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Volume 6, Number 6,
January 2002
MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE
-The Online Newsletter
for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni-
MSO WEB SITE - http://www.pearyhs.org/
Page 2
From:
James Cook <mitchcook53@hotmail.com>
(1971-through 10th grade)
Date: Mon,
24 Dec 2001
Subject: Search success
Dear
Bob,
I
attended REP my freshman and sophomore years, then my father retired from
the Air Force in 1969 and we moved to a small town in Kansas. I’ve
always wished I could have stayed in Maryland and graduated from REP.
I
registered on classmates.com a few years ago and had been looking for the
names of a couple of old friends. Because I was registered for the class
of 1971 on classmates.com, I was contacted this year by the class of 1971
reunion committee (Roz Rubin and others) about this year’s thirty-year
reunion. I asked Roz if she knew what had happened to my two High School
pals and she referred me to your website.
On
your site I found the name of one of my friend’s former girlfriends and
e-mailed her. She told me she hadn’t seen either of my friends since
high school. A couple weeks later she e-mailed me again and gave me the
e-mail address of another guy who she thought might be able to assist me
in my search. This fellow told me that he had recently run into a guy who
had given him one of my friends’ phone numbers and then told me, “As a
matter of fact you have found them both. One of your friends married your
other friend’s sister!” I have since called them to catch up on what
has happened in their lives the last thirty some years.
Thanks
for the help. Great website.
Sincerely Yours,
James Cook
From:
CATHY THOMPSON ADAMS <CATY32905@AOL.COM>
(1982)
Date: Wed,
26 Dec 2001
Subject: Update
How I
found out about the website: JUST TYPED IN PEARY HIGH SCHOOL ON SEARCH.
Occupation: SECRETARY, Spouse: ALBERT, Children: VICTORIA AGE 4
Memorable
Incident: MRS. LUCK CHASING DOWN A GREASED PIG IN THE HALL WAYS.
Since
High School: WORKING, MARRIED AND HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL. I MARRIED
SOMEONE THAT WENT TO WHEATON HIGH.
Future
Plans: WORKING, TAKING CARE OF MY HUSBAND AND CHILD.
Memorable
Teachers: NO ONE IN PARTICULAR.
From:
Dave (1974) & Mary Smith Sherman <dsherman@targetdist.com>
Date: Wed,
26 Dec 2001
Subject: New Grand Child
Extremely
excited about the arrival of our first grand child, Gabriel Born Sept 24th...He
brought a wave of hope & joy in the after math of our countries
tragedy.... and changed my name from “Tank” to “Poppy”!
For this and a million other reasons, I will cherish him always!
From:
Matthew Beattie <matthew.j.beattie@us.army.mil>
(1984)
Date: Wed,
26 Dec 2001
Subject: Update
I was
mobilized on December 2 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and am
serving as an Operations Officer here at HQ, US Army Europe, in
Heidelberg, Germany. I’m
hoping to come home sometime in Summer 2002.
My wife, Mary Pat, and my two kids Alexandra (10) and Jack (5) are
doing well back in Princeton, NJ. While
we’re not happy about having been forced to disrupt our lives in this
fashion, we’re grateful that 9/11 didn’t affect our lives in a more
tragic fashion. I’m also
glad to have the opportunity to do what I can to prevent other 9/11s from
happening.
Matt
Beattie
CPT, SC USAR
Date:
Thu, 27 Dec 2001
From: Anita
Greene Bush <ABush@usouthal.edu>
(1975)
Subject: Update
I’ve
changed jobs at the University from healthcare analyst for the
University’s self-funded health insurance and took a promotion to
Assistant Director of Emerging Health Technologies (Telemedicine) in the
College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama.
It’s totally different from what I’ve been doing for the last
ten years. I’m still
basically a “bean” counter but now I’m involved in working on
Federal and private grants. Telemedicine
is the answer to providing medicine to rural or underserved areas where
there’s such a shortage of both healthcare professionals as well as
dollars. The technology
exists; the trick is trying to find someone to pay for it, (that’s what
I’m supposed to figure out!) I
also returned to work full-time (which is a REAL drag!) as opposed to
working 8:00 to 3:00.
Update
on my family; William, my oldest (17yrs old), is finishing his senior year
and trying to decide where he wants to go to college.
He’s applied to the requisite state schools (Alabama, Auburn, and
of course, South Alabama) but where he wants to go to college is Emory or
Tulane, Vanderbilt, or Sawanee. He’s
been offered a full-tuition scholarship at South and Bill and I hope he
will go there at least his freshman year.
Bryant, my 13 year old, has discovered girls and music.
The kid seems to have a real talent for music; his band teacher
wants him to switch from trombone to French horn; (great if the school
wants to buy either the trombone or the French horn!). Both boys are
leaving for Boy Scout winter camp in the morning.
This will be William’s last time as a scout; he’s about to
receive his Eagle Badge.
This
summer, I moved my Mom, Step dad, and sister from Rockville down to
Mobile. I went up for a visit
in June and saw that they weren’t doing too well.
I know it was an adjustment moving out of a 5-bedroom house with
basement into a 2+-bedroom “patio” home, but my Mom’s husband was
having trouble with falling and my sister is in End-Stage Renal failure.
They now live about 1 mile from me; close but not too close.
Yep, married for 21 years and my husband, Bill, finally has
In-laws. It’s working out
as good as one could expect; I’m sure it’s been harder for them than
it has been for my family. Actually,
mom has been a big help for me; she pitches in and helps pick up my house
from time to time and picks up the boys if I need her to.
That’s
about all that’s going on in my life.
Trying to survive teenagers; the word “empty nest” does not
sound so bad for Bill and me.
From:
George Boizelle <George@Boizelle.com>
(1966)
Date: Fri,
28 Dec 2001
Subject: Update
Currently
living in Potomac Md. Settling
in with 2 boys as freshman at Churchill HS.
One freshman girl at Watkins Mill HS.
One sophomore daughter at Princeton.
One Sophomore son at MC. One
senior at U of MD and the oldest a member of the US Marine Corps.
After
years of building an insurance business, rock climbing, masters swimming,
kayaking the US, triathlon competitions all over the east coast and
coaching kids teams for the past 15 years, I am finally settling down to
more mundane fair. For now
just trying to stay in shape and pay tuitions.
From:
Paul Hapeman <PHapeman@aol.com>
(1971)
Date: Fri,
28 Dec 2001
Subject: PopPop
On
Dec 18, 2001 at 4:09pm, I became a Grandfather to a beautiful 9 lb 9 oz.,
22 and ½” Baby Boy, born to my daughter Sara. Aiden Joseph Hapeman,
just may be the most beautiful baby boy ever born. Am I a proud Pop Pop?
Duh! Everyone home and doin fine.
From:
Karen Goodwin Balderston <Karen@Balderston-in-az.com>
(1970)
Date: Sat,
29 Dec 2001
Subject: Update
I
found out about the website from Classmates.com.
Spouse: R. Barry Balderston, Children: Ronald Lance 28, Ginger Fawn
26, Russell Dane 23, Robert Brent 21, Grandchildren: Rose Leeanna
Balderston 1
Since
High School: Military wife and mother, traveling and living abroad
Future
Plans: Traveling abroad
Other
alums I know about? Jeff Kennedy.. Still lives in the area
This
is the first time I have looked up old classmates; I’m enjoying this
site.
From:
Jeanne Hauprich Farmer <Jeanhfs@yahoo.com>
(1976)
Date: Sun,
30 Dec 2001
Subject: Update
Lots
of changes within the last year. Divorced in March 2001, took my previous
name back and moved to Mexico Beach, FL (better known as the forgotten
coast and the quiet alternative) in July. I’m now enjoying a new and
tranquil life. I look forward to my trips back to visit my family, and
attend the much-missed Peary gatherings.
From:
Cindy Libby Saunders <cindysaunders12@hotmail.com>
(1981)
Date: Mon,
31 Dec 2001
Subject: Alice Huff
My
brother, Pat Libby and I (Cindy Libby-Saunders) wish to express our
condolences the family of Alice Huff (Amy Huff-Otto and Brian Otto and
family) for the passing of Alice. We
are thinking of you and wish you peace!
Brian
and Amy, keep in touch, although we are living in Maine we are sorry about
Alice’s death. I know Pat
feels the same way and we are think of you and will keep you in our
prayers!
Much
Love and Peace,
Cindy (Libby) and Greg Saunders and Family (Heather, Sarah, Joe, Tom,
Kevin & Hunter) - Gray, Maine
From:
Virginia Lynagh Bullington <vbulli@iwon.com>
(1976)
Date: Wed,
2 Jan 2002
Subject: Beautiful Grandchild
My
husband Barry (1971) and I became grandparents on May 14, 2001.
Ashley Vanessa-Anna Bullington is the daughter of our oldest
daughter, Ginna. Ashley is named after her Aunt Ashley, a friend of her
mother, Karen Vanessa, and her great-great grandmother, Anna. Ashley is an
absolute joy. Barry and I thank God everyday for the 3 beautiful girls (2
daughters, 1 granddaughter) he has blessed us with.
From:
rob lao <roblao@deloitte.com>
(1981)
Date: Thu,
3 Jan 2002
Subject: mso kids news
my
wife, patti, and i welcomed our daughter, kyle caitlin, into our family on
december 10, 2001. kyle was
adopted from nanjing, china. her
birthday is October 26, 2000--and she’s a very happy go-lucky, smiling,
playful 14 month old whose most favorite activity is eating!
she’s also a very good traveler, having already taken 4 plane
rides and flying halfway around the world, enduring a 30 hour trip home (3
flights, delays, and waiting in airports) without a fuss!
this
was truly a very blessed holidays for us, as we traveled to china on
December 5 and returned home to laytonsville, md, on dec 20--just in time
for all the holiday fun, family, and friends.
While in china, we were 1 of 6 adoptive families that traveled
together-we’ve all formed a very special bond, since it was a very
intense and emotional 2 weeks. we toured Beijing for 3 days prior to
receiving kyle (our last gasp of adult freedom!), visiting tianamen
square, the forbidden city, the summer palace, and the great wall.
it
was then off to nanjing, where kyle joined our family on dec 10. we spent 6 days in nanjing finalizing the adoption with the
chinese officials, then spent the last 4 days in guangzhou to finish
paperwork with u.s. officials at the consulate there.
the entire process went very smoothly and was handled very well by
our adoption agency.
while
the process took 20 months from beginning to end, it really did not seem
to take that long—and we couldn’t be happier with the end result!
kyle
joins her older brother matt, who turned 21 (years, not months—just when
we get one kid out the door......) and our 2 cats, sugar and spice girl.
best
wishes to all for a great new year.
rob (robby) lao, phs ‘81
From:
Andy Dantzler <dantzler@milkyway.gsfc.nasa.gov>
(1980)
Date: Fri,
4 Jan 2002
Subject: Update
I
normally don’t toot my own horn, but I’ve had some good news lately,
so I figured I would share it. I
got promoted to Assistant Director of Space Sciences at NASA/Goddard.
This puts me in charge of dealing with all the cool technology that
comes into and out of work related to space sciences. I feel like a kid in a toyshop.
It’s also a lot of responsibility, but hey.
Also,
I showed up in the 2002 Who’s Who in the World (rush to your local
library!). I think it was my
involvement in re-engineering the Peary elevator that pushed the
acceptance committee over the top.
One
more thing: I was going
through the arduous task of converting old 8 mm films my dad took into
video (and DVD) so that they wouldn’t be lost forever, when I ran across
a pom pom competition. I
remember now that I had hopes of taking the film, picking various frames
from it and converting it into a collage of stills for a yearbook page.
None of that panned out, and the film fell into obscurity, along
with all the other reels. Anyway,
I am in the process of digitizing the whole lot, and would be happy to
stick an .mpg file of the competition out there somewhere accessible.
This should happen in the next month.
I’ll post an email when it is ready.
Of course, this is typical 8 mm handheld photography: poorly lit,
short clips (so as not to waste battery).
But still, it might be worth seeing.
I
hope all of you have a wonderful New Year!
Andy
From:
Terry Tanner Holdridge <lovelylady0206@aol.com>
(1982)
Date: Fri,
4 Jan 2002
Subject: Udpate
I
found out about the website from my sister.
Occupation:
Executive Secretary, Children: Jake Corey Holdridge 15, Grandchildren:
NONE YET THANK GOD!
Memorable
Incidents: All the hours standing in the cold at the football games
cheering on the team. Playing
football in the hallway outside of band class after school until Mason
would kick us out. Late one
evening after Jazz practice one of the other band members jumped on the
hood of my car so I sped up and slammed on the brakes much to his
surprise! He went flying off
the front my station wagon!!!
Since
High School: Went to Washington Business School, got married, had a baby,
worked at a few different companies, got divorced.
I now live in Germantown with my son (He attends Seneca Valley HS)
and am the Assistant to the VP of International Operations at Lockheed
Martin Corporation.
Future
Plans: IF I survive my sons teenage years(I’m not sure how our parents
made it!), continue to work at Lockheed Martin until I’m too old to drag
my decrepit body to work each day and then sit back and enjoy life!
Memorable
Teacher: Mr. Hunt. I spent
many days and hours in his classes. He
was a great teacher and a good friend.
I learned a lot about playing the trumpet from him and now I am
passing that on to my son.
Other
alums I know about? Linda
Moore lives in Stafford, VA.
From:
Patrick Casteel <patrickcasteel@hotmail.com>
(1983)
Date: Sat,
5 Jan 2002
Subject: Update
Occupation:
Accounting, Significant Other: Jeff Mcdonald
Hi to
all: Over the Christmas holiday I was able to visit NY, and Md all in one
visit I went to ground ZERO as its better know as the looks on peoples
faces as they dropped flowers and articles from people who have passed
away in the unforgettable events little teddy bears, and pictures there
are poems and memories written on the walls all around the site. We took
the train in from Fairlawn NJ where we were staying just across the river
from NY, and on the way back I being the social bug that I am began a
conversation with a man on the train station platform while looking at
Manhattan Island and he started by saying he was in the building when
tower one got hit he was in tower two, he kept going down the stairs when
others had stopped and started heading back up the stairs needless to say
he made it out but 136 of his co worker are no longer with us 16 of who
were his good friends he now works in mid-town Manhattan the whole
experience was worth the trip but visiting my Family in Maryland was the
fun part! But I recommend a visit to ground zero to all If possible.
I
recently had a scare after having an Echocardiogram done they saw a hole
in my heart. So I have had several test over the last couple of months a
TEE,stress test, and a Heart Catheter done, and the Good news is after a
few thousand dollars is that the hole is not big enough to cause problems,
but one of my arteries are re-clogged because of my diabetes the arteries
can fray and become clogged much easier but no surgery is needed till I
feel a lot more pain as in heart attack two so for now keep the hope of a
better tomorrow! I do plays for Wausau Community Theater and I’m in
rehearsals for South Pacific coming in Feb. and I play the king for the
same group in the yearly Renaissance festival held here. Wishing all my
friends and class mates a great year for 2002
Oh,
when did Frederick get so crowded?
From:
suzanne veraa rosetti <srosetti@yahoo.com>
(1968)
Date: Sat,
5 Jan 2002
Subject: Update
I
found out about the website from my sister, Nicole Veraa Minnci class of
‘66. Occupation: V.P. Chevy
Chase Bank, Spouse: Dan, Children: Hank Durand age 22, Dana Durand age 20
Memorable
Incidents: Great Football Games
Since
High School: higher education, working as banker, raising family
Future
Plans: lowering golf score
Memorable
Teachers: Mr Gibbs, Miss Payton
From:
Stephen “Marshall” Audifferen <saudiffe@san.rr.com>
(1978)
Date: Sun,
6 Jan 2002
Subject: Update
How I
found out about the website? One of my old neighbors told me about it.
Occupation:
Business Development Manager, Children: Daughter, Jordan 8
Memorable
Incident: Kevin Lynch passing away during P.E.
Since
High School: Just retired from the Air Force in August 2000 after 22
years. Now working within the
software industry.
Future
Plans: Possibly start up my own consulting firm.
Memorable
Teachers: Robert Pine as my soccer coach.
Paul Hassler for algebra. John
Cino for P.E. Mr. Hill
because of his quick wit. Ms.
Dawson for her motivating attitude and her good looks.
From:
michel ondek curtin <michelgregc@aol.com>
(1965)
Date: Mon,
7 Jan 2002
Subject: Update
I
found out about the website from eileen carter brown.
Occupation:
retired from verizon, Spouse: greg, Children: stephanie-age 23
Memorable
Incidents: to many to describe.
Since
High School: worked for c&p telephone co.-bell atlantic and verizon
for 35 years. I am now currently retired.
Future
Plans: going into business for myself—decorating or cooking.
Memorable
Teacher: bill williams—gym teacher—soo handsome—from my fathers home
town in pa.
From:
Tina Sawanobori Fredo <tfredo@hst.nasa.gov>
(1980)
Date: Mon,
7 Jan 2002
Subject: Happy New Year
Happy
New Year to you all.
We
celebrated the holidays with our newly adopted Chinese daughter, Emiko Jia
Fredo. Emiko is 16 months old and is adapting very quickly to her new life
in America. Coincidentally, we adopted around the same time Wendy (Tucker
‘80) and Geoff Godwin (‘81) and her family did last fall.
From:
Sandy Van Dusen <sjvandusen@yahoo.com>
(1977)
Date: Tue,
8 Jan 2002
Subject: Class of 77-76 Reunion
Date:
Columbus Day Weekend Oct. 11-13, 2002
What:
Joint 25 Year Reunion for Classes of 1977 and 1976 (1978 is invited as
well)
Details
forthcoming in the near future! Please
mark your calendars now and plan to attend this memorable event.
Committee
forming now; please contact Sandy Van Dusen at sjvandusen@yahoo.com
to participate. I am working
with a local company to plan the main event—dinner/dance. Research on classmates has begun. Please ensure that we have your current contact information
on file.
See
you in October!
Sandy
Reunion Committee Chair
From:
John Philbin <JCPhilbin@aol.com>
(1975)
Date: Wed,
9 Jan 2002
Subject:
Philbin/Vargas/Oscar
Happy
New Year!
Since
this e-mail is being sent to friends and family I fell compelled to fill
you in on a very sad note. My father passed way on Dec. 18th
from pancreatic cancer. Most of you knew my Dad and can appreciate the
kind of person he was and how he made everyone feel special. He had a
positive impact on everyone he met and if more people were like my DAD the
world would be a better place. God bless you DAD & forever live your
POSITIVE SPIRIT.
VARGAS
& Del HOYA CONFIRMED DEAL MAY 4th, 2002. This is the fight
we have been waiting for the past 8 months. The two camps finally came
together and will be having a Press conference on Jan. 16th.
This will be bigger than Ike & Trinidad. In fact, HBO is
predicting over 750,000 pay per view. Out here in LA it is a HUGE EVENT
because both fighters grew up in tuff neighborhoods just out side LA. Both
fighters are not fond of each other the “trash talking” has already
hit the media in a big way.
Both
fighters own a major belt in the 154 division and have opted to bye pass
their mandatory fights in order to fight on May 4th at the
Mandalay Bay in Vegas. I am presently in Camarillo at Fernando’s new
house; it’s beautiful and very spacious. We are going to have a 6-week
conditioning camp prior to the 10-week boxing/conditioning camp in Big
Bear. He has stayed in pretty good shape since winning his last title
fight on Sept. 22nd.
Sorry I can’t devolve his current weight but I can say it’s the best
he has been before any camp and he is taking this fight very very
seriously!
Well,
I hope all of you get the opportunity to watch on May 4th. I
will send periodical updates to keep you up to speed. In fact, I just
bought a digital camera that I will be testing on the e-mail system.
Please
stay healthy and keep my DAD in your prayers. Thanks.
JP “Doc”
ps Congratulations to MIke Kohn & Brian Shimer for making the US
Olympic Bobsled Team.
From:
Ann-Marie Barton Davis <Ann-Marie.Davis@Roche.com>
(1972)
Date: Thu,
10 Jan 2002
Subject: Update
I
found out about the website from my sister.
Occupation:
Technical specialist, Spouse: Don, Children: Andrea Mary 8, Grandchildren:
not for a while
Since
High School: College at Salisbury State, Travel both international and
around the US with various jobs, moved to Florida about 1 year ago, now
work overnights from home and love it!
Future
Plans: Continue current job, help out at my daughter’s school and
extracurricular activities, and guide her as she grows up.
Memorable
Teachers: Mr. Clarke (of course), Mr. Fisher (10th gr history)
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