************************************************************ MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE The Online Newsletter for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni Volume 8, Number 11 June 2004 MSO WEBSITE - http://www.pearyhs.org ************************************************************ INTRODUCTION Greetings Huskies, In this issue: Intro/reunion/general items, followed by Alumni articles and updates, "Quick-Takes" updates, and condolence items. 2004 REUNIONS.... mark your calendars. Where available, please check your class's "missing persons" list online in the respective class info area - help us find some of these folks! There are a lot of siblings on these lists. CLASS OF 1966: Planning for 2006 is underway. Date and venue will be secured approximately May 2005. CLASS OF 1969: Tentatively October Contact Ken Roseman, kenroseman@earthlink.net CLASS OF 1974: July 31, 2004. Dinner Cruise aboard the Odyssey. All alums (any year) are invited to the Happy Hour Friday 7/30 at Gentleman Jim's, 800 W. Diamond Ave. in Gaithersburg. As of this writing, you have TODAY to RSVP, else your per-person cost increases by $50 to $109 on July 1. Please RSVP and send payment to Meredith and Reina now. Bring photos (if possible, please mount on poster board or some such backing)! CLASS OF 1975: Annual get-together - Done! (March 27, 2004) CLASS OF 1979: Saturday, September 18, 2004 at The Willow Tree Inn in Montgomery Village. Please note, there will be NO snail-mailed invitations. If you know of a 1979 alum who is not aboard MSO, please pass this information along to them. Thanks to Mary Fegan Heckhaus who has "made it happen!" Additionally, some checks and RSVPs are already arriving (great), but please folks... many years have passed... be sure to include your maiden name and a phone number with the check - thanks! To help alleviate some of this, and to assist in keeping-track of attendees, an online RSVP form is now available and we ask you to please take 30 seconds to complete it, along with mailing-in your payment. All of the details are posted in the Class of 1979 info area, including costs, event hours, and hotel reservation information. CLASS OF 1982: 40th Birthday Bash - Done!, (June 26, 2004) CLASS OF 1984 - September 11, 2004 at the Knights of Columbus in Silver Spring. $40/person in-advance. There will be a photo presentation, so the class is seeking materials you wish to share! Contact Colleen Jacques Callis at colleen_callis@yahoo.com. SUDS AND SUN 2004: September 25, 2004 - Ocean City. Mark your calendars for the third round. More details about this multi-class annual event at Seacrets are coming soon. TEACHER AWARD: Timothy M. Breen (1976), who teaches and coaches at Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland, was recently named the VFW Teacher of the Year for the State of Maryland, 2003-04. GOVERNMENT AWARD: On July 14, Timothy Wheeles (1980) will receive the Secretary's 2004 Individual Award for Distinguished Service from the Department of Health and Human Services. WELCOME HOME MARINE COLONEL: We're happy to announce that Dennis Judge (1972) returned home to California from Iraq on June 7th. He'll be reassigned to Virginia this summer, hopefully not to return to Iraq again (this was his 2nd tour). Dennis thanks everyone for their thoughts and kind wishes during his service overseas. 1983 ALUMNA DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER: If any of you are PBS or documentary film fans, watch out for "Last Man Standing," which is being presented by the series POV on July 20th. Check your local listings for show times. SANDRA GUARDADO (1983, and editor and co-producer of the film), along with producer/director Paul Stekler, who has won numerous national awards, worked for two years on a film on Texas politics. ALSO ON TV: Catch Neal Pizzano (1976) as the Southern District Commander in Season 3 of HBO's "The Wire," beginning this fall. Each episode has a meeting that takes place in COMSTAT of the Baltimore Police Department and you will see Neal in each episode as a regular extra/background performer during the meetings in the highly-rated series. ROCKVILLE GAZETTE: Several weeks ago, the local GAZETTE ran an article about a new arts center at the Berman Hebrew Academy. It didn't mention any of this location's illustrious history, and even misspelled the name as Robert "Perry" High School. Somebody had to do something. Below is a letter to the Editor that ran in the June 23rd Rockville paper. Thank you to John Seng (1975) for reminding the community of our building's history, school traditions, and the legacy left behind! Time to rediscover Peary I cringed as I read a little about the new visual arts center opening in the former Robert Peary High School building in Aspen Hill closed by the county school system ("Hebrew Academy celebrates 60 years," June 9). A reader might think the Berman Hebrew Academy was formerly just another high school, and that would be most unfortunate. Before this building deteriorated into "an unused, really disgusting space," an uncommonly rich and distinguished history had long since developed over nearly two and a half decades. Opening in September 1960 on Arctic Avenue in Rockville, the school was aptly named by nearby elementary school students after the famous discoverer of the North Pole, Robert Edwin Peary, who reached his goal along with Matthew Henson and four Eskimos on April 6, 1909. During its 24 years, Robert E. Peary High School provided outstanding education, graduating a high degree of college-bound students. Enriching its legacy were the school's relationships with Peary's family and the U.S. Navy, as well as a virtual avalanche of Peary-related artifacts and images: * One of Peary's sleds, or "sledges," was stationed in a display case along the main hall. * The Siberian husky King II served as the school's mascot. * A tower housing the bell from the U.S.S. Robert E. Peary 132, was adorned with plates to memorialize the 11 Peary students and staff members who died in service to their country. * Huge steel anchors were positioned in the school's front and inner courtyard. * A ship's mast recovered from the U.S.S. Robert E. Peary 132 was used as a flagpole. * Our school flag replicated Admiral Peary's personal flag. We fielded Peary "Huskies" sports teams, our yearbook was named "Polaris," and in 1975, I edited "The Midnight Sun," our student newspaper. I'm thrilled that Peary has been properly refitted and put back into service for students who seek academic excellence. They are following thousands of footsteps -- and miles -- of long-standing school pride, national heritage and world history. For those with further interest in Peary High School, fellow alum Bob Lau manages one of the best alumni Web sites ever at www.pearyhs.org. John J. Seng, Rockville The writer graduated from Peary HS in 1975. [The status of the "artifacts" mentioned in the article may be read online at the MSO website's "History/Traditions" link.] SOME ADDITIONS: "Kathleen Mary" was born to to Patrick (1984) and Judy Warner (1984) Weixel on June 1, 2004! KATE joins big brothers Jimmy (8) and Brendan (5) and big sister Annie (3). KATE is the 12th grandchild of Jim and Eunice Weixel and the 19th grandchild for Dave and Pat Warner. Mike Warner (1980) just announced that he and his wife Kim are expecting their first child in January 2005, which makes #20 for Grandma and Grandpa Warner! AND Lysa Hall Sims (1978) gave birth on May 7, 2004 to her third child, "Anderson Page Andrea." See the details in the submission from sister Page Rander (1984) in this issue. [Photos and birth notices are available for viewing on the Husky Pups "Alumni Births" area of the website.] SPEAKING OF YOUNGSTERS: There is a driver education company fully staffed by off-duty (and currently-active) law enforcement officers, formed by 1978 alumnus Paul Starks. If you're familiar with the after- school Driver Ed program at Good Counsel, this is the same company, and they realized the need to raise the bar on the quality of Maryland driver education beyond what's offerd in the public schools, and in a comfortable environment outside of the normal grind of daily cirricula. The company has 24 people on staff with approximately 400 total years of law enforcement experience. www.idrivesmart.com - 301-674-8428. REMINDER: Any new class or timely info between the monthly newsletters will be posted when possible at www.pearyhs.org as soon as it is known. We cannot always distribute specific-class notices, so please visit the website often for updates. AOL USERS: Your Peary/MSO newsletters may be automatically routed to a new "spam" folder in your account. Since this newsletter is distributed to more than 4,200 alums, the AOL applications and servers cannot distiguish between unsolicted commercial e-mail and legit e-mail (e.g. a newsletter) that it "sees" being sent to many AOL accounts. Look in this folder for your newsletter (well, if you somehow get to read this at all). Thank you to all the alums who have provided alternative e-mail addresses over the past several months because of the many problems encountered with sending to AOL alumni. THANK YOU: To Judy Barbee Harris (1967), Ronald Sandlin (1974), Peggi Greene Lowe (1964), Chris Parrott Hoban (1971), and all who are on the automated donation plan, for your support this past month. Please visit the secure page at https://id267.securedata.net/pearyhs/donation.htm for complete information. To our recurring supporters, please be sure to notify/update us with changes to cards/accounts and expiration dates. MSO STATS: There ae now 4,300 classmates listed with MSO. This is approximately 42% of all those who walked through those hallways from 1960-1984. Leading the way, according to grad year, is Class of 1984 with 58% of its class members aboard MSO, closely followed by 1982 with 49%. Then 1965, 1978, 1981, and 1983 each with 48% of its class members aboard. Thank you for spreading the word! We love being able to mark people as "found" on the class missing persons listings! 1973 GIRLS: Oh, they're at it again, on a party trip to O.C. last week. We look forward to receiving some more photos to share! If you have recent alumni group photos you wish to share, please send them along. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday, Bob Lau, Editor/Webmaster - blau@viawest.net The Midnight Sun Online - Robert E. Peary High School P.S. If you wish to reply or comment, please don't quote the entire newsletter back. Create a new e-mail to blau@viawest.net. Please include your grad year in the correspondence. Changes of individual information should be submitted using the appropriate forms online that are linked from the main menu on the website - this will ensure that the updates go to the correct class (and less intervention and procesing by the middle-man, me). If you're not receiving your class mailings, maybe you need to update! It's easy - the most utilized forms are "Update E-mail Address" and "Sign-up/Update" (for everything else, e.g. mailing address, phone numbers, job changes). Thanks! ********************************************************************* From: Daniel Blum (1972) Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 Subject: Book I have just finished writing my first book, the Pocket Dictionary of Ethnic Foods which will be coming out on, or before, Novemeber 1st this fall. It is a guide for diners and people shopping in ethnic grocery stores, containing over 1200 definitions covering 42 different countries and ethnicities. If you ever wondered what Moo Goo Gai Pan meant or wanted to know what the hell "drunken noodles" are, then this is a book for you. ********** From: Debbie Dempsey deSibour (1976) Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 Subject: Daughter Gregg (1975) and I are proud to announce that our oldest daughter Mandy, graduated with a Batchelor of Science Degree Majoring in Nursing from Towson University in January. She is working at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We are both very proud of her accomplishments. She plans to continue her education towards a Masters Degree at Hopkins to one day become a Nurse Practitioner. ********** From: Gail Norment Craddock (1974) Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from Elaine Evans Jones. Occupation: Special Education Teacher, Children: Jason 24 years old and Kelly 22 years old Since High School: Raising my children; volunteering with Special Olympics as an Area Director and certified coach; graduated from Clemson University; taught students with cognitive disabilities (EMD); currently teaching students with orthopedic disabilities; ride my horse as much as possible (trail riding and jumping). I live in Anderson, South Carolina. ********** From: Mark Wellman (1972) Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 Subject: Mr. Jacobs I wanted to inquire about trying to find a point of contact for Mr. Jacobs who was a former Peary Math teacher in the 70's. I had Mr. Jacobs for Trigonometry my senior year and I hoped to relay to him my thanks or to his family. His act of kindness toward me in offering to help me attend college may have been a small thing to him at the time but it has been inspirational in my blife for over 30 years. I have recently retired from government and industry after 28 years and plan to teach High School Mathematics, hopefully in Montgomery county. Mark Wellman 1972 [MSO would like to have Mr. Jacobs aboard, too, to add to our Staff Alumni listings!] ********** From: Sue Symington Goby (1969) Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 Subject: Missing friend! Does anyone know the whereabouts of April Smith? I lost track of her after the 10th reunion (a long, long time ago!) and would love to speak with her again. I have lived in Naples Florida for the past 10 years and missed our 30th reunion due to a hurricane threat. ********** From: Cathy Ng (1975) Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 Subject: Update Occupation: Team Leader/CFO, National Cancer Institute; Spouse: Ray, Children: Ashley - 18, Alexander - 15, Grandchildren: Thanks to someone that I don't have any. Since High School: Graduated from the University of MD with a BS in Interior Design. Spent 7 years specializing as a Space Planner. Spent the next 10 years as a stay-at-home mother. Got tired of baking cookies so I went back to work, entered a mangement internship and am now a Team Leader/Chief Financial Officer/Administrative Officer at NIH. ********** From: D. Page Rander (1984) Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 Subject: My Sister My sister, Lysa Hall Sims '78, gave birth on May 7, 2004 to her third child. Her daughter Anderson Page Andrea Sims joins big brothers Alexander (3) and Avery (1). All are doing fine. Lysa and her husband Donovan live in Burtonsville. I had the pleasure of visiting with them about a week after delivery. It was great to be home, even if not at our Peary-area home that Mom sold last summer :( Page Rander '84 Friendswood, Texas ********** From: Patty Maloney Fischetti (1973) Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from friends. Occupation: administrative, Spouse: Tommy (VP-General Contractor), Children: Lindsey 23 yrs., Michael 20 yrs., Max 14 yrs. Since High School: working and parenting Memorable Teachers/Staff: Thompson and Lewis, they caught me smoking "outside" of the smoking zone! ********** From: Michele Ditchey (1976) Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2004 Subject: Update How I found out about the website? Another alumni told me. Occupation: union representative, Children: Daniel Lee Christian age 19 and Katherine Elizabeth Christian age 16 Since High School: finding the right job for me, raising my two children Future Plans: travel, get more involved in politics, live life to the fullest ********** From: Maxine Barish-Wreden (1974) Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my sister - Laura Barish, class of 1978. Occupation: Physician, Spouse: Don (Physician), Children: David 15, Doug 13, Julia 10 Memorable Incidents: Drama Club with Mr. Gibbs. The Bag Pipe Band with Mr. Clark. Since High School: Raising my 3 kids and practicing medicine in Sacramento, CA ********** From: Janet Colburn O'Grady (1974) Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website while surfing. Occupation: German Teacher, Children: Chris 19 Since High School: After HS I graduated from U of MD in '78. I spent my jr. year of college in Germany at a German University. After that I spent about 5 years in Accounting and Financial Analysis. I stayed home for the next 15 years with my son, Chris. Of course, stay at home moms don't really stay at home. I spent most of my time volunteering everywhere; school, church, community. At the end of the century I returned to the "working world" doing research and analysis for a non-profit group. After 3 years I decided to return to grad school and began teaching. That brings me up to today, where you will find me either teaching German in Arlington County or attending classes at George Mason University (GMU). By the way, that junior at GMU who looks a lot like me, he's my son (poor kid)! Memorable Teacher: Miss Barnes - I wouldn't be where I am today without her! ********** From: Richard West (1973) Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 Subject: Update As you are reading this, my new Wife Karen and my kids and I have moved to Florida! Yes, I will be on the sunny Space Coast. We sold our home in Twinbrook Forest (it was on the market for 3 days!) and bought a beautiful place near Cocoa Beach! Wish I could contact my old friend John Hunt ('74)! Anyone know how to contact him? ********** From: Clark Wagner (1979) Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 Subject: Udpate How I found out about the website? do not recall. Occupation: VP/Director of Development - Bozzuto Homes, Inc., Significant Other: Lisa Jeanes (Veterinarian), Children: Shannon Elizabeth - 11, Matthew Cyrus - 9 Memorable Incidents: Sitting on the roof of the school with Mike and Dennis drinking long-necks on a cool Saturday night Since High School: playing rugby, married, kids, divorced, engaged, working my ass off Future Plans: getting my kids through high school and college, retiring with my new wife to a horse farm somewhere. Memorable Teacher: Bill Williams - because he called me a tomato ********** From: Lynn Paulett Eskite (1977) Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website by searching PHS under google. Occupation: technical recruiter, Children: Cameron 17, Colin 15, Meagan 14 Memorable Incidents: Modern World History with Clarke and Boyd, and Pipe Band Since High School: Married Ross Eskite PHS Class of 1979 in 1985, Learned to play the bagpipes 1990, Earned Master of Science in Human Resource Management 1996 UMUC, Divorced 1999, Still playing in a pipe band in Towson, Living in Towson area since 1999 Future Plans: Keep raising these children Memorable Teachers: Clarke, Boyd, Steele...fun guys! My son, Cameron, graduated from Urbana HS in Frederick County yesterday! (6/10/04) ********** From: Eve Morton Apodaca (1979) Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 Subject: Update Occupation: Oncology Practice Office Manager, Spouse: Gregg (1979), Gregg's Occupation: Shipping/Receiving Manager Children: Angela (23) is a stay-at-home Mom in Tampa, Fl., Michelle (21) is enlisted in the Navy with three more years to go (stationed aboard the USS Bataan in Norfolk, she has been to Iraq twice since this mess started), and Stephanie (16) recently married the father of her baby and delivered her son on 3/29/04. Grandchildren: April Renee (7), Alexis Maria (3), Brianna Aryne (2), Marvin Angelo (3 mths). Since High School: Raising the girls and struggling to make ends meet! Future Plans: To cherish every moment we have together and have fun. Work until retirement and then, who knows where we may end up. Although, Gregg and I both (for some odd reason) really love it here in Rockville. I don't know that we could tear ourselves away. I'm sure some sandy beach could talk us into leaving!! Does anyone know what happened to Teresa Burgess?? ********** From: Kathy Connolly Elyko (1968) Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my sister, Hilary Connolly, class of '71. Occupation: student, Spouse: John (Auto Body Appraisal), Children: Nick Coleman age 32, Jeremy Coleman age 30; Grandchildren: Ryan Coleman age 2 Memorable Incidents: My friends were mostly in the class of '69. I really don't remember anything with our class. Since High School: Attended college for 2 years in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Married in 1970 to a man I met at college. Moved to California where my family was living. Had 2 children. Worked in the accounting departments in the baking industry for 22 years. Owned a business briefly. Divorced in 1999. Remarried in 2001. I'm currently a student learning Medical Transcription. Future Plans: We've been looking for a couple of years for a bar to purchase. That search will continue until we find the right one. Plans also include a move to the mountains (about 45 minutes away.) Memorable Teacher: Mr. Gibbs - favorite teacher and I took every class of his that I could. ********** From: Ann Hoffman McKee (1965) Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 Subject: Health Stuff--Labyrinthitis--Sudden Deafness Hi folks--This was originally going to be entitled "Off the Stick!" as a slight reference to the old 60's expression, "get on the stick", meaning "get going" to all you youngins who might not recall that expression from the 1960's. Let me explain, those of you who saw me at the 2000 Reunion may recall that I was using a cane and limping rather badly. I fell on our steps back in Dec. 1997 and four doctors told me I didn't break any bones. They all basically said I was just suffering due to the fact that I had just turned fifty, was overweight, female and it was all just arthritis. Two out of four doctors literally patted me on the arm and remarked "Gonna take some time, dear." Four different sets of x-rays were taken, and I don't begrudge the fact that if four different docs couldn't see the break, then so be it. I do regret that I was too ignorant to know to get someone to prescribe some sort of anti-inflammatory drug for me. Live and learn--I will never again be such a passive health-care consumer! Long story short--almost a year later, my right leg locked up on me in a sitting position and the next morning I had surgery on that leg (I remained awake by choice during the surgery). The doctor commented, "Well, what do you know, she did break her kneecap!" I wanted to say, "No ----, Sherlock," but instead remained polite and replied, "Well, that explains a lot!" So I was able to get physical therapy finally, and made some progress, but remained dependent upon the cane for over six years since arthritis had set in badly. During this time, I was no longer able to take the long walks that I had been going on with my dog, and I gained about 50lbs. which I didn't need, since I was already overweight. No I didn't sue anyone, since that is not my way and I didn't want any more stress from this fall. So in the spring of 2003, I started making serious efforts to lose weight and managed by this spring to lose over 75lbs. On March 1st, 2004, I decided to quit carrying the cane which, by this time, had become like a security blanket, and proudly started going to work and around my community without my cane. It felt great to feel so free and physically powerful again! I only used it one or two days in mid-April this year when we had some ice and snow. For those of you who don't know me, I live in Maine, so ice and snow even in late April is not unusual. So I had planned to send an MSO update crowing about the fact that I had abandoned the cane early this month. Well, life is what happens when you are making other plans. I was playing around on my computer on June 1st when I suddenly became deaf in my left ear with ringing in my ear also. I have experienced similar sensations before, but never with any deafness. I have allergies, and usually this kind of thing goes away overnight or so. Not this time. No such luck. Turns out that I now have labyrinthitis, an inflammation of my inner ear, and I just found out two days ago that as a result of that, I am now profoundly deaf in my left ear and will most likely remain that way for life. It is called "sudden sensory-neural hearing loss syndrome." Stuff happens, doesn't it? But miracles happen too, and the ENT doc and audiologist said there is a very, very small chance that I might regain some use of my left ear, but it is most unlikely. Needless to say, I am quite deva! stated by this news. Additionally, they both say that I probably would not benefit from a hearing aid. I am also suffering greatly from loud ringing in my left ear which absolutely never stops (tinnitus)--if I let it, it would drive me right into the nut hatch immediately. So I am coping, but rather badly since this is all so darned brand-new to me, and I am still suffering with the effects of the labyrinthitis virus which include nausea, severe vertigo, vomiting (sorry to be so graphic, folks), and the noises in my left ear which are often so loud that they impede hearing in my right ear. Sometimes, the noises are so loud that I liken it to being in a full-blast shower 24/7. I have some meds to help with the physical symptoms mentioned above, but most of them make me feel quite "zombie-like." OK, I now feel like I'm bumming so badly here that I should tell a joke at this point for the sheer comic relief or something like that, but right about now, I just can't think o! f one. There is a device called a "tinnitus-masking device", but they (doc and audio dude) don't think I would benefit from that either. I was so upset that I didn't get all of the details, but I will be having an MRI soon and then a follow-up visit w/the ENT doc. I am also getting physical therapy for the severe vertigo, and that seems to be helping. Oddly enough, my physical therapist, Becky, is the very same one I had years ago for my broken kneecap and leg problems from the fall in 1997. She is a very skilled PT and a specialist in vertigo problems. Thank God, I have a very good health plan through my employer. Speaking of God, about one hour after I got my "profoundly deaf" diagnosis (in just the left ear--hearing is perfect in my right ear), I found a pretty little crucifix! Interesting, eh? I'm now wearing it almost all of the time. Perhaps it will help! I am trying to stay positive about this whole situation, but it is not easy, as you all can imagine. But don't feel sad for me, please feel happy for me because there is good news...I read somewhere recently that labyrinthitis can spread to your other ear and cause deafness there too, and additionally, it can spread to your brain and inflame your brain, and well, I don't even want to think about what that might be like. Also, since I'm no spring chicken, I feel grateful that I didn't have a heart attack or stroke, and that I don't have cancer or Alzheimer's, and although I did go back on the cane for a few weeks due to the severe dizziness, I am once again weaning myself off of the cane. I have gone back to work, which is not easy, given the fact that my job is 99% on the phone. For those of you who do not know, I work for a large bank in a sales environment including some credit card fraud deterrance responsibilities, and guess what, I am proud to say that I can still detect all those perpetrators! It is crucial that I am able to function on the phone in my job--and so far, so good! Well, folks, that is about it...except for one thing...I had never heard of labyrinthitis until I contracted it. In fact, except for medical professionals, I have only met one person who had ever heard of it before. Have any of you Pearyites out there had any experience with this bug? If you have, please feel free to email me at blue4dixie@msn.com. I would love to hear from you. BTW, many people ask about my online nic, blue4dixie. It is derived from a song by the country group "Asleep At The Wheel" and the title of the song is actually "Blues For Dixie," a rather jazzy, bluesy, country song that was very appealing to me, since I do miss the mid-Atlantic area so much. I realize that Montgomery County is not exactly "Dixie", and that is fine, but I used to vacation every year down in the Carolinas when I was single, and the song seemed to have struck a chord with me when I first heard it, hence my email address. Speaking of striking a chord, every time I get really homesick, I just put in the video that I purchased from the Class of 1966 (I'm from '65, though) 35th reunion from 2001, and fast-forward it to my favorite line therein which is as follows, as spoken by Gale Senseman Privette to her classmates, "Good evening, I want to welcome yall to yall's 35th class reunion, and I want yall to give yourselves a hand!" When I hear Gale say that in her lovely Montgomery County, Maryland accent, well, then I'm no longer "blue 4 dixie"! Thank you all for your time and attention, and always remember, miracles DO happen!!! ********** From: Isaac Mazariegos (1985/Rockville) Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 Subject: Update How I found out about the website? Searched my name on the web. Occupation: aircraft mechanic, Spouse: Marjorie (Project Manager), Children: Christian 12, Nicolas 7, Vanessa 4 Memorable Incident: CLOSING OF PEARY Since High School: Joined the Service (army) '86 to '89. Went to Boston MA for A&P mechanic schooling. After schooling was not able to find work so I worked at Chevy Chase Bank for 7 years then shortly after I got hired as an aircraft mechanic with Mesa Airlines. Future Plans: Watch my sons play profesional sports Memorable Teacher: Mrs. Glass She was my favorite teacher. (Take a chill pill) Other alums I know about? Anthony Mazariegos is living 2 blocks from Peary. ********** From: Phyllis Diane Levine Oresky (1974) Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from friends. Occupation: Renal Social Work, Spouse: Saul (technical writer/editor), Children: Rachel Hannah age 21, Joel David age 18, Ilan Jonathan age 14. Since High School: Raising a family with my husband of 26 years. Working at Holy Cross Hospital Dialysis Unit for 18 years, and loving life! ********** From: Sharon Purnell McGuinness (1974) Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website while surfing. Occupation: R.N., Spouse: Kevin (electronics technician - software) Memorable Incidents: keeping stats for the basketball team, sitting in the back of Mr. Steele's class with 'the guys" Since High School: B.S. in nursing, moved to Atlanta, got married, got divorced, got married, still married, still near Atlanta, very happy. 30 years in one little box, Hmmmmmm....... Future Plans: stay married, stay happy, learn more. ********** From: Robin Rose Fine (1982) Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 Subject: Class of '82 Birthday Bash Thanks to all my Peary (and some Rock Creek Valley) friends, who spent the time to catch up with me on Saturday night at The Last Mango. It was rejuvenating to hook up with old friends, some of whom I hadn't seen since graduation day! (Yes, I'm talking to you, John Sligh!) Special thanks to Billy Jo -- the music was great, and you created a great backdrop to some special reunions. Robin ********** From: Terri VanHouten (1981) Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my brother. Occupation: homemaker, Children: Four children.. Daniel, Jonathan, Taylor, and a girl, Haylee. Living in New York for two years now. Memorable Incidents: DRIVERS EDUCATION WITH BONITA JUDE. SHE WAS A TRIP. I WANT TO GET IN CONTACT WITH. ALSO ANGELA LINDSAY, LANE MILLER, AND BUNCHES Since High School: worked for 18 years for a company that decentralized. After i got laid off, decided to stay home and raise kids for a while. went thru alot of ups and downs for a few years. now living in new york as prices were too expensive in maryland, now want to move to frederick md. Future Plans: WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A FEW FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL. LOST TOUCH WITH ALOT OF THEM. WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO WORK WHEN YOUNGEST CHILD STARTS SCHOOL. Memorable Teachers: MRS.GOLE, MR.HAWN, WHO WAS DRIVER ED TEACHER, BECAME MY ELDEST SON'S TEACHER AT RICA FOR A WHILE, MR EDWARDS, MR CLARKE, MS FUCCI, MARTHA ZANGER IF U REMEMBER ME PLS EMAIL ME I WANT TO CHAT WITH OLD FRIENDS FOR OLD TIMES SAKE. *********************************** *********** QUICK TAKES *********** *********************************** Gail Schlossenberg Goldfarb - Class of 1968 Occupation: Teacher, Spouse: Robert (Electrical Engineer), Children: Michael - 28 (will be married June 2005) and Lisa - 24 William A. Schmidt - Class of 1966 Website - http://www.itsearchcenter.com (my business site), Occupation: DOD/INFOSEC Placement Services Spouse: Barbara (McCary, 1966), Children: Tyler Ryan - 24, Gretchen Lynn - 27 Warren Brian Blackwell - Class of 1984 I found out about the website from my sister Brenda, class of 80. Website - http://www.tmwoodworks.com (custom woodworking), Occupation: Master Craftsman Cathy Fox - Class of 1982 Occupation: police officer Terri Brow - Class of 1982 Occupation: Office Administrator, Children: Eric - age 14, Maggie - age 10 Tedi Pugh Thompson - Class of 1974 I found out about the website at the last reunion. Occupation: higher education administration. Children: Katie Brennan -18, 2 cats - Wiggles and Francesca - 7, Grandchildren: NA - thank heavens. Since High School: just finished Master's degree, Memorable Teachers: Charlie Blank, Kathleen Moyer Dale Gole Brant - Class of 1978 Children: Jason 16 years, Daniel 15 years, Steven 12 years Catherine Osman - Class of 1974 I found out about the website from Liz Loftus. Occupation: US Navy Pilot, Spouse: Kenneth Lesley (Engineer, teacher), Children: David 17, Sarah 14 Matt Woods - Class of 1971 I found out about the website from Roz Rubin. Occupation: Dentist, Since High School: working smart....not hard....at school, in my practice, and raising a family; Future Plans: retire.....and enjoy living....boating, travel, skiing, Patricia Garmey Hill - Class of 1971 I found out about the website from Roz Rubin. Occupation: Director of Business Systems Audits, EPA Office of Inspector General, CPA, CISA; Spouse: John "Terry" Hill (Insurance Claims Adjuster), Children: Stephanie Norris 26, Grandchildren: Taylor 7, Andrew 4; Memorable Teacher: Robert Hubbard Michael Tatalovich - Class of 1969 Occupation: Architect Spouse: Suzanne (Bookkepper), Children: Nicholas - 17, Samuel - 15; Since High School: Traveling the world designing American Embassies. Future Plans: Get kids through college and continue to travel and practice architecture. Hilary Connolly - Class of 1971 Occupation: Insurance Underwriter, Spouse: Poul Price (Customer Service for USAirways), Children: Declan Barton 29, Erin Christopherson 28; Grandchildren: Ashleigh-9, Drew-7, Dalton-5, Sara-2 Mary Sugg Chahalis - Class of 1980 Occupation: Sales Manager, Children: Christian, son - 15. Memorable Teachers: Mr. Hill, inspired me to teach; Mr. Peerless, inspired me to sing; Mrs. Whitaker, inspired me to do backhandsprings Paula Wagner Schlegel - Class of 1974 Occupation: Special Clerk, Spouse: Ray (Electrical Technician), Children: Allison and Bonnie - 25, John - 20, Tracy - 19; Grandchildren: Hannah - 2. Memorable Teacher: Mr. Clark, World History. He has a sense of humor and made it fun to learn. Terry Brooks - Class of 1969 Single and looking to reconnect with old loves... Living in Annaplois Gail Dudley Kennedy - Class of 1974 I found out about the website from my brother. Occupation: teacher, Spouse: John (teacher) Vicki Burns Bland - Class of 1970 Occupation: Sales Manager, Spouse: Jonathan. Thank you for all your hard work keeping the alumni informed. robert van houten - Class of 1977 Spouse: wendy *********** CONDOLENCES *********** Please remember these families in your thoughts and prayers: DR. WAYNE FLEEGER: Dr. Fleeger's online obit/notice and guestbook will remain online until July 4th, if you have not had a chance to leave a condolence: http://www.legacy.com/washingtonpost/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2293322 ---------- 1966 ALUMNUS: We're sad to inform you that Allan Burfoot (1966) passed away approximately June 16, 2004. There were no other details or any notices of arrangements known. Here is the article that was published in the Dominion Post (West Virginia), on June 22nd: Man lay dead in driveway for up to four days SHEPHERDSTOWN -- A man who apparently was asphyxiated when a van he was working on rolled and pinned him lay dead in his driveway for up to four days before a neighbor noticed him, police said. Allan P. Burfoot, 57, of Shepherdstown, was found about 10:30 a.m. Sunday, said State Police Trooper H.D. Heil. "He was working on the vehicle and when he removed the transmission, the parking brake wasn't on and the vehicle wasn't in gear, and it apparently rolled onto him," Heil said. "He had the front wheels on a ramp. He didn't have wheel chucks on the tires, nothing to keep it steady. The troopers believed the vehicle then rolled back on him," Heil said. ''He was pinned under the front passenger side tire. ... It didn't roll over him or on top of him. "The troopers went by his answering machine. The first message on his answering machine began the 16th (Wednesday) in the afternoon. It's believed the 16th is possibly the day the accident occurred," Heil said. ---------- 1976 ALUMNUS: It was learned from classmate Larry Prigal that he heard Stuart Perry, unfortunately, passed away suddenly several years ago. Details are unknown. Our condolences to the families of these alums and friends. ********************************************************************** END OF TEXT - MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE - VOLUME 8, NUMBER 11 Articles for the next issue are due July 24, 2004 ********************************************************************** Copyright 2004 The Midnight Sun Online - http://www.pearyhs.org **********************************************************************