Sneak Trip

Based on conversation on the 1968 Bartley Alumni Facebook site, the sneak trip was fondly remembered for a number of things.  My memory was that I along with my fellow male classmates had to pay to graduate for a minor disturbance that took place at our motel.  I can't remember how much it was but don't think I asked my parents for the money.

What do you remember?

50th Class Reunion of the Class of 68

As was shared in the Facebook 1968 Bartley Alumni community or through a text I sent you, I have updated this blog site as yet another way of capturing what is happening to our Class of 68. 

As the last post was 10 years ago, it only proves that time continues to march on.  By now the changes may include retirement, grey hair, grandchildren, different aches and pains, all of the above and more that we didn't know existed a decade ago.

Within the Blog, you will see posts that dealt with the different levels of our education as well as a remembrance for Eldon.  My post initiates the topic and you can read your responses of 10 years ago by clicking on any of the links below.

• Share about yourself
• Grade school memories
• Junior high memories
• High school memories
• Eldon remembrance

I would encourage you to add new comments within each of these levels.  One would be an update from your post of 10 years ago on "share about yourself".  Just go to the bottom of the listed comments and add your update.

If you have a topic or pictures you would like me to add, you can send it through the Facebook community, send me an email (john.stritt@gmail.com), or text it to me (308-440-1767).

I have also set up a Web site that I am trying to link all of this information together.  The web site address is https://sites.google.com/view/classof1968/

Eldon Blake Remembrance

As most of you have probably heard, Eldon passed away this last Monday, September 26. Below is his obituary taken from the McCook Daily Gazette:

AVON, Ohio -- Eldon R. Blake, 57, died Monday (Sept. 24, 2007) at his home in Avon, Ohio.
He was born in Cambridge to Noel and Fern Blake. He married Patricia Miller in 1971. He was a resident of Avon for the past 13 years, after moving from Denver, Colo.
He was a supervisor for Continental Airlines in Cleveland, Ohio and was with the airlines for 34 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents Noel and Fern Blake and brother John Blake.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Patricia; son, Jeremy and wife,Tricia Blake of Ogallala; daughter, Kati Blake of Avon; brother, Glenn Blake of Lincoln; sister, Charlene and husband, Marvin Colson of Bartley; and two grandchildren.
Burial will be in the Bartley Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve 424 Middle Avenue Elyria, OH44035.
---------------------------------

Since his passing, I have heard from several of the class who wanted to make sure that everyone was aware Eldon's death. Although it has been many years since I have seen Eldon, I have many memories of those 13 years. I'm sure each of you also have your memories. If you would like to share a special memory, please do so. In respect to Eldon's family, I will share your thoughts with them.

September - Fall H.S. Activities

Either because it wasn't as long ago or there were more happenings which led to a better memory, I recall several fall moments:

• Football
• 5'1 110 lb freshman - I'm sure I put fear in the hearts of the rest of the team. Got to play in one quarter. Got kicked in the head and really don't remember much about the game.
  
• 5'6 125 lb sophomore - Finally big enough to participate but didn't make much of impact. Why didn't we have reserve games?
  
• 5'9 150 lb junior - Graduation left all of us little guys to fend for ourself. Too bad we had to play the number 2 team in the state - Wilsonville - followed by the number 1 team in the state - Indianola. Eldon scored against Indianola.
  
• 5'9 155 lb senior - I believe we were ranked in the state but lost 2 out of last 3.
  

• Senior pictures and selling ads for the annual in McCook.
• I believe we did either the Junior or Senior Class play during the fall. Not sure which. Ernest was a good one - junior year. I think we had a lemon for the senior year.
  

August - Junior High Memories

Junior high meant Junior Hart. Memories include:

• Other then having a man as a teacher, we were still confined to one classroom and one teacher.
  
• Memorizing and saying the Gettysburg Address and The Charge of Light Brigade. Memorizing was bad enough but getting up in front of the class was a frightening experience. Gosh they could make fun of you if you screwed up.
• Junior high athletics was our first attempt at being athletic. I don't know if we won or lost.
• School dances made me as nervous as saying a poem in front of the class.
• Mr. Hart had his traditional warning cough as he headed back from his "calm my nerves" breaks.
  

July - Gradeschool Memories

Obviously gets tougher to remember as those days get farther behind us. Here are a few of my gradeschool memories which includes junior high.

• Went to Bartley Public Schools from kindergarten through graduation.
  
• Always got C's in conduct.
  
• Was last on and first off on the bus to school. Others didn't think that was fair.
• Used to play tag west of the school and had to stay on the cement footings.
• Had Mrs. Adams as a teacher over and over again.
• Built forts in the northwest corner of the school yard.
• Football players practiced outside our classroom. Also got to go to afternoon football games.
• Later went to football games not to watch but to play at halftime.
• Still remember the day Kennedy was assassinated and what we were doing that day.
  

June Topic - Share About Yourself

John Stritt - What happened after 68?

1. 1968-1972 - After high school, I went to college at Kearney State and got a teaching degree in business education.
2. 1970 - As projected in the class prophecy, I married my high school sweetheart - Nancy.
3. 1972 - 1998 - I was a business teacher and coach in the following schools - Diller, Callaway, and Grant.
4. Nancy and I have four children - Brandon (Lincoln), Jennifer (Kearney), Danette (Des Moines), and Chad (Lincoln).
5. 1998-2006 - I began working for Education Service Units in Ogallala (98-01) and Kearney (01-07)
6. Nancy and I have four grandchildren three who live in Kearney and the fourth in Lincoln.