Anne (Kent) Clemens ’55 lives nears Salem, Oregon. She is one of the co- coordinators of a program called Backpack Buddies that feeds children who are food insecure. She works with a local elementary school where 90% of the students qualify for free or low cost lunches. For some of these children, lunch at school is the only meal they will eat that day. Then, on weekends, they go home to little or no food. Backpack Buddies gives each child in the program with a free bag of food that includes cans of soup, chili/meat, fruits and vegetables, cereal, cheese, yogurt, juice, and crackers.Currently, they feed 50 children every weekend. Teachers report that there is less truancy on Fridays when food is distributed.

The Backpack Buddies Program is run through Anne’s church, Christ the Good Shepard Lutheran in Salem, Oregon. Church volunteers pack and deliver the individual bags of food. The coordinators raise money to cover the costs of food – around $8,000 a year.

This program, says Anne,  is essential to help relieve hunger, which in turn will improve mental and physical health, learning ability, and self-esteem.

For more information, visit: http://christthegoodshep.org.

Harlan Dalluge ’58 is now retired. He and his wife, Jeannine, spend time visiting national and state parks. One of their  favorite recent trips, says Harlan, was to “Big Trees State Park” in Arnold, California. This park is filled with huge 2000 (+) year old Redwood trees. The two also just finished a five day tour of the Oregon coast!

We’re so happy you and Jeannine are enjoying retirement years, Harlan!

James McClarey ’58 recently published a new book: ‘Judging Jesus: Making Right Judgments about What to Believe.’  You can read more about it here.

Inis King ’58 was featured in Galesburg’s The Register-Mail where she talks about her lifetime of playing music. You can read about it here

James Hennessey ’58 is having an art exhibition in Baltimore, MD. His art will be on display from 12/9/17 through 1/13/18.

Delores Colton, a pioneer in women’s athletics at The Benjamin School, is retiring after 44 years of coaching. Colton became the first female coach at Benjamin after being hired in 1974 to assist with swimming and track meets. During her time at TBS, Colton has coached volleyball, girls soccer, cheer-leading and girls and boys tennis. In 2017, she retired as the head varsity coach for girls soccer and volleyball, but continued on as the girls and boys tennis coach. Under her tenure, the girls volleyball team took home 411 wins. Colton’s team’s have won a combined 43 district titles, 18 regional championships, and many final four or state championship appearances. Six of her tennis athletes went on to win individual state championships.

“Delores Colton has been an incredible coach and mentor at The Benjamin School for over the last 40 years. Her records as coach of volleyball, tennis and soccer are truly remarkable, but most importantly she has been a fantastic mentor to all her student-athletes. The Benjamin School and athletic department benefited tremendously having her lead these teams,” said athletic director Ryan Smith.

Delores Colton ’59, pictured second from left, shares a fun moment with former student athletes and colleague.

Congratulations, Delores, on your lasting legacy!

Read the full article here: https://www.thebenjaminschool.org/page/news-detail?pk=953611&fromId=194005

Bob Byler ’52 has been a lifelong journalist and still, film, and video photographer with avocational passions for jazz and other music, travel, and home remodeling.  After IWU, Bob received his M.A. in journalism at Missouri U and his Ph.D in communications at Bowling Green. Bob then applied and was hired to head the journalism division at Evansville University from 1958 to 1973. He returned to Bowling Green S.U. in Ohio from 1973 to 1990. He taught 21 courses total, with emphasis in magazine and public relations, as well as professionally-oriented internships for students.

During his time at IWU, Bob was a member of a student vocal group, The Three Twins, who sang “jazzy tunes” such as “The Rambler” in a TKE fraternity chorus that serenaded at sorority houses. Bob is now a promoter of jazz music and archivist. His intention is to preserve and share the jazz culture that has been such an inspiration in his own life life.

Check out a bit of Bob’s work here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/132386911@N06/

Bob and Ruth Byler Archival Jazz Videos:

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCto6SC7EXPqJN144jQ9_WzA

Bob says, “Jazz is like a river, ever-changing, fed by many tributaries that alter its contours to display new musical horizons and inspirations that appeal to many tastes, moods and activities.”

You’re an inspiration, Bob! Keep up the good work!

Rev. Elmer A. Dickson (’53) made an 18 day trip to Europe in August of 2017.  The center piece of the journey was a week of two classes at Oxford University and 3 days in London.  The courses were: “C.S. Lewis and the Christian Imagination” and “The Protestant Reformation and the Scientific Revolution.”  Elmer also spent 3 days in Wittenberg, Germany for the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation sparked by Martin Luther.  The homeward trip included 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal, the oldest city in Western Europe.

What a wonderful trip, Elmer!

Mary Winn ’43 will be a guest of honor at the Broadview Mansion bell dedication on September 7, 2017 at 4 pm. Mary attended the last bell dedication in 1940. You can read more about it here.