Cooney Class of '78 Chalkboard

Looking for someone or just want to post a thought?  DO IT!  Right here.  Simply send us your message and, providing it doesn't contain any of the 7 words George Carlin can't say on television, we'll post it. Click here to submit a message.


February 11, 2010

Denise Redmond(Butt) passed away Oct. 19th of a heart attack at her home.  Services were held on Sat. Oct. 24th at Notbalms Funeral Home in Oconomowoc.  She was the wife of Mark and has daughter Angie who also is a very close friend of my youngest daughter Alison. Please pass on info if you could.  Thanks Kim Schroeder

 

We are very sorry to announce the passing of classmate Dennis Cira on January 26, 2010 of cancer.

 

January 1, 2010

Hey, y'all!  Bought a 40 acre ranch in Oklahoma, a couple of horses...stocked ponds with large-mouth bass!  Loving my job as an elementary principal.

 

Stop on by if you're ever this way.

 

Happy New Year, everyone!


Traci (Abendroth) Yochum

 

I am terribly sorry for the delay in posting these notices.  Please forgive me.  - Cooney78 webmaster

 

November 18, 2009

Mike Hero sends the following ...


Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk and the Wicked Witch take the Oconomowoc Arts Center stage (literally) to new heights in Steven Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” playing this Thursday through Saturday (Nov. 19-21, 7:30 p.m.) at Oconomowoc High School (OHS). The OHS Players have outdone themselves in their 2009-2010 musical production, with an amazing array of talented student singers and performers dressed in gorgeous original costumes in a set complete with a beanstalk and larger-than-life fairy tale books.  Act One is self-contained and perfect for elementary children and older (90 minutes), while Act Two is more suited for middle school ages and above.


The play blends familiar childhood fairy tales with a new story of a childless Baker and his Wife, who are attempting to reverse a curse on their family in order to have a child. In Act One, the familiar characters set out to achieve their goal of living "Happily Ever After" through familiar routes. Cinderella attends the King's Ball and wins the heart of Prince Charming, Jack climbs the Beanstalk and discovers a land of giants and gold, Little Red Riding Hood survives her encounter with the Wolf at Grandma´s house, and Rapunzel escapes her tower aided by a handsome prince who climbs her long hair. The Witch, who keeps Rapunzel hidden away, has put the curse on the Baker´s house, and agrees to lift it if he and his Wife can find the key ingredients to break the spell. At the end of Act One, all characters seem poised to live "Happily Ever After."

Act Two, however, deals with the consequences that traditional fairy tales conveniently ignore--what happens AFTER "Happily Ever After." This powerful musical will make you laugh, cry, think, and believe in the magic of fairy tales again...it is moving, entertaining and not-to-be-missed fun!

 

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and groups of 10 or more. They can be purchased at the Oconomowoc Arts Center from 12 to 4 p.m. weekdays or online at https://oac.ticketleap.com/.

YOU WILL BE VERY IMPRESSED, as we were last Saturday on opening night.
PLEASE PASS THE WORD AND DON’T MISS THIS OUTSTANDING STUDENT THEATER EXTRAVAGANZA!

 

August 28, 2009

Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation (OPEF) a non profit organization is turning the old Oconomowoc Middle School into a haunted School for 9 nights this October and we need your help. If you would like more information on OPEF please contact me at mlherro@oconomowocrealty.com, your help at the haunted School will raise money which will directly benefit the students of the Oconomowoc Area School District and our greater community. Please consider joining our efforts, if you are unable to be here physically please consider a monetary gift to defray the costs of construction. Thanks for your consideration
Go Cooney

your classmate Mike Herro
OPEF Board Member

Now here’s the pitch:

Thanks to everyone who has registered to help at The Haunted School. There are many of you, but we still will need more. We plan to operate this event NINE nights in October and each night requires about 80 people! Not to mention all the work being done in advance: building, painting, special affects, marketing, decorations, planning, etc. So please spread the word. Tell your friends about this opportunity to help create a wonderful/scary Halloween destination here in Oconomowoc, while having fun and raising funds for educational needs. They should email contact@hauntedschool.org with their name, email address, phone # and what areas they are interested in doing. More information will be on our new website shortly: www.hauntedschool.org

A few administrative details for you: We've entered your email address into one or more address books based on the type of tasks you (or someone in your family) said you were interested in. You will receive emails from us about the actual needs, i.e. time, place, task, etc. related to each task you indicated. Many of you are on multiple lists so you will receive numerous emails but they will be specific to the task or topic. Please read your Haunted School emails carefully. When you are commit to a specific schedule, it is important that you take that commitment seriously. Especially with regard to staffing the school on open nights, we need to have every volunteer in place in order to open!

Note: Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. All volunteers will be asked to sign a liability waiver; volunteers under age 18 will need a parent's signature. We will email you the waiver and/or have it at the site you "work" at (usually the old middle school) and have it on our website. We want to accommodate all interested volunteers but reserve the right to refuse any persons due to state of mind, safety, attitude or any other reasons that may adversely affect the positive outcome of this big project. We also may not successfully reach all who are interested due to lack of an email address being provided, or not legible. If you have friends who think they should be getting Haunted School emails but are not, please ask them to write to contact@hauntedschool.org to be sure they are on our list(s).

Thanks again for your interest in volunteering. Please start spreading the word to everyone you know about coming to The Haunted School when it opens October 9!!! We will be in touch.

Tamara Hauck, Project Manager and the Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation Board
www.opef.info

 

August 28, 2009

Don Goulet has a new e-mail address. It is: donaldgoulet@hotmail.com

 

August 28, 2009

Anyone else staying connected on FaceBook?  Let me know.
Steve Poe:  http://www.facebook.com/brewcitydad

 

August 28, 2009

Linda Kozlowski Bourret  has a new e-mail address.  It is: exquisite1961@bayland.net

 

August 28, 2009

Judy Gryboski-Laurin has a new e-mail address.  It is: LaurinJ@ccsd15.net

 

April 24, 2009

Celebrate spring 2009 by supporting the arts!
A wonderful evening awaits you -- delectable wines, tasty appetizers, and live music at the Fund the Fringe Wine Tasting! 


7 – 9 p.m.
Tuesday, May 5th
Olympia Resort & Conference Center
Oconomowoc

 

You will be greeted at the door with 10 tasting tickets provided with each admission. Mingle with your friends to the sounds of pianist Mark Carlstein as you choose from some 15 different wine varieties and delectable appetizers. Exciting silent auction items, a raffle and a “balloon pop” prizes also will be part of the evening. Proceeds benefit the Oconomowoc High School (OHS) Drama Mamas & Papas parent group, which is raising funds to support OHS theater students’ performance at this summer’s Edinburgh, Scotland, Fringe Festival.  Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.  They are available from Fringe parents, at Books & Company, 1039 Summit Ave., or Sonoma Cellars, 1290 Summit Ave., in Oconomowoc.

About Fund the Fringe
The Oconomowoc High School Theater Department was one of only 42 high schools selected from 1,600 U.S. nominees to perform at the 2009 Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, the world’s largest performing arts festival that draws a million people from over 30 countries!  With our community’s support, 30 OHS students will take Oconomowoc theater to the world’s stage, premiering their original play, “Life Out Loud,” at the Fringe this August.

The event is being planned in collaboration with the OHS Drama Mamas & Papas, Inc., which recently was designated a 501( c)3 non-profit organization – so the silent auction and other donations are tax deductible as allowable by law.  For more information, please visit www.fundthefringe.com or e-mail me.  I’d be happy to get you advance tickets if you would like.  Please bring your friends and see you there!

Julie O'Rourke Well

President
Danbridge Communications LLC
262-569-1100
juliewell@wi.rr.com

 

March 4, 2009

Condolences to Bridget Byrnes Fugeli

Bridget's niece, Ali Raddatz, died unexpectedly February 21, 2009. Ali's father is Paul Raddatz, OHS Class of 1977 and Ali's mother is Katie Byrnes Raddatz, OHS Class of 1980. Our condolences go out to the entire family on the loss of one so young.

Clare Cheney Sedlacek

"Raddatz, Ali Marie Age 18, of Delafield, passed away February 21, 2009. Loving daughter of Paul and Kathleen Raddatz and cherished sister of Charlie. Beloved stepsister of Maddie and Kelly Quartaro. Proud granddaughter of Charles and Janet Raddatz and Elsa Byrnes. Further survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Visitation at ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH (S38 W31602 Hwy. D, Genesee Depot, WI), 3:00 PM Thursday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 6:00 PM. Ali attended UW Milwaukee and was a graduate of Kettle Moraine High School and St. Paul's Grade School. For Ali's love of children, and in lieu of flowers, memorials to the Milwaukee Children's Hospital or Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization would be appreciated. "Ali was a beautiful young woman, with an unique sense of humor, which will remain in our hearts forever."

 

March 1, 2009

PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL LOVERS OF THE ARTS AND JOIN US ON MARCH 6! (attached PDF)
 

DISCOUNT OFFER – HELP OCONOMOWOC HIGH SCHOOL TAKE THE WORLD’S STAGE!

The Oconomowoc High School Theater Department has earned an incredible honor – OHS was one of only 42 high schools selected from 1,600 U.S. nominees to perform at the 2009 Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, the world’s largest performing arts festival that draws a million people from over 30 countries! With our community’s support, 29 OHS students will take Oconomowoc theater to the world’s stage, premiering their original play, “Life Out Loud,” at the Fringe this August.

 

See Skylight Opera’s Ray Jivoff and the OHS Guys and Dolls cast, enjoy delectable appetizers and desserts and bid on exclusive auction items at “High Roller Night” to benefit OHS drama students’ trip to the 2009 Edinburgh, Scotland, Fringe Festival. Tickets are now available for just $40 for a gala evening of food, entertainment and auctions on Friday, March 6.

Enjoy the Guys and Dolls-themed event and bid to win these exciting live auction items:
· 19” Samsung HDTV with 4-year warranty
· BMW roadster for the weekend
· Fish Boil/Pontoon boat ride for 8 on Lac Labelle
· Cuban cooking class for 6 at your home
· Private tour of WISN-TV Ch. 12

The event also kicks off an 8-day silent auction of gift baskets and other unique items that will continue through the closing OHS Guys and Dolls show on Saturday, March 14.

Discounted tickets are $40 per person and available by calling (262) 391-1622 or e-mailing jh7jh7@sbcglobal.net. RSVP by Monday, March 2, to secure your spot! High Roller Night is sponsored by OHS Drama Mamas and Papas, Inc., a volunteer parent organization supporting OHS drama activities. The group has applied for 501(c)3 status as a non-profit organization and upon that approval all donations through the High Roller event are expected to be tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.  For more information on the “Fund the Fringe” fundraising effort, please visit www.fundthefringe.com.

Thanks! Please call with any questions and hope to see you there!
Julie Well: 262-569-5645

 

March 1, 2009

Mike Herro sends us his new e-mail address.  It is: mlherro@oconomowocrealty.com

 

March 1, 2009

Tom Ulm sends us his new e-mail address.  It is: ordinaryguy_40@yahoo.com.

 

January 27, 2009

Wendy Mallow-Schoeneck sends us her new e-mail address.  It is: dwjsk@msn.com

 

December 20, 2008

Karen (Martinson) Kroll sends us her new email address.  It is: kmkroll@aol.com.  Thanks Karen!

 

October 4, 2008

 

July 7, 2008

Frederic Schultz sends us his e-mail address.  It is: fschultz5@earthlink.net

 

July 20, 2008

John Ellis sends us his new e-mail address.  It is: jellis85@wi.rr.com

 

July 13, 2008

Please have a look at some nice 30th Reunion Photos here.  Many thanks to Linda (Kozlowski) Bourret for submitting them.

Webmaster

 

July 13, 2008

Cooney Sports Beat
Joann R. Walla
Publisher/Editor

After working for both local newspapers over the past 20 years I have decided it is time to join the technology of the day.  Thus I am creating Cooney Sports Beat which will be an online newspaper that will cover the sports of Oconomowoc and the surrounding area.   It will cover high school sports, varsity, junior varsity, freshmen and club as well as elementary school, summer sports, adult sports…anything that is considered a sport. There will be columns written by fishermen, hunters, a former Enterprise sports editor, myself and others.

The idea is to get the sports news to people in a speedy and direct manner. The paper will be updated regularly.   And I need your help. When you have a game, meet or whatever and I am not there personally please send the information so I may put it on the web site. Announcements can also be submitted for posting.  The paper will be published for free for the first several months and then it will be sold by subscription.

If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to contact us.

Thank you for your help and have a great summer. Look for us at: www.cooneysportsbeat.com

Submitted by Stu and Laura Oliver: faydog@wi.rr.com

 

July 9, 2008

Hello All,

Was great to see a bunch of classmates at our 30 year get-together last Saturday at the Rec Center in Oconomowoc. Considering it was a holiday weekend, roughly 50 people showed up, bravely navigating those gawd-awful downtown streets… We lucked out weather-wise too, sunny, dry, with a high temp of—ironically—78 degrees. Thanks to all who atttended and who worked hard to put the event together, especially Cris Duchow, Bridget Burns, John Hogan, Mike Herro, Jeff Krickhahn and Clare Cheney. For our next one in 2013, we are planning to meet in early August, which should make attendance easier for more people.

Quick invite here—for those of you who will attend the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts on Saturday, August 16, yours truly will be playing the s*** out of the rented piano at the piano stage, from 4-5 pm. We’ll hope for sun instead of a replay of last years continuous downpours. May invite Danny Miller to swing by once again with some harmonicas for another very fun blues jam….

Thanks again,
Tim Clausen
Jazzwriter1@yahoo.com
 

May 19, 2008

Susan DeFrench sends us another cool photo.  Click on the image above to see a larger version.

 

New E-mail addresses:

Ed Fitzsimmons: fitz_steamfitter@yahoo.com

Ken and Jodee Laabs: kjfla@verizon.net

 

April 22, 2008

Classmates!

Here is the date, time and place for our 30th Reunion.

Saturday, July 5th, 5-10 pm
Oconomowoc Rec Center, 324 W. Wisconsin Avenue

We will be ordering food/beverages from Pick 'n Save. Stay tuned to cooney78.com for more information.

If you have a change in contact information since the 25th Reunion, please email that information to Cris Duchow Palafox: Cristine.Palafox@brinker.com

Hope everyone can come!!

Clare (Cheney) Sedlacek

 

April 9, 2008

Dear Classmates,

 

We regret that there have been some access problems with the website and that recent postings have

not been put up.   We are very sorry for this and will correct this as soon as possible.  Thank you for

your continued support of this effort.  Please check back soon.

 

Regards,

The Webmaster

 

March 8, 2008

Clare & Tim-

July 5th & 6th have my vote! I’ll be happy to help with whatever I can from here (Montana).

Thanks…Bridget

bridget@fuglei.com

 

March 5, 2008

Hi Clare & All,

Yes, yes, July 5th and 6th would be great, as would the following weekend too--definitely the perfect time of the summer for a 30th.

Tim Clausen
Jazzwriter1@yahoo.com

 

March 5, 2008

Dear Classmates --

Please post (or email me) on how you feel about having our get-together on a holiday weekend.
Or, how would you feel about the following week?

Clare
csedlacek@wi.rr.com

 

March 3, 2008

Bridget --

I agree with the Labor Day thing. While most of Wisconsin does not start
school until after Labor Day, almost every other state in the union starts
before it!!

The 4th is on a Friday -- which would take out doing anything Friday night.
How do folks feel about having it on Saturday the 5th and then a picnic on
Sunday the 6th?

Clare

 

March 1, 2008

Greetings Everyone!

Here’s my two cents on the reunion (if it’s worth even that…). I think a casual get together for a fish fry and/or picnic type thing sounds great. I’m just worried that it may be too late for the some of the out-of-staters (like myself) to make it. I know a lot of people who plan their summer trips a year in advance. As for Labor Day weekend, I think that those of us with kids are in the “back to school” mode (my kids start school before Labor Day). I usually make my treks back to Wisconsin over the 4th of July, which I’m doing this year. My plans are pretty well set. I just figured that if the reunion happened around then – great! If not, oh well…I’ll be curious to see what others think.


Take care…Bridget (Byrnes) Fuglei

 

February 22, 2008

Classmates, Claire has requested comments regarding the upcoming 30th class reunion. I would concur the class of 77 seemed to have it dialed in with a causal fish fry on Friday evening then a party at a park on Saturday. Anyone have any other thoughts or concerns? I would ask if you are interested in joining a committee to meet very seldom to get this organized please let me know. What is the best weekend? How does Labor Day Weekend look?

 

.... and good luck Zach on your quest towards the State Tournament.

best of health to you and yours,


Mike Herro
Oconomowoc Realty
156 E Wisconsin Ave
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
ph: 262-567-3611
fax: 262-567-2065

 

February 8, 2008

Great articles in the February 7, 2008 edition of the Oconomowoc Enterprise on Lori (Koch) and Andy Mommaerts' son, Zach, who wrestles for Cooney at the 103 weight class. For those of you whose memories have gotten a bit fuzzy,  Andy was a great wrestler in high school, and place sixth in the state our senior year. (We had a superb wrestling team, with Keith Timmel winning his weight class!)

Good luck to Zach as he starts his road to state on Saturday, February 9th at the regional meet at Waukesha West. Look for that Mommaerts name at the state level - soon!!

On a personal sports note: The Boys Swim & Dive Team, with Clare Cheney Sedlacek as their head coach, dives in the pool this weekend for our Sectional meet. The top 16 swimmers and divers in each event head to Madison next Friday, and I have high hopes for my guys to be there. I became the head coach last year, after co-coaching two years ago, and we won our first conference championship since 2003 last weekend in record breaking fashion. Check out the Sheboygan Press online for more info.

Furthermore, we are planning on having some sort of gathering this summer to celebrate our 30th reunion. If you have any ideas on the reunion please write it on the "chalkboard"!

Clare Cheney Sedlacek

 

January 30, 2008

Interesting info here…

The middle age years can be depressing for all types of people, regardless of where on the globe you reside. Researchers have found that happiness for people ranging from Albania to Zimbabwe follows a U-shaped curve where life begins cheerful before turning tough during middle age and then returning to the joys of youth in the golden years. Previous studies have shown that psychological well-being remained flat throughout life but the new findings to be published in the journal Social Science & Medicine suggest we are in for a topsy-turvy emotional ride. "In a remarkably regular way throughout the world people slide down a U-shaped level of happiness and mental health throughout their lives," Andrew Oswald at Britain's Warwick University, who co-led the study, said on Tuesday. The researchers analyzed data on depression, anxiety levels and general mental health and well-being taken from some 2 million people in 80 countries.

U-SHAPED PATTERN

For men and women the probability of depression slowly builds and then peaks when people are in their forties -- a similar pattern found in 72 countries ranging from Albania to Zimbabwe, the researchers said. About eight nations -- mostly in the developing world -- did not follow the U-shaped pattern for happiness levels, Oswald and his colleague David Blanchflower of Dartmouth College in the United States wrote. "It happens to men and women, to single and married people, to rich and poor, and to those with and without children," Oswald said. "Nobody knows why we see this consistency." One possibility may be that people realize they won't achieve many of their aspirations at middle age, the researchers said. Another reason could be that after seeing their fellow middle-aged peers begin to die, people begin to value their own remaining years and embrace life once more. But the good news is that if people make it to aged 70 and are still physically fit, they are on average as happy and mentally healthy as a 20-year old.  "For the average persons in the modern world, the dip in mental health and happiness comes on slowly, not suddenly in a single year," Oswald said. "Only in their fifties do people emerge from this low period."

Tim Clausen: Jazzwriter1@yahoo.com

 

January 7, 2008

Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2008 from Greg Rupnow ( still in Sun Prairie )

 

January 4, 2008

It was 3 below zero at 6am the other morning, and as I was walking my dogs, I found myself singing the Cooney Pep song! After 30 years, I still remember the lyrics, and have the old school spirit!

Much health and happiness to you all in the new year!

Linda Kozlowski Bourret

 

December 15, 2007

Susan DeFrench sends us Christmas Greetings from Norfolk, Virginia along with this wonderful picture of herself together with her 2006 Vette.  Same back to you Susan!

 

November 26, 2007

Hi,
... my email address has changed. It's now Twofuzzycats@gmail.com. I am living in Washington State now, near Seattle/Tacoma.
It's been years since I've left wisconsin. 1983 as a matter of fact. I've often wondered what has happened to my old classmates!
Angie Grosskrueger

 

October 21, 2007

PEWAUKEE
Michael A. ‘Mike’ Hoeft

Michael A. "Mike" Hoeft of Pewaukee, 48, passed away Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007, following a fall at work. He was the owner of Mike Hoeft Home Improvements.

Mike will be deeply missed by his wife of 19 years, Elizabeth "Edie" (nee Buhl); his children, Michelle and Dan; his parents, Harold and Marcella (Hanrahan) Hoeft of Waukesha; and his siblings, Mary (Kent) Smith of Madison, James (Kathy) Hoeft of Waukesha, Kathy (Jeff) Hightaian of Montgomery, Ala., and Sue (Ed) Miller of Leesburg, Fla. He was the loving son-in-law of Dr. John and Mabel Buhl of Waukesha and brother-in-law of Mary Casey of Waukesha, Kevin (Michelle) Buhl of Yankton, S.D., and Dennis (Linda) Buhl of Waukesha. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and wonderful friends.

Mike was a loving husband and devoted father. He helped so many over the years, yet asked for so little in return. The recent outpouring of support from his friends reveals how greatly he will be missed.

Visitation for Mike will be held from 4 p.m. until the 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial Thursday, Oct. 18, at St. Charles Catholic Church, 313 Circle Drive, Hartland. The Rev. Thomas Demse will officiate. Private burial services will take place at St. Charles Catholic Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a trust fund for his children’s education would be appreciated.

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Preplanning Services is serving the family. For further information, call 542-6609, or for an online obituary, directions or to leave a condolence, go to www.waukeshasfuneralhome.com.  Sent to us by Susan Myers

 

October 10, 2007

Dean Verhoeven has a new e-mail address.  It is: cooney@ddv.name

 

August 11, 2007

Hello Classmates

Would be great to see some of you at the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts on Saturday August 18. Yours truly will be playing at the piano stage from 4-5 pm that day. Just read online—interestingly—that the festival is now the 3rd highest ranked juried fine arts fair in the country—pretty incredible.

Hope to see you there!

Tim Clausen

July 30, 2007

Classmates,

News from the reunion front.

I attended the class of '77s 30th reunion -- along with '78ers Meg Shuter Stapleton, Mary McHugh Schlosser, Eileen Judkins Thurow, and Mike Herro -- I think that was it. I wasn't there with my spouse, but attended as the guest of my older brother, Chip.

It was wonderful to see folks again, and they had a great set-up for their reunion.

On Friday night there was an informal gathering at the Delafield Brewhaus for a fish fry. The cost was $16.00 per person (I think) with a cash bar. It was held in the party room downstairs -- a nice banquet room that easily holds 125-150 people -- there were about 90 people in attendance.

Then on Saturday there was a family picnic at Nagawaukee Park, where a couple of folks grilled out brats/hot dogs and they provided drinks (beer, soda, water). They charged $15.00 per adult and $5.00 per child and also asked folks to bring something as well, i.e. chips, dip, fruit, veggies, etc.

Both things worked well, and I don't think required much work. Sue Lester created an EXCEL document spreadsheet with names, addresses, etc and had copies to hand out, but then brought her laptop along so folks could update their personal information if need be. Then she was going to email copies to people who wanted new ones. Very smart.

We are already ahead of the game in that we have a good database (I think!)

Fun party, not a ton of work for those who want to help plan and organize. Anyone interested in setting up a meeting time to start the process -- just to get the word out, etc.

Post on here or email me if you are so inclined.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!!

Clare Cheney Sedlacek

July 2, 2007

I have to totally agree with Clare. We should have a 30th and scale it down a bit. I like the idea of the Nagawaukee Park as well. I can also toss out the Concord House for a trip down memory lane. I would be happy to check on dates and availability for 2008 to get the ball rolling.
 

Any other ideas???

Looking forward to 2008,
Jeff Krickhahn: jeff@goffsautobody.com

Goff's Auto Body
1235 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Pewaukee, Wi. 53072

"Removing your dents and doubts for 40 years"

 

June 19, 2007

All --

Just a note to add to what Traci already said below. Tim Clausen emailed me not too long ago to ask about what I thought about a 30th reunion.

I think we should have a 30th. The shape and form of the reunion probably needs to be scaled down, taking into consideration the turnout we had for the 25th. The turnout was low, with less than 150 (out of 500?) classmates in attendance, and speaking as someone who worked on it (with some other fabulous people) to have another event like the 25th would be a lot of work with much the same result.

The class of 77 is having their reunion July 7th at Nagawaukee Park. That is probably the direction we should go -- but I also think we include things like getting together at a local eating establishment/watering hole for an informal thing, and then golf on Saturday morning.

That being said -- I of course ALWAYS want to see those folks we only see at our class reunions -- and as time has gotten busier those chances seem to be much fewer and farther between.

Let's get started!

Clare Cheney Sedlacek

 

June 18, 2007

Hi everyone.
Just thought I'd drop a quick line and see if there are any plans in the works for a 30th reunion. Since I've missed all the others, I think I'm due to make one. I've been living in Oklahoma for the last year - my husband's homestate - and loving it! I'm a principal at a large Pre-K - 4 elementary school in the Tulsa area. I'm leaving on a 2 week Kenya mission next week. I'm very excited! Life is good! Best wishes to all. Oh, and my new e-mail address is yochum1@cox.net. Hope to hear from you!
Traci (Abendroth) Yochum

 

April 27, 2007

There is a big retirement celebration planned for Vic Passante on Friday June 29 at the Country Springs Hotel from 5:00 to midnight. They are having dinner, two bands, food, dancing, cash bar, a salute to Vic, and a silent and live auction. The cost is $50 per person and the proceeds are going toward the new auditorium. They even have a block of rooms reserved.

If you are interested or have questions, you can call Maribeth Bush at 262-560-7265 or you check the website:
www.vicpassante.com. It is being put on by the Oconomowoc Education Foundation.

 

April 25, 2007

Remember Mr. Passante? He's retiring at the end of this year, and they are having a banquet for him on May 23rd. A former student is putting a scrapbook together to present to him, and all are welcome to contribute. If you have photos of Vic, playbills, journaling, etc, do whatever you wish on a 12x12 sheet of scrapbooking paper. Please mail by May 15th to:

Christine Van Laanen
1422 Eldorado Drive
Oconomowoc, WI 53066

Phone 262-569-7857
Email: christine_van@hotmail.com

 

April 13, 2007

I check on the cooney78 website periodically and have lamented the fact that it's been so long since someone posted anything -- but didn't really think I had anything to post -- not that things haven't been happening in my life -- but wasn't sure whether or not anyone who reads this would care that: I celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary last summer, my daughter is now 6-years-old and loving kindergarten, I just finished my 2nd year as head coach of the Plymouth High School Boys Swim & Dive team, in February I competed in my 3rd Kortelopet (half the Birkebiener),   I am currently attending Luther Seminary to get my Masters in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry, and that I am the Children's Ministry Director at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plymouth.

However, that post from Tim is what I needed to get back on the chalkboard.

Most of you know that my mom passed away -- almost 10 years ago -- it will be 10 years this September. I echo many of the sentiments Tim shared -- it's a privilege to spend time with your parent as they prepare for death. The time spent with my mom was so sweet, and we were able to spend a lot of time together in her last 3 months of life when we knew that time was short. We talked about her life, what it would be like to be in heaven, her regrets (there were very few), her wishes for her funeral, what she felt her legacy would be, etc. She spent quite a bit of time on the phone during her good days, she would call folks to connect with them, and if I was not at home (I lived in Atlanta) we probably spoke on the phone 3-4 times a day. I spent much of the time visiting at her side, sitting with her when she was awake, sleeping next to her when she slept. It has been the most important thing I have done in my life.

There is definitely a sense of being an orphan, even though my father is still alive, as we do not have the same kind of relationship that my mother and I had.

Unfortunately, my husband is truly an orphan, his parents died 20 months apart from two different kinds of cancer. Both were extremely quick deaths -- less than 6 months from diagnosis to death for his mom and 3 months for his dad. It has had a devastating effect on his life.

We miss them all desperately, and I am constantly faced with the realization that my daughter will never know how much her grandparents would have loved to know her. My daughter embodies both of her grandmothers, and are a reminder that they are still with us, even though they are no longer on this earth. But, I watch mothers and daughters all the time, and my heart aches for a relationship that is no longer a part of my life. My heart also aches for those who don't have a positive relationship with their own mother.

Thanks for opening the dialogue Tim -- Peace be with you.
Clare Cheney Sedlacek: csedlacek@wi.rr.com

 

April 11, 2007

Good New Year All. I’m guessing that many of you have already had the experience of having one or both of your parents die. No doubt many of you still have both parents yet living. In 2001 I had the privilege of being with my mother during the last couple hours of her life. Though she was not able to speak at the time, it was a profound experience to be there, present with her. If any of you have the opportunity to be with a parent during that time of passing, please do not miss it. If you have been fortunate enough to have been present for the birth of your son or daughter you can easily attest to the indescribable nature of the event, and being with a parent as they pass on is similarly indescribable, and an important and uniquely powerful life experience. My father and I had the opportunity to become very close during his last few years, and although I was not with him at the time of his passing, we had an especially meaningful and unforgettable conversation not long beforehand. I miss both my parents very much, and it seems quite unusual and somewhat novel to now be the patriarch of the family at age 47! Losing one parent is a huge loss, and then when both one’s parents are gone—regardless of your age at the time—there is a very distinct sense of being suddenly orphaned. One adjusts and moves on, as that is just the way life works. The gifts of who my folks were/are and what they shared with me have become clearer since their passing. Not surprisingly I find myself wanting to consult with them--my dad especially--over important issues, and one has to seek guidance elsewhere, though the impulse remains very strong. And of course having a larger picture of the universe to fit all of this into is helpful—some would say it is essential. Would be interested to hear from others regarding your experience with all of this.
Best to all,
Tim Clausen: Jazzwriter1@yahoo.com

 

April 6, 2007

I can't believe that no one has posted anything since the New Year! I wish my Alma Mater had a web site like this! For the part-timers I know out there, I spent a few days in Cooney in February and had a great time. Spent Sunday at Winger's watching the Daytona 500 with some great friends I hadn't seen in a long time. I miss it so much!
Mary Lou Lemke (1978 Pius XI... St. Jerome 1974)

 

January 1, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

December 23, 2006

Brian Chamberlain sends us his new e-mail address.  It is: dm-nfr@comcast.net.

 

November 20, 2006

Timothy Walter Radtke, 47, of Ashippun died Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital.
 

He was born March 19, 1959, in Oconomowoc to Thomas Radtke and Bertha Manuel. He married Wendy Ratzow in Juneau, Wis., on Jan. 14, 2000.  He was a mason for Ray Anderson Co., Richfield, and did work for the Union Brick Layers and Allied Craft Workers of Wisconsin Local #8. He was an avid snowmobiler and hunter, and was a graduate of Oconomowoc High School.

He is survived by his wife, Wendy; daughters, Brynn Radtke of Rochester, Minn., and Casey Radtke of Johnson Creek; granddaughter Savannah; mother, Bertha Radtke of Ashippun; siblings, Terry Radtke of Milwaukee, Tina Radtke of Ashippun and Todd Radtke of Ashippun; other relatives; and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas.

 

November 11, 2006

Charlie Boyer writes:  "My Friend, Coop, at work, at home...... tough job, but someone has to do it!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gD00r0MvC0

 

 

November 2, 2006

Greetings classmates!

We had a little excitement in the Northern Kettle Moraine last month. The TV show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" built a new house for a family which lives about 20 minutes from our home in Plymouth. You can read all about it in this story from the JournalSentinel online.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=510522

I ventured over to the site the day of the reveal, and then went back the next day with my daughter Anne Clare and niece, Madeline Darling. They were so excited to see "the house that Ty built". Our surrounding community has been quite blessed this fall. First, a group of 100 employees from Sargento Foods in Plymouth won $650,000 each in Powerball, and now this new house that has been built for the Koepke family in Dundee. (Link below for Powerball story)

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=481552

I can show you a couple of pictures that were taken for me, and will share with you some more of the pictures after the show airs. I believe it is set to air either the Sunday before or the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Check your local listings! Dundee is located on Hwy. 67 (that's right just follow 67 from Oconomowoc and you'll eventually run right into Dundee. Check out the Dundee Mill, and walk down the one of the two streets in town. (Kind of like that, if you build it they will come sort of things.)

Clare Cheney Sedlacek

 

October 4, 2006

Darrell Erdman sends us his e-mail address.  It is: travchris@alltel.net

 

September 7, 2006

Happy Birthday to Lisa Lindemann....
Wish I could be up there to join you for a drink!
Mary Lou Lemke
(Class of '78- Pius XI)

 

September 1, 2006

Hello everyone!

Mom is moving back to Cooney from Westfield to an apartment and she is having a big auction Sept. 17th. Here is the website if you want to check out what her years of collecting has accumulated that will be available!  www.HameleAuctions.com
All the best,
Charlie

 

August 7, 2006

Just returned from a 100 mile walk along the North Devon and Yorkshire coast of the United Kingdom.  The walk started in Nether Stowey and ended up in Ilfracombe.  It took 10 days and we did bed and breakfast the whole way.  See some more shots at http://www.restena.lu/islux/ruef/walk_06/.

 

Regards to all my classmates,

Seth

 

August 6, 2006

 

Charlie Boyer write: "So, Brenham is half-way to Austin, and the caddy is still on the rack, so why not go look at the bats that come out from under the S Congress bridge each evening?"

 

 

 

July 26, 2006
Happy Birthday to Carol Hamilton from Linda Kozlowski Bourret.

 

July 24, 2006
Hello There,
I have a picture of my dada Mark Giesie you can put in your picture book.  He was in class of 1978. There is also a picture of his three kids, Morgan Maggie and Mallory and a picture of his wife Karin. Pease post these pictures on you website considering it would make my dad very happy.
thanks ,
from Morgan Giesie

 

 

 

 

 

July 17, 2006

Click here to order Tim Clausen’s brand new solo jazz piano CD First Light.

 

June 25, 2006

Charlie Boyer has a new e-mail address.  It is: ezpilgrim@gmail.com.

 

June 18, 2006

Charlie Boyer writes "So .... the car still isn't fixed, and we have had our fill of ice cream ... So what next while we are waiting? Brats, potato pancakes, polkas and some good bock beer at Brenham's Maifest! http://www.maifest.org/

 

 

 

 

June 10, 2006

You are cordially invited to a


CD Release Party
-- For --


Tim Clausen’s brand new solo jazz piano CD…


“At Coast Restaurant”


When: Sunday, July 16th at 3 pm
Where: Plymouth UCC Church , 2717 E. Hampshire in Milwaukee
(1& ˝ blocks NE of the intersection of UWM’s Kenwood & Downer Avenues)

Recorded in the wee hours on Coast Restaurant’s exceptionally fine Baldwin R1 grand piano, this beautiful-sounding recording features 14 tracks, classics like Duke Ellington’s Take the “A” Train, Cole Porter’s You’d be so Nice to Come Home to, Erroll Garner’s Dreamy, Moon River, That’s All, Have You Met Miss Jones, and others, including a handful of originals. Tim will play a 40 minute concert, after which refreshments will be served, and he will be available to autograph copies of the new CD, fresh and hot off the press.   Admission is free.

Bring a friend—hope to see you there!
 

June 5, 2006

Charlie Boyer writes "So, with plenty of time on our hands while the car was in the shop, we went on tour ... One of the first stops is that heralded Texas icon of local goodies, the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory!
 

 

How to find the place? Just follow the truck!

 

Can we get a job here??

 

June 3, 2006

Charlie Boyer writes "Well, our vacation to drive this old caddy back to Florida ended a week ago - and this is where the caddy was until yesterday! On the rack! Luckily, it was only a short distance from Betsy's place, so we could check in on progress on a regular basis while we were there!

 

 

 

 

June 3, 2006

 

 

 

 

Dean Grulke sends us this article about his daughter Courtney. 

 

Congratulations!

 

Click on the image to read the article.

 

 

 

 

 

May 25, 2006

Charlie Boyer writes: Well, one tow truck to get us off I-10/610, and another to get us to this shop.

 

We were supposed to be driving this 1976 El Dorado back to Florida for a friend, but this is as far as it got!

 

BUT! we had fun anyway.. further reports to follow!

 

 

 

May 19, 2006

Charlie Boyer writes: "Approximately 2 hours later… on I-10/610 at the start of rush hour….Houston, TX style…we found out that Louis was NOT on the money with his statement!

 

(tow truck, Fredy, Betsy, Marja and Ella, the El Dorado)
This was the FIRST of TWO tows for the day… which got the car to the shop…

 

 

May 14, 2006

Charlie Boyer writes: "Betsy Peterson picked us up in Houston and we went to Winnie to pick up the vehicle.... Louis PROMISES everything is working just fine!!

 

 

Click on the image to see a larger version.

 

 

 

April 14, 2006

Hey! Thought I would send a picture of me and my youngest Elizabeth. I go to about 4-5 NASCAR races a year now...Yes, I am a true southerner. She loves it as well and has been to about 8 races. Not bad for a 9 yr old. I do travel a bit so I will try to drop a message to some of my classmates if I pop in your area. Charlie B. I will be in Homestead (staying in Lauderdale) in Nov. This (left) is me and Elizabeth at the start finish line at the Daytona 500. What an incredible place and race...Oh well, I've gone country....haha

Hope everyone is well....
Dave Schrader: dschrader@cintl.com

 

April 13, 2006

Rebecca (Burns) Gruber send us her e-mail address.  It is: rjl965@aol.com

 

April 8, 2006

Dave Harris sends us his new e-mail address.  It is: valentinekid59@peoplepc.com.

 

March 30, 2006

Hello all!

After 6 years in Southern California, followed by 16 years in Northern California, I am now back in the Mid-west. My family and I relocated to Dublin, Ohio (suburb of Columbus - a mere 8 hour drive to Cooney!) in July last year for a new job opportunity with Sterling Commerce. The winter was pretty much non-existent here, much to my displeasure! Hardly any snow and very mild temperatures.

The family is doing pretty well with the transition. Both my boys (Eric - 16, Jeff - 14) played ice hockey on the JV team this past season. Most of their teammates were pretty amazed that California kids knew how to skate! We just completed finishing the basement (another novelty for us - no basements in CA) and the bar is open!

My new email address is doug_olson2005@yahoo.com - Send me a line if you are heading into Ohio!

Doug Olson

 

March 6, 2006

Jennifer Thorne (Ryker) sends us her new e-mail address.  It is: jthorne4@msn.com.

 

February 13, 2006

Ken Bowles sends us his new e-mail address.  It is: kbassociates@cox.net.

 

January 23, 2006

Hello everyone...I just wanted to be sure any of you classmates that are flying to or through Atlanta, look me up. My office is inside the security checkpoint in the airport so if you even are on the ground here for a short time, let me know. It would be great seeing you and I only have 21 restaurants in the airport so I think I can get you a beer, cocktail, or some food for your flight. I have seen Scott Luer a couple of times here and it is always good to catch up.  Let me know if your dropping in the south so I can say Hi Y'all....

New email is: dschrader@cintl.com
Dave Schrader

 

January 19, 2006

Kelly (Coleman) Gaffney sends us her e-mail address.  It is: BKSHGEE@SBCGLOBAL.NET.

 

January 7, 2006

Gail (Ebert) Maurer sends us her new e-mail address.  It is: gailm@merr.com.

 

January 6, 2006

NorfolkMonument1@aol.com

 

January 6, 2006

All the best, all the time,
Charlie Boyer

 

January 6, 2006

Hi! My youngest of 5 sons is a freshman at the high school where I am a Vice-Principal. Poor kid! (I know, hard to believe after those rowdie high school days!) We are looking forward to a move this summer to Tulsa, Oklahoma near my husband’s home town. After living in California for many years, we are shocked at how much house you can buy for the money there. I’m hoping to find a principal position there. My husband works for Halliburton in the Republic of Congo. Life is good. Happy New Year to you and your families.
Traci (Abendroth) Yochum: yochum@sti.net

 

January 6, 2006

Charlie and Class of 78 -
Here's a photo taken 12/25/2005 Nancy Schroeder-Storrs and Family AJ (at UW Madison) Sam, (West Bend East High School), Jim (8th Grade)

 

 

 

 

 

January 6, 2006

Therese Neumann-Milad sends us her new e-mail address.  It is miladhome@comcast.net.

 

December 10, 2005

Craig S. Finkelmeyer, 46, of Montello died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. Craig was born on May 3, 1959, in Dodgeville, the son of Harry and Dorothy (Unger) Finkelmeyer.

Craig was a 1978 graduate of Oconomowoc High School and a 1981 graduate of Waukesha County Technical College with a degree in police science.  Craig is survived by his parents, Harry and Dorothy, of Oconomowoc; his brothers Carl of Montello, Christopher of Chicago, Curt of Madison and Corey (Kathryn) of Madison; nephews H. Joseph II and Charles; other relatives and friends.

Craig will be greatly missed and remembered for his love of sports, music and a good joke. Craig always showed his concern for the welfare of others. Craig's last sign of that concern for others was the donation of his organs.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 7 PM on Monday, Dec. 12, 2005, at ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH, 211 S. Main St., Oconomowoc, with the Rev. John Yockey officiating. Friends may visit prior to the Mass from 5-7 PM at the church.

Memorials are suggested for the Waukesha County Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 217 Wisconsin Ave. Suite 411, Waukesha, WI 53186) or the St. Jerome Building Fund, 211 S. Main St., Oconomowoc 53066.

SCHMIDT & BARTELT
Notbohm-Kreutzmann
Funeral and Cremation Services
Oconomowoc
262-567-4459
 

December 6, 2005

Jill Herro sends her new e-mail address.  It is: herroj@wyeth.com.

 

November 21, 2005

Charlie Boyer's brother sends this wonderful picture of a State Highway sign dedicated to our class.

Thanks Charlie.

 

 

 

 

 

November 11, 2005

Ed Fitzsimmons' new e-mail address is: edfitz@wi.rr.com

 

October 6, 2005

Greetings Classmates,


Hope you all had a great summer and are back into the swing of things for fall. The start of school brings the beginning of another football season, and with football season comes Homecoming. I opened the Oconomowoc Enterprise last Friday and had to chuckle after looking at the picture of this year's OHS homecoming court. Not because of any of kids on the court, (which includes Dave Young's daughter Lyndsay) but the fact that we have classmates who have children on the court. It's only funny when you consider that some of us have such a long way to go before we'll be in the same boat -- getting our kids ready for a high school dance -- because we still have children in preschool!!

 

My daughter, Anne Clare, who is 4, was the Homecoming Mini-Queen this year for Plymouth HS. Here are a couple of photos from the Homecoming Day festivities.

 

Clare Cheney Sedlacek

 

 

(Click on the images to see a larger version.)

 

September 26, 2005

The Moselle has very good  wine though. My wife and I took a "wine cruise" a couple years ago and visited wineries along the Moselle river and had a great time (from what I remember !) lol

Hope all is well with the class of 78.

Greg and Mary Rupnow: GRu9326503@aol.com

 

September 13, 2005

We finally made it back to the US this summer.  Our entire family (brothers, sister, parents and kids) spent a week together on Smith Mountain Lake in Southern Virginia.  We rented a run-about and had a blast teaching the kids to ski, kneeboard, tube and stay on the Shockwave.  It reminded me a lot of the great times we had on Upper Nashotah, Nagawica and Silver Lakes (thanks Cliff).  The only skiing I can do here in Luxembourg is on the Moselle River which divides Luxembourg from Germany.  Pretty busy, very narrow and not the cleanest.

 

Seth

 

 

September 12, 2005

Ken and Jodee Laabs have a new e-mail it is: kjfla@comcast.net.

 

September 12, 2005

Hi Everyone we now have Road Runner and our new addresses are edfitz@wi.rr.com and darcyfitz@wi.rr.com We hope to hear from you soon! take care and have a great day!

Ed and Darcy
 

September 12, 2005

Due to unforeseen problems, there has been difficulty with receiving requested postings to the Chalkboard and the Directory.  We hope these have been rectified and  thank you all in advance for your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience.

 

-The Webmaster


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