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Volume 4, Number 4,
November 1999
MIDNIGHT
SUN ONLINE
-The Online Newsletter for
Robert E. Peary High School Alumni-
MSO WEB SITE - http://www.pearyhs.org
Page 2
From: Seth Jason seth.jason@mailcity.com (1979) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 Subject: Thanks for the updates and....
Bob...again I have to thank you for your work on the newsletter....
I went to our 20th reunion this summer. It was great to see so many people...some of us having a touch of Grey, some needing hair...but everyone looked great! Also thanks to all who organized the weekend !! I finished my season at Wolf Trap (along side Mike Mullins '74) and am back freelancing at the MCI center and my work with WETA/PBS. My current show, "In Performance at the White House/ Blues Legends" will have its first airing Nov. 3rd, and will be repeated during the winter. Happy Holidays to all.
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From: Jane Chung jchung@atcc.org (1984) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 Subject: Midnight Sun Online
Hello to Peary Alumni friends and family..
I just want to say hello to everyone and thanks to Bob Lau for good job. I am also looking for Janet Lee to contact.. please let me know if anybody has her email address.
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From: Alan Goldberg glockberg@erols.com (1974) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 Subject: Update
Occupation: Police Sergeant, Spouse: Paula, Children: Samantha 12 1/2, Stephanie 8, Jessie (Aussie cattle dog/border collie mix) 3, Sneakers (Bichon) 7, Lace (fat cat) 4, Silk (kitten) 3 months
Memorable Incidents: When the airplane landed on the lower field. 3 hour lunches in my senior year.
Since High School: After graduating AU with my BS degree in basketweaving and administration of justice, I have been a police officer for the last 21 years, the first 2- 1/2 in DC and the last 19 in Montgomery County. The last ten years I've been a shift Sgt. in Wheaton. It's fun working where I grew up, although no one would recognize the neighborhood anymore. I've got 2 great daughters, both of which inherited moms good looks.
Future Plans: Staying alive 'till the girls make their 18th birthday, after that, life's a gift. Then, retire to a place with no income tax on my retirement, have a normal life with my family, sit back, relax, build newer faster computers to fulfil the need for speed.
Memorable Teachers: Mr Jacobs who once told me, after catching me sleeping in the front of his Advanced Algebra and Trig. class (one too many "cosines of theta..."), that I would never make it through my first year of college. Mr. Nawrocki who taught me to drive and now teaches my daughter gym class. Talk about feeling old.
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From: Dick Thompson dickthomps@aol.com (1976) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 Subject: Update
I found out about the website from Art Posey. Occupation: Vermeer equipment salesman, Spouse: Rhoda, Children: Joshua-7, Benjamin-4
Memorable Incidents: All music functions. Not getting caught for setting explosion outside Spanish class (won't say who was with me, or which teacher saw but stayed "cool") Art and Joe making me feel like "part of the group"
Since High School: Worked same rental store job till 2/96. Now sell Vermeer equipment in Northern, VA. Building house on 15 acres in country with wife Rhoda and 2 boys. Choir director at our church. Still healing from bad leg break playing hockey 16 months ago (forgot how old I was). Missing friends.
Future Plans: Make more quality family time. Appreciate health. Try to keep sons from growing too fast.
Memorable Teachers: Mrs. Luck..."Thompson, you're a lost ball in high weeds" Mr Hunt... "Dick, that sucks! I can say that because it was a baroque musical term meaning out of tune". Stan Boetler... Finding me 20 years later, and telling me to do more with my life.
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From: Dena Besoner Saunders DSaunders@hrsa.gov (1972) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 Subject: Item for Peary paper
My daughter Kara Saunders has made honors roll. She made honors for 11th grade at Northwest H.S. as well as honors for night classes for 12th grade she accomplished this while also working part time on weekends. I can honestly say that she isn't working weekends any more so she can concentrate on her grades. As you can see I'm very proud of her.
Thanks Dena Besoner Saunders Class of 1972
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From: Marie Grothe mgrothe@bankersins.com (1979) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 Subject: 20-year reunion
Of course, the nature of a reunion, is to reminisce, to catch up, to share. Although, truthfully, when a group of school kids who have grown into adults come together to reminisce, a bit of regression occurs. When you talk about fun childhood memories, that child within you is awakened, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. This was the joy of our 20-year reunion.
I looked around Saturday night, as Peary alum took over an entire portion of Studebaker's establishment. The interaction between people was remarkable. Ours was a "tight" class, a class comfortable with each other, a class of fun, a class of intelligence, a class of adolescence, and a class of forgiveness. Our class was not a group of pretentious blockheads who distributed laminated business cards with their titles highlighted. Ours was a group of classmates reuniting after a long time and having the ability to harmonize within the chords of friendship.
No one showed up to measure their successes with others' failures. There was no bragging, or shame, no justification or expressions of regret. Just humble acceptance of who we are now, whether prideful parents or independent individuals, all children at heart with the impressions of experience and time marked on our faces. A comforting combination of who we were, and who we have become. There was a wonderful sense of people who have settled into themselves and become tempered and relaxed.
People showed up to connect, and connect we did. We talked, we danced, we drank, we shared, we laughed, and we drove each other home. We exulted in the chance to drink from an oasis of easier times, before mortgages, kids, jobs, and bills to pay. As former classmates, we embraced the folly of our youth, only this time we handed over our car keys afterwards.
Whether you came from Florida, Colorado, or Rockville, Maryland, once the Class of 1979 reunited, a far lesser distance was traveled, to return back to 1979.
I for one, had a GREAT time; and thanks to all the planners!!!
-Marie Grothe
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From: Sue Wolpert (c/o sister Teri) Tericti@aol.com (1978) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 Subject: Update
This is her sister Teri, updating for her. Occupation: Missionary
Since High School: Sue has been in Quatamala (sp?) for approx. 10 years. She currently works with cancer kids in a very poor section and also is a clown. I am writing so if anyone wants to get ahold of her I would be able to pass a message on to her. She comes back to the states about once a year. It costs her alot of money to check her Emails so if anyone out there has any ideas on how she could get great rates let me know. She gets charged just to dial up and the amount of time checking in.
Future Plans: I hate to speak for her but I can pretty much assume it will be to stay where she is. It is very rough watching all of the kids die since the hospital she goes to only has a survival rate of maybe 20%.
Memorable Teachers: I'm sure she has a lot but since I'm writing for her???
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From: Joyce Saylor Smoyer buffy@lvcm.com (1973) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 Subject: Update
I found out about the website from my sister Jackie. Occupation: Administration Manager-Marketing, Spouse: Sonny, Children: Jennifer Age 27, Jeremy Age 26, Grandchildren: Christian Age 7, Jacob Age 3 months
Memorable Incidents: Smoking in the girls room—Hanging out with Debbie Rowalt, Debbie Puglisi (Pug) and a few others. Having my boyfiend (Morris) come to classes with me and none of the teachers even realizing that he didn't belong there.
Since High School: Have been married twice (this one for 20 years, think it will last) Have two children and two grandchildren. Work at Ramada Vacation Suites (Ramada Timeshare) as the Administration Manger for the Vice President of Marketing. Just bought our first house in June. What a great feeling, to really own something.
Future Plans: To excel in my job and make it "To the top".
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From: David Mezebish dsmez@hotmail.com (1981) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 Subject: Update
Occupation: Dermatologist, Spouse: Theresa, Children: Sophie 2.5, Baby X due 1/2000
Since High School: college (U of MD), med school (USUHS-Bethesda,MD), US Navy since 1986 (move around every 3 years, flight surgeon x 4 yrs, dermatologist)
Future Plans: Probably leave Navy in 2001, may move back to DC area from mid-west???
Memorable Teacher: Ron Kale-helped me enjoy biology enough to go to med school!
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From: Betty Lopez boophaven@aol.com (1975) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 Subject: My mom
For many of the people in the classes of 1975 and 1976, I know you'll remember "Mom Lopez" fondly. She always welcomed you into her home, let you eat and drink whatever was there, counseled you if you had problems, wished you well in everything you did and worried about you as if you were her own. I remember many a time coming home to scads of people in my living room. I always assumed that you all were there to see me. Little did I know that my mom was the popular one. Mom passed away on April 12, 1999. I miss her terribly and wanted you to know that she always spoke of her "other kids" with love and affection. Thanks for helping me to see what a great mom I had.
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From: Betty Lopez boophaven@aol.com (1975) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 Subject: Class of 1975 25 Year Reunion
Ok, I've agreed to chair this thing but I need your help. We have a group of about 6 people gathering information at this time. We've tentatively agreed that we'd rather not combine our reunion with the school reunion in June of '00. Not that we won't attend and give support to that event but we'd like to just socialize with our fellow classmates. In the past, the reunions have been held in the summer of the anniversary year. Since children and their schooling takes a precidence over vacations, I suggest that we stay with that schedule. Traveling will be easier during the months of July and August. We've discovered that getting together at the school for any type of event will be precluded because of the Jewish religion observing the Sabbath from sundown Fridays to sundown Saturdays. We had hoped to have a get-together at the school on Friday night prior to the actual reunion on a Saturday night. Since this now seems impossible, we need additional suggestions and comments. Please note that we are all cognizant and sensitive to budgets. We'd like to make this event as much as possible in the way of fun and memories and as cost effective without detracting from the necessities. Next meeting is 11-2-99.
Please respond with your ideas to the following:
1. Do you want a night-before event? 2. Do you want a day after event? 3. Do you want help with travel/accomodation plans? 4. How long do you think the Sat. night event should last?
I can be reached at boophaven@aol.com
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From: Gary Costello policeacademy@hotmail.com (1966) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 Subject: Kosovo
Just wanted to take a second and say hello to all my classmates and friends from Pristina Kosovo where I am working for a few years. Best wishes and please write - I get lonely in this dusty country. Actually, lonely for electricity and water!!!!!
Gary Costello 1966
P.S. Also, I could not hyperlink from the NT network I am Internetting at - so - please pass to Debbie Carey and her family that I am thinking about them from Kosovo. And I hope that things improve for all.
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From: Barbara Lawrence Hays tuffy2@donet.com (1974) Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 Subject: Convocation speaker
My 1974 classmate, Mary Beth Wheeler, came through with the information I requested. She said the speaker at our June 11 convocation program was Lt. Cmdr. William J. Metzger Jr. U.S.N. The speech was titled "My Six Years in the Hanoi Hilton". Some people have e-mailed me that they believe he was the parent of a Peary student. The only Metzger in the 1974 yearbook was Tom, class of 1974, but I don't know if Lt. Cmdr. Metzger was his dad or not. Thanks again to (Mary) Beth Wheeler for her assistance!