EMP-11

I must start out this time with sad news of Elliott Angelos's passing. He died in early August of lung cancer. Jan Leestma said that he had the rare privilege of accompanying Elliott on this last journey sharing many things of value to them both during Elliott's illness. I had some common interests with Elliott in our both being drag car nuts in our earlier years. Unfortunately, I did not get to share all of these times with Elliott. For this, I am saddened. We are now missing another great classmate.

John Goebel writes that he has been retired for two years now, but still consults for five companies. This does not sound like real retirement, but john is enjoying traveling and skiing in Colorado.

Three of your classmates are still up to the challenge of staying until bar closing time. But I am way ahead of myself, so I will back up a bit. Cheryl Stepney, Ron Nicholas, and your class rep decided to meet at a halfway spot in Minnesota. The town's name is St Peter. Ron's son had worked in a bar/restaurant named Patrick's, so we decided that was as good a place as any to meet. We got there, settled in with some beers and ordered BBQ ribs for three. Salad came with the announcement regarding the location of the basement stairs. Oh yeah, there was a tornado watch, which was turned into a warning, which then turned into a real sighting. Anyway, we did get to eat our salads before being told to go to the basement. We were issued votive candles in case the electricity went out, and it did. So after a few nervous jokes, and about 20 minutes, we were told that we could come out of our mole hole. The basement was a pit to say the least. We got to order one more FREE beer and then they shut the place down at about 7:30 p.m. due to a lack of electricity. So, as you can see, we three shut the place down!

Ron and Cheryl carpooled and saw the damage in Cleveland as they drove home and I saw the damage of blown down trees on highway 169 south as I drove home to Fairmont. I had my camera — you know, the one I forgot to use to take our three amigos — so I took about 37 pictures on the way home. On Labor Day, my wife and I took a tour of Nicollet, St. Peter and Cleveland to view the damage.

With that, I leave you with this old saying: Dance like no one's looking, and when it comes to friends, never put off 'til tomorrow what you wish to do today.

Send me your news as it happens. Thanks!