Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Did You Walk, Get a Ride, Take a Bus, Or Bike To Coolidge?
Did You Walk, Get a Ride, Take a Bus, Or Bike To Coolidge?
I started a Facebook page for my junior high - Calvin Coolidge - and one for my grade school - Garfield.
I gather photos where I can - many have helped. Facebook encouraged me to ask questions, so I posted for Coolidge - "How did you get to Coolidge?"
We have 1,500 members, so I thought a few might want to respond.
We have 1,100 responses to that question. One alumnus became quite disturbed that we listed various means, such as walking, riding a bike, or getting a ride in the family car. New members of the group tend to add to the list because it is often near the top.
- One lawyer became very angry that we were discussing trivia. He probably missed the nostalgia of stores along the way,
- a book store,
- a laundry where we bought hot cocoa in the winter.
Monday, June 8, 2026
Sunday, February 19, 2023 Rest in Peace, Danny S. Collin, MHS 66
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Rest in Peace, Danny S. Collin, MHS 66
Danny S. Collin, 74, of Orion, peacefully passed Monday, February 13, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held 12:30 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2023, at Esterdahl Mortuary Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, February 23, at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Rock Island National Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted. Memorials may be made to GiGi’s Playhouse QC or Black Hawk Outreach Center in memory of Adrianne Leigh Reynolds. Danny was born on August 18, 1948, in Moline, the son of Harold S. and Vivian V. (Danielson) Collin. He was a U.S. Vietnam Veteran, having served in the Navy from 1966-69. Danny married Jill Ogden on June 11, 1977, in Moline. He severed an electrical apprenticeship at Williams & White, then worked as a journeyman electrician for John Deere, retiring in 2008 after 30 years. He was a UAW union steward and member the veterans committee. Growing up he participated in Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts. Danny enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and boating. He spent much of his time with his grandchildren, as they brought him so much joy. He loved attending all of their sporting events and activities with Jill, missing very few. Danny enjoyed woodworking and was an accomplished handyman. It was an honor for him to serve others with his endless talents. Survivors include his wife, Jill; children, Brooke (Justin) Schatteman, East Moline, IL; Heather (Justin) Lance, Roanoke, Indiana; grandchildren, Addison, Brittyn, Jaidyn Schatteman, and Easton and Eli Lance; sister, Vicki (Francis) Fisher, Lowden, IA; brother, Jerry Collin, Colona, IL; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Shirley Collin and sister-in-law Judy Collin. |
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Diane Weyer Smith Reading Stories to Her Grandchildren - A Family Tradition
Diane Weyer Smith Reading Stories to Her Grandchildren -
A Family Tradition
I asked Dave and Diane Smith if I could post this photo of her reading stories to her grandsons.
1966ers - does Diane remind you of your grannie?
Not mine either.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Happy 35th Anniversary Today - Diane Weyer and Dave Smith
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| Coolidge Reflector. |
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| Dave in "Bye Bye Birdie" MHS 1964 musical. |
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| Diane's senior picture. |
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Sassy the Visitor
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Sassy the Visitor
On morning walks, Sassy visits Pat whenever she is out. Pat even comes out in the cold to see Sassy. Today, Pat's son was visiting from Tucson, so the three of us watched Sassy scour the yard for treats. She found a roast bone and settled down for a long session. Pat was pleased to have her son there and Sassy enjoying the bone.
That reminded me of the 50th reunion of the Moline High School class of 1966. We took Sassy along and had two goals - we would see Toby McGriff in the nursing home, first of all, and Guy Johnson when he had time.
Toby's nursing home welcomed dogs, and Sassy soaked up the love from everyone. In fact, so many wheelchairs gathered around Sassy that all traffic stopped and we had to break up the traffic jam.
At Toby's room we could see he was in bad shape. Our memories went back to junior high band, starting with John Deere and ending with MHS. The same people come together for band, even for summer marching band practice, so we had years to compare band directors, baton twirlers, and band trips. Toby loved seeing Sassy. The Moline High 66ers went to Augustana in a large group, so Christina felt very much at home with the Moliners at Augie and the overlapping friendships. It was very hard to leave Toby - we all felt the sadness, no time for chipper denials. Toby passed on to eternal life not long after.
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| Toby and I had stories way back in time. |
Our other goal was to see Guy Johnson, whom we met at Lago's for the 45th. Our friendship went back to Garfield Grade School (now a condo) and comic books. I bought all the Classics Illustrated, even ordering them from the publisher, and gathered DC comics by the pound.
We sat outside and below the motel, near the river, visiting with Guy. He brought his dog who came over to me for petting and compliments. Sassy felt left out and tried some sharing, only to be growled away. She stood back, hurt, for a time - until Guy fussed over her. Then both dogs beamed as we all talked.
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| Guy Johnson - outside of Lagomarcino's. His group asked for suggestions for their reunion. The '66 imperial reunion committee considered suggestions lèse-majesté. |
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