The Pride of Berea!

Friday night, September 11, 2009, Karen's family joins her at Tressel Field before the football game. Her induction into the Berea High School Athletic Hall of Fame was announced a few months ago, and we all wanted to support her in that honor...she asked me to be her presenter at the induction ceremony, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Our brother, David, was inducted in 1985. I didn't get to be there for him, so I knew I had to make it to Karen's. She was a national champion synchronized swimmer, and represented the USA at the Rome Olympics in 1960...demonstrating as an exhibition sport before it was officially accepted in 1984. She also coached for 25 years, and one of her daughters was an All American at Ohio State, and another went on to be named national developmental coach of the year.

My sister, Karen, is introduced on the field at the Berea/ Parma football game.

Karen and I (both BHS cheerleaders, class of '58 and '67) joined the current cheerleaders for a rousing rendition of the fight song! Fight that team, boys, fight that team, show them Berea's in...

What a show! The stands were full at the stadium at Baldwin Wallace College...for the football game...or rather, I think, the band performance!! Outstanding!!

Before the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, we gathered at the cemetary to take flowers to Mom and Dad...then drove back past 70 Baker and Danny decided to ask if we could come in to see our old home...the new owner allowed a tour, and then surprised us with a piece of our Mom's handiwork, still displayed inside.

This is one of Mom's scherrenschnittes...she had given it to her next-door neighbor, who, in turn, gave it to the owner of our old house...she enclosed a note within the frame stating that it was part of the history of the house and should stay with it...the new owner keeps it on the mantle in the living room, and shared the story with us. Karen, her family and I were taken aback, and it touched us deeply.

I also had the pleasure of reconnecting with old friends...I hadn't seen Karen for 33 years...it didn't matter...we picked up where we left off!
Carol, Karen, Bruce and I...hanging out at Panera...reminiscing...Karen had brought some photos, yellow with age(!) We were so cute back then...prom, church camp, graduation parties...fun!