Pre-Planning for Our 30th Reunion

Yes, it's impossible but true ... next year we will celebrate our 30th high school reunion. And celebrate is the operative word - let's celebrate not only who we were but who we've become. Let's leave any past hurts behind and focus on what is right in the world.

Karen Gonta has started a Facebook page to get an idea of when might be a good time to have the reunion - June? July? August? Feel free to weigh in at the Corning West Class of 1983 30th Reunion page. Karen is trying to get a sense of who is on Facebook and has created a list of people we've lost touch with. Chances are that these folks aren't really lost - we just haven't come across someone who knows where they are. Please add to the list and let us know if you have information about someone on the list.

Mike Schirmer shared a link about 30th high school reunions from the Huffington Post - it's a quick read.

Kurt D. Burmeister Memorial Fund

A memorial fund has been set up for the benefit of Kurt's wife, Sue, and his twin daughters, Lili and Gretchen. Information can be found on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=235827736513969) and we're repeating the information here for those of you who aren't on Facebook.

We need your help!!!

We have established the Kurt D. Burmeister Memorial Fund at the Corning Credit Union. The purpose of this memorial fund is to directly assist Sue, Gretchen and Lili Burmeister with immediate and long-term financial needs.

Guidelines for Donations:

You can make your donation through any Corning Credit Union Branch.
You may identify yourself or make your donation anonymously.
Donations are accepted in the form of cash, check or money order.
*Donations by CHECK: Your check or money order MUST be made payable to "Kurt D. Burmeister Memorial Fund" in order for it to be deposited into the proper account.
*Donations by CASH: When making a cash donation at a credit union branch, you MUST tell the clerk that you want the money deposited into the "Kurt D. Burmeister Memorial Fund" in order for it to be deposited into the proper account.
Any amount is accepted and APPRECIATED!

To send donations by mail:

CORNING CREDIT UNION
ATTN: MAIL CLERK
ONE CREDIT UNION PLAZA
PO BOX 1450
CORNING, NEW YORK 14830-1050

*Again -- BE SURE to indicate the funds are going to the "Kurt D. Burmeister Memorial Fund".

To find Corning Credit Union branches, visit their web site: http://www.corningcu.org

**Special thanks to Chris & Trish Ruocco and Dave Fowler at CCU for setting this up.**

In Memoriam ... Kurt Burmeister

Passing on the sad news that Kurt Burmeister passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2012. Kurt had an apparent heart attack while coaching lacrosse, something he absolutely loved doing. Visitation and services will be held at Branch Funeral Home (Smithtown, Long Island):

http://www.branchfh.com/memorials.php?action=view&id=953

See the Smithtown Girls Lacrosse web site for additional information on donating in Kurt's memory:

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?s=lacrosse&t=c&u=SMITHTOWNGIRLSLAX

Condolences can be sent to Kurt's wife Sue and his twin daughters Gretchen and Lili at:

222 Avalon Cir
Smithtown, NY 11787

For those of you who aren't on Facebook, here is a poem penned by Andre Gauthier:

For Kurt, his family, his friends...

'One of a Kind'

Some things I have to say, aren't getting said
Fear and trepidation keep them locked in my head
With patience and calm, they hover, waiting for me
To pluck them out of the air, give them life, set them free

It's a vision of life as I see it which I hold
In reserve, until now, as yet untold
But the time is ripe and this fruit I must share
I have a secret and it's juicy, take a bit if you dare

Did you know, in all the Universe, of you, there is not two?
There never was, is not now and never be another like you.
Do you know how special, how truly unique you are?
Your gifts are a treasure, the light of a star

You're one of a kind
And the light that you shine
Is your gift to the world
Let your love light shine
You’re one of a kind



Do you know that you're life will never cease to be?
You're immortal, you cannot die, may this truth set you free
And of everything and everyone, of all you do and do not see
Is a part of you, a part of me, we are one eternally

You're one of a kind
And the light that you shine
Is your gift to the world
Let your love light shine
You’re one of a kind

And if my fruit is too ripe, sounds too good to be true
Look inside and be still, see what's true there for you
It's my hope that in time, you'll eventually find
We are one…all unique… one of a kind

We will miss you brother
We will never forget you

Sad News for Ron Holmes

We've tried to email as many people as possible and we know that the word has spread, but for anyone who may not have heard, Ron Holmes' wife, Liza, passed away on May 21. She had some kind of infection (Ron said she tested negative for swine flu) and had been in the hospital for a day or two.

Ron and Liza have an infant son, Harrison, and Ron plans to stay in Brooklyn to raise him. A memorial service is being held on Saturday, May 30 at 4 PM at 199 Carol Street in Brooklyn.

If you would like to send a note to Ron, you can reach him at:

Ronald F. Holmes, Jr.
82 3rd Place
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Email: holmesronald8@gmail.com

I hope Ron won't mind, but I grabbed a few photos from his Facebook page to share here. Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to you, Ron.

Hometown News

For those of you who have moved away (like me) who may not have been home visiting family this past weekend, I thought you might like to know that there was a fire that completely destroyed Sorge's Restaurant. Here is a link to the story in the Star-Gazette, and here are a few photos I took Saturday afternoon.

New Photos!

Hey everyone - Daryl Edwards has posted some photos on his Facebook page. Usually you have to be registered with Facebook and have a profile in order to view other profiles, but I think Daryl may have relaxed his permissions because I was able to access the entire album using this link:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=2007586&id=1392224053&ref=mf

Try copying and pasting the link into your browser and check out the photos. Let me know if you have problems and I'll try posting them here or giving you another work around. Enjoy - there are some good candids.

Sorry I Missed You ...

... a note from Denise Auckland-Martin:

Thanks for organizing a 25th reunion. I am so disappointed I can't be there! My son was in the hospital over the weekend and now has to have a procedure on Friday. And my dad is having a surprise 70th birthday party for my mom on Sunday. So my leaving Ohio for New York this weekend would not go over very well with the family!

I hope you all have a great time. If you do any kind of directory or have pictures you could forward, I would love to be included. I hope you are doing well...give my best to everyone there!

Denise Auckland-Martin