Welcome to the Official LHS Class of 1961 Web Site
Over 32,900 site visits to date
Classmate News
The LHS Class of 1961 deeply mourns the passing of Phyllis Cotton Pearson on Friday, May 11, 2012. Phyllis battled five different assaults of breast cancer over six long years and today it was enough. The obituary was published in the Sunday, May 13, Omaha World Herald. Our deepest condolences are extended to her family.
CLICK HERE for link to the Omaha World Herald Obit Guest Book.
Photos from LHS Dinner at Fireworks, May 3
50's Car Test
CLICK HERE to see if you can do as good as Dewey (42 out of 48)!
Lone Oak To Be Razed.
Due to considerable deterioration, the famous West "O" bar and hangout from the 50's/60's is scheduled to be torn down. Note the "cool" cars in the photo. UNL agronomy department staff hope to recover historic grain seeds from the original hay bale construction.
Val's To Go
New pizza franchise opportunity or landmark loss?
The Mar. 30 Lincoln JrStar reported that our favorite old pizza joint, the original Valentino's at 35th& Holdrege will be torn down soon to be replaced by a "mixed use redevelopment project". The 1957 historic building is showing its age and needs upgrades to interior systems such as plumbing, heating and cooling. (Sounds just like us!) Good news is that Val's will continue to operate in the new development. CLICK HERE to see other Lincoln Landmarks in a slide show.
Classmates Cares & Concerns
Phyllis Cotton Pearson has been dealing with breast cancer again. She had a tumor successfully removed from her brain last week and will be undergoing treatments for cancer that has been located in her bladder. She's gaining strength every day and is suffering no pain. Phyllis says she expects a full recovery and enjoys hearing news from classmates. Use the message box at the bottom of her profile to send greetings and well wishes. Update 4/12/12: Doctor recommends no radiation following brain surgery and chemo is going well so far. Treatments are scheduled 2 weeks on and 1 week off for 6 rounds. Phyllis is thankful for all the caring thoughts being sent her way.
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LHS Dinner, Mar. 1, Lone Star - Yee Haw!
Remember Little Darlin' ?
The Diamonds were a Canadian vocal quartet of the 1950s and early 1960s who rose to prominence performing mostly cover versions of songs by black musicians. The original members were Dave Somerville (lead), Ted Kowalski (tenor), Phil Levitt (baritone), and Bill Reed (bass). In early 1957, this song was in the #2 position for 8 weeks, behind Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up".
Thanks Bob Failing for sending this to the web site.
The Diamonds
The Original Diamonds in 1957
Mary Ann Meisner provided this beautiful photo of the 1960-61 LHS Girl's Octet.
Photos have been added to "High School Memories" slide show. (below)
Many thanks to Linda Chattin Colquette and Alice Cooper Novak.
See photos to enlarge or pause in the "Photo Callery" left tab. Need your help identifying classmates/photos. :)
Join LHS Classmates for Casual Monthly Dinners!
"First Thursday" LHS Dinner at 5:00 pm, unless otherwise noted. Next dinner, April 5, Macaroni Grill, 5pm
Join us at any or all locations.
ALL classmates are invited. Guests welcome!
Date & Dinner Location
Jan. 5
Parker's Rib Ranch
Feb. 2
Olive Garden
Mar. 1
Lone Star
April 5
Macaroni Grill
May 3
Fireworks
June 7
Misty's, 40th & Old Cheney
July 5
Lazlo's, 56th & Old Cheney
Aug. 2
Wilderness Ridge
Sept. 6
Beacon Hills
Oct. 4
Cheddars, 54th & O
Nov. 1
Outback
Dec. 6
Dino's
Girl's Night - Third Thursday of every month, Tico’s at 5 PM.
Guy's Night - Wednesday, 6 PM on March 14, May 9, July 11, September 12, November 14. Location Ruby Tuesday's, 56th & Highway 2. Check with Ron Bauers for details.
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Whatever Happened to Bloody Mary's and the Pig Man?
CLICK HERE for article about Boosalis Park (44th & Superior) in the Jan. 8 LIncoln Journal Star
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See revised "Links Remembered" page that includes 76 deceased classmates.
Click here to see those cars we all loved. Thanks Todd Hoover!
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Webcam 101 for Seniors
Combined "Octets" Entertain at the 50th Reunion
Many THANKS to Aaron Wilson, videographer. Scroll down to order complete DVD.
"Blue Moon"
"When I Grow Too Old to Dream"
"THANKS" Dave, Glenda, Earl, Mary Ann, Fred, Gayle, Rosemary, Joan, Virginia and Judy at the piano. We LOVED your whole performance!
"LINKED FOR FIFTY"
DVD filmed and produced by Aaron Wilson covers the entire 50th Reunion Weekend.
Send check to Aaron Wilson, 4940 Hartley, Lincoln, NE 68504.
Or email Aaron at
"Linked for Fifty" - $20
"2001 Memories" (40th Reunion) - $15
Both - $30
Our classmate Aaron Wilson spent the weekend with a video camera and has created a DVD depicting ALL of our LHS 50th Reunion. At every tour, at each activity, at every event Aaron and his camera were capturing the best moments of our reunion celebration. You can order "Linked For Fifty" and also Aaron has available his DVD of the 40th Class Reunion made in 2001, "2001 Memories".
For classmates who ordered a group photo from the Picture Man.
CLICK HERE for a newly edited Reunion Group Photo Photo Key.
50th Reunion Yearbook
Below is the cover and page 1 of the wonderful new 50th Reunion Yearbook that was distributed at the reunion to classmates who purchased one. All classmates names, and available bios/photos, are included in 122 pages. Thanks go to Cathy Stump Rauch, Gretchen Greenwald Bomberger, Nadyne Baars Bryson, Margalean Bayless Bossert, Mary Gilbert Jorgensen and Sharon Schmidt Neeman. To order a copy via the mail: Send a $25 check made out to "LHS Class of 1961" to our treasurer, Mary Gilbert Jorgensen, 3311 Curtis Dr., Lincoln, NE 68506.
CLASS OF '61 GROUP PHOTO
Group photos are still available from The Picture Man, Bob Olson (LHS '62) however, prices have now increased because they will be individually ordered. You may order an 8x10 or a 10x18 for $30.00 which includes shipping. The pictures are color with a title in the bottom center below the group. There will also be a picture key included which identifies classmates in the photo. Order online at: www.bobthepictureman.photoreflect.com
We all love seeing personal photos on the web site. Get yours uploaded (Edit/Upload Tab) or send a "Contact Us" message for help. All classmate profiles (registered by September 15) were included in the 50th Reunion Yearbook still available for sale.
Sunny Neighborhood Roundabout Provided
by Estate Gift from Janis Pitsch
April 23, 2011 Lincoln Journal Star article: "Jan Pitsch loved the color yellow. Her house, tucked off Sheridan Boulevard, was painted the color of a sunny day. It was the perfect accent to her yard, which was loaded with perennials, shrubs and flowering trees. So it seemed fitting that the landscaping for a pocket space of green was named in her honor in the Country Club neighborhood has been painted with a heavy pallet of yellow: daffodils and blooming forsythias.
When the area, named Jan Pitsch Green, was dedicated last week, the mass of daffodils near the 33rd street and Sheridan boulevard bridge and the circle of the nodding flowers at the roundabout were in peak form. A group of neighbors and friends remembered Pitsch and her love of nature and her neighborhood--a woman who regularly trimmed the spireas near the bridge into neat globes so they didn't get unruly.
Pitsch wanted to make sure her neighorhood landscape continued to be in good shape, so she made provisions for it in her estate. She died in 2008, leaving a gift to the Lincoln Community Foundation to fund the initial landscaping improvements for the space and an endowment to provide perpetual care. Working with the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department, the Country Club Neighborhood Association and family and friens develped a plan. Now every spring there will be a bit of sunny yellow at the roundabout.
by Kathryn Cates Moore, LJS
Daffodils aren't blooming in these Google views, but the old stone bridge still spans Sheridan at 33rd.
Web Site dedicated to Lincoln Air Base History, 1954-1966
For Jan.1 Lincoln Journal Star article - CLICK HERE
Base Exchange
World War II Chapel
High school students who lived at the base attended Lincoln High.
If you have information, photos or stories about the base, please email Rob Branting: lafb@lincolnafb.org. Our LHS web site is now listed as a link on the AFB site. We hope that classmates who resided at the base and see the museum site will find us and re-connect.
CLICK HERE or on "Message Forum", above left tab, and SCROLL DOWN. Click on Cathy Stump Rauch, Judy Cline Glathar or Marvin Itzen to send a message. We invite questions and appreciate new information on the status of classmates.
or to view a snapshot of Lincoln life "back in the day".
"IN MY LIFE"
There are places I remember,
All my life, though some have changed,
Some forever, not for better,
Some have gone and some remain,
All these places had their moments,
With lovers and friends I still can recall.
Some are dead and some are living...
In my life, I've loved them all.
..."In My Life" written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Thanks to Betty Hunt Foster for sending this song.
Help Us Remember
HONOR AND DIGNIFY ALL CLASSMATES
We are linked – you’ve proven that. The “In Memory” section of the website has generated enormous interest and exceptionally helpful responses.
It is important to confirm current informant and add updated information as it is received. Please help by sharing information about classmates and it will be reflected in the "In Memory" section.
You may send information to Cathy Stump Rauch, or call 402/423-4838 or 402/310-0450.
Thank you for sharing your personal stories about our deceased classmates so that a rose appears by their classmate profile names. Your comments brighten the memories of those who have gone before us and help us to better connect with each other. We will always remember these special friends.CLICK HERE.
Photo Gallery
Click here on "Photo Gallery" or on the Photo Gallery tab to see photos of renovated LHS "Ted Sorensen" Auditiorium, Reunion Meetings, Whittier Jr. High Renovation, Sunken Gardens, LHS Past to Present and Elementary/Junior High Schools We've Attended. Just added are photos of Prescott Elementary Class Photos from Grade 1 to Grade 6. Help us identify classmates.
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