Chelsea Heights Elementary '81-82

thanks to Kim Swanson for sharing an oldie but goodie.

Como Park Elementary 1982

Thanks to Greg Sax for keeping this around.

Homecoming Football Game Report

I never thought that I, Neza would be reporting on a football game, but here's my own non-athletic commentary:

Although Como Park didn't win it's homecoming game (Central won 37-21) I think the big winner of the night was school spirit. I was stunned to see how many students dressed up in their creative versions of Black & Gold. They went all-out with hair, makeup, painted T-shirts, knee-socks; and there was a level of Cougar school spirit and enthusiasm that I do not remember seeing back in the '80's... So something has changed.

Here's Neza and Gina at the game with Neza's 2 kids. The kids loved the cougar, but the little guy thought it was 'Jaguar" from Dora and Diego.

And here's Dennis Berg, supporting the home team, workin' the Indiana Jones style...ha ha just kidding- he's looking good....Are those UFO's in the sky behind you, Dennis??

A photo of M. Herzog, enjoying the game...thanks to Dennis for the photo.

*Staff sightings: Jim Ashworth, Jack Moynagh, and Bill Niemczyk .

... Also, during the game, 4 former students were inducted into the Como Park Athletic Hall of Fame: Dave Bies (1992), Tom Francis (1992), Bojo Dunaski (1990) and Debbie Magnuson (1986). Here's Bojo Dunaski and Dave Bies showing off their awards.

Como Park Homecoming

Thank You to everyone who contributed to our donation to Como Park High School in honor of the class of 1988!! We raised: $1015.00 and on Thursday, Sept. 25th, Candy & Neza presented a check to the school principal, Dan Mesick at the Homecoming Pep Rally in the Gym.

At the pep rally, they fit us in between the cheerleaders and the Soccer team. Candy and I each spoke at the podium briefly to a crowd of cheering and clapping students. We told them that our '88 classmates worked together to raise this money, and we hope to inspire them to do a similar thing for their school or community. We told the kids that it was fairly easy to collect $1000 dollars when each person just donated what they could- and if you work together, you can make a difference. We also told them to think about how they want to be remembered; and that we care about them, that's why we are making this donation. (Look, Bill Niemczyk is still there...and looks great!)

We were really impressed with the enthusiasm of the students- they cheered and clapped, and many even stood up for us. We would have liked to have had more of you there with us, but in theory, you were. We made it clear that the donation came from our entire class of '88.

The school will decide what to do with the money- If we find out what it will go toward, we will post that info here in this blog.

How It All Began...

These photos have been posted on Facebook by Theresa Zottola, and I thought you may recognize a few classmates from St. Anthony Park Elementary School grades 2-6.

Now, Greg Sax...get me a copy of your Como Elementary photo.

Send Your Reunion Photos

The Reunion this weekend was a success! About 115 people attended. We missed all of you who were not there, but a large number of people did come, and everyone looked great, smelled great, and enjoyed seeing each other again.

We raised $1000 to give to Como Park High School in honor of the class of 1988!!! Thank you so much, everyone who donated to this collection- We can make a difference for future students at Como Park. Special thanks to Tim&Tom's Speedy Market, Saints Baseball, and Mrs. Maas for their donations to the doorprizes at the reunion.

The current plan is to present the money at the Homecoming game in September. You are welcome to join us there. Details will be posted on this blog.
Also- we have a small amount of $$ set aside to begin planning the next reunion. Don't forget to stay in touch so we can see you there. And we're taking names for volunteering for the next event.
Send me the photos you took at the reunion, so I can post more on this page.
address is nezaonline@gmail.com
And tune in here again soon for more info.

Can't Attend

A message from Dan Floeder: "Unfortunately I can not make it this weekend. I hope you all have a great time. Say hello to everyone for me. -Dan"

A message from Amy Lee: "I am sorry that I missed the reunion. Everyone looks great and it looks like they had a great time. Thank you Candy and Neza for the pictures. I live in Buda Texas now and if anyone wants to contact me my email is dginn1@austin.rr.com"

Hi Everyone...Elizabeth Nivens, says hello from south florida...sorry i missed this opportunity to see you all, every one looks great!!!looking forward to seeing you all at the next celebration...liz

And here's a photo of Marty Stoppel in town for Fantasy Football, but not the reunion weekend...Hope you make it next time, Marty.
Do you think that Marty looks a bit like Bill Maher?

Reunion Time

So the Reunion is this Saturday, August 16th. It starts at 5:00 p.m.

Location: Gulden's Restaurant and Bar, 2999 Highway 61, Maplewood, MN.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MAP

If you haven't registered or paid...JUST COME, and you can do that at the door. The fee is $25 per person. There'll be food, and a cash bar. I think the last we checked, there were 75 people confirmed. ........Bring photos with you, or any other embarrasing 80's paraphernalia.

ALSO: SUNDAY AUGUST 17 FROM 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM.............THE COMO '88 FRIENDS & FAMILY PICNIC !! Bring the kids, Bring your own picnic and meet us at the firepit rings/ picnic area in Como Park.

After the reunion, check back to this blog to see photos from the event, and updates on future gatherings & other info.

Invitations Mailed Out

The reunion invitations were mailed out for the approx. 100 addresses we have so far. Please reply so we can get a general count for Aug. 16th. If you know how to contact other classmates, please let us know so more people can be invited. The announcement for the reunion is also being listed in local newspapers, and on the school website. People can pay at the door if necessary, but pre-payment is preferred.

Also, please contribute to the Como Class of '88 $$ donation to our high school. You can also put some money in the pot at the reunion. -You will be entered into the door prizes held at the reunion. Hey, this is a great way to use your economic stimulus check you didn't know what to do with!! Your donation is tax deductable too.

See you soon!

Dan Floeder

From KARE 11:

In the right place at the right time: Team effort saves life of Hutchinson man

A 38-year-old Hutchinson man was exercising when his heart just stopped. It was a unique mixture of luck, location and a lot of expertise that kept him alive.We've all heard stories about being in the right place at the right time.You could say, Daniel Floeder was in the right place with the right people.Daniel is a 38-year-old picture of health."Eat well, exercise a lot," says Daniel.Last Saturday, he became a cardiac patient. It happened while he was stretching for a workout at a south Minneapolis martial arts studio."It dawned on me that I was kinda breathing fast. I kinda asked myself why are you breathing so fast? This isn't normal," says Daniel.Daniel then blacked out. What happened in those moments of darkness, Daniel is truly thankful for. "Dan was pretty much dying right there in front of us," says Dylan Sirny of the Hwa Rang Do Academy.Several people in the class knew CPR and started working on Daniel. And just across the street in what couldn't have been a more convenient location - Minneapolis fire station number 27."One of our instructors ran across to the fire department, knocked on the door to try to get some help. Another student was on the phone with 911," says Dylan.First classmates. Next firefighters. And then paramedics. All the pieces were in exactly the right place."We had an ambulance that was only about four blocks away at the time," says Dave Hildebrandt, EMS Supervisor for Hennepin County Medical Center. "In the event of cardiac arrest we talk about the chain of survival - that's the immediate call to 911 and immediate initiation of CPR.""My first thought was I was feeling embarrassed that I had done something stupid and had blacked out," says Daniel.Doctors later told Daniel his heart stopped pumping. No one knows why. His heart is healthy and arteries are clear. It was a kind of electrical glitch that Daniel says couldn't have happened in a better place and time."I'm just very thankful for the people at the gym, the firefighters, the paramedics that helped me because I wouldn't be here today without them," says Daniel.Daniel now has an electronic defibrillator in his chest that will kick in if he ever goes into cardiac arrest again.And there's one more twist to his story.While Daniel practices martial arts three days a week, he is rarely in the studio. He thinks it's a pretty lucky thing he was there in the studio last Saturday.
By Trisha Volpe, KARE 11 News

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=510963

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