************************************************************ MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE The Online Newsletter for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni Volume 8, Number 9 April 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 condolence items. SCOTTISH FESTIVAL: Final reminder... 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. 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 was held Sunday April 18th at the Berman Academy. Photos of the event are now posted on the website, along with information about ordering a copy of Mr. Hill's book if you could not attend, and/or not in the area Thank you to Gale Senseman Privette (1966) for planning and organizing this, and to all of the volunteer assistants that day! Thank you to the Berman Academy for allowing use of the gym for Mr. Hill's event. FROM WARRICK S. HILL (Staff): It was such a warm feeling to see you today, Sunday, April 18, and to renew acquaintances. Some I had not seen in 40 years, but the short while I had to communicate with you was profitable. I had a delightful time meeting and greeting, as well as reminiscing about the good old Robert E. Peary High School years of which I have fond memories. Hopefully, our paths will cross sometime in the future. In the meantime, let's keep in touch. ROBIN ROSENBERG AISCOWITZ (1979): Mentioned in the Washington Post John Kelly column, April 26 Metro section, Page C11: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42125-2004Apr25.html "Picking a Beef" - About her quest to find the name of Oscar Taylor Restaurant - check out the link above - we cannot include it here - it's $100 for permission to re-publish the column in our newsletter! CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS: Local art show featuring the work of many artists including Dawn Thorpe Eury (1973). Catered event and artwork for sale. Dawn's artwork may be viewed at www.dawneury.com - click on Who Is Sugarmoon - click on Dawn Eury - and then click on New Dawn Studio. For an official invitation to this event, contact Dawn at dawneury@comcast.net. Unrelated.... Dawn has two Fleetwood Mac tickets available for sale (at cost) for their 8:00pm performance on May 26th at the Nissan Pavilion. She will be leaving for Las Vegas on the May 7th so please contact her prior. 2004 Reunions: Mark your calendars... more information (and updates as they become available) is posted in your class's info section at MSO... CLASS OF 1966: Initial planning for 2006 has begun CLASS OF 1969: Tentatively fall - stay tuned CLASSES OF 1970-1972: There will be no joint event. Each class will conduct separately. 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. Please RSVP for your main event by July 1, to Meredith and Reina! CLASS OF 1975: Annual get-together.... done! CLASS OF 1979: Need an "event coordinator" - running out of time! Casual, informal - anywhere, anytime as long as classmates can gather. "Who has a large house??!" Anyone interested in taking the reins, please contact Mary Fegan Heckhaus at mmheckhaus@comcast.net, and Lisa Stein Aron at lsaron23@hotmail.com. Any further information in-between the newsletters will be posted online at the MSO site, and on the Class of 1979 website (maintained by John Alvey). CLASS OF 1982: 40th Birthday Bash, June 26, 2004 at Last Mango in Gaithersburg, with Billie Jo Joseph Phucas's band, "The Distractions." 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. Mark your calendars! Also, the photos from 2003's Suds & Sun are being processed at this moment. They will be available for viewing on the site soon. MARCH NEWSLETTER: Apparently, AOL implemented something around the date of distribution of the last newsletter (3/31) that caused all distributions to alums who subscribe to AOL, to bounce on us. Ten grad years were affected (as far as we know) by this. We subsequently extracted all AOL accounts from those ten years affected, and resent the newsletter until they seemed to go-through. We hope you got it. AOL directly said they would work with MSO to work it out - they never replied. In other words, the distribution of this April newsletter is an "adventure," since we have no idea what AOL did, is doing, or fixed (hopefully), or what we're are about to encounter..... THANK YOU THIS PAST MONTH: Barry Bone (1968), Janice Bradshaw Bausch (1972), Jim Cyr (1981), John Horvat (1969 and Staff) and Beth Rogers Horvat (1974), Diana Slawter Carr (1970), Hank Fox (1983), Andy Harper (1967), Cynde Robinson Burgess (1977), The Class of 1971 for the final proceeds of Peary Polo Shirt sales from fall 2003, and to all of our committed recurring supporters signed-on to the automated donation plan. If you wish to support the MSO, please visit the donations page (secure) for information at https://id267.securedata.net/pearyhs/donation.htm 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 and 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 menu on the website. These requests will make things go quicker and smoother for us to process. Thanks! ********************************************************************* From: Natalie Bell Hagen (1980) Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 Subject: John Bell ('78) retirement I am pleased to relay that on March 26th, 2004, my brother John Bell Class of 1978 retired from AT&T (and it's spinoffs). He had a long career as an engineer with them and even came up with a few patents during his tenure there. Never one to sit still for long, he plans to continue training for his annual "Ride the Rockies"- done on a tandem bike with one of his daughters, and enjoy spending time with his family (and visiting his sister who is still a working stiff!) We're proud of you! ********** From: Ippy Laskaris Simmons (1984) Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2004 Subject: Avon Breast Cancer Walk Hello all!! Just wanted to let anyone who may be interested know, I am participating in the Avon 2-day walk in D.C. May 1st and 2nd. I will be walking in a marathon to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. I am required to raise $1,800. If anyone feels this is a worthy cause and would like to support me financially or give out a shout of encouragement, my web site address is www.ippy.net That site will also connect you to my e-mail and to the donation site. Or Directly: http://www.avonwalk.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1045&px=1236884 Thank you. If you need any more info. please e-mail me. See you in the fall, Ippy ********** From: larry ashoff (1964) Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 Subject: Update Occupation: trying to stay retired, Spouse: sharon (trying to stay retired), Children: christopher andrew 22, katherine lee 25; Grandchildren: i hope not Since High School: working; growing; musing and other stuffs (no joke--done a lot of "been there done that-have no intention of doing it again") Memorable Teacher: Priscilla blazek.....could not pronounce foible...ask carol cotton about the day of "the millers wife tale"...."....my virgin ears" ********** From: Janet Honeycutt Wallace (1974) Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 Subject: Update Occupation: Dental assistant, Spouse: Mark (Dentist), Children: Stepson Michael 31 yrs., Matthew 27 yrs, Kevin son 24 yrs., Amanda daughter 20 yrs.; Grandchildren: son of Matthew and Traci Wallace, Eli born: 11/19/03 Since High School: Working in my husband's dental practice and raising our kids. Now that they're almost grown, we're taking it slower and traveling some more. Future Plans: To stay healthy, to take the time to enjoy our family and friends! ********** From: yvonne marie becker hobbs (1969) Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from margot watsonSimons. Occupation: medical records secretary, Spouse: david (warehouse worker), Children: ROBERT AGE 34, JENNIFER AGE 26; Grandchildren: BRITTNEY AGE 9, ZACHARY AGE 4 Since High School: i have been married 33 years I have a third grandchild due in august. My husband did government service contracts for twenty years, so we traveled every 3-4 years. Now are living in delaware which has always been our home base. I am a medical office secretary for a Home Health Care corporation. ********** From: Zana Hoffman Shults (1963) Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from another classmate. Occupation: Desktop Publisher/Data Management, Spouse: Dale (Engineering Procurement), Children: Karen - 36, George - 33, and Meredith 28; Grandchildren: Jason-7 and C.J.(Charles James)-10 months Memorable Incidents: Football games, prom, art class with Minty Glass, Since High School: Traveling, moving, lived in New Mexico for two years, now I just started up doing watercolors again, plus the usual that goes with making a family. Future Plans: Retire and live on the water. Memorable Teacher: Minty Glass - because she was open minded and just very special My sister Ann lives in Maine and Martha lives in New York. ********** From: Janet DeCesaris (1973) Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website through google. Occupation: University Professor, Spouse: Josep Llorens (Economist), Children: Robert Llorens DeCesaris, born Dec. 2, 1991 and Gerard Llorens DeCesaris, born May 14, 1994 Since High School: After graduating from Georgetown University, I went to graduate school at Indiana University (Bloomington) and obtained two M.A. degrees and a Ph.D. I taught at Rutgers University in New Jersey for 3 years (1984-1987) before moving to Barcelona, Spain. I now have a tenured faculty position in translation and applied linguistics at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. Future Plans: I come to the area 2-3 times a year to see my brother and his family, who live near Olney, and my father, who now resides in an assisted living facility that is also near Olney. Memorable Teacher: Mr. Hill. I was active in Blue and White, When my mother died suddenly in 1986, he called our home. Both my brother Chet and I were very touched that he remembered her accompanying us to many activities. ********** From: Becky Brown Hartnett (1974) Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from Reina. Occupation: Homemaker/DTP for a local newspaper, Spouse: Michael (Marketing), Children: Patrick - 14, Laura Jean - 12 Memorable Incidents: Loved going to the games and dances. Since High School: Graduated from TSU in Social Science, some Gaduate School in Social Work, Waitressed in Towson and at the Hyatt in the Inner Harbor, did software support and training for a Computerland, got married and had kids. Been married for 16 years and still loving it! Future Plans: Get through the teen years with our kids. If we survive that, we'll go from there! Memorable Teacher: Mrs. Pearlman - she was like one of the girls - we could talk to her ********** From: Deborah Sheaffer Grant (1972) Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my sister, Linda. Class of '74. Occupation: Teacher - middle school humanities , Spouse: William (Director of an economic consulting firm), Children: Emilie Rebecca Sheaffer Grant -- A lovely 18 year old who has avoided all the pitfalls that I didn't at that age. Memorable Incidents: On student seminar day, the explusion of the communist speakers and of the feminist passing out contraceptive information. This was followed by the boycott of classes and march to the Board of Education to demand Principal Dunn's dismissal. I still have the Rockville paper that covered it and gain alot of social status when I tell my students about it. (My mother drove along side the marchers in our then enormous Vista Cruiser station wagon asking if anyone wanted a ride. Being a budding revolutionary I of course refused.) Since High School: Oh my god! Where to begin? Several careers... social worker, Peace Corps West Africa, international marketing in Paris, teacher. A slew of degrees... Most recently a masters in curriculum development. Two marriages (who's counting!)... This marriage now in its 13th year and going very strong. Several relocations: Togo... France, Morocco, California (saw Karen Coulborn Hamilton), and now nearly five years in South Africa and loving it. Future Plans: Can't decide. Either buy a property in the Cape Winelands (do not let my parents know!) or return to Washington, DC in a couple of years. Our life is very good here right now with tremendous job satisfaction and a comfortable lifestyle. Memorable Teacher: Donna Dixon. She was the most honest and inspiring teacher I'd ever had. She seemed to truly have a connection with the students. Donna helped me realize my potential as a writer. I'd love to find her. Other alums I know about? Claire Regimbal is in Fredericksburg, VA. She has five grandchildren. Karen Coulborn, in California, has a daughter. What happened to Sue Speich? I was friends with her in ninth and tenth grade. ********** From: Suzanne Wagstaff Baulsir (1974) Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from Lisa Hirsch Ben-Shlaush. Occupation: teacher, Spouse: Bob (teacher), Children: Brian 25, Keith 18, Brett 16 Other alums I know about? Molly Monahan Perry and Joanne Whitt Wilson ********** From: Hank Heller (1983) Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 Subject: The birth of #3 Well our third child arrived at 11:37 pm on 04/04/04. Rett Franklin Heller was born, not by choice, at home five minutes before EMS arrived. I had the thrill and honor of delivering my third son. All are doing fine. My best to you all, God bless you and yours. Hank ********** From: Joe Duranko (1980) Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from family. Website - www.line-x.com (Protective Spray on Coatings), Occupation: Partner/manager, Children: Son Daniel-17 Daughter Sarah-9 Memorable Incidents: Times spent with good friends, Tom C.,TimmyF,DeloresR Smitty and the rest of the folks that knew how let loose!!!!! Since High School: Traveled country working,Married Heather Mason(79)Divorced From Heather Mason. Future Plans: To be around long enough to tell my grown kids NO I wont babysit!!!!Ha Ha Memorable Teachers: Perry Mason(hall monitor- Black path monitor)for showing me the errors of my ways.Mr.Clark,would cut classes all day but come back for his.Coach Bill Williams but not that @#!@&#* golf club!!! ********** From: James Hudgins Jr (1971) Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from a friend. Occupation: special education teacher, Children: Heather 22, James 19 Memorable Incident: The hole between the girls and boys bathroom on the first floor where we passed smokes to each other. Since High School: working like the rest of the world. I owned some bussiness for 15 years then went back to college to get my masters to become a teacher. Future Plans: work, work, work, then retire Memorable Teacher: Mrs. Hoover, history after lunch she always put me to sleep. ********** From: Cantor Geoffrey B. Fine (1982) Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 Subject: Update How I found out about the website? Got some e-mails from friends from the past! Website - http://uahc.org/ma/betc/index.html (Synagogue in Belmont Massachusetts), Occupation: Clergy -- Cantor, Significant Other: Dr. Joel Hencken (Psychologist) Memorable Incidents: Music classes and performances with Mr. Peerless and "the gang", Musical production of "Two by Two" with my friend Brad Oscar, singing "Believe It or Not" in the Senior Show! Since High School: Went to undergraduate school at the Eastman School of Music (graduated in 86); sang professionally in 5 Opera Companies and in Professional Chorus Ensembles for 12 years! I met my wonderful partner at that time; we've been together for 11 years now. Went back to Seminary in 1994 and received Masters of Sacred Music Degree and was Invested as Cantor in 1998. Have been Cantor at my Temple for 6 years now. Future Plans: Continue to be a clergy leader in my community. Memorable Teachers: Mr Morrisey -- great gymnastics teacher (got my letter in gymnastics), Mr Peerless -- always made singing great (I was in the barbershop quartet which took first place in State competition!!) ********** From: JAN RUSSELL MILLARD (1973) Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 Subject: Update How I found out about the website? SEARCHED THE WEB. Occupation: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, Spouse: MICHAEL, Children: MICHAEL 29, JAMES 24, KENNETH 17, ASHLEY 12; GrandchildrenL CHRISTIAN 4 Memorable Incidents: FOOTBALL GAMES, CHOIR CONCERTS Since High School: RAISING MY FAMILY Future Plans: CONTINUE WORKING AND ENJOYING MY FAMILY Memorable Teachers: MR. PEERLESS (CHORAL) - WHAT A FUN WE HAD! MRS. FILANO (TYPING) - I'M STILL TYPING THE WAY SHE TAUGHT ME. MR. HASSLER (ALGEBRA) - I LEARNED A LOT, AND CONSISTENTLY RECEIVED A'S. MR. CLARKE (HISTORY) - HE HAD A REPUTATION FOR BEING A DIFFERENT KIND OF TEACHER, AND HE LIVED UP TO IT. MY CHILDREN HAVE ATTENDED MAGRUDER. I'M AMAZED HOW MANY FORMER PEARY TEACHERS ARE THERE NOW OR HAVE BEEN IN THE RECENT PAST! ********** From: Bill Cokas (1984) Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 Subject: Any other Parrotheads out there? I need a better-paying hobby. This appeared in the Raleigh News and Observer, Sunday, April 25, 2004: http://newsobserver.com/features/story/3540582p-3143515c.html ********** From: Bill Cokas (1984) Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 Subject: Update How I found out about the website? Can't even remember now...probably just surfing. Website - www.strategicinsights.net (advertising/branding/marketing), Occupation: Creative Director, Spouse: Susan (Copywriter), Children: Cameron 4, Zachary 4 (twin boys) Memorable Incidents: It seemed that nearly half our high school time was consumed with the notion that we were closing. Despite Dr. Dumais' claims to the contrary, the grim reaper held the door open for us every morning. Still, I enjoyed running the school paper and being in the school plays. We had a relatively tight-knit group for a high school. I have friends who tell me their graduation class had over 1000 people. Plus, we had the death of the school to further bind us together. It's a dubious distinction being in the last class, but it's better than none at all! Since High School: Went to North Carolina (Chapel Hill), majored in journalism and drew a comic strip in the Daily Tar Heel. Worked as a writer in Chicago after that at Leo Burnett (McDonald's, Nintendo, Heinz, Samsonite, etc.). Got married and moved back to North Carolina to work for a much smaller shop. Had twin boys in 1999 and have been trying to keep up ever since. Future Plans: Anybody need a syndicated comic strip? I've got one to sell. Memorable Teachers: Mr. Clarke, Mrs. Rosen, Mr. Gibbs and Mrs. Hale for their humor and refusal to patronize (most) students. I teach a class now at UNC and try to achieve their blend of entertainment and education ("edu-tainment"!). *********************************** *********** QUICK TAKES *********** *********************************** Henri "Hank" de Sibour III - Class of 1974 user unknown Spouse: PEGGY, Children: KELSEY AGE 8, SAMI AGE 6 Jean M. Johnson - Class of 1977 I found out about the website from the yahoo search engine. Occupation: Human Resources Specialist, Spouse: Jack (General Contractor), Children: Jennifer Age 8, Joseph Age 4 James L. Rehill - Class of 1974 I found out about the website through a Web Search. Occupation: Certified Public Accountant, Spouse: Patricia Anne (Licensed Real Estate Appraiser/Realtor) Edna Leung Milbank - Class of 1974/early grad Occupation: physician, Spouse: Samuel (computer software engineer) Children: Edward 14, Jennifer 11 Darlene Tremper Costello - Class of 1979 Occupation: Engineer, Spouse: Brian (Engineer) Nick G. Anagnostopoulos - Class of 1984 Occupation: Oracle Database Administrator, Children: Kaitlin, Memorable Incidents: Skunk oil? -Senior Hall. Very creative. Since High School: Work and Family. Future Plans: Retire early to Florida. Memorable Teacher: Mr. Clark - disciple Kim Stahl Dryfoos - Class of 1981 I found out about the website from friends. Occupation: grant writer, Spouse: Walt (musician), Children: Christopher 7, Nicholas 4; Since High School: Catching rays in sunny Florida...... Karen Di Fulgo - 1986/Lafayette (Williamsburg, VA) Occupation: Vice President of Human Resources, Significant Other (Chiropractor) Cynthia Freeland Ahroon - Class of 1969 I found out about the website while trying to get my transcripts and saw it on-line. Occupation: homemaker, Spouse: William (Research Scientist), Children: Heather 31, Megan 29, Courtney 24, William 21, Lyndsey 19, Matthew 16, David 12; Grandchildren: Amber 9, Josh 7, Julian 5, Annebelle 3, Benjamin 1, Lucy 1, Kinley 1. Memorable Incident: graduation, Since High School: getting older, having children; Memorable Teachers: Don't remember a one. I must have blocked it out. Sherrie Eaton Bounds - Class of 1979 Occupation: VP of Finance, Spouse: Roger (Project Manager), Children: 1 son, Nicholas, age 9 Susan Soberman Moore - Class of 1974 I found out about the website through another classmate. Occupation: Accounting Mgr, Spouse: Peter (Sheriff's Dept), Future Plans: Retirement *********** CONDOLENCES *********** Please remember these families in your thoughts and prayers: Richard Edward (ED) King Sr., the father of Peary alums Rek King '69 (deceased) married Meg McElfish '71 (Mthenorthend@aol.com), Noni King Peterson '70 married Jim Peterson '71, and Gail King Ziminsky '71 (ismgz53@aol.com) husband Alvin Ziminsky   passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2004. He was 80 years old, and was living in Frederick near his daughters. The full notice and a guestbook may be found at: http://www.legacy.com/washingtonpost/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2143622 where donation information, in memory of Mr. King, may also be found. Services were held on Sunday, April 25th in Frederick, MD. ----- From the Washington Post - Thursday, April 22, 2004; Page B06 Schools Employee Ruth Loevinger Ruth Schimmel Loevinger, 77, who helped high school students in Montgomery County learn about work and college opportunities, died April 18 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital after a heart attack. Mrs. Loevinger joined the school system in 1975 as a coordinator of volunteer services at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. She was a career information assistant at Peary High School in Rockville from 1981 to 1983 and then at Rockville High School until she retired in 1992. At Peary and Rockville, she arranged for military and college recruiters to come to the schools, signed students' work permits and created a library of information about colleges and careers. She was a Baltimore native and a 1947 chemistry graduate of Westhampton College of the University of Richmond. One of her earliest jobs was clinical assistant in endocrinology at Georgetown University Hospital from 1947 to 1949. She then accompanied her husband on his scientific jobs in California and Austria before settling in the Washington area in 1968. She was a Democrat and a former board member of the League of Women Voters in Montgomery County and the national capital area chapter. In 1976, she ran unsuccessfully for Rockville City Council on the Citizens for Good Government ticket. She also volunteered in campaigns for city council and other civic positions and was a member of health and education panels in Montgomery County. A longtime Rockville resident, she moved to Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg two years ago. Her hobbies included gardening. Survivors include her husband, Robert Loevinger, whom she married in 1952, of Asbury Methodist Village; three children, Nancy Loevinger of San Diego, David Loevinger of Silver Spring and Rabbi Neal Loevinger of Swampscott, Mass.; and three grandchildren. The Legacy notice and link to guestbook may be seen at http://www.legacy.com/washingtonpost/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2166536 ----- Our condolences to the families of these alums and friends. ********************************************************************** END OF TEXT - MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE - VOLUME 8, NUMBER 9 Articles for the next issue are due May 29, 2004 ********************************************************************** Copyright 2004 The Midnight Sun Online - http://www.pearyhs.org **********************************************************************