************************************************************ MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE The Online Newsletter for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni Volume 8, Number 8 March 2004 MSO WEBSITE - http://www.pearyhs.org ************************************************************ INTRODUCTION Greetings Huskies, In this issue: Intro/reunion/events items, Alumni articles and Updates, "Quick-Takes" updates, and Condolences/Thoughts items. SCOTTISH FESTIVAL: The Rockville High School Pipe Band hosts the 36th annual National Capital Area Scottish Festival from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at Northwood Center. Cost $8.00, students & seniors $3.00, children 10 and under free. Scottish food and Celtic crafts available beginning at 3:30. Visit http://www.rhspb.org/festival.shtml for the detailed information. 1970 ALUMNUS: Robert Slay, a Peary alumnus who has had a rough time over the years, receives some assistance. The story was published in the (print) Washington Post on March 30th, and may be read at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34442-2004Mar29.html 2004 Reunion Season.... mark your calendars... more information (and updates as they become available) is posted in your class's information section at MSO.... CLASS OF 1966: Initial planning for 2006 has begun CLASS OF 1969: Tentatively fall - stay tuned CLASS OF 1974: July 31, 2004. Dinner Cruise aboard the Odyssey. CLASS OF 1975: Done! The annual get together was held March 27th! CLASS OF 1979: TBD CLASS OF 1982: 40th Birthday Bash, June 26, 2004 at Last Mango in Gaithersburg - more details soon CLASS OF 1984 - September 11, 2004 at the Knights of Columbus in Silver Spring. $40/person in-advance. SUDS AND SUN 2004: September 25, 2004 - Ocean City. Details soon! MR HILL'S BOOK SIGNING: "Before Us Lies the Timber: The Segregated High School of Montgomery County, Maryland, 1927-1960" by Mr. Warrick Hill. The book-signing event is Sunday April 18th at the Berman Academy from 1-4pm in the gym. To assist with the number of books and for an approximate headcount, there is an RSVP form posted on MSO. Please, if you plan on attending and purchasing a book, let us know with the form. REMINDER: Any new alumni info between the monthly newsletters will always be posted at pearyhs.org as soon as it is known and as time allows. We cannot always distribute specific-class notices, so please visit the website often for updates. THANK YOU THIS PAST MONTH: Janice Vaughan McLoon (1965), John Hennessey (1973), Larry Fishman (1970), Barb Dentz Riley and Tim Riley (1971), and all of our committed recurring supporters signed-on to the automated donation plan. Our automated/recurring-commitment alums have already been notified that transactions (all recurring periods) will now process on or around the 10th of each month. If you wish to support the MSO, please visit the donations page (secure) for Visa/MC ease at https://id267.securedata.net/pearyhs/donation.htm - it takes about 2 minutes - thank you for your consideration! AMEX, Diners, Discover, and JCB International accounts will be accepted soon - we'll keep you posted. Mail-in info is also posted on the page. 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 this entire newsletter back. Create a new e-mail to blau@viawest.net. Please include your grad year in the correspondence. If you have changes of mailing or e-mail adddress, please use the forms online that are linked from the main selection memo on the website - this will ensure that the updated information goes to the correct class and respective online class coordinator to update class records. You may opt-out using the e-mail address update form, as well, by entering any preferences you have in the comment field on that form as well. Thank you! ********************************************************************* From: Christopher "Will" Wilcox (1970) Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 Subject: Happy Announcement I am pleased to announce the birth of our newest granddaughter. Hannah Lyric Stone was born at 6:27 PM on February 24th in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She weighed 8 pounds, 12.5 ounces and was 20 inches long. She has lots of red-brown hair and blue eyes. Despite the unseasonal arrival of 18 inches of snow the day she came home, both Hannah and her mother Heather are doing well. This now brings the total of "grands" to eight - 4 girls and 4 boys. ********** From: Lu Ann Crouse Reed (1979) Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 Subject: Update Website - www.thewillowtreeinn.com (banquets/Montgomery Village), Occupation: Banquet Coordinator, Spouse: Tim (Engineer), Children: Mackenzie Age 7 Memorable Incidents: Going to OC in 79 to celebrate graduation with Laura Greenberg and Karen Slomiac. Hanging out with Karen Fitzgerald and "pacer" Dan. Too many wonderful memories to list but the best is meeting some fantastic people to grow up with. Since High School: Married twice, the second was a keeper! We are about to celebrate our 10th anniversary in St. Lucia. My husband and I adopted our daughter Mackenzie from China when she was 10 months old. Future Plans: Raising our daughter and keeping sane while doing so. Ha! Enjoying everyday. ********** From: Peter Warren (1966) Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from our ever energetic, always joyful, prayerful leader Gale S-P. Occupation: Math Teacher, Spouse: Joan (Real Estate Appraiser), Children: Scott 28, Kristina 23, Stephanie 23, Katy 21; Grandchildren: Elisha 2 and 2 on the way Memorable Incidents: Acapella choir, Pipe Band and those parades, Variety Show, many plays, assisting as a student instructor in the cars on the driving range, Mr Hill's math class, and having my mom be a secretary in the office for 2 years while I was there. Since High School: A hitch with the USAF, Graduate work at the U of New Hampshire, and teaching math now for 27 years. Future Plans: Retire and move to Maine Memorable Teachers: Mr Blair (chorus and pipe band), Mrs Bauer (choir), Mr Burlas (made a non-athlete really believe I could hit a single or run the full mile and live to tell about it, Mr Hill (even though I couldn't do Algebra in his class, when it finally "clicked" 4 years later, I found it was still there, deeply imbeded by a very wise man who never gave up on me. As I've told him at reunions, "thank you!"), and Mrs Luck (Geometry) who showed me that math can be fun. There is so much of her enthusiasm and love of mathematics that comes out even today as I teach geometry to my own students. I consider it a privelege to pass that gift along to another generation. And to her also, a warm "thank you". Now, being old enough to see some of life from a better perspective, this being the season of Lent, and of Mel Gibson's "Passion", I realize, how much God's love permeates everything we do, plan, or experience. ********** From: Ricky Hose (1976) Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2004 Subject: Update Occupation: COMMUNICATION REP, Children: NICHOLAS 19, KRISTINA 17 Since High School: JOINED THE MILITARY IN 1976 RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, RETIRED FROM THERE IN 1996 NOW WORK WITH CONVERGENT MEDIA (CHANNEL ONE) AS A FIELD SERVICE REP. Memorable Teacher: MRS LUCK (MATH) GREAT FUN TO BE HER CLASS. ********** From: Sandy Kreisman (1971) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 Subject: Update I found the website while cruising the Web. Occupation: Cultural Education Director, Spouse: Robert Buganski (Art Professor), Children: Samuel Jacob Buganski - Age 8 Since High School: Arts Management Types of jobs - Working at State Arts Agencies & Museums - I now coordinate national educational demonstration projects invoving museums, public broadcasting and technology. Future Plans: Rest One Day - but, not today! Memorable Teacher: Mr. Boyd our history teacher who truly awakened a passion for learning and demonstrated it in his class everyday. ********** From: Renee Predmore Wynn (1981) Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 Subject: Update Occupation: Manager Spouse: Steven (Sr. Naval Architect), Children: Brett 11 Memorable Incidents: Football games and parties Since High School: Same as everyone else - working, married, family activities, driving in the suburbs, having a good life Future Plans: Keep having a good life! Memorable Teacher: Mr. Hill - Great book! ********** From: Connie Collins Bland (1968) Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 Subject: Udpate Retired from Verizon after a career of 31 years. Have sold my house and am relocating to Williamsburg, Virginia. For those of you who knew my mom from church choir, girl scouts, etc., I've had to move her in with my husband and me. She is suffering from Alzheimer's and can no longer live alone. It's a BIG adjustment. Just read about Mr. Hill's book signing. It will probably be right in the middle of my move south, but I'm going to try to attend if I can. ********** From: Lisa Talmud aka Allie Raye (1981) Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 Subject: My short film "Charity" Hi All! Just wanted to share some really cool news. My short film "Charity" was accepted into the Methodfest Film Festival in Burbank, CA. You can check it out at www.methodfest.com and see what it's about. If any of you are in LA during April 2 to the 9th, let me know. The festival is a lot of fun!! This is my first time having a film in an actual festival so I'm really excited!! Thanks again to all who have donated, supported and kept me going through all of this!! It's an amazing ride. If you want to see the poster or pictures from the film you can go to my site. They are all posted. www.allieraye.com!!! I'll be posting updates on the site when and if we get into other film festivals. We are hopeful! (Updated March 19) - Sorry for the second entry, but I wanted to tell you all that my film "Charity" has been accepted into another film festival. This one is called "World Cinema Naples" and it's in Naples, FL. So...if any of you live down there or around there, please let me know and I'll give you the information! It's April 22, 23, 24 and 25th. So far, I know that a few of my classmates are coming! This will be wonderful fun! Email me if you want details and come on to Florida!!! Thanks!! Also, www.allieraye.com also has information. ********** From: Julie Jason Marquis (1982) Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 Subject: AVON Walk 2004! Any Peary Alum participating in the DC AVON Walk for Breast Cancer this year? If so, be on the "lookout" for a few fellow alumni cheering you on! This will be Year #3 for my brother, Seth (class of '79), and I to show our support for the walkers May 1-2. You'll be able to identify us: Seth is known as the Moo Cow Guy, (check his website to see why! www.geocities.com/thewalkersmoocow/great_outdoors.html) and I generally hand out water, snacks and goodies, offer mini back massages, and basically offer silliness to motivate the walkers. So, if you see us, stop bye and say hello! And know that we're out there with you! ********** From: Chris Ponow Bacon (1968) Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from a family member. Occupation: Teacher, Spouse: Patrick (Technical writer), Children: Jason 25 Memorable Incidents: Trips to Georgetown with Linda and Karen. T.P.ing with Dee Dee, Nadine et.al. Since High School: Raising my son, Jason, with Pat. Teaching. 7 trips to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, AL Future Plans: Live, rest, and be happy Memorable Teacher: Mr. Hill Need you ask? ********** From: Ellis Schlossenberg (1970) Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 Subject: Update Occupation: HR Manager Giant Food Inc., Children: Samuel-eleven Memorable Incident: Having an article of mine appearing in the Midnight Sun, on having no toilet paper in the bathrooms. Since High School: 32 years with Giant Food, Graduated University of Maryland 1974 Future Plans: Hope to retire in about 3 years and start a second career Memorable Teacher: Coach John Cino. He would end up working for me at Giant Food. I felt funny calling him by his first name, so it was always coach. ********** From: Gary Rosenthal (1974) Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 Subject: Sherwood HS Event Sherwood High School just had their 33rd rendition of the Rock and Roll revival. My son Evan, a junior at the school, was one of the dancers. Along with his partner, Shannon Aucsher, they were the hit of the production. He must have gotten his dancing ability, along with good lucks and smarts from his mother. ********** From: Curt Jordan (1965) Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website while web surfing. Occupation: Consulting engineer, Spouse: Patricia (Office administrator), Children: Christopher 29, Robert 26; Grandchildren: none yet! Memorable Incidents: Huskies 1st football game w/ Bullis Prep at Wheaton; as we walked home after the game Mr. Thomas drove by, shouted "Tired of walking boys? Try running!" and sped off. Creek-banking nite. Chorus trips to the State House, Alexandria, Arlington. Of course, President Kennedy's death & John Glenn's orbital flight. Tunes on the cafeteria juke box. The rainy OTIS production picnic. Since High School: College, a government career (retired), industry consulting, raising a family, choral music, home projects, basking in the blessings and grace of our Lord and Savior. Future Plans: Enjoying retirement. Seeing old friends. Memorable Teachers: Vincent Gibbs for teaching us to see what literature tells us about life. (His Of Mice and Men recording is a treasure.) Pearl Richardson for her sincerity, dedication, and mentorship. Carol Bauer for giving us music. Please keep in touch! ********** From: Ann Hoffman McKee (1965) Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 Subject: This one's for you, Mrs. Richardson! Like so many of us from the "Peary community", I was very sorry to hear of Mrs. Richardson's passing. She taught me a lot about the world of nature--some of which I still retain to this day! Not too long ago, I had an appointment with an otolaryngologist who was describing my ear problem without actually saying the word "Eustachian tube", so I remarked something like, "You're speaking of the Eustachian tube?". The doctor was astounded that I knew that word (remember that I live in Maine where very few people, other than medical professionals, would be familiar with the term "Eustachian tube"). So I remarked to the doctor that I had gone to a very good high school, but he assumed I meant a private high school. I told him that no, I had attended a very good high school in an excellent school district in Maryland! Mrs. Richardson was a fine example of the wonderful teachers that we had at Peary. Sometimes the lessons I learned in her classroom lasted in more tangible form. Way back in 1962, when I was a sophomore at Peary, one of our projects was to make terrariums. So I went out into our yard on Eastland Street, and then into the small wooded area behind our house which backed up to the houses on Bauer Drive, and collected some small plants, moss, etc., for the terrarium. I had purchased two large clear plastic pedestaled bowls from the five-and-ten in Twinbrook Shopping Center (over the bowling alley, remember?), and placed one upside down on top of the other to form the closed container. I got a B+, I think, and kept the terrarium for many years. In fact, after I moved out on my own, my mom kept the terrarium going for many more years with monthly waterings, occasionally replacing the tiny plants with new ones. Of course, the point is that it all lasted until well into the 1980's! A symbol of learning if there ever was one! Mrs. Richardson was one of my favorite teachers, not only for the subject matter, but also because she gave us knowledge of a different sort--integrity, curiosity, and grace. I am very fortunate to have known her. She was indeed a "Pearl"! *********************************** *********** QUICK TAKES *********** *********************************** Sue Lamoureux Dryden - Class of 1980 I found out about the website from Angie Vassilas Dunlevy. Occupation: Registered Nurse, Spouse: Jeff (US Army - Major), Children: Daughters - Bailey 19, Cassidy 18; Stepchildren: Matt 12, Mitch 8 & Kate 6 Anthony C. Tyler - Class of 1974 I found out about the MSO from the google website. Occupation: Court Administrator, Spouse: Susan (BlackJack Dealer), Grandchildren: Alec, Caliegh, Zachary, Drew & Brooke. Since High School: Moved to Las Vegas one year ago, Changed jobs in Court system Brad Rippetoe - Class of 1986/Wheaton Occupation: Landscape Manager, Spouse: Valerie (Fashion Consultant), Children: Ryan-7yrs old, James-3 yrs old, Jacqueline- born Jan 1st 2004 curt puhl - Class of 1979 I found out the website while surfing the web. Occupation: general contractor Mike Glazier - Class of 1984 I found out about the website from alumni. Occupation: Firefighter - Montgomery County, Spouse: Betty (Home Childcare), Children: Son Owen 9-01, Stepson 3-00. Since High School: working Linda Sheaffer Osborne - Class of 1974 Occupation: substitute teacher, Spouse: Michael (Class of 1968, network engineer), Children: Morgan - 11 Dennis P. Cyr - Class of 1984 Spouse: Kathleen Edmunds Cyr, Children: Olivia-12, Savannah-11, Kayla-10, Erica-9, and Amanda-8 Jill Horvat-Leininger - Class of 1978 Would love to hear from Mindy and Ginger if anyone knows where they are please let me know. Michelle Price - Class of 1984 Occupation: Environmental Protection Specialist, Significant Other: Megan. Since High School: Graduated from Frostburg in 1988, graduate school at Maryland in 1990. Worked at the Environmental Protection Agency ever since. Doug Wantling - Class of 1984 Occupation: Paramedic, Spouse: Connie (Nurse) Janis Runion Stalbaum - Class of 1969 I found out about the website through Google. Occupation: Nurse, Spouse: Ron (Teacher>, Children: Michael 22, Amanda 17 Suzy Sanchez Coleman - Class of 1968 I found out about the website from my sister. Occupation: Political consultant, Children: Three dogs... Sam and Angel, Great Pyrenees, and a cat, Annapurna Rhonda Mayben Pignataro - Class of 1980 Occupation: Benefits Secretary, Spouse: John (Lieutenant - DC Fire Department), Children: John Anthony (TONY) - AGE 15, Jennifer Lee - AGE 12 *********** CONDOLENCES *********** Please remember these families in your thoughts and prayers: We're saddened to inform you that the father of Tom Stambaugh (1970) died of a stroke on March 3, 2004. A fitting ceremony with pipers ("MacLeod" clan) performing "Amazing Grace" was part of the funeral. Standard military honors with 21-gun salute were conducted at the burial in Arlington. There is a Washington Post/Legacy notice and guestbook with memorial donation information at: http://www.legacy.com/washingtonpost/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=1998547 ----- David Horwitz, Class of 1982, passed away March 21, 2004 at his home in Pine Island, MN. Beloved husband of Deirdre A. Herman; loving son of Herbert R. and Claudette L. Horwitz of Rockville; devoted brother of Michele Horwitz Cornwell (1979) of Rockville and Alexander N. Horwitz of Great Falls, VA. A memorial service was held on Sunday, March 28 in Silver Spring. There is a Washington Post/Legacy notice and guestbook with memorial donation information at: http://www.legacy.com/washingtonpost/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2060348 ----- Our condolences to the families of these alums and friends. ********************************************************************** END OF TEXT - MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE - VOLUME 8, NUMBER 8 Articles for the next issue are due April 24, 2004 ********************************************************************** Copyright 2004 The Midnight Sun Online - http://www.pearyhs.org **********************************************************************