We Heard News from the Following Alums!!:

Jerome Ash, Class of 1967 (HS), Unable to Attend; Jerome is at home in Underwood, ND.  Enjoys going with his friends for coffee or trips for various reasons..fun, medical appointments, etc.  In a phone call with Mary Kuhn, we reminisced about CCS adventures and old friends, students and staff.

John (Jack) Cameron, Class of 1951 (8^th) of Sedona, AZ writes:

 “Dear Alumni:  My days of traveling alone are over.  I am sorry I will not be able to make the reunion.        My history since I left ACC School:  I graduated from high school in Gardner, ND in 1959.  Another year after that of graduate school, I started to work in 1961 for the Dept of Transportation in North Dakota.  I was able to retire with full pension at age of 57.  Three years later I moved to Sedona, AZ to get away from North Dakota winters.  During my working and retirement years, I traveled extensively all over the world.  At the age of 71, I am in fairly good health.  The only things slowing me down is arthritis and loss of balance.  I am using a scooter to get around.  I notice from your list that Mary Waters, one of my classmates, is listed as unknown address. If you ever find her whereabouts, please send me her address.

Maureen Graham Johnson, Class of 1975 (HS) writes she and her husband moved to Rochester, MN in October of 2007.  She corresponds with Beth Nuetzman of Jamestown and Peggy Dores of Grand Forks, ND.  Maureen is unable to attend 2008 Reunion.

Sharon Rance, Class of 1969 (HS) is unable to attend 2008 reunion.  She is living in Devils Lake, ND.

Becky Stensby, Class of 2002 (ACCC) is unable to attend 2008 reunion as she will be at camp. She is living in Jamestown, ND.

Yvonne Helfenstein Hanzal, Class of 1970 (HS) writes she and her husband, Steven, will attend.  Yvonne is employed by North Dakota State Hospital, Jamestown, ND as a social worker.  She continues researching her family genealogy and cross stitching her way to the county fair!  Steve keeps busy with his furniture restoration and managing the church food pantry.

Mary Smith, Class of 1966 (HS) writes she will attend the 2008 reunion; she resides in Oakland, CA.  She moved there in Sept 1987, after completing her Masters Degree in Rehab Counseling.  Her last employment was as the Clinic Coordinator for the Disabled Community Health Clinic (DCHC) located at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, CA.  While working in this capacity, Mary co-founded Breast Health Access for Women with Disabilities (BHAWD).  Approximately, 8-10 years ago, Mary retired from work.  She was finding it more difficult to keep up with everything due to changes in her disability.  Therefore, she decided she didn’t want to use all her energy “just for work.”  Today, she does quite a bit of independent contractual work (on her time) with BHAWD providing training to medical providers, speaking engagements at conferences, etc.  She enjoys attending theater and other cultural events.  She paints with watercolor, but quickly indicates she is no Grandma Moses.  Meeting and visiting with friends over coffee or a meal is still one of her all-time favorite pastimes.  She tries to keep her brain sharp by doing the daily crossword and sudoko puzzles in the newspapers.

Tim Tveit, Class of 1987 (HS) writes “My wife and I are enjoying life to the fullest; I can happily report I have been cancer free for four years.  I am still married and living in Saint Paul, MN and still working for the St. Paul Parks and Recreation, I also got into making slideshows on DVD’s as a side job.  For the people who don’t know what a slideshow is, I take any kind of pictures and turn them into a slideshow with music and captions and put them all together on a DVD.  I also can convert VHS video to DVD’s.  People enjoy seeing their memories on a labeled DVD.  I am looking forward to introducing my wife to old friends and having a great time at the reunion.

James Christ, Class of 1967 (HS):  I currently work at Jamestown High School as an administrative assistant.  I supervise students in the hallways and during lunch.  I also help with game supervision during high school events.  I attend many sporting events in Jamestown during my free time.  Sometimes the officials wished I wouldn’t attend!  Seriously, they are great friends who assist me so that I may attend many events outside of Jamestown, ND.

Robert Echelbarger, 1958-1964-Former Industrial Arts teacher: Bob and his wife, Sadie, will be attending the reunion.  Bob and his first wife, Shirley, moved to Charles City, Iowa in 1964.  Bob worked in Special Education for the county.  Shirley started a daycare program for Special Ed children.  Bob began teaching Industrial Arts in Mason City in 1965.  We lived in Charles City during the time it was hit by a tornado with 13 people killed.  While in Mason City I was on the board of directors that saw the beginning of handicap villages for adults.  I helped hire the first director of the village.  Shirley became the first program director.  Shirley was killed by a drunk driver in June 1980.  I then finished raising our children born in Iowa.  I was fortunate to find love again and have been married to my present wife for about 15 years.  I retired from teaching in 1990 after teaching for 35 years.  I make quilts, write letters to the editor, fish, and enjoy dancing with my wife, Sadie.  We spend the winter in McAllen, TX with lots of winter Texans.

Michael Johnson, Class 2004 (ACCC):  Michael graduated from Anne Carlsen in May of 2004.  He entered an ICF facility of Alpha Opportunities.   In March of 2008 Mike moved to a transitional Living facility of Alpha Opportunities in Jamestown, ND.  Mike is enjoying his time at this home.  He enjoys his community outings (of which there are many).  His face says “I’m happy here.”  Mike also has the opportunity in the work area.  Since he learns quickly and is so capable, he has the opportunity to earn money and much pride.  And, of course, Mike’s vision is to someday move to his own apartment.  It’s worth working toward.

Connie (Kitzman) Nestoss, Class of 1972 (PreVoc), and Bob Nestoss,(1951-1957):  Nothing much has been happening since the last reunion except our son, Andy, married his high school sweetheart two years ago and are living and working in Minneapolis.  My husband, Bob, is still working at the VA Medical Center in Fargo, ND...can you believed he has been there for 31 years and plans on retiring a year from now if all goes well.  I am now on disability and semi retired...working two days a week and volunteering two days a week and loving it.  We aren’t grandparents yet, but hopefully sometime in the near future (will be in December of 2008) and enjoying every minute of it.  We have had a good life and are very happy.

Merle Norman, Class of 1982 (HS):  I have been with Wal-Mart for nine years.  Liz, my wife, (Elizabeth Schmidt Norman, Class of 1980 (HS) was diagnosed with cancer July of 2007.  She fought a good long and hard battle but lost that battle on April 21, 2008.  We have three children Eliza-age 25, Billy-age 24, David-age 23, and two grandchildren—Ben, 5; Caylen Grace (aka my little princess).  Liz and I moved back to Minot in 2008.  Family and friends were most important to her.  Let me take this time to say “Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.”

Mary Lou Schock, Class of 1964 (HS):  Since my retirement, as an occupational therapist in 2001, I have enjoyed taking classes at the local community college, doing volunteer work in the Roseburg, OR area for different animal and conservation organizations and just enjoying life in general.  I am looking forward to an Alaska cruise/land tour that some friends and I have booked for June.  I hope you all have a wonderful reunion.

Diana White Spedding, Class of 1962 (8^th Grade):  I am afraid I will not be able to attend June 27-29, 2008 because since November 18, 2007 when I was hit in the crosswalk in my other electric wheelchair.  I can’t pivot transfer anymore and I need more home care help and I need a ceiling track lift to move me from place to place.  Sincerely,  Dianna Spedding of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Dana Stevens, Class of 1978 (HS): I am a secretarial assistant at the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Group in Lansing, Michigan.  I still enjoy travelling.  In the past couple of years, I have been to Seattle, New York City and Nova Scotia.  Other alumni I keep in contact with:  Shari Holman, Rita Reis, and Jamie Slattery.

Lori Beaudoin, Class of 1980 (PV) From an article in Options Newsletter:  Lori graduated from high school at the Anne Carlsen School in Jamestown, ND.  After graduation she lived independently in Dickinson for nine years.  In 2002 the state refused to reimburse for 24-hour skilled nursing care in the community.  The only option given to her was to be put immediately into a state run institution for people with developmental disabilities in Grafton, ND.  This fulfilled the state’s recommendation for 24-hour RN nursing care.  Unfortunately she says, “I was institutionalized there for five years.”  Lori contacted Options for relocation services to live independently again.  Options staff worked with Lori for three years to assist her in reaching her dream to live independently once again.  This dream came true as of February 13, 2007 when Lori moved to Blaine, MN and resides at The Oaks.  It is a community residential home and she has three roommates also with muscular dystrophy and all utilizing a vent.  Options assisted with the discharge planning for relocation services.  Coordination of housing, attendant care, medical and health issues, equipment, resources, financial, and transportation issues were accomplished together with Lori.  Lori sets her own routine for the day directing her private attendants independently.  She enjoys making the everyday choices in life, whether it’s attending a concert, eating out or shopping, always accompanied by her companion dog, Toby.  Life is good in Blaine, MN.  NOTE:  Since the printing of this article on Lori, Lori has moved to an apartment in Crystal, MN.

Paul Wysocki, Class of 1952 (8th):  We will not be able to make it to the reunion this summer.  We will be going to Spokane, WA for my wife, Julie’s, 50^th reunion.  Can’t do both.  We are not into traveling as much as we did a few years ago; think it has something to do with age.  Paul hears from Chet Nelson, Ron Reichert, Bonnie (Weidner) Frederick.   

Mark McQueen, Class of 1982 (Pre Voc) writes "I am in Omaha, Nebraska.  I graduated from the pre-voc class in 1982.  I'll be 46 in August.  I lived at OLI in Omaha, Nebraska from 1991 to 2006. I have my own townhouse all on the main floor.  I recently found out about C. P. Group.  I am now a member.  I am a member of Ollie Webb Center, the ARC, League of Human Dignity, Special Olympics and Engles Nest Church.