Lunch Bunch 10/16

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So I was off the radar for a few weeks, but I am back and playing catchup with the world of CWHS60. I know I missed some birthdays and can only say "Sorry."

October found us back at Marion's with lots of lively conversations all around. Sue Lovely held a meeting to discuss our holiday luncheon. We agreed to continue with CAREhouse as our class charity. I was asked to send their wish list of donations. Tina agreed to check out Bravo at the Dayton Mall and Shen's on Poe for lunch. Shen's was able to accommodate us and so that is where we met in December. I really hated to miss it!

We are fortunate to have classmates who like to take pictures and are willing to share. I often get comments thanking us for posting pictures. Here are the latest.

October at Marion's

Standing - Marti Stoner Coblrntz, Kathy McCartan Stevens, Sue Lovely

Seated - Muriel Howe Connolly, Jim Connolly

Standing - Dave Gruber, Dave's wife Becky, Dianne Shook Trottier, Tina's husband Alex, Audrey's husband Ken

Seated - Audrey Hahn Wion, Sally Rozsa Donese, Judi Ross

Regenia Myers England's husband Ronnie, Sue Lovely's friend, Geri, Sue's daughter, Debbie, Sue's neighbor Janet, Tina Stamas Fote

December at Shen's

Sally Rozsa Donese, Kathy McCartan Stevens (Kathy had to leave early so she and Sally got together for a picture.)

 

In the back - Dave Gruber's wife, Becky and Regenia Myers England's husband, Ronnie

In the middle - Tina Stamas Fote's husband, Alex; Dianne Shook Trottier; Dave Gruber; Marti Stoner Coblentz; Oran Fisher; Kaaren Bodiker Dunlap; Sally Rozsa Donese

Sitting - Tina Stamas Fote, Sue Lovely and Sue's daughter, Debbie

Audrey Hahn Wion and husband Ken got away bofore pictures. We'll get them next time.

After lunch, Sue and Debbie delivered our class donations to CAREhouse. More pictures...

CAREhouse sent a thank you for our donations. You are the best!

I read that Jerry Nelson was honored as Butler County's Veteran of the Year. As a fellow classmate, a fellow Butler Countian and a fellow Lakota School District resident, I am so proud and honored to know Jerry. 

The following is from the Pulse-Journal, our local paper.

Veteran of the Year supports Lakota students

WEST CHESTER TWP. — 

Part of the reason West Chester Twp. veteran Jerry Nelson was chosen as one of Butler County’s two Veterans of the Year was his work with Lakota students on several programs the American Legion provides, some of which include college scholarships.

The Butler County Veterans Service Commission picked Nelson and WWII prisoner of war Marvin Sizemore as their top veterans this year.

Nelson enlisted in the Army in 1966 — after he graduated from Ohio State University — and spent two years training to be a combat medic and then as a biological scientist, serving stateside during the Vietnam War at three different locations.

He was the founding commander of the West Chester American Legion Post 681, when it was reconstituted several years ago. Ever since, he has worked as a service officer, helping veterans and their families get benefits and has been active with post’s youth programs.

“Jerry has always been an advocate for veterans and has assisted many in obtaining their benefits through the VA, reissuing of awards and ribbons, enlisting them to join the Legion to help them continue their service to their country and just being an ear to listen when a fellow veteran needs someone to talk to,” Post Commander Paul Kreiner wrote in the nomination letter.

Nelson tells the Journal-News there are three main programs supported by his post that he has helped Lakota students work on

• American government testing program — winners get a five-day trip to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg — several students have made the trip.

• Oratorical contest on the U.S. Constitution — national winners get $18,000, $16,000 and $14,000 college scholarships for first through third place respectively.

• The Boys State and Girls State summer leadership and citizenship programs — the post could only afford to sponsor one student 10 years ago, this year they sent 11 boys and 10 girls. So far three boys and one girl from Lakota were selected to go to the national level.

“I’m very happy to work with the students here in the Lakota system,” Nelson said. “Because they are good, they’re conscientious, they’re honorable people, it’s a pleasure to work with them.”

Lakota Superintendent Matthew Miller said Nelson hasn’t just been involved helping the students with the Post programs but also recently supported the first-ever Military Commitment Ceremony. The school district in April recognized 33 seniors who were committed to entering either a military academy or branch of service after graduation.

“Jerry Nelson has been a terrific partner in our schools,” Miller said. “For many years, he’s been a great advocate for the American Legion’s statewide government test that we encourage students to take. His post has always been very supportive of the various Veteran’s Day programs we organize in the schools.”

Nelson and his wife, Sharon, were married 49 years ago and have lived in the township for 47 years. They have four children and 17 grandchildren. He spent 20 years as a sales manager in the radiology and ultrasound division for Acuson/Siemans.

Okay, where will you be on January 25th at 12:30 pm? If you are anywhere near Dayton, I hope you will be at Marion's on North Dixie. If you are somewhere else, I hope you will think about us. We will be discussing locations for future luncheons and maybe do some brain-storming on our 60th class reunion. Who knows what else will come up. On the subject of our 60th reunion, thank you to everyone who updates their information on the web site. If you need help or forgot your password, let me know and I will help you. Current information will make things a lot easier for the committee. FYI, the following is a quarterly report showing the funds we have to start working with

I guess that is enough catching up for now.