February 2004

RHS Class of 1973 Alumni News

February 2004

Kathy (Kelm) Meinke (Madison) and her sons, Abraham and Caleb, spent five days skiing in Steamboat, Colorado, in January. They enjoyed small crowds, no lift lines, and lots of sunshine and warm temperatures. Kathy's sons had the time of their lives, and are already asking if they can go back next year!

Jeff Root (Fairfax, Virginia) accompanied daughter Hannah and her Girl Scout troop on a ski trip to Massanutten, Virginia, on February 8. Jeff emailed Rob Schanke (currently stationed in Kuwait) to complain about having to get up at 4:00 A.M. for this trip, but Rob wasn't very sympathetic!!

Jeff saw legendary banjo player Earl Scruggs in concert on February 19. As half of the duo Flatt and Scruggs, Earl is best known for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," which was featured in the movie "Bonnie and Clyde," and for "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," the theme song for "The Beverly Hillbillies." Earl was in top form and put on a great show. Jeff was thrilled to get an autograph and shake Earl's hand after the show.

News from Other Classes

David Conant (RHS '70) owns a Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Cerritos, California. Dave was one of nine Ford dealers to receive the company's fourth annual "Salute to Dealers" award. He was recognized for establishing the Conant Family Foundation to support public schools and nonprofit organizations in the Los Angeles area. (Source: Ripon Commonwealth Press, February 5, 2004).

Dave served as RHS Student Council president during the 1969-1970 school year. Members of the RHS Class of 1973 might remember going to the RHS auditorium as 8th graders to hear speeches from Dave, Rik Smoody, and others running for Student Council offices.

Brian Blauvelt (RHS '74) started his new job in New Jersey in January. He has seen Bob Sullivan (RHS '74, Basking Ridge, NJ) several times.

Brian is currently in Boise, Idaho, packing his household goods. Brian and his Golden Retriever, Custer, leave Boise on Thursday, March 4, to drive to New Jersey. They will stop in Ripon, staying with Don and Joan Bruendl in Green Lake for a night.

Brian's new work address, phone numbers, and email address are:

OMG Fidelity

470 Frelinghuysen Ave.

Newark, NJ 07114

973-639-6752 - direct

862-224-0610 - cell phone

E-mail - Brian.Blauvelt@na.omgi.com

In Remembrance

The Reverend Carl Stubenvoll passed away on February 16 in Ripon. Carl served as minister at Grace Lutheran Church for 37 years.

Jeff Root visited Carl at Parkview Care Center while in Ripon for the Class of 1973 30th reunion. Carl was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and had difficulty communicating, but was very friendly and seemed happy to see Jeff.

Please keep Carl's family in your thoughts and prayers.

RHS Class of 1973 Website

To visit the RHS Class of 1973 website, click on Ripon High School Class of 1973 or go to: http://hometown.aol.com/jnroot/RHS1973.html. To view the RHS Class of 1973 30th Reunion Booklet, go to: http://hometown.aol.com/jnroot/ReunionBooklet.html

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