A Marathon to Remember

It was 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 27.  As I faced the East, early morning daylight was cresting the horizon.  Over the heads of the thousands of runners ahead of me, I noted the dark silhouette of the dome of the Old Courthouse aligned with the dark silhouette of the Arch.  The St. Louis Rock 'n Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon was now underway.  I was in Corral 16.  Nineteen minutes later my corral set out from the start line!  I began my 26.2 mile journey around the city of St. Louis.

For the previous year I had quietly hoped to run one more marathon.  I selected St. Louis because its marathon is in the autumn and because our daughter Sarah, her husband, and their young son live there.  During my long training period I gradually built up my running mileage.  Then, this past August I joined a marathon/half-marathon training program sponsored by a local Fleet Feet store.  For me, I benefited from the coaching/mentoring, from learning how to run hills, and challenging myself to run hard after running easy.

My marathon in St. Louis was challenging, exhausting, and memorable.  In addition to Chris, all our daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren were there to cheer me on.  And cheer they did, with their noisemakers and posters prominently displayed.  Not only could they see me a quarter of a mile away, but also I could hear them!  The weather was ideal for running a marathon, from mid-30's at the start to the mid-50's in the afternoon.  We ran by or through locations such as Bush Stadium, Tower Grove Park, Compton Hills, St. Louis University, Washington University, and Forest Park.

It's "thumbs up" around Mile 18 in Forest Park.

Near Mile 22 I was struggling and 3 or 4 of my grandchildren (ages 12 to 4) jumped in to run with me.  The smiles on their faces and the excitement of their laughter were as bright as the sunshine.  They were really into this experience and they "juiced" me.

L to R: Matthew, Susan, Jocelyn, and Peter (in bottom R corner)

Also, at this point our daughter Katie, who has run numerous marathons herself, joined me for the remaining 4-5 miles.  Her urging, challenging, and encouraging me enabled me to "finish strong."  (Remember, at this point in a marathon, "to finish strong" is a relative concept.)

I finished the marathon in 5 hours and 31 minutes.  I am happy with this, as the time was not so important as was the experience.  After the marathon, one of my family members asked me whether I would run another marathon.  I answered, "No."  On Monday, when someone asked me a similar question, I said that I would consider it.  Yes, the thirst to run another marathon returns quickly.

It was wonderful that Norm and Linda Hageman drove to St. Louis from Kansas City on this marathon weekend to visit their son and his family and to meet Chris and me for dinner on Saturday late afternoon.  We ate at LoRussos Cucina where the meal was delicious and the service outstanding.  We enjoyed our time with Norm and Linda.  They have become very involved and active in a new parish that they have recently joined.  In addition, earlier in the week before the marathon, while we were visiting our daughter and her family who live in the Chicago area, we arranged to meet with Don and Betty Wampach for lunch at Geppettos in Oak Park.  (There's a rumor that Don is putting his beer can collection up for auction?  Or, is it on E-bay?)  Again, our time together was a joy.  How amazing it is to meet former classmates, great friends, while traveling in various parts of the United States!

Finishing Strong

Where will my next marathon be?

2014 Reunion Planning Continues

Throughout the summer and into this fall Fr. Dan Clayton has been devoting a lot of time and attention to notable and impressionable sights and sounds of Dallas, Texas, for the benefit of our class reunion in October 2014.  Dan is proud of Dallas and he is excited to be welcoming us to his great city.  Thus far Dan has sent me numerous mailings containing newspaper clippings and brochures regarding diverse points of interest.

The Old Red Courthouse is a restored historic 1892 courthouse that is now a museum exhibiting its own captivating architecture and harboring all things uniquely Dallas.  Then, who of us does not remember where we were on November 22, 1963, when the unimaginable news of President Kennedy's tragic assassination was reported.  We will have the opportunity to visit the Sixth Floor Museum - the Texas School Book Depository - at Dealey Plaza a half-century later.  Further, I would be remiss if I did not mention a new, spacious park, which Dan has highlighted, located in the Arts District in downtown Dallas.  The Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2 acre pedestrian park expanding over and bridging a busy expressway.   It is the site of numerous venues from green space to performance pavilions, from a botanical garden to a dog park, free concerts and Zumba classes, putting green and ping pong, suitable for walking and jogging.  There is the newly re-designed and re-engineered GeO-Deck, a 561' observation deck located at Reunion Tower, offering panoramic views of the entire metroplex.  As one last teaser, we might tour the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, over one hundred years old, a Victorian Gothic jewel, located in downtown Dallas.

To tickle our taste buds and our appetite, Dan has mentioned the Octoberfest in Grapevine, Texas; renowned Texas BBQ; and an authentic Mexican fiesta.

Dan and I have talked about lodging.  Of course, there are many options.  After conducting some research, I contacted the Fairfield Inn and Suites positioned in the Market Center in Dallas and Dan subsequently went to see the Fairfield as well as the adjacent Courtyard.  These two motels are fairly close to Dan's condo as well. 

Kudos to Fr. Dan for all the groundwork he has done.  I'm excited about next year's reunion.  Dan and I are looking forward to seeing all of you in Dallas.  We hope you have saved the dates of October 23-27, 2014. 

News from Thad Kresho

I recently emailed Thad to update the contact info I have for him.  He promptly replied a week ago.  I am incorporating here a few of his remarks:

"Even though I am retired, I keep up on camera and video editing work which I try to get some local work doing.  My wife and I do a lot together......just came back from a twenty mile bike trip at a resort area that is real close to us. If the weather is good, we try to get there once a week. With the new house, Donna and I have been busy getting it the way we want it........the yard seems to be the hard part to get the grass to grow."

Thad and Donna are living in Uniontown, PA.

Interest in Reunion Growing

Don Wampach emailed Chris and me this week, telling us that Bishop Ron Herzog has entered our reunion dates into his calendar for October 23-27, 2014.  He added that he also reconfirmed with Ron the date of March 16, 2014, for the Chicagoland Joss/St Joseph's Day Reunion #39.  I think this will again be at Don's home in Naperville, IL.

The Hageman's in North Carolina

While on their way to Hilton Head Island, SC, Linda and Norm Hageman stopped to stay with Chris and me in Chapel Hill on July 11-12.  For dinner on Thursday evening, Chris planned for shish kebobs.  Each of us prepared our own kabob on a skewer.  I managed the grilling while Norm was ably nearby with a beer in his hand.

Tom and Norm - two hungry guys - ready to chow!

Chris and I wanted to expose Linda and Norm to "the southern side of heaven."  On Friday, among other things, we took them on a tour of the two great universities in our area - Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill.  At Duke, we walked through the Sarah Duke Gardens; explored the Divinity School; absorbed the stained glass art, Gothic architecture, and prayerful ambience of Duke Chapel while also going down to the crypt where early presidents of the university are buried; and looked around the inside of Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke's basketball arena).  At UNC, we walked across the two grand quads; looked at Old East and Old West, the two original buildings on campus; stopped at the Old Well; checked out a memorial dedicated to a student body president who was tragically murdered a few years ago; walked through South Building (the chancellor's digs); drove by UNC Hospitals; and, last but not least, explored the Dean Smith Center (UNC's basketball arena).

Tom, Linda, and Norm at the iconic Old Well

On Saturday morning, sharply at 8:00 am as Norm had articulated, the Hageman's left our home to drive on to Hilton Head Island where they had a week vacation planned with their family.  Chris and I really enjoyed our time with Linda and Norm.  We were excited to have them stay with us.  Just like family!

Save-the-Date for 2014 Reunion in Dallas, TX

This past Monday, August 26, Christine and I mailed out Save-the-Date postcards for our 2014 Reunion to all members of our class for whom we have addresses.  We have been communicating with Fr. Dan Clayton in Dallas, TX, over the last several months.  Dan mailed to us numerous brochures regarding places/activities of interest, lodging, and transportation.  I explored some lodging options.  We settled on the dates of October 23-27, 2014, for our reunion.  Chris designed and printed the postcards.

Mike Heydinger immediately emailed us with his "Yes."

Dan and I will continue to develop plans for this reunion.  Chris wants to get a complete mailing with reunion details out in January 2014.

For the moment, if any members of the Joss Class of '68 do not or have not received a Save-the-Date postcard, please email Dan Clayton at revdandjc42@gmail.com or me at tmeyer@nc.rr.com.

Steve Lautermilch in Kill Devil Hills, NC

Steve (left) and Tom (right) outside Starbucks

My family and I spent the week of June 16, 2013, at a beach house on the Outer Banks in Duck, North Carolina.  We had a wonderful and memorable week: sandy beach, Atlantic Ocean, grandchildren hunting for a pirate treasure, freshly prepared family meals at the beach house, Wright Brothers' Memorial.  What added to my personal joy was to have met up with Steve Lautermilch at a Starbucks in Kitty Hawk, NC.  We spent a couple hours renewing our friendship and sharing our life journeys.  I immediately recognized Steve in his smile and his facial animation.  His eyes were unmistakeable.  Originally from Tiffin, Ohio, Steve left the Josephinum in 1962.  He earned his Doctorate at the University of Michigan in 1972.  He was a professor and gained tenure at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro.  Upon retirement, he settled on the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, NC.  Steve writes poetry.  (He shared with me a copy of his first book of poems.)  He hikes and camps in remote areas of the West, e.g., Utah, New Mexico.  He studies petroglyphs.  Unfortunately Steve has severe allergies and these hamper his social activities.

In 2012 I had discovered that Steve lived on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  At that point I expressly intended to visit him.  When my family planned our week for the beach on the Outer Banks, I planned to look Steve up.  To have done so has been a delight!  Semper pax tecum, Steve!

Planning Underway for 2014 Class Reunion

Initial preparations are underway for our 2014 class reunion.  Approximately one month ago I called and asked Dan Clayton whether he would consider hosting our class reunion in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area next year.  After some discussion regarding this, Dan said he would be glad to act as host.  Dan began to identify some sights and events of interest.  He also identified other Joss alumni who might be included.  Recently Dan sent to me tourist information for the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.  I will soon be again calling Dan to select possible dates for our reunion in the fall of 2014.  So, all of you out there - CLASS OF 1968 - begin your own planning to attend this reunion.  You will be receiving additional communications from Chris and me with details.

2013 Chicagoland Joss Reunion

Twenty-one people attended the 38th Annual Chicagoland Joss Reunion at Don and Betty Wampach's home in Naperville, IL, on March 17, 2013.  Liturgy, food/drink, and fellowship featured this gathering.  Six of us from the Class of 1968 were present.  Msgr. Jim Koenigsfeld also called that afternoon and each one of us took the opportunity to speak with him.  We "roasted" Jim about recently becoming a Monsignor.  He joked that this is "proof positive that the Spirit still has a sense of humor."

Class of '68 (L to R):  Ron Herzog, Don Wampach, Mike Heydinger,

John Driscoll, Tom Meyer (on phone with Jim Koenigsfeld), and Frank Fulkerson

Initially, that afternoon, we all assembled for Liturgy - Scripture, song, prayer, and Eucharist - in the Wampach's family room.  Intimate and heart-felt, our liturgical prayer epitomized the presence of the Joss Spirit and the Divine Spirit.  We remembered Mike's wife, Dee, who died last summer.  There was no doubt to our feeling the presence and love of Fr. D!  Bishop Ron Herzog presided at liturgy, while Fr. Dick Kramer ('66) and Fr. Paul Hottinger ('75) concelebrated, with the assembled Christian community.

L to R:  Fr. Dick Kramer, Bishop Ron Herzog, and Fr. Paul Hottinger

Upon completion of Liturgy, we walked out into the Wampach's back yard for our group picture in the late afternoon sunlight.  A few in the group laughingly recalled the group pictures taken on the front steps of the Josephinum at our former, annual, summertime reunions on campus.

Mike Heydinger absent from this picture; he was behind the camera.

Mike Fry is wearing Fr. D's straw hat.

Next came delicious food and drink.  Lively fellowship flowed for the rest of the late afternoon and early evening.  During this period some of us began talking about the possibility for and the location of our Class of '68 reunion in 2014.  We discussed a number of ideas, with pro's and con's.  We began to center on the idea of gathering in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area knowing that, for one reason, Fr. Dan Clayton was living there.  Since Chris and I were willing to again manage the logistics for our next class reunion, I said that I would call Dan to ask him whether he would be willing to host our reunion in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

It was a special pleasure that Mike Fry, Alumni Relations Office at the Josephinum, came to this Chicagoland gathering.  The Alumni Relations Office had sent to Don and Betty's home a beautiful Peace Lily to adorn this special occasion.  It was also a special treat to "catch up" with Ron Herzog during this time.  Before Ron left on Monday morning to return to his diocese in Louisiana, Don confirmed with him that he was available to attend this continuing, annual Chicagoland gathering next March 16, 2014.

As I complete this post, I want to again voice deep gratitude to Don and Betty for hosting this very enjoyable event. Thank you!  Thank you!

Sightseeing in California

The White Knight on his Goldwing 1800!

This past February John Ernst emailed Chris and me this photo of him on his Goldwing 1800.  This is a huge bike!  John said he purchased this bike three months before our reunion in Northern California but decided to bring his smaller bike to the reunion.  Obviously, John is a "biker," a bike enthusiast.

Holiday Treasures

Left to Right: Fr. Dan, Tom, Chris, Betty, and Don

Chris and I planned to meet Don and Betty Wampach for lunch at Bar Louie in Oak Park, IL, on December 26, 2012, and we were surprised by Dan Clayton's presence at the restaurant.  Fr. Dan is covering a parish on Chicago's southside for two months for a pastor who is on sabbatical.  We cherished our friendship and enjoyed our meal.

Blessings to All

I want to wish all Joss '68 classmates a joyful, healthy, and blessed 2013!