John Petruccelli

I sure wish I could have made it to the reunion, but my schedule just wouldn't allow it this time.  It sounds like everyone had a great time.  I hope someone took lots of photos that will get posted on this site.

Dan, you sound like a poet with your class of '71 comment.

Look forward to being at the 50th and pray that we're ALL still around for it.  It's always sad to hear about one of our classmates passes on, so hang in there everyone until we can meet again.

We'll be back up there this year in mid-August and have tickets to the ZZ Top / Greg Allman concert at Fort McCoy.  We'll be camping with Ken Isler and his family at the Fort, maybe some of you will be at the concert.  If so, look for Ken & me.  

Steve Gantert

hi youall, I’m new at this. so I hope you will excuse my ramblings.

Anyway, you may have heard that I had a stroke;  (a blood clot in the right side off my brain) that scrambled my brain and put me in a wheelchair. ( it happened a few weeks after I ran/ skied the fastest trail marathon/ birkiebiner) of my life-:)

 SH##T Happins-:) But, thanks  to the support and inspirational from our friends, children and my incredibly patient wife Diane. I’m up walking and enjoying life and travel again.

we even got to South Africa and alaska recently  ( amazing and humbling)-:) so if you ever have a partner or a parent that has traumatic brain injury, stroke, Etc.  Remember that the brain can heal (or remap itself). you just need patience and perseverance the (Finish call it SiSU)  I mentor stroke patients at our local hospital, please let me know 

if can help  anyone you know, 

until then , think spring! 

Steve Gantert and 

diane walker

John Petruccelli

Steve, sorry to hear about your stroke but it's GREAT to hear that you've recovered from it.  Sounds like God gave you another opportunity and that you're making the most of it by helping others AND getting to see some of His amazing creations.  Keep up the good fight and hope to be able to see you at the 50TH!

Rose Servais (Tydrich)

Steve, so happy to hear that you are able to get out and travel again.  How wonderful of you to offer to help others suffering with the same issues.  It is great to hear from you and I hope you will be able to attend our next reunion.  It will be so good to see everyone again!

Ronald Fitzpatrick

Wow! I'm so glad you came out of this situation so well. It's very admirable to help others who have gone through such a tough experience. Stay strong and stay safe, Fitz.

Daniel Marcou

Dear Steve,

Thanks for sharing this update. What an ordeal you have been through. I am so happy you are on the mend. It is great to hear that you are recovering and also about the wonderful wife and family you have been blessed with to help you through your ordeal.

Keep smiling that smile of yours Steve, I will say a prayer of thanks to the Good Lord for your continued recovery.

Sincerely,

Dan (Zulu) Marcou

. 

Mary Ann Sauer (Paul)

Steve, thanks for sharing your story with us. It is so good to hear about the happy ending! Take care of yourself and family. Enjoy life and hope to see you at the 50th!

Frederick Funk

Spent last Thursday evening hoisting an IPA or two with Steve and Diane in Wausau.  Its been a long haul for them, but Steve is looking great and cheery as always!   --Fritz

William Hammes

Steve, all I can is WOW. Sounds like you have great support and a wonderful wife.

Paul Barton

Steve, wish you the best on your recovery and your journey in helping others with similar situations .Being Holy Thursday with Easter Sunday very soon , I can only say you were blessed with a new lease on life and live each day, as tomorrow is not for certain.  At our age it is all downhill from here, (as in downhill skiing). Hills and valleys of life, we will encounter all the remaining days here on earth, and should prepare for eternal life this Easter . Thanks for sharing your story. Wish you and your wife all the best, take care , and God bless. Paul Barton

Ronald Fitzpatrick

You let Kootch pull the winning name for the Survey Contest. This smells of a conspiracy. Dick G. likes beer and is more than willing to purchase some for "a friend". Kootch likes beer and is more than happy to recieve free beer. Both of these guys were well know trouble makers and willing to ignore a rule or two during High School. I think someone should check Kootch's fridge to see if there is too many beers in there. Follow the beer. Fitz

John Petruccelli

I agree with Fitz!  This drawing certainly appears to have been fixed and I would go as far as to check Kootch's garbage/recycle bin to see just how many "empties" are in those containers.  Make sure to finger print the bottles/cans and see if Dick's prints are any of them.

Hope to see everyone at the 50th!

William Bettis

I disagree with Fitz and Johnupon the selection of Mr. Carroll as the person who picks the name out of the hat so to speak. Tim  otherwise known as Kootch, has been part of the gang named the Family since its  conception as a freshman.ar AquinAs. Kootch's character is also  beyond reproach although this is not to say his fridge is not full of beer. 

See you on  at the 50th.

Ronald Fitzpatrick

Bill I don't think you can say Kootch"s charachter is beyond repoach.  He got an "F" in History from "Mouse" when he did a paper on the 12 vestel virgins. The Perv. Then he was booted off the baseball team for smoking. Finally Coach English gave Dr. Joe and me specific instructions not to hang out with that troubled child.  He was busted for underage drinking at his Uncle Myron's place,along with Dewey, Tros, Jerry, I beieve Dr. Joe and Lars were there. Fitz.

John Petruccelli

Hey Bill, I thought you too were a member of the gang known as the "Family".  I think that your alibi for Kootch wouldn't hold up in court, especially after the list of activities that Fitz mentioned. I think a jury might find against Kootch based on all this.

Richard Gagermeier

There has been some talk about Mr Kootch pulling my name.This was something totally upon the shoulders of Mr. Kootch, The Mr. is part of what I would call friendly Blackmail. He was nice enough to sent a payment plan, amount is not to be declared, hopefully I'll have him paid off by the class reunion if I can handle to make double paymen ts.Anyhow I hope clears some of the questions about me winning the  20.00 after I figure what my total cost of payments to Mr. Kootch I will Get back to you, rather busy moving out of the house Mr. Kootch somehow got a Qiuck Claim deed. Will let you all know which park we be staying in. In the mean time becareful what you agree to to Mr. Kootch.  Hope this brings you a chuckle. Dick

Michael Desmond

The “FAMILY”......Dave Bruha informed me that I was NOT to associate with the Family. That all ended down at Riverside Park senior year when I had to take Kootch down. From there it was Dewey’s cottage and the rest is history...corrupted to the core!

Susie Pearse (Keller)

OMG - keep these coming. Best way to start my day and each one gets funnier than the last. Kootch, you ROCK!! still after all these years. Seems like weeks in reality. Hope to make it to the big celebration. Would love to see everyone. Thanks to everyone for all their efforts of getting this event off the ground. 

Susie Pearse Keller

John Petruccelli

And to think this is all about a $20 bill.

Nancy Mansheim (Formella)

The FAMILY?  You are all talking about some aspect of our high school culture that I didn't even know existed!  I was likely too busy with my assigned duties in the Library Club with our friend, Sister Lucille.  I think Gagermeier said it best..."all this dialogue about twenty bucks?" I say "good for you and go with God." (But the whole thing is rather fishy, if you ask me!)

How can we be so old that we are planning a 50th H.S. reunion??

Steve Gantert...WOW.  What a story.  So happy that things are moving along in a positive direction. You inspire us!

Hope everyone is having a nice spring!

Take care,

Nancy

John Reed

I'm saddened by this response, Nancy. You see, the Family was all inclusive and the entire class was obviously a charter member. We apparently had branding problems, however. This was not a secret, subversive group by any means. I always thought it represented all that was good in our class and frankly, in our lives at the time. There were some misguided souls, per Mick Desmond's claim, that felt differently. Perhaps fake news could trace its roots back further than most would think. If anything I'd say without crippling fear of contradiction that we were victims of a colossal misunderstanding and for that I'm sure the entire Family feels remiss in not properly conveying the true nature of this hallowed group. 

But seriously, it's really great to hear from you all. Steve looks great and Dick can now certainly afford the first round at the reunion with '70s prices in place. I am sorry to hear of so many of you now on fixed incomes. Luckily, I am still sowing and reaping for awhile longer. Shed no tears, please? I managed to flip the scrip and retired on the front end so I must continue to pay my workaday dues.  

Hidey didey to you all and until we meet again,

John Reed of the Minneapolis John Reeds 

Paul Pierce

Several committee meetings ago, we discussed ways for getting classmates interested and creating dialogue. The survey needed to be done and the $20 door prize idea was born. People responded to the survey. Some who had not participated in anything remotely connected to our reunions. Was it the $20 tease? I think not. I think it's the need to reconnect. We all have memories. As we age, we remember and reflect. Somehow,the survey triggered interest and action. I enjoy all the stories shared here, from smoking in the bathrooms to the alleged "rigged" survey drawing. We have another meeting next week. It seems every meeting has at least one story from our school days which someone had not heard before. It's a mini reunion. Keep the dialogue going.

Ronald Fitzpatrick

Oh this scandal is not over. While I will admit I was legal counsel for The Family that does not allow us to wash over the antics of Kootch Carroll. He was a groomsman in my wedding. I was a groomsman in his wedding. I played ball with(softball and basketball ) with him for 30 years after High School. I know how sneaky he can be. I will not rest until I have Kootch and Dick on the witness stand under oath subject to my professional cross examination. Unless I retire before the reunion or offered a little something for the effort. Fitz

William Bettis

.Where is Kootch in all this? Does he own a tablet, a computer, or even a e mail address. I heard he was going to plead the fifth. 

Mary Ann Sauer (Paul)

Now now children, haven't we been taught that we MUST all get along?

I think if more of you would have showed up for the "drawing" there wouldn't be this much controversy. See you on May 22nd at Fayze's-5:30!!!

Mother Mary.