 |
 |
Volume 6, Number 5,
December 2001
MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE
-The Online Newsletter
for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni-
MSO WEB SITE - http://www.pearyhs.org/
Page 2
From:
Dena Besoner Saunders <DSaunders@hrsa.gov>
(1972)
Date:
Mon, 26 Nov 2001
Subject:
Update
Wishing
everyone happy holidays. I thought I’d let you know that I’m
recovering from major surgery, spirits are high and hoping to get back to
work when I’m up to it. Thank goodness I can check email from the office
at home. By the way if anyone knows how I can reach John Jones class of
71, please let me know.
Thanks
Dena
Besoner Saunders ‘72
From:
Elizabeth Furlano Bolton <lizbeachbum@aol.com>
(1968)
Date:
Mon, 26 Nov 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website while doing research on Robert E. Peary for
school.
Occupation:
teacher and wedding coordinator, Spouse: Paul, Children: Paul Nickolas 24
years old, Andrew Joseph 18 years old
Memorable
Incidents: looking back at some of the extreme teachers we had. All the great times at the sporting events and Hot Shoppes.
Playing a lot of sports in high school.
Mr. Stewart our class sponsor before Dr. Dunn kicked him out.
Since
High School: Being a mom and teaching elementary school.
Future
Plans: Finding a new career
Memorable
Teachers: Mr. Stewart, Miss Bladen, Mr. Lewis and his eyes,
Mr.
Gibbs, Mrs. Ward, Mr. Lugar
From:
Kathy Asbacher Kvedar <KKvedar@aol.com>
(1975)
Date:
Mon, 26 Nov 2001
Subject:
Mr. Travers
I
bumped into Mr. Travers in a grocery store in Columbia right before
Thanksgiving. He looked
fantastic! He has traveled
quite extensively since he retired and recently earned a degree in
theology from the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg.
He traveled several days a week from his home in Clarksville to
Gettysburg for six years to earn the degree.
I remember Mr. Travers as a teacher who loved his job and treated
all his students with great respect.
I hope I run into him again soon!
Kathy
Asbacher Kvedar (‘75)
From:
Sue Stone Jenkins <Suejenkins@aol.com>
(1965)
Date:
Mon, 26 Nov 2001
Subject:
MSO Kids News
An
update on our kids and grandkids.....daughter Karen Swaim Young
(35)-engineer - married happily-Mom to Devon Elizabeth (5) and Nate (2),
daughter Christine Swaim Bassham (32)-graphic artist-happily married and
Mom to Trenton Michael Scott (12)-also step-granddaughter Tori Gail Scott
(18), son Jim Jenkins (30)-restaurant regional manager- married and Dad to
3 little girls-Makayla (7), Bella (4), and Hannah Rae (17 months), and son
Bob Jenkins (26)-single and US History teacher @ Hammond High in Howard
Co. We have been so blessed, and are very proud of them all!
From:
Karen Weinberger Vilt <fozrulz@cs.com>
(1980)
Date:
Tue, 27 Nov 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website while web surfing.
Occupation:
Attorney, CPA, Spouse: Clay, Children: Noelle - 3, Nicolas - 5
As of
Nov. 23, we have moved from Houston, TX to Hawaii to start a business
renting electric vehicles to tourists.
Check us out at heartlandev.com.
We are KoolKarz in Hawaii. I
have given up the attorney/CPA business to be a stay at home mom and help
my husband with this business. We
look forward to a nicer life and a great place to raise kids.
From:
Lisa Beebe-Strahley <strahley@erols.com>
(1976)
Date:
Tue, 27 Nov 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from my sister Kellie.
Occupation:
Home Inspections business owner, Spouse: Fred, Children: Richard Strahley
stepson 27, Patrick Beebe 17, Grandchildren: None yet - let the older one
get married first which happens Mar 2002
Memorable
Incidents: The variety shows and the taping of them with the video crew.
Since
High School: Worked in the printing industry for 22 years and finally
retired June of 2001 and started a Home Inspection company with my
husband.
Future
Plans: Retire from all business with the help of my very profitable
Internet business, and enjoy live and that it has to offer.
Memorable
Teachers: Ms Thompson, Mr Blank (he was very tall), Mr Thomas
Other
alums I know about? Ed Wheeler is in Virginia with me and is living in
Haymarket. Mellisa Ashworth lives in Warrenton,VA
I
love this website in that it still keeps us somewhat connected. It seems
so long ago that we graduated. My kids I work with that have cancer ask
when did you graduate from high school, my usual answer is before you were
born or were just a baby. I miss all the good times I had and all the
folks. Also knowing that the biggest thing I had to worry about was what
was for dinner and who would have the next party.
All though life has been hard at times (my son being diagnosed with
cancer) is has taught me much in staying true to the course. One of the
things I learned at Peary. I was in DECA and am now working with DECA
students in VA. Isn’t it funny how life always go full circle. Hope all
is well and would love to hear from anyone in our class or other classes.
From:
Wendy Tucker Godwin <Gwgodwin81@cs.com>
(1980)
Date:
Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Subject:
MSO Kids News
I
thought I would let you know (since November is National Adoption
Awareness Month!) that we just returned home from China on Sept 16 with
our third child, 11 year old Claire Xian Godwin.
She joins her 3 year old sister Ziyuan Colleen (“Zoe”) Godwin
(also adopted from China at age 12 months) and her 7 year old brother
Aaron Tucker Godwin (adopted at birth in Newport News, VA). We feel very
blessed to have formed our family this way and I wanted to let people know
if they have any questions about domestic or foreign adoption, infants or
older children to contact us and we would be happy to talk to you!
Wendy
(Tucker) Godwin (1980)
From:
Al Rosenberg <AlRosenberginDFW@aol.com>
(1981)
Date:
Thu, 29 Nov 2001
Subject:
update on “The Villikon Chronicles”
Book
II of “The Villikon Chronicles: Pilgrimage of Hope” was released last
week, and is now on book store shelves (at most Comic Book Shops, finer
book stores, and at www.Amazon.com). This is the issue where Jacob Rezectar [Al Rosenberg-class of
1981] makes his first appearance. Though
his character is minor in this book, it does set him up for book III, in
which he becomes a minor hero. The
graphics are spectacular, the story is hot, and it is a great read, even
for us adults. Book III is
scheduled for release in mid February 2002.
Have
a great X-mas.
Al
From:
Chris Sterling <chrissterling@xtalwind.net>
(1980)
Date:
Thu, 29 Nov 2001
Subject:
Grandchild
While
some of the class of 1980 is still producing babies, this old man just had
his first grandson born November 27, 2001.
The baby is Drew Taylor Beshears 8lb 6oz. Christopher and Jane
Sterling aka Granpa and Granma
[Photo
of baby Drew is online in the “Alumni Births” section]
From:
Jaimie Breen <breenj@washpost.com>
(1981)
Date:
Thu, 29 Nov 2001
Subject: Update
I
found out about the website from a fellow Peary graduate.
Occupation:
Actor, Significant Other, Children: Mickey (Michael) Breen, Colin Breen
Memorable
Incidents: Being named Most Talented in the class of ‘81, Mr.
Pearless’s acapela class
Since
High School: Acting and writing and directing for the theatre
Future
Plans: more of the same, but in bigger doses
Memorable
Teachers: Gibbs, Pearless, Boteler, Clark - Often think of them and the
way they influenced my interests today. Mr. Hunt - how he made me pay to
repair my French horn even though the instrument’s crushed bell wasn’t
really my fault. It was my
fist’s! Learning to play a
French horn can be a frustrating thing.
I
have forgotten what all your faces look like.
From:
Laura Cannon Anderson <lma0815@aol.com>
(1978)
Date:
Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from family.
Spouse: Steve, Children: Samantha 9 years old and Danny is 5,
Grandchildren: not there yet.
Memorable
Incidents: Jim Keady singing, “tell Laura I love her” from the outside
on the ground and being able to hear it in a 2nd floor
classroom. Saturday night parties after any sporting event. A whole lot of
really wonderful people.
Since
High School: Living. It’s amazing how time just keep on passing no
matter what you need it to slow down for.
Future
Plans: To celebrate everyday of life and to learn not to take it for
granted.
Memorable
Teacher: Mr Gibbs. He made my life miserable for a time but you can’t
keep a Cannon down for long.
Other
alums I know about? I know where Edith Cuff is. Ha Ha Ha
I
love the web site. While we were living in So Fla (exile hell) I was told
about it and it helped my homesickness a lot. Yes I like Rockville better
the Ft Lauderdale!!! Much better people.
[Laura
is now living in Pennsylvania]
From:
Beth Sowers Chirico <amytj@ptd.net>
(1980)
Date:
Sun, 02 Dec 2001
Subject:
The Olympic Torch
I saw
in the last set of Peary Newsletters that Karyl Muirhead (‘82) nominated
Karla Muirhead Walsh (‘80) to be an Olympic torch runner.
I read the article found in the Dec 3, 2001 Sports Illustrated -
Coke salutes all those who bring the Olympic Flame to Salt Lake City.
Let’s
Salute Karla as she represents Peary High!!!!
She lives in San Diego so I imagine that is where she will be
moving the flame.
Great
job Karla - in advance!! I
copied the former Poms I found on the Peary web site - Happy holidays
everyone!
Beth
Sowers Chirico (‘80)
[The
Torch is scheduled to be in San Diego on January 14, 2002, with lunch
event at Speckles Park in Coronado, CA and dinner celebration at
Embarcadero Marine Park in San Diego]
From:
Chris Gedney <waverun44@aol.com>
(1977)
Date:
Mon, 3 Dec 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from my brother, Tim, class of 1975.
Occupation: Air Force Intelligence Officer, Children: Son,
Jesse...8 years old...
Memorable
Incidents: All the great times on the basketball team and softball team.
Making it to the State finals in softball in 1976.
Learning how to drive on Bachelors Forrest Road...without a permit,
of course! The carefree days of high school in retrospect of the events
of the past few months. The
companionship of my teammates...it was a blast!!!
Since
High School: Attended University of Connecticut on the first ever-full
ride Basketball scholarship. Even hold a record after all these years!!
Retail sporting goods for a year, then joined the Air Force in
1983. Currently a LT COLONEL,
working intelligence issues for the Joint Forces Command, Homeland
Security Directorate, Norfolk, Virginia, and served 19 years of active
duty to date. Completed my
MBA in 1993 and obtained an additional Masters Degree in Strategic
Military Science, compliments of the good ole’ USAF in 1999.
Hoping to make a small difference in our new world!
Future
Plans: Retirement from the Air Force in the next few years, then on to a
position in Civil Service to continue the war on terrorism within the
National Intelligence Community, either at the Defense Intelligence Agency
or Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
Memorable
Teachers: Not sure I attended enough classes to remember...wish I had
spent more time in the classroom, actually!
From:
Mike Quigley <Mikequig@aol.com>
(1973)
Date:
Mon, 03 Dec 2001
Subject: Newsletter
I was
very upset to hear of Mr. Thomas’s passing, he was an outstanding
teacher, in both the classroom and in life.
The year of 2001 has been an absolutely horrible year, and we have
lost some really great people, Mr. Thomas is certainly one of those.
Last
month I read the Newsletter, and I saw where Peary Graduates who are
employed by the Montgomery County Fire Dept., Police Department etc,
informing Peary Graduates about responding to the World Trade Center for
the September 11 tragedy. I
am sure they are very proud, as were the many thousands of firefighters
and policeman who participated.
There
are and were, several Peary Graduates who participated in the NYC and the
Pentagon Tragedies as members of the US Military in the rescue and
recovery efforts. Not only
did the military respond to those tragedies, we have responded to every
tragedy worldwide that has threatened this nation, terrorism included.
We have made untold personal sacrifices and risked our lives, to
prevent attacks on the US and to protect our country.
In fact, some Peary Graduates have given their lives in defense of
our country, as indicated on the Robert E.
Peary Bell Tower.
A
friend of mine sent me a news story about this tragedy and the military. It said that terrorists blew up and killed 190 plus Marines
in Lebanon, and they killed Airman at the Kobar Towers explosion in Saudi
Arabia (some of my friends in that one), they bombed the USS Cole and
killed Navy personnel, and so on and so on terrorist attack after
terrorist attack. He went on to say that the terrorists could not get the
attention of the US until they killed 5000 civilians, wow that’s pretty
sad huh, talk about not being appreciated, because that guy made an
accurate assessment.
Thank
you to the Peary Graduates who served and have served in the military, to
the sons and daughters of Peary Graduates who are serving in the military,
and to all the Men and Women in the US Armed Forces for protecting our
homeland this holiday season both at home and abroad.
Many military personnel will spend Christmas away from home and
loved ones, in defense of this country, just as we have done for 225 years
and will always continue to do.
Have
a Happy Holiday Season,
Mike
From:
Richard Lieberman <jakrwl@umich.edu>
(1975)
Date:
Wed, 05 Dec 2001
Subject:
Allyson Lieberman to appear on Holiday Kid’s Jeopardy
My
daughter, Allyson Lieberman (age 12), will appear on Holiday Kid’s
Jeopardy on Christmas Eve (12/24/2001) on whatever your local
“Jeopardy” affiliate may be. Ours is NBC at 7:30pm local time, but it
varies around the country.
Happy
Holidays!
Rich
Lieberman, ‘75
From:
Allie Raye AKA Lisa Talmud <windydreams@earthlink.net>
(1981)
Date:
Fri, 7 Dec 2001
Subject:
I’m finally gonna be on TV!! This is Allie Raye!! :)
Hey
everyone!! Got some wonderful news to share.
I was cast as a Nurse in a TV Drama called “Once and Again.”
The show airs every week on ABC Friday night. It plays at 10pm here
in California, so I’m not sure about where you are! Yes, I will have lines!! I play a Nurse in a hospital.
As of now, it’s only a scene or two, but I just got off the phone
with casting, and I’m told they liked me so much, they are writing in
another scene for me. That will be verified at the table reading on
Monday!! I’m totally excited and of course very nervous!! The director
of this episode is Eric Stoltz. Some
of you may know him as Rocky Dennis in “Mask” with Cher. But, he has
about 70 movies under his belt. He’s the cute red headed actor. Anyway,
he’s amazing and I got the opportunity to meet him.. Per casting, he’s
the one that chose me!! I will let everyone know when the episode airs. As
of now, the taping for the show is from December. 13 to the 21st!!
I’m sure I’ll find out at the read when this episode is due to air and
I’ll let everyone know!
Well,
also, I think the best part of this is the casting director on this show
was the one that cast me in Spielberg’s “Minority Report”.
Eric changed the character of the Nurse to fit my description and
casting remembered me and called me in!! I am flabbergasted and just feel
so honored that this happened. I still have to remember to breath!!
Wow!
I’m
glad I could share this piece of news with everyone!!
Write
when you get the chance, and go buy that VCR tape now!! I’ll be in touch
as always!!
Take
care and thanks to everyone for their support and for believing in me. You are the ones that keep me going when the going gets a
little rough!!
Love
and misses
Allie
(or Lisa) (or Alyssa) :)
http://www.allieraye.scriptmania.com
| Back to the Newsletter Selections |