All the news

(most-recent article listed first - and some of the links ( bolded and underlined), especially toward the bottom of the list, may not work... Hecker is trying to fix those)

We've had a spate of losses of late... Si Fortino, Vance Hamilton, and Earl Erickson, all posted from mid-August to today... Thanks Nick Prass. Added here 4sept25.

Speaking of UM and heart stuff, another find, a Facebook post dated 27 May 2025, all about Dr. Eric Bates, his incredible career, and oh, that Evan kid... Again, thanks George. Added here 14aug25.

Remember Jim Brandstatter? UM football player, announcer, then on to the show with the Lions (and don't forget the Schembechler chats)... yeah, that guy was recently the subject of an article on heart health in the publication Michigan Medicine. Thanks for the share George! Added here 6aug25

George Brookover discovered that we lost another classmate, Chris Rossman, on April 12, 2025. May he rest in peace. We also have a picture of him and his beloved Benjie. Added here 26jun25

Dave Marvin chanced upon Pete Fetters! Pete was the talent at Mari Vinyards (south end of Old Mission Peninsula) just north of Traverse City... Wow! Pictures of Dave and Pete, or Pete solo!! Added here 22jun25

Thanks to Gary Guiles, we have the Don Behm story... wow for ELHS!! A grappler of the highest skillset, and a sterling character as well. Posted here! Added here 9apr25

Birthdays - listed by month. This list was discovered by Marc Knisely and Nick Prass then reminded us (me) and now it's posted here!!! Added here 20feb25

Niblocks - father James and son Howard have made amazing contributions to the world of music. James' obituary is now in our collection, and here is a comprehensive rundown of their work. Thanks for the sleuthing, George! Added here 18dec24.

Central School - It seems there was a cooking class on WKAR featuring classmate Sue Turley's (didn't stay with us through graduation) mom, and some of us actually got on TV, however briefly, to devour the finished recipes. Added here 10aug24.

Leo Smedley, our beloved teacher and coach, passed away in 2006, but Nick Prass found his obit and we now have it posted in our collection. And that time-travel brought Nick to also discover Sam Knox's obit, also now added to our collection. Thanks Nick! Added here 6aug24.

Steve Arnest is fondly remembered by many... Nick Prass sleuthed out this award and shared the news with us! Thanks Nick! Added here 8july24.

We have all marveled at Madison Chock and Evan Bates... marvel once again at their flawless execution, this time in a straight line. Down the aisle from the New York Times, In Sync on the Ice and Off . Thanks for the share Marc Knisely. Added here 8july24

Memorial Day 2024 - we've been treated to two eloquent remembrances in our listserv. Thanks so much to Tom Schlegel and David Covert, and to Andy Alexander for the prompt. Somber stuff. And thanks to Nick Prass, here's General John A. Logan's General Order 11 (Memorial Day Order), from (get this), 1868... take that, class of 1968. Side note, Lansing's Logan Street was named for the good General. Added here 27may24.

The Mayor of East Lansing welcomes a new business in town... that's George Brookover!!

If you were in band or orchestra, or you're just hankerin' to hear our fight song, Bruce McCall is your best bud. He digitized LPs from back in the day (remember vinyl records?) and posted them for everyone !! Added here 20feb 24.

Church group confirmation pictures from 1966... Peoples Church (group shot, ID numbers, names), and Shaarey Zedek (group shot, ID numbers and names). Added here 11feb24.

Architecture fans... behold!! Michigan Modern published a drive-bike tour of 16 stops, starting at #1, the house of Hertel!!! (Patty's family domicile in Walnut Heights). Chock full of quick takes on the various neighborhoods and 15 other sites. Added here 1feb24.

Well, there's another stunning, stellar ice performance by Madison Chock and Evan Bates now on YouTube ... actually, just open YouTube and put in their names for tons of skating. This last performance proves they are better than anyone else even when they're ill. Just stunning!! Added here 1feb24.

There's a new mayor in EL... by unanimous vote, George Brookover!! Here's the link!! Added here 16nov23.

Jim Brandstatter was honored Oct. 15, 2023 as a Gold Circle Honoree by the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Here's the link!! Added here 18oct2023.

Photo "dump"... shots of our 55th reunion from Hannah Community Center, the University Club, and Beggar's Banquet, all courtesy of Terrie Reinoehl! Many thanks, a great weekend, just click to enjoy - link to Flickr website . Added here 21aug2023.

Mary Lou Ellsworth Stanton sent these scans (link) just before the 55th reunion. Luckily, they are annotated!! Added here 21aug2023.

Pam Reed Ditchoff also sent a warm letter (with pictures) to say hi to all on the occasion of our 55th reunion. Here's the link. Added here 18aug2023

Our 1988 20-year reunion notice is linked here - including an extensive list of lost classmates. We believe that's the original list that set Detective Gary Guiles to work on sleuthing out where folks had scattered! Also, a reminder that we have pictures on Flicker of several events, including some recently-resurfaced shots from 1988 linked here. Added here 30jun2023.

Chock and Bates win gold at World Championships last night (thanks Bruce McCall). Wow. A lifelong quest ends in success. Amazing. Added here 3apr23.

Spartans! Who gave the Valedictory at the 1972 MSU graduation? Why, our very own Mark Bathurst! Wow! I missed the event, as I took an extra year to finish... Added here 18jan2023

Hy Haven dance article 1963 - thanks George Brookover!! added here 30dec22

Pere Marquette YouTube thanks Chris Howell! Sight and sound; added here 30dec22

Brown v Board of Ed Supreme Court transcript, 276 pp; added here 29dec22

The Quonset story as shared by Marc Knisely; added here 29dec22

Henry Nelson, father of our classmate Jack Nelson, is 100 and still playing tuba in and around EL; added here 29dec22

Wilbur Brookover - I remembered this document of Wilbur's testimony in Brown v Board of Ed when I posted Edna's work (below); added here 29dec22

Edna Brookover describes life in the Quonsets, MSU campus. Pictures included, but no George yet; added here 28dec22

ELHS Music - Bruce McCall's epic digitization of band, orch., and choir performances, added here 21nov22

Boom Boom Room, Frandor, added here 13oct22

Coral Gables history, added here 13oct22

Paula Beardsley's mom at 99! added here 13oct22

Trojan Trumpet from May 24, 1968, added here 10jun22