Just in case you missed it.

The old Zesto's building and currently closed down EL Camion Mexican Restaurant had a small fire. The lot was sold for over 3 million dollars in 2016 to developers who plan to build a 5 story 60-unit apartment building. 

Bjarne Varnes
Classmate, Class Reunion Committee Member and
lifelong friend Bjarne Varnes lost his battle with cancer.
He passed away on July 17^th 2020 after a recent stay
in the hospital. Bjarne was unique, quick-witted and a
very gifted and humorous character that seemed to fit
in well with everyone. We enjoyed working with him
during our reunion committee meetings and to a number
of us had the pleasure of sitting in with an occasional
glass of wine, a fine cigar and Barnes terrific sense of
humor. He will truly be missed by all and our hearts
go out to his surviving family. Rest in peace old buddy,
we will always remember you.  

Prediction:
There will be a minor baby boom in nine months
and one day in 2033 we shall witness the rise of
the QUARANTEENS.

Just to set things straight!
The funny bone isn’t a bone; it’s a nerve.
Catgut isn’t made from cats; it’s made from sheep.
French Fries were invented not in France but in Belgium.
Koala bears aren’t bears; they are marsupials.
A ten gallon hat holds only about three quarts of liquid.
And lastly; all sales in a used record store are vinyl.
Oh, that one was bad!

 Steven Earl Hoefer passed away on Friday the 6th.of December 2019. Steve was a classmate of ours and to many a lifelong friend who always had a smile on his face. Some of us worked with him for many years in the building materials industry. Steve will be missed by all and we wish to extend our thoughts and prayers to Steve and his family.  

This is Greg Doering Class of 66.
I wanted to share this with my classmates. I don’t have the skills to post it to web site, but hope you feel it should be there. Much more to the story I’d be willing to share at a later time.

 Whidbey vet opens up about his 50-year journey to find peace.
Please copy this address below and paste it into your broswer if you wish to view this article.

https://www.heraldnet.com/life/whidbey-vet-opens-up-about-his-50-year-journey-to-find-peace/

We are saddened to announce the passing of classmate Marcia Latschaw who left us on November 12, 2019. Marcia was a dear friend who always had a kind word to say. She will be missed by all who knew her and we will continue to think of her often as we continue on. We wish her family and closest of friends our deepest sympathy during this time of sadness. 

November 1, 2019, our classmate Diane Bilsborrow passed away this morning. It saddens us deeply to lose another friend. Please keep her thoughts and prayers in mind during this time of sadness.  
 

It has come to our attention that the motorcyclist who was killed by a wrong way driver Friday, October 18th on 520 was classmate Steve Meuter. Steve had retired a short time ago from his position as Ketchikan Plant manager for Alaska General Seafood’s. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Steve's family during this time of sadness. He will truly be missed and remain in our thoughts and prayers from this time forward.
 

Valor in Iraq was published 06/09/2019 by Amazon on the 14th anniversary of Daniel Chavez's death in Iraq. Please help support Ballard High School scholarships buy purchasing our classmate Jerry Smith's new book Valor in Iraq "The Daniel Chavez Story." Thank you.
 

From Greg Doering class of 1966.

I would like to share my recent published work.
 

It has been brought to our attention that classmate
Steve Clark has passes away sometime in the early
days of March 2019. 

SPECIAL NOTICE 
 
Based on available observational evidence, deciding the fate and evolution of the universe have now become valid cosmological questions, being beyond the mostly untestable constraints of mythological or theological beliefs. But we do know there is not a method to control time itself and when our own time on this Earth comes to an end it has its own mythological or theological beliefs. One thing for certain is that we will be leaving everyone behind with conscious minds full of reasoning, remembering and wishes of having more time together. The first two of these mind challenges will be accepted in time but more time together can only happen while one is still alive. Please spend more of your time with those most important to you now, though your wishes may still remain, comfort will assist you in your everlasting thoughts.
 
It is with great regret and sadness that we must announce to you the passing of Evelyn Pedersen Stewart today June 30, 2018. Evie was dealing with health concerns when the Angels came for her. She was surrounded by family and friends at the time of her passing.
 
Where to begin?
Evie was a prominent member in our Ballard High School Class of 1966. She not only involved herself in all of our class reunion planning’s but she was the one responsible for installing thoughtfulness with the concern for others in all of our reunion plans.  She had too many social gatherings among friends and relatives to count (where she did all of the wonderful cooking). She was defiantly the queen of gathering when there was a need for all of us to get together in one place for a common purpose. She knew most everyone and most everyone knew her. She had a continuous smile that was warming and welcoming to all whom she encountered. She took part in many activities and reached out to many of those who were in need. We will all miss her dearly and pray that someday we will meet up with her again.
 
The Class of 1966 Reunion Committee   

Here is some information that was brought to our attention by Eve Jones about her husband Stuart Jones. His pole vault record was finally beat last night. Being the longest standing track and field record, I’m trying to think of a way to acknowledge his accomplishment and the accomplishment of the young man who just raised the mark says Ballard High School’s pole vault coach Theron Baker.  Stuart’s record held for 52 years. That’s amazing! Ballard Track and Field

King 5 Documentary played May 31, 2018 
Copy Link & post on your browser  https://vimeo.com/273569946 
 
Stuart you are still our class of 66’ pole vault champion!

Jerry Edward Smith is a Seattle native who grew up in the closed-knit community of Ballard and a graduate of the Ballard High School class of 1966. After serving a year in Vietnam with the Army, he graduated from the University of Washington in 1974, and had careers in banking and in law enforcement. Currently he is a Fire Commissioner in his community in Washington State. A life long American history buff, he was inspired to discover what happened to so many from Ballard High who had died in Vietnam. He felt compelled to tell their nineteen unique experiences to honor their memories. His Book is available on Amazon.com

Here is the link to the professional photographer's website that took pictures of our annual picnic. You may view all 106 photographs with the option of purchasing copies should you desire. Just click on the address and add Beavers to where is asks you for a password.

http://blujphotography.com/ballard66



 

Voices of the Vietnam War: 
Curtis Thompsons’ Story

It has come to our attention that classmate Curtis Thompson 
shares his memories of serving in the Vietnam War.  
KCTS9 is continuing to air a 2-1/2 minute trailer behind 
regular programming about Curt that includes a short video 
of him with his wife, Diane.  
  
This KCTS 9 video is part of a larger series of local 
stories featuring people impacted by the Vietnam War. 
The promotional series is being produced in conjunction 
with the airing of The Vietnam War, a 10-part, 18-hour 
documentary film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn 
Novick. The program features testimony from nearly 80 
witnesses, including those who fought in the war, those 
who opposed it and civilians from both sides who have 
lived with the consequences. The first episode airs on 
Sept. 17, 2017 on KCTS 9.

Veteran Curtis Thompson shares his memories of serving in 
the Vietnam War. https://kcts9.org/programs/vietnam-war/voices-vietnam-war-curtis-story

Stan Edward Boreson

May 25, 1925 ~ January 27, 2017 

Stan Boreson, a veteran Northwest entertainer, musician, humorist and television personality, died on January 27, 2017. He was 91. 

Stan was a contributor to our Ballard High School class of 1966 30 year reunion video presentation. Go to the bottom of "Stories and Videos to see Stan's video.
 
In true Stan Boreson style, 

he would have wanted to end with a joke...so here goes. 

Lena calls the newspaper and asked to speak to the obituaries. 

"This is the obituaries, what can I do for you?"

"I would like to put an ad in your obituaries."

"What would you like to say?"

"I'd like to say, "Ole died."

"Just two words... "Ole died?"

"Yeah, well he did."

"We have a special this week...five words for a dollar. For the same amount you can have three more words. Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

"In that case," Lena said, "I would like to say, "Ole died boat for sale."

Earl R. Kelly
Earl R. KELLY Beloved Ballard High School Drama and Humanities teacher from 1954 to 1987. Founder and director of the Piccoli Junior Theatre Guild and the Director's Studio of Speech and Drama. Born to Caroline (Wheeler) and Earl Kelly, Sr. of Yakima, WA, March 25, 1925. Mr. Kelly attended the University of Washington for undergraduate and graduate degrees and also had the honor of being a John Hay Whitney Fellow in residence at Columbia University. Mr. Kelly passed away peacefully on August 8, 2007. He will be greatly missed by his many students over the years and leaves a rich legacy of appreciation and dedication to the arts. At Mr. Kelly's request, there will be no services. Remembrances may be made in his honor to the Ballard High School Foundation, PO Box 17626, Seattle, WA 98127. Soon to follow, please join us in celebrating Mr. Kelly's Life by visiting our memorial at www.mem.com. Good Show Mr. Kelly! Good night sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Steve Payne, Stuart Jones and others have successfully built a replica of the old "Miss Thriftway" hydroplane.
This has taken them five years of dedication and love 
for the hydroplanes that we grew up with. In fact, many of us had pulled home made replicas of the Miss Thriftway around the streets of Ballard by string attached to our bicycles. 
Today, June 7th 2007, Steve Payne and Stuart Jones with crew successfully launched the "Miss Thriftway" onto Lake Washington. They made five three lap passes at speeds up to 120 mph. In a single word to recap this historic event........... WOW!

Rick Guttu, Steve Payne, Rick Givens and others went on a flight of a life time. 
The B-25 Mitchell Bomber which played an intricate part in WW ll made a stop in Seattle. 
The 30 minute flight gave them a seat-of-the-pants experence they will never forget.