Back Home to the Past, by Scott Belzer

This time of year takes many back to their hometowns to visit family and friends. It has for me many times over the years. I have always enjoyed going back to Ames, Iowa, the small five-mile by five-mile “city” where I spent my childhood. Being with my parents in the house I grew up in, on the street I skateboarded on, by the park I walked my yellow lab Blondie in, brings about this lovely nostalgic feeling I get from no other place on earth. Driving around Ames, passing places I spent time and shared space with others in, draws me back to a life where my biggest worry was what mom was cooking for dinner. 

But inevitably, as my trip draws to an end, I leave feeling slightly disappointed. It took me a while to understand why, but then I had a conversation with an old friend, clearing the fog. I expect Ames to remain as I left it 20 some years ago. But it doesn’t. It carries on without me, and on some level, I took this personally. The memory of my hometown lives on as I’m away, all the while Ames moves on despite my absence.

There’s a sadness to your town moving on without you, because it was your town at one time. It’s where you went to school, played sports, went on your first date, drank your first sip of alcohol, saw your first concert, had your first communion, and met your best friend. You helped shape the town in your own small way and made it what it is, or, rather what it was. Then, for one reason or another, life took you away, bringing all the emotions with it – excitement, fear, sadness. But while you were gone, others took over, making your town their town, shaping and molding it in their own way. But that’s just how it works, especially in small town Iowa, where kids move away. Because after a time, anywhere else looks better than where you grew up.

Realizing your town is not yours anymore is jarring. Ames looks and feels a little different every time I come home. A building or business from childhood is gone, replaced by something shiny and new. Something to do with progress I suppose. And it brings a certain sadness, because I want and expect the Ames of my youth, just as I remember it. But it’s not and it won't and it shouldn’t. Life marches on and so does Ames.

I’m finally relinquishing my right to the town, although it was already taken from me shortly after I left.  I’ve accepted it’s no longer mine and now enjoy the memories of my time spent in that 5-mile by 5-mile oasis called Ames, Iowa.

-Scott Belzer

A Fascinating Walk Through Life with Alan Murdoch

Another great podcast interview by the Ames High Whisperer, Scott Belzer, and class of '92 classmate, Alan Murdock.

Fun Fact: Alan was a member of the Ames Police Explorers

Fascinating podcast with Alan Murdock, a classmate Scott didn't know well, but have come to really appreciate and respect. 

Scott shared that he learned a great deal from him in this thought provoking interview. 

They talk about:

• Moving to Ames, 
• Feeling Like an Outsider, 
• Catholic School, 
• Franciscan Parents, 
• Not Being a Victim, 
• The Need to Feel Safe, 
• Restorative Justice, 
• Police Explorers, 
• Exploring the Arts, 
• Dance, 
• U of I, 
• Portland, 
• Music, 
• Zen Practice, and 
• Gun Violence. 

Thank you to Alan for sharing his life with us. ‪#‎ahs92podcast

Meghan Sweet is Awesome

Another raw, fun, compelling podcast interview with the Ames Whisperer, Scott Belzer.

Ames High Class of 92 Podcast with Meghan Sweet

Fun Fact: Meghan was accepted to Harvard and Tufts out of high school.

On location with Meghan Sweet in Chicago, where apparently beers at 10:30 in the morning is normal. Had a fantastic time and a lot of laughs with one of the coolest girls I never talked to in high school. 

Scott and Meghan talk about:

• Losing her Father at Age 8, 
• Tough Times in Middle School, 
• Dugan’s Deli, 
• Music, 
• Life Changing Trip to Europe, 
• University of Iowa, 
• Teaching, 
• Her Co-Dependence on Renee Ripp Engeman 
• Facebook Perceptions, 
• Why Cancer Sucks, 
• Being Vulnerable, and 
• Understanding People 

Thanks to Meghan for sharing her life with us. ‪

Cracks in the Sidewalk

When you were growing up, life seemed so much simpler.  Your parents knew the answers to your questions, your teachers gave you information to fill your head, your friends and family were the only people in the world... your world.

Your reality was what your experience was comprised of.  Yes, logical and rational, I know, but remembering what the world looked like to you through the eyes of your 8 year old self, for example, fills you with a sense of purity and simplicity.

In my memory, I can still see virtually every crack in the sidewalk from my 2.5 block walk from my house on Lynn Avenue to Louise Crawford Elementary school.  Each crack punctuated the steps I chose (step on a crack, break your mama's back) and each crack filled me with wonder.

Those cracks were filled with stories, with memories of their own, and with life.

Much like the cracks of imperfection in our own lives, they tell a tale of weathering the elements, of taking hard hits at times, and of driving forces from the outside affecting us--like tree roots interrupting an otherwise perfect slab of blank sidewalk concrete.

However, in our lives, we tend to hide from the cracks that have fractured us.  We bury the pain that they brought to us.  We try to pretend like everything is alright, that we don't carry the imperfection of experience.  That we are without fracture, without crack, without any wear of the day-to-day compounded.  We, in essence, hide from the realities of our own lives out of fear, out of shame, and out of so many fabricated reasons that we justify and lie to ourselves about just to "protect" us from feeling what was once a circumstance that affected us and punctuated part of our slab of life.

Well, we should take a lesson from the sidewalk of our youth, as it bore no judgement on what happened to create the fissures and cracks.  It simply bore the experience that it was given and freely advertised the web-like patterns throughout virtually every square of sidewalk down the street.

Let yourself go, from these buried memories and experiences that happened in your life.  Begin to free your cracks and imperfections.  Be vulnerable.  Be free.  Be complete and whole.  You are beautiful and complete, cracks and all, for you are you, and your challenges and experiences are all a part of your true reality.

AHS 92 Interview Podcast with Renee Ripp Engeman

Get ready for a great conversation with Ames High School class of 1992 alumni, Scott Belzer and Renee Ripp Engeman!

These two have a great time diving into several intimate subjects of growing up in Ames, Iowa and where the path of life has taken Renee since graduating AHS over twenty years ago.

This interview podcast lets you take a deeper look not only into Renee's path in life, but it helps you reflect on your own choices and challenges in all that life offers.

Renee, you are awesome.  Quite simply, awesome.  Rock on!

Enjoy the listen, dear friends:

Here is Renee's podcast interview with Scott, taken in summer 2015:

YEEEHAAAWWW! Second Edition of Live Streaming Show on Growing Up in Ames, Iowa

Another in the series of live streaming radio shows about Growing up in Ames!

We had a fantastic time and great conversation with nearly 50 folks that showed up to chat back and forth about their memories of good ol' Ames, Iowa!

Take a listen to the show here: http://goo.gl/a8Jic2

And here is the excerpt from Scott Belzer's Facebook post on the show:

Thanks to everyone who tuned in for our second "Growing Up In Ames" radio show. Great memories and conversation among all who listened. We covered everything from Ames in the Fall, snowballs & pizza boats at the Cyclone Express, Cruising the Loop, Kate Shelly Bridge,and Mistletoe. If you missed it, click below to hear the entire show.

Please excuse the uneven sound between Spenser and I. We're still working out the kinks. Enjoy.

http://goo.gl/a8Jic2

Live Streaming Show about Growing Up in Ames

Soooo, in this endeavor to reconcile our youth, fellow AHS 1992 grads, Scott Belzer and Spenser Villwock, hosted a live streaming radio show to discuss the joys of growing up in the greatest place in the world, Ames, Iowa.

Scott and Spenser discussed growing up in Ames and fielded texts and phone calls on this unique opportunity to discuss remembrances of our youth.

Take a listen to the inaugural live streaming Ames show here:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/bayareabarbell/AHS92RadioShow.mp3

And an excerpt from Scott's follow-up Facebook post on the event:

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the live stream last night. Had a blast talking with my boy Spenser and reminiscing about Ames. In the show we discuss the podcasts, what they've meant to us and some of the moments that stood out to us. We also share our memories of what Friday nights were like growing up in Ames. Thoroughly enjoyed interacting with all who listened last night and look forward to the next broadcast.

There will be more streaming shows to follow!  Stay tuned!

Ames High School Peanut Butter Bars

And if the post from the other day on the Snowball cookie recipe wasn't enough, here is another gem to the delight of the palate of those who attended Ames High School in the 1980s and 1990s, Peanut Butter Bars!

AHS Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 c butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 c peanut butter
1/2 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
Mix all these together then add:
1 c flour
1 c oatmeal
Mix well and bake in greased 9x13 pan at 350* oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before frosting. 
Frosting:
1/2 c powdered sugar
1/4 c peanut butter
1-2 T milk
Beat until smooth.

Ames High School Snowball Cookies Recipe

For anyone who went to Ames High School in the 1980s and 1990s, you may recall a very addictive little cookie dusted with powered sugar that we affectionately called the "Snowball" cookie.

Well, you can relive those childhood memories and make your own here!

The recipe for AHS SNOWBALL COOKIES!

Ames High School Food Service Snowball Cookies by Margaret Strasser
1 ½ cups butter
5 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup coconut (I assume sweetened, shredded)
5 cups quick oats
¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp milk
¾ cup chocolate chips
Combine top 5 ingredients and add milk gradually until desired consistency. Fold in chocolate chips. Place on cookie sheet sprinkled with powdered sugar. Then sift more powdered sugar over snowballs. Allow to stand short time to become firm. Freeze. Ground raisins may be used instead of chips. Yield: 3-4 dozen.

Approx. 250 calories if yield is 3 dozen/ 188 calories if yield is 4 dozen.

First Podcast of AHS 1992 Alumni: Scott Belzer Interviewing Spenser Villwock

As part of the in-depth Ames High School Class of 1992 podcast interview series, led by Scott Belzer, is the first beta run interview with Spenser Villwock.  

Again, these interviews are raw, truthful, honest, and open.

It is a no-holds-barred view of growing up in Smalltown, USA with some of the greatest people and greatest memories that a person could ask for.

We are excited about this project and hope it resonates with you, as well. The feedback received thus far has been great. Take a listen to the interviews and let us know what you think.

Intro from Scott Belzer, Interview Extraordinaire:

"Hello everyone and welcome to the Ames High Class of 92 podcast. Welcome to all the Little Cyclones out there, I'm very glad you can join us on this venture of getting to know our classmates and friends a little bit better and hearing their life's journey, from our little corner of the world, Ames Iowa.

A little background, I got this idea a few weeks ago after being reminded by Renée Ripp that I had volunteered my services to help plan a destination reunion for our 25th coming up in two years. After talking to a few people about the reunion I got the idea of interviewing our fellow classmates to really understand the many different journeys we all took from Ames Senior High school to where we are now. I am always interested in people's stories because all of us have a story to tell. And our experiences and adventures are far more interesting and valuable than we give them credit.

These first podcasts are really just a trial run, an experiment if you will to see if there is interest in hearing and participating in these interviews. If there is I plan to interview any and all of you who are willing to share their story. I want to leave no one out and will reach out to all of you if this works. It all depends really, on your feedback. And whatever feedback you give please make sure it’s positive and constructive. No bad vibes wanted here. 

The last thing I’ll say before I introduce my guest is that I’m looking for complete honesty in these interviews. No posing or posturing, just a conversation between two old classmates who want to get to know each other better. That’s all this is.

When I came up with this idea, I immediately knew who I would want to interview first: The coolest hippie in our class, Spenser Villwock. I have known Spencer since grade school and I have kept up with he and his family over these last several years. I chose him because he has lived in several different parts of the world and has gone on numerous adventures, many of them involve a bicycle. I also quite admire and respect him as a man, a father, a husband and a friend. Spenser, Welcome brother, good to talk to you."

Here is Spenser's podcast interview with Scott, taken in summer 2015:

 Enjoy!

Ames High School Class of 1992 Podcast Interview Series

Below is an introduction from Scott Belzer, Ames High School class of 1992 Alum, on his concept of reconciling our youth through in-depth interviews on a podcast series with fellow classmates.

The net result has been transformative for many, to say the least.

Scott writes:

I want to share with you all a project I have embarked on involving our class of 92. I got an idea a couple of months ago, to create a podcast where I would interview our fellow classmates about their experiences in high school and their journey from graduation 23 years ago to present day. I have recorded two podcasts already with Spenser Villwock and Renee Ripp, and I’ve got to tell you, they were a blast to interview! I learned a great deal about each of them and was so impressed with the openness and honesty with which they shared their lives. The links to each interview are below. 

I’m completely fascinated with what all of you have done with yourselves since graduating. I love hearing other’s life journeys, and understand what lessons and experiences they’ve gathered along the way. All of us have a story to tell, and our experiences and adventures are far more interesting and valuable than we give them credit.

These first podcasts are a trial run, an experiment if you will, to see if there is interest in hearing and participating in them. If there is, I plan to interview any and all of you who are willing to share your story. I want to leave no one out and will reach out to all of you if this works. It all depends really, on your feedback. And whatever feedback you give please make sure it’s positive and constructive.

Let me say a couple things about the podcasts themselves. First, these podcasts will be long. The interviews are conversations about our lives over the last several years, so there is a lot of information we cover. I won’t edit them down much because I don’t want to take away from anyone’s story. 

Second, as I mentioned above, these podcasts will be conversations between classmates about our lives and are meant to be fun and enjoyable. I want to hear all about each of your journeys since our days wandering the halls of Ames High, but I also want everyone to feel completely comfortable sharing. I’m looking for open and honest conversations, however, I am not out to embarrass anyone or make them look foolish.  

I’m excited about this project and hope it resonates with some of you. 

Scott Belzer

AHS Class of 1992

Reconciling Our Past-- A Podcast Project

Something amazing is happening.  And I wanted to share it with the rest of the Ames High School Alumni world.

In preparation for our forthcoming 25-year class reunion, fellow classmate from AHS ’92, Scott Belzer, has used technology and social media to bring some wonderful fruits of joy into the world.  Belzer has volunteered his time to interview other classmates from 1992 in a podcast series that allow us to more fully express ourselves in a 90-120 minute raw, uncut, and surreal way.  Nearly 20 of our fellow classmates have stepped up and shared their most intimate details of their lives, their perceptions, and their challenges in this interview series that allows us to work to reconcile our youth.

Belzer was inspired to dig deeper into the past and current lives of our fellow AHSers following interactions he had at the 20^th year class reunion a few years ago. Reunions allow us to spend a couple of days together in real time, yes, but only afford us a few minutes of connection and conversation with so many of these classmates which make up the foundation of experiences and faces of our youth.  Belzer provides open space, a caring and listening ear, and mindful acceptance for the ’92 graduates to share their story.  There have been lots of laughter, memories, some tears, and some very sobering details of our journey through life that classmates have shared.

Utilizing Facebook as a vehicle to offer the opportunity to connect with classmates and volunteers has stepped up to share their intimate stories of their journeys.  A majority of the interviews have been done via Skype from locations across the country and, literally, across the world.  One interview has been done in person, on location in Chicago and there may or may not have been beers involved at the 11am convergence on a Thursday—very telling of the class of ’92. 

From this podcast series, a few have taken avow to change the course of their lives.  One stepped up and moved himself across the country to realign himself with his passions for movie and television production.  Another vowed to reconnect with long lost friends from high school that she had left in the shadows of her memory quite some time ago, but felt compelled to rekindle those formative relationships to complete the puzzle of who she is today.  And yet another classmate talked of this interview and reflection process reawakening some of the fundamental excitements and passions that they used to do in life, but had “outgrown,” only to wake up to the fact that they still desired to do them again today.

Altogether, this has been a fascinating project to follow and support.  Belzer has single-handedly allowed a group of friends from disparate parts of the globe to learn more about themselves, the limitless directions in life, and the humility and joy of knowing that we are all still walking down similar hallways in life, doing our best to laugh, love, and grow.  I would encourage other AHS Alumni to consider launching such a worthwhile project such as this.  Together and forever, Ames Hi Aims High.

Sincerely,
Spenser Villwock

AHS class of 1992

Hometown Love

What is it about your hometown that makes it so special?

The people?  The beauty?  The sports?  The hometown pride?  The entire experience?

Well, if you didn't grow up in Ames, Iowa, I would have to challenge you to a hometown duel.  For Ames, in my opinion, is the quintessential modern day American dream.

The Iowan, by nature, is a very sensible human being.

We give each other time, time to express yourself.

We give each other space, freedom to be yourself.

In Ames, Iowa, we received some of the most notable education across the nation.  Year after year, Ames ranks high among leaderboards in academic performance.  Some smart ass folks have lived in the 50010.  And some regular ol' smartasses, too.

A 5-mile by 5-mile thumbprint of a town, smack dab amongst the quilted tapestry of corn and soybean fields, sits Ames, Iowa: the greatest place to grow up on Earth.