************************************************************ MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE The Online Newsletter for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni Volume 8, Number 3 October 2003 MSO WEBSITE - http://www.pearyhs.org ************************************************************ INTRODUCTION Greetings Huskies, MAUREEN DiFULGO BLADEN (1976): "Damascus family moves after tiring of Washington area terror." Maureen Bladen decided she had worried enough about terrorism, protecting children from snipers and thinking about emergency preparedness, so last month she left town. The entire article may be read at http://www.gazette.net/200341/damascus/news/181459-1.html 1974 SAD NEWS: We are sad to learn that Stephanie Rouse Greisler (1974), wife of Dave Greisler (also 1974), passed away on October 20, 2003. There is a notice/guestbook on the York, PA newspapers Legacy page... http://www.legacy.com/York/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=1498445 Our condolences to the Rouse and Greisler families. [submitted by Brian Deitz, Class of 1974] SEEKING ASSISTANCE FOR 1984 ALUMNA: Please see Linda Folley McCarty's submission in this newsletter regarding Mary McCarty Adams (1984) need for support! 2003 REUNIONS: All done! Stay tuned for info on 1975's annual event. 2004 REUNIONS: Visit the website to view current reunion plans/updates for 2004! Reunion news/info, as usual, will also be included in the monthly newsletters. SEEKING CLASS OF 1973 ONLINE COORDINATOR: MSO wishes to thank Laura Vandevender Knieb (1973) for all of her work keeping-up with the Class of 1973 section on MSO and working with the 1973 reunion commitee, coding the online archives of the MSO newsletters, and maintaining the MSO "Birthday Club." If you're a 1973 alum and interested in record- collecting and working with the 1973 organizing committees, please e-mail me at blau@viawest.net - thanks for your consideration! THANK YOU THIS PAST MONTH: Lee Zeidman (1974), Karen Weinberger Vilt (1980), Vickie Ralls (1969), Dan Reese (1980), and our committed auto/ recurring supporters! If you wish to support the MSO, please link to: https://id267.securedata.net/pearyhs/donation.htm for secure information and submissions via credit card, and a mailing address if you prefer to snail-mail donations to support this 7+ year old endeavor! THANK YOU: I want to thank everyone's expression of sympathies (of all forms) for the recent passing of my mom on October 11, 2003. And for all the support received over the past year for me and my family. There is a guestbook at the Pumphrey's site if you wish to recall a memory.... http://obit.pumphreyfuneralhome.com/obit_display.cgi?id=83647 and there is a feature obit article on the Washington Post site.... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44004-2003Oct17.html Thanks for the cards, letters, gifts, e-mails, and dropping-off of the Oct. 18 Post Metro section these couple weeks. I have not had time to acknowledge all individuals directly yet, but you know I will. I also want to publicly thank the Montgomery County Police Department and 1975 alumnus Doug McFee, District Commander of the Rockville District, and Lt. Kornegay of the Wheaton-Glenmont District for services rendered during our family's private memorial services, and all of the patrol units involved during a time of family need and mourning. Bob Lau (1976), 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 this entire newsletter back - rather, send a new e-mail to blau@viawest.net, and always include your grad year in the correspondence. If you have changes to your e-mail address or other contact information, please use the menu links for such at www.pearyhs.org - it'll go a lot faster by using the forms online and make it easier on us. Thanks! ********************************************************************* From: Sue Hennessey Highsmith (1976) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 Subject: 1st Grandchild!!! Hi all you Pearyites!!! I was lucky enough to marry a former Pearyite. Well on September 24, between 1:00am and 1:35am Our First Grandson Was born. He weighed in at 8lbs and 14 oz and was 22" long! Ray's (1966) daughter Kim named him Jack Von Werden. Her husband's family was Vonwerden before they came to America, but they dropped the Von. Kim thought it would be nice to add it back in! We hope to go up to Connecticut sometime in November to see him. Really hard to be long distance Grandparents, but I'm sure we'll manage!!! ********** From: Carol LeMessurier Maryman (1970) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from a friend. Occupation: Retired - now Contractor for Mo. Co. HHS, Significant Other: Charles Rand; Children: Brice Joseph Maryman 26, married Bridgette Gallagher, Timothy Robert Heiderer 13 Memorable Incident: Being sent to Mrs. Thomas' Office for wearing slacks to school. Since High School: Living and working in Montgomery County. Future Plans: Work less; plant flowers Memorable Teachers: Don't really have any memorable faculty members. ********** From: Terry Turner Strock (1974) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 Subject: Update Occupation: Retired, Spouse: Roger, Roger's Occupation: Retired (Chief of M.C Fire & Rescue), Children: Justin age 21 (Getting married 7-3-04), Kyle age 19 Since High School: Since graduation, I was a medical assistant for 7 years. Retired from State Farm Insurance where I taught automation and procedures. I also traveled and worked on several catastrophes (floods, hurricaines, tornadoes) Future Plans: Just retired to Florida and love it. Plan to relax and spend time with my husband. ********** From: Anita Greene Bush (1975) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 Subject: Missing Does anyone have any info on the whereabouts of Sandy Irvin, or Carol Davis? I would love to get in touch with both of them. ********** From: Beverly Gerber Greenfield (1970) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 Subject: Want to hear from anyone who remembers me! I live in Atlanta GA suburbs since 1991 and love it. Husband Ray, 2 adult daughters, Cara and Colleen. 3 grandchildren-Alora and Brittan-twins, and Maxwell. I love to get e-mail. Drop me a line! ********** From: Cynthia Gill (1984) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 Subject: Update Occupation: Graduate Assistant Since High School: I finished my Master's degree in Biology in North Carolina, then moved to Pullman, Washington to work on my PhD in Zoology. I am 3 years in with at least 1 year to go. Future Plans: I plan on finishing my PhD, then pursuing a post-doc or two, eventually ending up in a university with a tenure track position. Memorable Teacher: Mrs. Hale, she was always there for me to talk to and was a wonderful teacher and an even better friend. I still think about her often and try to make the same effort with many of my students who seem to be struggling with the early pains of college. ********** From: Steven L. Counts (1964) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website by chance. Occupation: Pilot (FedEx), Spouse: Kathy, Children: Tage (32), Nicole (31), Grandchildren: Chase Counts (5), Kacey Counts (1) Memorable Incident: The final football game against Springbrook. We lost. But on the last play the backfield and line changed positions! Since High School: Majored in Microbiology at U of Maryland. Entered the Navy as an aviator flying A-6 Intruders. Married, had two children. Divorced, but kept the kids. Remarried a Saint - Kathy. She raised my children as I flew and sailed around the world for 27 years. Retired from the Navy and went to work for FedEx. Settled in Memphis. Future Plans: Keep flying until I wear out! Enjoy my wife, children, and grand-children. Shoot in the 70's! Memorable Teacher: Mrs. Richardson. She was calm, dedicated, compassionate, hard-nosed, intelligent, quick-witted, and (most of all) inspiring. ********** From: Pat Lynch (1975) Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 Subject: Update How I found out about the website? Been visiting for a while. Occupation: Office Administrator, Significant Other: Sam Sibani, Children: not gonna happen, Grandchildren: really not gonna happen Memorable Teachers: Mr. Boteler, Ms. Dawson, Mr. Clarke - I wish I'd had Mr. Hill - he sounds like he's had an impact on many people's lives. I just read this month's MSO update. I'm so sorry to hear about Bob's mom. But it seems as though there are many generous, caring people out there willing to help him get through this tough time. On a personal side, I wanted to also note that I saw a submission from Bill Shoemaker about my brother, Kevin Lynch. Every few months I see a submission mentioning my brother as a friend who passed away. For those of you who might not know, my brother Kevin suffered a heart attack at the age of 16 on the football field at Peary on September 23, 1977, during gym class, and died later at Montgomery General Hospital. He would have graduated with the class of 1979. His name is on the bell tower in front of Peary. Whenever I read a remembrance of my brother, I wonder how his friends and classmates made it through dealing with the death of such a young person. I know the schools now have plans on how to deal with the death of a friend so young, but didn't at that time. I still wonder how some of Kevin's friends handled his death. We were all so young then, I was 19, my sister Erin was 12 and Tim was 17. I went to visit Kevin yesterday at Arlington Cemetery. He's got a great view of the Pentagon. Our Mom's not far away at the columbarium. I know this sounds a bit morbid, but if you knew our family... anyway, point being, sounds like some might want a little closure ... if you want to sound off, share or just say hello, feel free to contact me. Big sister, Pat ********** From: Daniel E Loube (1984) Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2003 Subject: Udpate How I found out about the website? My sister gave me the information. Occupation: General Manager of a hotel, Spouse: Tracie, Children: Justin 13, Patrick 10, Brianna 5, Sarah 3 Since High School: Attended college, started own business, got married, have 4 kids, now in the hospitality business ********** From: Patrice John Baugher (1975) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2003 Subject: Update 2003 started off as a tough year since my husband, Tom, was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He arrived safely back in Indiana July 1. We then took a much needed vacation to Ocean City, MD. Not a place most people would think of as a haven, but after living away so long we could not wait for the fresh seafood, boardwalk fries, and funnel cakes. If any alumni have a beach front rental, let us know. Have three sons. My eldest is at Butler University on a full scholarship, my middle son is at David Letterman's alma mater, Ball State, and my youngest is playing football - a sport his father excelled at (All MAC). I am still teaching. Patrice ********** From: Laura Davis Panner (1984) Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2003 Subject: Udpate I found out about the website from old friends. Occupation: Stay at home mom, Spouse: Eric, Children: Katie 11, Matthew 6, Mark 4, Kristie 1 1/2 We just moved to a new house...never want to do that again. ********** From: Monica Higler Williams (1983) Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 Subject: Update Occupation: Physician Relations/Marketing. Spouse: Will, Children: Just married in August 2003. No kids yet. Memorable Incidents: crazy parties and good friends Since High School: Graduated from Towson State: Health Science/Community Health. Work ... travel ... work ... photography ... work. Been living and working in the Baltimore area since college. Future Plans: Live happily ever after. So sorry I missed the reunion. It was the week before our wedding and there was just too much going on. It would have been great to see everyone! ********** From: Joe Stonestreet (1978) Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 Subject: Planning a St Judes Reunion!!!!! Hello and best wishes to all huskies, The other day I received an e-mail from Ellen Winklejohn (Holy Cross '78) asking if I would be interested in a 30 year reunion of the St. Jude's class of 1974. Currently, we're trying to establish an e-mail database of people that went to St. Judes. I've set up an e-mail address, stjudeselementary@hotmail.com ,as a point of contact for those of you that would be interested in something along the line of hooking up after all these years, and also set up a yahoo newsgroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stjudeselementary/. Currently, about all we have planned is that it should be around June 6th, 2004 ( graduation anniversary), occur in the Rockville area, and hopefully be somewhat inexpensive, so here's your chance to get in on this from the ground up. Even if you don't see yourself attending something like this, if you could post a note at the website above, I'm sure all would be glad to hear from you after all this time. Hope all is well with ALL Peary alum's, Joe Stonestreet, '78 ********** From: Janet Gregorius Wyatt (1975) Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 Subject: Update Occupation: Manager-Disney's Horticulture-Walt Disney World, Spouse: Tom Since High School: Graduated from West Virginia University in 1979 w/degree in Forestry; Moved to Orlando in June 1979 and have worked for Walt Disney World in Horticulture division ever since. Got married in 1993 to Tom Wyatt, Penn State graduate in Forestry 1979. ********** From: Austin Reardon (1984) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 Subject: Update How I found out about the website? Ran into an old Peary Alumn in Vegas. Occupation: Computer Software/Tech, Spouse: Cheralyn Since High School: Lived in Germany for five years. Attended Univ of Maryland, Munich campus for 2 yrs, then wandered Europe the rest of the time. Memorable Teacher: Evan Farkas. Great English teacher, listener and person. ********** From: Katie Heneghan Tool (1972) Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my brother. Occupation: Admininistor - Cal Poly State University, Children: Sierra (age 7) Since High School: Living on the Central Coast of California (Los Osos) for the last ten years. Avid outdoor enthusiast, windsurfing, mountain biking, and triathalete. Avid mom, coach kids soccer, teach kids surfing and work part time at Cal Poly State University. ********** From: David Hands (1981) Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website while browsing. Occupation: CPA, Spouse: Sally, Children: Michael -- Born 10/4/03 Memorable Incidents: Jimmy Marceron's football parties; James Bach's father or whoever that guy was debating Mr. Clarke about moving to Canada because we were going to have a nuclear holocaust in this country. Since High School: Trying to convince people around here that there was actually a high school in Rockville called Peary. Future Plans: Nursing home, dentures, etc. Memorable Teacher: Clare Fitzpatrick -- Spanish -- I have NO IDEA why she comes to mind other than her charming personality ********** From: Linda Folley McCarty (not signed-on to MSO) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 Subject: Mary Adams (McCarty) - Peary Graduate Mary Adams (McCarty), one of Peary's 1984 graduates, was hospitalized the beginning of October with cancer. Mary will be 37 on December 14. She is presently receiving chemotherapy for the next 3-6 months and will be getting a bone marrow transplant in about 6 months. Right now, Mary and Randy's (her husband) spirits are pretty good considering. It is very important to keep their spirits up, so I'm hoping anyone who can will help. Please send Mary warm wishes, support, love, prayers and, if possible, any financial help you can give her (her medical bills will be in the thousands and she has to put her 2 year old son in daycare since she is too sick to take care of him). No flowers, please (due to the fact that Mary's immune system is down and apparantly flowers carry a lot of germs). Please forward this email onto anyone who knows Mary and would like to help. Remember to keep sending cards. When you are sick, you usually receive cards, prayers and well wishes in the beginning and then they die down. Her brothers and sisters will be tested to see if any of them are a match to be a donor. I would like to make a backup list of anyone who would be willing to be tested. If you would like to be added to this list, please email linda@supernt.net with your contact information - email, address, phone number. I'll make a list and if a match isn't found in the family, we will email you what blood tests need to be performed - I believe you can have this done at any doctor's office. Mary has a 2 year old son, Kyle and (2) daughters, Brooke (12) & Ashley (15). Thanks for all your help! Linda McCarty (Tom McCarty's wife - 1982 Peary graduate; sister of Scott Folley - 1984 Peary graduate) ********** From: Lynn Pettijohn Wisda (1967) Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my brothers and friends. Occupation: Special Events Coordinator Spouse: Mike, Children: Daniel Pettijohn Wisda - 12-4-79, Ruth Michelle Wisda - 1-22-82 Memorable Incidents: Best year was my Senior year as Class Secretary with Mrs. Zimmerman as class sponsor. Since High School: Going to college, working, raising children, volunteering, working, playing golf on the weekend, singing in choir, playing handbells, doing needlework, playing the piano, traveling Future Plans: Working, traveling, enjoying every day as a blessing from God. Memorable Teachers: Mrs. Zimmerman - great class sponsor, funny. Mr. Pine - terrific teacher. Mr. Hill - my inspiration for majoring in Math. ********** From: Betty Wilde Stonestreet (1976) Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from classmates.com. Occupation: circulation manager, Children: Jennifer Lynn 23, Amanda Marie 19; Grandchildren: Kylie 3, Ashlyn 6 months Memorable Incident: Girls softball going to the state final in 76 Since High School: Raising children and traveling Future Plans: Going back to schoool ********** From: Robin Rosenberg Aiscowitz (1979) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 Subject: Old Friends I looked at the photographs from the Class of 1978's 25 year reunion and waxed nostalgically at the friends from long ago. I am looking to chat with or e-mail with the following (I have sent e-mails before but either the e-mail addresses expired or whatever): Lynne Keady Galletti, Kelly Crafton, Al Comeau, Jim Bragonier and Chris Carmody as well as Juliet Pfaeler. Just wanted to hear from you. Gay (Laurienzo) San Severino and I have already decided to attend our 25th next year -- with spouses and no kids. Hope everyone is doing well and it was very sad to learn that Mike Spencer passed away. ********** From: Maureen Boyle Gray (1979) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from family. Occupation: stay at home mom, Spouse: Dave, Children: Damian (15) Samantha (13) Colin (9) Since High School: I graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Consumer Economics. Worked as an economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 1984 to 2001. Decided it was time for a change and for the past 2+ years I've been having fun playing house. I also do a lot of volunteer work - girl scouts, summer swim team, schools and I finally have time to SLEEP, read books (not just magazines), quilt and scrapbook. Memorable Teachers: Trishman, Boyd and Clarke - I love history and they made it even better. Also, I was Mr. Clarke's aide and took the trip to London with him in my senior year. I also fondly remember Mrs. McMahon's tailoring class (she showed me how to make an invisible hem) and Ms. Jeweler's and Mr. Boteler's English classes. ********** From: Victoria Thomas Williams (1973) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 Subject: Update Occupation: Veterinary Hospital Manager, Children: Andrew 20, Sean 18, Kenneth 16 Since High School: Moved to North Carolina 1973 to attend East Carolina Univ. Have lived here (except for 2 years in Alabama....AAACCCKK!) ever since. Would not trade Carolina for Metro DC on a bet! Memorable Teacher: Actually, the teacher who most stands out was an E.B. Wood music teacher...Rose Scozaffava. ********** From: W.D.Scott Wood (1973) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 Subject: Life as a Naval Reservist and Civil Servant Greetings Peary Alumni...this is third installment to the news letter about my travels. Go to last couple of months to see "Life as a Naval Aviator" and "Fun at the Naval Academy" GOT OUT OF THE ACTIVE NAVY - joined the Naval Reserves. Moved to Norfolk, VA Raised 3 children as a single parent and went on short deployments (two week duration) to several stateside areas. Flew helos in the reserves from 1988 until 1994. Served as maintenance officer for 2 years, Safety Officer for 2 years - bummer -investigated crash were we lost 7 squadron mates -identified the cause and corrected a major design flaw; Operations officer for 2 years. Met Jeanne in 1992. Beautiful woman, smart, loyal, dedicated, a pleasure to be with - dated her for 6 years an married her (smart guy). Added Carson - her son, my step-son; to the family. Good guy. Supported Operations in Haiti and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Assigned to the Joint Forces Command. Picked up a contract job training warfighters how to fight as a joint team of Army-Air force -Navy-Marines. Was offered a job with the Joint C4ISR Battle Center (JBC) as a Senior Warfighter Analyst - GS14. A great opportunity especially ! in the Norfolk, VA area. Worked at the JBC since 1997 as a Civil Servant GS-14 Computer Engineer (viola-used my Jedi Engineering Qual obtained at the Naval Academy to get great job but took 22 years to apply it- lesson - never give up). Got a German Shepard in 1999. Cool dog - Ginger. She^Òs a little dog at 130 lbs -full of love and a great deterrent to bad guys. Promoted to CAPTAIN USNR in October -2000. Great retirement program (1 weekend a month and two weeks out of the year) and at age 60 draw a fantastic return on investment. Deployed to some great places -Kuwait for 3 weeks training Central Command Warfighters in the Southwest Asia Area of Ops in 2000. Went shopping in the Gold Suks (pronounced sue-ks) and got some great deals ....incredible ...like malls here in the states - but only selling gold in each store. Wife and kids liked it when I returned - lots of trinkets. As a civil servant computer engineer Jedi, I deployed to some great places as well. Hawaii, Vencin! za -Italy; Omaha, NE (?); Colorado Springs, CO; St Louis, IL. Directly responsible for getting two interim technologies into the Department of Defense that promoted C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intell, surveillance, reconnaissance) interoperability and gave the warfighter great capabilities. Rave reviews during Ops Iraqi Freedom for one. Number one son - Christopher, graduated from UVA as a computer scientist and picked up a job in Northern VA in the Info Tech field. Daughter Rebecca is out of High School working. Daughter Danica and step-son Carson are seniors in high school. Oh joy...I think I^Òll have three children in college next year...ah, the joys of parenthood. Well, that^Òs it for now. Next installment to the news letter, I^Òll tell the story about the son that gave up a college scholarship to go to UVA....there^Òs a surprise ending with a neat twist to it...with a happy ending. Until then, remember the great word spoken by Sir Winston Churchill ! during the battle of Brittan against Germany..."Never, never, quit". Of course, as always. "I will find a way or make one!!!!" *********************************** *********** QUICK TAKES *********** *********************************** Carole Kehring Palmer - Class of 1975 I found out about the website from friends. Occupation: Teacher's aide, Spouse: Sid, Children: Jason - 26, James - 19 Sharon D. Bizar - Class of 1984 Occupation: Special Education Resource Teacher, Arlington Public Schools Mark Rigopoulos - Class of 1982 How I found out about the website? Another alumni told us about it. Occupation: Real Estate Agent, Spouse: Sheri Jon Gregorius - Class of 1984 Occupation: Landscape Contractor, Spouse: Ellen, Children: Catherine 17 months. Since High School: Graduated from University of Maryland and have been working in the golf course and landscape industry ever since. I recently moved to Florida from Rockville. Ed Holten - Class of 1984 Spouse: Margery, Children: Anthony 5, Vivian Marie 8 months Dennis H. Scheffler - Class of 1972 I found out about the website from Douglas W. Scheffler. Occupation: Application Analyst, Spouse: Karen, Children: Michael 23 ********************************************************************** END OF TEXT - MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE - VOLUME 8, NUMBER 3 Articles for the next issue are due November 22, 2003 ********************************************************************** Copyright 2003 The Midnight Sun Online - http://www.pearyhs.org **********************************************************************