JUNE 6, 1961
'That Old Gang' of '61 Reunites at Sand Dunes
As I gaze over the grounds, I see one half of the Schellin-Scott partnership, mainly Schellin. It truly is a shame to see two such geniuses go to ruin. It seems that trouble occured after the two boys had completed their book, "The Key to Success is Modesty." There was a great argument over whose name should go first.
Neither of the boys could ever decide so their partnership came to an end. They say Bruce is writing shaggy dog stories now and Jim is never seen. There is some talk about Jim reading and rereading "The Key to Success" over and over again. It's a shame. (Phil)
Oh, I see some of the entertainment is beginning. What's that? Oh yes, I didn't recognize the boys right away. It must have been the roses between their teeth. Yes there they all are dancing to "Dance of the Sugar Plum Faires." Phil Shayne, Art Lemke, Tom Mason, Ray Alajoki, Ed Luzietti, oh, there's Al Wankat, I wouldn't have recognized him if it weren't for his press card in his hat.
Here comes the M. C. It's old George Amundsen, George has overcome his nervousness in talking. He had his tongue removed and pantomine to Jim Brennan's talk. "The next act," mouthes George, "Is Dianne Disabato and Rusty Urso singing "Alma Mater Hail to Thee."
This is a good chance for me to get out among the crowd. Oh, there is Charlie Badalamenti. Charlie has soared to stardom on his own T.V. show "Twenty questions." Charlie writes, asks, and answers the questions. It has been whispered around however, that Charlie will retire next season and Bruce Murdock will take over. These boys have an amazing capacity for questions.
Hey watch it! Well, I'll be darned. If it isn't Keith Connolly kicking the old pigskin around. What do you say Keith? Oh, you're just kicking the old pigskin around huh! Well, you'd better tell Kunkle, and Emmerling, and Ladendorf to be careful. Opps there goes the ball into the lake. Wait some one is tossing it back. Yes, its Bryn Pick and Diane Cudeck way out there on the raft. How about throwing back the ball. Thanks!
Say what's the racket over there. It sounds like a fight. Oh my gosh it is a fight. It's Richard Cornell and Bob Everest arguing about Castro. I'll try to keep away from there.
There's another large crowd. I hope its not another fight. Oh, now I understand. Carri Perez is exhibiting her world famous collection of M-Pins.
As I skim through the crowd I see various celebraties. Right behind the great racer Paul Cornog who made his debut at Indianapolis is Pat DeKreek star of T.V. land's Divorce Court.
Ah, standing in the center of the crowd is Mike Callaghan, president of Callaghan's Foreign Exchange Students Program.
Gail Windmeier head of all the Late Date groups in America, is busily chatting with Rita Gardino, another big head.
If one looks far behind the silver sands, Sue Geiger's Indian Reservation may be seen. Sue zoomed to success by short orations in high school speech and social studies classes. She recently obtained the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.
Bill Behrens, another veteran racer, is seen with Pam Carr. Ha! Pun! Pun!
Bob Webb, boy wonder, has found a new painless method for sun burn. "Why peel or pain," says Rhubarb, "be embarrassed all year long."
Diane Dinverno has broken a new record in speed and sound. Talking.
It's getting a little later now, I can see the sun slowly sinking in the west. I can hear the wind blowing the sand. I can also hear something else. Laughter. Yes, there's the queen of can laughter, Meredith Nielson.
What's that big truck doing over there by the park? I think I can read the sign on it. Yes, Harvig and Freese Fertilizer Company. Yes, those kids were always good at throwing around the brown.
Say, it's getting kind of dark to play isn't it? Say, slugger Mike Rowlee hit it a mile. John Reese is going back ...back. Oops. It's way out there. Hey, Bryn, will you, hey, Bryn, how about throwing back the ball? Thanks.
I see that's not the only ball team. Karen Fischer, Karen Klopp, Barb Silvestre, Nancy Hermann, Linda Pipenhagen, Carmella Fontano, Mary Rehman, Carol Dillon, and Connie Palarz are practicing for the Olympics. So far they have a straight record. They haven't won a game!
I hear the band starting up again. I'd better go over there. Well, this is the first time I've ever seen a commercial at the beach party. The tutti-frutti twins, Lorraine Patterson and Mary Lou Walter, are singing. Here comes the tutti-frutti king, Dan Olzewski.
Now stepping up to the mike is Andy Adolfson, three-time reject of the Choraliers. As Andy steps forward, I can hear wild screams. There's little old Annie Kulik, Carol Romano, and Sandy Guido. These girls lead the fan clubs of America. They have been cheerleading for years now.
I see the fashion head of New York, Mary Lou Cameron, will narrate a short fashion show. Top models, Sue Puryes, and Diana Raphael, are modeling ankle length muu muus, and Ken McLaughlin, Bruce Shriver, and Doug Halpenny are modeling bathing suits.
What, another break? I'll venture down the beach toward the water.
I see a bunch of boys playing in the sand. How nice. What are Bob Richardson and Craig Smith playing, Ed Stedman? Pirates? Oh, any special pirate? Blackbeard. Jack Mercer is Blackbeard, and you're burying him in the sand till the tide comes in. See ya' fellows.
There aren't very many buildings around here, but far off in the distance I can see one very obvious building. The Westerner. Oh yes, I remember hearing that the group from the old school newspaper went on to bigger and better things. I wonder if Mr. Royer is still supervising. Many a time his help proved invaluable. I often wonder who the editor is. Maybe Dave O'Connell took the job. But I rather doubt it. Most likely Diana Buthman and Nancy Herzog are still bickering over some unimportant thing. I hear that Dee Lyon is copyreading chief of the world. Anaterese Giardini soared to stardom with her headline abilities. Now she is writing clever messages on graves. Carol Dillon who was the picture editor long ago is now specializing in dark rooms only.