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July 2006 Dear Class of 1986,
Another one of the girls, Betsy, the coach’s kid who routinely gets 18% more playing time than my daughter, piped-up with, “Mr. Sneltjes, what is that thing on your shirt?” Little did Betsy know she was standing face to face with the Concordia College Class Agent of 1986! Rather than overwhelm these teenie boppers with my title, I kept it to myself, and launched into an eloquent, somewhat lengthy account of the historical events leading to the creation of our cherished mascot, the Cobber.
This once outspoken fivesome had met their match! They now stood in silence, brace-filled mouths agape, as I dazzled them with tales of cornfields and spuds, large Norwegian people and football fields. (Heidi suggested their stunned expressions may have been more a result of boredom than wonder, but I think she misread the situation). What started as a mockery of my attire, turned into a recruiting event for Concordia. I suspect our Admissions Office will reap the benefits of this soccer field testimonial in the fall of 2010. Reserve a few rooms in Park Region now.
Help Me Get a Grip: Please Come Back for Homecoming 2006
Why would I write about this encounter, you may ask? Why would I drag the good names of my daughter’s friends and parents into the class letter of 1986? Because I want you to come back for our 20-year reunion in October! I want you to know that I’m SO jazzed about Homecoming 2006 that I’m starting to lose it. I’m talking about Concordia with whomever will listen. I’m wearing that 5K t-shirt everywhere. I’ve retooled my Cobber ring so I can display it more prominently through the piercing in my eyebrow. I won’t even mention the tattoo. Actually, tattoos. Help calm me down. Come to Homecoming on October 13, 14, and 15.
Update on Homecoming Activities
Our classmate and Fargo native, Carrie Johnson, has secured a couple of great locations for our reunion gatherings. (These have changed since the letter I sent you in February). On Friday evening (Oct. 13) at 7:30 p.m. we’ll be at Bennigan’s in Moorhead and Saturday evening (Oct. 14) at 7:30 p.m. at the Moorhead Country Club. On Saturday morning, we’ll have our official reunion breakfast, on-campus, for the class of 1986. Be sure to order your tickets now. Keep in mind that the evening gatherings are informal and tend to gear-up following the on-campus events. So I encourage you to make reservations for the C-400 banquet, the Homecoming Show or both. I’m pretty sure your classmates will wait up for you! Registration tables will be open on Friday and Saturday in the South Gym of Memorial Auditorium, where you’ll get a listing of all the Homecoming activities, including those specific to the class of 1986.
By the way, please don’t hesitate to send an email to Heidi or me if you have questions about the Homecoming weekend. Heidi (hcsneltjes@msn.com), Craig (craigs@lominger.com)
We Need Your $$ Contributions
I have new found respect for those of you who raise money for your churches or schools or other worthwhile groups. It’s a tough job. Budgets are tight, both in our households and in those organizations that need our money. But I’ll continue to be relentless in asking for your contributions to Concordia. About 1 out of 3 of us gave last year, a ratio that could easily be higher. Don’t you think a 50% participation rate is possible? I hope you do. If you haven’t already done so, please take a minute now to make a contribution. After all, it’s our reunion year!
Class Notes
Take a look below to see what’s happening with a few of our classmates. And then come back for Homecoming to reconnect with many, many more Cobbers.
Class Notes: Andrea (Syltie) Wallace, Broken Arrow, Okla., is an osteoporosis specialist at Eli Lilly and Co. Jean (Larson) Detwiler, Fairport, N.Y., is associate product development manager at Preferred Care, Rochester. Steven Emerson, Mendota Heights, Minn., is activities director at Simley High School, Inver Grove Heights. Jeffrey Goebel, West Fargo, N.D., is a facilities service supervisor at Minnesota State U. Moorhead. Cynthia (Olson) Green, Edmond, Okla., is a corporate attorney at OGE Energy Corp., Oklahoma City. Michael Ruff, Los Angeles, is director of development at Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Carolyn Kramer has joined State Bank & Trust as vice president and investment representative in Fargo.
Memorial: Gina (Wedge) Jacobs, 41, Lake City, Minn., in September; her husband, Steve, survives.
Births: A girl, Emily, adopted by Ann and Scott Grumann, Falcon, Colo., in June; Emily was born in October 2004. A girl, Mariah, to Kathy (Gussiaas) and Curt Reynolds, Eden Prairie, Minn., in April. A boy, Padraig, to Megan Moran-Emerson and Steven Emerson, Mendota Heights, Minn., in September. A boy, Seth, to Cheryl (Bock) and Steven Heaney, Victoria, Minn., in February.
Marriage:
Thanks to all of you who let us know what you’re up to!
When I sit down to write this letter each year, I imagine our subset of Cobbers scattered around the US and the globe. And while I know many of us shared a common experience 20 years ago, I also know that lives can take drastically different courses. I hope this year’s letter finds you happy and healthy, with enough joy to outweigh the difficulties, and that you can take time occasionally to be thankful for God’s blessings.
Heidi and I really hope you can make it back to Concordia for Homecoming in October!
Sincerely, Craig Sneltjes
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