And now, a great story from Diana Dublo Linsley...

First of all, I want to thank all of you for helping me to celebrate my birthday on Sept 1st (my 39th again.)

Reading the blog and having a junior at Kirkwood High School (Go Pioneers!) has spurred a lot of memories...not many of them had much to do with school sanctioned activities. Mostly, they involved cruising through the streets of Alton, Wood River, and Cottage Hills with my friends, Helen Downing and Vickie Lewis, in a 1972 lemon yellow Ford Pinto. That was back when gas was 10 or 25 cents a gallon.

I didn't think many of you would remember me; I kept to myself or with my own group of friends. High school is mostly a blur. I think I remember more of you from grade school in Bethalto. Does anyone remember the Brownie Troop that met at the Bethalto City Hall? Marsha Harp's Mom was the leader.

After graduation, I spent some time in Washington, D.C. Three years later, I returned to the Alton area and earned my A.S. in Art at Lewis and Clark where I met my husband, Tom. Actually, we met at the Night Gallery. We will be married for 29 years in September; he is my all around nice guy.

I have been a professional photographer for more than 30 years, the past four as staff photographer for the Webster Kirkwood Times, a funky small town weekly newspaper owned and operated by a group of aging baby boomers who love a good fight with City Hall, a war protest, or covering Mayberry-type parades. Over the years, I have earned two Missouri Press Association and two Georgia Press Association awards for my work. You can read the Times at http://www.timesnewspapers.com/.

We have lived in Kirkwood for 21 years and have a 16 year old daughter, Katie, who has caused me to revisit a number of issues about high school...like wanting to cruise the streets of Kirkwood and Webster Groves with her friends. (Yikes!)

All in all, it's been a good life and I have an amazing family. I love where I am now, but I also love where I grew up. I have fond memories of my parent's strawberry fields and being able to ride my bike (without fear) for miles on a county road and play in the creek that ran through the Zakrzewski's farm.

I am looking foward to seeing you all again and sharing your story.

Diana Linsely

P.S. Can you believe how little Helen has changed?

Postcard from Reunion Van, 7.27.07

Postcard from Reunion Van, 7.25.07

Homecoming Flashback

In honor of surviving 53 birthdays, including Donna's birthday today, here's a little Paul Jones toast. What WAS in that bottle, Donna?

Congratulations to Patty Davies!

Announcing Patty Davies Parrill and Roy Alex Gibson TIED THE KNOT on June 2, 2007. Roy's the dude that Patty brought to the Bon-fire back in October.

Here's a couple of pictures from their wedding:

Remember Ruthanne Rives?

She actually responded to the little “ice-breaking” survey I emailed everyone so here’s a quick rundown on her.

This Alton born gal has a unique talent - she can pick things up with her toes! (I know a lady who had trained herself to use her toes to write her name, etc. – in case she ever lost the use of her hands.)
Ruthanne says she can be sarcastic, no longer has her tonsils and would never, ever bungee jump.
An avid vegetarian, she enjoys cheese, tomatoes and cottage cheese and the vegetarian stir fry at Eagles’ Nest. She’s nuts about the color Purple and anything Chocolate but hates her hair which she labels as “frizzy”.
Ruthanne loves to watch college basketball and is a CUBS fan!
She likes her handwriting and has no idea when she last cried. Sounds like a happy girl to me.
Her favorite cereal is Cheerios and her favorite smell is new plastic. Would that be the brand new credit card smell????
She enjoys a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich but, alas, truly misses Peter Pan.
Barry Manilow and Happy Endings are favorites of hers as are kisses, autumn and listening to the ocean waves. At the time of this writing, she was reading “When Did I Quit Being Barbie and Become Mrs. Potato Head?” and “A Soldiers Heart” simultaneously.
But Ruthanne’s passion is researching her family tree! We have a lot in common there.
Ruthanne is a nurse and mother and involved in her church. You may remember that Ruthanne married Dave Hellemeyer and they’re still together – thru thick and thin!

Unfortunately, Ruthanne and Dave will not make it to our high school reunion since September 1st is also Dave’s family reunion.

I didn't get a lot of info on Dave but I know he owns a printing business. Sorry, Dave, I was too busy talking "family tree stuff" with Ruthanne!

It was really great to see you both – maybe we could do it again sometime.