From Heidi & Ron

Hello Class of 1988,

It was great seeing some of you at the reunion and to those that didn't get to come, maybe our paths will cross someother way. Ron and I would like to thank all of you that contributed to the raffle benefit. This hasn't been the easiest of times for us, but having family and friends helping out has meant a lot. We hope to put the money towards furniture for our home or where ever we end up living in the future. We appreciate it very much. Thanks again and I hope we can stay in touch.

Heidi (Hinrichs) & Ron McKay

Reunion Photos

The reunion was a blast! I hope everyone had a great time.

Here is the link to some of the photos collected.

http://picasaweb.google.com/connie.gougler/20thClassReunion?authkey=u8QtK01BOyU

If at any time you want a photo removed from this group, just let me know and I'll take care of it.

Rhonda & Stephen

Rhonda and Stephen Krug will be married 8 years on July 15th. They reside in Atkins, IA. They have two children, Owen (2 ½) and Megan (8 months).

Rhonda worked at The United Fire & Casualty Insurance Company for 12 years, holding various positions. After United, she became employed at Alliant Energy. She is a Customer Operations Assistant II at the Cedar Rapids Operating facility, where the crews make sure your lights stay on. She handles the paperwork for the crews, along with daily clerical duties.

Her husband, Steve is a Licensed Landscape Architect for the Parks Department for the City of Cedar Rapids. He also farms 500 acres of corn and soybeans.

Rhonda and Steve moved into their new house the first weekend of June 2008. They are enjoying the extra room and spending time with family and friends. Rhonda is a photographer on the run taking photos of her kids and anything that sparks her interest. Rhonda and Steve have noticed a difference in personality between Owen, the laid back easy going toddler, yet, he has those 2 year old moments and then there is Megan, with her high maintenance attitude!

They look forward to seeing everyone at the 20th reunion this evening!

Tonight at 6:00pm! It's finally here!!

Everyone is looking forward to catching up with 1988 classmates!

When you arrive tonight, here's what to expect:

1) Sign-in first.

Verify that your current mailing address, phone number and email address is on file. Email is a preferred method of communication due to low cost, speed and flexibility. Following the reunion an email will be sent with a link to all photos from our 20th reunion!

If you have not already RSVP'd for the event, the event is $20 per person which covers rental of the Fireside Winery, catering, drinks, postage, etc. Cash or Check accepted at the door.

2) Test out your Trivia knowledge.

Take a trivia sheet upon sign-in and test your memory! If you have questions to add, let us know at the door and we'll add those to all remaining trivia sheets!

3) Participate in a Benefit / Raffle.

One classmate of ours lost her house in the Cedar Rapids flood. We'd like to pitch in to help her and her husband rebuild their lives. There will be a benefit box with envelopes available. If you would like to donate with a cash or check, any amount is greatly appreciated. Please write your name on the outside of the envelope and we will have a drawing for a gift a few hours into the event.

Reunion Location

Haven't been to the Fireside Winery?

DIRECTIONS:

Leave Marengo on Hwy 6 (Ampride Gas Station) and turn left (east). Continue on Hwy 6 (heading towards Homestead) to P Avenue and turn right (south). Fireside Winery is 2 miles south on the right (west) side of the road across from the First Lutheran Church. There are red flags out front.

PICTURES:

Take a look at where we will be hosting our reunion at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/connie.gougler/FiresideWinery?authkey=pCEo5Ad_Tmk

Desserts

Myer's Grill in Williamsburg is doing a nice job preparing food for our reunion. We'll have a tasty assortment of meats (chicken assiago, pork chops wrapped in bacon), vegetables, au gratin potatoes, salads, etc.

Desserts will be brought from various contributors, including:

Texas Sheet Cake - Kelsie Ballard
Chocolate Sheet Cake - Mary D. Miller donation
Fudge Cookie Bars - Tascha Yoder
Cookies - Lori Bearbower
Apple & Cherry Pies - Chad Martin

Need 1 Raffle Item for Saturday

We are looking for one raffle prize for classmates to contribute to a benefit. Please email ivhs1988@gmail.com if you have an item that could be raffled off for a very good cause.

Weekend Schedule - Iowa County

Iowa County 2008 Schedule:

July 3: Marengo's July 3rd celebration. Parade starts at 6:30pm, Street Dance is 9pm-2am, Fireworks at dusk, plus a carnival & games.
July 3-4: Amana's Firecracker Fourth Tailgate. First ever antique show in the Festhalle Barn. Hours: July 3 (4-8pm), July 4th (10 am-4pm), Free Admission.
July 4: 4th of July Celebration, Williamsburg City Park
July 5: Tour de Brew: 32 mile bicycle ride from Iowa City to the Millstream Brewing, Amana 10am-5pm, Admission $5
July 5: Class of 1988 Class Reunion, Fireside Winery, 6pm

36 Confirmations!

Woo Hoo! We're at a total of 36 people at the reunion so far! We felt 40 was doable, but secretly desire 50. Still... feeling good about 36 at this point. It's a week away - please put in your RSVP so we can finalize catering (and "yes" is preferred).

Feel free to still send in checks, even if you think it will arrive during/after the event. Just let me know you are attending and I'll put you on the list. If you prefer to give cash the day of, that is fine too - just let me know you are coming (when you read this) so we can plan accordingly with catering.

Why you can get '500 year floods' two years in a row

Gotta slip in a post regarding this crazy flood.

I thought this article from "Highly Allochthonous" (my new word of the day) was interesting.

Parade - Class Float Canceled

There has not been a tremendous amount of interest in a class float, so we're cancelling this. Many work that day because it is mid-week and others are already working in the park or at the softball game.

Returned Invites

The following reunion invitations have been returned:

- Andy Crosby
- Nghi Tu Huynh
- Debra Border

Send current addresses to ivhs1988@gmail.com.

These were returned, but re-mailed with new addresses (thanks Mindy!).

- Jonathan Hocker (re-mailed 6/20)
- Eddy Meyer (re-mailed 6/20)
- Greg Rotter (re-mailed 6/20)

Heidi & Ron

Heidi (Hinrichs) McKay and her husband have been married for almost 6 years and live in Cedar Rapids. Heidi works for HACAP, a non-profit organization offering programs to help low income families and people. She works with the Care For Kids program, helping families on T-19 (state insurance) find doctors and dentists in the area that will take the insurance. Heidi has been with HACAP for over 10 years, getting her start as a Head Start teacher.

Heidi's husband Ron works for a glass company as an estimator. He bids projects such as the renovations at Kinnick Stadium. His company did all the glass and glazing work for the new press box area. The McKay family children? Well, that would be 2 cats - Cosmo and Murray.

When Heidi & Ron are not working, they like to work in the yard and tackle household upgrade projects. They also enjoy concerts and movies. Heidi says they are both still fans of "big hair bands" and will be going to see Cinderella, Warrant and Night Ranger as well as Def Leppard at the state fair this year.

They look forward to seeing everyone on the 5th!

An update on Jennifer

Jennifer Ryan has big news! She's taken that giant step towards motherhood! She had her first child on February 8, 2008, a beautiful girl named Mariah. She was 5 lbs. 4 oz.

Jennifer lives in Cedar Rapids and works at the East Central Iowa Council of Government as a solid waste planner. She assists cities and counties with waste and recycling services through contracts, ordinances, grant writing, and education. She also writes the state required comprehensive plan for her six-county region.

Before baby, she enjoyed traveling, baseball games, and her belly dancing classes. She hopes to get back to those things someday. For now Jennifer loves taking care of Mariah, especially when she lights up with a smile.

Jennifer looks forward to seeing everyone at the reunion on July 5th.

Wally & Marsha turn another year...

Early Birthday Wishes out to Marsha & Matt from your classmates!!
Did you know you shared the same birthday - June 1st?

The Class of 1988 Announcements have been mailed

If your packet does not arrive this week, we may not have your current address. Please email your address to ivhs1988@gmail.com and we will resend.

Class Reunion packet includes:

- 20th Reunion Invite
- Letter to classmates with more details
- RSVP sheet to return
- Stamp, addressed reply envelope

Happy Birthday Nick!

Nick's birthday is next Saturday, the 17th.

Happy Birthday Nick, from the Class of 1988. We hope to see you at the 20th Reunion this summer!

Songs for the Reunion

What songs do you want to hear at our 20 Year Reunion?

Here are some recommendations that have come in:

• Here I Go Again - Whitesnake (of course, it's our class song!)
• I Just Died In Your Arms TOnight - Cutting Crew
• I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
• Living' on A Prayer - Jon Bon Jovi
• Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House
• The One I Love - REM
• Carrie - Europe
• Luka - Suzanne Vega
• Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil
• Keep Your Hands To Yourself - George Satellites
• Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
• Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
• Take My Breath Away - Berlin
• True Colors - Cyndi Lauper
• Walk Like an Egyptian - Bangles
• Everybody Have Fun Tonight - Wang Chung
• Manic Monday - Bangles
• Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
• Careless Whisper - Wham!
• Heaven - Ryan Adams
• Freedom - Wham!
• Venus - Bananarama
• Mad About You - Belinda Carlisle
• Walk of Life - Dire Straits
• I Wanna Be a Cowboy - Boys Don't Cry
• Sara - Starship
• Goodbye - Night Ranger
• Red Red Wine -UB40
• Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
• End of the World As We Know It - REM

We have also talked about live music on the stage, but need volunteers! Anyone?

"Class Reunion" by Elizabeth Lucas

It was my class reunion, and all through the house,
I checked in each mirror and begged my poor spouse
To say I looked great, that my chin wasn't double,
And he lied through false teeth, just to stay out of trouble.
Said that 'neath my thick glasses, my eyes hadn't changed,
And I had the same figure, it was just a mite rearranged.
He said my skin was still silky, although looser in drape,
Not so much like smooth satin, but more like silk crepe.
I swallowed his words hook, sinker and line
And entered the banquet feeling just fine.
Somehow I'd expected my classmates to stay
As young as they were on that long-ago day
We'd hugged farewell hugs. But like me, through the years,
They'd added gray to their hair, or pounds to their rears.
But as we shared a few memories and retold some class jokes,
We were eighteen in spirit, though we looked like our folks.
We turned up hearing aid volumes and dimmed down the light,
Rolled back the years, and were young for the night.

Class Reunion Ad

The 1988 Class Reunion ad was placed in the Marengo and Williamsburg papers, as well as the Advertiser.

Goals:

1) Notify classmates and their families about the reunion.

2) Gather addresses of classmates.

Thanks to Daren Folkmann for his participation in this ad!

Michelle & David had a baby!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle & David from the Class of 1988!

Michaela Rae (pronounced Mi-shayla) was born on Friday, April 25th at 8:47 pm at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

She weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 in. long.

Mom, Dad and baby are all doing great.

Tom & Kim in Texas

Tom and his wife, Kim, have been married for 15 years. They reside in Fort Worth with their three children: Mattie, Ketrick and Aidan.

Tom is now the Managing Partner of Karsten Financial, LLP. He graduated in 1992 from the University of Houston with a degree in Kinesiology. Tom was an advisor since 1992 when he joined Pearson Financial (founded in 1977), which was later renamed Karsten Tax & Financial when he acquired ownership. In 1995, Tom earned his MBA from Texas Christian University and received his CFP designation. In addition, he is an Enrolled Agent (EA), which is a federal license to practice taxation issued by the US Treasury Department.

Tom plans to attend the 20 Year Class Reunion on July 5th! Good timing for us, that his relatives in Marengo planned their family reunion the same weekend.

Missing Addresses. Please Help!

We are missing addresses of the following people. If you know these, please submit them as soon as you can.

1. Deborah Border - Maple Grove, MN
2. Stephen Brennan - Council Bluffs, IA
3. Nick Hansen - Des Moines, IA
4. Ronnie Imhoff - Marengo, IA
5. Tara Cahow - Marengo, IA
   

Once an address is received for any of the above, their name will be pulled off this post.

IVHS 1988 Graduation

Senior Pajama Day

Senior Toga Day

As you can see, a wide lack of participation. ;)

Senior Pimp & Hooker Day

Had this been California rather than Iowa, we would have looked like this every day!

In Memory of Eric

Even the teachers could not resist his charm.

Homecoming Rally & Parade

Prom - April 17, 1988

4-H Skit

Maurine & Connie performed a 4-H skit called "Eunice & Ernie" on July 6, 1982.

Library Staff

Girls Softball, Volleyball & Basketball

Choir, Majorette & Twirlers & Band Photos

16th Annual Sunshine Inn

National Honor Society

Class Portraits Through the Years