As most of you know our reunion last year was the result of my being tripped in March by my kid's dog and breaking my kneecap in two. Almost ten weeks of sitting with my leg locked straight brought on enough boredom that I finally decided to organize the reunion several of us had been talking about for several years. Shortly after the first anniversary of my broken knee cap (last Saturday)I once again fell collapsing that same knee under me and straining the knee so that in 24 hours it looked like a tennis ball on a knitting needle. A visit to the orthopedic doc on Monday determined it was probably a small tear in the scar tissue between the two parts of the knee cap. After taking a turkey baster of fluid out he told me to keep the joint immobile for two weeks and we'd go from there. It's actually much better than I expected but I wanted to inform any of you still reading this that despite the circumstances I WILL NOT be planning a reunion for this year despite the fun we had. This blog remains available to add anything you'd like to keep in touch with others so don't hesitate to send me stuff.
Thanks,
Pat

It's been awhile but here's three new posts sent in by Steve Schroeder and Terry Truman.



Here's the outcome of what happened when SIU came to town when they were the kings of the college gymnastics world.







And here's a Modern
Gymnast article about Aurora Central winning the '67 State Championship.

Here is Don Robinson in front of his photo in the Arizona State University fieldhouse and Don and Gary Alexander in front of Gary’s photo in the Arizona State Athletic Hall of Fame in Tempe.



AND... here's the latest word from Eric Singer (mid-January.)
Here's what he wrote:

Dear Pat,
Update on my surgery... knee fits,otherwise I had two CODES Thanks for the prayers. I truly believe that God has something for me to do,Otherwise I wouldn't have made it. So knee trauma over. Next a month later I was checking on some work on my house and fell 25' but I made it to my back. Breaking 8 vertabrae, God was watching again. I'm in a body cast for 2-3 months.
Keep up the prayers.
Eric Singer

Better News! I had the video professionally transferred to DVD to improve the quality, the copies have been made and will be mailed out today or tomorrow (9/30-10/1).

While activity on the blog has slowed down since the reunion the ramifications of the event have not. I'd like to share a recent interaction I had with Rich Jaouen and hopefully some of you will send me follow ups from the reunion to share as well. I also finished my first Connie Willis novel and am about to start my second for those of you are science fiction fans. I'll bet Courtney could even get Connie to autograph your book.

Exchange of E-mails between Rich and Pat

DonPanic@aol.com to me

show details Sep 27 (4 days ago)

Pat,
I'm using a picture of Jack as my screen saver this week. If you would have won a national title I would have used you.
Rich

Patrick Edwards to DonPanic

show details Sep 28 (2 days ago)

I was going to be one of the national polio poster children until the girl in the picture with me died. Does that qualify?

DonPanic@aol.com to me

show details Sep 29 (2 days ago)

Pat,
This is perfect. I wish I were the kind of person that doesn't see the humor in this, but I'm not. Thanks for the screen saver Pat!
Rich

Patrick Edwards to DonPanic

show details Sep 29 (2 days ago)

You're more than welcome. ;) I just feel honored knowing I can replace Jack Ryan when the time comes.

GOOD NEWS!
The master DVD goes to the duplication company today and should be ready for mailing next week. I'm giving it the final review even as I write this. Unfortunately it doesn't have the quality we're use to with the old 8mm films or professionally produced videos but it will still give you an hour of enjoyment AND it's FREE! I'm sending it to everybody who has responded so about 65 DVD's will be going out soon. I'm also having some extras made for additional requests. These should play on any DVD player.

FOUR OLD GYMNASTS -
Just got this from Terry Truman - Bobby Fisher's wedding day. I went to his bachelor party (can't tell you where it was since Bobby has always had such a sterling reputation) but I don't remember going to his wedding. I wonder if it was because I didn't have a leisure suit like Alexander and Sargent?