Greetings

I think dogs are kind of cool. You may know that about me already but it is rather timely in light of the publicity that the Westminster Dog show has gotten this week. Consider these cool things:

1. Have you ever seen a dog bump his head? They just keep on walking -- no cussing, no rubbing, no looking at the table as if it was mysteriously placed in their path -- they just walk on.
2. What about when a dog gets its face full of snow? There is no double take like a comedian who has been hit by a pie. The dog does not run its paws over its face like one of the Three Stooges.
3. Finally, could you stand by in silence and stillness like a show dog when a stranger lifted your lips and then looked under your tail?

I admire these dogs’ ability to stay in the zone. They are not easily distracted. There is a consistency in their approach to life. Oh, that I were as focused.

I don’t particularly like being judged. I certainly would not sit quietly by as my personal space is invaded. When I stub my toe, I look to determine who is to blame. If one hair of my mustache is out of place it can drive me crazy.

Christians need to take on more of the canine traits. We need to become more loyal. We need to be freer with our unconditional love. We need to be willing to walk along life’s path and allow Christ to direct our steps. It is unlikely that many of our “best friends” could survive on their own. The ones who live in my house count on me for food, shelter and every good thing that they have. The wagging tail and bounding energy expended whenever I walk through the door does not pay for the 40 pound bags of food, the vet bills or even replacing the shoes that have been chewed up. But it is a start and I enjoy it, as I expect God smiles when we come into His presence with thanksgiving, responding to His love with ours.

I think dogs are kind of cool, but God gave His only Son so that His people might have new life. For all of the neat things that dogs offer their masters, it is certain that our Master gave us so much more.

School News

The National Honor Society wishes to thank everyone who very generously contributed to the “Baskets of Love” project this January and February. Students, teachers, parents and friends of Walther contributed over $1300 so that children in local hospitals could each receive a basket of fun for Valentine’s Day. A number of our Walther families made very special monetary contributions and Grace Lutheran School (28th and Karlov in Chicago) contributed many brand new stuffed toys to include for the ailing children. THANKS TO ALL for not only contributing, but for helping our Walther students experience the lesson and blessing of generosity first-hand. 121 baskets were distributed to Gottlieb, Elmhurst Memorial, West Suburban, Loyola, Westlake and Shriners hospitals. Below, NHS students pose with wrapped baskets and a welcoming nurse at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital.

What a winter! Congrats to our indoor athletes.

Boys’ Basketball Regular season PSL champs, playing for the PSL tourney Championship at Aurora Christian Friday night. Seeded number 2 in their IHSA Regional that begins on Tuesday, February 19, at 7:30 p.m. when the Broncos face Douglass in the Timothy Christian gymnasium.

Girls’ Basketball winners of both the regular season and tourney PSL Championship – for the first time since 1984! The girls also won their third consecutive IHSA Regional title and made a good showing in the Sectional Championship game against Driscoll.

Our Wrestlers finished the dual meet season 16 and 4, won our first ever Regional Championship and sent four Wrestlers to the State Finals in Champaign this weekend. The season for the boys continues on Tuesday, February 19, when the Bronco grapplers compete in the IHSA tourney for teams. This competition will be at Lisle High School.

Discussions continue on the future of the Private School League. A meeting has been scheduled for February 26, 2008. You can expect news from that meeting. On Valentine’s Day our Athletic Director, Dave Zemke ‘71, met with the ADs from the Metro Suburban Conference (MSC) for a second time to explore our common interests. The MSC is currently comprised of Riverside/Brookfield, Ridgewood, Fenton and Elmwood Park. We have been very impressed by the open attitude and fraternal manner in which the leaders of these schools have dealt with us.

There is much more than sports going on at our school. If you missed the 2008 Walther Biennial Instrumental Music Festival featuring the Walther Grade School Ensembles you missed quite a night. Click here and scroll down to “Sounds of Walther” to select and hear music from 187 players in grades 1 through 8. They are the future of Walther’s Band program and the joy of our current partnership between Walther and the congregations who know and love us.

Alumni News

Walther Principal Steve Zielke shared this news with the members of our Walther Family this week…

Mrs. Peg Wolf served Walther for many years and succumbed to cancer. Her husband Les, a tremendous volunteer and winner of the Walther Sower Award, keeps in touch. He sent Anita Ward of our Advancement Department this photo. Anita shared it with the following explanation…

Dr. Derrick Williamson ’76 DDS, visited Walther’s Science Department today. You can see him here signing our Wall of Doctors. Do you know of others who have earned the right to sign the wall?

Many of our Bronco athletes continue to play years after graduation. In baseball, many of our grads have appeared on the roster of the Badgers, a team sponsored by Badger Airbrush Co. and 1982 grad Ken Schlotfeldt. It is now official; after 25 years, the Badgers will not suit up this year. Players who have worn the uniform span the time from Paul Grotelueschen ‘77 to Tug Gillingham ‘00. Notes about the joys of being a Badger have come in from Mark Robinson ‘83, now living in Georgia, and Seth Grotelueschen ‘81 now on a mountain in Colorado. Others with Walther connections include Matt Schwarz ‘81 and Greg Swiderick, who is the father of current freshman Scott, among those with a Badger streak in them. We pray that all of our grads continue to use their talents, spiritually, intellectually and socially, long after their time at Walther has ended.

Our loving Father has seen fit to take Esther Zadeik into His heaven. This Mom of five Walther alumni, Phil ‘76, Amy ‘78, Tricia ‘80, Stacy ‘81 and Mike’83, was a pioneer in the professionalism of the preschool teacher. She served as Director of the program at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Mt. Prospect for many years. She now has the rest she earned during her many years of service to young people and through her struggles with poor health. Pastor Peter Zadeik, former superintendent of the Lutheran High School Association of Greater Chicago, has lost the love of his life. We grieve at the loss of Esther and rejoice at her Homecoming with the entire family.

On a lighter note, if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you can catch a Walther trilogy of alumna, former student teacher and current faculty member. See the invitation below from Walther English teacher Andrew Pederson…

God’s blessings

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