Wild Things!

She may be a Wildcat at heart...

but recently Maryellen Koller Mencimer and her hubby, Gary, took an amazing trip in search of another very special kind of mammal. When I received the above photograph and the amazing description of their trip, I for sure wanted to share this on our Central blog, and Maryellen agreed. Here, in her own words, is the experience Gary and Maryellen had while in search of these big, furry friends to the North...

"Dear Family and Friends:
We arrived home today from our adventure in Churchill, Manitoba. We spent five incredible nights on the sub-Arctic tundra in a tundra lodge. The tundra lodge by city standards wasn't much, but considering the harsh environment it was five-star. Think of a five car train. One for the staff and support, one for cooking and dining, one as a lounge and observation car, and two for sleeping. 28 guests shared the lodge. Each of us had our own little room with a bunk and a space for luggage. Three restrooms and two showers seemed adequate.

The food was fantastic.It was prepared by a Swiss chef and his Scottish sous chef.Of course the entire purpose of the trip was to see polar bears. We weren't disappointed. And yet we were so close to not seeing them. Once the ice forms on the Hudson Bay the bears begin to move out.

On our first day there was a little ice forming on the shore. Each day the temperatures dipped lower and more ice formed. And yet we were so fortunate to see so many bears both from our observation platforms at the lodge and from the Arctic rover that we went out in for part of each day. But we could sense the edginess of the bears. And finally on the last day they were gone. No bears sleeping on the snow outside my window. No bears coming to say good morning.

The Aurora Borealis was a beautiful experience. I could see it and took a few photos. Gary took a couple photos but couldn't see the greenish cast with the naked eye.

The temperature on the final morning was -27F.

We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share a few days with the great white bears of the north. And, yes, I cried when we left. One of the other group members said she would have been sadder if the bears were still there. Instead they're off across the ice for the winter and will regain their sizable girth in a couple months as they begin to feast on seals.

(Above) is one of my first photos. I'll hopefully be able to post a few others on Facebook or by email in the next couple weeks. Gary was so patient helping me learn more about photography. Our two guides were also superb teachers. One of them has published two books on polar bears and has led more than a hundred trips with the bears in Spitzbergen. Our lead guide is the head naturalist for Natural Habitat, the company that put together the trip. His vast background of wildlife photography was graciously shared.

We had a wonderful experience and are thankful that we were able to share this opportunity with each other.

Happy Thanksgiving."
Maryellen and Gary

In Memorium - Lorraine Tortessi Reilich

This evening I got a call from Ethie Corcodilos Compagna. Ethie lives near me in Northern California, and the good news is, Ethie and I finally made plans to meet for lunch next month. We've both lived in the San Francisco Bay area for many years but the only time we saw one another was at one or another of our class reunions.

But, I'm sorry to say, Ethie did call with sad news, which is that her dear friend and our fellow classmate, Lorraine Tortessi Reilich, passed away at her home near Santa Rosa, California, last Saturday after a courageous battle against cancer.

Amazingly, few of us who saw and talked with Lorraine at the class reunion just two short months ago realized how ill Lorraine was. As you can see from the photo here taken at the Friday night mixer, she looked absolutely beautiful. That she was able to make the trip to Pueblo from California is a testament to her great will and fortitude.

But those of us who saw Lorraine witnessed a beautiful woman having a great time with old friends. It was the first reunion Lorraine had attended, and Ethie said she was so glad she came.

Unfortunately class reunions don't allow us nearly enough time to catch up with everyone, find out what has been happening in people's lives over the intervening decades since we all graduated and scattered in a hundred directions. But Ethie told me a beautiful story about Lorraine that I would like to share with you on this blog...

It seems that Lorraine married a man who was significantly older than she was and those who cared for her expressed concern that she would be a widow for many years due to this vast age difference. But Lorraine married her love, Harry Reilich, who was an interesting man with a distinguished career in California - working on and designing bridges - big, famous bridges - both here in the Bay area and further south in San Diego.

Harry and Lorraine lived together for many years, and in fact Lorraine held a 90th birthday party for Harry last year. Recently, on October 26, Lorraine's husband, Harry Reilich, passed away. A few weeks later, Lorraine followed him. Contrary to the predictions, she had been a widow for less than a month.

Yet another reminder, dear friends, that our time on earth is much too short.

In Memorium - Robert (Bob) Roblek

Our old friend and classmate, Rick Roblek, sent me a message that his dad, Robert (Bob) Roblek passed away on November 5. Mr. Roblek was 92 years old, and an Army Veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater.

Rick, our sincerest condolences on the loss of your father. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Saturday Night! Dinner at the Pueblo Country Club

As promised, we are taking a turn into Saturday night. We had a great dinner and fabulous time at the beautiful Pueblo Country Club. Everyone had fun table-hopping, and thanks to Joe Klune, he once again managed to capture many excellent pictures of that wonderful evening.

Below, Reunion Committee members Crete Crawford Wood, Nancy Carhart Pope and Gale Hoover Hammond greeted guests as they arrived.

Mary Ann Caporicci Davis was there from LaJunta and Judy Zobec Felhaur came from Colorado Springs. On the right is Danny Daurio who lives in Pueblo.

Chatting with Jack and Gail Bickerton, in town from Missouri, are Jim Allen and his wife, Cindy.

Charlie Tappero, in town from Scottsdale, Arizona, is pointing something out (apparently!) to Judy Zobec Felhaur.

Chips Wood, Crete Crawford Wood's hubby, and Bill Hodges, in Pueblo from Rocky Ford, enjoy the comfortable bar at the Country Club.

Chips Wood talks with Robert Holland, in Pueblo from Las Vegas.

Dave Binkley, in town from Grand Lake, confers with Judy Zobec Felhaur and Judy's husband, Carl.

Charlie Tappero and Judy Zobec Felhaur appear to be having a great time catching up.

Nancy Archuletta Montoya and her husband, William, checking in.

Mary Ann Caporicci Davis catching up with Toni Just who was in town from LaVeta.

A happy group: Ethie Corcodilos Campagna (in town from San Jose, California), Lorraine Tortessi Reilich (visiting from Windor, California), Jack Wilkins and Cathy Kopulos Wilkins (in Pueblo from Evergreen, Colorado) and on the far right, Ethie's husband, Jerry.

More friends checking in...Sandra (Zandi) Richardson was in town from Taos, New Mexico. Sue and Jim Wallace arrive for the evening (they were visiting from Centennial, Colorado), and off to the left, Danny Daurio and Charlie Tappero spend some time catching up.

Sue and Jim Wallace checking in for dinner with Crete Crawford Wood.

That's Reunion Committee member Les Robinson pausing for a picture with Mike Downs and his wife, Ann, who were in Pueblo for the reunion all the way from Acworth, Georgia. Mike and his wife donated the wonderful architect's rendering of Central from 1905 that he found at his father's home and generously donated to the Central museum. If you missed this priceless piece, you can find it posted on this blog on the October 6 entry.

Arizona's blonde beauties - that's Kathy Brown Putman from Surprise, Arizona and Cherie Ludlow Chapparo in town from Mesa, Arizona.

Mike Healy (from Florence) and Elaine Gilbert Bateman (from Littleton) seem to be in a serious tête-à-tête!

Aliene Montoya, the widow of our friend Dwight (Dooner) Montoya came to dinner and is enjoying a laugh with Bill and Cherie Ludlow Chapparo.

Tim Trujillo, Kathy Brown Putman, Robert Holland and Meredith Boyer catching up (Tim and Kathy apparently did not get the memo about the cool, salmon-colored attire that made Robert and Meredith both knock-outs on Saturday night in the fashionable clothing department!) Love that hat, Meredith!

Ron Concialdi with Aliene Montoya, Pete Falletta and Cherie Ludlow Chapparo.

Dave Binkley and Nancy Ward Welden (in Pueblo from Iowa Falls, Iowa) catching up.

Mike Healy chats with Mike and Karen Coker Miller.

This good-looking trio of Colorado boys are Tim Simmons (in town from Longmont), Les Robinson and Jim Wallace.

After dinner, table hopping began in earnest! Here are Judy Zobec Felhaur, Rich Sell and Mary Ann Caporicci Davis with her hubby, Ron.

Aliene Montoya sits with Cherie Ludlow Chapparo and Bill Chapparo who is busy looking at his 45th Reunion Memory Book.

Mingling with old fiends are Dave Binkley, Robert Holland and Elaine Gilbert Bateman.

Charlie Tappero, Jim Wallace and Linda Wicken Delone...well, something sure was funny - wonder what that conversation was about...

It was good to see Robert Welborn and his pretty wife, Donna, on Saturday night.

More happy faces...Tim Trujillo gets a laugh (on the right) while Richard Sell and Nancy Ward Weldon chat.

Richard Sell and Nancy Ward Weldon turn on their dazzling smiles for the camera.

And there they are...Joe's pictures of Saturday night. What a fun time we had! Wherever you looked, people were conversing, hugging, and laughing. We have a very special connection to our former classmates and it's great knowing that regardless of the amount of years or the number of miles that separate us, we all feel like we're coming home again when we all meet.

Until next time when you will catch a glimpse of the Sunday get-together at our alma mater, take good care - - and GO WILDCATS!

In Memorium - Sharon Stubblefield

Yesterday I received a call from Loretta Douglas who attended the reunion in September. Unfortunately, Loretta had sad news to relay, which is that we recently lost another member of our Central Class of '65 family, Sharon Stubblefield. Loretta said that just a couple of weeks after the reunion, Sharon passed due to cancer. She had been living in Charlotte, North Carolina - just five hours or so from Loretta's home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Another reminder that life is precious and way too short. Our sincerest condolences go out to Sharon's friends and family.

Last Dance - Friday night!

In addition to re-connecting with friends old and new, Friday was Dance Fever Night - once everyone got to rocking, it was just like old times at Central High - only better!

Below, Linda Wicken Delone and Pete Falletta dance to the classics of the 60s.

Sue Wallace, Jim's wife, and Kathy Brown Putman check out the Memory Wall.

Committee members Nancy Carhart Pope and Crete Crawford Wood chat with Crete's husband, Chips.

David Binkley and wife, Marilyn, catch up with Carol Todero Smith (center).

Linda Wicken Delone and Jim Wallace strike a pose.

Bill Chapparo and Danny Daurio appear to be having some laughs and a good time catching up.

Danny Smith and Jim Allen deep in conversation...

Robert Holland, in town from Las Vegas, hangin' out with Cheryl Vala Concialdi.

ok, this one is a mystery to me, but looks like Robert is going in after Cheryl's drink. Hey, Robert, there's ALREADY a drink in your other hand!

Danny and Carol Todero Smith visit with Mike Cullen - also in town from Vegas.

Committee Members Rich Sell and Crete Crawford Wood take a short breather.

Reunion Committee Members catch-up time - Nancy Carhart Pope, Gale Hoover Hammond, and Pete Falletta mull things over and savor the success of the 45th!

Seated between Pete Falletta on the left and Les Robinson on the right are Mr. and Mrs. Vince Vigil who attended the reunion. Vince was a graduate of Pueblo Catholic High, but a good friend to many Centralites. It was nice to see Vince again and for many of us, to meet his wife for the first time!

Joe Klune (center) steps away from the camera and finds himself on the other side of the lens with friends Rich Sell and Nancy Ward Weldon. Nancy was in town all the way from Iowa Falls, Iowa.

David Daurio and Chips Wood seem to be in a pretty serious discussion!

First to arrive and last to leave...Committe Members Nancy, Rich, Les, Pete with Chips Wood and David Daurio way back in the background...Wrapping it all up....Friday night was "in the bag" at last after many months of planning, meeting, organizing, searching for classmates,worrying over budget matters and generally Keeping in Touch....and knowing it was all SO worth it!

This concludes Joe Klune's "Picture Show" of Friday night. Next stop: Saturday night at the Pueblo Country Club.

And a huge THANK YOU again, Joe, for your great pictures. We'll never get tired of looking at these!

More coming soon - GO WILDCATS!