SEPT 28, 2026
Updated: Sep 28
Annual McGuire/Letsch Golf Scramble this past Friday Sept 2th at Ives Grove Golf Links Course with diner following at Roma Lodge.
Tom McGuire '77, Mike McGuire '76, Tim Letsch '85, Bobby Letsch Jr '84
Cathy (McGuire) Hoefs '79, Bob "The Legend" Letsch '61
Special Thanks to Jeff Pulda '70 founder, organizer and catalyst
behind the McGuire/Letsch Goulf Outing
SPECIAL THANKS to Mike & Tom McGuire for sponsoring today's Alumni House luncheon.
Chick-fil-A was the main course.
Tom McGuire, Bob Jaklich, Mike McGuire
Tom & Mike McGuire are visiting from California, Bob Jacklich in from Texas
Joining Us: Jerry Jardina, Tom Goebel, Frank D'Acquisto, Sue Gorman, Chris Gorman,
Rick Ropiak, Joe Woitach, Don Klemt, Steve Madsen, Dan DeMatthew, Amy DeMatthew, Pam Mano, Mark Mano, Nick Comande, Tom Miller, Joe Osterman, Terry Toll, Joe Woitach, Rick Jones, Terry Kovara, Dan Kovara, George Oteman, Tom Konieczko, Lloyd Tremmel, Bob Jacklich, Bill Horvath, Pat Diem, Harvey Knuckles, Jeff Pulda, Chelsea Ostrov,
John Ketarkus, Cathy Poulsen, Marie Welsh, Mike Lewis. Mike Hyduke
Pictures thanks to..........Lloyd Tremmel '60
Visiting from France................Harvey Knuckles '77 proud grandpa !!!
Happy Birthday Mark Mano '59.................
CONGRATULATIONS..................
In attendance for the 2026 Vatician II Award presntation was Sue & Chris Gorman '77
Earl Wirtz ‘58 recently was presented the Vatican II Award for his service to the church. Presented Wednesday Sept 23rd in Milwaukee at by Archbishop: Jeffrey S. Grob (the 12th Archbishop of Milwaukee, installed on January 14, 2025)
Join us in celebrating 26 outstanding individuals from within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for their contributions to the Catholic Church and society. Join us for the Vatican II Awards prayer service, ceremony and reception on Tuesday, September 22, at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee. All are welcome to attend! Learn more here
Leadership in the Church
Recognizes those who have advanced the mission of Christ and the Church through spirited vision, dedicated work and exemplary service to their parish and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Earl Wirtz '58
St. Leo the Great Parish/St. Sebastian, Sturtevant
“Instrumental in the revitalization of the long-closed St. [Sebastian] School to the new St. [Sebastian] STEM Academy, within the Siena Catholic Schools of Racine. Earl’s efforts included physical building restoration, classroom equipment procurement, and leadership in ensuring financial funding. Earl is a stalwart supporter of the Church’s mission and outreach through parish leadership, the Knights of Columbus Council, and as a Third Order (Secular) Franciscan.”
— Alison Spotts, nominator
Earl Wirtz’s dedication to his faith helps bring life, literally and figuratively, in multiple ways for the Catholic Church through and beyond St. Sebastian Church in Sturtevant, part of St. Leo the Great Parish, Racine.
“He is the go-to guy,” his daughter Julie Lee said. “He’s willing to do whatever it takes.”
Wirtz, a Third Order Secular Franciscan and member of the Knights of Columbus, has played a critical role in bringing new life to what had been St. Sebastian School before its closure, and is now St. Sebastian STEM Academy, which serves students from K-3 through fifth grade.
His work through the Knights of Columbus has also helped secure ultrasound machines to help mothers both locally and at the archdiocesan mission parish in the Dominican Republic, La Sagrada Familia. That comes in addition to the continual hands-on problem-solving presence he gives St. Sebastian, as well as dedication to Franciscan missionary locations in Mississippi and New Mexico.
This level of dedication to the faith has long been part of his life, something Lee has constantly witnessed in her father and something passed down through generations in her family.
“I went to St. Sebastian’s as a child, first through eighth grade,” she said. “I remember my grandfather also being instrumental in the nuts and bolts of the building of the school. My dad, I think, has come full circle and then taken over, kind of per se, my grandfather’s responsibilities.”
Lee said her father’s example has taught her to put others first, an example of what faith really means. “I think it’s just his faith and his willingness to give his time to others. That’s a big part of who he is. He has always been like that,” Lee said.
“It gives him a purpose in life.”
By Jay Sorgi | September 17, 2026
Also a Vaticain II Award recepitient
Leadership in Administration
Recognizes exemplary leadership and service that assists, enables and enhances the Church’s mission through administration, communication, finance, human resources, buildings and grounds or related ministries in a parish or Catholic institution.
Fr. Juan Manuel Camacho
Sue Gorman, Fr Juan, Chris Gorman
Out & About.................
OUR NEXT WRJN RADIO PROGRAM - 1955 NEW TV SHOWS
Please join us this TUESDAY morning, SEPTEMBER 29th, at approx. 7:05 am, when Carol Gianforte and I will again be guests on the Don Rosen show (1400 on the am dial), remembering some of our pleasant memories from the 50s and 60s. This time, we'll be talking about how it was to be a kid back in 1955 and tuning in some great new TV shows. We'll mention where new TV sets could be purchased in Racine (and where to have them repaired). We'll also discuss the many different brands of new TV sets that were around at that time. Oh, we only could get about 7 channels back then!
Carol will be talking about one of our favorite shows...the Mickey Mouse Club, while I'll be zeroing in on the HONEYMOONERS, with Jackie Gleason.
Hope you can join us!
Great day to stop out at Apple Holler! Proud that RASO Deputies are chosen to work off-duty to make sure you and your family are safe.
The business, 3 Acres by Marci and Jason, plans to host a ribbon-cutting celebration at 11 a.m. Sept. 29 at its new location, 5844 Douglas Ave.
Shoutout to Reefpoint Brew House
Mi Jacalito Mexican Restaurant The best!!! 1318 Douglas Ave
Famous People from Racine..............
Duane Kuiper Case HS '68
Birth SignGemini
About
Former big league second baseman and five-time Emmy Award-winning sportscaster.
Before fame
He played college baseball at Southern Illinois University.
Trivia
He was a sure-handed defender, leading the league in fielding percentage in 1976 and 1979.
Family life
He had two children with his wife Michelle: a son Cole and a daughter Dannon.
Associated with
Later in his career, he backed up Joe Morgan, a Hall-of-Fame second baseman who also went on to become a commentator.
ANGELS CONNECTING.................
Classmates: Where are they Now ???
Special Thanks to '56 John Ketarkus -
Please share the Blog with fellow Alumni & Friends - foa1220.org - then Click on Blog
'56 Nancy (Quinn) Hussey now lives in Appleton WI
'56 Patricia (Bonner) Limbach now lives in Naples FL
contact via Facebook Messenger
'56 Jack Evenson he and his wife Barbara live in Centervillle, Ohio.
937-287-4553 - jackevenson@earthlink.co
‘56 Julie (Haislmeir) Linehan lives in Scottsdale AZ.
Phone/text 262-957-7286
‘71 Cece (Ketarkus) Metzger lives in Henderson NV.
Text message 262-937-0077
‘59 Joe Woitach lives in Racine WI with his wife, Mary (Dacquisto).
‘61 Bobbie (O’Claire) Rehbein lives in Racine
‘79 Marcia (Ketarkus) Tomka lives in Henderson NV.
'56 Lawerence Funk lives in Kenosha
'56 Jerome Gross lives in Brighton, MI
'56 Jane Holt lives in Alphasetta, GA
'70 Denise Ketarkus lives in Racine
'56 James "Jim" Henes lives in Appleton, WI
'60 Donna (Lamers) DeFatte & hubby Martin live in Racine
'60 Lloyd Tremmel & wife Jane live in Racine
Text message 262-762=3959
'56 Ralph Principe lives in John's Island ,SC
'56 Gerald "Judy" Wells lives in New Port Richey, Fl
'56 John Ketarkus lives in Racine
'56 Mary (Woitach) Korzilius lives in Mount Pleasant, WI
'56 Kathleen "Kathy" Cramer lives in Boise,ID
Message"208-841-3862
'56 George Oteman & wife Mary Lou live in Racine
Call/Text 262-639-2268
'65 Dan Kovara lives in Caledonia, WI
'56 Willam Hanson lives in Eagle,WI
Text Msg 262-422-5676
'57 Henry "Hank" Brill lives in St Charles IL
‘57 Mildred “Millie” Lechner lives in Caledonia, WI with
her husband, Ron Carls.
‘57 Sally (Huennekens) Madden lives in Racine, WI.
‘57 Donna (Kaye) Crain lives in Franklin, WI.
‘55 Kenneth “Ken” Kurhajec lives in Franksville, WI.
'55 Richard Russo lives in Madison, WI
russo.biker@gmail.com‘ Mardell (Bohn) Danowski lives in Mount Pleasant, WI.
‘56 Mardell (Bohn) Danowski lives in Mount Pleasant, WI.
Phone: 262-554-1069
‘56 Connie (Dunham) McCormick lives in Saint Pete, FL.
Phone: 727-614-5330
‘55 Mary Claire (Weibel) Betker lives in Nekoosa, WI.
Claire54457@yahoo.comYEs, John Keta
‘58 Judith “Judy” (Floyd) Glider lives in Waukesha, WI.
‘58 Rose (Konicek) Gresser lives in Seattle, WA.
‘71. Jeff Pulda lives in Racine, WI.
‘58. Sally (Hansen) Yeager lives in Ocala, FL.
‘58. Karen (Peterson) Verbeten lives in Racine, WI.
‘58. Gerald “Jerry” Verwey live in Nevada
Phone: 479-644-2102
‘54. Thomas Parr lives in Brighton, MI.
tparr10@ yahoo.com
‘54 Margaret(Peterson) Grebevada lives in Waukesha, WI
‘59 Caryl (Nelson) Yasko lives in Whitewater, WI
‘54 Rita (Langlois) Curty lives in Mount Pleasant, WI
‘59 Marcia (Simenson) Watson lives in Wasilla, AK
‘55. Kelli (Brown) Fallbach lives in Sedalia, CO.
1st Thursday of the Month - Alumni & Friends meet 9:30am (time Change) at DeRango's
on Washington & West Blvd
Class of '77 -
Class of '76 - Contact Nick Comande - MTCLIMBR@EXECPC.com
Class of '73 - Luncheon was Tuesday December 9th at the Alumni House. Paul Sklba is coordinating the get-together.
Class of '69 - ???
Class of '63 -
Class of '62 - website: SCHS1962.org - Compliments of John McNamee '62
• Class of '60 -They also meet the last Wednesday of each month at Dynasty restaurant.
- contact Renee (Ricchio) Benjamin for details - rsbenjam@sbcglobal.net
• Class of '59 - meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Castlewood restaurant
- contact Mary (D'Acquisto) Woitach for details - JWOITACH@yahoo.com
• Class of '58 - meets 1st Tuesday of the month at Dynasty restaurant
- contact Karen (Petersen) Verbeten for details - Kverbeten1@wi.rr.com
Purchase your Angels Items online. Click on......
CRIBBAGE.................SEMI CORRECT ???
Table #1: Frank D'Acquisto/ChrisGorman 2-1, Sue Gorman/Monica DaPra 1-2,
Pat Diem, Monica DaPra, Harvey Knuckles, Chris Gorman, Sue Gorman, Frank D'Acquisto
Table #2: Terry Toll/BillDombrowski 1-2, Joe Osterman/Dan DeMatthew 2-1
Lloyd Tremmel/Bill Dombrowski 0-2, Joe Osterman/Dan DeMatthew 2-0
Joe Osterman, Bill Dombrowski, Dan DeMatthew, Terry Toll
Table #3: Canadian Cribbage
Mark Mano/Rick Jones 2-6, Joe Macareno/ Steve Madsen 3-5,
Tom Miller/Bob Jaklich 3-5
Steve Madsen, Tom Miller, Mark Mano, Joe Macareno, Bob Jakclich, Rick Jones
Table#4 - Training Session: Don Klemt/Lloyd Tremmel - Charlie Presta/Tim Mattes
NO SCORES RECORDED
Lloyd Tremmel, Charlie Presta, Don Klemt, Tim Mattes
Point To Ponder..............
AMEN...........
FYI..................
Trip Down Memory Lane............The Good Old Days
My photo of this fabulous Ghost Sign on this equally fabulous old building - Racine, Wisconsin
This battleship of a building is the former Pabst Brewing Company Saloon (often referred to historically as a "tied house"), located in Racine, Wisconsin. Constructed in 1901, the building is 125 years old. It features a distinct Germanic Gothic style resembling a miniature medieval fortress—complete with corner towers, arched entrance bays, and cream city brick. During this era, major breweries built their own dedicated taverns (tied houses) to exclusively sell their brand of beer.
The faded painted brick ad reading "Pabst Famous Milwaukee Beer" on the side of the building is also roughly 125 years old. It was hand-painted around the same time the saloon originally opened in 1901 to advertise the establishment's exclusive house brew.
Laugh for the Day..............
A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband.
Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen.
"Careful," he said, "CAREFUL!
Put in some more butter!
Oh my GOD!
You're cooking too many at once.
TOO MANY!
Turn them!
TURN THEM NOW!
We need more butter.
Oh my GOD!
WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER?
They're going to STICK!
Careful.
CAREFUL!
I said be CAREFUL!
You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking!
Never!
Turn them!
Hurry up!
Are you CRAZY?
Have you LOST your mind?
Don't forget to salt them.
You know you always forget to salt them.
Use the salt.
USE THE SALT!
THE SALT!"
The wife stared at him. "What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"
The husband calmly replied, "I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving."
Racine Happenings...........
Things are about to look VERY different around here!
Beginning the first week of October, E2 and E3 are scheduled for demolition as the next stage of the Reefpoint Marina revitalization gets underway.
Once those docks are removed, crews will begin driving pilings for our NEW P, Q & R Docks!
It’s another major step forward — and we’re getting closer and closer to seeing Phase 1 come together!
We’ll continue sharing photos and updates as the work progresses.
St Catherine's in the News..........
Siena eNews |
Community NewsletterHi everyone,The September Community Newsletter is now available here. Enjoy! |
The August 2026 edition of Siena Catholic Schools' President's Report.
Prayers for families of deceased Alumni - Friends
Prayers for Alumni & Friends dealing with Health Issues:
Marty Defatte '61 H recovering from broken Knee Cap
Dick Graceffa '69, Dick is home and on the road to recovery.
Earl Wirtz '59 is rehabbing in Kenosha, speech and right side effected.
Jim May '59 is back home and do well.
SPECIAL PRAYERS.............
Jim May, Denise Ketarkus, Lloyd Tremmel, Joe & Mary Woitach, Jim Mascari, Terry Toll,
Joe Ingrasci, Dave Schilling, Fr Joe Hornack, Chris & Sue Gorman's grandson Elijah,
Walt Strini, John Hansen, Don Heck, Bob Letsch, Mickey Postorino, Helen (Wilmes) Miller, Mike O'Brien, Dick Albregts' wife, Marty Defatte's wife Donna, Bill Halberstadt's wife Judy, Dan Peterson's wife Donna, Al Mollerskov
Important Dates.................................
Monday October 12th - Columbus Day
Saturday October 31st - Halloween
Tuesday November 3rd Election Da
BE SAFE - BE HEALTHY - BE POSITIVE
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