Nancy A Groene Bené

I am very sorry to learn of Marcia's death. She and I talked about a month ago and she and I talked about the cancer. I meant to call her back. About a week ago, I was reminded of something that happened in Mrs. Roman's third grade class at Lincoln School. Marcia and I were classmates. And I thought that I would call Marcia and reminisce with her about Mrs. Roman and some of our classmates. But I didn't get around to making the call and I'm sorry.

Carol was a nice girl. At one of the reunions, she told me about being a single mom when her kids were young. I asked how she did it and she said her mom helped her out a lot.

Posted on: Aug 29, 2018 at 1:01 PM

Hi Gail, Glad to see you. I remember sitting next to you and chatting at long ago reunion. Would like to continue the conversation.

Mr. Coder was one of the important people in my life who spurred me on to think for myself and to think critically. When I took civics from Mr. Coder one summer, he raised the issue about intermarriage of blacks and whites. I was raised in a conformist family, but after thinking about Mr. Coder's question for a day and a half and going over as many elements of the issue that I could identify, I came to my own conclusion.  I can't tell you how many times thoughout my life so far that I've referred to Mr. Coder. 

Mr. Coder was one of the important people in my life who spurred me on to think for myself and to think critically. When I took civics from Mr. Coder one summer, he raised the issue about intermarriage of blacks and whites. I was raised in a conformist family, but after thinking about Mr. Coder's question for a day and a half and going over as many elements of the issue that I could identify, I came to my own conclusion.  I can't tell you how many times thoughout my life so far that I've referred to Mr. Coder. 

Mary Jane and Barbara, I don't remember Bob Early at Lincoln School. It's probably that I just don't remember him or maybe he was just a quiet kid who didn't live in my neighborhood. But I moved in the middle of 5th grade.

I am sorry for his loss. 

Lana, I think it's excellent that the Moline Foundation will administer the fund. I look forward to knowing more about who will receive the scholarship money. And I will donate.

A scholarship in honor or Mike Warren:  

Setting up a scholarship fund may be more complicated that first appears: 

Who would be charge of the money donated to the scholarship fund? Should there be legal and ethical qualifications for the those in charge of the scholarship?  If the amount donated were large enough, would that money be invested so the realized interest or investment income could be doled out for a number of years or in perpetuity? Or would the whole amount or a prescibed portion be awarded annually to a new recipient or a number of recipients? Forever or until the money ran out? Or would that money be donated directly to a particular college or university?

Can I assume the money in the scholarship will be given to a student to help pay for tuition or other expenses incurred while being educated? Tuition for high school? a private high school? A college or university? Most colleges and universities already have in place various scholarship funds which anyone can donate to and will be awarded by the college or university. Sharon Hutton Helgason (our classmate) wanted donations to go to a Augustana female student pursuing a degree in mathematics or science. I made the donation to Augustana in Sharon's name and Augustana took care of the rest. 

Which college or university? Where did Mike Warren go to college? And what would be the recipient's or recipients' qualifications for receiving the money? Would there be a competition for thescholarship money or would someone in the class of MHS 1962 or a group just pick the recipient of the scholarship money? 

There are a lot of financial, legal, and ethical considerations in setting up a scholarship. And any responsible person considering a donation will want to know all the answers? And all those responsible for the scholarship must have the legal, financial and ethical qualifications to administer the fund.

I remember Mike Warren and how tall he was and nice looking, but I really did not know him.(Remember I was a Coolidge girl.) But from everyone's memories of him, I bet if Mike had lived, he would become knowledgeable enough and sophisticated enough to understand that all these issues must be attended to before anyone starts to send in money for a Mike Warren scholarship fund.

Hey Stuart, Where did David Ekstrom go to elementary school? Did he go to Lincoln?

I think Penny's memory of being acknowledged by Mike in the halls of MHS so many years ago, demonstrates the lasting meaning of simple kind actions toward others.

Happy birthday Nancy. It's almost over. I hope you had a great day!

Posted on: Jan 02, 2018 at 4:33 AM

I exactly remember the house where Cheryl grew up----right across the side road from Calvin Coolidge Junior High. I always think of her family when I drive by her house. Her mother was a nurse and that's how my mother knew her. During high school, Cheryl worked the cash register at the big grocery store across the parking lot from Hafner's bar and liquor store. 

Does anybody know the circumstances of Mike Warren's death in Viet Nam? Was it a firefight?

I am very sorry to know of Carol's passing. She was a neat person and had a smile that brightened every room.

Several years ago at one of the girls' get togethers, she and I talked about an important issue and I told her about a very significant and sad event that had occurred in my family. I would not have shared that event with most people, but I knew that Carol was a person who would not use that information in any way. 

I talked to her last a couple years ago at the little Nantucket girls' get together. She reminded me she had gone to the U of Illinois and pledged Alpha Phi.

Here is one of Carol's life events: years ago, she applied for and was interviewed for a job she really wanted. She interacted well with the interviewer and knew she was one of the two people who would be hired. Alas, the interviewer called her to tell her she did not get the job. But Carol knew a few things about the other applicant so Carol applied for the job that other applicant was leaving. Carol got that second job. AND one year later Carol still had the second job, but the the first job turned out to be dud because that company failed. Too bad, they didn't hire Carol.

Terry was a nice person. I remember her as being quiet. Her mom worked at city hall.

I wasn't very athletic in high school, but did enjoy gym when Miss Coin was the teacher. I particulary remember Miss Coin teaching and leading  a group of us girls in a modern dance to the song Camptown Races. Whenever I hear the song, I smile remembering the moves and steps we did in the gyn---it seemed perfectly correographed. Camptown Races always makes me happy.