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Volume 3, Number 3,
October 1998
MIDNIGHT
SUN ONLINE
-The Online Newsletter for
Robert E. Peary High School Alumni-
MSO WEB SITE - http://www.pearyhs.org
INTRODUCTION
Greetings Huskies!
You may have noticed our plea on the main page of the website. Unfortunately, if this endeavor, which is supported solely by alumni donations, does not break even by the end of 1998, I will have no choice but to shut down the website and newsletter operation. Thank you to Eileen Brown Carter (1965) and to P.J. Burnsky (1973) for their assistance to keep this project alive, and to some members of the Classes of '65 and '69 who very recently sent checks or made online contributions via credit card. I am out (of pocket) over $3,500 for operating this website, and still out $500 from last year's Alumni Holiday Party. I cannot continue sinking personal funds into the MSO administrative accounts to pay the website bills and local storage hardware, despite how much I DO enjoy working on it. Should we have to perform a meltdown at the end of the year, I can tell you that the experience of working here and seeing many long-lost people get in touch with each other again has been rewarding and priceless. We would break even tomorrow if everyone aboard donated as little as $2.00. Unfortunately, though the website is free for all to access, please realize that it isn't free to bring it to you, and not everyone will donate. Thank you for your careful consideration... it will either make or break this two-year endeavor.
SPRING FLING: Thanks to Robin Rosenberg Aiscowitz (1979), an Atlantic City "Spring Fling" is being planned for April 10, 1999! More information follows in this newsletter and on the website.
HOLIDAY PARTY: We have received responses from the following people who generously volunteered to assist with this year's Annual Alumni Holiday Party: Charline Chapman Carter (1986), Lynn Janashek Boyd (1975), Steve Steinberg (1983), and Sandra Kowalski (1986). Maureen DiFulgo Bladen (1976), who co-chaired last year's event with me, is available to lend her support. HOWEVER..... as mentioned last month, I am now 2,500 miles away and cannot practically organize this event. Someone needs to take the reins immediately, else there will be no Holiday Party this year. Time is short to reserve a location, make food arrangements, book entertainment (band/DJ), send notices, solicit for door prizes, spread the word.... in short, it may be too late unless someone steps forward NOW. To see last year's event, which included the appearances of several former staff members, see the Events section on the website. It will be unfortunate if this won't be happening this year. Contact Maureen at soccermama@msn.com and Find a Way or Make One.... someone. If you didn't make last year's party, it was a blast. Many photos available from the Events Section online.
STAFF REUNION: Drop by the Annual Staff Alumni gathering on November 15, between 3 and 5:00pm, at Calloway's (Best Western at I-270 and Route 28). They came to our Holiday gathering last December, and they'd love to see all of you at theirs!
CLASS OF 1966 CRUISE: The One-Week Bermuda Cruise (leaving from Baltimore May 16th) was originally anticipated to be "open" for reservations until mid-January 1999. However, it's selling very fast. Although this is being organized by the Class of '66, all classmates who are interested are welcome, but you must contact Denny Denewitz ASAP at pinnacle.travel.group.ava@mindspring.com — those of you who expressed an interest earlier, please refer to the information and rate sheets that Denny mailed to you earlier.
CONDOLENCES: Our sympathies to the families of two 1974 alums, Donald "Ducky" Austin and Chip Windsor. Ducky was laid to rest on October 17th at Parklawn Cemetery. Friends of Chip Windsor will be conducting a benefit for Chip's son Ryan at the Backstreet Cafe on November 14..... details in this newsletter and on the website.
PLAQUES/TROPHIES: As you may recall from the September issue, Mrs. Ashmore (1967's Kip Ashmore's mom) inquired about the plaques from the Bell Tower. In this issue, there are some replies from Mr. Clarke and Mr. Burlas regarding those plaques and the trophies from the display case. Thanks for the quick replies, Mr. Clarke and Mr. B.
REUNIONS: This year's reunions were a success! The Classes of 1968, 1973, and 1978 held their events this year without a hitch. The Classes of 1966 and 1976 celebrated their 50th and 40th birthdays. Stay tuned for more information about the reunion being planned for 1999 for the Class of 1969. In 2000, the Classes of 1963-1965 will be holding a joint event (contact Eileen Brown Carter at ecarter236@aol.com for more information).
COLORADO GATHERING: Some photos from the second Rocky Mountain Gathering held last month at the home of Nikki Wantling (1985) will be posted soon. Thanks, Nikki! Thanks, Ron Bostwick (1977)!
BENEFIT: The benefit for DC firefighter John Carter (1977), who died in the line of duty last year, at The Outta the Way Cafe in Derwood was held Sunday October 25. If there are any photos from the event, please contact me so we can post them. Proceeds went to the Memorial Fund to assist his wife, Debra, and 8-year-old son, Brian.
In this issue, you'll also read about how you can help out the husband of a Class of 1970 alumna, an upcoming Swing Dance Party at Glen Echo, and some important information from John Gage, Assistant Supervisor of the Peary building reconstruction. Photos from the reconstruction ceremony will be posted soon (thank you, Ken Roseman, 1969).
Articles for the next issue of the Midnight Sun Online are due Saturday November 21st.
Bob Lau, Editor/Webmaster