Welcome to BSU:

December 2009 News

I can hardly believe it is December, 2009, already. It seems that we just had our 17th Annual BSU Reunion in Carbondale. That was in September. This has been an eventful year for many of us. I was diagnosed with Lymphoma in February. I received 6 treatments (with all the losses involved) and had some very difficult days. I am cancer free now (last test taken in November). Thank you for your love, your concern and most of all for your prayers. I felt every one of them!! I am feeling much better now. My short white curly hair is a sign of recovery. So is my ability to return to many of my church activities (teaching, promoting fund raising activities, meals on wheels, writing, etc. Snow White and her dwarfs are active again. I am so grateful for the return of my health. I praise the Lord every day. I resigned as your BSU President at our reunion in September. However, I plan to continue these monthly newsletters and my involvement with the BSU Web site. So, continue to send me news and "stuff." Ginger Wells has agreed to be our new President. She is younger, healthier and will do a good job. She is a fast learner! I will teach her well. She insisted that I be called President Emeritus. (There was no job description given so I will do what I please.) Our 18th Annual Reunion will be held in the First Baptist Church in Vandalia, IL. The date is always the last Thursday and Friday in September. That will be September 23 and 24.

Please check on this BSU web site www.bsu-siu.com for a summary of the 2009 reunion. There are over 100 pictures there, a statistical report and a blog written by Sue Glasco that is a must to ready. Once you find the web site, BOOKMARK it so you can always find it. Please continue to send your news to me. I will see that it is sent to 159+ BSU members. I love you, miss you, think of you often and pray for you daily. I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. May God bless us real good!! Here are my news items.

MY DECEMBER NEWS ITEMS

1. If you did not order a DVD (Rayford Raby) of the BSU 2009 reunion, they are still available. You will love this DVD. Just let me know. I will see that you get one. It is just wonderful. I have watched mine more than once.
2. I had two e-mails returned to me last month--Bill Abney and Betty Burton. Do you have a new email address for these two friends? Please send to me if you do!!
3. Here is a new mailing address for Stan Nicol---9745 Cherryleaf Ct., Indianapolis, IN 46268-3905.
4. Here is a new email address for Doris Bruce----dgbbl@q.com
5. Several weeks ago (Oct. 30th) I sent you news about Bill Berry. Charlotte McKnight had written. They both live in Flora, IL. Well, Bill is now in a rehab facility taking treatments for a stroke. I understand he is doing better. Remember Bill in your prayers. Bessie too. She is near-by all the time.
6. Ginger heard from Joy Colberg. Joy is the daughter of Burdell and Nomabel O'Neil. Joy is seeking out BSU members who were friends of her parents. If you knew the O'Neils and have a story to relate to Joy, please email her at deerwatcher1101@comeast.net (Ginger may be able to give you more information.) Burdell and Nomabel are both deceased--see date under deceased on the web site.
7. I have posted a vintage picture of Verona Withrow Highsmith, Mildred Peebles Odle and Helen Green Galloway on the web site. It was taken in 1949. A note from Verona said, "I was 12 years old when this picture was taken. I always wanted to grow up and be just like you and Mildred." Well, I am not sure she feels the same now--Mildred yes--Helen not sure. Click here to see picture.
8. Bill Berry (report by Charlotte McKnight). Now, for an update on Bill Berry...there is not much change. He is expected to be in nursing home for some time. Bessie fell down some stairs again, which she has done a number of times, resulting in broken bones. Pray for Bessie in the decisions she needs to make. The latest word (Nov. 29) is that "Bill is improving."
9. Dale Clemens died November 15th. We are all saddened about this. Dale was a friend to so many. He will be missed. Ada Ann will continue to live in Collinsville. Dale has two children who live here too.
10. Lt. Col. James, Carlynn Springs, 88, passed away November 12. James was one of our older BSU members. He was an SIU student in the early 40's. I have been told that he was a BSU Member. He married Wilma Dell Peytonin 1942. She lives in Marion. Her address is in the Directory. Look under the 2001 reunion pictures on the web site. They attended that year.
11. I was asked by Dale's family to write a tribute stressing his involvement with BSU. I did that and it was read at his funeral. I sent you all a copy on November 23. Hope you enjoyed it.
12. Added a new member to group 2--Catherine Sunnquist. Her email address is sunnquist@yahoo.com. Address is: Mr. and Mrs. Roger (Catherine Dunn) Sunnquist, 506 N. Sparta St., Okawville, IL 62271 (BSU Members in the 60's)
13. I need a mailing address for Sharon Kay Sharo (maiden name) Her married name is Kay Biever and her email address is: tbiever@aol.com (Taken from GW letter).

Well, I do hope you all have a Merry CHRISTmas Season. Christmas is a special time for all of us. I pray that we will always keep Christ in Christmas. Our BSU friends are special to us all. Plan now to attend the BSU Reunion in September in 2010. You will be blessed. Pray for Ginger Wells as she plans the great event.

Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. (copied)

            Your President Emeritus
            Helen Galloway
            1949 SIU Graduate




Photo of Dale Clemens and Helen Galloway - '06 Churh Auction