Summer in Hog Heaven

Backyard squirrel patrol at Camp Armstrong

The best part of our summer trip back to Kewanee, was staying at the home of my oldest, dearest and best-est friend, Brooks Swinderman.  It is just like home to both Doug & I as we shared our engagement news there...(summer of '74)  Our backyards joined since we were mere babes...(yes, we are still mere BABES!)  I was happy to have the time to see so many old friends during our visit, too.  Played bridge at Jeannie DeConinck's, golfed at Midland (..OOPS! Kewanee Dunes) with Pat Welti, Angelyn Craddock & Alice Horrie.

Smilin' after golf

 Eating was no problem: pizza at Cerno's, lunch at Pioneer Club, wine at Linda Duytschaver's, dinner at Karen & Dan Ramsey's, dinner at Alice & George Horrie's and multiple cook-outs at Camp Armstrong! The temps were hot & humid, so lots of pool time at Jim & Helen Pecks, early morning walks with ALL the dogs that Lib's #2 mom, Mary Ann Miskinis gathers up daily.  We walk @ 7:15 AM in Baker Park & Johnson Sauk Trail (it is amazing how many beautiful parks Kewanee has!)  we had about 18 dogs every time....

WATERWORLD

Thanks for the flip-flop opener, Doug!

You have to experience the hot, humid weather in Illinois to appreciate swimming at Oak Run to cool off.  Doug & I got to do that compliments of friends Don & Mary Jane Karau.  We used their pontoon boat and took friends  Steve Parsons & Debbie Peters (FUN LADY) for an afternoon "booze cruise."

Steve and Debbie on the "tooner"

Chuck, do you ever quit?!

Doug had a bit of a different take for his time at home.  He worked for 2 weeks at his old dental practice while the dentist there went on his 2 week honeymoon to Europe. But he enjoyed every minute of it and realizes what a great staff he had all those years. Thanks to Heather, Carrie, Kelleen & Jeannine for  making it so memorable.  The party from Damerons was a great get-together at the Horrie's, too. Saw yet another great round of folks with wonderful memories of tavern league bowling!

In closing, I would just like to say, and it is the appropriate time, HAPPY HOG DAZE TO ALL & TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

40th Class Reunion of the Class of '71

Well, they say time flies when you're having fun, but, really?  Has it been 40 years since we walked the hall of WHS?  This was quite a fun weekend.  8 of us gals loaded up in Jan McElvain's van and headed over to Des Moines, Iowa for fabulous weekend.  Brooks Swinderman, Chris Craine, Cherie Fletcher, Joyce Penland and yours truly arrived at Gretchen Breedlove's home where she and Kathy Butler greeted us with hugs, smiles and a picnic basket of goodies.

Gretchen has a fabulous condo, and we toured gardens, played games, went to see HAIRSPRAY, waltzed through the farmers market, ate & drank wine. It was refreshing to see how well everyone has done, and enjoying happy lives with our families. Shared news of our weddings, graduations, kids, grandkids, etc.   Thanks Gretchen, you made it a fond memory with all of us... Lets do it again in the desert!

Hog Heaven

Well, here we are again! The place we so wanted to escape is again upon us.  However, now that we have left it really isn't so bad being back.  Doug is having so much fun working at his old dental practice.  The girls keep telling him not to get a big head just because they are so busy and all the patients tell him how much he is missed!

I am having fun visiting old haunts and just hanging. went to helen pecks pool today and rafted with pat and sue busenbark. wanted to golf this morning, but WAY too humid and hot. Tonight we went to Cerno's for pizza and saw lots of old friends.  Went for a walk today and saw the BAKER mansion that our friend, Keith Ross, is renovating. it is amazing and he is so talented!

Tomorrow we get ready for our 40th reunion.  Brooks arrives and we get packed after some G & T's on her patio. visiting and surprising old friends is so much fun.  next week I will play bridge with some of my old club buddies.....we played for 20 years and never got any better.......well, keep ya posted. happy hog days!

It's a dry heat-except during monsoon season!

Here we are in sunny Sun City West, Az.  Yes, it is usually the desired mecca in the USA to live, have fun and play golf 365 days a year!  However, lately it is time to start thinking about "gettin' outa dodge!" Humidity is running about 50-60% and it is not so cool being here. So, off to Kewanee (hog capital of the world) to escape.

SCW sunset