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Robert Cole

Gregory R Znajda

Thanks Frank, I might actually have it somewhere.

Ken Ortiz

Robert,

Let us know how your Cubs/Reds game went. I am pretty bummed that we got swept all 4 games by the "Big Red Machine" (aka Reds of the early 70's). I hope those Reds fans were not too hard on you Cubbie fans.

Ken Ortiz

Hello all,

I want to extend a warm welcome to all the new classmates that have joined our message forum recently. One recommendation I have for all of you and even for those who have been here longer if you have not done so is to take some time and go all the way to the beginning of this forum (page 1) and start with the posts there. There are a lot of great stories, pictures of the times we were there, and pictures of items we had (or still have) during our era. Also, please chime in with your memories/stories/comments that those earlier posts conjure up. Some of those earlier posts really helped me remember additional details of events that I did not recall before. A few examples: The Streaking Incident, The Senior Prom, The Stones Concert, The Division Picture Charactachure. I hope you enjoy this class forum and will be looking forward to your comments, stories, pictures and memories of your times at Lane as well as other times.

P.S - I got some more stuff "brewing in that R'NOGGIN" of mine so stay tuned.

Ken Ortiz

Hello all,

So, here is one of those wacky stories of mine that was brewing and that is now ready. Hope you enjoy it.

           I grew up in the Humboldt park area throughout all my "schooling" years (grade school, high school and college).  While my graduation from Lane Tech was relatively uneventful, I could not say the same about my college graduation. So, even though I went to Lane and IIT (both very highly academic), I was also learning "other" skills during the time I was living in the Humboldt Park area. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your take on it) I needed to use one of those "other" skills during my college graduation.  Here is the story: 

             It's May 1983 and the day of my graduation ceremony from IIT. I will graduate this day with a BSEE degree (with minors in pinball and bowling). I get to the parking lot and I am wearing my cap and gown when I walk out of my car and I start toward Herman Hall, which is where the graduation ceremony will be. I notice ahead of me in the parking lot a commotion by a car parked there. I see a nice looking car (maybe a Lincoln), and an older guy working on the door handle and a few other people gathered around the car. Apparently they are all guests of one of the graduates. I also realize that he had locked his keys in the car with the engine running and he and his family are panicking because he can't open the door to shut off the engine and get his keys. Now I can see that they are from the burbs and affluent, an inner city guy like me can just sense that. So I go to them and tell them that I think I can help. Now recall that I am still wearing my graduation cap and gown and getting a college degree today as I go back to my car, pull out my trusty coat hanger, go to his driver side window, proceed to work it with my trusty coat hanger, get his door unlocked, go inside, turn off his engine and hand him back his keys in a matter of a few minutes.

             As I am handing him back his keys, I notice that he is staring at me with his mouth open and a dumbfounded look on his face and so are the rest of his family.  So I look at them and say "I grew up in Humboldt park" and walk away and back toward Herman Hall. When it came time for me to walk up and receive my diploma, I heard a cheer from where my family was sitting, but I also heard seperate cheering from a different spot in the auditorium, where I made some new fans earlier that day in the Herman Hall parking lot. I was sure they were thinking along the lines of: "What was his degree in, Grand Theft Auto?"

Timmy Wong

Kenny, that is an awesome story.  I remember hanging out at IIT with you and a few other Laneites from our class.  The rec room was a popular place where we played pinball, foosball and shot pool.  The main floor at Herman Hall was also good for ping pong.  After those fun times, I am not sure how we passed our calsses and made it to graduation!!

Ken Ortiz

Greetings Sir Timothy,
There were a handful of brave squires from our 76 class that went on this quest so they could learn great things from the wizards and sages at the Royal Institute of the EYE-EYE-TEE. Some others I remember were Sir Gregory of Kow, Sir Iggy, Sir Robert of the Beckers, Lord "Stormin" Norman, keeper of Castle Catalpa and finally, my comrade at arms Sir David the Cuzmanian, follower of Ted the Nugent, whose Berzerker rages in battle earned him the title "The Cuzmanian Devil".
Where beneath the great Hall of Hermann, Sir David and I, members of the secret society of "The BOG", trained tirelessly in the lost art of "Flippery" and were also selected to become "Holy Rollers of the Mystical Orbs" for the Royal Institute. Upon leaving the Royal Institute, we were both awarded the Royal EYE Crests for "Mystical Orbing" mastery as our Institute partook and placed well in many orbing tournaments and defeated many of the surrounding realms during our time there.
Sir Kenneth of Kenoshia

Timmy Wong

Sir Kenny of Ortiz, we need to add other 76er's who with us at Aye Aye TEE - Sir Glenn of Itano (RIP) and Sir Davis of Moy (now married to my cousin - yikes)!  BTW, Sir Iggy is now retired from CPD and is living in the Happiest Place on Earth, the Kingdom of Disney!!

Janet Peterson (Ingraffia)

Since my 60th birthday was coming this year, my husband Peter asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate. I found out the Cubs were playing at home on my birthday (7/8). Problem solved! I also found out Michelle Weiner was taking her son, Daniel, to the game for his birthday too. So we decided to meet up for a birthday drink before the game. What a great time we had! We were sitting on opposite sides of the field so we said our goodbyes and went to the game.  Then I had the surprise of my life in the fifth inning when my name appeared on the Jumbotron. What??? Of course Pete had told Michelle before, who was ready to snap this photo. The Cubs, in their usual fashion, left us on the edge of our seats. I kept praying for a W on my birthday and my prayers were answered! It was a walk off win but that’s ok. My birthday could not have been more perfect! 

Timmy Wong

Janet, that sounds like a wonderful birthday celebration with an exciting Cubs W!  Happy birthday!!

Robert Cole

Andrew Flor

Sounds perfect!....well at least the ballpark part! Lol! 

June K Hori (Yamasaki)

Belated birthday wishes, Janet! What a wonderful way to celebrate - and with a W!

Ken Ortiz

Janet,

That is an awesome story and belated birthday wishes. It's really cool to see the Lane Tech/Cubs connections we have been having lately. 

Ken Ortiz

Tim, 

Thank you for remembering some other Lane/IIT alums. I am sure there will be others that will come to mind in the future. 

Janet Peterson (Ingraffia)

Thanks guys for the birthday wishes. I can only hope your birthdays are as special as mine! I’ve been 60 now for a week and it’s not so bad!!!

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Okay kiddos! It's time to register to attend our 60th Birthday Party.  We have been able to keep costs low and convenience high.  The party will be held at the Unforgettable Bar owned by Nancy Kempe '78, who is super excited to host us and will offer drink specials.  We have scheduled a midday party so folks can brunch or go to the Lane football game if they so desire before the party, and still have time in the evening to have dinner with their various subgroups afterwards if they like.  Out-of-towners will be able to howl at the moon and still have Sunday as get-away-day, while locals can use Sunday to recover.  Because we don't want to open a new bank account, Paypal account, and pay transaction charges like our reunion, we are going "Old School" asking that you send your $20 check for food, cake and more to Peter Ingraffia who has very generously volunteered to serve as our finance department.  Street parking should be fairly plentiful midday on Irving and the side streets.  CTA Blue line and Metra's Union/Pacific Northwest Line trains stop just steps away.  Click on the "Bicentennials' 60th Birthday on the lefthand banner to link to registration... which is gloriously OPEN!

Andrew Flor

Awesome! I will be sending my check ASAP! The real question is whether of not Georgette will be bringing any of her corn muffins to the party! ;) 

Robert Cole

Count me in!  And, I'm going to reach out to some of our fellow Millennials who didn't make the reunion... and regretted it!  Peggy (Tokimoto) Smith, Pete Colovos, Jim Paskind, Jamie Ali.

Who's interested in going to the game?  I could resurrect some of the (NSFW) Lane Rowdy cheers!  We could all buy multiple tickets to the game, then get back in after we get kicked out.  Ahhh... the memories!

BE THERE!

Maja Wiesinger (Ramirez)

I put my check in the mail first thing this morning, and 

THANK YOU to all involved in the planning which I'm sure is considerable.

Andrew Flor

Andrew Flor

Kevin O Mooney

It would have been fun, but I am going to be in Eugene, OR that weekend, have ful everyone!

John Todesco

Hey Flor!  My butt will be there and if I knew you guys were sneaking in 1/2pints while, Maze, Greg and I were busting our butts on the field, I may have gone up in the stands instead of the locker room at half time.

Andrew Flor