Staff Alumni Newsletter

Robert E. Peary High School
March 1997

Luncheon at Anchor Inn with Good Friends, good food and great memories!
"From me to you...." - Mary Thomson

Thirteen years ago teachers and students at Robert E. Peary HS in Rockville were planning the closing of their beloved school. It was a sad time and forced a change in the life of everyone involved. Of the teachers, some simply retired, others moved within MCPS -- some for the better and some for the worse; others moved on to other careers. The year 1984 brought change for everyone at Peary HS.

Thanks to the vision of Muriel Hoover, who had retired prior to 1984, the staff at PHS has stayed in contact with each other through the "Friends of Peary High School." Ms. Hoover provided the funds to organize a mailing list and plan yearly get-togethers.

The first gathering was a luncheon in the spring of 1989 at the Anchor Inn in Wheaton. Once again in the fall of 1996 the Friends of Peary High School gathered at the Anchor Inn in Wheaton for lunch; this time several students joined our ranks. During the intervening years, Sunday afternoon Happy Hours have taken place each fall.

There is something very special about the camaraderie developed with the Peary staff.... and among students from Peary. Now there is even a Webpage on the Internet deceloped by former students Bob Lau and Neal Pizzano.

Many students (and some staff) of Peary HS have been able to connect and renew old acquaintances using the high-tech. This newsletter will tell you about many from the Peary's staff. (Keep in mind that much of the information was written last fall.) Thanks to Sharon Kilpatrick (wife of Terry Kilpatrick) and to Maureen DiFulgo-Bladen, class of 1976, for typing this newsletter. Also thanks to Marilyn Trishman for her recent and generous contribution to the Friends of Peary funds. We are alive and well and want to stay in touch. Please contact me with news of Peary staff at: 226 Kentlands Blvd., #201, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, or call 301/869-1458.


Peary Class Alumni Want to Stay in Touch... They Have Found a Way!

The Robert E. Peary Edition of the Midnight Sun Newsletter has hit the Internet....
Since August 1996, the MSO Newsletter has been brought back to life "Online." It is being called "The Midnight Sun Online" -- More details follow.


Who's Who.... And what are they up to?

Marie Brewer-Armstrong - Pasadena, MD
I am working my way through my 27th year of teaching. Living on the water with an hour commute to Wheaton H.S. Tommy, my husband, and I are sharing a 32 ft. Carver cabin cruiser with another couple who are close friends.

Kathy Avery - Glenelg, MD
I am (still) working in the family business. Traveling a little bit and just returned from Italy. Enjoying "50" (Oh God!) and the grandchildren. It's great to say "Goodbye" or "the baby needs a clean diaper" HA! (been there, done that!)

Gerry Bindi - Olney, MD
I'm still battling a disease that affects my platelet count called ITP. I have time when I do well and then for no reason, my platelet count plummets. My joy surrounds my family. I have a little grandnice and grandnephew, who are 3 year old twins. They often visit me and keep me young. My son is a FA/18 Hornet pilot for the Navy and is presently in Greece on standby on The Enterprise, ready to fly missions over Iraq. A "Hello" to all my friends at Peary.

Stan Boteler - Olney, MD
I am a National Board Certified Counselor and Maryland Certified Professional Counselor, working for MCPS at Quince Orchard High School since it opened in 1988. At home I tend to the extensive garden and smell the roses and fantasize about retirement (five years from now).

James R. Bragonier - Hallandale, FL
I am teaching adult education at Ft. Lauderdale High School. I teach anywhere between 20 and 30 Haitians, Brasilians, Peruvians, Columbians and Lithuanians. Most of them cannot read or write. Doreen's mother died May 17th from cancer. Our daughter Leanne and her husband Steve Boczar and our youngest son Robert are now living in Davey, Lforida. Steve and Robert are bakers for a natural food store called "Bread of Life." We now can see the two kids anytime. Doreen and I became grandparents for the first time. Lauren Bragonier, daughter of Jimmy, is now 9 months old.

Dr. William Brennan - Bethesda, MD
I am now in my fifteenth year of retirement and still enjoying every minute of it. I now have tow grandchildren (ages 3 and 5) who live nearby. Grandpa's house is number one on their list of "favorite places to visit." My wife and I still enjoy traveling. Our destinations have changed from international ones to more local sites such as Bethany Beach, the Hudson River and Carbondale, PA. (my home town).

Idell M. Brown - Silver Spring, MD
I began my twenty-one years with MCPS in 1960 when Peary opened its doors. I was a guidance secretary to Carl Mitchell. I have fond memories of the wonderful staff i knew while I was there. I have moved to Leisure World and I am very happy there. I live in a high rise "The Greens." I had lived in my house for 47 years.

Edward B. Burlas - Kensington, MD
Last fall I had surgery for two herniated discs in the neck area. The injury curtailed my activities considerably. No more touch football or pick-up basketball games!! I am doing much better lately.

Bob Clarke - Rockville, MD
I'm teaching at Richard Montgomery H.S. My 30th year in MCPS. I retired from Pipe Band duties in 1994 after 27 years. I still love to travel. My wife Pat and I spent two weeks last August in Ireland, taking the Grand Tour. It was a great trip.

Sherry Anne Delauder - Gaithersburg, MD
I am now teaching 2nd grade, total inclusion. Special needs working right besides the truly gifted and talented, working hard to meet their needs and levels in the regular sized class! (26) Last year I attended the Governor's Academy for Math and Science and I am now an "Ambassador for Math and Science." I'm also teaching Hands-on Science this year -- about the only way to get to work with a small group of students these days. My house and home is "settling down" as the children are maturing and finding direction in their lives. Robert has his bachelors from "The King's College" and is working his way up the banking ladder. He also wants to go to graduate school. Sherry Lynn just graduated from Blair and finally decided to take a great offer from Claremont McKenna in California. (She won their scholarship competition) She is in some very small high powered classes and just loves it. Charles is a junior at Gaithersburg HS and has been a "professional" in the computer field for the past three years. He is one of the first students in the nation to be inducted into the "National Computer Hall of Fame." I am hoping to take the Maryland AG Classroom Workshop this summer and maybe see my sister in Nebraska. charles also needs to start visiting some colleges. It is time to think about becoming part of "a couple" again.

Clesta Dickson - Parkersburg, WV
During the 1996-97 shcool year I'll be reading to 3 fourth grade classes. Early in the year I'll be reading "The Flag We Love," "How To Be Perfect in Three Days, " and "Sacagawea," the Native American guide for the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Also, I will be a substitue teacher at the Career Center at Marietta, Ohio this year. I recently learned that my great, great grandfather had a trace of Cherokee heritage.... Thomas Alexander Glover from Virginia. Lat fall I took a bus tour to see the autumn leaves in West Virginia. At Cass Railroad I met a lady poet and here is one of her poems:

Good cheer knows no barriers
And can be spread for miles,
Be healthy, happy carriers
Who wear big friendly smiles

Dr. Richard Dumais - Berlin, MD
I am busy fundraising for "Habitat for Humanity" ($25,000 raised in the last two years). Each November I run a "Taste of O.C." and silent auction (a major event) to benefit Habitat. I am a Kiwanis Key Club Sponsor at Stephen Decatur HS, a Coordinator for Elementary religious education classes on Sunday mornings, a Teacher of religious education to HS students Sunday PM. I enjoy biking and traveling in the USA. I also enjoy boating with my pontoon boat (the grandchildren love it), and I am doing some substitue work in Worchester county with the learning center (last chance for students program). We now have 10 grandchildren with number 11 due in March. We have lots of company, especially during the summer. Rea and I are completing our work labs, etc. to become Human sexuality teachers for parents, teachers, and students in the Wilmington Diocese. My hip replacement in 1990 has been great; it's just like new. We visit our children (all whom are in the Howard and Montgomery County areas) approximately once per month. We spent three weeks in Mass last June for my 40th reunion at the University of Mass and visited my brother on Cape Cod and other friends and relatives. We plan a two week trip to the West Coast next August for our 40th anniversary.

Dr. Fred L. Dunn, Jr. - Silver Spring, MD
There were no comments from him, but he still looks the same as ever.

Mary S. Drye - Frederick, MD
I am working at the church and in the school. I have decided to stay in Frederick. I sold my car so I can't get to our get-togethers very easily.

Donna (Dawson) Edwards - Rockville, MD
I am teaching English (surprise!) at Richard Montgomery HS in the afternoons only.

Wayne Fleeger - Olney, MD
I am currently principal of Richard Montgomery High School and working overtime to send my only child Kate to Princeton. I am able to see Bob Clarke, Lee Maust, John Cino and Donna Edwards everyday, so, Peary is stilll on my mind.

Betty Fotheringham - Annapolis, MD
A year ago we decided to think about moving down to Annapolis. We sold our townhouse in ten days so we lived in our old houseboat on the West River until we bought a house in the water community. I know we're going to love being near the water year round. At night I can hear the fog horn at Thomas Point Lighthouse, for an old Hudson River girl that is a great sound. Housing dollars go further in Anne Arundel County. We bought a long ranch that was stuck in the 60s and so we're house obsesses trying to bring it to the 90s. We are having great fun playing with the house.

Mintie E. Glass - Bethesda, MD
We're still enjoying retirement, our grandkids (2) and seing the world. Even though we haven't experienced foreign travel since our 1994 tour of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, we did spend three glorious weeks at Fort DeRussy on Waikiki Beach and explored much of Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii. Who knows what the coming years hold in store?

Mary Glenn - Romney, WV
Life goes smoothly for us and we continue to enjoy the slow pace of life in Romney. Our friends who live along the river are still recovering (if they ever do) from the flooding that resulted from Fran. This is the third time in 18 months that many in this area have had mass destruction to property. Hello to everyone!

Penny Gole - Clarksburg, MD
It's been 14-15 years since I left Peary HS along with the Auditory staff for our move to Rockville HS. I spent 2 years interpreting there, then home to be a mom! My husband Mark and I have two boys, Ryan 12 years and Robby 8 years. They keep us extremely busy! This past summer I got together with Sany Fucci Nelson and Cheryl Abramavic Jaughen (2 Peary Auditory teachers). I hear from Cathy Dense and Missy Johnson (former Peary students). I know years have passed when the high school teens we taught are married with kids! I haven't done much interpreting lately because we've been homeschooling both children for the past two years. What a challenge that has been! This year Ryan is going to Lisbon Christian Academy in Lisbon, MD, Robby will still be homeschooled. Our family visited Peary to watch a soccer game. It was sad to see the building all boarded up, but it brought back lots of great memories for me. Thanks everybody!

Rose Gordy - Silver Spring, MD
I am in the 35th year "attempting to teach writing and reading to high school students." My 21st poem was published this summer. In the spring a reprint of one of my essays was published. I hav 8 essays published to date. I led a workshop last month in Chicago on the claywork I do in my poetry and literature classes for the Council of English Leadership, a major branch of the National Council of Teachers of English. Spent several summers of writing grants at the Mary Anderson Center for the Arts in Mt. St. Francis, Indiana and the Poets House in New Harmony, Indiana. Currently, I am also teaching some Adult Education classes. All three of my sons are now in college. Steve, a junior at the Universtiy of Maryland (Electrical Engineering), Patrick, a freshman at UMBC (Psychology) and Brendan, a freshman at M.C. (Computers).

Dutch Hahn - Rockville, MD
I am teaching at R.I.C.A. (starting my 40th year). Advice: Don't teach longer than 35 years because they will involuntarily transfer you to R.I.C.A. and start evaluating 6 times a year. Still enjoy staying busy in the teaching profession however. We really do help the students.

Elizabeth "Betz" Hanley - State College, PA
I am launching into my 33rd year of teaching at Penn State! I am co-teaching the history of the Olympic Games course for the first time, and continuing with dance classes (Ballroom, Folk, and Square) as well as my International Dance Ensemble. (19th year we've performed internationally, nationally, etc.) My husband, Patrick Kolivosky, and I have been married for 12-1/2 years. He is also teaching at PSU. I ran with the Olympic Torch in Greece last March, taught Greek dance at the International Olympic Academy again in Jun in Greece. HI! to all Peary "Plankowners."

Warrick S. Hill - Silver Spring, MD
I keep busy babysitting grandchildren on weekends, assisting high school and college students with their mathematics, supporting the bereaved, encouraging the despondent/sick, dallying, walking and running the steps, attending worship services and maintaining our lawn. We plan to take a cruise to the Carribean Islands and/or Alaska.

Muriel N. Hoover - Takoma Park, MD
I am now living my 85th year. Old people tend to be retrospective. I think of the gift you give me in your friendships. Peary was a very special school and all can be proud to say, "I taught at Peary High School."
[Please see update at the end of this newsletter]

Terry L. Kilpatrick - Wheaton, MD
Unlike many of the retired Peary Staff, I am syill teaching every day. This year I have Citizenship remediation amd U.S. History. The challenges of teaching get greater every year. My wife works as the Speech/Language Pathologist at Walter Johnson HS. All the kids are out of the house! The oldest daughter, Kori, graduated from U of MD, got married in July 1995 and works as a legal secretary in Columbia, SC, while her husband finishes his Master in Social Work in the spring of '97. Our oldest son, Kacy, recently returned from his 2 year church mission to California. He is a sophomore attending Brigham Young University. Kelly is a junior attnding Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach. He lives in our beach house and was evacuated twice already this year. Kris is the youngest, is a freshman at BYU and lives with Kacy and two other friends. Our excursions have included a trip to Utah to get the boys' belongings to school. As for future plans, let me make it through the next 4 years of teaching and the 3 kids in college.

Mary Dean Lee - Lewes, DE
I retired in Lewes, DE in 1971. I follow the Redskins and U of MD Terrapins in football and basketball. I spend my winters in Florida, across the street from my son, Robert N. Condit (Peary Class of '63).

John M. Lewis - Southern Pines, NC
We moved to a new address on October 12, 1996. Mitzi wanted to get closer to town, so we're changing from a home on the lake to one on a golf course in Southern Pines. Hello! to everyone from me.

N. June Loch - Chevy Chase, MD
My last travels were in Eastern Europe. We cancelled Greece and Turkey last fall, hope we can make it next fall! We are stiull active in boating groups. The Peary Staff has a bond worth cherishing.

Jim Luko - Gaithersburg, MD
I am teaching eigth grade science at King Middle School in Germantown, MD. I spend most of my free time collecting and refinishing antiques. I am looking forward to retirement in 4.65 years and then working at Home Depot.

Ferne MacDonald - New Bern, NC
I retired to New Bern in May of 1991. I am enjoying learning how to surf and fish. I like going to the beach and eating great seafood. New Bern is beautiful and a historic small city, but retirees from the northeast are moving in and crowding us "Tarheels."

Gary Myers - Gaithersburg, MD
I am working on my 32nd year in MCPS. Kids, Shane (20), Kirk (17), Kevin (15) and Maureen (11) are the reasons for my continuing to teach. Barbara is still working at NIST and I am recovering from an ankle fusion with golas to be back skiing this year and playing lots of golf.

Don Neal - Rockville, MD
I am an Instructional Specialist on the Instructional Technology Support Team in the office of Global Access - Training Media Specialists.

Barbara Pearlman - North Bethesda, MD
I am being proud of the reason I left Peary twenty-two years ago. Stacy has just graduated from the U of MD with a degree in Cell Molecular Biology. She is doing research at NIH and is applying to Johns Hpopkins with the hopes for a career in the medical field. I am still teaching health and P.E. at Ridgeview Middle School and have been quite busy writing health education cirriculum for the county, as well as helping to coordinate teaching training workshops in health education. Retirement is looking further and further off.

Michael Peerless - LaPlata, MD
I am still teaching music. I have been at Wheaton HS since Peary closed. I have continued my singing/acting career. I am presently starring in "Man of La Mancha" at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre (Oct 9- Dec 31). Just retired as Cantor at the Beth El Hebrew Congregation after 23 years.

Pearl F. Richardson
I spent time in Seattle and went to Mount St. Helens.

Andy Roberts - Bunker Hill, WV
I have been traveling, seeing our kids, and working around the house.

Glenda R. Rose - Silver Spring, MD
I am still working for MCPS as an administrative Secretary to the Board, CESC room 123. Michael, our autistic son, is living in a community group home in Gaithersburg. Deborah, our daughter, is married and living in PA with three children (2 girls and a boy). I received a paralegal certificate and worked in MCPS Legal Services for 4 years. Carl, my husband, retired from IBM and is working for MCPS at Gaithersburg Middle School. Carl and I have traveled to Ireland, Great Britain, Scotland, and Europe (I loved Paris). Still enjoy skiing and singing in the church choir. We do foster care for MC Humane Society.... cats only!!

Laura Rosen - Gaithersburg, MD
I am still teaching at Rockville HS and serving as Senior Class advisor (all thanks to Mary Thomson!) This is year number 27 for me and MCPS.

Dee Rosenberg - Gaithersburg, MD
I am still a realtor (17 years) in Montgomery County. I am now affiliated with Remax Realty Group. I would appreciate any referrals you can send my way!

Kitty Moyer Scott - Kensington, MD
I am still teaching the Hotel/Travel program at Thomas Edison HS of Technology. Been here for 12 years. My daughter Allison is in 9th grade at BCC HS and Ashley is in 8th grade at Westland MS. I keep busy with work and teenagers. Tim is fine and still working with his own printing/Mailing business.

Mary Jean Shugars - Washington, DC
I am enjoying life and appreciating having time to "taste" some of the abundant opportunities available here in Washington -- lectures, plays, seminars, concerts, etc. Too, it's nice to have time to visit with friends and family, especially when most of us are slowing down a bit and coping with less energy as health problems arise with more frequency than formerly! And then there are the numerous opportunities to do volunteer help for others! I was slowed down a bit this past summer when I skidded and fell in our laundry room, breaking my right wrist. Luckily for me the cast was removed just in time for me to take a planned trip to Ireland -- a great bonus for the timing.

Irene Spector - Wheaton, MD
Still "clowning around" with Sid. I lead the "sing-along" at Randolph Hills Nursing Home every other Monday. I am still reading for Washington Ear. We joined the Comedy and Humor Club at Leisure World and exchange jokes and "groaners" with other members every Tuesday afternoon. We are still enjoying good health and good friends. We are thinking about getting computer literate but that's only in the thinking stage. I am still subbing but usually only at Wheaton where I see Peary buddies.

Eileen Manspeaker Steinkraus - Rockville, MD
I am still busy working as the coordinator of the Blair Magnet Program.

Lynn Boyd - Rockville, MD
Retired and enjoying a part time job at Manor Country Club.

Annette Tamm - Anacortes, WA
I am Office manager for the Anacortes Community Theatre. I do the programs, monthly newsletters, season brochures, and finances. I am acting in front of a non-captive audience (as opposed to captives in classrooms). I still do stained glass. (Original Lamp design in the '97 calendar -- available in stained glass supply stores.) Dick and I are working hard to pay off bills engendered by massive house remodeling. I brought my mother here from Brooklyn (this has positive and negative aspects....). Steve is 21 and gorgeous... I am a little prejudiced, naturally! Keep these reunions going. I intend to get to one of them someday!
[See the update at the end of this newsletter]

Mable D. Thomas - Silver Spring, MD
I am completing a 3 year stint as a member of a Citizen's Advisory Committee to revise the Eastern Montgomery County Master Plan.

Mary Thomson - Gaithersburg, MD
I am enjoying teaching 7th grade Science, being a team leader, and coordinating Science at Gaithersburg Middle School. Recent travels include a hiking vacation to Austria, frequent trips to our house in West Virginia, and visits with our two new grandchildren (one near Annapolis and the other near NYC). We moved to a condo in the Kentlands, Gaithersburg, in preparation for husband Tom's retirement (and mine too)!

Grace J. Tigani - Brookville, MD
I am doing volunteer work with Montgomery General Hospital, Montgomery County Teachers Federal Credit Union, and the MCPS. I am traveling as much as possible. I am working on the ABC's of the alphabet of countries as I plan my trips.

Ellis Wendelin - N. Potomac, MD
I went on a cruise to the Carribean last November, spent 2 weeks in Italy studying Italian Architecture, Art and Politics. Now I am remodeling the family home in the mountains of PA. I now have 4 granddaughters. I spent 7 years at MC after retiring from MCPS.

Anita Wolk - Silver Spring, MD
I have been doing a lot of traveling. I took a 2 week cruise and went through the Panama canal (fascinating experience). I spent the summer at our condo in Ocean City. My plans were to visit in early October for Atlanta and Florida and hopefully Canadian NW in the late spring of '97. Possible relocation in 1997, nothing confirmed as yet.

Denby Zimmerman - Silver Spring, MD
I am having fun when there is an opportunity. I traveled to Florida this fall visiting old friends from the 30's-some former school classmates. I took a cruise to the E. Carribean last spring on the "Love Boat," it was fun. I volunteer with RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) at Forest Knolls Elementary, Kemp Mill Elementary, and Interages. My daughter, Janice, moved to Sterling, VA. Her children are Michelle -- an attorney, Amanda - married with 1 child (great grandchild - Theresa (2) ans Jesse (10). Daniel teaches at BCC. His son, Daniel, is an 8th grader at E. Brook Lee and Kathryn is in the 1st grade at Kemp Mill Elementary. Roxanne is a daycare provider and teaches at St. Lukes Christian School. Danielle (14) attends Blair and Rachel is a 5th grader at Forest Knolls Elementary. I plan a cruise to the Panama Canal.


UPDATES: Something to be proud of.....

Annette Tamm - Last August the local newspaper where Tammy lives reported on the production of "Cemetery Club" ".... as Flashy Lucille, Annette Tamm is a scream, but is also far more than that -- she is a good soul beneath all that makeup and the blonde wig. When she drops the act and reveals what's underneath, she opens her heart to her friends -- and the audience -- with great poignancy." Way to go, Tammy!

Letter From:
Carol Jeffers - Los Angeles, CA - June 6, 1996
She has been in CA for 3 years as an Associate Professor of Art Education at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Her youngest daughter is finishing up her freshman year of HS. Husband of 25 years is an executive director of a trade association.

Update on.......
Muriel Hoover - March 1997
Muriel is now in an assisted living facility in Bethesda. This is a difficult change in her life. Hearing from you would be a great support to her. Please make an effort to contact her:

Muriel Hoover
c/o Springhouse #402
4925 Battery Lane
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
301/961-5028

Thank you!


PEARY HITS THE INTERNET....
Robert E. Peary HS Lives On.... Online
Written by Bob Lau '76

"Where are they now?" you ask. Well, we want to let you know that we're all on the Internet maintaining and re-establishing contacts in Cyberspace!

As a result of escalating events and correspondence since the Class of 1976 held its 20-year reunion last July, plus a lot of credit to Neal Pizzano, Class of 1976, for maintaining enthusiasm, organization, and school spirit, and who has become the "keeper" of an ever-growing list of e-mail addresses, our on-line presence has grown from a list of about 10 to over 200 alumni in a very short amount of time as the word is spreading rapidly!

Neal also maintains a database of over 9,800 students who have passed through the halls of Peary High School and is continually updating the information as we receive it. He is currently working with the Classes of 1971 and 1977 on their reunion efforts.

In addition, we maintain a webpage for all the latest information.... a current e-mail list, articles we come across about Peary alumni and teachers, news about the old building, a "Tribute to Warrick Hill," and past issues of the newsletter we've been compiling and distributing since August -- appropriately called "The Midnight Sun Online" (MSO) after the former school newspaper. The newsletter is compiled monthly from handfuls of submissions by your students who attended Peary between 1960 and 1984.

Currently, the only former staff member we have aboard is Stanton Boteler and we would like to extend the invitation to you, our former teachers and mentors, to please join us and become a part of this with us!

To participate, send your e-mail address to Neal Pizzano at npizzano@erols.com so he can add you to our listing. As a result, you'll probably receive mail from many of your former students... and you'll automatically receive the monthly newsletter directly to your e-mail address. For further information, and to get caught-up with the latest news and updates about alumni, point your web browsers to http://www.pearyhs.org .... or drop an e-mail message to me or Neal. Feel free to give either of us a call.

Please note: Bob Lau wrote the above article. He has also had an extremely large impact on the success of the MSO.... much praise is due to him also!
Maureen Bladen '76


PLEASE SEND ALL UPDATES, COMMENTS, OR STORIES THT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE APPEAR IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER TO:

Mary Thomson
226 Kentlands Blvd., #201
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Or call: 301/869-1458


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