 60 years of
driving (I am the designated driver for everyone I know), I had my first
"fender-bender." I backed into a car in the Winco parking lot. It caused
minimal damage. But, gee-whiz! I've been told that things happen in threes.
Do I get to have 3 good things happen? Soon? I'm feeling discouraged.
-Patti McLAUGHLIN ('65)
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>>From: Terry DAVIS Knox ('65)
SENT: 8/25/23
Re: Local Richland film
https://indiexfest.com/award-winners-of-august-2023-technical-categories/
Hiya!
We did this movie in Richland. Everybody--writer, director, actors--are
from Richland. Three Bombers.
It's winning awards at national and international festivals.
It CAN be done!
Re: THE SYSTEM
Made entirely in Richland
http://alumnisandstorm.com/Xtra/Dav/230912_TheSystem.jpg
rE: Watch "The System Trailer" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/YaGiWbmtVD0
This film is winning awards on the festival circuit. It will be brought
back to show at the TRI-CITIES Film Festival in October. We are all pleased
with how it turned out.
TDK '65
-Terry DAVIS Knox ('65)
Sent from my Samsung SmartPhone
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>>From: Tedd CADD ('66)
SENT: 7/23/23
I had a flat tire Thursday evening (July 20). Got the spare on and went to
Les Schwab Friday morning to get it fixed.
Pam and I don't watch the various networks but Les Schwab has a TV on all
the time. I shut it off if there isn't anybody else there but, on that
Friday, there were others.
So I sat reading my tablet while trying to ignore the TV. The Price Is Right
came on and I was successful in ignoring it for the most part. A few phrases
drifted by inconsequentially until I heard one of the prizes being offered:
An all expense trip to ? Cam Ranh, Vietnam.
I'm sure you can picture what raced through this Vietnam Vet's mind (and
probably a number of other similar vets watching the show):
I had a "prize" like that once ? 50+ years ago.
I've got nothing against relations with Vietnam these days. It just struck
me as sort of strange.
-Tedd CADD ('66)(Vietnam 1972-1973 USAF Photo Intelligence, Saigon, 12th
Reconnaissance Technical Squadron)
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>>From: Karl SOEHNLEIN ('68)
SENT: 7/25/23
Re: Another Bomber Passing
Warren (Mel) STRATTON (49) passed away peacefully July 16, 2023 after a
years long battle with throat cancer. He was 92. Mel lived a very active
life in Silverdale WA, as a career police officer for the Bremerton PD.
Raising a combined family of six kids, he enjoyed what free time was
available fishing and crabbing. After retiring, he relocated to eastern WA
in the Moses Lake area, and ultimately relocated again spending his final
years in Mesa,AZ. He would rise early everyday for a long walk, and enjoy a
morning swim before breakfast. If he wasn't reading the news or Facebook on
his IPad, he was watching the golf channel, or playing Mexican Train. He was
a frequent attendee at the yearly club 40 gatherings, and throughly enjoyed
reminiscing with classmates and friends.
His wishes were to have his ashes scattered in Puget Sound.
-Karl SOEHNLEIN ('68)
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>>From: Don Sorenson (NAB)
SENT: 7/25/23
To: Carolyn MOORE ('65).
Glad your brother alerted you about my post. A few months ago I spotted it
in some pictures from an estate sale. I went to the sale an hour and and a
half before it started. When I got inside it wasn't where I saw it, before
leaving the room I glanced down and saw it. Your family must have had an
estate sale at some point and ended up in this home. If you are local we can
meet somewhere public.
-Don L. Sorenson (NAB)
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END OF SANDSTORM ENTRIES. Please send more.
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BOMBER MEMORIAL JPEGs by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66)
If anyone wants to see the Bomber Memorial jpeg for any of these
deceased Bombersa, contact Shirley at haskins_4@charter.net
Warren Melvin ?Mel? STRATTON ('49)
June 5, 1931 ? July 16, 2023
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Lee Ellis STRATTON ('55)
December 23, 1935 ? September 5, 1991
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Joanna Dawn LYON Paul ('64)
August 16, 1946 ? January 16, 2023
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Carolyn ?Sue? BOYD Sullivan ('54)
August 12, 1935 ? September 18, 2018
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Bonnie Lavonne MOTT (Monk/Smith) McBride ('64)
April 14, 1946 ? May 28, 2023
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Joan Ann FUNDERBURK ('63)
July 21, 1945 ? August 13, 2023
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Robert Dennis ?Denny? HAYWARD ('62)
April 20, 1944 ? August 14, 2023
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Durward Howard ?Pete? PETRY ('54)
February 20, 1936 ? July 10, 2006
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Jolene Adair BOUNDS Everett ('54)
January 25, 1936 ? July 23, 1990
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Peggy Arlene NELSON ('55)
March 8, 1937 ? July 22, 2023
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Melvin Lee ?Mel? BRINKERHOFF ('54)
January 14, 1936 ? March 6, 1988
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Frederick ?Courtney? BUCHANAN ('55)
August 25, 1937 ? February 19, 1988
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Woodrow James ?Pat? CROOK ('58)
December 24, 1939 ? August 18, 2023
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