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Volume 5, Number 6,
January 2001
MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE
-The Online Newsletter
for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni-
MSO WEB SITE - http://www.pearyhs.org/
Page 2
From:
Linda Tyson Font <LMFONT@aol.com>
(1968)
Subject:
Mr. Gibbs’ Book-on-Tape project
The
Mr. Gibbs talking book project Of Mice and Men is finally finished and the
just about all the purchased copies have been distributed.
Joe Fab and I are truly proud of the finished product and are
grateful to have had this chance to work with Mr. Gibbs. And it was a treat to talk with so many of the alums that
bought a copy. What a wide
variety of life stories we are! A
podiatrist, a commercial real estate manager, a college English professor,
a used car business owner, an intensive care unit nurse, a Capitol Hill
computer manager, an opera singer/voice teacher, a lawyer, a high school
physical education teacher, three former Peary faculty members (two
English teachers and a wrestling coach), a video and event production
company vice-president, a high school student counselor, a college student
counselor, a foreign service officer stationed in Turkey, a dog-grooming
business owner, a social worker, and the list goes on and on.
A tribute not only to the wide appeal of Steinbeck’s story, but
also a tribute to Mr. Gibbs’ ability to have a such lasting impact.
So many former students and former colleagues; such widely diverse
backgrounds, abilities and interests.
And the common thread is that they all put their checks in the mail
and said “Please save a copy for me!”
Some even gave me strict orders:
“Don’t
you DARE let all these be sold without saving one for me!”
The
Association did decide to donate one copy to the Marvin J Berman Academy
as a special Thank You for the use of the school and grounds for the
Homecoming 2000 reunion. The
other copy was donated to and was enthusiastically accepted by the
National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California to be part of it’s
research library of Steinbeck’s work. I am also pleased to report that
the Association netted several hundred dollars profit from this project.
Thanks, again, to Neal Pizzanno and Terry Brooks for their support,
and to all the alumni who contacted me.
And, lastly, to Mr. Gibbs, I can only quote Bob Hope—“Thanks
for the memory.”
From:
Bruce Cohen <bigbruno@bigbruno.com>
(1973)
Date:
Tue, 26 Dec 2000
Subject:
Celebrity Web site
Bruce
Cohen’s celebrity web site has been written up in “Country Weekly”
magazine, the number 1 country music magazine in the nation.
It’s in the issue dated January 9, 2001, page 84-85.
Bruce is using the popularity of his web site to raise money for
the “Make-a-Wish Foundation”. Check
out www.bigbruno.com
From:
Charles Rinaldi <L8Chevy@aol.com>
(1982)
Date:
Tue, 26 Dec 2000
Subject: Message to Dave Sowers and his wife
I was
the one known as Little Charlie and I was Joe and Joanie Rinaldi’s
nephew. Joe and Joanie
Rinaldi lived next door to the Sowers.
C.
Rinaldi
From:
Sarah Dobbs <sdobbs@fnmortgage.com>
(1985/Rockville)
Date:
Tue, 26 Dec 2000
Subject: Engagement
Yes,
it’s true after 5 years of being a single mother I have found Mr. Right,
and decided to settle down to the married life (finally).
He asked me to marry him (yes someone finally asked) on Christmas
day. His name is Frankie
Smith. So now I will have not
only have my 5-year-old daughter Kelsey Gwen but 2 stepdaughters that we
will have custody of, Laura 8 and Samantha 6.
We will stay in Frederick for a little while but hope to move to
Colorado someday, and then I can attend the reunions there.
Can’t
wait for the reunion in September. Looking
forward to seeing everyone again.
Sarah
From:
Robin Rose Fine c/o David <rfine118@netzero.net>
(1982)
Date:
Wed, 27 Dec 2000
Subject:
Grandparents
My
wife Robin (nee Rose) Fine (class of ‘82) lost both of her paternal
grandparents within 5 weeks of each other (November 18th &
December 24th). I thought she would want her former classmates
to know. Thanks much.
David
Fine
From:
Barbara Hinds Dyer <Partyplanit@hotmail.com>
(1982)
Date:
Thu, 28 Dec 2000
Subject:
Update
Occupation:
Administrative Asst., Significant Other: Larry Logan,
Memorable
Incidents: Drama/plays, talent shows and football games.
(Marching
down the field in my Band uniform I could have done without.)
Since
High School: I have been working for a Coors Distributor for 12years
(Sorry I can’t sell it to the general public) in Charles County.
I have two wonderful children who have managed to survive a nasty
divorce. Recently purchased a new home and mini van. Things are going very
well!
Memorable
Teacher: Mr. Hill, his teaching style along with his quotes of the day,
always kept my interest.
From:
Rich Willette <goboing@aol.com>
(1986/Wheaton)
Date:
Thu, 28 Dec 2000
Subject:
Upate
How I
found out about the website? My sister told me it existed & google.com
pointed me here.
Occupation:
Manager of Information Systems, Spouse: Jeannie, Children: Erick(21),
Kristen(18), Katie(13), Mikey(11)
Memorable
Incidents: Senior pranks, like that stench the last week or so of school
after the seniors were done & the hallways full of golf balls.
Since
High School: College, then Job & Family stuff.
Future
Plans: Same as they were at graduation - hit the lotto and retire!
Memorable
Teachers: Coach Cino & Mr. Peters because they’d cuss me like their
own.
My
sophomore year at Peary is more memorable than my senior year at Wheaton.
From:
Brad Wolff <Brad.wolff@health.net>
(1975)
Date:
Fri, 29 Dec 2000
Subject:
Update
Occupation:
Vice President, Spouse: Kristi, Children: Madeline Rose, 12 y.o.
Since
High School: I live in Thousand Oaks, CA, and work in Health Net’s
corporate offices; Health Net is a large national managed health care
organization. After Peary, I
spent 4 yrs. in Nashville, 3 yrs. in Boston, 11 yrs. in CA (3.5 in SF and
7.5 in LA), 7 yrs. in Philly, and now back to southern CA!
I’ve been married to Kristi for 13 yrs. after meeting her in the
SF Bay Area.
Memorable
Teachers: Lynn Boyd, Robert Clark and John Boteler.
From:
Sia Raptakes Lappin <Josephalappin@aol.com>
(1983)
Date:
Sat, 30 Dec 2000
Subject:
Latest Addition
Sia
Raptakes Lappin and husband Joe welcome a daughter, Rebecca Stella Lappin,
December 26, 2000. 7 lbs. 4
oz. 19 ½ inches long. Rebecca
joins big brother, Daegan, 19 months.
Date:
Mon, 1 Jan 2001
From:
Jeannie Brown Rhodes <Jer926@yahoo.com>
(1985)
Subject:
update life info
Hey
fellow huskies,
What’s
up? Me just working and raising my three kids. I work now in the childcare
field in Mount Airy Md. I’ve been living in Germantown now for 9years.
Married two years, but separating in July.
Can’t
wait to see everybody at the reunion. Hope everyone is doing good. I wish
everybody a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
From:
Ruth Mathieson Finnegan <RMFinnegan@aol.com>
(1973)
Date:
Mon, 1 Jan 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website through an aol search.
Occupation:
mom/dietitian, Spouse: Larry, Children: Ryan, 4 years old; Greg, 2 years
old
Memorable
Incidents: Going to sports events. Cruising
around town with Mary Baldwin. Wrapping
houses with toilet paper.
Since
High School: Started out as a dietitian in Baltimore.
After four years, went to grad school.
Worked for eight years in the fitness field in Baltimore.
Met my husband in NJ and moved there after marriage.
Went back to working as a dietitian until we moved to GA in 1998.
Currently I’m mostly a stay at home mom, but occasionally do some
consulting work in diabetes management.
Adopted 2 boys from Russia - Ryan in 1997 at the age of 8 months,
and Greg in 2000 at the age of 2 ½.
Future
Plans: Enjoy raising my children - I may be the oldest mom in my sons’
classes!
Memorable
Teachers: Mr. Hill, Mr. Boyd, and Mr. Clark - they were all excellent
teachers.
From:
Caroline Klumph Peters <CoachC37@aol.com>
(1979)
Date:
Wed, 3 Jan 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website while scanning the web.
Occupation:
Gymnastics Coach, Spouse: Bill, Children: Amy 16, Nicholas 12, Seth 6
Since
High School: Teaching gymnastics, raising children, enjoying life
Future
Plans: Retire, enjoy my family and travel
Memorable
Teacher: Mrs. Spector, she actually believed that I never
[understood]
what she was saying in Spanish
I
really enjoyed seeing those who attended the 20-year reunion.
I’m looking forward to the next one and seeing all those who
attended the 20 year and are planning attending the next one.
From:
Eileen Brown Carter <ecarter236@aol.com>
(1965)
Date:
Thu, 4 Jan 2001
Subject:
Picture taken at reunion
Ann
Hoffman Mckee so kindly identified everyone in the picture at the reunion
if you would like a list let me know I have put it in a Word Document as
Ann does not have a computer. Also,
welcome aboard to the new people who have discovered our site.
Hope everyone had a safe and joyful holiday season and now is the
time for everyone to get back to work.
The year 2000 was a hard year for me since I lost my father in
February and some of the younger classes will remember him, Stanley Brown
was one of the building service workers.
I hope everyone will take a look at the reunion planned for the
class of 66 and maybe since they missed the last reunion they could attend
this one of course it is everyone’s choice.
Gale always has special things planned for her reunions and she did
such a fine job with ours and I for one really appreciated her help and
patience with all the mess we had. Everyone
have a fine and dandy year. Once
again welcome to the new people who have signed up for the class of 65.
From:
Guy Ruffner <ngdr@juno.com>
(1970)
Date:
Thu, 4 Jan 2001
Subject:
Jennifer Nelson
I
just wanted to inform you that my brother Gary’s ex-wife (my ex
sister-in-law) Jennifer Nelson (1970) died Dec. 28th from a
long battle with MS.
From:
Robin Rosenberg Aiscowitz <RLRA4803@aol.com>
(1979)
Date:
Thu, 4 Jan 2001
Subject:
“New Adventure”
Happy
2001 to my fellow Huskies. My
bit of news is kind of long but it is fun.
My brother’s girlfriend has a son who will be 8.
Matteo had never received a letter from Santa much less anyone
else. I have been writing to
him on a weekly basis. So,
with Christmas and Hanukkah coming at the same time in 2000, I wrote him a
letter (as Santa). He was
thrilled and needless to say, I was a hit.
A family friend who read the letter suggested that I start writing
for children. So, I have become “The Storybook Lady”. My premise is that a child will get a letter along with a
3-page storybook [no pictures] with him or her as the star of the book.
The letter will be from the Easter Bunny, Santa, the Hanukkah
Angels, the Tooth Fairy and the Stork.
The age group I am targeting is 3-10 years old.
I am asking that parents and grandparents send me information on
the name/age/sex of child, location of child, names of child’s playmates
and school and any favorite interests they may have.
If parents are expecting a new baby and their child is showing
signs of jealousy etc., this is a great tool to make the Big Sister/Big
Brother a great motivator. The
cost of this will be $7.95 including postage and handling.
I am requesting that all information be sent to my via my e-mail
address [RLRA4803@aol.com]. For
holiday submissions, I am asking for 6-8 weeks of lead-time to adequately
prepare for such an undertaking. Who
knows? I may be the next
person on “Oprah”. Please
pass this information along to anyone who does not have access to a PC.
Thanks a lot.
From:
Robin Rosenberg Aiscowitz <RLRA4803@aol.com>
(1979)
Date:
Thu, 4 Jan 2001
Subject:
Update
Occupation:
Administrative Specialist, Spouse: Gary
Memorable
Incident: Mr. Nawrocki trying to flunk me in my senior year because I was
not doing well in Drivers Ed. To
this day, I don’t drive (I have a medical condition).
Since
High School: I have been with the Federal Government since February 1980. Next month, I will start my 21st year.
Mr. Bush will be the fifth President I’ve worked for.
I started with the FDA with CDRH (I worked in the same bldg. with
Margie Schulman and Linda Fishbein as well as Lisa Boyland Glazier).
After a 9 year stint with FDA, I went to work for the National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (1989-91); the National
Institute on Mental Health (1991-92) and the Center for Substance Abuse
Treatment (1992-93). In
February 1993, I left MD for the FAA in Atlantic City, NJ.
I work for the FAA William J.
Hughes Technical Center as an Administrative Specialist (fancy name
for Secretary). I find my
career as a public servant rewarding and interesting.
Future
Plans: Retire after 40 years of government service (halfway there). Maybe run for public office in NJ.
Memorable
Teachers: Mrs. Patricia Hale (my love for writing was noticed in my
compositions), Mr. Terry Kilpatrick (loved History and Govt), Mr. Duane
Black (didn’t fail me in 10th grade Math).
Mr. Nawrocki (see above).
Other
alums I know about? Gay
Laurienzo San Severino is still in Myerstown, PA where she and husband
Rick are raising 8 kids. Their
oldest, Dominic, will be 17 in February.
The baby, Denise, was 2 in September 2000.
Gay is home-schooling 3 of her kids.
From:
Jeri Peters <bakerheard@home.com>
(1977)
Date:
Fri, 5 Jan 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website through a Web Search.
Occupation:
Fitness Instructor & Office Coordinator, Spouse: Steve, Children:
Brandon 14 years, Colleen 12 years
Memorable
Incident: Walking thru the boy’s gym hallway gauntlet.
Since
High School: Attend college, raise kids, certified fitness instructor,
full-time office coordinator for city construction dept, avid off-road
mountain biker, and partner to my husband.
Future
Plans: Continuing attending college courses and try not to break any more
bones while mountain biking.
Memorable
Teachers: Colnel Heard for throwing up on himself during Spanish class.
From:
Paul Newman <NewPaul55@msn.com>
(1973)
Date:
Sat, 6 Jan 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from my sister.
Occupation:
Special Education Teacher, Spouse: Karen, Children: Zachary-18, Seth-17,
Lucas-14
Since
High School: I have spent twenty years as a special education teacher.
Not too bad for a guy who always said I would never go back to
school once I graduated. Being a teacher for that long of course means I
have a master’s degree in education, along with several additional
courses in administration. I
am currently filling a dual role as teacher, and assistant principal in a
small special education center just outside of Hagerstown. I also started coaching soccer about 10 years ago with my
sons and I have progressed to being a coach at Smithsburg High School.
Thanks Mr. Pine for the teaching me to love soccer!!
Future
Plans: I will remain teaching and working as an assistant principal
forever and also coach soccer for the high school, which I find I truly
enjoy. I also would like to do some traveling with my wife of 20 years
Karen.
Memorable
Teachers: I will always remember Mr. Hill—What a class act.
Mr.
Pine of course and Mr. Imhoff.
I am
very proud of my sons. Zachary graduated from high school with a 4.3
average and is now attending Bucknell University on an academic
scholarship. He has a 4.0
average majoring in physics and engineering.
Seth is finishing his senior year of high school with an amazing
run of honor role report cards as well as being the captain of the soccer
team an making all the county, all league, and all area teams.
Lucas is a straight A student in middle school as well as a member
of the all county band and he plays lacrosse and soccer.
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