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July 2008
-- Greetings once again thrill-seekers and fun-lovers all across
the fruited plain....... Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this
issue. It's great to hear from classmates. Remember, if you have an
input, send it in --- it's easy to update the page, and be assured, there are
plenty of classmates wanting to know what is happening in your life.
We have news from folks we haven't heard from in
some time, lots of reports of world-wide travel, other updates, and, sadly, a couple of deaths
to report.
Starting with the bad news --
 Steve
Walsh passed away in March,
succumbing to cancer. An original Greeleyite, one of our leaders, and
well-remembered for his exploits on the basketball court. Here is a nice
review of his recent life, sent by his wife, Sue (Bode - Class of '61.)Steve
Walsh passed away on March 16. He was diagnosed with kidney cancer in early
December, underwent treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, but his
cancer was too advanced for treatment to succeed. Peter Kilburn and Swede
Murphy spoke at Steve's Memorial Service here in Florida. During his four years
in Amelia Island, he excelled at everything he took on. He went to the National
Tennis Championships with his 60 and over team last Spring, brought his golf
score down into the low 80's, and was a popular adjunct professor at the Florida
Coastal School of Law. He also continued his side career as an arbitrator for
the NASD, and did volunteer mediation in Nassau County, FL. Our son, Tucker,
wife Katie, and our 2 grandchildren live outside Boston; our son, Brad, lives in
Manhattan. I am still adjusting to a life without my partner of 42 years, but
am surrounded by great friends in Amelia Island, and many activities that keep
me busy.
 Sue
Warburton also died from cancer, in March of 2007. (Sorry for the late report.)
Another original Greeleyite, and very active member of the class, especially in
sports, music, and drama. Sue left
behind, in addition to her brothers Mickey and Jimmy, her husband, two children
and four grandchildren. I had a
long talk with her hubby Richard, and he sent us this about Sue.
I
am very sad to pass on the following information that Joan “Sue” Warburton
Carmassi peacefully passed away on March 30, 2007. Joan had lung cancer for four
years, 50 radiation treatments, and 30 chemotherapy treatments and was attended
to by over 50 physicians. Enclosed is the agenda at the mass of Christian burial
and a copy of the death notice. Sue maintained a
positive attitude and never gave up until her last breath. Sue will be greatly
missed by family, friends and everyone who knew her.
Kathy (Shanahan) Timothy's husband, Ray died in October.
We grieve with Kathy over the loss. Karen (Turner) Judd was kind enough to
forward the information. Ray had quite an impressive resume with NBC
television, and you can read it at this link.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/business/media/01timothy.html?ex=1192161600&en=ff74efa11d991c9e&ei=5070&emc=eta1
NEW CASTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY -As many of you may know,
this organization has set up shop in what most of us remember as the Greeley
Gift Shop. They sponsor a number of events, publish a regular newsletter,
and pursue various other activities. You can check out their website at
http://newcastlehistoricalsociety.org/ This is really a cool site.
Be sure to check out "The Way We Were" which is a recurring column about life in
the town in the 30s and beyond. It's written by Al Hutin, who is the
husband of Toni Packs, our former art teacher. Al and I have had some nice
correspondence and he follows with interest our class activities and news.
Ben Lewis is happily
into his 10th year of retirement. He continues with his painting and
enjoys traveling and gardening. Ben says he started a Japanese garden
ten years ago and that is is still a work in progress and keeps him
constantly busy. He is planning a trip to Switzerland for two weeks
later on this year. Ben and I had a really nice talk about
growing up in Chappaqua and what a positive influence it has been in our
lives.
Brian and Becky (Beckwith) Walsh are still in Columbia,
Maryland, but getting ready for some life changes. Becky (Bev) retires
from her position as pain management coordinator at St Agnes hospital in July
but still has a private psychotherapy practice here in Columbia.
Brian is looking at retirement as well, date TBD, and they are planning on
settling in the Seattle area. They also recently returned from a trip to
Ireland with their oldest, Lauren, and her two children. Here are a couple
of pictures.
Ken Nye
reports on happenings in his life and Ann's and
also that he had a second book of poetry published last July.
Hey, David. I'm up in the middle of
the night in one of my Parkison's up-in-the-middle-of-the-night sessions,
killing time on
the net because I don't feel like doing anything especially
productive. Came across data you had put together for us: addresses
and email addresses. Found that I hadn't updated either one. So, Ann
has her own email address now:
AnnNye@suscom-maine.net. Mine is
now knye@maine.edu. And our street address is now 12 Lambert Road
Freeport, Me 04032
My first book of poetry, 'Searching for the Spring: Poetic Reflections of
Maine' has been quite a success. We are now into the
seventh printing and sales are still going strong. My second book, 'From the
Heart: Poetic Reflections on Growing Old in Maine,'which
came out last July, is also doing very well. We're into the second
printing. Both books are available to be seen or ordered on
Amazon.com. However, a couple of years ago I offered to give any of
my classmates one or both books for free if they sent me the $2.50
for the mailer and postage .That offer still stands.
My poetry continues to be my main time consumer now that Ann and I are
retired. However, I fear that more and more of Ann's time is
spent caring for me. I no longer can drive most of the time, and there are
some things that at certain times of the day I can't do any
more, and Ann is right there. I recently wrote her a poem. (I'll print it below.)
I think I am approaching the point where I will be
a candidate for a procedure called 'deep brain stimulation.' If/when I get there
I'll tell you more about it.
She continues to enjoy our daughter and her family (two
granddaughters) right across the road, and we are both anticipating
the birth of our first grandson in May. Son Ken got married this
summer at age 42 to a 30 year-old mother of a 7 year-old daughter,
Sammy, now our third granddaughter. They are expecting a little boy
(rumored to be named Kenny) in May.
And here is one of Ken's poems
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH
Eleven years ago,
when the doctor looked me in the eye
and said,' Mr. Nye, you have Parkinson's disease,'
it never occurred to me that the 'you' to whom
he was speaking included another person
who wasn't even in the room.
But as the years have passed,
and this chronic, progressive disease
has become more of a nuisance,
I have come to understand that 'you' meant
not me alone, but Ann, too.
There are buttons I can't button,
zippers I can't get started.
There are organizational tasks I used to do routinely
that have now been passed to Ann.
There is medication to be sorted into
little square cups of a daily pill box,
ready to be imbibed every three hours through the day
so I can function almost normally.
There is a joint pocket calendar maintained
by Ann to be sure I get where I am supposed to be,
when I am supposed to be there ----
and she is the driver.
There are foods I shouldn't eat,
but sometimes do;
things I shouldn't do,
but threaten to.
So she watches over me,
like a nurse working a 24 hour shift
that never ends.
As my horizon shrinks,
so does hers.
But she never complains.
And when I get angry or frustrated
that we have to deal with all of this
pain-in-the-neck crap,
she brushes it off,
cools me down,
never offering pity
or even sympathy,
just acting as if this is all part of life
and the promise we made to each other
a long time ago.
She meant every word
45 years ago.
'Mr. Nye, you and your wife have Parkinson's disease.'
She never blinked an eyelash.
Am I a lucky man or what?
Don Harvey has
been in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida since 1972. He retired from his
business as a stock broker a few years back. He was subsequently recruited
by a friend who develops software and they are involved in a software business
helping medical agencies manage personnel. Don has three children, two
boys and a girl, and 9-month old grandchild, courtesy of his daughter and
her husband.
And here is all the recent news from
Mr. Jack Behonek, who was one of our science teachers. He also was part of the
infamous "Roll 'n Roam" crew that Ed Stark headed up every summer, traveling
across the country.
Greetings to all at "Horse
Gerelly", as an unnamed
freshman once wrote it. The
same student answered my
question, 'Who was Ivan
Pavlov and what was his
major contribution to
science?' with, "A Russian
biologist who proved that
dog was man's best friend."
All is well with me: singing
and dancing through
"retirement." Currently
appearing in a wonderful
production of Gilbert &
Sullivan's vastly
underrated, Princess Ida.
Recently formed a new
company, the Light Opera of
New York (yes, LOONY) now in
our third season:
final event coming April 30
and May 2 - "'The Glories of
Operetta." Will be in Japan
for most of May, at the Ohio
Light Opera for July,
Salzburg & Vienna in August
- yet more operetta, and
finish with performances in
Buxton, UK, for the
International G&S Festival.
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Helen Dienst
retired in 2003. She still volunteers at a local hospital and is involved
with a local youth symphony orchestra. You may recall that she traveled
with the orchestra to Europe a few years ago. She is also president of her
homeowners association, and as any of you who have done that sort of thing know,
it's a time-consuming and thankless job. Helen seems to really like it
though and is obviously pretty good at it, since they won't let her
"retire" from it.
Lorraine (Price) Muth and her husband Bob are
also in the transition to retirement, and as you can see, there is a lot going
on in their lives now. Here's what she has to report:
I was cleaning my bookcase a
few days ago and came across the 40th reunion booklet
which you had sent me. I reread it and, I have to admit, I don't
even remember receiving it or reading it before,
although I must have. Everything seemed information.
Is this my age showing?
Bob is retiring this year due to a deal his district offered longterm
teachers. It would have been foolish to
refuse it. However, he's feeling pretty sad. He had planned
on teaching one more year and had already signed his
letter of intent. He used to teach
6th grade, then two years ago he taught 4th, and then last year he
taught 5th. He loved the 4th
graders the best. He will be 70 next Dec. and it's probably
time for him to retire so he can have some play
time while he's in good health.
I gave my employer April 1st this year as my expected date of retirement. I
told them last January. They were very
concerned about hiring, etc., so I told
them I was flexible. At any rate, we decided I
would work per diem, which requires one
weekend a month at the minimum, plus a little more for my work in ICU,
but no definite
requirement was given to me. I am still working my regular shifts
but I think the next schedule will show
some changes. I love my work, except for getting
up at 5:00 a.m. but I would like to play more. I am still working
as the nurse on skis on
the former Big Mountain, which is now Whitefish Mountain Resort. I also
want to play golf and tennis more,
as well as practice my music. I feel like I am a person
of no musical talent who loves music anyway, and I
really enjoy practicing. We have jam
sessions every other Sunday with a bunch of locals. It's a lot of
fun and there are some
pretty talented people in the group. I'm off 4/30 to
the New Orleans Jazz Festival with a friend from work. We
will return on 5/6. This was
totally unplanned. She asked me on the spur of the moment
after we had tried to get
reservations at the Phantom Ranch this year and were unable
to reserve anything. We had planned to hike the
Grand Canyon, which is postponed to
next year. She decided we needed to do something else and therefore
New Orleans was
chosen. We found reservations at the Phantom Ranch have to be made a
year in advance. Now 8 of us plan
to go next year. We have a group of nurses who are
avid hikers and we always have a good time.
Steve and Marie (Barkman) Blue, like many of our
classmates, have done a lot of extensive traveling. Here is an update on
their lives, and some pictures, too.
Steve retired from engineering management at
the end of 2002 and Marie retired from nurse practionering at the end of 2004.
Steve's last few working years included a fair amount of overseas travel, and we
developed a "travel habit" that continued into retirement. So in the past
several years we've been to Alaska (land including spectacular Denali Park, and
glacier/coastal town cruise), France (Loire Valley, Normandy and Paris), China
(Beijing, Hangzhow, Shanghai - missed the River and TC Warriors),
Taiwan/Singapore/Thailand w/ side trip to Chang Mai, Australia/New Zealand -
mostly South Island, Chile - Santiago & Valpariso, and several trips to Florida
to visit Steve's folks. Highlands Ranch, our home base, is one of the largest,
if not THE largest planned development in the US - 23,000 acres, build-out
population over 100,000 - close to 90,000 now. Located south of Denver, it's
like most PUD's - lots of amenities and lots of rules. We have a large ranch
house plan, full deck in the back, walkout basement to huge open space with lots
of critters and view of the Rocky Mountain Front Range, and enough landscaping
to keep us both exhausted. Marie is President of South Metro Newcomers (after
10 years, we ain't exactly newcomers but...) and Chair of the Assistance League
of Denver Operation Schoolbell program, which provides school clothing to needy
kids in Denver. She also sings in St. Luke's UMC choir and Highlands
Ranch Community Chorus. Steve is a Master Instructor with the Colorado Division
of Wildlife Hunter Education program, teaching folks how to hunt safely and
responsibly, is on the Highlands Ranch Ducks Unlimited chapter committee raising
money for wetlands restoration, and gets out in the field to hunt more than
Marie can appreciate - archery, muzzle loading and rifle/shotgun for big game
(elk, deer, antelope), waterfowl, upland bird and small game. We have a full
freezer. When there are no hunting seasons open Steve gets out with the
Littleton Retired Men's Club fishing, hiking and bicycling groups. Kids: oldest
- Kelly, divorced - graduated from U of Wyoming Law School last year (3rd
career) and is Asst. County Atty. in Lincoln County WY - two grandkids Alex and
Katy; middle - Laurrie, husband Joe CFO of Arapahoe Community College - teaching
assistant w/ Douglas County schools - two more grandkids Chiara and Anthony;
youngest - Kevin, single but involved - part time student at U of Montana in
Bozeman and serial entrepreneur/artisan/master of underground economy. No
grandkids - that we know of. We would love to provide even more excruciating
details to anyone with a high threshhold of pain - email with your preferences
and tales of the last 44-plus years
As usual, Tony Kilburn
contributes another nice picture of
life in New England.....
 Well, summer is here in Maine. With the
threat of very expensive winter heating on the horizon, we decided to go the old
fashioned way here in Maine and heat the majority of the house with wood, a
renewable resource I am told. Interestingly, Maine has much more forest lands
than it did in 1900, even with the rapid population growth and urban sprawl that
we hear so much about. Anyway, we have a Jotul stove in
kitchen, with supportive gas heaters at the far ends of the house. We do have a
large supply of wood, 4 + cords, and many sweaters. In the meantime, it is
warm here, sometimes sunny, and we are just at the beginning
of the lobster season. Life is good.
Tony has a nice way with words......
Nice inputs here from
Liz (Lewis) Usborne, with lots of
good news and a nice picture of the newest grandchild, as well as reports of the
fires in Southern California last year..
Not too much to report here...my
middle son Paul was married over
Memorial Day Weekend
in Temecula CA at the
Leonesse Winery...we had a
wonderful time despite the heavy
rain the day and night
before...unusual for S. Cal.
this time of year
Paul is a Family Practice MD in
Covina CA..my other two sons
were
ushers and my grandson
ringbearer..my mother even flew
in from Florida..she had just
returned home from
Italy...very nice for 88 years
old...
here is also a pic of my
granddaughter...
We are enjoying Bonita CA and
retired life.
I am big into
volunteer work as is my
husband..
My best to everyone...
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Yeah, I guess that's a pretty cute kid!
Prior to these recent events however, Liz and her family
were affected by the fires in Southern California, in October, and here is her
report of that...
Fortunately, no injuries or serious damage, but still
pretty scary.
 The fires in San Diego have
been horrific..and soooo
scary...
We went to an evacuation
center the night before last
at the Naval Station when a
wall of flames came over the
crest nearby and headed our
way..
The
shelter was at the base gym
...very basic cots and
bathrooms but the people
there could not have been
more helpful and tried their
absolute best with what was
available..many sailors from
the ships volunteered to get
the center up and running..
we could eat in a nearby
galley.
We decided to come and see
if our house was still here
last night and it was. The
conditions were OK to return
for the moment but of course
the cars are still packed in
case we have to go again.
Ashes fill the sky so air
quality is very poor but
liveable..
The rest of the family is
OK too...
Here was our home away from
home....
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Here is a quick update from
Mary (Glynn) Early:
Still at same address: 15 Beechwood Ave,
Sanbornton NH 03269. All 3 sons now married. Grandchild count up to 6, with
one on the way. We, Hubby John and myself, will spend mid Jan to mid March in
FL. Had to take in bird feeders, there have been bear sightings in the area, as
close as our neighbor's deck! We do local volunteer work, visit the
grandchildren weekly, and accomplish in two hours what we used to do in a half
hour!! God has given us many Blessings, Life is Good and we are lucky to live
in state where gas prices are under $2.90 a gal. (Ed.
note -- No, don't pack up and move..... this was written in November. Probably
gas prices are not $2.90 now.)
Penny (Clark) Nichols is
still in Winetka, Illinois. Her husband retired from CitiBank, and they
have two children, and an 18month old granddaughter in Colorado. Penny has
also been able to get together with Mimi (Hoffarth) Kuchieski as the families
celebrate Christmas together on Santa Bell Island.
 While I was minding my own business, bothering no one, an
email popped up from Jim Souder, Class of
'61, well-known to most of us.
He stumbled upon our website and sends this update. Jim has had a lot of
interesting experiences and if you want to know more, you can email him at
jjs@intergate.com.
Here is some of what he had to say.
I am living on lake
Gaston, in Bracey Va which is midway between Raleigh NC and Richmond Va. After
graduating from Ohio Wesleyan in '65
I married to Judi Cartwright from Rutherford NJ. We have lived all over
the northeastern USA in our 41 years of marriage, and have had a
very enjoyable career as serial inventor/entrepreneur. For the past 10
years I have been involved in biomagnetic technology.
We would be thrilled to see or hear from
old friends. We live just off interstate 85 near the Va. NC border for
anyone driving south.
 Debbie (Moslander) Baxter is among those of us
gallivanting around the globe. Her travels this year included
Turkey, and tour of formal gardens in Italy, led by none other than
Judi
(Chatfield) Schwerin. Here are a couple of pictures. One, Judi and
Debbie and Debbie's sister Nancy, in Italy, and the other of Debbie and George in Turkey. (That smile
hasn't changed since high school!)
Carlos Ballantyne underwent a hip operation earlier this
year, and here is his report about that and his recovery process which seems to
be going very well.
By all accounts and
especially of my physical
therapist provided by
Medicare I am having an
unusually easy and speedy
recovery. The therapist was
pretty horrified to see I
had set up my bicycle on a
stationary trainer in my
room and would have been on
it already but for a small
bobble getting it hooked in
to the trainer. Special
thanks to the non-judgmental
angel who schlepped my bike
up from the garage for me.
So here we are – full hip
replacement plus 6 days.
Happily the main thing I
want the therapist to do is
work on getting my alignment
evened out. As I had a
congenital misalignment I
will to some degree need to
learn to re-posture myself.
Letter sent operation
plus 4 days
My total hip replacement has
gone flawlessly so far. I
have not taken any
prescription meds since
leaving the ‘opium den’
[hospital]. My pain level on
a scale of 1-10 has been
zero EXCEPT for a when I
walk SOMETIMES I get a
feeling like a thin pane of
glass shattering in the
muscle. I just keep walking.
I walked 40 feet 6 hours
after leaving the recovery
room, and increasing
distances ever since. I will
attempt to go on a bicycle
trainer manana, Op+5,
reasoning that if I can do
ONE revolution I can do 500.
I anticipate doing low
impact revs on the trainer
to get everything loosened
up and to practice
re-aligning my long twisted
gait. You can see the tilt
to my pelvis in the Xray.
In rough order I attribute
my operation success to the
following factors
-
A brilliant young surgeon -
Dr. Andrew G. Yun from LA
-
My overall excellent state
of health
-
I have had 2 Reiki master
healers working on me
remotely during and after
surgery. I happen to know
this is effective as I give
feedback as to exact timing
of events.
-
Ice – ice – ice The
seemingly simple but very
effective recovery modality
now is to keep everything
iced. I was given a machine
that runs ice water through
a pad that I keep on my leg
for up to 10 hours per day.
If the leg can’t heat up it
can’t inflame, if it doesn’t
inflame the pain is
substantially less.
-
A very nice hospital – St
John’s in Santa Monica
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Here is a nice note from
Bill Miller, Class of '57.
Bill maintains their class website and coordinated the class 50th reunion last
year. We have had a lively correspondence the last year or so.
If you get a chance, check out their website. It has lots of good
information about lots of people we all knew. They graduated of course the
year we were freshman, and I have always remembered them as a great class, who
set a good example for the younger groups.
I enjoy checking
out your class website from time
to time. We
had our 50th reunion
last fall and it was a great
success. Our website
(www.hghs57.org)
was a great help in generating
interest and keeping everyone
informed. I would like to invite
any of you, the class of ’60, to
submit any information of
interest (anecdotes, stories,
remembrances) involving the
class of ’57 to me (
bmiller@hghs57.org
) . Especially Nick, Bowen,
Peter Davidson, Peter Kennedy,
Karol Kreisler, Kirk Tuttle, &
Ann Bliss Mygatt – all of whom
had older siblings in our class.
In any event, good luck to you
all and have a wonderful summer.
/Bill Miller, Class of ’57
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Karen Reagan, still in the
Albuquerque area, sent a short note, as
follows...The biggest thing this year, so
far: the birth of Larkin
Rose Kate Gorham, my great-niece, in St.
Petersburg,
FLA, this April. I'm hoping to go
visit sometime this
summer. A healthy baby.
Other than that, it's hot and dry here, in the
west, as you know.
Doug and Marianne Weiss
continue their extensive traveling. Here
is what Doug has to say about India, as well as
future travel plans.
Marianne and I continue to travel and enjoy our home on Siesta Key in Sarasota. Last December we  spent 15 days in India in what I would call an adventure experience rather than a vacation. It’s just a hard country to visit psychologically…poverty and squalor everywhere. You all know that immigration question that you have to answer when you get back to the US….”have you been on a farm or in contact with livestock”. We did what all Americans do, we said NO. Let me assure you, it’s impossible to be in India without having close contact with cows, monkeys, etc…the entire country (including Delhi) has cows wandering the streets, camels pulling carts, elephants, and monkeys wandering about everywhere. We even visited a place where they make incense out of cow dung (yes, I have some if anyone wants to contact me for a sample). If you ever have an opportunity to visit India, Varanasi is a must….just an incredible experience seeing the religious bathing in the Ganges and open crematoria on the Ganges. We did see some Bengal tigers in the wild, rode camels, visited the Taj Mahal and so much more….great experience. In March, we finally took a real vacation… a cruise around Britain/Ireland/Scotland to sample Guiness and single malt scotches and then we’re off to Canada in August. In my free time, I hang out my real estate shingle and continue to help folks find excellent values in homes and condos in our area.
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Doug was not the only one
of us to see India this year.
Joan Kather
Henry and her hubby Bill, traveled there after
their experiences last fall teaching in
Shanghai. Here is her summary, and a
couple of pictures.
Bill and I had wonderful adventures last fall while teaching in Shanghai! We both spent last fall semester teaching in the Engineering Department at Jiao Tong University. So often when we travel, we see famous places, enjoy new foods, and learn more about history and geography. We did all those things in China, but, our teaching experience also gave us the opportunity to meet people, make friends and find out more about how people in Shanghai live  and think about their futures. We loved it! Our experience was fascinating, and we learned so much!
We flew to India for two weeks in November where Bill spoke at two conferences - one in Bangalore and one in Delhi. In addition to exploring these two cities, we took a side trip from Bangalore to Mysore, the ancient capital of the area, and a side trip from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. How different India and China are. What an education it was for us to visit these two rapidly growing nations and to compare and contrast their approaches to dealing with the huge challenges they both face. What an exciting world we live in!
Attached are two photos. One is taken in Shaoxing, a town 3-hours south of Shanghai at a park commemorating a famous Chinese calligrapher; you can see us practicing writing Chinese characters. The other picture is taken in front of the Taj Mahal. After seeing pictures of this building all my life, I thought I might be disappointed actually seeing it....but no, it was even more exquisite than the photos!
(Ed. note -- Two classmates and their spouses at the Taj Mahal in the same newsletter! I wonder if the Guinness Book of Records people will notice?)
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Gay Mayer has been zipping
around the country on various errands, and here
is a short note from him.
I was in Boulder over Memorial Day for the 30th running of the Bolder Boulder 10K-- my 6th or 7th time. Ann Mygatt- did it as well. Cold and rainy day so I did not see her at the finish -- there are 50,000 runners and walkers. We did have a chance for lunch and as we walked into downtown, ran into Bruce Mygatt who looks great. He is Chief of the Fire Department in Boulder.
At the end of June we will have much of our extended family together for a niece's wedding. Mary's Mom will be there as well -- she is 101 and keeps track of her Red Sox. She never really was a Celtics fan--- couldn't understand why grown men ran around in their boxer shorts.... It will be a great time with 6 of her 13 great grandchildren joining us.
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As you may recall from the
last newsletter, Jack Duncan has moved to
Pennsylvania, and here is his update on how that
is all going on.
Can't remember when I "chatted" with you last. About a year ago we moved to Pennsylvania to be nearer to one of our kids. It has worked out pretty well. Can't get used to not having my 'own place' as opposed to the more community living lifestyle, but I think the pluses are ahead of the minuses at the moment. No mowing, snow shoveling, etc., but lots of people around. I have a regular golf game twice a week with some of the guys in the neighborhood. I'm finally playing enough that my score is coming down.
We have a new neighbor moving in soon - Marvin Fairchild - a Greeley graduate - sometime after our time. His brother Mike was in my brother's class - '63 I think. I think he comes in in August. We have already discussed his experience with "Blackie.! I'm sure we will have a few things to talk about.
Have to run - just got caught not doing the dishes!  Hope all is well with you. Chat soon.
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It's kind of a mixed bag
from Lois Schrader Wolcheck - some good news and
some not so good.... but it all seems pretty
optimistic.
Lots of things happening in our household this year and not all for the good. Husband Nick retired in January after working in R&D for over 40 years and in March was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Changing diet and a lot of other things has helped a lot and he is now doing a lot better.
I was sick most of the winter with bronchitis and in May came down with pneumonia. They also discovered small cell carcinoma wrapped around a vein going into my lung and a small growth on my liver. Started chemotherapy immediately and this week found out that things are progressing extremely well. Fortunately I have had not side effects from my treatments for which I am blessed.
My daughter Lisa and her family drove from Minot, ND two weeks ago and son John and his family from CT so that we could all spend a wonderful week at the beach. Daughter Amy lives in Maiden, NC so her trip was a lot shorter. We went to Wild Dunes ( where we go every year, minus a few families), SC It is a wonderful gated beach area just 20 minutes from Charleston and is at the tip of the Isle of Palms. There were 17 of us , which included 9 grandchildren ageing from 17 to 18 months. It was just wonderful having the entire family together since we haven’t gotten to do anything like this since son John got married in Charleston in August 2005.
I am still working part time doing free lance work in cosmetics and we have the summer off so it is a perfect job. Also get January off to unwind after the holidays.
Guess that is all from Matthews, NC. What a way to start retirement but at least Nick and I are on the mend.
Anyone hear from Bonnie Camp Blassone?
(Ed. note -- Our thoughts are with Lois. I also would like to know if anyone has heard from Bonnie. Last I heard, a couple of years ago, she was experiencing some health problems and had moved in with one of her children. If anyone has anything further, please forward the news.)
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Here is all the latest
from Ascher Sellner, and it too is a mixed bag,
but overall optimistic.
I retired from 31 years private solo of
practice in 2002, had a liver transplant at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in
2003 after which I needed twelve more hospitalizations including 3 more major
surgeries. It was worth it and such complications are
not unusual. I was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma (no AIDS relationship, hah)
in December and successfully, as far as we can tell,
completed six courses of chemotherapy. I've become a professional patient as
well as being a doctor. I worked two weeks a month in Machias from July
2006-July 2007 It was interesting, remote, and quite a cultural experience in
Down East Maine. I have five grandchildren. Carol and I spend a good time during
the summer at our home on the beach in Biddeford ME, which is just north of
Kennebunkport.
Linda Lenhard responded to my message about changing
email addresses with this very nice and comprehensive update, to included a couple of
pictures --
 I retired nearly 2 years ago, but it only
lasted 8 mont. I now work 2-3 days/week at an
alternative medicine clinic doing a variety of things (not direct patient care).
It is extremely interesting & they do not mind if I
take off for my travels. I travel quite a bit. In 2008 my
husband & I spent a month in Ecuador/Galapagos. On my own I joined
a 2 week mule expedition into central Baja California,
Mexico in search of the vast numbers of caves containing art & petroglyph
sites. Very basic camping. Very interesting. The
Harvard prof who came made it especially so. Then
in May I joined a travel journalist friend (and 13 others) in Turkey for 2
weeks. We covered 2,000 km & saw a great deal.
It was one of the best trips I have taken. Turkey
is fabulous!
Our daughter, age 23, is off to England to do a masters @ Kings College in Sept.
Her interest is English history & some of the course
work is taught by the curators of the British Museum. My
husband & I hope it leads to some kind of career. Our
daughter is a real Anglophile, having spent her
college junior year @ Oxford & taken a least 2 trips a year there for the past
several years doing living history.
My husband is still working full time as a medical school professor. Since he is
7 years younger than I, he will probably work for
several/many more years.
We live in the same beach area house we bought in 1984 & since San Diego is said
to have the nicest weather in the US, we won't even
consider leaving. In many ways that makes our lives much
simpler.
It certainly looks like the next logical time for a reunion is in
about two years, 2010, as we find ourselves 50 years from high school
graduation. I won't go into the usual "where did the time go?"
dissertation, but, where did the time go? Anyway, a lot of people
have been asking about a reunion and it seems that the time is right to start
planning. As ideas occur to you, and should you want to be on the planning
committee, please let me know. If there is someone who would like to
"chair" the event, then definitely let me know. So, let's
start thinking about 2010 and getting together in Chappaqua. Previous
reunions have mostly been in October, but there is nothing magic about that
month, so make your feelings known. The way time is flying by, the reunion
will be upon us before you know it, so start thinking about your ideas and
preferences now. Watch this space.
And, last
but not least, once again we look for folks whose whereabouts remain unknown.
If you have any leads on any of these classmates, please let me know and I will
do my best to contact them. I continually do my best to keep the address
list/email page up to date, but invariably there is outdated info there.
If you notice any, by all means, tell me.
Judy Barr, Sharon
Bigelow, Bonnie Camph, Cindy Drury, Bob Ernsdorff, Jackie Gates, Suzanne Gregg,
Bill Irwin, Woody Kelly, Rosemary Keane, Karol Kreisler, Tom Mackey, Bob
Passmore, Jane Ritter, Lou Rothbard, Ginger Shuckman, Barbara Stocker.
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As always, your
faithful editor remains:
Dave Williams, 14801
110th Ave E. Puyallup, WA 98374
253-841-7095 home,
253-905-2751 cell
davetwilliams@comcast.net
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meditation forum
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