CLASSMATE YVONNE RINGIS CHECKS IN

Thank you to Yvonne, aka Vonnie now, for checking in. You have hit the nail on the head, about the time we all began turning 60, folks have come out of the woodwork, all using that same word, reconnecting! A lot of it going on these days. I am delighted to post your update and hopefully some of your KHS friends will see it and want to reconnect with you! Our condolences on the passing of your mom, indeed a sad thing we all have either worked through or are going to soon.

Hi Leslie,

I thought it was about time I wrote something about myself. I’ve been retired from teaching for about two years now. My husband and I have lived on a tree farm east of Salem, OR, since 1973. We raised our two girls here and now work producing lots of veggies and flowers in our big gardens. Last year we bought a winter home in Oro Valley, AZ, in order to escape the dreary winters here. It seems a perfect combination. I find plenty to do with volunteering as a master gardener and literacy and Spanish teacher, keeping up with friends and family, hiking, playing the piano and trying my hand at painting.

I was in Kirkwood this spring to pay a last visit to my mom before she passed away in March. It was sad to say good-bye, but she lived a good, long life and was looking forward to moving on. My dad died in 2005, so now I have only my two brothers and their families left in the St. Louis area. Our two daughters, one son-in-law and two precious grandkids all live in the Seattle area, so we take trips up there regularly to visit them.

I’ve connected with a few KHS friends on Facebook but otherwise don’t have much contact with anyone from that far back. Many from KHS knew me as Yvonne Ringis. Everyone now calls me by my family nickname. As I get older, it seems more important to reconnect and remember those simpler days! Glad you’ve taken it on yourself to keep up a blog.

Thanks, Vonnie Ringis Lincoln

SO I'M NOT REALLY A BEER DRINKER

I've NEVER been a beer drinker. Oh, it's not that I don't like beer, there are many I do like, but I only like them really cold and I drink beer, and most other liquids, too slowly so by the time my beer is half gone, it's warm and the rest goes to waste; consequently I rarely touch the stuff. I LOVE to cook with it, my beer batter bread and beer batter deep fried onion rings are killer and my barbeque beer soaked ribs are always a huge summer hit! The other day I was at Schnuck's and wandered by a case of cold wines and beers. As I longingly looked at several bottles of champagne trying to decide which one I wanted, I spied a beer label on a large bottle, a full pint, and the label's design called out to me. But as I read along, the name Charleville shouted at me! I have known for a long time that Joal and family are in the winery biz in Ste. Genevieve, but I didn't realize they are now brewing specialty beers. I looked at two different labels, and couldn't resist the Half Wit Wheat! I took it home, got it really cold in my freezer for a bit, popped the cap and found it delicious. Hubby walked into the kitchen and nearly fainted when he saw me taking a long swig! I think he feared I was having a mid-life crisis. But he loved the taste too. I have to admit I had to put it back in the fridge twice before I finished the pint, but I didn't share it with Paul! It was great by itself and also with a steak fresh off the grill! I think beer is probably very good for us too; Paul's grandmother lived to 104 and she was a big beer drinker. I think it was all those B vitamins that kept her healthy until she died, annoyed that she didn't die earlier because she was bored - no friends left, no one to talk to her about anything she wanted to discuss and p'od that she couldn't go to the local pub for a brew!

I love giving our KHS65 mates a plug here and there, so I highly recommend the Charleville Vineyard Brewery of Ste. Genevieve. On the label it says, "Charleville's Half Wit Wheat is brewed in our little brewery in the woods. We hope that you will enjoy this refreshing wheat ale and will come to visit us soon." What a great outing that would be! If you can't get there, try some from Schnucks! Joal, add a comment to tell us all where else it's available for sale. I'm going to try soaking off the label, but if it doesn't work, I'm going to be asking Joal for a fresh label! Bottoms up!
Check out the winery's website at http://www.charlevillevineyard.com/ and on Facebook Charleville Winery and Microbrewery

SOMETHING tells me I've left out a part of this story that matters. I ran into Jim Bilhorn not too terribly long ago and I believe he and Barb, his wife who is also a former neighbor of ours in Sugar Creek Ranch, as well as a KHS alum, have joined Joal and crewe in the winery venture. Recently someone pointed out to me that his address & Joal's are on the same street. That reminded me that I had forgotten!!! Sorry Jim and Barb! Truthfully, I don't know for sure what the relationship is, maybe it doesn't matter, but I think it is very nifty that these KHS65 members are still connected after all this time! Perhaps for our 50th Reunion we should find a venue which will allow us to bring in our own beer and wine, from youknowwhere!