PIZZA NIGHT at Palermo's, Sept. 21 at 7:00PM

PIZZA NIGHT at Palermo's, Sept. 21 at 7:00PM

Greetings EMPEHI-ites,

Summer is almost over already; didn't it just get here? We just had two fantastic Reunion events with wonderful people, great fellowship and terrific food, So, I figure it's time for a PIZZA PARTY to round out the summer. What d'ya think?

And, we had such rave reviews from our last evening at Palermo's, so why not try it again? Besides, we have money left over from that last pizza gathering ....... remember??

So, mark your calendars for September 21st, Friday night at 7:00 PM at Palermo's. It's on 95th Street about 1 block West of Cicero on the South side of the street; in Oak Lawn.

Hope to see a bunch of you there. Everybody is invited. Please drop me an e-mail to let me know if you're attending so I can make the proper reservation to get the right sized table.

See you then,

Dennis Carlson, class of '67 

"akacharts@aol.com" 

http://www.palermos95th.com/carryout_pizza.php

Video by Gene and Sandy Schuessler Wright

Video by Gene and Sandy Schuessler Wright MPHS Jan 66

Click to View the Video

Click for another video - Mustangs 
singing EmPeHi EmPeHi We are Loyal

Mighty Mighty Mustangs Video

Mighty Mustangs Singing the School Songs

Click to see the Video 

Click for Another Video 

Saturday Night Aug 4th Empehi Reunion Video Class 65 66 67

A Great Time Was Had By All

Will Hepburn Giving Thanks

The 2012 reunion of the mid-60s classes of Morgan Park High is in the books and by all accounts was a great success.  An old saying says “many hands makes for light work” and there were many people involved that all helped make this reunion the great event it was.  If you count the names you will run out of fingers and toes, I promise. 

Friday night’s mixer at Lexington House saw 164 classmates gather for drinks and appetizers.  The memorabilia contest was a huge success as we all pored over approximately 100 items ranging from Joanne Capek’s (’67) girls gym suit (ironed, even) to Stephen Westerholm’s (’65) display of ROTC memorabilia, Gary Klimke’s (’64) MP blanket honoring Mr Cunnea, plus photos, dance bid books, letter sweaters, 331/3 LP recording of the a capella choir under Mr Hurst the tables were loaded with memories, a Delta paddle and more. A special shout-out to Cherie Mulder who couldn’t attend, but sent memorabilia anyway. 

Jean Storms Sommers had the room and tables decorated and the whole evening ran smoothly.  Photos of the classic juke box and balloon marquis are on the website and facebook pages.  Great job, Jean!

Saturday’s banquet, thanks to the great effort of Jan Miller, was also a huge success.  The food was great and the two videos Jancreated of vignettes of our school years brought back a flood or memories.  Thanks Jan for all the hours that went intothat.

The raffle, organized by Sue Engle Budash and run by Bill Kamenjarin, was a huge financial success which also kept everyone mixing all night long.  There were exceptional items were donated by: Chuck Thompson, Mary Tiegreen (’69), Chris Rosell Brobst, Gaye Schulhof Marcus, Sharon Shephardson Avny, Taffy Cannon, Patt MacDonald Christie, Susan EngleBudash, and Gary Klimke (’64).  The raffle netted $605 which went into paying for extras like the juke box, balloon marquis, video and table decorations.

Judy Halligan Willingham MVP received the 2012 “Most Valuable Classmate” award and was awarded a new laptop computer, paid for by a collection taken up among the reunion committee.  Judy received a huge volume of data from last year’s phone calling effort and went to work updating our database of classmates.  She researched and selected the wonderful Tinley Park Convention Center as our new Saturday night venue.  She researched and beta tested websites, maintained the database all year and generated email, snail mail and calllists, and acted as Treasurer, taking ticket money and creating attendance andname tag lists for use in registration.  She was personally answering emails and taking calls on behalf of the reunion, and attempting to track down missing classmates right up to the reunion itself.  There was little that Judy did not have a hand in, and without Judy’s efforts we might not have had a reunion this year.  Thank you Judy on behalf ofeveryone.

Other reunion volunteers include:

Craig Hullinger, Communications Chair who set up the webpage, got us the Internet address MorganParkHigh.com, created blogs, got us onFacebook, Pinterest and actually sent out the emails you all were inundatedwith.

Carol Post Raines rode herd on Registration, chairing both Fridayand Saturday events and keeping track of the largest group of volunteers wehad, including Chris Leo, Friday Registration Manager, Carol Hager Zalga, Saturday Registration Manager and registration helpers, Lois Jacob, Chris Roselle Brobst, Shirley Husarik Paul, Marlene Tomasek Grabe, MarleneWalko, Jane Jezuit Grable, Mary Agnes Clancy Spengler, Gaye Shulhof Marcus, Gail McGary Murchison, Sandy Schuessler Wright, Marge and RonMcComb, and Mary Caroline Baker Hunt.

Last year, Sue Engle Budash, got together a group of phonecallers who worked to update our 5 database, our first big task.  That group included Karen Holck Ketterman, ChrisLeo, Sandy Schuessler Wright and Carol Youngquist Macola who each put in loooong hours on the phone.

Thanks to Carol Youngquist Macola for manning the neighborhood table on behalf of the Beverly Ridge Historical Society and the providing the area attractions list.

Although without an official title, Taffy Cannon provided great guidance and advice along the way.

There were lots of photos and individual comments posted on the morganparkhigh.com website and on the MorganPark High School Alumni '65-'67 Facebook page. If you have comments or photos please post them.  If you need help, contact morganparkhigh@gmail.com

Financially it looks like we have paid all of our bills and will be able to leave a slightly larger nest eggthan we began with for the next reunion.

We plan to send a questionnaire out to gather your reaction to this reunion and suggestions forthe next one(s).  If you would like to volunteer to be on the next reunion committee you will be able to indicate that on the questionnaire.

Like I said, it was a great party.  Thanks to all who came and all who helped.  We couldn’t have done it with out you.

Best regards,

Will Hepburn
Reunion Chairman

Empehi Reunion 2012-01

Click here to view these pictures larger

Reunion, Reunion

by Taffy Cannon

"You might think that somebody whose book “Class Reunions Are Murder” was published a full sixteen years ago would have gotten high school reunions out of her system by now.  There are, after all, plenty of people who will tell you straight out that they have no interest in attending a class reunion ever, thank you very much. Some even live within walking distance of their alma maters. "

"Others are fairly indifferent, but I fall with a resounding thud into the third group.  I am vastly curious—one might say voyeuristic, but one is not that rude—about the lives and times of my early educational comrades."

Click to Read the Full Article

http://getitwriteblog.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/reunion-reunion/

Reunion Photos From Jan Miller

Comments on the Reunion

Sandy Schuessler Wright, Susan Engle Budash, Sandy Weisse

Had the best time this time at the Reunion. Raffles, (even if I didn't win the damn bracelet!!!)and memorabilia helpd a lot! Video was great...thanks Jan.

I would like to volunteer for the 50th committee, even though I live in L.A.

Also, is there a list of people who attended with emails? It would be great to keep in touch with people!

Congratulations again to all of you!


Mimi

________

Charles Horne

Sitting here thinking of all my MPHS associates and the good time they are having this evening (with Karen Holck Ketterman) and another evening of fun coming up Saturday. All while I sit here finishing my portion of a paper on Adult Literacy and Literacy Programs and preparing a power point to present next Wednesday evening. :(..:( It crushes me not to be there but not matter what I did with my schedule and finances I could not make it happen. 

Maybe we will have a 50th one, God willing or for those in Florida a mini-union sometime. (Like taking a 3 day cruise!!!!!). It has been a joy following all the plans and various conversations these past few months. Happy to meet others and sad to learn of so many that have passed. Judy Halligan Willingham has done a great job. I will be thinking of you all tomorrow while I am meeting with my group and prepping our presentation!! GOD BLESS you all!!!!

SEND ME PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

______________

Lorraine O'Malley

Big congrats to all the hard workers, and best wishes to all Empehi classmates, '65 or otherwise. Have a great time!

Thank you / thank you

Great time! Enjoyed both nights and seeing everyone. Thanks to the committee for all the hard work and time putting this weekend together. Very much appreciated!!!!

Nice to take a walk down memory lane and see that none of us have changed since our days at Morgan Park:-)

Ray Justinic ( Jan 1966)

 ______

My sentiments, to the letter. We all are looking and doing pretty well.

Thanx for all work that went into this great event.

Tom Schildhouse

 ______

Ditto

Ron McComb

_______

Re: Thank you / Thank you

Even though I was only able to attend on Friday, my thanks also go out to the committee that worked so hard to make this happen. It's just GREAT to be able to see everyone again. Oh, and thanks also for passing out those rose-colored glasses before we walked in the doors. As you can tell from the comments already received, they worked. We all look EXACTLY THE

SAME!!!!!! LOL

Joan Pettavino '66

We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives! Maya Angelou

 _________________

Thanks to everyone who worked on the Reunion and who attended the Reunion. It was great seeing everyone.

Craig Hullinger

______________ 

I'd like to add my thanks to the planning committee.  I had a blast.  So good to see old friends and put faces to new ones.  Can't wait for the 50th!!!!

Gaye Marcus from PA

 ______________

Just arrived home to MN from Chicago 45 minutes ago. Had a great time visiting everyone on Friday night and visiting with all of my family at Mom's home. I think I missed seeing a lot of people I knew - I now realize I should have mingled more. My brother spoke with a lot of people that I did not even know were there. See you at our 50th Lord willing!

Thank you / thank you

Anita Price

_____________

Thanks for posting the pix.....looks like y'all had a great time. Hangin' out in Taos 'til Thursday.....hope to make the next one.....

Ron Robertson '65

_____________

Nona Reinhold Kempton


Congratulations to you all!

_____________________

Hi there. I attended the Friday night party at the Lexington House and had a great time. Thanks to the Reunion Committee for all your hard work - it certainly paid off, as it was a very enjoyable night with plenty of good food, drinks and lots and lots of great people. The programs were a lot of fun too. All in all, a wonderful evening with many good memories.

I wished that I could have made the Saturday night dinner, but had to attend a wedding way out west in Monmouth, Illinois. Thanks again to all who participated in the planning of this Reunion and to the people who attended to make it such a success. Looking forward to the next one??........in 5 years it's the 50th for the Class of '67!! Can we actually be that old??

Dennis Carlson

_____________

I would just like to pass on my hearty congratulations on what seems to have been a very successful reunion. I am just amazed at the amount of work that has been put into this over the last year as I have read just about everything that had been posted. It is unbelievable the talent that exist within this group and how everything was brought together by people thousands of miles apart. 

Craig has drug me into areas of communication that I swore I would never use, did not want to partake in or even interested in. My word, when do you have time for anything else. You all have much to be proud of and pleased to hear so many glowing reports.

To Taffy, great article and it is on its way to some others in my son’s class that are having their reunion this weekend. You certainly do have your way with words, fur sure. Touched on many of my feelings about our age too.

Congrats to all of you.

Ron Veenstra

Patricia Tayor Hayes and ? - send name to morganparkhigh@gmail.com

Photos of the Aug 3-5 2012 Reunion

A good time was had by all. A longer report will soon be made.  Some photos below, more to follow.  If you would like to share your photos of the reunion or any others, for that matter, send them to morganparkhigh@gmail.com and we will post.

Click for more photos

Facebook Photos of the Reunion

Reunion Chairman Will Hepburn demonstrating the proper follow through for a two handed jump shot and for a very long golf drive and the best way to motivate the Reunion Committee.

The most popular memorabilia from the reunion - a girls gym suit.

Photos from Ron McComb and Chris Leo.

Friday August 3, 2012 Reunion

Judy Halligan Willingham - she did most of the work on the Reunion.

The Jukebox was a big hit and played all of our favorite tunes. The dancers enjoyed dancing and the non dancers enjoyed watching them.

Classmates brought in many items from our past. We have a few photos posted here. Anyone who would like to share their items with the class please scan and send them to morganparkhigh@gmail.com and we will post.

We voted on our favorite item, which was a girl's gym uniform.

We also voted by voice as to which class was best represented. 1966 and 1967 were very close, with 1965 behind. But the self declared referees were from the class of 66 and since we are also from Chicago we declared 66 the victor. 1967 demands a recount. Lots of luck on that one, 67. 

Vote, early and often.

Photos from Lexington House. If you would like to share your photos with the class email them or a link to where you have posted them to morganparkhigh.com

No MPHS School Tour at the Reunion

This is the latest from our feet-on-the-ground, Carol Youngquist Macola MPHS Alum and teacher:

I was there today and spoke with the engineers--and I was the only person without a hard hat.  It is a mad house there--with specific areas required for Monday's start with teachers.  A lot will not be complete when students come on the 13th.  --as roof work and the tuckpointing and the other high construction is done, the ceilings on the inside are cracking--so plastering through the weekend--and then cleaning crews for the areas that must be used.  

The "tunnel" is temporarily walled-off for all the construction crews in and out.  I didn't look at the auditorium; pool was done before the end of the year, but is closed off while the dust permeates everything.  And the concrete between the old and new building just east of the portico is chopped up--but a pile of stones sit next to it in preparation for that.

The must-be-ready areas are the lunchroom (lights still have to go in and then the clean-up), the library (everything is stacked), the main office in the new building (everything is stacked and dusty-dirty), the attendance office (the old main office in the old building) was a mess.  Apparently the rooms on the 3rd floor are ready, except that the ceilings need work.  The old gym (the Big Gym) will probably get a drywall ceiling when the time comes, due to cracks & mess. 

When all is complete (1-2 years), I'll take photos to put on-line.

Can you get this out to the classmates?  Thanks.

Will Hepburn