Imagine Richard seeing pet goats at the gas station by Exit 7...do you think they were residents or just passing through??? I'm not sure if the symbol is still hanging at Riverside Gym or not. I know it used to be...

Wow I remember that that arm & hammer so vividly Richard. It was a great piece and hung in the Cosmos' gym for many years. I wonder where it is?

springfield moments. driving on the interstate today, i saw a bumper sticker with the arm&hammer springfield logo that has stuck, i guess. i proposed it in 1970 and did the scaling to take if from a box of baking powder to a 25 foot by 25 foot canvas. steve sysko worked his ass off to actually paint it. seemed like it changed his life at the time. dunno. he went into theater arts and became a very capable scenic, lighting, everything that you can imagine brilliant driver that gets the show to go on. anyway, it warmed my cold heart and i decided to stop at the gas station near exit 7. there at the gas station was a man with his pet dog and goat. that is right- pet goat. seemed nice, didn't need to be called, seemed to be checking his master for hot dogs, followed with the man's pet dog in close formation. yeah, i was not high and i was not high on a hill with a lonely goat herd. just saw a guy out for a walk with the pets. hey, if i didn't blog, who could i tell these things to?

We have a confirmed reservation at the HH . Spread the word!

$2.49 gal up here at the pumps

Gas is $2.38 here in Springfield today. Interesting how we are now finding it "cheap" to buy gas...And who knew heating oil price would go down....we prebought ours for $2.69 a gallon..and that seemed a bargain in July when you have to prebuy. Oh well...It is definitely fall weather here...calendar says tomorrow but the thermometer says it today! At least it was sunny, here rain coming in Saturday night and Sunday. Means the yardwork should be done in the morning..but big craft fair over in Chester on the Green this weekend. Fun to look around. Wonder if Debra Webster will be selling her artwork there. I usually see her over there. She paints the most georgous oil paintings of scenes around the area. She also does photography print postcards. I'll see if her email is up todate...Well, have a great weekend everybody. Happy Thoughts...

No word from HH yet. I called tonight and left a message - they'll call me tomorrow evening.

I checked the SHS alumni site and it hasn't been updated. All the information is about this year's alumni event. So no answer to the theme question.

Questionfor all Vters that reside outside "metro" Btown. (ha ha) Do ya'll have hot spots forwifi. I remember when I lived there last my cell had to bounce off a tower in Plattsburgh and thus wasn't practical. Doc Noble in Shelburne told me she had trouble in lots of areas. By the way she is still having trouble with that tumour in her brain. They operated in Hanover awhile ago but didn't or couldn't get it all. It affects her balance and makes her sick to her stomach. Mom finally went home last week and hopefully will have a little better quality life but her tumour hasn't shrunk but it is showing grey matter instead of total solid. She has a 24hr care nurse from I believe Nigeria staying with her but neither one can presently drive so my bro hasto run the errands and groceries etc. At least the cost is cut from 300.00 $$ per day to about 160.00 $$. She also has her puter there and cando email so she can be in touch with all. Ciao and God Bless ya'll.

I heard last night from Debbie Young that she had dropped the deposit at the HH. I have not heard any confirmation from them however. I don't think she gave to Mari(contact person) but left it at the front desk. So I waiting to hear from Mari.

I get the impression from Janice- are you listening Janice? - that interested parties will be getting together after the first of the year. A floats' a lot of work but I hope they'll feel up to it. Walking the parade route was fun for our 30th.

I'll keep you up to date as soon as I get work from the HH. I've been hearing from classmates. So the e-mail list is growing but it will be a short one. Unless people spread the word by voice I afraid we'll have to have a snail mailing. We can by the list the Alumni Assoc. has for $5. I have no idea how up to date it is though. Looking at the list of "missing" members ///////////

We'll hear from him eventually I guess. We may, I say, may start hearing from other members. As I receive responses or updated e-mail address, I've been sending them invites to the Blog site.

I'm waiting now to hear from Debbie Young about whether or not she has put down a deposit at the Hartness House.

Night all.......

I don't have his newest address either, Patti. He'll probably look in on the blog at some point.

Richard, I don't have any way to contact you. Shall I ask Lori or are you will to give up your newest address?

Got it Roland, thanks

Missing too eigh? Yes, I guess thats great, tropical yes, island no, just the Great State of GA, ha ha. Like Vt this state is an entitly unto its own I guess with its own confederate borger guards, just joking ya'll.

Pat, please checque my address: punchman1@juno.com, thanks

Well Lori darling, it's certainly good enough for me!!!

According to SHS the missing members are the folks for whom they (the Alumni Assoc.) don't have current addresses. They like to sell the class list for $5. but I imagine looking at the missing list, it wouldn't be worth it.

I'm missing?! What am I supposed to do about that? Patti knows where I am--isn't that enough?

Beautiful weather here, too, of course. That goes without saying. My hiking friend is in Las Vegas this weekend, so I'll go alone today and tomorrow. Yesterday I was also on the hiking trail by myself and it started getting dark. There were all kinds of weird noises that are probably there during the day, but I only notice them at night. I was running at the end to beat the dark! Other than that, no plans yet for today. On Saturdays we're always sort of recovering from the family meal the night before, which always ends late. One of Avi's sisters has stopped coming--says she needs a break--and now another sister is thinking of stopping for a while. So it's dwindling down...

Sent out loads of e-mails and most came back. I need updates from you, Roland and Richard for sure. Thank you. : ) Many people can be contacted through Classmates.com but I'd like to have the e-mail list so I can send a mass mailing and not hope people are checking that site.

Gorgeous weather. Good window washing day today. Dave on the outside on a ladder and me inside.

All I can say is I am glad today is Friday! Today was the first day with 19 darling little Kindergarteners....some are pretty funny. We were outside for recess (it had stopped raining and gotten muggy), a little girl was swinging and says to me..Mrs. Stern there are bugs flying around your head..I told her that they must like my shampoo smell...she says, come on over here and I'll smack them for you...Never had anyone offer to smack bugs for me before..so that was a new one. They are a very busy and lively group, to say the least.
I agree with Karen, sitting on the beach being waited on by the cabana boy sounds heavenly. When do we go? The weather here is suppose to be nice also. Up in the 80s by Monday. I am going to a surprise 50th birthday party for one of my sister-in-laws tomorrow afternoon. Glad it will be nice weather...probably do yard work on Sunday...after our big grocery shopping date.
Enjoy the weekend! Happy Thoughts...........

Hi folks - I'm in desperate need of updating our e-mail list for the class. Please send me your curent address and encourage others to do the same.

We are on for the 23rd of June 2007 at the Hartness House.

Hartness sounds great and easy to get to also. Keep us informed please. thanks. 23 june 07? I need as much notice as I can to make resos and take time etc.

Wow big frost lst night up he in The County ! I went out and hosed off a tomato plant growing near the back deck. Dave had covered those growing out inhis gardent but I had let it go. We'll see what happens.

We're waiting or Tuesday night for a decision on the reunion date. It seems really early to be doing this but it's the only wait to reserve anice venue. Anyone ready to talk menu?

A real fall day here in Vermont today. Cool temps but sunny. Leaves are beginning to change. Dark before 7:30 tonight. A definite sign of things to come! Did lots of mowing, with the rider, so it really wasn't taxing! Grilled out but ate in. It was a happy afternoon in our house because the Patroits won. Hope everyone has a good week! Happy Thoughts..........

Louise is now asking us to hold off the announce of that date until the meeting on the 12th. It may change apparently. Jeez. So hold that thought folks!

I heard today from Louise Peale that the weekend of the 23rd of June has been set.

It is one of the open dates for the H House. The date has been requested by another group so we would have to decide right away and put down a deposit. It's all up to some folks back home now.

Patti, I like the Hartness House idea. Looks really nice. I'm still not 100% sure I'll be coming, but I'll try to make it work this time.

Great Pat, please keep us informed of the results so we can plan ahead. Thanks again.

I just sent an email to Ron and Debbie Young asking them about a reunion for next year. I also sent an email to the Hartness House asking about availability.

Karen, yes I agree KY is a beautiful place. I've been to the Darby many times and loved it. I had friends that had a condo there. My Uncle used to raise quarter horses in upstate NY. I just think the horse is an amazing creature as well as being intelligent.

Richard, sounds like you always make the best of it and had a great time!! Good time of the year to be there though.

Lori, there is suppose to be a viewing of the documentary in February at Norwich University. I have seen a short clipping from it. I am not sure if it is for tv or if it is being entered into film competions (or whatever they call them).
It has been a rainy weekend here. Hopefully, clearing off tomorrow.
Sounds like lots of adventures in Switzerland highlighted by bringing the special belt home!
Roland, how is your mother doing?
Hope all is well with all...Happy Thoughts...........

So maybe you can try importing cow belts, Richard!

Kathi, did that documentary about your brother come out yet? Will it be on TV? That's nice that that guy showed a real interest in your brother.

I mentioned a while ago that I did a course here called Landmark Education or the Forum, a sort of life-improvement course. I was really involved in their courses for about a year and then stopped and had no desire to continue last year (though my friend continued with them). Anyway, Avi did one of their seminars this summer while I was away and seems to have gotten a lot out of it. He signed up for the next 10-week seminar, which starts Sept. 25, and said maybe I could also sign up so we could do it together. I guess I'm ripe for it again, so I did sign up. I like psycology and I felt more "alive" when I was doing those courses--lots of stimulating conversations. I love learning about human behavior, relationships, all that stuff. And it will be nice for Avi and I to do this together. So I'm actually looking forward to it. You may start hearing more about it once I start. Just warning you! You can tell me to shut up....

hi, i just got back from switzerland. it was two weeks of business meetings followed by dinners with the same people, oy! however, there were many highlights. i beat sigi, a swiss friend of mind, in a rousing match of ping-pong. that gives me bragging rights for a long time. i went to the top of the jungfrau. i snapped enough pictures from 11,300 feet to start a postcard business. i hiked across the glacier to a very remote hut where i had a beer and then returned to a place where i explored ice tunnels and sculptures that have been cut down into the glacier. i had a midnight guided tour through the basements and connecting tunnels of a famous old church and adjoining schools in St Gallen. i was led by the janitors' son, who i had just met earlier that day. he showed me stonework that had been carved 100s & 100s of years ago. that stuff really goes right through me- in a haunting kind of way. i got a belt from appenzell. that is really special- it has metal images of cows and farmers rivetted to a black leather belt. you just don't see a guy wearing one of those everyday. so i am back here styling in burlington. i guess i better go mow the lawn now and wear my appenzell cow belt. love, richard

I can't believe its September! Where did the summer go?? We had our first Kindergarten day with children....One forgets how young they are, and what how excitable and chatty they are! Had one in this mornings group that hid under a table crying because he wanted his mother...he ended up coming out....and enjoying himself. A mother in the pm ground ended up staying for over an hour because her child screamed and wouldn't let go of her...the wonders of learning! Leftover from the big storm down south. I got this really nice email from a soldier in Tenn who has a bracelet (from InOurHearts.org) to honor those KIA and he wanted to know things about my brother so that he would know him. He is being deployed and felt it an honor to wear it during active duty. It was very sincere and thoughtfully written.
Anyone have any exciting adventures planned for this weekend? Enjoy and be safe. Happy Thoughts to all..............

Richard, are you writing from Switzerland? How is it there? LA. is hot and sunny as usual. No surprises with the weather like you have in Vermont. Israel is the same as L.A. as far as the weather goes, and when they give the news, first they report all these awful things going on and then, at the end, it's always, "And the weather, no change."

Hey all, onto yet another venture if it goes through. A friend called to ask if I'd be interested in starting up a Southern branch of his company. I would have control of Fl, Ga, Al, and maybe MS if it goes through. Thats what I do best, get things going, be the liaison between corporate and field and in turn usually am rewarded with some sort of either a fee or salary with benefits. Keeps me on my toes. I've never had to look far seems offers come out of the blue but really not, its called excellent relationships and reputation for getting things done. Wish me luck.

Karen, Happy Happy to you!!!! Wow, the world is getting smaller every day. that crash was terrible. All the people at the shop were talking about it and then you made it personal. We said prayers for the families at our church.

Happy Birthday Karen! Some of the best people I know are 52!!! I hope you enjoy your birthday evening and have a great visit with your friends from Lexington.

Today with my first full day with students. It went very well. Gary and I were relieved when the last class left but it was a feeling that we'd had a good day.

Karen, babe, 52 is the best (I think!?! I'm still checking). Happy birthday! Lori and I had dinner together in Santa Monica- so if your gonna go- either of us are a reliable dinner date. Lori is actually a little more reliable and also she is local so I guess it is kinda like I read about Santa Monica in a magazine and I am just acting like these are my people- wow.

Happy Birthday, Karen! Sounds like a lot of people remembered your birthday--that's a good feeling. By the way, do you think you'll get out to California one of these days, now that your son will be working here? Maybe I have a better chance of seeing you here than in Vermont???

Well it's officially the end of summer I guess. All the travellers are back home safely and the weather here in Northern NE is wet and chilly. Leaves are turning colors too. I start school today with In-service for staff and then all the kids tomorrow.

It's been short but sweet.

Lori, glad you made it safely back to LA. You left just in time...it is 55 and rainy here today. Feels like fleece and sock weather! It is back to school (work) for me tomorrow and the countdown begins! It was great seeing everyone and fun to keep in touch. Happy Thoughts...

Well, here I am back in L.A. It was actually good to get home. I've been away so long--7 weeks. The vacation was really good, but I guess I was finally ready to get back to my life!

Thanks for the pictures, Patti and Karen V. !

Kathi, My classes are Tuesday and Thursday afternoon into evening. I'm taking 9 credits, 12 is full time. I don't know what the homework load is going to be so don't know how much actual free time I will have. I know I will have 6-hour long labs on four Saturdays which will be outside for the grading and drainage class. I will have at least one outside lab for the graphics class.

Today, I will be cleaning off my drawing desk in my home office to set it up for the graphics class. I bought a T-square for it yesterday - woo hoo! I also bought a nice professional compass, and a new 16' tape measure where the tape stays out until you push a button. Easier than the old locking mechanism. Never thought I'd get so excited about buying tools!

P.S. Blogger is acting up right now so can't post this immediately.

Your classes sound interesting karen. It makes me think about doing something more interesting with my working life. I like working with middle school age children but I was much happier teaching in the computer lab. Ah well.

I'm a Para in Kindergarten at Union Street School. I have been in Kindergarten for 20 years. I started when my youngest started school. I really like working with the younger children...they still like you! Karen V, are you going to school fulltime? Maybe we'll see you on HGTV someday. You can come and practice on my yard! Have fun........Happy Thoughts....

Kathi, what grade do you teach, and where?

Dinner with Chris was fun last night. He showed me all of his photos, including some movie clips, taken with the camera, of him and his friends jumping off some cliff into the river. Really funny. I showed him most of my photos till he had to leave because it was getting late.

I had my second class today - Landscape Graphics Studio. What fun! I'm SO jazzed! Today's class was 3.5 hours long. Already working with the drawing tools in class. Already have homework, but it's more like playtime. :)

For some reason the Internet was down since yesterday. Funny how much we have come to relaying on just sitting down and pushing send! I look forward to seeing what is here on the blog and IMing...so, I am glad that its connected again. I went into school yesterday and did a few things....name tags...all that fun stuff to do. My first day back is Monday. Kids start Tuesday except for Kindergarten. Teachers do home visits for 3 days, so that gives me lots of time to get things done before the little ones. Once I get in there its like I never left! Should be a fun year.
Safe travels, Lori....Karen V. thanks for the pictures. We're looking pretty good! lol....Happy Thoughts.....

Lori, Have you ever thought about seeing a career counselor? I did that with my sister when she was out here last year. For me, it validated what I had been feeling. It was expensive but worth it. Though you could probably find a good book somewhere. You could also contact your alma mater. I'm sure they have some sort of career counseling. Maybe for free.

Karen, it's inspiring to me to hear how enthusiastic you are about what you're studying! Sometimes people our age sound so bored with their lives, and that always depresses me. I want to figure out something exciting--or at least new and different-- to do when I get back to L.A.

Hi everyone!

Well, had my first class last night - Landscape grading and drainage. Went very well. I was a little emotional at one point because I never thought I would have this opportunity. It feels so good. On the way home in the car I yelled, "Yay, me!" I'm not nervous at all. For me it's like playing. I get to draw and use graph paper and be outside. I also get to learn to use surveying equipment this semester! Can't wait!

Weather is still hot out here. 87 deg right now. Was supposed to get to 98 today! Things grow great out here, as you can imagine with all of this sunshine. Just need to supply a ton of water. Haven't had a vegetable garden for years, though. And there is no flower garden in this place. Had hoped to rectify that but it's low priority at this point.

My son, Chris, is coming over for dinner tonight. He will share photos of his raft trip in Utah and I will share mine from VT.

Bye for now! karen

Two more days for me in Vermont--today and tomorrow, and then it's back to L.A. on Friday. It went really fast. I've been having a good time--doing a lot of kids things with my sister's kids. Just what I like doing. Guess I never completely grew up.

Our garden has started to produce, finally! Summer squash, cukes, tomatoes, beans, and Neil even has some peppers which usually don't grow. Now if only the frost stays away for a good long month or more! We didn't grow pumpkins this year for some reason. Last year I think I ended up with over 25....a lot of pumpkins for one person! The rain went around us this afternoon. Only a few drops which was good. I'll mow tomorrow...maybe! Karen V. good luck at school. At least you are out of Kindergarten! Lori, when do you go back to CA? Back to reality for all of us! Happy Thoughts.........

Hi Karen, good luck with classes. I'm not sure that I'd be up to the challenge at this time in my life. Good for you!

Boy, it's only 5:30 but it's awfully dark out. Gonna rain like crazy. Dave is dashing around the yard behind the lawn mower. I don't think he's going to get too far.

I noticed today that my pumpkin plants are looking great. I think we'll have quite a crop this fall.

Hi. I'm back in Colorado. Just got home about a half hour ago. Beautiful sunset to greet me. Miss Vermont already. Hope to be back again during the holidays. Saw all 4 siblings, but they weren't all there at the same time so couldn't take a picture.

Interesting goal to have set for yourself, Richard. I'll have to check out that movie. So far I've seen four swimming holes: Buttermilk Falls (gorgeous!), Twenty Foot, and this go-round, Clarendon Gorge and Mendon (?) Falls. Don't think you can swim at Mendon - it's posted all over the place. Well, I guess you could... :) I learned to swim in the South Branch of the Williams River which ran past our development in Chester. It had a large submerged rock that made a nice seat next to a fairly deep little pool. Natural spa!

Well, classes start tomorrow evening. Really looking forward to it. My son, Michael, started classes today up in Gunnison. He wants to be a marriage counselor. Wonder why? :)

Again, it was so good to see you all. Hope to see alot more of my classmates at our 35th reunion. Can you believe it?! I don't feel that old!

Ciao!

I'm glad Kathi sent you a copy of the photo Karen. I was fascinated by much we still look like ourselves. Even my dad immediately knew everyone. So now we have another member here to visit. Excellant.

I like your idea of swimming the lenth of Vt waterhole by waterhole Richard. I'm sorry I couldn't join you , Gerda, and Lori for lunch. It was something I was looking forward to.

Our Lake Champlain Brunch Cruise was good food and company but we really didn't see much. It was smooth sailing though and no lightning. It's the first time since Dad moved back to VT that he made any plans for an activity while I was visiting. I think it shows how much better he's feeling.

We got home tonight just after 6. So the usual 9 ish hours. Always nice to get out of the car in our own driveway. But gas is still up over $3. here. It didn't go down the way it did over the weekend in Vt.

Our tour of the Magic Hat brewery was fun. We brought back several growlers. Realy good beer at a great price. The sampling was very entertaining. The barmaid had quite a sense of humor and a generous pouring spirit!

Good night to all!

lunch (for gerda, lori, and me) was great. it was nice to be able to spend time together and share stories-some old and some new. karen v., it sounds like you are going to study landscape architecture. if that is the plan, that is soooo great. going to swimming holes will bring you luck. i took a bike trip by myself, exactly 25 years ago, with the sole (& soul) objective of going to as many swimming holes along rte. 100 and into the berkshires as i could. from a spiritual perspectives, i intended to swim the length of vermont. it was kind of like burt lancaster in "the swimmer" (he swims across hollywood- pool to pool). anyway, it went well- i met lots of friends along the way and when i returned to burlington, i decided it was time to move into something new with my life. i did and the next wonderful phase of my life in nyc began within 4 weeks of my return. no plan, just serendipitous change and good fortune. i know that the swimming holes is where you have to start. the rest seems to fall into place. -richard

Welcome to the blog, Karen! I see you figured it out. I had a really good time, too, at the "reunion" in Springfield and also at lunch with Richard and Gerda. We definitely have to keep doing this!

Welcome in Karen!!! good job, wasn't that easy?? So now you'll be able to hear the mundane moments of our lives.

I got a phone call from Lori this p.m. She had lunched with Gerda and Richard down on Church St. today. Like the rest of us she had a good time yesterdy and is heading home to CA on Friday.

We're going to a steakhouse for supper tonight and leaving for home tomorrow a. m. first thing. Hope to b home by 5ish.

The cruise was fun. The food was delicious! We toured the Magic Hat Brewery this afternoon. LOTS of free samples. That was fun.

OK. Here is my first official blog entry on this site! Yay! Thanks for the invite, Patti! Took me a few mins to figure out how to create this msg. It was so nice to see all of you yesterday. So glad I was able to be a part of it. It meant a lot to me. Thanks so much for hosting, Kathi. Tomorrow I head back to Colorado to start school (Landscape Design for those of you who don't know). Mixed feelings. Time too short with family, but then again, my two boys are in Colorado, so will be nice to see them. Am excited about school. Tried to pack in as much as I could while here. Discovered two new swimming holes with my little sister, Kristine, last week. Even got my Mom to visit one. Any of you ever explored any? Got to taste some Koffee Kup crullers. A must everytime I'm back... Delicious dinners at The Weathersfield Inn, The Fullerton Inn in Chester, and Three Tomatoes in Rutland. Didn't get to Vermont Country Store yet. Hope it's open on Sunday! Again, wonderful to see you gals yesterday. We'll see if I can figure out how to blog when I get home! :) All for now, Karen Vatne

Lori and I were hoping to meet Richard, perhaps for lunch today but it turns out my Dad has planned a brunch cruise on Lake Champlain at 11. So I won't be joining them unfortunatly. It's dreary, windy and rainy so I'm not sure how comfy his cruise will be or how much visibility there will be. The lightning show is scheduled to begin around noon. So keep a good thought for us please.