HOMECOMING 2017 EIU JOURNALISM

 2017 Homecoming at Eastern. The Panthers played only a half of quality football.

 

But the highlight of the weekend was the Chili Bash. This year's new location was at

What's Cooking near the Square.

 

EIU JOURNALISM HOMECOMING NORTH 2017

The lure of David Reed's attendance at EIU Homecoming North was enough to bring out a good crowd.

Sally was thrilled that a few sober people showed up at the event.

Reed, who celebrated his 75th birthday in January, catches up with Jennifer.

A rare sighting in the wild - - - the elusive Tom Keefe.

"Yeah, I am still the Big Honcho around these parts!"

Tim confuses Reed with concepts of data journalism.

"Lola. Lola!! Honcho speaking here!"

Still retired Ryan retiring another beer.

Ashley and Robyn find older alumni humorous.

Reed and Madeleine exchange meaningful conversation.

While Bill eavesdrops to sharpen his investigative journalism skills.

Ted is startled that Jennifer remembers him.

Jeff and Ryan find space to talk in the human sardine net called the wine room.

Lola shows everyone her matador skills in case EIU decides to make more cut-backs.

Tony and the gang listen to a sermon . . . .

. . . . from a suburban evangelist . . . .

Dann, who reminds everyone that the world needs journalism more than ever.

The highlight of this reunion was that Ryan and Reed closed TWO bars, the last one at 2:25 a.m., with Mark, Denise, Bill, Nate, Chris and Ski.

WORLD SERIES REUNIONS

 For the first time in our collective lifetimes, the Cubs made it to the World Series.

Diehard Cub fans came streaming into Lakeview to be around Wrigley Field.

To be part of baseball history.

 Superfan Laura Rzepka Bersted and her sister, Linda, were ready for Game 3 at Merkle's Bar,

home of the Pink Flamingo drink special.

 Laura and her son, Kyle, in a moment of pregame happiness.

 The usual suspects: Laura, Tony Dardano and Ski.

 The mural on the wall behind our table at Merkle's was

a bit of foreshadowing for the night.

Seven and one half hours of drinking in a bar leads to this:

 A very pensive Laura in the late innings of a 1-0 game.

The next night, it was a traverse to Edgewater on the North Side of Chicago

to meet up with more DEN alums. And to drink in a bar for only 6 1/2 hours.

 D.C. power couple Andy Savoie and Dru Sefton are engaged in the lively 

art of cursing conservation.

 

Betsey Guzior flew in from North Carolina to be near her dear Cubs.

She brought her niece, Vanessa, to observe the native habitat of wild Cub fans.

Even though the Cubs had another disappointing loss, Andy and Dru demand

another evening of baseball misery on Sunday night.

2016 HOMECOMING CHARLESTON

 For those who need to know, Ike's is still open. It basically looks the same inside.

Early arrivals at the Chili Bash.

 An Eastern hockey sweater?

 Yes, we heard the Kinks song references during the weekend.

 Typical reunion huddles. Third and long . . . .

 Write your own Lola caption here.

 A Dave Reed sighting!

 Reed and Herb

 Reed with a stiff drink to hear the Irish tales of . . .

 Matt's soujourn to Ireland. He compares notes with Ryan.

 Lola and Chet in the darkness.

 Laura and Herb at Roc's.

Rich having a Cardinal post-season trauma moment.

Ski, Matt & Herb, pre-Cubs victory.

EIU HOMECOMING NORTH 2016

A small group of hearty souls got together at the dark confines of the  D4 Irish Pub in Chicago to celebrate Homecoming North 2016.

 A shocking Reed appearance for all those alums who failed to show up.

 Ryan and Reed argue over who is having a better retirement.

 Jacob and Jeff Britt

 Rick and Lola talk serious.

 It is always fun to ambush photo Larry Smith.

 Lola, Reed and Jacob

 Ted Gregory and Reed

 Lola does not realize she is photobombed by Bobble Head Ted.

 The smart table.

City Hall reporter Bill Ruthhart

We'd like to thank Sally and Lola for bringing us together for this event.