My Dad and Mom were divorced in 1954 and I moved with Mom to Charles City where I finished my high school. My Dad remained at the Lake and I still visited from time to time. I always have still considered Clear Lake to be my home town and tell everyone who asks,"that's where I'm from".

Chuck explained that he was not too computer literate so I decided to send those pictures to Linda after seeing her name as one of the contacts for the reunion. She emailed back explaining that she had forwarded them on to Julie as she is the one who maintains the board.

I attended Clear Lake schools from kindergarten through the first few months of seventh grade....so, many of the folks I see are unfamiliar to me...as I suppose I am to them. I read of Dave Lansrude's passing and felt that he should be represented with a photo as he was a very good friend of mine. We lived very close to each other, both played trombone, were in scouts together, Sunday school together and generally hung out together. I am so glad we have the Memorial section now as I'm sure we'll see some photos of the other folks who have passed on.

Thank you for asking me to fill out a profile. Here it is:

Name- Don Finer

Birthday- 7/30/42

Nickname- while going to elementary school at Clear Lake you all called me "Don David" Finer

E-mail address- dfiner@cox.net

Home address- 35 Lantana, Aliso Viejo, California, 92656

Phone#- 949-643-0077

Cell #- I don't know....my wife will not let go of it.

Fax#- 949-495-0352

Checking acct #- I don't know....my wife will not let me have it.

WHASSUP since 1954?? I moved to Charles City during the 7th grade and finished my high school there, graduating in 1960. I have always still considered Clear Lake to be my home town. After school I entered the Army and eventually ended up in California. Some more schooling and I decided I wanted to be a banker...which I did for about 20 years. I was "the" hostage in a bank hold up in 1985 and the robber was shot dead as he stood beside me. The local police department (Irvine, California) had a NO HOSTAGE policy.

My wife and I then decided to change careers (she was a banker also). We bought a service station/convenience store/auto repair/smog certification facility.....in fact we had two at one time. Two is more work! I've always had an interest in things "Automotive".

My wife's name is Leslie and I still cannot figure out how I was so fortunate to find her. We have three boys (a daughter died in 1987) and four grandkids. Everyone is close by. My wife is the brains of the outfit....I just shut up and do what I'm told. :)

WHASSUP now? I still putter around but am semi-retired. My wife does all the books......and then she goes to the Mall ......everyday......without fail. We enjoy going to Major League Baseball Games (Angels) with the grandkids.......who have my wife's number.

For those of you who don't know where Aliso Viejo is, it is right above Laguna Beach....so we do the ocean from time to time.

Who have you kept in touch with?- Not a soul. Let me say thanks to Chuck Clapsaddle for tracking me down and Linda Hintzman-Counsell and Julie Hayden-Traub for asking me to fill out this profile. The class is so lucky to have this website available.

Who do you want to get in touch with? All my old friends now that I have their addresses.

What is the chance of you making a 45th reunion or a 50th?? Cannot do the 45th but never say never on 50!

What about helping find people? I would not know where to start.

Please tell us your favorite song-pet-hobby- We have two "Pug" dogs who are absolutely the ugliest animals God ever put on this Earth. We also have two "Persian" cats....who think the dogs are ugly also....and won't let them in the house.....so we have the only garage in town that is carpeted, air-conditioned and plumbed (for doggie baths). We also have a bird who is 22 years old. We love them all very much.

*And last but not least...What was your favorite song from the 50s? I'm with Jut....anything by Sinatra. For rock and roll I always liked the Everly Brothers.