HAPPY NEW YEAR! The year is 2009. Hopefully 2008 was good to you and 2009 will be as good or better. Announcing
"The Ant Hill Challenge"
is available
This is a book written by Jeanne Boyle Oldweiler. It contains 88 stories about growing up in southwestern Nebraska during the 1940's and 1950's. It can be purchased locally, by mail or on the Net.
Price: $18.00 if locally
$20.00 if mailed
$20.00 plus postage if from Barnes and Noble or Amazon
Quote: The author wanted history to correctly remember how children, on the prairies of Nebraska, spent their lives during the l940's and l950's. However, where this book is highly successful is the attraction to those of us who were children during the same era. While you take this nostalgic reading trip your memory bell will ring many times of similar events and feelings that occurred in your childhood regardless of where your roots were planted. We are all fortunate that Jeanne Boyle Oldweiler has taken the time to tell us stories of growing up in southwestern Nebraska.
To order: Mail check to Jeanne Boyle Oldweiler
Bluebird Books
704 Gunnison Court
Columbia, MO 65203
1/22/09 Today's additions in "The Way We Are Photo Album" are Dale Gibbs and his wife, Nancy ( Mitchell) Gibbs. Dale & Nancy are both members of the Class '66. They live in Kearney, NE. 2/02/09 February birthday greetings go out to: Ursula (Wozniak) Leads Barb ( Anderson) Gaskins Anita (Baker) Graf John Trail HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDS!! A few months ago I wrote to you indicating that OUR CLASS WEB SITE would soon be running out of material without your contributions. Well, that time has come. Your contributions of personal stories, old school events, recent experiences and just about any other input would be GREATLY welcome to sustain the interest in OUR WEB SITE. I am looking forward to hearing from you. The popularlity of the web site continues to be very strong. Since its begining in 2007 there have been 2,444 visitors which averages out to be 136 visitors per month. I'd say that is pretty darn impressive considering there were about 154 graduates from the Class of '66. 3/01/09 Thanks to Carolyn (Henton) Masi for submitting a current photo of her and her husband Tony. You can view their photo in "The Way We Are Photo Album". Happy Birthday wishes go out to: Murray Dugger Larry & Kathy (Peters) Larson 3-30-69--40 years Dick & Karen (Bales) Rima 3-25-06--3 years Indianola and Culbertson had both been competing to become the Division Point for the new Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. Land speculators had been buying land in both cities in anticipation of making a wind fall profit selling to both the railroad and new citizans. However neither could come to an agreement with the B&MR Railroad so the railroad chose Fairview to be the new division point. The president of the B&MR was personal friends with a Civil War General named Alexander McCook. McCook had made a name for himself as an indian fighter and was a hero of Bull Run. The B&MR decided to build a town north of the track at Fairview and call it McCook. Fairview then faded from history.
The Lincoln Land Company did the original survey for McCook in 1882. At that time no buildings existed north of the railroad.
By 1883 McCook consisted of one soddie and four wood frame structures. The use of the soddie is lost in history, but the frame buildings now located north of the railroad were for a General Store owned by Indianola business men A.C.Ebert and two others were for drug store and doctors office, owned by S.L.Green a self made doctor. By 1927 Greens building had become Sauter Bakery. The forth frame building was also a drug store owned by a Thomas Scott who became the first post master of McCook. Scotts building was just south of what would later become DeGroff,s.
Mr. A. Barnett, another Culbertson business man had been selling lumber in McCook since 1882. Barnett Lumber eventually moved to McCook and was located just north of the Depot. A. Barnet was a driving factor in the building of McCook and made his mark on every major building in the town.
During the 1880's McCook was one of the fastest growing towns in Nebraska and the county seat eventually shifted from Culbertson to McCook.
"Pioneer's Dream In 1882", printed on June 15th 1932 by the McCook Gazette. Many couples sent in their Wedding Anniversary information so they could be recognized on the web site as well as having the biggest day in their life acknowledged. We would like to see you participate in this activity. It only takes a moment or two to send the information to me and I will do the rest. Tom Cavaiani Dale & Nancy (Mitchell) Gibbs will celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary 6-8-69 Lana & Ken Assyd 7-29-77 Richard Mustion Linda Ball Cathy (Carter) Wasia Tom Griffin Lee Wilhem
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11/17/07 Thanks to Coach Paul Forch "The Ultimate Jukebox--For Music Lovers" has been added to the "The Sixties". This site provides music from all decades. I think you will enjoy it whether you are a music buff or not. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! 12/12/07 HAPPY 2008! 1/22/2008 Some of you may have a blue banner at the top of the "Welcome Page" and a red banner at the bottom of the page. If this is the case, change your Browser to Internet Explorer which is generally found on your desk top. This still may not resolve the issue. If it doesn't, go to: www.mozilla.com and download Firefox which is another more reliable Browser which should give you a red banner at the top and bottom of the "Welcome Page". Starting today, when a parent or sibling passes away they will be acknowledged in a group e-mail and will not be part of the web site. However, when a classmate dies he/she will be acknowledged with a group e-mail and a notice on the web site. This is being done in an attempt to cut back on the amount of sad news which we have been experiencing since November. 2/12/08 Patricia Clifton is a new member of the E-Mail List. You can find her e-mail address on this web site. Welcome to the web site! Also, Sharon Trout Glenn has a new e-mail address which can be found in the 66 E-Mail List 2/28/08 A BOAR STORY by Nick Spratlen "Feral hogs" is a broad category including some descended from escapee domestic hogs, some descended from wild Russian boars, and some razorbacks. There is no season or bag limits on them in GA. One can hunt them year around. The only requirement is that you hunt with nothing more powerful than is allowed during a concurrent season, such as nothing bigger than rim fire (.17 or .22 caliber) or shotguns during small game seasons. I have talked with one pro hunter who used to bag feral hogs in Florida with a .22 by shooting them behind the ear or in the eye. Might be OK if one is consistently an excellent marksman. We met two archers this weekend who, like us, had no success over the weekend. One told me he did not carry a handgun for back up and was good at climbing trees quickly (he had been forced to climb trees a few times). The best shot is when they are quartering away from you so you can get the arrow/bullet in under the large, protective clavicle bone. Boars can attack, and sows with piglets can also attack in defense of their litter. The bigger boars, 300 lbs +, have impressive tusks. Hunters often have a pair of tusks mounted for display. I have also talked by phone with a fellow in S GA (near the Okefenokee Swamp) who, along with a few friends, runs hogs in the Spring with hound dogs, catches them, ties the young boars up, then castrates them. In the Fall, they run them again to bag them when the meat tastes better. I am not attracted to that, but it would be fun to tag along once. I learned from a conversation with one of the deacon's at church, that running feral hogs with dogs in Georgia as described above is not as uncommon as I thought. Which reminded me of coyote runners in Nebraska 40 + years ago. When I was visiting my father in Kansas early last December, I saw a pickup with several greyhounds gassing up. It was a deja vu experience. There was lots of rain around Savannah this weekend, so the hunting was very difficult. The sandy & muddy roads were in soupy shape too. Even the Army Humvees on exercise were moving slowly. We did see a razorback cross the road approx 200 yards ahead of us. It was black, looked huge, and resembled a rider in a black rain slicker atop a black horse. An experienced hog hunting friend who also saw it thought it was a sow and estimated it weighed about 200 pounds. It sure looked bigger than that to me. The humped or peaked back of a razorback seems to give it a very distinctive appearance. Anyway, it looked to me much like a moose on short legs. We managed to get stuck several miles back in the forest/swamp on a road used by loggers, and sportsmen (hunters and fishers), plus Abrams tanks and Bradley APC's on training exercises. The first tow truck driver almost slid off the road and refused to drive all the way into where we were stuck. The second tow truck driver was the absolute best "good old Georgia boy" I've ever met. Most good old Georgia boys, when asked by a state patrol trooper if they had any ID would respond, "bout whut?" I pasted a couple of interesting links below for you. Scroll down to the photo at the bottom of page 5 of the first one to see what type of habitat we were hunting in. After mid-March, I would be unlikely to hunt in that kind of habitat without tall boots or snake guards. The rattlers near the coast can get pretty big. Coral snakes are also found near Savannah (red ring on black ring = friend of Jack, red ring on yellow ring can kill a fellow). http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/assets/documents/Feral%20Hogs%20in%20Georgia%202006%20read%20version.pdf The 800 pound Hogzilla (scroll down): http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/h/hogzilla.htm 1,100 pound hog shot on the South side of greater metropolitan Atlanta area. Weight verified by scale readings. http://www.gon.com/article.php?id=1017&cid=89 You can see why am reluctant to hunt wild hogs with anything less than a center fire rifle or shotgun firing full jacket sabot slugs thru a rifled barrel. The smaller hogs, which are preferable to eat, would not be a problem. But, if there is a big sow or boar amongst the smaller hogs, THAT could be a problem. Thanks Nick for the entertaining, interesting and unique story from your "neck of the woods". 3/1/08 The Class of 1966 Web Site achieved a new milestone today! Visitor #1,000 made a visit to our class site -- just eight months since it went on line. The site has been averaging 125 visitors per month which is steady and indicates the interest in the site.
To keep this interest going the site will need an infusion of new, fresh ideas in the coming months. We are open to most any story about a classmate--I know many, many of you are sitting on your hands when you could be sending an e-mail containing an interesting story about yourself and/or your classmates. It is time to get on the band wagon!
Because of you, the above has become a reality! Help this level of success continue by contributing ideas and stories for the web site.
Thank you,
Tom
Welcome to Don McKillip as a new member to our web site. You may find Don's e-mail address in the class e-mail listing. Another new member to our web site is Roger Wilmot. Roger would enjoy hearing from his former classmates and friends. 4/06/08 HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY! This is the year that we are to get old. Some of us will move into the home, rhuematoid arthritis will set in, we will have both knees replaced, cataracts will appear as will detached retinas and sugar diabetes. All of which are wonderful events we cannot wait to experience. Hopefully, they will be postponed until our 70's. Some of you have already turned 60 and most of us will in the coming months. If you will give me your birth date, even if it has come and gone, your birthday will be honored in this section of the web site. 4/13/08 Barb Gaskins will retire May 15, 2008 after 30 years of service to the University of Creighton School of Law, Omaha, NE. Barb and her husband built their retirement dream home in Cave Creek, Arizona. Good luck, good health and years of enjoyment to Barb and her husband. There is a current photo of Barb and her family in "The Way We Are" photo album. Roger Wilmot would like to get in touch with Bill Austin. Please e-mail Roger if you have information which will help him contact Bill. Our web site would also like to have this information. Larry Hamler and I met in McCook April, 24. On Friday, April 25 we were the guests of the Class of '65 at their weekly luncheon. It was great to see so many friends after so many years. They had the largest turnout ever. I guess it might have something to do with the quality of the guests. Thanks for having us as we truly enjoyed your company. Saturday morning, April 26 our class had an impromptu breakfast gathering also at the bakery. In attendance were Kathie Cappel, Ed Fahnholz, Dennis Buffington, Larry Hamler and myself. We enjoyed quality conversation, jokes, reminiscing about old times and our families. Thanks to those who came. See photo in"The Way We Are" photo album, Roger Wilmot celebrated his Big 60 on 4/25/08. Hang in there for another 60 Roger. 5/30/08 From Tom Cavaiani: Tom, So Tina and I decided to go to Lucky 13 this evening for Pizza. So we place our order and find a seat outside, since it was such a beautiful evening. We sit down and I look up to see this very familiar face at the next table. Of course I didn't know immediately if it was David Backer, and did not interrupt these four people who were obviously engaged in conversation and enjoying there meal. As they were leaving I asked the obvious question and David responded, that yes indeed it was David Backer from McCook HS. We (David, Julie, Tina, and I) had a short but informative conversation, and were both astonished that we would bump into each other like we did. What are the odds that two people who went to the same Nebraska high school over 40 years ago, would wind up sitting within 15 feet of each other at a pizza parlor in Boise, Idaho across town from their homes on the same night at the same time? Probably astronomical I imagine. What is really weird is that David and Julie live less than a mile from my house and have been in Boise about 10 years now, and this is the first time we have encountered each other (or at least known about it). One last comment, if you had not mentioned in your email that you hadrun into David at Costco, I probably would not have made the connection tonight. Some things are stranger than fiction. Tom 06/4/08 Anita Drain tells me she is ready to go over some more hills in life. Anita turns 60 June 20, 2008. Take a moment to welcome Anita to the 60's Club; there's no going back. Visit "66 Military Vets" a tribute to our classmates who served in the Military during Viet Nam, Desert Storm and Iraq. The number who served is unbelievable! 7/9/08 Dave Nicholaus retired after 37 years with the railroad. Dave spent 31 1/2 years with the Wisconsin, Minnesota & North Dakota Railroad as Manager of Mechanical Operations. Congratulations Dave! Today we received word that, our classmate and friend, Bill Cotton passed away in Kearney on 7/07/08. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bill and his family. 7/11/08 It is time for our class to give a VERY BIG thank you to two VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE for all they have done over the years for our class out of the goodness of their hearts. They are the "glue" that has kept our class together all these many years. Thanks to CATHY BUNSTOCK COX, our volunteer Class Representative, who among other things, coordinates our class news for the BISON and helps with our class reunions. Also to KATHIE TRUPP CAPPEL, who among other things, is our Treasurer and arranges to have flowers from our class at each classmate's funeral or if the deceased lived out of town, gives a donation from the treasury to the BISON in the name of the deceased. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION OF TIME, TALENT AND ENERGY! We would be lost without you! Classmates please send them a note of gratitude! Anita Baker Graff is a new member to our site. Anita's e-mail address is in the E-Mail List. 08/02/08 Have you read our "66 Class Prophecy" since 1966? You can find it as a topic in the left margin. Let me know if your career turned out as projected. Dusty Bower and his customized cars are a focus on the "Class of '65" web site. See the last photo in the "Way We Were" photo album to see Ursula and Roger on Prom Night. The search continues for my backup for this site. As it stands, if I go, so goes the site. Someone step up please. Your class needs you! Larry Hamler is a new member of the "60's Club". Has anyone else recently hit the magic 60? If so let me know.08/015/08 The newest member to the "60's Club" is Denny Weinhold. Denny, Happy Birthday and good luck during the next 60 years ! The "60's Club" seems to be the popular place to be. Cheryl Bethel made her entry. Happy Birthday Cheryl! Dick and Kathie (Trupp) Cappel just celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations and many more! 8/29/08 A former McCookite and MHS grad, Jeanne (Boyle) Oldweiler, has written a book on her experiences growing up in southwest Nebraska and McCook. "Name of the book is "The Ant Hill Challenge and other stories of growing up in southwestern 09/06/08 The McCook Bison football team has picked up right where they left off. They trounced Sidney, last week, in the season opener 67--0 and rolled passed Alliance 51--6 last night. The Bison have an unbelievable string of 73 wins in their last 77 games and a ten year record of 98 wins and 19 losses.10/01/08 Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays!! Membership in the "Sixties Club" continues to grow! Barb (Anderson) Gaskins, Linda (Sines) Clark, Suzanne Poirier, Ann (Madison) Lipton, Ed Pilcher, Sharon (Trout) Glenn, Jari (Smith) Frisbie, Pat Clifton, Carolyn (Hinton) Masi, Dennis Mizell, Cheryl Bethel, Cliff Davis, Ursula (Wozniak) Leeds, and Libby (Hassler) Hoyt had recent celebrations moving THEM into the next decade of life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL!! 10/08/08 These classmates celebrate their birthdays in October. They are: Janice (Poore) Grossmeyer I am looking for backup on this web site in the event something happens to me. I can assure that most of it is common sense and the willingness to be dedicated plus some creativity. I do not anticipate anything happening in the near future but, I would rather be prepared than not. If you have an interest, please e-mail me. 8/14/07 Connie Remington has a new e-mail address which has been listed in the E-mail List. Connie wrote that she would love to hear from you. 8/28/07 YOUR class web site has enjoyed 330 visitors to date. This is a great response. So far about 10 classmates have sent in current photos for "The Way We Are" photo album. It sure would be nice if we had a greater participation for this activity. It is time for you to send your photo. There are two new additions to the web site. "The Sixties" & " McCook Sites". Take some time to visit these new sites. I believe you will find them enjoyable and informative. I am still hoping for someone to volunteer to be my backup for this site. Currently, if I go down so does the site. I really dont think this is what you want so, send me an e-mail to volunteer. 8/17/2007 Sharon (Trout) Glenn's new e-mail address is: sglenn@hamilton.net This change has also be made to the E-Mail List. 9/29/07 The popularity of Your Class Web Site continues to be strong. The site has recently recorded its 450th visitor in three months or an average of 150 visitors per month. Larry Hamler and Tom Cavaiani submitted current photos for the "Way We Are" photo album. Please keep them coming! The Fighting McCook Family and Historical Information submitted by Nick Spratlen can be found in "McCook History. Thanks Nick. We appreciate your time and effort. 10/24/07 Thanks to Larry Hamler and Tom Cavaiani for submitting a photo for the "Way We Are Photo Album" last month. We still are missing about 90% of your photos--beat the rush. Jim Steinke's e-mail address has been added to the E-mail List. I am sure that Jim would enjoy hearing from you. Dick and Kathie Cappel have a new granddaughter to add to their family. Congratulations to Mom, Dad, baby Emma, grandparents and their entire family! Class of '66 Millitary Vets visit "66 Military Vets" |
HAPPY NEW YEAR! The year is 2009. Hopefully 2008 was good to you and 2009 will be as good or better. Announcing
"The Ant Hill Challenge"
is available
This is a book written by Jeanne Boyle Oldweiler. It contains 88 stories about growing up in southwestern Nebraska during the 1940's and 1950's. It can be purchased locally, by mail or on the Net.
Price: $18.00 if locally
$20.00 if mailed
$20.00 plus postage if from Barnes and Noble or Amazon
Quote: The author wanted history to correctly remember how children, on the prairies of Nebraska, spent their lives during the l940's and l950's. However, where this book is highly successful is the attraction to those of us who were children during the same era. While you take this nostalgic reading trip your memory bell will ring many times of similar events and feelings that occurred in your childhood regardless of where your roots were planted. We are all fortunate that Jeanne Boyle Oldweiler has taken the time to tell us stories of growing up in southwestern Nebraska.
To order: Mail check to Jeanne Boyle Oldweiler
Bluebird Books
704 Gunnison Court
Columbia, MO 65203
1/22/09 Today's additions in "The Way We Are Photo Album" are Dale Gibbs and his wife, Nancy ( Mitchell) Gibbs. Dale & Nancy are both members of the Class '66. They live in Kearney, NE. 2/02/09 February birthday greetings go out to: Ursula (Wozniak) Leads Barb ( Anderson) Gaskins Anita (Baker) Graf John Trail HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDS!! A few months ago I wrote to you indicating that OUR CLASS WEB SITE would soon be running out of material without your contributions. Well, that time has come. Your contributions of personal stories, old school events, recent experiences and just about any other input would be GREATLY welcome to sustain the interest in OUR WEB SITE. I am looking forward to hearing from you. The popularlity of the web site continues to be very strong. Since its begining in 2007 there have been 2,444 visitors which averages out to be 136 visitors per month. I'd say that is pretty darn impressive considering there were about 154 graduates from the Class of '66. 3/01/09 Thanks to Carolyn (Henton) Masi for submitting a current photo of her and her husband Tony. You can view their photo in "The Way We Are Photo Album". Happy Birthday wishes go out to: Murray Dugger Larry & Kathy (Peters) Larson 3-30-69--40 years Dick & Karen (Bales) Rima 3-25-06--3 years Indianola and Culbertson had both been competing to become the Division Point for the new Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. Land speculators had been buying land in both cities in anticipation of making a wind fall profit selling to both the railroad and new citizans. However neither could come to an agreement with the B&MR Railroad so the railroad chose Fairview to be the new division point. The president of the B&MR was personal friends with a Civil War General named Alexander McCook. McCook had made a name for himself as an indian fighter and was a hero of Bull Run. The B&MR decided to build a town north of the track at Fairview and call it McCook. Fairview then faded from history.
The Lincoln Land Company did the original survey for McCook in 1882. At that time no buildings existed north of the railroad.
By 1883 McCook consisted of one soddie and four wood frame structures. The use of the soddie is lost in history, but the frame buildings now located north of the railroad were for a General Store owned by Indianola business men A.C.Ebert and two others were for drug store and doctors office, owned by S.L.Green a self made doctor. By 1927 Greens building had become Sauter Bakery. The forth frame building was also a drug store owned by a Thomas Scott who became the first post master of McCook. Scotts building was just south of what would later become DeGroff,s.
Mr. A. Barnett, another Culbertson business man had been selling lumber in McCook since 1882. Barnett Lumber eventually moved to McCook and was located just north of the Depot. A. Barnet was a driving factor in the building of McCook and made his mark on every major building in the town.
During the 1880's McCook was one of the fastest growing towns in Nebraska and the county seat eventually shifted from Culbertson to McCook.
"Pioneer's Dream In 1882", printed on June 15th 1932 by the McCook Gazette. Many couples sent in their Wedding Anniversary information so they could be recognized on the web site as well as having the biggest day in their life acknowledged. We would like to see you participate in this activity. It only takes a moment or two to send the information to me and I will do the rest. Tom Cavaiani Dale & Nancy (Mitchell) Gibbs will celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary 6-8-69 |