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Volume 2, Number 12,
June & July 1998
MIDNIGHT
SUN ONLINE
-The Online Newsletter for
Robert E. Peary High School Alumni-
MSO WEB SITE - http://www.pearyhs.org
Page 2
From: Yvonne Blemly Crumlish fivecs@friend.ly.net (1971) Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 Subject: Update
I originally found out about this through the 1971 reunion info last year. Occupation: EDI Coordinator, Spouse: Jay, Children: Sean Nelson age 13, Kevin Patrick age 11, Brian "BJ" Joseph age 6, Grandchildren: Plllllllleeeeeeaaaaaaasssssse!!!!!
Memorable Incident: Several high school incidents stand out in my mind, most notably, the variety shows, the gymnastic shows, the senior class "excursion" to Daytona, Graduation and the graduation night parties. We had a class reunion 3 mos. after at the camp grounds outside of O.C. I also remember with fondness all the wrestling games, and especially the county tournaments. We had great times and a great class of '71. I am so proud and, as I look back, privileged, to have been part of this High School.
Since High School: Since high school, I went to the University of Maryland, joined AOPi, got involved in lots of campus activities, graduated in 1976 (lots of extra credits). Next phase: went to work at APTA in DC while teaching and coaching gymnastics at Riverdale and Silver Spring YMCA's. Had enough of DC and the burbs and moved to Raleigh-Durham, NC. Landed a job at the local Television station (WPTF, an NBC affiliate) and expected to settle there for life. Next phase: met my future husband on a weekend at my parent's boat at Piney Narrows Yacht Haven on Kent Island. After a 3 month long distance romance, got engaged and moved to Chester (on the Isle of Kent by the lovely Chesapeake Bay) 4 months later (just days before the big airline crash in the DC river). Next phase: got married in May of '82 and have been busy renovating the fixer upper Jay got in 1979, birthing and raising three boys (what a marathon that is!), and working for Sea Watch International, a food service manufacturer located in Easton (one of America's best small towns. We just finished renovating the last room of our house with just cosmetics to complete the renovation of our 50 yr old home. We love being on Kent Island, the peacefulness and the quiet amenities...great schools, churches, community. My father-in-law moved to the house across the street four years ago, and my mother, Phyllis, moved 10 miles up the road in Queenstown 1-1/2 years ago. Come visit anytime!
Future Plans: Next phase: My future plans are to see that my boys grow up to be responsible adults that will contribute to, rather than take from, society. In this day and age, it's the hardest job in the world to raise good kids. So far, we're seeing the fruits of our labors, but it's no guarantee that things won't change. I won't really know whether we've done our job until they're about 30!!! I admire any of you that are raising kids alone, as I don't know if I could do it myself. My dream is to go back to school and get my master's, but I think I have to win the lottery jackpot to do that....
Faculty members fondly remembered: Barbara Pearlman (who is partly responsible for my meeting Jay), Mrs Luck with her quick wit, Mrs Trishman-one tough history teacher, Mr Tile and speech class, Vadala & Gibbs (what a pair), Mrs Peyton, & Ms Gunner who had the class study the Rock Opera, "Tommy" by The Who.
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From: Marilyn Goff Pittore mp17a@nih.gov (1966) Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 Subject: Update
How found? Gale Senseman Privette mentioned it! Occupation: Administrative/Fed. Gov't NIH, Spouse: Joseph, Children: Shawn Joseph Schmitz 23 and Landon Joseph Pittore 23
Memorable Incident: My mind is full of so many, it's hard to pick only one but surely the antics of Steve Shaw in Mr. Hills algebra class bring a smile, but fun in Mrs. Percivals English class with Howard Johnson and Bruce Wertz also stand out, and then homeroom in Mrs. Luck's with Denise Hall (we double dated best friends), Waldo Groves, Marc Groce, Jeff Harris (the hayride was important!), Dennis Hergert, Carol Hess (Woude!), Kathy Hughes what laughes we had! I guess the school incident that stands out most in my mind is just all of you, the friendships, the fun that still continues after 30 years...into the millennium and beyond!
Since High School: After graduation I did the marriage and divorce thing; the hippy thing; the marriage, have a baby and divorce thing; and when my son was two the marriage thing again! I gained a stepson the same age as my son. We raised our kids and ran between swim meets, championships, MCI soccer games (hubby was the coach), tiger cubs, cub scouts (I was the den mother), boy scouts, JV and Var Football. We have a permanent campsite at Christopher Run (F-27) at Lake Anna, Virginia. We have a Sea Ray boat and a jet ski which we really enjoy! In the winter months we share a passion for downhill skiing and have made many trips out west, throughout Canada, New England and those slopes closer to home. I had a serious ski accident in 1984 that nearly crippled me but thanks to my remarkable surgeon I can walk. I now only ski sometimes but still enjoy the ambiance! We are Rolling Stones fans forever...even took one of our sons and his girl to "Voodoo Lounge" which was neat but we went alone to "Bridges to Babylon" which was fantastic...how does Mick keep doing it!
Future Plans: My husband and I are looking forward to retirement in the next ten years so we are mulling through the new decisions that we need to make since my lotto ticket failed us! We have one problem to solve before we can retire, in case any of you can offer advice: 1) How do you get the kids to move out? Seems like we couldn't wait until we were 18 so we could move out! Don't get me wrong I love these kids but...as Marlene Dietrick said "I vant to be alone!" We want to take a cruise... aiming for the '99 Peary Cruise, travel, have grandchildren, enjoy life to its fullest!
Memorable Teacher: It is hard to pick only one as we were lucky to have so many excellent faculty members but I can never forget Ms. Vadala because I was in her English class when the PA system came on and we learned that President Kennedy had been shot. I put my head down on my desk and cried, I was not alone.
I love this site...so glad Gale mentioned it!
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From: Kathleen L. MacConnell dogwood2@worldnet.att.net (1968) Date: Sun, 31 May 1998 Subject: Update
Occupation: Property Manager, Children: Tracy Ann Pope Clark Age 30, Robert MacConnell Harper Age 10; Grandchildren: Troy Ellis Clark Age 2yrs 9mos
Memorable Incidents: My Fair Lady, First Aid classes, Beatles Since High School: Raising a family, traveling, college, working.
Future Plans: Finish raising my son, enjoy my grandchildren and surviving!!
Memorable Teachers: Agnello and Bragonia (spelling?) This was junior high, none of my senior high teachers stand out in my memory.
Missing People? George R. Pope is in Largo, FL
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From: Mike O'Neil oneil@speedchoice.com (1969) Date: Sun, 31 May 1998 Subject: Peary Website submission
How found about website: I was taking my two oldest kids to the Washington area for Xmas and struck up a conversation with a guy on the Metro; he told me about the site (really). Think he was from the class of '79.
Occupation: I have a company that does public opinion research (surveys and focus groups mainly).
Family: Married, Heather (11 going on 15), Sean (5), and Matthew (1)
Grandchildren: gimmie a break, I've got a one-year old! It freaks me to see near contemporaries with grandkids. That is for OLD people (maybe in 100 years or so).
HS Incident: I really remember surprisingly little. Once in the band (2nd alto sax, no talent) I was slated to have about a three note solo (my big chance at stardom!). The piece was Mancini's Moon River and there was a brief silence before I was to play. I choked, blew it, and the entire band broke out in hysterics.
Since graduation: did the student thing (Brown B.A., M.A., in Sociology, Northwestern Ph.D. in Sociology Univ. of Michigan Postdoc at the Survey Research Center), the professorial thing (faculty positions at the University of Illinois, University of Michigan, ASU), and since the early 1980's, the entrepreneurial thing, founding a small company that does opinion research. We currently employ about 25. My hobby is politics, which I dabble in and usually do on-air election night analysis on local TV in Phoenix, where I have lived for the last 20 years. (Even got national exposure-Nightline, NPR, ABC Nightly News etc. a few years ago when we had that loony governor who got impeached.)
Future Plans: Figuring out a way to convince my daughter that yes, I really do remember what it was like to be her age and thus have some limited understanding of her adolescent crises. (I discovered The Wonder Years on latenite cable TV.....sometimes that can serve as a catalyst).
By the way, I just attended my 25th College reunion at Brown last week. It really can be a rewarding and interesting experience seeing how people have lived their lives (even if you didn't know them when). Perhaps this is just the sociologist in me, but I found it to be fascinating. We have a 30th coming up and I would heartily commend the experience to all.
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From: Mary Thomson Mary_Thomson@fc.mcps.k12.md.us (Faculty) Date: Mon, 1 Jun 1998 Subject: Mintie Glass
You do such a good job with keeping us all together! I'm winding down here at Gaithersburg MS; it has been a good year.
The main reason that I am writing is this: I figured that there are folks out there who would love to know that Mintie Glass and Park are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversay on July 27th!!
Mary
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From: Beth Owens Waltermire bethew@msn.com (1978) Date: Mon, 1 Jun 1998 Subject: birth of son
James Patrick Waltermire born 1-6-98 4 lbs 10 ozs 16 inches to Beth (1978) and Robert Waltermire.
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From: Jackie Hewitt Stock jacqueline.stock@jhuapl.edu (1980) Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 Subject: Update
I found out about this from other alumni. Occupation: Software Engineer, Spouse: Jim, Children: Kelly Anne Stock 2 1/2 (born 12/95)
Since High School: I attended and graduated from James Madison Univ. in 1984. I worked for Vitro Corp for 15 years as a software engineer. I've been working for Johns Hopkins Univ. Applied Physics Lab for the past year as a software engineer. I married a guy from Pittsburg - fortunately, the Redskins and Steelers don't play each other much. The same goes for the Caps and Penguins! We have a wonderful little girl, Kelly Anne.
Memorable Teachers: Mr. Clarke - Bonus questions!!!
Hi Janet. Hope all is well with you. Drop me an email.
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From: Vickie A. Ralls VRalls@aol.com (1969) Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 Subject: Update
How found? From the Gazette. Occupation: Corporate Office Manager, Significant: Stan Garber, Children: Kerri A. Moran, Age 24. Graduated American University with BS in Finance. Lives and works in Atlanta. Michael P. Moran, Age 21. Currently lives in Atlanta with sister. Working on completing his degree (Computer Science) at Georgia State.
Since High School: Moving up in my career. I have raised two children, which took up a great deal of time since I was a single parent. I love to travel and do so as much as possible.
Future Plans: I'd like to buy a home at the beach (on the bay side) where I will most likly retire.
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From: Shalimar "Shelly" Simpson Anderson sanders@usgen.com (1980) Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 Subject: Life after Peary High School
Found out about the web site from my close friend Kelly Degraff-Gibson. Occupation: Executive Secretary Spouse: Christopher, Children: Nicole Shayla Henderson 17 Kyle Lee Anderson 2; Grandchildren: NeShae' De-von McQueen
Since High School: Working on a BA degree in Business Administration and working fulltime as an Executive Secretary
Married with children: I have 2 children, my daughter Nicole will be 17 on the 6th of June and my son Kyle is 2. I'm happily married to a graduate of Paint Branch High School. His name is Chris. We have a beautiful granddaughter that is 4 months old her name is NeShae. I'm pursuing a BA in Business Administration and working as an Executive Secretary in Bethesda, MD. I found out about the web-site from a close friend from Peary and still close friend Kelly L. Degraff-Gibson. Looking forward to attending the 20 year reunion. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. Looking forward to seeing you '80 graduates soon.
Future Plans: to finish working on my degree and enjoying life with my husband and watching our children grow and mature into adults.
Favorite Teachers: Mrs. Luck and Mr. Bagonia
Most memorable time in Peary: Graduation Day June 1980
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From: Karen Michele Braxton k_blondie78@hotmail.com (1978) Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 Subject: Update
Occupation: Administrative Assistant/Calvin Coolidge SHS Children: I have four... one son Harvey (16) and three girls Ashton (9) Kia (7), Selena (1), I found out about this website update from my sister Sharen Kemp class of 1979. (Thanks Sharen, Love Ya!!)
Since graduation I have been enjoying life. I went to Montgomery Junior College for two years and studied Business Administration. I worked part time for a while at Holy Cross and then I applied for a job in the school system and thats how I ended up at Coolidge. I have been at Coolidge for the past 13 years. I really love my job and the kids here are great. (Dont believe everything you hear about kids in DCPS they all are not true. I work with a bunch of lovely kids the majority of them call me Momma Braxton. I wouldn't trade places with anyone right now. As for my four kids they keep me busy as all parents should already know. My son Harvey is a sophmore and attends Wheaton SHS and my two eldest girls attend school in the district Ashton is in the third grade and Kia is in the second.. All in all I can say I love my life and wouldn't change a thing. Looking forward to the reunion.
Future Plans: WATCH MY KIDS GROW AND ENJOY LIFE
Most Memorable: Hanging out with friends (you all should know who you are) and most of all GRADUATION!!!!
Memorable Teachers: My dance teacher Ms. Scheideman
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From: Lori Wescott LWbdolls@aol.com (1983) Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 Subject: Update
I found out about this from the article in the Gazette. Occupation: Full time Mom, Part-time student, Children: Kaitlyn-5 years old
Since High School: Worked, got married, had my beautiful daughter, got divorced, and now I work part-time and I'm back in college hoping to get the education I wish I had gotten before I became this OLD.
Future Plans: Finish college. Enjoy every minute of my daughter's life.
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From: Kathleen Weckler Matt kit930@juno.com (1969) Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 Subject: Re: Peary Alumni Connection Welcome
I started at Peary during its first years. I believe the year I started there was the first graduating class that had attended their full term at Peary. I think ours at that time was the last class to do 4 years there—they kept some of the 9th graders in middle school even then I think. I guess I am getting so old it is hard to remember anything at all. For information purposes, my husband went to Peary also. He did not graduate from there though as his family moved to Florida.
Kit Weckler Matt class of 1969
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From: Linda Lent McGee MCGEE@CDER.FDA.GOV (1976) Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 Subject: Update
Occupation: Management Specialist
i realized, while browsing through the e-mail addresses, that i must have given the wrong e-mail address when i filled this out a few months ago!!! meanwhile, i've been doing some traveling — to London and Paris - AND i recently got a promotion - a few extra dollars never hurt!!! my oldest daughter, kristin (20), is home from college - she has one more year at St. Mary's College, and has plans to get her master's and Ph.D. in math. my youngest daughter, erin (16), is spending her summer working as a lifeguard at jcc in rockville - what a great job for a teenager!!! that's all for now — sorry about the e-mail blooper!!!
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From: Patty L. Toler PLToler@aol.com (1983) Date: Sun, 7 Jun 1998 Subject: Update
Occupation: Secretary - Administrative Assistant
I just wanted to update everyone and let them know how I have been doing. I am going to be going back to school in the Fall to continue my computer degree. I will also be minoring in Earth Sciences, study of Tornados. I know, it sounds kind of lame, but I can't help. Tornados fascinate me.
Anyway, I am currently working as an assistant to an insurance underwriter and I have to tell, it is definitely not boring. My boss is the greatest. He is so patient with me and he understands about me being a single mom with a "special" child. Nothing physical, mind you, it is apparently psychological.
I also have a puppy. A mix breed — Part Sheltie and part Border Collie. Things are going okay so far. Will keep everyone appraised as to what's up. I am interest in knowing when our next reunion will be.
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Paul Schlesinger no e-mail address submitted (1972) Date: Sun, 7 Jun 1998 Subject: Update
I found out about this from Michael Sweeney - class of '73. Occupation: lobbyist, Significant: Patricia Jordan, Children: Well, our cat's name is Miko
Since High School: Worked on Capitol Hill for 14 years, been lobbying since 1991.
Missing People? Charlie Cornett is a Montgomery County cop. Marc Stepper is living in Seattle-area. Ronnie Sheinberg is in northern California