************************************************************ MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE The Online Newsletter for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni Volume 8, Number 4 November 2003 MSO WEBSITE - http://www.pearyhs.org ************************************************************ INTRODUCTION Greetings Huskies, Thanks to all who purchased fruit and cheesecakes from the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy's 4th annual fruit and cheesecake fundraiser for its instrumental music program! Don't forget to pick up your orders on December 15th. AUDREY HUNDERTMARK MARKAN (1975): In the Gazette Newspapers.... "Damascus family sends aid to U.S. troops," an article by Susan Singer-Bart on October 31, may be viewed at http://www.gazette.net/200344/damascus/news/184714-1.html MARY McCARTY ADAMS (1984): Continued prayers and get-wells to Mary as she battles cancer. For updates, please e-mail Linda Folley McCarty at Linda@SuperNt.net GET WELL SOON: Beth Liembach Swanson (1966)! CONDOLENCES: To the Chase Family. John P. Chase, Sr. passed away on September 15 - a notice from Jeanine Chase Matthias (1980) is in this newsletter. We are sad to inform you that Martha D. Bartlett, mother of Joe Bartlett (1966), passed away on November 4, 2003. Our condolences to the Bartlett family. 2004 REUNIONS: Visit the website to view current reunion plans/updates for 2004! Reunion news/info will be included in the newsletters, too. 1975 ANNUAL GATHERING: From Betty Lopez.... Well, gang, I've screwed up again! The get-together, such as it is, is happening as I write this and even I'm not there. So no doubt, if you weren't in the 10 or so who got wind of something, you've missed it. HOWEVER!! Don't lose heart, since I failed in my duties, I'd like to try to redeem myself by rescheduling for something either closer to Christmas or just after the New Year. If you have a preference let me know, just know that you are reading the MSO for December. If you want to be included in notification of the next shindig and it's going to be in December, please email me directly and I'll send you info as soon as it's determined. My apologies, don't hate me because I'm not so beautiful anymore...hugs! Betty Lopez (boopenhaven@aol.com) [and MSO will post any info/plans on the site, in-between newsletters] THANK YOU THIS PAST MONTH: Patty Toler (1983), Patrice John Baugher (1975), Suzanne Veraa Rosetti (1968), Robin Rosenberg Aiscowitz (1979), Dan Reese (1980), Paul Hassler (Staff), Cathy Berg Vincent-Smith (1973), Karla Berg Walker (1972), Lucy Salah (1976), and our committed recurring supporters! If you wish to support the MSO, please link to... https://id267.securedata.net/pearyhs/donation.htm for secure info and submissions with a credit card or by postal mail. Happy Holidays, 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 the entire newsletter back. 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 at www.pearyhs.org - it'll go a lot faster by using the forms online and make it easier on us. Thanks! ********************************************************************* From: Patricia Toler (1983) Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2003 Subject: Keeping In Touch Hey everyone, I'm sorry that I missed the reunion. Unfortunately I had to work that weekend and my not so understanding or caring boss, wouldnt let me have that weekend off (plus the other dispatcher absolutely refused to help out so I COULD attend the reunion). I heard it was pretty good. I got a memory book and although I'm glad to have information about my classmates, the picture quality was less to be desired. I dont mean to be insulting but I'm sorry, when we had our 10 year reunion, the memory book that we got then was WAY better then the 20 year reunion. Anyway, I'm thinking that maybe we should have another reunion in 5 years. Who knows? Maybe I'll be able to attend that one. Still, I'd love to hear from my classmates. I'm still wondering if anyone has heard from Mary Jo Wurdeman. I would love to hear from her as well. Anyway, I'm still trying to go back to school to finish my degree and my daughter and I and a good friend of mine (who just moved here from Texas in September) are going to be moving soon. Things are stressful here but we're managing but at least my daughter is thriving and thats all I really care about. I guess thats it for now. I hope to hear from my classmates. Just email me. Bye for now! ********** From: Charles Rinaldi (1982) Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2003 Subject: October Newsletter Just surfing through the last newsletter. I very well remember Rose Scozzafava at Earle Wood JHS. Also I would like to point out that Bill Allen still teaches Phys Ed there as well. Pat Purcell in the English Dept. is still there. Mr. Marvin Feldman retired recently I had found out through a neighbor of mine who is the librarian at Wood Middle School now. Not too long ago I had spoken to Mr. Allen and found out Mr. Rescigno, one of the original Vice Principal administrators had died. Mr. White, the first principal is battling health problems. Charles Rinaldi (1982) ********** From: Barry Chenkin (1974) Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2003 Subject: Requesting your assistance Requesting classmates assistance with placing my daughter in the Federal sector. Amanda Chenkin (daughter of Barry Chenkin '74 and Claudia M. Spaulding '74) will graduate in May of '05 from Frostburg State. Major is International Studies w/concentration in Political Science and Spanish. (She spent 2 semesters in Germany/ UMUC) I spent all my years in the private sector and have no real clue as to how that system really works. Thank you in advance for your help. bchenkin@hotmail.com ********** From: Patty Holmburg Ball (1982) Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2003 Subject: 12 year old daughter/update. Hi Everyone, It has been a few years since I have written. Most recently due to the fact that my daughter had a liver transplant in Jan of 2003. She was twelve at the time. She was diagnosed as having autoimmune hepatitis which had all but destroyed her liver. One of the scariest things about this was she was not sick prior to her initial doctors appt. She had some small bruises I had noticed after making the dr's appt. That prompted the dr to run some blood work. It was a nightmare after that. Diagnosis came in November of 2002 and she was placed on the transplant list that same month. We received the call that there was a liver available that matched with our daughter on Jan 21, 2003. The surgery was a complete success. As it turned out she was the first pediatric liver transplant patient in the DC Metropolitan area. On the day she was to be released from Georgetown, she was doing news interviews!! I am very happy to report she is back in school and doing well with the trials and tribulations of 8th grade. Her siblings handled themselves like champs. She has two brothers 15 & 8 and one sister 10. I missed the reunion, I hear it was lots of fun. I would love to hear from some of my old friends. Bob, my thoughts and prayers have been with you from the beginning. Take care everyone!! Patty ********** From: Shari Darr Benson (1979) Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my sisters Janet Darr Puyot (69), Patty Darr Osmond (70), Debbie Darr Wilson (72). Occupation: financial analyst, Children: Christina 25, Jim 20, Grandchildren: Kaitlyn 3 Memorable Incidents: Sad to say I don't remember much about School except all the partying I did. Since High School: Since HS I got married & divorced & raised two kids & been working full time at the same job Ms. Moyer helped me get. Just recently bought a place in Frederick county and I'm just enjoying life. I have a wonderful grand daughter that turned 3 in Nov. and she brings me so much joy. Future Plans: Hit the lottery & travel :) Some Advice - Hide your year books from your kids if it has incriminating information from all your buddies that signed it about how we use to party all the time or skip School. ********** From: Art Ridgway (1966) Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2003 Subject: PEARY Class of 66 To the fine folks who read these notes, Thanks go to Dave Spurlock and Joe Bartlett (Also Class of 1966) for being part of my son's wedding in Pittsburgh last month. Dave, has remained with bagpipes since Peary's Pipe Band, and today has his own bagpipe band in Florida. He is an annual consessionaire at the Maryland Rennaisance Festival. His Rennaissance influence has carried over into my family, hence the entire wedding party was dressed accordingly. Dave played his pipes for the entire ceremony. Joe Bartlett traveled from New York, and was the official photographer for the affair. As I flew in from here in southern California, this was a definite mini-reunion for Peary's Class of '66, and three lifelong buddies. Thanks guys ! Art Ridgway - Class of '66 ********** From: mary sciamanna (1975) Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my sister. Occupation: semi-retired TAXICAB DRIVER! Spouse: divorced (twice ~ top that one), Children: One son 20 years old now! Grandchildren: yeah, right! Memorable Incidents: What mind? Since High School: driving around in circles! Future Plans: just to survive ~ one day at a time...... Memorable Teachers: i have absolutely NO MEMORY of any of it! Other alums I know about? I know where DONNA HESS IS! If you want to find her e-mail me and I will let her know. sorry to hear of all our classmates passings.... my sister Madeline Ellis also passed away in March of 2002.....she was in the class of '63 I believe (born 1945). Its been a tough time for all of us, we really miss her. She had just lost her husband 3 years prior, and leaves behind 2 sisters, 4 children, 7 grand-children and 3 great-grandchildren ~ there were over 250 people at her funeral! WE MISS YOU MADELINE! ********** From: Sharon Francis-Campbell (1978) Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 Subject: I'm Moving Since my father's passing in July, my husband and I have decided to move to Florida to be closer to my mom. So close, in fact, we will be living with her for the next year while we get acclimated to the area. We have purchased a retail shop in Bradenton. Decor Framing and Gallery and Decor and More. It is two shops in one. My husband will do the framing and I will handle the fine gifts, invitations and cards and of course the bookkeeping. If anyone is ever in the Bradenton area please look us up. See you all at the 30th if not sooner. I will update you all later about our progess. ********** From: Elizabeth "Liz" Griffin (1986/Springbrook) Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website through a google search. Occupation: Research Analyst, Significant Other: Daniel Robichaud Memorable Incidents: The Six Flags trip, craziness at the lunch table, nearly failing driver's ed, and throwing cake in cooking class. Since High School: BA in International Relations from USC in Los Angeles; started grad school at USC in international urban planning. Living and working in downtown Los Angeles. ********** From: Robert R. Sneidar (1973) Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from Anita Yvonne Green. Website - http://homepage.mac.com/slylabs13 (Personal Travel Pictures), Occupation: IT Manager Memorable Incident: Meeting the love of my life, and then losing her. Since High School: Navy, Ministry Memorable Teacher: Miss Fox. She was beautiful and friendly. ********** From: Kenneth l Sherwood (1972) Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my sister Suzie Sherwood Andrews. Occupation: Executive Chef/Chef Consultant, Children: Blair-22yo, Sabrina-20yo, nickolas-13yo, Libby-4yo; Grandchildren: Gauge Austin-5yo, Noah Calab-5yo Jeremiah-2 Memorable Incidents: the march on the board of education,abolishion of the dress code Since High School: 6yrs in the Navy,grad. of Old Dominion U. Grad of Culinary school of Washington @ the french embassy Future Plans: Live long and prosper,leave a pretty corps. Memorable Teachers: Mr.Burlas,Mrs.Zimmerman Mr.Gambaro If Any Members of the class of 1972 are "freinds of Bill's" please write to me and share ********** From: Jim Hinkeldey (1979) Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2003 Subject: A new addition! On November 8, Doreen Dennie (1980) Hinkeldey and Jim Hinkeldey (1979) welcomed Margaret Ann Hinkeldey into the world. She weighed in at 7lbs. 1oz. and is 20 1/2 inches long. Her brother Patrick (age 21 months) and the other members of the Dennie and Hinkeldey families are thrilled. ********** From: Panote Kanchanadul (1974) Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2003 Subject: Update I found out about the website? Browsing through the net. Website - http://www.pantavanij.com (e-procurement, e-auction online, e-marketplace), Occupation: Special Project Coordinator, Spouse: Ichaya Memorable Incidents: There are many incidents I can remember and they all stand out in my mind. Since High School: Mostly working. I recently graduated with BBA in management in Thailand. Slow in catching up with all my friends and relatives because I was not very motivated in getting educated in my twenties. Now I am working at Pantavanij Co., Ltd. which is an e-procurement and auction online company in Thailand. My younger brother is the CEO in this company. Future Plans: Work hard and save money. Maybe one day start my own small business before I get old and die. Memorable Teachers: I think everyone of them should be memorable, unfortunately I remember some teachers but forgot their names. They were all good teachers as I recalled but names were forgotten, if I can see their photos I would remember them right away. This is is a good website and I enjoyed browsing in from time to time. ********** From: Carolyn Zierdt Taylor (1963) Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 Subject: Another Famous Grad Sandra Searles Dickinson, a Peary grad around 1966??? She is a famous actress in England. She's in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" there now, in the role of Baroness Bomburst (http://www.chittythemusical.co.uk) * Esley Hamilton (1963), who is a world traveler with friends everywhere, has kept in touch with her. Sandra's brother David Searle (he has dropped the "s") graduated in 1963, my class. David married another 1963er, Sandra McNinch. * Sandra's cast bio may be accessed directly: http://www.chittythemusical.co.uk/show/cast-march03/sandradickinson.htm ********** From: Robin Rosenberg Aiscowitz (1979) Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 Subject: Reunion of sorts I was in Rockville recently for an extended period of time as I was getting new hearing aids in town. I had the opportunity to go to Elaj Aveda Day Spa located in King Farm Village in Rockville with my mom who is a customer. Lo and behold I learned that the owner is none other than Peary's own Jeanette Grabarek Nicholson, Class of 79. My mom has been going to the shop for over a year and I learned that Jeanette and another person (non-Peary) own the shop. It was wonderful to see Jeanette and talk about the good old days. To those folks who still live in the area, please go to Elaj -- the experience of getting a facial, manicure, pedicure etc. is well worth the visit as well as meeting Jeanette again. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. ********** From: Robin Rosenberg Aiscowitz (1979) Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 Subject: Peary Alums in the News I was at the doctor's office and read an issue of PEOPLE Magazine and in the "Passages" section it noted that Paula Marshall married longtime boyfriend Danny Nucci. Congratulations to Paula, who graduated in 1982. I also read the NY Daily News "Daily Dish" and it had a column on Brad Oscar and his activities on Broadway. Continued success to Brad! One never knows where you will read about an alumnus of Peary High School. ********** From: Jeanine Chase Matthias (1980) Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 Subject: John P. Chase, Sr. obituary My father, John P. Chase, Sr., died on September 15 due to complications of Alzheimer's Disease. He was 73 years old. He was survived by his wife, Harriet Chase, his four children Kevin ('75), Pat ('76), Craig ('76), Jeanine ('80). Our mother passed away in 2000 and oldest brother John P. Chase, Jr. ('73) died of cancer in 1986. My brothers all attended and graduated from PHS and all were on the JV and Varsity football and baseball teams. John went on to play football at Fork Union Military Academy, University of Cincinnati, University of Connecticut and then with the semi-pro Frederick Falcons. *********************************** *********** QUICK TAKES *********** *********************************** Michele Blasco Burrill - Class of 1978 I found out about the website from friends. Occupation: Personnel Director, Spouse: Ron, Children: Peggy 30, Jennifer 33 (step children), Grandchildren: Torie 12, Morgan 7 (step grandchildren) David Deacon - Class of 1971 I found out about the website from Michael McIntyre. Occupation: Investment Advisor, Spouse: Gail, Children: Lisa age 11 and Evan age 8 Greg Reese - Class of 1984 Occupation: sales, Spouse: Ceil Dan Reese - Class of 1980 Married, with two lovely children. Living in Valley Forge, PA. RUBY CROWN - Class of 1970 I found out about the website from ROSS CROMWELL. Occupation: INSURANCE AGENT, Children: CHRISTINE 31, MICHAEL 29; Grandchildren: CHRISTIAN 11, ALEX 3 & KATIE 2 Kerry Knight Nowak - Class of 1984 Occupation: Mortgage/Underwriting Consultant, Spouse: Jack, Children: Briana - 13, Chloe - 8, Jillian - 4 mo. Andrea R. Williams - Class of 1984 I found out about the website through Classmates.com. Occupation: Music Industry, Memorable Incidents: Graduation. Since High School: I work for the GRAMMY Awards. Ernie Craft - Class of 1966 another grandson,Nickolai,thats 2 for Tammi and 1 for lil Ernie ********************************************************************** END OF TEXT - MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE - VOLUME 8, NUMBER 4 Articles for the next issue are due December 27, 2003 ********************************************************************** Copyright 2003 The Midnight Sun Online - http://www.pearyhs.org **********************************************************************