46 DAYS AND COUNTING

Okay, everyone, can you believe it???

ONLY 46 MORE DAYS UNTIL THE OCTOBER MINI.

I am going to be sending out invitations in
the next week or so. IF you haven't marked
your calendars now is the time. Graybeard
seems to think that this mini is going to
be the biggest one yet. SURE HOPE HE IS
RIGHT !!!

For those of you who have attended before
I know you are looking forward to coming
again. IF you see or talk to (anyone) who
hasn't made it in the past please be sure
to tell them it is a time they don't want
to miss.

Saw Mary R. at the funeral and she said that
she IS GOING TO BE HERE. HOORAY !!!

I ran across a class mate that we haven't seen
in years and who hasn't attended any of our
regular five year reunions. JUDY KIRK.
Would you belive that she is a neighbor of
mine? She lives in Edinburgh and has for
many years. She works at the Edinburgh
Police Department and has for about 13 years.

David Lutz who is the Johnson County Corner
and also an Edinburgh Policeman is one of my
clients. I went by the police station to see
him. When I went up to the window this woman
said "hey, I know you, we went to school
together". I had no idea who she was. When
she told me she was Judy I couldn't believe it.
She said to tell everyone hello, AND SAID SHE
WOULD LOVE TO COME TO THE MINI. Also wants me
to have Graybeard or Tabby get in touch with
her so she can get on VK. So I have found (MY)
never before attended classmate. HOW ABOUT YOU??

So far here is who has stated that they are for
sure coming.
Greaybeard & Sara Jean
Hawkeye and Hotlips
Bob White and Mrs. Bob White
Two Dogs and Cinders
DJInIndy
Mary R.
Ferdy
Carol & Tracy
Topcat & Sharon

Come on guys add your name to this list.
Once we have the list pretty well down then
we can sign up for what you want to pitch in
for the dinner. Remember, this is important-
We don't want 20 bowls of potato salad.

I will send out directions again with the
invitations. Hopefully this year I will know
my left turns from my right turns. But never
fear there will be signs in case I screw up
again.

As I said there will be the bonfire so be sure
to add lawn chairs to your list of things to
bring. Shifty added to the fire pit over the
week end while working on this honey do list.
THAT'S (THE ONLY THING) HE DIDN'T COMPLAIN
ABOUT ON THE LIST.) Mumble, Mumble, Groan,
Groan.

My email address(s) are:
magadspec@earthlink.net - got it (fixed) so
shouldn't have any problems this year getting
your e-mails. Also kl_harris@yahoo.com. I'm
pretty sure you have my phone numbers. If not
e-mail me and I will send them to you if you
want to give me a call.

Flygirl, haven't heard from you lately so I am
looking forward to your RSVP (early). Don't
know if the old ticker can take another surprise
knock at the door. If you can come a day or two
early I will hold off on the kitchen floor.
HAHAHA

Echo & Shifty

The House of Blue Lights

I wrote this post at "Pitchpull" almost two years ago.
If ya haven't read it you ought to take the time, 'cause I bet it'll bring back memories. There are a couple links in that post that have interesting information about the bridge.

Pokin' around on the 'net to find stuff about the haunted bridge led me to a couple other interesting sites-

With all the notoriety about The House of Blue Lights while we were growing up, I'm surprised Hawkeye and I never launched an up-close CGHS probe of the place! I think the night we drove by to take a look at the house we were a little spooked by stories we had heard. We did see what we thought was a detached head peeking out from the front window of the house. That alone would not normally have stopped us from leaving the car for a close recon, so I can only imagine we had more important things to do that evening, and put it off for a later date. (No way we'd have been frightened, so that had to be the case!)

Here's another site with haunted/paranormal locations in Indiana.
And this is a site with detailed information about many haunted Hoosier places. It's interesting to note how many of the stories have similar themes...
babies crying, or people moaning/calling out in the night.

Ever been to any of these places? C'mon, share your stories.
Halloween is just around the corner!

Drag Racing

When I first met my husband in 1967 he was driving a (’66 or ’67) Chevy Chevelle SS 396. Meant nothing to me, at the time, except it was a nice new red shiny fast car. Some of the first dates we went on were to drag strips, where he raced his Chevelle. I had never been to a drag strip and this was exciting and different, especially since he won almost every time he raced. That Chevelle was hard to beat in its class. We went to several different drag strips over the years, with Muncie and Indpls Raceway Park being our favorites. Muncie was always at night and we’d get home in the wee hours of the morning. He raced that Chevelle for a couple of years and him and his buddy invested in a trailer to haul it around. To say that those 2 men lived and breathed cars is an understatement. We drove all the way to Chicago once and went to where “THE" Carroll Shelby, himself, had his business located and my husband had the nerve to ask if Mr. Shelby was there – he wasn’t. We spent almost every weekend at a drag strip for many years. It got monotonous at times, but mostly it was a lot of fun. We even flew to Gainesville, FL one year to watch the Spring Nationals in the early 70’s.

Then we invested in a 1969 or 1970 Mustang Mach 1, went straight to the dealer and ordered it special. I have no idea how big the engine was or any other details, that was my husband’s field of expertise. All I know is it was yellow with a wide black strip on each side and it was fast. Now that car could run! It was unbeatable in its class and we took it all over the Midwest. I don’t think we ever lost a race with that mustang. When we weren’t racing that mustang, I was driving it as my “regular” car. I even drove it to work and the grocery!!! I had never driven a car so powerful….keeping in mind I went from driving a corvair to this Mach 1 Mustang! Everyday when I got home, I would back the mustang into our garage, ever so slowly. Just touching the gas and letting the clutch slip a little would jump the car several feet. I ripped off the frame around the garage door – twice! I went through the drywall in the garage into the kitchen – once! I was kind of glad when we sold the mustang, although I sure did get a lot of attention when I drove it (big smile). We sold that car to another interested drag racer, and then bought a Camaro Z-28 the first year they came out. That car was a dog! Drove it to FL once, then sold it.

note: the pictures here are only similar to the cars I owned.

The reason I’m giving you this little excerpt from my life is because I now live close to Avon about 5 miles south of Indpls. Raceway Park – now called O’Reilly Raceway Park – and this is a BIG weekend for them. This is the NHRA Drag Racing Championship event of the year, held right here in Clermont, IN. For 2 days now, I have been listening to those cars, with 2 more days to go. Yes, I can hear them from my house and the weather has been perfect, so I’ve had my windows open. I really wish I were there. Hearing those big engines make me long for the good ole days, and a fast car!

Yesterday I received the following letter written to the community by Bill Vandermeer that was read by Gene Rund at Vandy's funeral. He said I could post it on the blog.
Hawkeye



Preamble

This speech was written by an engineer. English teachers, including Diana: please be gentle.


Amble

The Vandermeer family is appreciative, humbled and in awe of the response from the community to the passing of my father: the countless best wishes; the school allowing us to use their property for the visitation; this church allowing us to have this service; and the list goes on.

The response of the community during life was also phenomenal: the naming of the physical education center; the countless friends who took him shopping, to the bank, to the doctor, to games etc; played cards with him; looked after him when he was sick; made sure he was eating when he did not feel like eating (he could be a bear in those circumstances); and the list goes on.

I would like to name names, but the list is too long and I would surely omit many, either inadvertently or in ignorance.

To the family, he is a brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin or whatever. We see him in that light with good points and a couple not so good points. The role, if you’ll allow me to be presumptuous, of a community icon is somewhat beyond our collective vision.

I feel that the success he had was due in large part to strong values which were the underpinnings of this community. A triumvirate of strengths is necessary for a school to be successful: good teachers; good parents and good students.

The students were, of course, outstanding.

We had the best teachers: Sloop, Tumey, Clements, Clements, et. al.

And we had great parents. One of my dad’s favorite stories concerns a boy we will call Joe. Joe was high spirited and would occasionally get into trouble. One time Joe went beyond his normal transgressions. In addition to the normal punishment, which isn’t so normal today, my dad informed Joe’s father. Joe’s father assured my father that henceforth, Joe would not be a problem. For several days following the incident, Joe ignored my father. Finally my father cornered Joe and asked him why the cold shoulder. After all Joe had been in trouble before, but the two remained friends afterwards. Joe’s response: “You didn’t have to tell my father!” That says it all: You didn’t have to tell my father.

Of late my father has said on numerous occasions that he had the best job in the world: good teachers, good parents and good students.

The Vandermeer family thanks the Center Grove community for the outpouring of love and compassion both during my father’s life and after his passing.


Bill Vandermeer
26-August-2007

Something to Cheer About

I saw on the late news last night and also in this mornings paper that our Football Team beat Carmel inDOUBLE OVERTIME last night! The score was 32-31; we ran in a two-point conversion to win the game. Carmel was ranked No. 1 in Class 5A; Center Grove was ranked No. 10.

I do believe that Mr. V may have had a hand in that! They are singing "Onward Trojans" in heaven!

Guess who, again?

Bo is correct!

It's RICHARD CRENNA.

Who is the guy on the right?

He was a well known film and TV star.

Born in CA. to Italian immigrants in the 1920's.

1st hint:

married for 47 years, had 3 kids,

died of heart failure due to cancer at the age of 76.

Guess who?

This famous celebrity was not born in the U.S.

She was in many movies, but

was very famous for one particular movie.

Yes, you've all heard of her.
Vivian Leigh is correct!

One More Bump in the Road

Wow, I hate to do this, 'cause Heaven knows we could use a good laugh about now, but I have one more piece of uncomfortable business to share.
After posting the memorial and getting it semi-straightened out,
I got a note from Up/Down with a list of his classmates that are gone, asking me to post them.
I'm sorry to say there are some VERY familiar names on that class of '66 list now... real friends with whom I shared some great times.
I'm sure you'll have the same reaction.
Go and look.
But don't grieve. We've done enough of that this week.
It's time to celebrate their memory.
It's time once again to celebrate life.
God Bless them. God Bless us all.

Photos from Vandy's Service

Thanks to Hawkeye and HL for the photos of Vandy's service Class of '65 flowers

Viewing in the Hall of Excellence

Bill's daughter, sons and daughter-in-law in front of the Vandermeer Gymnasium

Bill and Hawkeye with friends

YES, VANDY'S FUNERAL WAS PERFECT

Yes, Vandy's funeral was perfect. Gene Rund gave a wonderful message at the church. You hung on every word. At the end, he read an open letter to the community from Bill Vandermeer. It was so well written and special. We have asked for a copy to post on the Vandy Blog. The Hall of Excellence at Center Grove looked really cool for the showing. I have some pictures and I think Bob is sending them to PT. Maybe she will post them on the Blog. Vandy had only one school kid pall bearer, Bob Davidson, and the rest were teachers and probably community leaders or something. Bob was so humbled to be asked to be a pall bearer.

There were several Class of 65 kids at the showning and funeral. Mary Ellen R came in from Illinois. She told her friend she was going to Indiana to her high school principal's funeral. Her friend said why in the world would you do this? Mary said he was a special principal. Her friend said she didn't even remember her high school principal's name.

The flowers from the Class of 65 were the biggest arrangement there. They were very pretty and tasteful, and as every arrangement but one there, red and white. There were many flowers, several other classes sent flowers, but only one went on to the cemetary....The Class of 65.

Vandy had set aside money for a lunch after the funeral. Everyone at the Church for the funeral was invited to the lunch. About 75 of us went. An executive type guy, about 30 years old, Ben, spoke at the dinner. His family lived across the street from Vandy and Margaret in Carefree. He told about asking Vandy to be his Grandfather when he was 6 years old. Vandy said he would. Vandy went to 1st grade Grandparents Day with Ben. He was such a hit, he was asked back two weeks later as Ben's "show and tell".

Ben went on to tell about getting off of the bus from school and going directly to Vandy's house where the two of them played a daily game of "Fish". This friendship of young and old kept going on. Ben was visably shaken at times, but kept his voice even. He talked about splitting wood and building fireplace fires for Vandy. He said the last time he and Vandy talked was May of 2006. It was then that Vandy made him promise to say nice words about him after he was gone. Ben's voice cracked as he said he now had kept his last promise to his friend.

Ben is married and lives in Pinehurst, Pineville, or something, South or North Carolina. He has several tax service businesses and a car dealership there. Ben was also my student helper one period of the day when I was Center Grove Registrar. He did a great job delivering the US Mail and inter-office mail for me. He drew a picture of a rose for me. I still have it. I had him sign it at the time and told him I would keep it for when he became famous. I told him I thought he was now famous! He shook his head and smiled at me with tears. We both know that being Vandys friend makes anyone famous!

The Journal has a story today written by a former Center Grove student, Norman Knight. He is a teacher at Clark-Pleasant Middle School and he writes a weekly column for the Daily Journal. He is, by his own definition, a former student radical and the column is about his participating in a sit down strike at Center Grove. Vandy did not handle the sit down strike with an iron fist, but he called the four ringleaders into his office and talked to them about the issues that led to the confrontation. No one was kicked out of school.The many stories just keep coming out......a live well lived......a man well loved....HL

Vandy Stories

A cousin sent this Journal article and I thought you might enjoy it too.
**************************************************
Trojan leader Vandermeer influenced future teacher
By NORMAN KNIGHT

KnightAug. 29, 2007
Dear Neil, I don't know if the news made it to you way out there in Idaho, but I thought you should know that our old high school principal, Mr. Vandermeer, died last week. I've just come from the visitation at Center Grove High School. It was in a wing of the school that wasn't there when we were students back in the '60s called the Hall of Excellence. Can you think of a more appropriately named place for Vandy?

You know, Neil, the older I get, the more I can see just how much my past has affected who I am. Back then, I would never have picked our principal as a big influence on me, but there you go.
Remember when we started Youth for Change? It was our homegrown version of a 1960s radical organization, sort of a cornfield Students for a Democratic Society. We were young and passionate about politics, and we wanted so much to be like the radical people whose books we read and whose protests we watched on the nightly news. We were idealistic kids.I'm not saying what we believed was less valid because we were young.

It was a good thing that we wanted to do something to change a world we thought the adults had really messed up. (We could use a little more of that these days, if you ask me.) It's just that, as a teacher with the perspective of some years, I know that young people tend to believe they have all the answers. I also know that it's hard for them to see that older people have at least a little bit of knowledge and wisdom.

I think Mr. Vandermeer had that perspective.I also believe we were itching to be part of the rebellion that was happening all over the world at the time. It was kind of hard to fire up that kind of excitement in sleepy old Center Grove back in 1969, but we gave it a shot, didn't we? Remember our sit-down strike?

Vandy could have kicked the whole crowd of us out of school for that, but he actually called the four ringleaders into his office and talked to us about the issues that led to the confrontation. He was pretty good about keeping order and at the same time giving students a bit of free rein to discover themselves. That's something I try to remember in my job. And I'll bet you've thought about that, too, in your position as a business leader.

At the visitation, I was standing in line behind a lady who graduated in 1958. She remembered Mr. Vandermeer and his wife, Margaret, chaperoning her senior class trip to Washington and spending their entire time keeping the boys and girls separate. Another former student who graduated in 1965 also had a good Vandy story.I chatted with a few others, and everyone talked as if he were a personal friend.

Each person mentioned Mr. Vandermeer as someone who really cared about him or her as an individual. He had that gift.Looking back, I realize how much my teachers taught me, not just about the causes of the Civil War or the way to punctuate a sentence, but how to relate to people. From some of them, I learned what not to do. From others I learned just what it takes to be an effective educator.

Mr. Vandermeer really changed my life for the better, just as he changed the lives of countless other students. I guess there are other ways besides starting an organization to change the world.

Well, Neil, I know you probably can't come all the way from Idaho on this short a notice, but I know you are here in spirit.
Take care. Go Trojans!
Your friend and fellow radical, NormanNorman Knight, a teacher at Clark-Pleasant Middle School, writes this weekly column for the Daily Journal.

"The Magic Gopher"

GH sent me this link two nights ago.
It amazed and puzzled me, keeping me from sleeping until I solved it.
I guarantee it will drive you crazy for a while...
Can you figure it out?

In Memoriam

I think I finally figured out how to do it.

You may remember, we started the memorial to classmates, teachers, and friends, and then had second thoughts.
The memorial wasn't accomplishing what we intended when we established it...
To fondly remember folks that had been part of our lives.

So we took it down... put it away for awhile in hopes of coming up with a better idea.
And then Vandy died, and I added his name to the list.
And while I was typing his name, it hit me...
Make this the first post of the blog, so we can all go back and review the post whenever we want!

To give everyone easy access to the post, I've also added an entry to Our Blogroll titled, "We Won't Forget".
Click that link, and it instantly takes you to the memorial post.
I need your feedback now... are ya comfortable with this?
Does it accomplish what we want?

And something else...
I'd like to delete the comments at that post so it stands alone without several comments that are 'way out of date. Let me know what you think of deleting those comments. I'll wait until we have a consensus before taking that action.

I hope this pleases everyone.

Mr. Melvin A. Vandermeer

Gentleman, and Gentle Man.
Teacher, Veteran, Husband, Father, Coach, Principal, Counselor... Friend.

1918-2007
I heard a story about life... that it was "all about the dash".
The dash between your birthdate and the date of your death, and what you do with the time between those dates.
We will always wonder what life is about... whether we are making the most of it.
But I think I know what's really important...
And that is whether the world is a better place because of our dash.

Vandy will be buried today,
And for "Vandy's Kids" I want to say this-
"Mr. Vandermeer, you used your dash well! God Bless You!"

Oh Canada!

Take a look here and see if you agree...
Mr. V. was apparently a Canadian citizen when he enlisted as a Private in 1942, at the age of 24.

And as a sidelight, is anyone else surprised that this sort of information is now available?
...More than a little frightening, in my opinion!

Outside Lookin' In?

Okay.
You've been reading Vandy's Kids for some time now and you have to admit... you enjoy it.
In fact, you enjoy it so much it has become a bit of a ritual for you.
You check regularly to see if someone has posted something new,
or you look to see if the number of comments on a post you've been watching has changed, hoping someone has added something.
Go on, 'fess up... you're addicted.

But-
You're still a little afraid to jump in yourself.
And all the rest of us tellin' ya how easy it is ain't gonna cut it...
It's an imposing process and a little scary, gettin' outta your comfort zone.
I've been where you are, and I know how hard it is to take that first step.

So Ol' Greybeard is gonna point ya in the right direction.
Just about everything you need to know about blogging is explained here, in fairly easy-to-understand language.
And believe me, there's still stuff there I need to read and learn...
It's a lot to digest and the medium is changing quickly...
we're bein' given more and more options/toys to play with!

So please, don't be afraid.
Those of you that have signed on as "Vandy's Kids" guests- click that link, go play, and learn!
You're not gonna hurt a thing, and it's one way you can tackle blogging at your own pace.
Not yet a "guest" on Vandy's Kids? Contact PT, TD, Hawkeye, or myself.
Questions? Don't be afraid to ask!

Answer to PT's and GB's problem:

In reference to the post below titled "Oh yeah?!"

here is a solution to your problems:

For GB, a bicycle seat in the shape of a McClellan Calvary Saddle.

For PT, a 3-wheeled adult tricycle.

and for me.

Services for Mr. Melvin A. Vandermeer
Visitation: 3 to 8 PM Sunday, August 26, 2007 Hall of Excellence at Center Grove High School, 2717 S. Morgantown Road.
Funeral: 11 AM Monday, August 27, 2007 Center Grove Presbyterian Church, 2340 State Road 135.
Burial: Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, 1977 S. State Road 135 in Greenwood
Memorial contributions: The Vandy and Margaret Scholarship Fund in care of the Center Grove Scholarship Foundation.

Front page story in The Daily Journal "Former principal lived rich, full life" by Joseph S. Pete jpete@thejournalnet.com
Well written, quotes from Mr. Clements, Carol Tumey, Steve Sutton, Steve Witty, Joe DiPietro and Vandys Kids blog comments "Vandy influenced a generation of CG graduates with his humor, compassion".
Many Center Grove High School graduates likely remember principal Melvin Vandermeer addresing an assembly by saying, "People, do I need to be a policeman?" Vandermeer, 89, who spent 38 years in education before retiring in 1978, died Thursday. Friends and colleagues said Vandermeer, for whom Center Grove's gymnasium is named, ensured the school stayed a close-knit community while it doubled in size during his tenure in the 1960's and 1970's. "Families, generations passed through that high school under him," retired Center Grove athletics director John Clements said. "He was always well-known and well-liked. No one ever had anything negative to say about him".
Two direct quotes from Class of 1965:
Steve Witty, a 1965 Center Grove graduate who later coached Ben Davis High School to two state championships, said Vandermeer was a father figure who helped instill in him a drive to succeed. Witty once ended up in Vandermeer's office. He was asked if he realized that life would be easier later on if he worked harder now. The advice stayed with him, Witty said.
Steve Sutton, Center Grove's Class of 1965 president, said Vandermeer had a lasting influence on many students by serving as a role model with his honesty and fairness. Students knew they could trust his judgment even if they didn't always agree with his decisions, Sutton said.
Mr. Clements said, " Vandermeer remained vital even late in life, eating out with friends, entertaining many visitors whose lives he touched and going on his yearly fishing trip to Canada as recently as three years ago." "Really, he lived to be 180, not 89", Carol Tumey said. "He got as much out of every moment as he could and lived a rich full life that shouldn't be forgotten.
Vandy Blog Quotes (in part)
"Hard to see what I'm typing through tears.... We'll all miss him... I'm grateful to have known him"
"Vandy's perfect fit was Margaret. Vandy was always friendly; Margaret was always very charming. Vandy had a wit. Margaret had a look. Vandy told me recently that there would never be another Margaret. Center Grove will never have another Vandy, either"

Hawkeye & Hotlips

Oh Yeah?!

It's been an emotional, eventful few days.
I'm glad to be a part of the VK family... to read your words and feel your support.

It's time to look forward.
Beef and Boards.
VK's in Edinburgh.
VK's say ALOHA!
Anything else?

This is an "Open Forum", so let 'er rip!

Vandy Tribute at Daily Journal

A comment from the post below:

I'm a reporter with the Daily Journal working on a tribute article about Mr. Vandermeer. I was hoping we could get permission to publish excerpts from some of the blog postings and also to talk to those who'd like to share any memories. If anyone has any photos of Mr. Vandermeer at the school, they'd also be vastly appreciated.
Please e-mail blog postings we could use to accompany an article to jpete@thejournalnet.com or call me at 736-2776 if you would like to pay homage or share memories of Mr. Vandermeer. Many thanks and my condolences for the loss.

Joseph Pete
Daily Journal
736-2776
jpete@thejournalnet.com

Mr. Pete, I'm one of the administrators of Vandy's Kids, and so far as I'm concerned you can use anything you find here freely. I'm glad you left your phone number, and hope all with interesting anecdotes will call. I'm assuming the area code to reach you is 317?

Thank you for your attention to our namesake!