Archived from the Home page on September 20, 2020.
Olde North Pancake House to Close
First opened in 1963, the Olde North Pancake House , located on the southeast corner of North Av (SR64) and St Charles Rd in unincorporated West Chicago, will close it's doors. According to an article in the Wheaton Patch, the current owner purchased the business in 1973. While no reason was given, the full announcement can be found on the restaurant's Facebook page.
Archived from the Home page on September 20, 2020.
See the Most Recent Classmate News
See Bob McCoy on our Classmate News page.
Archived from the Home page on August 9, 2020.
Visit our Memorial page
in remembrance of our deceased veteran classmates.
Archived from the Home page on June 20, 2020.
"Co63 Lounge" to Open Monthly
On June 6th, nine of our classmates meet in a Zoom room for a virtual 57 year reunion. The consensus was that we should do it again. We know there were a few more people who wanted to attend, but for various reasons, could not make that date/time.
Since our Zoom chariot turns back to a pumpkin soon, the first of our Co63 Lounge meetings will be Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 PM Central. The lounge will be opened on the 3rd Saturday every month as noted on our Home page Calendar. The Zoom meeting ID and password are located on our secure Classmates => Contact Info page. No reservations required. Please stop by often.
Note: If you can not access our password protected Contact Info page, see our Registration section.
Since our Zoom chariot turns back to a pumpkin soon, the first of our Co63 Lounge meetings will be Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 PM Central. The lounge will be opened on the 3rd Saturday every month as noted on our Home page Calendar. The Zoom meeting ID and password are located on our secure Classmates => Contact Info page. No reservations required. Please stop by often.
Note: If you can not access our password protected Contact Info page, see our Registration section.
Archived from the Home page on June 6, 2020.
57 Year Virtual Reunion!
Less than a month from Mother's Day 2020, we will have been out of high school for 57 years! While this is not the milestone that 60 years will be in 2023, I wonder about the recent changes in our lives due to the impact of COVID-19. Has the "Stay Home" self-quarantine edict got you down? Are you tired of being in your own home day after day? Does wearing a mask when you venture out bother you? Can you even find a mask for sale?
Would you be interested in a virtual social event to compare notes on how we are surviving the pandemic or the economic problems it has created or anything else that's on your mind?
If you've been watching the news lately (Who hasn’t?) you may have heard of a computer program or app called Zoom. Some of you may already be using it to work from home or to visit family & friends while maintaining social distancing. This app runs on most any desktop, laptop, notebook, tablet or smartphone providing your device has a camera, microphone and speaker.
Software can be downloaded for free from zoom.us but it is not required for meeting participation. Only your email address is needed to sign up. No credit card required. Don't want to sign up? No problem! You can access our virtual gathering without the app using only your browser!
I’m arranging a Zoom room for a short get-together. No travel required. No face masks allowed. A modern day B.Y.O.B. social event from the comfort of your own computer.
For security reasons, you will need to know our Meeting ID and password. You can request this information using our ContactUs page. In turn, we'll email you an invitation with all the pertinent details.
Join us for a WeGo 1963 Virtual Reunion
Saturday June 6, 2020
2:00 pm Central Time
Reid Simmons
PS: If you requested an invitation, you should have it by now. If not, please Contact Us. Also, Contact Us if you would like to visit the "reunion hall" in the days before the reunion to verify your connection, camera, microphone and lighting are all good.
Would you be interested in a virtual social event to compare notes on how we are surviving the pandemic or the economic problems it has created or anything else that's on your mind?
If you've been watching the news lately (Who hasn’t?) you may have heard of a computer program or app called Zoom. Some of you may already be using it to work from home or to visit family & friends while maintaining social distancing. This app runs on most any desktop, laptop, notebook, tablet or smartphone providing your device has a camera, microphone and speaker.
Software can be downloaded for free from zoom.us but it is not required for meeting participation. Only your email address is needed to sign up. No credit card required. Don't want to sign up? No problem! You can access our virtual gathering without the app using only your browser!
I’m arranging a Zoom room for a short get-together. No travel required. No face masks allowed. A modern day B.Y.O.B. social event from the comfort of your own computer.
For security reasons, you will need to know our Meeting ID and password. You can request this information using our ContactUs page. In turn, we'll email you an invitation with all the pertinent details.
Join us for a WeGo 1963 Virtual Reunion
Saturday June 6, 2020
2:00 pm Central Time
Reid Simmons
PS: If you requested an invitation, you should have it by now. If not, please Contact Us. Also, Contact Us if you would like to visit the "reunion hall" in the days before the reunion to verify your connection, camera, microphone and lighting are all good.
Archived from the Home page on June 4, 2020.
Pheasant Run Damaged by Recent Weather!
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We received this picture from Barbara Alm Mazzochi today. Pheasant Run was the site of our 2nd, or 20 year, reunion in 1983.
Earlier this year we posted a story about the resort being up for auction (see our Archive page for more details). On March 1st the Daily Herald ran a story about its last day of operation. The auction failed to produce a buyer but, according to the Kane County Chronicle in mid-May, the city of St.Charles indicated the resort may have a contract pending but was not at liberty to say who the buyer is or even what the resort's future might hold.
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Archived from the Home page on May 29, 2020.
The Coronavirus
The COVID-19 virus is spreading at an alarming rate and there is currently no cure let alone a vaccination. The country is on "lock down" with the recommended (and in many places mandatory) self-quarantine at home. The economy tanking, and the number of new cases and death count are rising daily!
While these are serious times, it seems like the perfect time for a little levity. Perhaps this excerpt from a email that's currently circulating , will put a smile on your face:
Heard a doctor on TV saying in this time of Coronavirus staying at home, we should focus on inner peace. To achieve this we should always finish things we start and we all could use more calm in our lives.
I looked through my house to find things I'd started and hadn't finished, so I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of wum, tha mainder of Valiumun srciptuns, an a box a chocletz. Yu haf no idr how feckin fablus I feel rite now.
Sned dis to all who need inner piss. An telum u luvum. And two hash yer wands, stafe day avrybobby!!!
While these are serious times, it seems like the perfect time for a little levity. Perhaps this excerpt from a email that's currently circulating , will put a smile on your face:
Heard a doctor on TV saying in this time of Coronavirus staying at home, we should focus on inner peace. To achieve this we should always finish things we start and we all could use more calm in our lives.
I looked through my house to find things I'd started and hadn't finished, so I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of wum, tha mainder of Valiumun srciptuns, an a box a chocletz. Yu haf no idr how feckin fablus I feel rite now.
Sned dis to all who need inner piss. An telum u luvum. And two hash yer wands, stafe day avrybobby!!!
Like today's service men and women we met an obligation in honor of the heritage passed on to us.
More than a few of us entered this building and launched our tours of duty. 19 classmates may have taken the oath and started service in the Army. Did you? Did you enlist or were you one of the drafted millions? Shareable memories? Contact Us!
Army Induction Center, 615 W. Van Buren St, Chicago, 1967.
Army Induction Center, 615 W. Van Buren St, Chicago.
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Army Induction Center, St, Chicago.
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Army Induction Center, St, Chicago, March 2017.
Archived from the Home page on May 9, 2020.
Pheasant Run Closing....
Many of us remember our 20 year class reunion held at Pheasant Run Resort in July of 1983. Cocktails in the Atrium Room. Dinner in the Williamsburg Room. Dancing to a live band. Strolling down Bourbon Street.... Well, cherish those memories - we won't be able to relive them....
According to articles in the Daily Herald, the Kane County Chronicle, the Kane County Connects and other sources, the resort has been up for public auction since November 2019. However, at least one source indicated the auction did not include the Pheasant Run Mega Center or the 18 hole golf course. The auction ended February 12, 2020 but the final $6 million bid did not meet the minimum selling price. The property's future remains unclear.
While its website does not yet mention it's closing, the resort has laid off about 75% of its employees and is not scheduling any more events. In fact, it's Book Now page shows no available dates in the near future.
If any of you have pictures from our 20 year reunion, please pass them on to us for inclusion on this site. Originals will be returned to you immediately after we scan them.
According to articles in the Daily Herald, the Kane County Chronicle, the Kane County Connects and other sources, the resort has been up for public auction since November 2019. However, at least one source indicated the auction did not include the Pheasant Run Mega Center or the 18 hole golf course. The auction ended February 12, 2020 but the final $6 million bid did not meet the minimum selling price. The property's future remains unclear.
While its website does not yet mention it's closing, the resort has laid off about 75% of its employees and is not scheduling any more events. In fact, it's Book Now page shows no available dates in the near future.
If any of you have pictures from our 20 year reunion, please pass them on to us for inclusion on this site. Originals will be returned to you immediately after we scan them.
Archived from the Home page on February 1, 2020.
7th Annual Class of '63 Winter Event
Here we go again, planning your Saturday of Super Bowl Weekend. Will you join us this year? Class of '63 luncheon February 1, 2020 noon to 3 pm, Pal Joey's party room West Chicago. Don't know how they do it but same price $15 per person for salad, pizza, pasta & pop. Cash bar.
Archived from the Home page on December 29, 2019.
WeGo Wild Cats Win State!
A couple of you have sent us the following news alert (paraphrased) from the Daily Herald via the News Break app:
Boys soccer: West Chicago Wins State Championship
West Chicago residents will never forget where they were the night of November 9, 2019, when the Wild Cats stunned Morton 2-0 to win the Class 3A boys soccer championship. Many of them were in Hoffman Estates, jammed in the frigid stands like sardines in a can, rooting on their Wildcats as they won just the second state title in school history and the first since the football team won in 1974.
Archived from the Home page on December 29, 2019.
Chicago Bear's Trivia from our High School Years
Since the NFL regular season is now underway, we thought it might be interesting to see who remembers the Bears from our time in high school, namely 1959 thru 1963. Even if you don't now (or didn't back then) follow football, you're welcome to play. You can, and should, keep answering the questions until you get the correct one. There's only 10 of them!
As of late Sunday night, September 1, the high score belongs to Terry Duber.
Archived from the Home page on October 18, 2019.
WCCHS Expansion
Going up! Construction is well underway on an addition to the west side of the school where our visitor's bleachers used to be:
- Live time-lapse camera or
- Why it's needed video.
Archived from the Home page on October 18, 2019.
Pedestrian Underpass Located!
At our Winter Event in February, 2018 (one and a half years ago), someone said there was a new pedestrian underpass in West Chicago but they couldn't remember where. After we left the West Chicago Pal Joey's that cold and windy afternoon, several of us drove around town looking for it. In fact, we even thought we found it just east of the new train station.
Unfortunately, a short exploratory walk later, we discovered that underpass did not go under all the tracks and come out on Geneva St as we had anticipated. This underpass was intended only for west bound commuters to get back to the METRA parking lot without having to walk across the other two tracks!
Well today, after our joint reunion with the class of '64 (and thanks to Barbara Alm Mazzochi), the new underpass has finally been located. As you can see from the the picture below, it goes under the EJE/CN tracks, rather than the CNW/UP tracks, and connects the students west of the Canadian National tracks with the high school and the new football stadium. No wonder it took so long for us to find it!
Please, current WeGoan's, don't laugh so hard. Some of you didn't know it's location either!
Unfortunately, a short exploratory walk later, we discovered that underpass did not go under all the tracks and come out on Geneva St as we had anticipated. This underpass was intended only for west bound commuters to get back to the METRA parking lot without having to walk across the other two tracks!
Well today, after our joint reunion with the class of '64 (and thanks to Barbara Alm Mazzochi), the new underpass has finally been located. As you can see from the the picture below, it goes under the EJE/CN tracks, rather than the CNW/UP tracks, and connects the students west of the Canadian National tracks with the high school and the new football stadium. No wonder it took so long for us to find it!
Please, current WeGoan's, don't laugh so hard. Some of you didn't know it's location either!
Archived from the Home page on October 18, 2019.
Thanks, Class of '63
We received the following from Caroline "Carrie" Stirber Stark, Class of '64, this morning;
I want to thank the Class of 1963 for joining us for lunch Saturday. It added a nice change for us. With more and more classmates passing on it is nice to expand our gatherings.
As most of you know, especially those of you who attended Saturday's reunion, Carrie was instrumental in planning and pulling off this event. Thank you, Carrie.
Pictures will be posted here when we recieve them from the Class of '64 photographer.
Pictures will be posted here when we recieve them from the Class of '64 photographer.
Archived from the Home page on August 17, 2019.
Union Pacific 4014 "Big Boy" was in West Chicago
On July 26, 2019, the Union Pacific's "Big Boy", a 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive, rolled into West Chicago. This was one stop on an eight state tour celebrating 150 years since the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Hundreds of people lined the tracks to see this piece of history pass by. Over the next three days, crowds gathered at the Larry S. Provo Training Center, 335 Spencer St (behind the police station) to see engine 4014 up close. Many of these people waited in lines for over an hour and a half to tour the "Experience the Union Pacific" car which contains information and pictures of the Golden Spike ceremony at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869.
Hundreds of people lined the tracks to see this piece of history pass by. Over the next three days, crowds gathered at the Larry S. Provo Training Center, 335 Spencer St (behind the police station) to see engine 4014 up close. Many of these people waited in lines for over an hour and a half to tour the "Experience the Union Pacific" car which contains information and pictures of the Golden Spike ceremony at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869.
Videos shot by Richard Mann and Reid Simmons.
The Big Boys were designed by the Union Pacific Railroad to pull heavy trains up steep grades, especially the Wasatch Range in Utah, without helper engines. Twenty-five Big Boys were built for the UP by ALCO (the American Locomotive Company) in 1941. They were the largest steam locomotives ever built and they remained in revenue service, primarily between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, until 1959.
In 1961, while most Big Boys were destined for the scrap yards, 4014 was donated to the Rail Giants Museum in Pomona, California. Today, only seven other Big Boys still exist in static displays and museums across the country.
In 2013, the Union Pacific reacquired 4014 and sent it to their Cheyenne, Wyoming shops for a multiyear complete rebuild. At the same time, it was converted from a coal burning engine to #5 oil. In May, 2019, it was fired up for a test run under its own power. Later that month, 4014 joined UP's 844, a 4-8-4, as part of the railroad company's Heritage Fleet.
The last large steam locomotive to come through West Chicago was UP's 3985, a 4-6-6-4, in 1995. Unfortunately, 3985 had mechanical problems in 2010 and is currently awaiting a rebuild in Cheyenne after which it too will join 4014 and 844 as part of UP's Heritage Fleet!
In 1961, while most Big Boys were destined for the scrap yards, 4014 was donated to the Rail Giants Museum in Pomona, California. Today, only seven other Big Boys still exist in static displays and museums across the country.
In 2013, the Union Pacific reacquired 4014 and sent it to their Cheyenne, Wyoming shops for a multiyear complete rebuild. At the same time, it was converted from a coal burning engine to #5 oil. In May, 2019, it was fired up for a test run under its own power. Later that month, 4014 joined UP's 844, a 4-8-4, as part of the railroad company's Heritage Fleet.
The last large steam locomotive to come through West Chicago was UP's 3985, a 4-6-6-4, in 1995. Unfortunately, 3985 had mechanical problems in 2010 and is currently awaiting a rebuild in Cheyenne after which it too will join 4014 and 844 as part of UP's Heritage Fleet!
Archived from the Home page on August 17, 2019.
Summer Event Confusion?
We've had some classmates asking about our plans for this year's Summer Event. Just so there is no misunderstanding, our Summer Event this year is the Joint Reunion with the class of 1964 in August!
If you want to see who was in the Co64, a link to their senior yearbook can be found at the end of the Summer Event Newsletter below or a list of seniors can be downloaded from our News page.
If you have not yet signed up for this event and would like to join the fun, we still have a few slots available. HURRY! Time is running out!
If you want to see who was in the Co64, a link to their senior yearbook can be found at the end of the Summer Event Newsletter below or a list of seniors can be downloaded from our News page.
If you have not yet signed up for this event and would like to join the fun, we still have a few slots available. HURRY! Time is running out!
Archived from the Home page on August 17, 2019.
Summer Event Newsletter
WEST CHICAGO CLASS OF 1963
AN INVITATION TO A COMBINED REUNION
WITH THE CLASS OF 64
AN INVITATION TO A COMBINED REUNION
WITH THE CLASS OF 64
Fellow classmates:
If you read the newsletter about the 55 year reunion, you are aware we discussed having a combined reunion with the class of ’64. That has come to fruition and the date has been set for August 17, 2019 at the Pal Joey’s restaurant in Batavia, IL. The hours are between 12:30 and 3:30 and the cost will be $15.00 per person.
Due to a limited space size, the maximum number of attendees we are allowed as of this writing for the event is 30. The class of ’64 has had an average of 35 – 45 attend the mid-decade reunions and the room will accommodate 80 max. If there is a large interest, we will address that with Pal Joey’s and the Co64 committee members and contact the later requests by phone with updated information.
To keep track of the openings, please visit our website, www.wego1963.com where you will find the new address of Pal Joey’s and the current tally of those planning to attend with the remaining available space. Due to the short lead time, send your check, payable to WeGo1963 Reunion, directly to Reid Simmons by August 3, 2019.
If you read the newsletter about the 55 year reunion, you are aware we discussed having a combined reunion with the class of ’64. That has come to fruition and the date has been set for August 17, 2019 at the Pal Joey’s restaurant in Batavia, IL. The hours are between 12:30 and 3:30 and the cost will be $15.00 per person.
Due to a limited space size, the maximum number of attendees we are allowed as of this writing for the event is 30. The class of ’64 has had an average of 35 – 45 attend the mid-decade reunions and the room will accommodate 80 max. If there is a large interest, we will address that with Pal Joey’s and the Co64 committee members and contact the later requests by phone with updated information.
To keep track of the openings, please visit our website, www.wego1963.com where you will find the new address of Pal Joey’s and the current tally of those planning to attend with the remaining available space. Due to the short lead time, send your check, payable to WeGo1963 Reunion, directly to Reid Simmons by August 3, 2019.
For questions and answers, please contact one of your Webmasters or the Planning Committee chair person.
Thank you for your time.
The WeGo Class of 1963 Planning Committee.
PS: For you convenience, here's a link to the Class of 64 Yearbook.
Thank you for your time.
The WeGo Class of 1963 Planning Committee.
PS: For you convenience, here's a link to the Class of 64 Yearbook.
Archived from the Home page on August 1, 2019.
Coach Kerner Passed Away July 23, 2019
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Coach Kerner. Dick was voted one of our favorite teachers and, as such, attended our 50 year reunion in August 2013. His obituary, from Norris-Sergent, appears on our new Faculty & Staff page.
Archived from the Home page on July 8, 2019.
Mini-Reunion: Lunch with Sherry Cadwallader
Some of us enjoyed a lunch with Sherry and Brett Jones on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Tom Kelley's Chophouse & Pub in New Lenox. It was really nice to reconnect and reminisce with another classmate.
Sherry & Brett will be attending a family wedding Memorial Day weekend then travelling to Pennsylvania to visit relatives before returning home to Barstow, California.
Sherry & Brett will be attending a family wedding Memorial Day weekend then travelling to Pennsylvania to visit relatives before returning home to Barstow, California.
Archived from the Home page on May 23, 2019.
Join us for Lunch with Sherry Cadwallader Jones
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After years of searching, we finally found one of our missing classmates. In 2015, she tried to find members of our class by setting up a page for West Chicago Community High School Class of 1963 on the ClassReport.org website. Here's her profile from that site:
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After graduation I attended Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois for a year and a half. In 1965 I married classmate Phil Brance and moved to San Diego where Phil was based on the USS Canberra during the Vietnam War. We were married for 9 years and had two children [Todd (1970) & Heather (1974)] . We divorced in 1974. Three years later I met and married my current husband of 38 years [Brett Jones]. He was a National Park Ranger. In 1983 I graduated San Diego State University in Physical Anthropology. Subsequently, we obtained our teaching credentials and we have been teaching ever since.
In one of her emails since we initially made contact, Sherry said Phil Brance died of cancer on October 15, 2007. Our Missing and Deceased pages have been updated accordingly.
Sherry & Brett will be in Illinois in late May for a family wedding and would very much like to have lunch with us on Thursday, May 23, 1:00 PM at Tom Kelly's Chophouse, 495 Degroate Rd, New Lenox, Illinois. See it on our map!
Please Contact Us for head count if you're interested.
Sherry & Brett will be in Illinois in late May for a family wedding and would very much like to have lunch with us on Thursday, May 23, 1:00 PM at Tom Kelly's Chophouse, 495 Degroate Rd, New Lenox, Illinois. See it on our map!
Please Contact Us for head count if you're interested.
Archived from the Home page on April 3, 2019.
5th Annual Winter Event has Record Turnout
15 Classmates and 6 spouses attended our 5th Annual Winter Social event at Pal Joey's in West Chicago on Saturday, February 2, 2019. The party didn't breakup until almost 4 pm! Plenty of pizza, pasta, salad, soft drinks and conversation. You can tell by their smiles, they had a good time! Sally & Don Stearns, from southern Illinois, came the farthest!
Archived from the Home page on April 3, 2019.
Our Alma-mater After a January Snow
West Chicago Community High School, January 19, 2019. The morning after a heavy snow storm.
Archived from the Home page on March25, 2019.
Our Reunions
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Two years before our first Class Reunion, the organizing committee sent a survey to classmates whose addresses were on file. Most of us responded, answering a few simple questions and providing a short summary of our lives since graduation.
The survey results were compiled and published in a booklet, titled "Eight Years After..." |
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Archived from the Home page on February 21, 2019.
USPS Address Change - PO Box Closing
With the transition to primarily electronic communications, the wego1963 reunion mailbox is being closed effective February 28th. We will continue to reach out to classmates that do not have access to the internet using their last known address and phone number. Our contact information is available after you log in. Use the Contact Us page to reach the wego1963 webmasters.
Need help logging in please go here: About Us and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Need help logging in please go here: About Us and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Archived from the Home page on February 11, 2019.
NFL Playoff Brackets
The NFL Post Season is over! Click "Download File" to see who won the Super Bowl.
| playoff_brackets.pdf |
Archived from the Home page on February 2, 2019.
5th Annual Winter Social Event
Good conversation. Good food. Cash bar
Our 5th Annual Winter Event at Pal Joey's in West Chicago, will start at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019.
Our 5th Annual Winter Event at Pal Joey's in West Chicago, will start at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019.
We started this event in February 2014 after our 50 Year Reunion and it has continued annually ever since.
The buffet includes unlimited pizza, pasta, salad and soft drinks.
All classmates, spouses/partners/guests welcome! We usually have 15 to 20 people attending but the room will easily accommodate more.
The cost is only $15 per person, including tax & gratuity, and is payable at the door when you arrive.
However, we do need a head count to let Pal Joey's know how much food to prepare. Please respond via our RSVP page.
Thanks. And bring an appetite!
The buffet includes unlimited pizza, pasta, salad and soft drinks.
All classmates, spouses/partners/guests welcome! We usually have 15 to 20 people attending but the room will easily accommodate more.
The cost is only $15 per person, including tax & gratuity, and is payable at the door when you arrive.
However, we do need a head count to let Pal Joey's know how much food to prepare. Please respond via our RSVP page.
Thanks. And bring an appetite!
Archived from the Home page on January 12, 2019.
55 Year Reunion has Come & Gone! - No More Snail-Mail!
The following letter was sent to all classmates in early November, via USPS:
WeGo Class of 1963
I would like to take this opportunity to inform those that missed the 55 year reunion what a great time we had. The camaraderie and food were top-notch, there were no speeches taking up valuable conversation time and the hospitality offered the group by Holiday Inn was second to none. Perhaps we may see some of you the next time.
Speaking of the next time, this letter will be the last mailing we will send to those having an email address on file with us. Those without an email address will continue to be notified via the USPS for the
foreseeable future. Our website, www.wego1963.com, will have all the information regarding future class activities with a method for everyone to respond should they be interested in participating.
Among the conversation topics at the reunion were several comments about a more relaxed and informal gathering with perhaps another class or classes. We have made a connection with the Class of
1964 planning committee. Their reunions have most recently been held during the afternoon at a more reduced per-person cost than us. We will be pursuing that thought a bit more in the coming months.
Our next scheduled activity will be our 5th annual winter social held at the Pal Joey’s in West Chicago on February 2, 2019 between the hours of 1 and 5. The cost is $15.00 per person for pizza, pasta, salad
and pop. This is a pay at the door event, but we need to know how many might be coming in consideration of Pal Joey’s. Should you wish to join us, please contact us via our website, www.wego1963.com, an email to tomoes1445@msn.com, or a phone call to Tom Overton, (815) 751-3452 by January 15th.
We, the committee, would like to extend our best wishes to you and your family for this upcoming holiday season. Stay safe and healthy so we can see you all again.
Your Class of 1963 Planning Committee
I would like to take this opportunity to inform those that missed the 55 year reunion what a great time we had. The camaraderie and food were top-notch, there were no speeches taking up valuable conversation time and the hospitality offered the group by Holiday Inn was second to none. Perhaps we may see some of you the next time.
Speaking of the next time, this letter will be the last mailing we will send to those having an email address on file with us. Those without an email address will continue to be notified via the USPS for the
foreseeable future. Our website, www.wego1963.com, will have all the information regarding future class activities with a method for everyone to respond should they be interested in participating.
Among the conversation topics at the reunion were several comments about a more relaxed and informal gathering with perhaps another class or classes. We have made a connection with the Class of
1964 planning committee. Their reunions have most recently been held during the afternoon at a more reduced per-person cost than us. We will be pursuing that thought a bit more in the coming months.
Our next scheduled activity will be our 5th annual winter social held at the Pal Joey’s in West Chicago on February 2, 2019 between the hours of 1 and 5. The cost is $15.00 per person for pizza, pasta, salad
and pop. This is a pay at the door event, but we need to know how many might be coming in consideration of Pal Joey’s. Should you wish to join us, please contact us via our website, www.wego1963.com, an email to tomoes1445@msn.com, or a phone call to Tom Overton, (815) 751-3452 by January 15th.
We, the committee, would like to extend our best wishes to you and your family for this upcoming holiday season. Stay safe and healthy so we can see you all again.
Your Class of 1963 Planning Committee
Archived from the Home page on December 10, 2018.
Almost Done...
We have been doing some website remodeling over the past several days. Our intention is to make our site easier to use. We still have a little left to do. Thanks for your patience.
Archived: Past Events, Stories, Committee Meetings Agendas & Minutes, etc.
Archived from the Home page on November 29, 2018.
55 Year Reunion Pictures are Here!
Our 55 Year Reunion was a big success! Several pictures have been uploaded to our new Home -> Classmates -> 55 Year Reunion Candids page. Your WeGo1963 password is required to view these pictures. If you registered but forgot your password, try the Reset Password option on the login access screen. If that fails, you probably never registered and should visit the Member Registration section on our About Us page.
If you attended this reunion, and took pictures, please send us copies. We'd love to add them to our online collection. Enjoy!
If you attended this reunion, and took pictures, please send us copies. We'd love to add them to our online collection. Enjoy!
Archived from the Home page on October 22, 2018.
55 Year Reunion - Daily Response Tally as of 10/11
The number of classmates responding: 39.
The number of classmates attending: 26.
The number of respondents not attending: 13.
The total headcount, including guests, is: 41.
The number of classmates attending: 26.
The number of respondents not attending: 13.
The total headcount, including guests, is: 41.
Archived from the Home page on September 21, 2018.
It's Still Not Too Late!
Even though the due date has passed for your response card and check, you can still attend our 55 year reunion if you return your card and your check before the end of August. We'd love to see you again!
If you have miss-placed your response card, simply send your check to our PO Box, shown on our Contact Us page. Make your check out to WeGo 1963 Reunion for $50 per person attending. We'll determine the head count from the amount of the check. You will receive a 2nd card, asking for your meal choice, when we receive your check.
If you have miss-placed your response card, simply send your check to our PO Box, shown on our Contact Us page. Make your check out to WeGo 1963 Reunion for $50 per person attending. We'll determine the head count from the amount of the check. You will receive a 2nd card, asking for your meal choice, when we receive your check.
Archived from the Home page on September 9, 2018.
55 Year Reunion - Second Mailing to those Attending
If you have already sent us your check for the October 20 reunion, you should receive a follow-up letter in the mail soon. This letter will cover our tentative plans for the weekend activities as well as a short survey card where you will make your dinner choice(s) . Please return the survey card in the enclosed SASE as soon as possible.
Archived from the Home page on August 22, 2018.
Brain Teaser
Here's a little puzzle, courtesy of Barbara Alm Mazzochi and FACEBOOK:
1+1+1+1+1
1+1+1+1+1
1+1x0+1 = ?
Contact Us if you figure it out or if you don't figure it out. We'll confirm your answer or give you the answer if needed.
Hint #1: the answer is not 12.
Hint#2, there's no such thing as a blank or an LF (Line Feed).
1+1+1+1+1
1+1+1+1+1
1+1x0+1 = ?
Contact Us if you figure it out or if you don't figure it out. We'll confirm your answer or give you the answer if needed.
Hint #1: the answer is not 12.
Hint#2, there's no such thing as a blank or an LF (Line Feed).
Archived from the Home page on July 23, 2018.
55 Year Reunion - Invitations in the Mail!
As most of you are already aware, our 55 year reunion is just around the corner. The invitations were mailed Friday, June 15th. Please help the planning committee by completing the RSVP card and returning it to us, with your check, in the included SASE as soon as possible but before July 10.
If you don't receive your invitation within the next 3-4 days, please contact us immediately to confirm we have your correct USPS address.
Even if you are not planning to attend this event, please return the RSVP card with a "0" (zero) the "Number in your party" field. This will help us maintain the accuracy of our contacts database. And it will also save us postage on the followup mailing. Every penny counts!
In the later part of July, those of you who returned the RSVP card with your check, will receive a followup mailing asking for your menu choice(s) and giving you more details on the activities and events being planned.
Don't forget, the CSHI has some discounted rooms reserved for you "out-of-towners" wishing to stay on site. A discount code will be included in the followup mailing but if you would rather guantee your room now, simply tell the "reservationist" you are attending the West Chicago Community High School Class of 1963 (WeGo 1963) Reunion.
If you don't receive your invitation within the next 3-4 days, please contact us immediately to confirm we have your correct USPS address.
Even if you are not planning to attend this event, please return the RSVP card with a "0" (zero) the "Number in your party" field. This will help us maintain the accuracy of our contacts database. And it will also save us postage on the followup mailing. Every penny counts!
In the later part of July, those of you who returned the RSVP card with your check, will receive a followup mailing asking for your menu choice(s) and giving you more details on the activities and events being planned.
Don't forget, the CSHI has some discounted rooms reserved for you "out-of-towners" wishing to stay on site. A discount code will be included in the followup mailing but if you would rather guantee your room now, simply tell the "reservationist" you are attending the West Chicago Community High School Class of 1963 (WeGo 1963) Reunion.
Archived from the Home page on June 16, 2018.
4th Annual Winter Event - February 3, 2018 - Pal Joey's (West Chicago)
Thanks to everyone who attended our 4th annual Winter Event at Pal Joey's in West Chicago. And a special thanks to all those who helped fill in more names on our Washington Jr High 7th and 8th grade photos. There are still a few unidentified people in these photo - so see if you can help.
We may have found a source for 7th and 8th grade picture(s) from St. John's in Winfield and are still looking for 7th and 8th pictures from St. Mary's in West Chicago and any other WeGo feeder schools. Most spouses/partners insisted on using their cameras and were not able to be in the above photo.
Great pizza! Interesting conversations! Good Friends. It just doesn't get any better than this!
We may have found a source for 7th and 8th grade picture(s) from St. John's in Winfield and are still looking for 7th and 8th pictures from St. Mary's in West Chicago and any other WeGo feeder schools. Most spouses/partners insisted on using their cameras and were not able to be in the above photo.
Great pizza! Interesting conversations! Good Friends. It just doesn't get any better than this!
Archived from the Home page on May 20, 2018.
Planning Committee Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2018
Minutes and clarification from the planning committee meeting on January 10, 2018.
Attending the meeting were: Ron Anderson, Don and Diane Miller Evans, Carol Wells Huck, Brian Keely,
Carolyn McGawn Morris, Bill Nolan, Reid Simmons and Tom Overton.
The items of discussion included:
Attending the meeting were: Ron Anderson, Don and Diane Miller Evans, Carol Wells Huck, Brian Keely,
Carolyn McGawn Morris, Bill Nolan, Reid Simmons and Tom Overton.
The items of discussion included:
- The menu for the Saturday night dinner was the first topic we covered and a choice was made and verified by Holiday Inn Carol Steam, to offer the Duo, a beef and chicken entrée as well as a salmon dish. Those will be served with a mixed salad and chicken noodle soup. The desert of choice was apple strudel ala mode, also verified, with an additional charge of $1.00 per person for the ice cream.
- It was agreed a cost of $50.00 per person would be charged for this reunion.
- The timing for sending invitations was discussed and it was determined we needed to have things in place two weeks prior to HICS needing the final payment and head count. Unfortunately, I did not make a note of when we expected to send the invitations, so that will need to be talked about at the upcoming luncheon at Pal Joey’s. We did decide a plain envelope with a SASE and a letter offering choices, costs and return date would suffice for this reunion.
- The next item centered around the cash bar, the bartender fees, level of beverage choices and hours of service. The reply came back stating one bartender was allotted for 150 people and the hours were able to be booked from start to end of the evening. The level of beverages served were the same as offered elsewhere in the hotel.
- Potential activities outside the reunion proper were discussed with a few being eliminated because of distance and potential escalated costs. What is being further investigated is obtaining the services of the American Legion and a tour of the West Chicago Historical Society building.
- Transportation from the hotel to West Chicago was discussed with the comment the Holiday Inn had a courtesy vehicle which may be available. The vehicle is used by the hotel for trips within a five mile radius, it does not do trips to the airports and early notification is really appreciated. The bus is a high top van capable of carrying 14 people. More discussion on this subject will be done at the February 3rd luncheon at Pal Joey’s and probably into the summer.
- Sub committees were discussed briefly with decorations, communications and invitations getting most of the traffic. Decorations will be furnished by the hotel and that includes white tablecloths, black or white napkins, a mirror with a glass cylinder filled with colored water of choice and two votive candles. The communications will be handled by Tom Overton; Reid Simmons will handle the name tags and Brian Keely will handle the invitation prep and mailings.
- The available rooms for the evening were discussed with questions about liquor availability, bartender fees, etc. The question was made and the answer came back with a need for a bartender if alcohol was to be offered in the Charleston Hospitality room. If the King Suite was booked with the Executive Suite adjoining, BYOB was acceptable without the need for a bartender. Consequently, that room has been booked for Friday and Saturday, making an additional room available for communication.
- The next meeting was scheduled for June 13th at 1:00 at the West Chicago Public Library and that has been done. There is a minor issue with the room of choice depending on summer activities, so we will stay tuned and pass the word along when we know the outcome of the library planning.
- The final item discussed was the addition of another treasurer and the responsibilities of that person. Reid Simmons was appointed by unanimous vote and he was to be the holder of the check and saving books. Tom Overton will send a letter to Tom Fessler and Joe Jedlovec relating the decision and offer them the option of holding the co-treasurers positions into the future.
Annual Winter Event - Pal Joey's (West Chicago) - Saturday, February 3, 2018
Once again we have booked the party room at the West Chicago Pal Joey's for a luncheon. The per person cost is still $14.00, including taxes and gratuity. The date will be February 3, 2018 this year, which happens to be the Saturday prior to the Super Bowl Game.
Please contact Tom Overton if you care to attend no later than February 1st so we can make the final arrangements with the folks in the kitchen. We will collect everyone's lunch fees at the restaurant and as in the past, this will be a cash bar with pop and water in the lunch package.
Thank you, have a Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy start to the new year.
The Wego 1963 Entertainment Committee.
Please contact Tom Overton if you care to attend no later than February 1st so we can make the final arrangements with the folks in the kitchen. We will collect everyone's lunch fees at the restaurant and as in the past, this will be a cash bar with pop and water in the lunch package.
Thank you, have a Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy start to the new year.
The Wego 1963 Entertainment Committee.
Planning Committee Meeting Minutes - October 25, 2017
November 8, 2017
Planning Committee Meeting minutes from October 25, 2017
Our priorities were mostly met today with a couple of issues being tabled until the next committee meeting scheduled for January 10th at 1:00 in the West Chicago Library. I’d like to thank those that attended as well as the two who replied but were unable to attend for personal reasons: Barb Alm Mazzochi, Carol Wells Huck, Diane Miller Evans, Don Evans, Brian Keely, Bill Nolan, Reid Simmons, Richard Mann and Tom Overton. Not able to attend were Ron Anderson and Carolyn McGawn Morris who were kind enough to pass along their thoughts for the meeting.
The votes for per person costs came in mostly even across the board for all the choices. After doing some comparison calculations with CSHI, Pheasant Run and St. Andrews, CSHI came in as the better choice with more value per dollar spent. We feel we can offer an extremely well-planned dinner, omit some of the frills we offered for the 50th, provide some seed money for the next reunion and still come in close to the lower end of the scale for per person costs.
Among our goals for future meetings is to establish a few sub-committees, one of them being involved with investigating some possible side trips for Friday and Saturday morning/afternoon. These would be additional cost items and totally optional. We realize some will come early to visit family and/or friends while making the trip back home and there are others living in the area wishing to reestablish friendships with the out-of-towners. The optional choices will depend on the interest generated by you and nothing more.
The outcome of the meeting had us reserving the Carol Stream Holiday Inn for October 20, 2018 for an evening dinner. CHSI is setting a block of rooms aside for Friday and Saturday night at a reduced cost of $94.00 plus 11% sales tax. We should have the banquet pricing and planned activities finalized in June. We will be asking for banquet reservations and payment sometime in July or August of 2018 with the cutoff being the first part of October.
In closing, we would like to say Thank You for those taking time to answer our survey. Our goal is to provide a memorable experience for as many people as possible in attendance. If you have a comment or request to share, please do so using whatever method makes you most comfortable. Committee members are listed on the class website, a blog page is there for the reunion and if we have an email or telephone number for the person you wish to communicate with, it’s there.
At this time, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
The Wego 1963 Planning Committee
Tom Overton
Planning Committee Chairperson
Planning Committee Meeting minutes from October 25, 2017
Our priorities were mostly met today with a couple of issues being tabled until the next committee meeting scheduled for January 10th at 1:00 in the West Chicago Library. I’d like to thank those that attended as well as the two who replied but were unable to attend for personal reasons: Barb Alm Mazzochi, Carol Wells Huck, Diane Miller Evans, Don Evans, Brian Keely, Bill Nolan, Reid Simmons, Richard Mann and Tom Overton. Not able to attend were Ron Anderson and Carolyn McGawn Morris who were kind enough to pass along their thoughts for the meeting.
The votes for per person costs came in mostly even across the board for all the choices. After doing some comparison calculations with CSHI, Pheasant Run and St. Andrews, CSHI came in as the better choice with more value per dollar spent. We feel we can offer an extremely well-planned dinner, omit some of the frills we offered for the 50th, provide some seed money for the next reunion and still come in close to the lower end of the scale for per person costs.
Among our goals for future meetings is to establish a few sub-committees, one of them being involved with investigating some possible side trips for Friday and Saturday morning/afternoon. These would be additional cost items and totally optional. We realize some will come early to visit family and/or friends while making the trip back home and there are others living in the area wishing to reestablish friendships with the out-of-towners. The optional choices will depend on the interest generated by you and nothing more.
The outcome of the meeting had us reserving the Carol Stream Holiday Inn for October 20, 2018 for an evening dinner. CHSI is setting a block of rooms aside for Friday and Saturday night at a reduced cost of $94.00 plus 11% sales tax. We should have the banquet pricing and planned activities finalized in June. We will be asking for banquet reservations and payment sometime in July or August of 2018 with the cutoff being the first part of October.
In closing, we would like to say Thank You for those taking time to answer our survey. Our goal is to provide a memorable experience for as many people as possible in attendance. If you have a comment or request to share, please do so using whatever method makes you most comfortable. Committee members are listed on the class website, a blog page is there for the reunion and if we have an email or telephone number for the person you wish to communicate with, it’s there.
At this time, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
The Wego 1963 Planning Committee
Tom Overton
Planning Committee Chairperson
From the Home page November 13, 2017
50 Year Reunion Planning Committee
The following letter was recently sent via USPS & eMail to all classmates whose addresses we have on file as of this week. As explained in the letter, some of you may get this twice. After you read this letter, feel free to use our online survey which will open in a new window.
Hello.
On Saturday, September 23, 2017 some of our class members met for an old-fashioned picnic, discussed matters of history and current affairs nonpolitical or religious, and what to do about another class reunion. The latter conversation didn’t last too long and the former conversations were entertainingly reminiscent.
In the reunion department, it was decided to send a RFI to all classmates to see what the consensus might be for interval, venue and costs. Another topic was the limited time frame to put a reunion together, so your input really does need to be conveyed without too much delay.
Our last reunion had a per person cost of $185.00 with all but $19.63 being covered by a most generous donation. We don’t anticipate a replay, instant or otherwise, and for us to act in a prudent manner we need to know the following:
The decision was made to contact the Carol Stream Holiday Inn, Pheasant Run, the West Chicago VFW and Lake Lawn in Delavan, WI requesting options and costs for an afternoon buffet and an evening dinner. Which location and which option would you prefer? ___________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
When we have all the numbers and your responses, we will tabulate the results, move in a most expeditious manner for putting a package together and forward the results to all upon completion.
If you are reading this with your email, you may simply hit the REPLY versus REPLY ALL button, add your answers and comments and hit SEND. If you are reading this in printed form and you had an email with the same letter, it’s just to insure we get the word to everyone, including those without internet access. If you wish to reply via the USPS, you will need to send your reply to the following:
Wego1963/55th reunion
P.O. Box 63
Cortland, IL 60112
The final option is to take our online survey.
We thank you in advance,
Your WeGo Class of 1963 Planning Committee.
On Saturday, September 23, 2017 some of our class members met for an old-fashioned picnic, discussed matters of history and current affairs nonpolitical or religious, and what to do about another class reunion. The latter conversation didn’t last too long and the former conversations were entertainingly reminiscent.
In the reunion department, it was decided to send a RFI to all classmates to see what the consensus might be for interval, venue and costs. Another topic was the limited time frame to put a reunion together, so your input really does need to be conveyed without too much delay.
Our last reunion had a per person cost of $185.00 with all but $19.63 being covered by a most generous donation. We don’t anticipate a replay, instant or otherwise, and for us to act in a prudent manner we need to know the following:
- Are you in favor of a 55th or should we opt for a longer interval? ____________
- What would you consider a reasonable per person cost for the next reunion? _________
- Would you prefer an afternoon buffet, allowing the evening time frame free for conversation or some other activity of your choice, or an evening dinner? ___________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________
The decision was made to contact the Carol Stream Holiday Inn, Pheasant Run, the West Chicago VFW and Lake Lawn in Delavan, WI requesting options and costs for an afternoon buffet and an evening dinner. Which location and which option would you prefer? ___________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
When we have all the numbers and your responses, we will tabulate the results, move in a most expeditious manner for putting a package together and forward the results to all upon completion.
If you are reading this with your email, you may simply hit the REPLY versus REPLY ALL button, add your answers and comments and hit SEND. If you are reading this in printed form and you had an email with the same letter, it’s just to insure we get the word to everyone, including those without internet access. If you wish to reply via the USPS, you will need to send your reply to the following:
Wego1963/55th reunion
P.O. Box 63
Cortland, IL 60112
The final option is to take our online survey.
We thank you in advance,
Your WeGo Class of 1963 Planning Committee.
From the Home page September 29, 2017
50 Year Reunion Planning Committee
On September 23rd an old-fashioned picnic was held at Reed Keppler Park with 13 classmates including nine of the original reunion planning committee members joining the group. One topic, the possibility of a 2018 reunion requires some thought. Tom Overton stepped forward to Chair with several others volunteering to support the research. Tom is preparing to snail-mail a survey to each of us so he and the new committee can assess interest and make the first decisions. But first, please let us know if you will continue as members of the West Chicago Class of 1963 Reunion Planning Committee. Please let me know as soon as possible so I can confirm who we can count on to assist with some of the tasks.
At this early stage it has already been agreed to place a $250 non-binding refundable deposit with the Carol Stream Holiday Inn to hold a date for next September 28-29 or October 5-6 or 19-20, 2018. In addition we need to reimburse Tom $50 for reserving the Reed Keppler park north pavilion and for the cost of mailing the first letter to all classmates.
I've included Dick Mann, Brian Keeley, Stanley Korona and Larry Nelson as they participated on Sunday and may join the committee if it's decided to host a 2018 class reunion.
Time to spin the wheel and survey all of our classmates. Thanks for your feedback.
Bill Nolan
At this early stage it has already been agreed to place a $250 non-binding refundable deposit with the Carol Stream Holiday Inn to hold a date for next September 28-29 or October 5-6 or 19-20, 2018. In addition we need to reimburse Tom $50 for reserving the Reed Keppler park north pavilion and for the cost of mailing the first letter to all classmates.
I've included Dick Mann, Brian Keeley, Stanley Korona and Larry Nelson as they participated on Sunday and may join the committee if it's decided to host a 2018 class reunion.
Time to spin the wheel and survey all of our classmates. Thanks for your feedback.
Bill Nolan
From the Home page September 23, 2017
An Old Fashion Picnic
We have secured the north pavilion at Reed Keppler park for Saturday, September 23, 2017, from the hours of 9:00 A to 8:00 P in order to hold an old fashioned picnic for class members. This is a bring your own everything you wish to consume for the day event, including perhaps an extra lawn chair if sitting on a picnic table causes discomfort.
We are allowed a Weber style grill and if enough interest is shown for grilling, we will arrange to have such an appliance on the site.
This might be a good time to discuss interests in another reunion and when such an event might be held.
If you have an interest in attending, please respond to Tom Overton so an accurate head count can be maintained in case we need a larger facility. Tom will also answer any questions and make any special arrangements needed to accommodate individuals.
Thanks in advance.
Tom Overton
We are allowed a Weber style grill and if enough interest is shown for grilling, we will arrange to have such an appliance on the site.
This might be a good time to discuss interests in another reunion and when such an event might be held.
If you have an interest in attending, please respond to Tom Overton so an accurate head count can be maintained in case we need a larger facility. Tom will also answer any questions and make any special arrangements needed to accommodate individuals.
Thanks in advance.
Tom Overton
From the Home page September 23, 2017
George McGrath passed away
According to George's sister, Clarice, George passed away at his home in Alabama on Friday, July 7th. For your convenience, a copy of his obituary appears below and on his Bio page.
Most of us know that George was the person that got the ball rolling for our highly successful 50 year reunion in 2013 and built our first class website a couple years before that. Without George's enthusiasm and persistence, we would not have had our last reunion!
For more information about George, go to our Classmates -> Deceased page and left-click on his picture.
Most of us know that George was the person that got the ball rolling for our highly successful 50 year reunion in 2013 and built our first class website a couple years before that. Without George's enthusiasm and persistence, we would not have had our last reunion!
For more information about George, go to our Classmates -> Deceased page and left-click on his picture.
From the Home page July 15, 2017
Welcome to wego1963.com
Check out our Remembering Page as we begin to add yearbook pictures and text.
Make yearbook page suggestions by jumping to Contact Us and forward your ideas.
From the Home page July 8, 2017
2017 Winter Classmate Luncheon - A Success
Twenty attendees gathered Saturday February 4th and enjoyed Pal Joey's salad, pizza, pasta and soft drink buffet in the Party Room. From family to pets to the last holidays and trips conversation was both wide ranging and generally avoided politics although we did venture into the events of our youth and growing up in the at that time wide open spaces of western DuPage County. A good time was...next gathering in the summer months, perhaps near Princeton, IL.
From the Home page February 4, 2017
February 4th - 2017 Winter Classmate Luncheon
More attendees are signed up for the 2017 - Saturday February 4th luncheon at Pal Joey's West Chicago to enjoy their salad, pizza, pasta and soft drink buffet in the Party Room. Starting at noon and running to 3:00 pm we'll join classmates and catch up once again. $15 at the door for wego class of 1963 members and their guests. Cash bar just a few feet away. Head to the RSVP page to sign up.
From the Home page - December 16, 2016
We're one of the great graduating classes of WCCHS...
Since then we've done "our thing" for over 50 years
and are working our way through the next ten one day at a time.
Since then we've done "our thing" for over 50 years
and are working our way through the next ten one day at a time.
We served our country, we became teachers and farmers and machinists, electricians, builders and techies and artists and business leaders. We lived in West Chicago, Winfield, DuPage County and the greater Chicago area. Some of us moved around the country and to foreign lands. All this time we kept in touch with our best friends sharing the stories of our lives and of our families. It's been a pretty amazing time and it's not over yet. Time permitting, drop us a note.
From the Home page - December 16, 2016
2016 West Chicago Park District - Special Event
The Polar Express will depart for the North Pole from the West Chicago Train Station at 1:15 PM and again at 5:15 PM on Saturday December 17th. Reservations required. Visit the West Chicago Park District website for more information. Happy Holidays.
Who we are... We're the first of the boomers
and we're looking back a lot of years on our new Timeline page.
and we're looking back a lot of years on our new Timeline page.
As we continue to add content we welcome classmates and other WEGO alumni.. Authored by Reid Simmons this first pass at a Timeline from the arrival of French explorers in the 1600’s to the 21st century covers many stages of regional and local development and of rail history. Spotted throughout are specific benchmarks for West Chicago, Winfield and Winfield Township. Have a look. Make a comment.
Summer Event - Plan B - Updated
August 6, 2016
Sixteen classmates and spouses gathered for a nice quiet lunch at Pal Joey's in Batavia, on Saturday, August 6th. Service was a little slow so we were able to spend well over 3 hours reminiscing about the good old days at WeGo and catching up on life in general while enjoying some good food and drink.
Attendees: Carolyn McGawn Morris, Reid Simmons, Barbara Alm Mazzochi, Kathy Sproat, Carol Wells & Larry Huck, Diane Miller & Don Evans, David & Sue Nicoloff, Bill & Kay Nolan, Tom & Sandy Overton, Reid & Margo Simmons and Stanley Korona.
August 6, 2016
Sixteen classmates and spouses gathered for a nice quiet lunch at Pal Joey's in Batavia, on Saturday, August 6th. Service was a little slow so we were able to spend well over 3 hours reminiscing about the good old days at WeGo and catching up on life in general while enjoying some good food and drink.
Attendees: Carolyn McGawn Morris, Reid Simmons, Barbara Alm Mazzochi, Kathy Sproat, Carol Wells & Larry Huck, Diane Miller & Don Evans, David & Sue Nicoloff, Bill & Kay Nolan, Tom & Sandy Overton, Reid & Margo Simmons and Stanley Korona.
Summer Event - Plan B
August 6, 2016
Several of you, who planned to participate in the recently cancelled luncheon cruise, have voiced your desire to get together anyhow. So here's our plan B:
We have reserved a couple tables at Pal Joey's, 31 N. River St, in Batavia,IL and will start gathering around 12:30 PM on Saturday, August 6th. It's BYOM (Buy Your Own Meal). RSVP.
August 6, 2016
Several of you, who planned to participate in the recently cancelled luncheon cruise, have voiced your desire to get together anyhow. So here's our plan B:
We have reserved a couple tables at Pal Joey's, 31 N. River St, in Batavia,IL and will start gathering around 12:30 PM on Saturday, August 6th. It's BYOM (Buy Your Own Meal). RSVP.
The "Pride of Oregon" docked April 3, 2016, at Maxson's Riverboat & Riverside Restaurant near Oregon, IL.
Our Summer Event 2016 - CANCELLED - Boat reserved for a wedding
Originally Scheduled for August 6, 2016
This 53rd year since we graduated high school will mark three years since our last reunion. While we're planning for a summer get together in 2016 we're also thinking a few years ahead. Look for future site updates to discuss a potential 2018 reunion. Right now we're shooting for maximum turnout in August. Feedback helped us firm up something a little different than in previous years, a paddle boat cruise about 75 miles from West Chicago on the Rock River near Oregon, IL.
The "Pride of Oregon" makes its home at the Maxson Riverboat & Riverside Restaurant, about a mile north of Oregon on state route 2. We will join the Luncheon Cruise during a two hour, 15 mile, scenic ride on an authentic, 102 foot, paddle wheel boat. Built in 1989, the "Pride of Oregon" is a replica of the famous Rosie O'Shea which, according to the Marco Eagle in 2011, was built to resemble the "Huck Finn" era riverboats.
Our Saturday, August 6th, lunch cruise starts boarding at 11:00 am and departs at 11:30 am. Senior pricing for a 4-course lunch cruise breaks down as follows:
Please use our RSVP form to let us know whether or not you will join us.
Originally Scheduled for August 6, 2016
This 53rd year since we graduated high school will mark three years since our last reunion. While we're planning for a summer get together in 2016 we're also thinking a few years ahead. Look for future site updates to discuss a potential 2018 reunion. Right now we're shooting for maximum turnout in August. Feedback helped us firm up something a little different than in previous years, a paddle boat cruise about 75 miles from West Chicago on the Rock River near Oregon, IL.
The "Pride of Oregon" makes its home at the Maxson Riverboat & Riverside Restaurant, about a mile north of Oregon on state route 2. We will join the Luncheon Cruise during a two hour, 15 mile, scenic ride on an authentic, 102 foot, paddle wheel boat. Built in 1989, the "Pride of Oregon" is a replica of the famous Rosie O'Shea which, according to the Marco Eagle in 2011, was built to resemble the "Huck Finn" era riverboats.
Our Saturday, August 6th, lunch cruise starts boarding at 11:00 am and departs at 11:30 am. Senior pricing for a 4-course lunch cruise breaks down as follows:
- Boat Ride $15.00
- Lunch $13.00
- Gratuity $2.70
- Tax $0.94
Please use our RSVP form to let us know whether or not you will join us.
Addition of Reid's Turner School Story
June 9, 2016
Welcome once again Classmates. We're working to keep the Home page and articles fresh and of interest. Remembering Turner School was added recently. This note from Reid took him back to the 50's and his time in 3rd through 6th grades in a brand new school.
More updates and new content are being planned so be sure to check back often. The Home page Recent Site Updates column will save you time when checking for changes.
Have a story of your childhood? School? Employment? Summer Activities? Vacations? Whatever! Pass it along.
June 9, 2016
Welcome once again Classmates. We're working to keep the Home page and articles fresh and of interest. Remembering Turner School was added recently. This note from Reid took him back to the 50's and his time in 3rd through 6th grades in a brand new school.
More updates and new content are being planned so be sure to check back often. The Home page Recent Site Updates column will save you time when checking for changes.
Have a story of your childhood? School? Employment? Summer Activities? Vacations? Whatever! Pass it along.
Winter Event January 30, 2016
2nd Annual Pizza Party
Pal Joey's in West Chicago
Several classmates and guests gathered at 1:00 PM at Pal Joey's in West Chicago for pizza, pasta, salad, pop, some reminiscing and good old fashioned conversation. A good time was had by all. Please feel free to Contact Us for details or questions about future events.
2nd Annual Pizza Party
Pal Joey's in West Chicago
Several classmates and guests gathered at 1:00 PM at Pal Joey's in West Chicago for pizza, pasta, salad, pop, some reminiscing and good old fashioned conversation. A good time was had by all. Please feel free to Contact Us for details or questions about future events.
Fall Event December 17, 2015
Drury Lane Theater & Buca di Beppo
Oakbrook & Lombard, IL
Reservations were made and on December 17, 2014 classmates attended White Christmas at Drury Lane followed by family style dinner at Buca di Beppo. This was the last class event of the year. As with all of our plans Contact Us for details of events and questions about future events.
Drury Lane Theater & Buca di Beppo
Oakbrook & Lombard, IL
Reservations were made and on December 17, 2014 classmates attended White Christmas at Drury Lane followed by family style dinner at Buca di Beppo. This was the last class event of the year. As with all of our plans Contact Us for details of events and questions about future events.
Wednesday October 14, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Full Committee Meeting
Sprecher's, Lake Geneva
Once again the WeGo Class of 1963 Reunion Committee met for lunch. Eight of us and several of our spouses enjoyed three hours of conversation, great food and Screecher's fine beers proving day trips with old friends are a good thing. We covered a lot of personal history growing up in West Chicago and the area. We're in agreement that each of us were turned loose on summer days and somehow returned home safely on-time for dinner. Before heading home we agreed to meet again for a Winter lunch at Pal Joey's. Look for details in the coming weeks. Should you visit Lake Geneva visit Sprecher's.
Full Committee Meeting
Sprecher's, Lake Geneva
Once again the WeGo Class of 1963 Reunion Committee met for lunch. Eight of us and several of our spouses enjoyed three hours of conversation, great food and Screecher's fine beers proving day trips with old friends are a good thing. We covered a lot of personal history growing up in West Chicago and the area. We're in agreement that each of us were turned loose on summer days and somehow returned home safely on-time for dinner. Before heading home we agreed to meet again for a Winter lunch at Pal Joey's. Look for details in the coming weeks. Should you visit Lake Geneva visit Sprecher's.
Thursday August 20, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Admin Meeting
Pal Joey's, Batavia
This time four of us Reid, Tom, Carol and Bill met to sort out upcoming events and firm up the date for a full committee lunch in Lake Geneva. The results are noted above. We hope to see everyone in October and that the Drury Lane Matinee is successful. As usual we talked about keeping the website fresh with more frequent updates.
Admin Meeting
Pal Joey's, Batavia
This time four of us Reid, Tom, Carol and Bill met to sort out upcoming events and firm up the date for a full committee lunch in Lake Geneva. The results are noted above. We hope to see everyone in October and that the Drury Lane Matinee is successful. As usual we talked about keeping the website fresh with more frequent updates.
Wednesday June 29, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Admin Meeting
Pal Joey's, Batavia
Time well spent catching up on summer activity along with discussion of modifications to the website and the ongoing need for fresh content. Look for a new blog page in the future (once we figure it out).
Admin Meeting
Pal Joey's, Batavia
Time well spent catching up on summer activity along with discussion of modifications to the website and the ongoing need for fresh content. Look for a new blog page in the future (once we figure it out).
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