Friday night football. MHS vs. Clay. MHS won. Above, a bunch of MHS folks gathered at the south-end 20-yard line.

Above are the other bunch of MHS '68 folks who gathered at the north-end 20-yard line. About half-way through the game, Doc Asher, Mike Bellovich, Bill Groth, and Tom Grau decided, "Something's not right. Suppose there are more folks gathered at the other 20-yard line?" They went exploring and found the other island of MHS '68 folks; then the two islands visited back and forth for the rest of the game.

Keith Cooper was on the field taking photos for the MHS football team.

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Banner by Mary Rhoade. Three folks arrived with some old maroon & white: Alan Stafford wore his letter sweater; Mary Rhoade wore her cheerleader sweater; Tom Grau wore his letterman's jacket.

The Cheerleaders: In front, Mary Rhoade & Nanette Schnaible.
In back, Mary Ann Pechi, Lori Eiswald, & Janis Crook.

Pizza after the game, at Pasquale Rulli on Division Street. Tammy Reed suggested that all join for pizza after the game, and Mike Bellovich left the game early to reserve tables.

Pizza after the game: The check was covered really simply: When the bill came, if you ate, you threw in some money. Doc counted it and announced, "We're a little short," and folks added more cash.

Saturday at Castle Manor. For one day, anyone who ever had been part of the MHS Class of 1968 had a home to come to. We had two bathrooms, a double-appliance kitchen, a big stone fireplace, plenty of space, tables & chairs, and an outside grill. Merrifield Park and the St. Joseph River were just outside. There was plenty of parking and easy access for those with physical handicaps. In the months before the party day, printed invitations had been postal mailed to everyone with a known address. The mailing was done by Randi Baker, Alice Beard, Donna Games, Carol Gramenz, Judy Greenlee, Marsha Honald, Becky McCoy, Lois Rice, Mary Rhoade, and Peggy Sinkovics.

Early comers shared coffee, donuts, and Alan Stafford's freshly baked cookies, baked on site. Coffee was from Mary Ann Pechi; donuts were from Pat McGee and Tammy Reed. Randi Baker added to the hominess of the Castle by cooking a big pot of her matzo ball soup in the kitchen. That's Don Plummer hunting for munchies.

Bob VanArsdale organized a six-car classic car show for us. He brought his 1947 Ford Tudor sedan.

George Roelandts brought his 1970 Corvette.

Terry Conway brought his 1937 Chevy sedan.

The other cars: Chuck Hoffman's 1965 Pontiac GTO. The VanArsdales' 1972 Nova SS, driven by Bob's wife Debbie. The Conways' 1950 Ford, driven by Terry's wife Vickie. Their Ford is black and decorated with flames.

Judy Greenlee arrived, all the way from California, and was greeted with great joy. Judy is on the right.

Old Camp Fire Girls: Sharon Gill, Tammy Reed, Alice Beard, and Pat McGee (who flew in from Arizona). When we were children, the Mishawaka Council of Camp Fire Girls owned Castle Manor. It was used for sleepovers and for summer day camp. As children, over 55 women from the MHS Class of 1968 were involved with Camp Fire Girls (or Blue Birds). Sharon's Camp Fire leader was her mother; others in her group included Debbie Callsen, Vicki Long, Jan Miller, Diane Roberts, Peggy Sinkovics, and Cindy Waidner. Tammy and Pat's Camp Fire leader was Mrs. Hysinger; others in their group included Mary Carter, Pat Collins, Mary Jane Dexter, Pat Hayden, Barb Hitchins, Margaret Hutchison, Sally Hysinger, Susan Peterson, and Mary Rhoade. Alice's Camp Fire leader was Mrs. Blankenhorn; others in her group included Judy Blankenhorn, Karen Broomall, Donna Games, Bev Magnuson, Pam McCarter, Gail Myers, Gaelyn Nelson, and Lois Rice. From a young age, we were taught the Camp Fire motto: GIVE SERVICE! Before lunch, some of the old Camp Fire Girls joined in singing the Camp Fire Law.

Midday potluck. Folks brought baby back ribs, soup, pasta, chicken, meatloaf. Someone grilled hot dogs. The food appeared like "fishes and loaves."

Lunch: Vickie and Terry Conway with Debbie and Bob Van Arsdale. Debbie is Debbie Schmidt, MHS '69. Table covers and paper products came from Rose Wilkins.

Lunch alfresco: Some ate outside under the pavilion. From left are Randy Smith, George Roelandts, Keith Cooper, and Dan Nicolini who flew in from Arizona. Chuck Hoffman can be seen at the next picnic table.

After lunch: Time for talking. At far left table, Kelly Guin talks with Chuck Hoffman (back to camera) and Chuck's wife Carol Jojo (MHS '69). At the table in the front, Nanette Schnaible stands and talks with Pam Craig (center) and Martha Zemalkowski (far right). Standing in the center are Darlene Lennox and Don Plummer. Nanette flew in from Mexico.

Siesta: Alan Stafford flew in from North Carolina and was tired.

Lois Rice with her husband and their grandson. Lois and her husband flew in from New Mexico.

Old Buddies: Phil Stillson, Dave Hoskins, and Bill Hickey. Bill lives in Arizona. As boys, they used to play kick-the-can and dig tunnels together. They grew up within a block of each other in Normain Heights.

Next generation: Becky Smith's daughter got to meet Randi Sue Baker's daughter. Becky is the red-headed "Cave Mama." Becky's daughter is in front. Randi's daughter is next to Becky. Randi's daughter flew in from California and joined her mother who flew in from New York City.

Old friends: Tony Marando and Judy Greenlee had not seen each other in over 40 years. Tony's in back; Judy's on the left. Marsha Honold's on the right.

From left: Pat Long, Paula Lampert, Bob Lese, and Spider Draves. Bob drove in from Cincinnati.

Two educators: Mary Rhoade teaches in Cleveland. Tim Bess was for many years a school principal in Minnesota. He now lectures and trains to defeat racism.

Three monkeys: Becky Smith, Pam Craig, Marsha Honold.

Chef arrives: Henry Catalino arrived to cook the evening meal on site. With him is Bob Lese.

While Henry worked, Steve Cunningham and Alice Beard floated in the river on a big inner tube. Michael Morrison brought the tube.

Happy Birthday! We sang Happy Birthday to Henry Catalino and Eve Thompson. Birthday cakes were made and decorated by Donna Games' sister, Bobbie Sue Phillips (MHS '70). Eve turned 58; Henry turned 59.

Birthday kiss! Eve, the legal secretary, got birthday kisses from Dr. Alan Stafford and Dr. Steve Cunningham.

Supper time: Supper was Henry's Italian garlic roasted chicken with potatoes & green peppers, and pasta on the side. Lined up for food are (from left) Martha Jo Probst, Becky Smith, Dan Nicolini, and Michael Morrison.

Paula Miller collected $5 from everyone who joined for supper, to reimburse Henry for the cost of the food. The seventy dollars that was left over was donated to St. Monica Catholic Church the next day.

After dinner fun: Spider Draves, a professional pyrotechnician, brought some toys to play with. He had a stack of paper hot-air balloons, rigged with wax plates at the bottom, and he had a blow torch. Tony Marando held a balloon as Spider heated the wax, which heated the air inside the balloon. We released a series of hot air balloons and watched the lighted globes float in the sky over the river.

Party continued with Dave Hoskins' band in downtown Mishawaka, at the corner of Main Street and Lincoln Way, at "The Phoenix" bar and grill. Dave's band is called "M.G.B." The band is recognized as the best bar band in the greater Michiana area. Above, Dave is on the left. He plays bass guitar, and he has played with various bands for over 40 years. Back in high school, he formed a group called "The Apple & the Cookie." They would practice in the family garage on Bastogne Avenue, in Normain Heights.

It was hot, and Jim Shown stripped off some clothes.

Mary Rhoade and Tom Grau.

Joyce Darnell.

Alan Stafford, Dan Nicolini, and Janis Crook.

Dave Hoskins and his band played until after 1:30 a.m. High energy from 9:30 onward, with several shout-outs to MHS '68.

Alice Beard and Pat Long

Love & kisses, and bye-bye!