"Save the Date" July 9-10, 2021 - Cono Reunion

After two years, it's time for another Cono Reunion. Please save the dates July 9-10, 2021. We will be watching Covid and will monitor safety with precaution. But if the coast is clear, please plan to join us for another great get-together. More details, with ways to register, will follow. You can correspond at friendsofcono@gmail.com. Enjoy these photos from the last reunion in 2019.

Donate online HERE to keep Cono serving young people.

Designate for Ridge Haven Cono.

 

Mailing address for checks written out to:

RH Cono, 215 Ridge Haven Road, Brevard, NC 28712

_______________________

A reflection by a Cono grad after 50 years

Cono’s  Reunion last year made me realize for the first time the great impact Cono had on my adult life.  I was blessed to be a part of the Cono family from age 5 in 1956 to my senior year in 1969.

I was deeply impacted by Leroy Gardner from fifth grade into my adult life and I do consider him to be my first personal mentor. His humility, his kindness and care, his desire for us to have fun—being pulled behind his tractor on sleds, playing tag in his barn hay loft, his giving work to Danny Parker and me, as young teens clearing rocks from his plowed field to swimming in his creek. As a young adult, whenever I came through Iowa, he was always the first person to go spend time with, after my family, til the Lord took him home and then that continues on with Dan and Liz to this day.

I remember as a youngster, the Wednesday evenings, sitting in a big circle in the Hearth Room with the fireplace burning, listening to Max Belz lead in songs, prayer, and Bible discussions. I remember the many meals in the Hearth Room, like a big family, and games and round table at the ping pong tables, the hours of ice skating on the lagoon, and coming in for hot chocolate and Mrs. Belz’s delicious sweet rolls.

Interestingly, looking back over 64 years, most of my adult life ministry involvement has been in that very similar setting----a family atmosphere of fellowship, food, deep relational connection in the ‘home church’ type setting from the mid 70’s to the present.

How grateful I am that God set me up to be receptive to, comfortable in, and thrive in that relational setting for the past 40+ years. I know without a doubt God used Cono to set me up for how He would  use and involve me with people, especially men, though that probably would not have crossed the minds of the leadership at that time. I am so thankful God cannot be put in a box and is so creative to show His love, live through, and provides “…good plans for our lives, to give us a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11)

Later, I will share “Journey With My Sons,” the story of 30 years after my blessed Cono years.

Sincerely,

pete denning

almost class of ‘70

____________________________

Our Contact Information
Ridge Haven Cono (www.ridgehaven.org)
215 Ridge Haven Road
Brevard, NC 28712
828-702-9510

Cono 2019 Reunion Overcap and More

We Worshipped at Cono

Favorite Cono Hymns

- as chosen by Cono Grads -

Crown Him with Many Crowns
Day By Day
Gloria Patri
God Will Take Care of You
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Holy, Holy, Holy
How Great Thou Art
I Need Thee Every Hour
It Is Well With My Soul
Jesus Lives And So Shall I
Lead Me, Lord
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

None Other Lamb (4 votes)
Not What My Hands Have Done
Sometimes A Light Surprises
Soul, Adorn Thyself With Gladness
The Old Rugged Cross
To God Be the Glory
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder

Above: Yoo Sun, Jee Hye, and Adrienne. Photos by Tim Barnett.

Three Cono Couples started as High School Sweethearts

___________ 

…And are on their way to 50 years each of marriage! Left to right:

Richard and Nancy French Marsceau (46 years)

Eric and Barb Alta Stanton (46 years)

Sam and Connie Reece Rees (46 years)

CONGRATS....THAT'S A TOTAL OF 138 YEARS

_____________________

Introduction/Reflection at the Cono Reunion

Necessity is the mother of invention, they say, and I will also say “the mother of good.” Simplicity, frugality, community, humility, service. We saw lives changed while we learned math, practiced scales, painted, sang, enjoyed flowers and sunsets, and ate good cinnamon rolls, duro wot and kim-chee. I am thankful.

Yet, in 1948, the candle that burned the brightest at Cono’s very core was the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was the supremacy, the completeness, the revolutionary power of Christ that drove men and women to establish this place. They had experienced the resurrection power of the Savior in their lives, and they chose to live for him.

This gospel eventually drove them, drove us, along with necessity, to serve a variety of people, red and yellow, black and white. To be educated primarily, but also to be exposed to and part of a church, scores of Cono kids passed through this campus. Many were gifted. All of us were needy. Cono and its history are shaped around committed, yet needy and incomplete people. And answers to calls from families came in aspects that are still deeply appreciated and useful: we offered the love of Christ, we sought to teach and practice simplicity, hospitality, community, and care. Our culture’s needs, primarily in the breakdown of the family –which is the central breakdown, can still be addressed with Cono emphases and the lifestyle exemplified here. Even at this moment in our culture, meals together, music, nature, beauty, hard work, preaching the word, a sound education, singing—are antidotes to culture’s ills. In that, we recall the power of being taken in, the hospitality, the acceptance, the expectation, and the joy that followed. Our Cono forbearers literally took in the homeless, the handicapped, the eating disorder, the refugee, the Asperger plagued, and even children stricken with cerebral palsy and Downs, and they took in US. Today there are enough people, enough needs that are worthy of Christ’s love and our incarnational presence, our work, our sacrifice, our leadership, our service. — Andrew Belz

This background sets the stage for more to come on the future ministry of Cono. We will print additional comments from the reunion in a future issue.

____________________________

Donate online HERE - Designate for RH Cono  Some have already started a recurring gift, which is very helpful. We are asking for gifts and prayers  – to help the new Cono. Ridge Haven is doing its part...Let's help them. Camps going on this week and next on campus. The future lies before us! Mailing address for checks written out to: RH Cono, 215 Ridge Haven Road, Brevard, NC 28712

Or email for info: friendsofcono@gmail.com ________________________________ We also played soccer on that beautiful Cono pitch. Good game, everyone! If you would like to look at pictures of the reunion, or view a loop of pix from the decade you attended, click here.

Register for the Reunion

Who's ready to create more fantastic memories? 

We are currently at 167 and counting... 

Let's make this a reunion we won't forget!

Register HERE

We can't wait to see you all!

See Who's Coming - Register/Pay Deadline Changed to June 18

Cono Reunion - June 28-29, 2019

______________

....Singing, eating, playing sports, laughing, reminiscing...

on campus at 3269 Quasqueton Ave., Walker, IA 52329

Register online for the Reunion here

Or email for info and schedule: friendsofcono@gmail.com

__________________

Who's Registered for the Reunion

- 133 so far

1950s

Joel and Carol Esther Belz

1960s

Becky Malone Cruise

Bruce Olsen

Dan and Liz Gardner

Dave and Patti Shoop Wendorf

David and Sylvia Breit George

Gottfred Olsen

HOJO (Gary Phillips)

Jan Harris Henninger

Jerry and Eileen Potoka

Jim Ferguson

Ken and Sharon Stoll Cross

Kim and Diane Cross Hight

Mark Ewing

Mary Belz Kaufmann

Richard Loew

Steve and Pat Fikkert

Sue Dengler-Clausen

Virginia Strom

1970s

Alcides Bloem

Andrew and Mary Anna Belz

Becky Peters Mendis

Casey and Victoria Reinkoester

Claudia York Weekly

Dennis and Rachael Calhoun Minich

Don and Dot Baker Branson

Jerry and Helen Wilson

Joel and Melinda DiBernardo

Karla Underwood

Lynn and Ruth Kyle Goetz

Maggie Smith-Barr

Marty Peters

Nat and Mindy Belz

Richard and Nancy French Marsceau

Sara Belz Drexler

Sharon Morey

Stephen and Jane Roskamp Barnett

Trisa Fraley Wintringham

1980s

Ed and Robin Gardner Smith

Eric Lindsey and Leryda Vazquez

Luke and Paula Underwood

Van and Luann Fults Newman +3

1990s

Amy Brown Gardner +5

James and Laranda Gienapp +2

Jamie Graves +2

2000s

Ace Dotson and Melody Chaney +3

Adam Belz + 2

Ben and Megan Johnson +1

Ben Wadkins

Chris and Lydia Thornton, +Owen, Silas and Jude

Isaac Miller, Alyssa Miller +2

Jeanna Belz Anderson

Jee Hye Kim + her mom

Krissee Chasseur +guest

Mark and Jade Tauber Paterno

Max and Emily Belz +3

Megan Hoffey and Kristine Hoffey

Michael and Crystal Downs Lyons + Logan

Peter and Adrienne Belz McCrory

Reid Vigstol

Sam Belz

Yoo Sun (Park) Paik

Carol Storm

Chris McMorris

Harlene Padding

Jenny Belz Gienapp

Phyllis Deyo

Scott and Victoria Syverson + Lucy

Steve and Hal Brentner

Walt and Carole Gienapp

__________

The first Cono reunion in more than a decade will take place this summer on the Cono campus!

Join Cono alum, attendees, former faculty and staff for a two-day party celebrating the school's past and remembering your time there, as well as getting a window into Ridge Haven Cono's future. There will be lots of singing, eating, fellowshipping, playing sports, laughing, and reminiscing. We recommend staying in hotels in Independence or Cedar Rapids, and one small hotel is available in Urbana. A limited number of visitors may sleep in the cabins at Cono, sleeping according to gender -- per cabin. Let us know if this is of interest to you by emailing friendsofcono@gmail.com separately.

The registration fee for attending is $25 per family toward the general costs of having the reunion. This does not include meals. More details on making this payment at the end of the registration form.

______________________________________________________________________________

Cono Reunion 2019 - Schedule

June 28-29, 2019 at Ridge Haven Cono

3269 Quasqueton Ave., Walker IA 52352

Friday, June 28

8 a.m. Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Class Greeters

10 a.m. Choir Rehearsal

Noon Lunch

1 p.m. Work Project for Ridge Haven Cono?

4 p.m. Softball Game

6 p.m. Dinner

7 p.m. Speaker/Singing Time

9 p.m. Bonfire

Saturday, June 29

9 a.m. Breakfast (Cono Cinnamon Rolls Contributed?)

10 a.m. Alumni Soccer Match

Noon Lunch

1 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

2:30 p.m. Alumni Volleyball Match

4 p.m. Alumni Basketball Game

6 p.m. Dinner/Reunion Wrap Up/Planning Next One……….

_______________________________________________

Our Contact Information:

Ridge Haven Cono (www.ridgehaven.org)

3269 Quasqueton Ave.

Walker, IA 52352

828-702-9510

See Who's Attending the Reunion

June 28-29, 2019

____________________

...Singing, eating, playing sports, laughing, reminiscing...

on campus at 3269 Quasqueton Ave., Walker, IA 52352

Register online for the Reunion here

Or email for info and schedule: friendsofcono@gmail.com

________________________________________________________

The first Cono reunion in more than a decade will take place this summer on the Cono campus! Join Cono alum, attendees, former faculty and staff for a two-day party celebrating the school's past and remembering your time there, as well as getting a window into Ridge Haven Cono's future. There will be lots of singing, eating, fellowshipping, playing sports, laughing, and reminiscing. We recommend staying in hotels in Independence or Cedar Rapids, and one small hotel is available in Urbana. A limited number of visitors may sleep in the cabins at Cono, sleeping according to gender -- per cabin. Let us know if this is of interest to you by emailing friendsofcono@gmail.com separately. The registration fee for attending is $25 per family toward the general costs of having the reunion. This does not include meals. More details on making this payment at the end of the registration form. _____________________________________________________ Who's Registered for the Reunion – Total is 107 so far 1950s Joel and Carol Esther Belz 1960s Mark Ewing Dan and Liz Gardner Mary Belz Kaufmann Steve and Pat Fikkert Ken and Sharon Stoll Cross Kim and Diane Cross Hight David and Sylvia Breit George Jan Harris Henninger Virginia Strom Bruce Olsen Dave and Patti Shoop Wendorf Becky Malone Cruise Sue Dengler-Clausen Jeannette Ferguson Kozajda Jim Ferguson 1970s Dennis and Rachael Calhoun Minich Casey and Victoria Reinkoester Claudia York Weekly Maggie Smith-Barr Don and Dot Baker Branson Sara Belz Drexler Joel and Melinda DiBernardo Stephen and Jane Roskamp Barnett Andrew and Mary Anna Belz Lynn and Ruth Kyle Goetz Alcides Bloem Nat and Mindy Belz Becky Peters Mendis Hojo (Gary Phillips) Marty Peters Trisa Fraley Wintringham Richard and Nancy French Marsceau 1980s Eric Lindsey and Leryda Vazquez Van and Luann Fults Newman +3 Luke and Paula Underwood Ed and Robin Gardner Smith 1990s Jamie Graves +2 James and Laranda Gienapp +2 Amy Brown Gardner +5 2000s Isaac Miller, Alyssa Miller +2 Reid Vigstol Krissee Chasseur +guest Ace Dotson and Melody Chaney +3 Jeanna Belz Anderson Michael and Crystal Downs Lyons + Logan Chris and Lydia Thornton, +Owen, Silas and Jude Megan Hoffey and Kristine Hoffey Jee Hye Kim + her mom! Max and Emily Belz +3 Jenny Belz Gienapp Steve and Hal Brentner Walt and Carole Gienapp Scott and Victoria Syverson + Lucy __________________________________________ Cono Reunion 2019 - Schedule June 28-29, 2019 at Ridge Haven Cono 3269 Quasqueton Ave., Walker IA 52352 Friday, June 28 8 a.m. Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Class Greeters 10 a.m. Choir Rehearsal Noon Lunch 1 p.m. Work Project for Ridge Haven Cono? 4 p.m. Softball Game 6 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. Speaker/Singing Time 9 p.m. Bonfire Saturday, June 29 9 a.m. Breakfast (Cono Cinnamon Rolls Contributed?) 10 a.m. Alumni Soccer Match Noon Lunch 1 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 2:30 p.m. Alumni Volleyball Match 4 p.m. Alumni Basketball Game 6 p.m. Dinner/Reunion Wrap Up/Planning Next One………. ____________________________________________ Our Contact Information: Ridge Haven Cono  (www.ridgehaven.org) 3269 Quasqueton Ave.  Walker, IA 52352 828-702-9510

Winter in Iowa, NC and A June Reunion

Two campuses, 900 miles apart,

Iowa & Brevard in winter

January and February are cold, and then kids meet Christ,

their lives to be challenged and changed

The NORTHERN ILLINOIS Presbytery of the PCA has chosen Cono for its summer program in July. A group of volunteers from COLFAX CENTER CHURCH came to volunteer in cleaning and maintenance. Thank you for supporting this work.

June 28-29, 2019

___________ 

…Singing, eating, playing sports, laughing, reminiscing…

on campus at 3269 Quasqueton Ave., Walker, IA 52352

Register Online for the Reunion HERE

Click here for schedule of events
Or email for info and schedule: friendsofcono@gmail.com

The first Cono reunion in more than a decade will take place this summer on the Cono campus! Join Cono alum, attendees, former faculty and staff for a two-day party celebrating the school's past and remembering your time there, as well as getting a window into Ridge Haven Cono's future. There will be lots of singing, eating, fellowshipping, playing sports, laughing, and reminiscing. We recommend staying in hotels in Independence or Cedar Rapids, and one small hotel is available in Urbana. A limited number of visitors may sleep in the cabins at Cono, sleeping according to gender -- per cabin. Let us know if this is of interest to you by emailing friendsofcono@gmail.com separately.

The registration fee for attending is $25 per family toward the general costs of having the reunion. This does not include meals. More details on making this payment at the end of the registration form.

Also find us on our Facebook page, "Friends of Cono."

Who's Registered for the Reunion – So Far

1950s

Joel and Carol Esther Belz

1960s

Mark Ewing
Dan and Liz Gardner
Mary Belz Kaufmann
Steve and Pat Fikkert
Ken and Sharon Stoll Cross
Kim and Diane Cross Hight
David and Sylvia Breit George
Jan Harris Henninger

1970s
Dennis and Rachael Calhoun Minich
Casey and Victoria Reinkoester
Claudia York Weekly
Maggie Smith-Barr
Don and Dot Baker Branson
Sara Belz Drexler
Joel and Melinda DiBernardo
Stephen and Jane Roskamp Barnett
Andrew and Mary Anna Belz

Lynn and Ruth Kyle Goetz

1980s

Eric Lindsey and Leryda Vazquez

Van and Luann Fults Newman +3
Luke and Paula Underwood

Ed and Robin Gardner Smith

1990s

Jamie Graves +2
James and Laranda Gienapp +2
Amy Brown Gardner +5

2000s
Isaac Miller, Alyssa Miller +2
Reid Vigstol
Krissee Chasseur +guest
Ace Dotson and Melody Chaney +3
Jeanna Belz Anderson

Jenny Belz Gienapp
Steve and Hal Brentner
Walt and Carole Gienapp

Our Contact Information
Ridge Haven Cono (www.ridgehaven.org)
3269 Quasqueton Ave.
Walker, IA 52352
828-702-9510