Mazda Great Lakes Alumni
(Updated Sunday, February 18, 2007 05:33 PM
)
Additions or corrections? Please send a note to: Doug
Wenzel
2005 News
December 2005 News
- Check out the picture of the 4 generations of Cooks on the Pictures
page.
November 2005 News
- Becky Mikowski has invited all who wish to join her family in the ninth
annual Worldwide Candle Lighting to celebrate the lives of children who have
gone too soon, including their daughter Peyton. The Grand Rapids
service will be held at Park Congregational Church, 10 East Park Place
(between Fulton and Library St., just north of Division) in downtown Grand
Rapids beginning at 7:00 p.m. on December 11th. A "Remembrance
Book" will be available from The Compassionate Friends website home
page www.compassionatefriends.org
on Sunday, December 11, 2005 for all who wish to leave a message in memory
of the children gone too soon. If you have any questions concerning this
very special and meaningful ceremony please contact Tom and Becky Mikowski
at 866-8824 or mikowskiaq@chartermi.net.
- Rod Helgeson and his sons got a deer this season and
from the pictures, you can
see Rod's is an 8-point, David's was a 12 point and Adam's was a Nubby
Buck. They'll be eating venison until next year Labor Day!
- Jo Burnham's daughter, Amy Elizabeth, will be featured on "Super
Nanny" Nov 25, 8:00 p.m. on ABC. She has twin boys (the ones born at a
little over 1 pound) who are now three years old and Kate who's four. Jo
says "Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and hopefully I'll see you next
summer in GR. My mom is hanging in there, but things are still
difficult. Love, JO."
- On October 25, The Grand Rapids Symphony honored Peter C. Cook at the
BRAVO Awards Gala. The theme of the event was "A Seussical Musical
Hullabaloosisical" -- thus explaining Peter's Dr. Seuss-themed
apparel. Check out the
pictures page...
- Check out the recent pictures of some of our MGL women on the Pictures
page!
October 2005 News
September 2005 News
- Gerilyn May has accepted a position with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of
Michigan. For the time being, please use her personal e-mail account
of jgmay@comcast.net
- Steve and Jo Lynn Veldkamp had a new arrival on September 12 at 5:14
pm. Stephanie Jo weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce. She is 21 ½ inches long.
Mom and baby are doing great. As you can see from the pictures http://www.mglalumni.com/StephanieJo.jpg
her big sisters are very excited too.
August 2005 News
- Robin Tjalsma is now working at Family Christian Stores in the Accounts
Payable Department and her daughter Stephanie is 9 now and growing more each
day!
July 2005 News
- Here's an update on what's new with Sherie Vandenberg! She graduated
from Davenport University in May 2004 with her Bachelors in Accounting.
She's been working for Team Restoration and Team Roofing as Controller since
January 2005. Team Restoration repairs wind, water and fire damaged
properties as well as doing remodeling and new construction. Her new home
email address is vandenbergs@comcast.net
and her email at work is restorationteam@aol.com.
- There will be a little MGL reunion on July 27, at 5:30pm, LaCantina in GR
at the corner of 28th St. and East Paris. Gordon Furzey will be back
in town that day so if you're available, get together with the gang!
- Judy (Bell) LaValley and Jerry were blessed with another baby girl on June
5! Kelsey Lee. 7'9 oz. 19" . Big sister Jerica is now 4 yrs.
old!!
- Jo Burnham is planning a trip back to GR from Aug 11 - Aug 25, so contact
her at gramajo55@hotmail.com and
tell her hi!
- It is with the deepest regret I have to inform you of an auto accident
that took the life of Becky Mikowski's 4-yr. old daughter, Peyton.
Becky and her daughter Morgan survived the accident in Rockford on July
1.
Peyton Alese Mikowski, aged 4, so precious and loved daughter of Tom and
Becky Mikowski, returned to her Heavenly Home on Saturday, July 2, 2005,
from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She blessed her family
with a big smile, her blond curls, and abundant personality. She was a
talker and her curiosity was nonstop, often asking one question after
another. She was always dancing and singing and doing everything her big
sister, Morgan would do. Big brother, Nolan kept a watchful eye on his
little sister, Peyton. Especially fond of ballet, Peyton liked to practice
to Shania Twain in the living room using her ballet bar. Peyton will be
lovingly remembered by her parents, Tom and Becky (nee Miller) Mikowski; her
brother, Nolan; her sister, Morgan; grandparents, William Miller of Saginaw,
and Mrs. Patricia Mikowski of Traverse City; and many aunts, uncles, and
cousins. She was preceded into Heaven by her grandmother, Ortelle Miller,
her grandfather, Gerald "Jerry" Mikowski, and Aunt Mary Mikowski.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Peyton will be offered on Thursday at 11 AM
at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, Rockford, with The Rev. Thomas
Page officiating. Interment in Rockford Cemetery. The Rosary will be prayed
on Wednesday evening at 8:30 PM at the funeral home. Those planning an
expression of sympathy are asked to consider Our Lady of Consolation
Education Foundation or Aquinas College Scholarship Fund. Messages of
condolence for the family may be E-Mailed to dapmary@aol.com. Friends may
meet with the Mikowski family from 7 to 9 Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9
Wednesday at the funeral home and from 10 to 11 at the church on Thursday.
The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford Published in the Grand Rapids Press from
7/4/2005 - 7/5/2005.
June 2005 News
- Rich Jones has updated his information on the "Were
are they now?" page.
- Helmut Schoenfeld (former Thelen Mazda Service Mgr.) passed away from a Heart
Attack at the age of 78, on June 23, 2005. The Funeral Services will be Monday
June 27, at 10am at St. Vincent DePaul Church. Helmut’s wife's address is
2325 E. Midland Rd. Bay City, MI.
- Check out Peter's latest gig on the Pictures
page! The night of June 16, Peter and his grandson Ryan rode with GRPD
Chief Harry Dolan on patrol -- an opportunity Peter purchased at a charity
auction. Ryan is a special deputy, traffic squad, for Kent County Sheriff's
Dept.
- Doug Verwolf has updated his information on the "Were
are they now?" page.
- Mary Ann Young, aged 90, (Peter Cook's secretary prior to Joan Wilson)
passed away June 15, 2005. Miss Young was a past president of the Quota Club
of Grand Rapids and of Roberts Group of University of Michigan Alumnae. She
had a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Literature, Science and
the Arts. She was also a member, former director and treasurer of the
Women's City Club. For those who wish, memorials may be made to Porter
Hills Foundation, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Aquinas College for the
Sr. Mary Aquinas Weber Scholarship Fund or St. Roberts Church.
- Steve Lockwood and family have relocated back to the Kansas City
area. His new address has been posted to the Where
are they now? page and it is 411 NE Victoria Drive, Lees Summit, MO
64086 Home Phone: 816-246-9637 Cellular Phone: 816-289-2905 stlockwood@kc.rr.com
- Chuck Fallos is flying his new toy around Wisconsin this summer!
Check out the pictures here.
May 2005 News
- Woodland International (where George Horton and Ted Seil work) has been
sold to Great Lakes International. Their new e-mail addresses are: georgehorton@greatlakesinternational.com
and tedseil@greatlakesinternational.com
- Carolyn (Ford) Van Dorp has a new grandson! Chanda (Carolyn VanDorp's
daughter) & Shawn Helmer are the proud parents of a baby boy (Payton
Anthony). Born May 2, 2005 at 2:31 a.m. weighing in at 7 lbs 14 ounces and
19 inches long. Everyone is doing well.
- Phil Barnes' e-mail address has changed to mail@prbarnes.us
He's with CPR in Grand Rapids and he's currently on the Quixtar (Alticor)
account in on-site network support. Rich Jones is just a few cubes away from
Phil's at Alticor! Phil has also obtained 2 Microsoft Certified Systems
Engineer certifications from Microsoft!
April 2005 News
- Thanks to Diane Reardon, you can click
on this link and download a coupon for Friends & Family days
offering 30% off Regular Price Merchandise valid April 22, 23 & 24 2005,
at any Hush Puppies Retail locations. In addition, there are special
codes on the coupon so you or your friends and family can take advantage of
the 30% discount on the web. Thanks Diane!
- Ken Postma's wife Vicki has learned she has cancer like their daughter
Brenda (who is now cancer free) had last summer. She was scheduled to
have surgery on April 12th at Spectrum Butterworth. With all that the
Postema's have gone through this year... Kenny fell from his tractor and
broke his wrist....his daughter's cancer scare...and now his wife, please,
let's all let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Carloyn (Ford) Vandorp and Ken have the following for sale: 1974 Bendix
Double-wide Mobile Home. $10,000 or best offer. It is a two bedroom with a
remodeled kitchen. All appliances are included (gas stove, microwave,
refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer). Currently located in the
Prescott Village trailer park off Division between 68th and 76th
Streets. If you have any questions about the trailer, please call Ken
on his cell phone: 616-292-8184. If you refer someone and they buy it
for $8,500 or higher, they will pay you a referral fee of $500!
March 2005 News
- The Mid-West Region for MNAO went though a reorganization this
month. Jim Sliter is now their Market Representation Manager, Matt
Nyenhuis is their Marketing Manager, Tim Dooley is their business
Development Manager and Andrew Gardner is their Sales Process Manager.
- Barb Taggart (Abrahams) has dropped her AOL e-mail address so please use
her work address barb@grandrapidsautoauction.com
Barb is also going to be a Grandma again! Her daughter is expecting a
baby in May.
- Jean Riihimaa (wife of Tim) died on March 9, after a long battle with
cancer. Jean cleaned our offices at Kenmoor for years and Tim was in
the service department when we were VW.
- The Where are they now?
page has been updated for Scott Lewis, Erv Lichterman and Ron Rathlein.
- Jim VandenBerg has added his information to our Where
are they now? page. He and his wife reside at 7095 Eagle
Heights in Mattawan MI, 49071. Their phone number is 269-372-4862 and
Jim's e-mail address is jvandenberg@maplehillauto.com
They have a new baby Paige Marie born Dec 5 2004, and Abigail Marie is now 6
years old. Jim is the Dealer Principal for the Maple Hill Auto Group
where they offer new vehicles by Volkswagen, Audi, Subaru, Volvo, Chrysler
and Hyundai in the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek markets along with a great
selection of pre-owned, Factory Certified vehicles.
February 2005 News
- Retired employee, Mary Ann Young, celebrated her 90th birthday this
month! Some of you may remember that Mary Ann was Howard Slyter's
secretary when Peter worked for Howard's furniture business. When Peter had
to make a decision whether he wanted to stay in the furniture business or go
into the car business (and we all know what he decided!), Mary Ann became
Peter's secretary and worked for Peter for many many years. Check out the
photo in the Pictures
section of her birthday lunch.
- Bob and Penny Fellmer have moved into a new home at the top of Tampa Bay
in Oldsmar. Their new address is: 542 Canal Way, Oldsmar, FL
34677 Bob's mobile phone number is (727) 481-0427.
- Jo Burnham has taken back her old name and has a new e-mail address: gramajo55@hotmail.com
She is also finally getting a new roof (it's been 5 months since the first
hurricane) and eventually she hopes to start repairing the inside if she can
find workmen to do it. She hopes no one up here has caught the flu bug!
- Doug Dykstra is currently working for Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)
and Farmers/Foremost Insurance Group as a Senior Programmer. On February 1
of 2005, Doug and several other people were notified that their jobs will be
off shored to India. Starting later this month Doug will be doing a
knowledge transfer to someone from India. Once that has been done, he will
be seeking other employment within CSC or on his own here in town.
Doug is looking for a job in Audio/Video, Electronics, PC Tech, Property
Management or Communications. If you know of available
employment in any of these areas, please contact Doug!
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