Was it JUST Another Pizza Night?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A Local Get-Together for Pizza MID-WEEK? Tuesday, May 27, 2008, may have sounded like an “unlikely” party day - - but, sometimes you just have to “seize the moment,” and that’s exactly what 13 Jivers, plus spouses/guests did on this recent evening!
Yes, when our classmate-couple, Cheryl (Peifer) Kaye/Bob (Kudnowski) Kaye of Rensselaer, IN explained to their daughter that they would be heading to Schererville on Tuesday evening, their daughter asked them why there was a “party” of 61-year-olds on a TUESDAY! The Kayes explained that one of the kids they went to BNI with was visiting “The Region” from Germany and thus the party! To which, the daughter gulped, “KID” - - and we all had to smile to think that WE are 61-year-olds that will always be KIDS at heart! And, actually, hey, to so many of you classmate friends, we’ll always have YOU pictured as a teenager as we haven’t seen so many of you since the 1960’s.
But, back to the party. Marilyn (Rieder) Ambos of Dyer, IN was the perfect host as her Schererville State Line Pizza is becoming our “modern-day” House of Pizza hangout! It’s cozy and comfortable, with award-winning pizza and service to match! Thelma (Stocki) and husband Glen were in town from Warsaw, IN and they extended the visit for an extra day in order to join us. From Highland, IN Linda (Szymanski) Colter invited her husband Dick along, and Schererville was represented with Annette (Gordon) Dorn with non-Jiver husband Rick. These three couples had linked new friendships as they all made the trip to Lexington last year at this time to accept John Gerbas’ invitation to visit his horse farm during Preakness week and help him usher in his 60th birthday with family and friends. In retirement, Thelma/Glen made sure their relocation plans last year included a lake to fish on off their back pier and discussions were made among the guys about what to use for bait and when to schedule the first official fishing trip.
Though still working, we knew we could expect to see the friendly faces of Paulette (Pociask) Michalak of Highland, Eileen McKern from Valparaiso, and Elaine (Bielefeld) Engle of Cedar Lake. These ladies are busy at work and at home - - Paulette is busy with plans for her son’s upcoming wedding, Eileen is preparing to get to know her two grandchildren “up close and personal” as they, plus Eileen’s son/wife will be temporarily squeezing in her home while their new house is being finalized, and Elaine works five hours a day as a teachers aide in Lowell and spends her evenings studying to earn a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary of the Woods in December, following the academic example of her eight children. How fun to hear their stories!
Jim Wieser came direct from his Schererville law office so we excused his attire - - silk suit and white shirt/tie! Although he was dressed for the part, no one asked him for any free legal advice and he was off duty to relax and enjoy along with the rest of us. Another lawyer and judge, now retired, we were all so happy to see John Halcarz and his lovely wife Diana of Crown Point, IN. John has told us of his serious health issues with more hospital tests continuing this week, yet he gives us all the prime example of strength in adversity and HE boosts our spirits by his wit and engaging humor. We are all behind him with prayers and wishes to make him well.
Not wanting to miss out on current news and lively reminiscing, Ted Zagar of E.C., IN was also drawn to our mid-week party! Actually, for Ted, it was a reunion week of sorts - - he was invited to the 3-day weekend festivities for a grade school reunion of Blessed Sacrament in Gary, IN where Ted taught for a couple years when he first began his teaching career. Being invited back as one of the fav “teachers,” Ted was planning to help them reminisce about their young years, that group now reaching the 50-milestone themselves. Yet it was the class that spoke to Ted about a vivid memory they recalled. It was recess and a classmate yelled to Mr. Zagar that there was a wasp flying around his sports car but not to worry because he smashed and killed it on his hood. Some of the others, thinking that Mr. Z would be furious over the precious metal of his car, Ted told the class how sad it was that the wasp had his life taken from him and would no longer be returning to the nest that evening to help feed his colony. Yes, for us that know Ted and his gentle spirit for all things “living,” whether human, plant or animal, we know the phrase, “he wouldn’t hurt a flea,” literally fits him to a T and he continues to help with animal rescue, as well as writes two weekly columns for “The Times,” on Herbal Health and Wellness Astrology, which has been carried by that newspaper for almost four years and counting.
But, again, back to the Party! All this reminiscing, of course, brought on because “some kid we went to H.S. with, namely, “Ron Saczawa” was in town and, German accent or not, he’ll always be “one of us!” What fun we had enjoying his “take on life,” and hearing about his new career since leaving the German Delta air traffic business. With his fluent switch between the English and German language, he was a shoe-in for international sales and Ron has linked up with a company that specializes in thermal friction drilling (see www.ontool.eu). Warning - - Ron is pictured on one of the pages; however, you’ll have to brush up on your German to read the brochure! For us that know Ron, he can sell anything, that is, when he’s not at home working on his garden where he calls himself the “hobby garden freak!”
Last, but not least, we were joined by John Fornari of Portage, IN a childhood neighborhood friend of Ron, who accepted the Pizza invitation and his presence was especially happy for all of us who remembered John from grade school (1st grade – St. Mary’s E.C.; 2nd-6th – OLPH). John attended BNI in his Junior year. Some of the years John missed in our area was due to his father’s job at AMOCO, moving the family to Venezuela. John was looking forward to reviewing our class website (www.bniclassof1965.com) in order to learn more about grade school and BNI classmate friends.
As our Pizza evening progressed, some of the old stories, or shall we say “adventures” that were relived that evening made some of us ladies wonder if we had all attended the same school as the fellas! But, we’ll stick with John Halcarz’ summation of fellow classmate friends when he said, “I went to Bishop Noll with a bunch of nice kids, who turned out to be even nicer adults!”
Thanks to all who attended this latest Local Get-together for the Class of ’65. We know that lots of classmates no longer call the Calumet Region their home and we miss the ease of seeing your smiling faces and engaging personalities. And, even for those nearby, we know that we all lead busy lives and have multiple commitments on a daily basis. To everyone that wishes they could have spent the evening with us, we wish you could have too. Maybe the next time. We hope there’s always tomorrow… In the meantime, stay healthy and happy and keep in touch!
Make new friends, but keep the old - - one is silver and the other gold!!! I guess I knew when I sang my little heart out as a Brownie Girl Scout, I’d never forget the phrase from that song! It’s true, classmate friends!
Annette
