************************************************************ MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE The Online Newsletter for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni Volume 9, Number 5 December 2004 MSO WEBSITE - http://www.pearyhs.org ************************************************************ INTRODUCTION Greetings Huskies, We're a little late (4 days) getting this out. Please accept our apologies. No doubt, many of you won't be seeing this until 2005 and it is now Christmas Eve on the East coast as this newsletter is being compiled and distributed to each of the 24 grad years and teachers. In this issue... intro/general items and 2005-2006 reunion info, classmate updates, and condolence notices. REUNIONS IN 2005: Class of 1970, contact Grant Gursky and Jim Warfield. Class of 1975, contact Betty Lopez and Dave Kovack. Class of 1980, contact Janet Peters, Beth Sowers Chirico, and Bob Slowey. 1985/Wheaton grads (Fall 2005), see Chris von Stein's information in this newsletter. As soon as any add'l details/plans are known, they will be included in subsequent newsletters and posted on the Peary/MSO website immediately. REUNIONS IN 2006: Class of 1966: Planning now - contact Gale Senseman Privette Class of 1971: 1971 Reunion Committee - Holiday Inn FSK Mall, Frederick MD - Date TBA Class of 1976: Planning now - contact Maureen Difulgo Bladen 1979 REUNION PHOTOS: The rest of the photos from the 1979 Reunion are now posted, courtesy of John Alvey. If you have more that you'd like to add to this site, send them to John and they'll be posted immediately. John's e-mail address is alvey_john@yahoo.com. The link to the add'l photos is at http://www.angelfire.com/on/alvey/79reunion (this page is also pulled-in to the MSO website from the 1979 Info Area and the existing 1979 photos page posted on MSO). THANKS, John! GARY CANGEMI (1972): Each holiday season we're proud to display Gary's "Peary Christmas" greeting on the website. Very talented, indeed. We're happy to announce that Circle Press has recently released "Umbert the Unborn, A Womb With A View," its first published collection of Umbert the Unborn cartoons by cartoonist Gary Cangemi, an alumnus of Peary High School and award winning cartoonist for The Midnight Sun 1969-72. The 80 page paperback book presents Umbert in full color. "The response to Umbert has been overwhelming," stated Cangemi, "people have written me from around the country, telling me how Umbert has touched their lives. They even suggest to me ideas for future Umbert strips. The outpouring of love for this tiny unborn cartoon character is just phenomenal." "It seems like eons since we debated these issues in Mr. Bill Thomas's Sociology class at Peary. It was usually me against the class. It's taken me thirty years to come up with a less confrontational approach to pro-life issues." Aside from the new book, Cangemi has launched an Umbert the Unborn website at www.umbertheunborn.com and has signed an agreement with www.catholic.net [click "Culture of Life"] that features an Umbert comic strip daily on its website. Umbert the Unborn, A Womb With A View, is available from Circle Press at 1-800-356-9916, Ext.3809. Autographed copies are available online at www.umberttheunborn.com. Cangemi resides in Scranton, Pennsylvania with his wife Nancy, son Peter, and daughters, Katherine and Becca. [Editor's Note: The MSO is "blind" to issues of political subjects; however, we DO always want to let classmates know of the activities and successful endeavors of our classmates.] MSO NOTES: Many alums write MSO and ask "how come I didn't know....?" Again, any timely information between the monthly newsletters may be found at www.pearyhs.org. Please check your "alternate" contact e-mail listing online, too. We run into many cases where your main e-mail address fails on us or is no longer valid, so we attempt to contact you through the alternate contact address (if you provided one).. and then THOSE fail on us as well. Please keep us up-to-date and look at your own listing once in a while to check for accuracy. The current listings are at http://www.pearyhs.org/phslist.htm (you will be automatically redirected to a secure server where the listings reside). This list is updated several times daily, so please don't wait a whole year to look at it and update your info. Some have missed their reunions because of an invalid e-mail address (many classes.. there are no longer snail-mailed invitations, to save on costs). THANK YOU: Supporters this past month..... John Prescott (1963), Debbie Bernd Aceto (1973), Rick Cauble (1974), Tim Power (1975), Mary Fegan Heckhaus and the Class of 1979 Reunion Committee, and to all of our monthly and quarterly pledges. For information on how you can help support the MSO, simply click any link where it reads "Donations" (go figure) which will take you to a secure server where the instructions and options may be found. Directly, the secure page is at https://id267.securedata.net/pearyhs/donation.htm. Either way, it's easy to find and it take about 5 minutes to do, and we appreciate your consideration! Reminder: please read the receipts/acknowledgements we issue if you're using a credit card for MSO donations. If you don't (or don't remember) and the transaction is questioned, MSO not only loses the donation, but is penalized a chargeback fee on top of that. Some of you DO reply to the receipt - that makes us feel better too, and that's encouraged, to know that you got your receipt. Stay warm (if you reside in the northern hemisphere), and Happy Holidays to all... see you next year, Bob Lau, Editor/Webmaster - blau@viawest.net The Midnight Sun Online - Robert E. Peary High School P.S. If you wish to directly reply or comment, please don't quote the entire newsletter back. Create a new e-mail to blau@viawest.net. ALWAYS include your grad year in the correspondence, and your name (i.e. we don't know who "xyz3a4533@yourisp.com" is with text that only reads "Yes, that is fine" - without having to search-through records to find out WHO you are and WHAT it is you might be writing about). The MSO is working with 4,400+ classmates here (and I'm only one person) - please leave us a little more info if you e-mail - thanks. And PLEASE use the forms online for changes so that the updates/data go to the correct class for e-mail and mailing address changes. Do not send them directly to me/MSO. The forms online are set up to go to the right people, and saves us time from having to forward your information to the appropriate class organizers. ********************************************************************* From: Chris von Stein (1985/Wheaton) Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 Subject: 1985/Wheaton Grads Occupation: COO- small pet products company, Spouse: Angela (Hall-Kennedy '86) Heads up for 85 Peary/Wheaton grads. The 20 year Wheaton reunion will be sometime in the Fall of 2005. Yours truly will give you further updates. We may try to make it on a holiday weekend so you can have an extra day off work for those traveling long distances. Hope to see you all there. ********** From: John Haines (1980) Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my Father. Occupation: Software Developer, Spouse: Nancy (Homemaker), Children: Richard Haines 18, Christian Haines 15 Memorable Incidents: Meeting one of the greatest teachers of all time... Mr. Hill Since High School: Boeing B-2 Program, Software Development, Graduated Univ of MD BSAE May 1984 Future Plans: Have fun and enjoy the time with my wife and children. Memorable Teacher: Mr. Hill, he was my insperation to develop my scientific mind. ********** From: Lee Ann Shanholtz Elman (1980) Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website while talking with another Peary alum at a neighborhood party. Occupation: housewife, Spouse: Greg (electrical engineer), Children: Taryn 15, Tori 13, Kacey 7; Grandchildren: catch me in 10 or 15 years Memorable Incidents: parties at O'Donnells, football games, team meetings, having my car window blown out by something on the way to a cheerleading competition at Magruder--then having my purse and camera stolen---I think we won the competiton though! Since High School: graduated from Old Dominion University and then worked as a loan officer for 3 years. After having my first daughter, I retired my briefcase and have been loving being a stay-at-home Mom ever since Future Plans: one day at a time.... Memorable Teacher: Mr. Gardner...I think everyone thought it was a joke when he agreed to be our cheerleading sponsor, but he was committed to us --and treated us all like his own---he was a great man ********** From: Lynn Draize Jones (1980) Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 Subject: Holiday Card Drive 2004 for troops serving in the Middle-East Hi-- Just thought I would up-date you on the "2004 Holiday Card Drive" for the troops currently serving in the Middle-East... We received 33,318 cards/well wishes/letters to send to 62 Military members currently serving...and I would like to send a very special Thanks to Doug and Patti Doty (Doug is a 1966 Peary alum) for all their hard work and help!!!! Please remember many families will have loved ones who are on the front lines of war fighting for our freedom during this Holiday season---including some of our alumni families. Thanks for those who participated!!! We will be doing this again for 2005. Thanks again--- Happy Holidays. Sincerely, Lynn (Draize) Jones (1980 alum) and the members of the South Washington County Military Support Group ********** From: Ellen Sheehan Coleman (1975) Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website through a friend. Occupation: Restaurant owner, Spouse: Larry (Restaurant owner) Children: Christopher age 16, Brendan age 13 Memorable Incidents: Ski trips, ice cream socials, driver's ed in the parking lot. Memorable Teachers: Mr. Black, who really cared about his students. Mr. Clark who kept it interesting and Mrs. Glass, who motivated students and supported individuality. ********** From: seth jason (1979) Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my sister. Occupation: Head Electrician MCI Center, Spouse: Katherine (Director of Marketing) Memorable Incidents: 2 2x4"s in the hallway and Mrs' Vadalia room. Tech Crew and Football games. Paul Hassler's baseball and John Horvat and the tech crew. Kevin Lynch, and seeing John Horvat doing CPR on the field. Since High School: Working in the theaters in Washington DC (that tech crew stuff paid off). Now I am head electrician at the MCI Center as well as working on the road for ABC News. Got Marrired in 1997 and living in Edgewater since 1998. I also got involved in Breast Cancer walker/awareness thanks to my sister Julie (peary 83'). Future Plans: Doing more with Breast Cancer awareness and support. Memorable Teachers: John Horvat, Paul Hassler and Jim Luko. I just had fun in their clases and on the baseball team. The Website is Great !! Thank you Bob for your hard work. ********** From: Stuart Plotnick (1980) Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from a friend. Occupation: Attorney, Significant Other: Barbara Sacks (Government Relations) Since High School: I have stayed in the area, have my own law practice in Rockville; doing quite a bit of traveling abroad; a couple of marathons Memorable Teachers: Mr. Pine, Mr. Clarke, Wayne Fleeger. All were fairly colorful characters and made learning an enjoyable experience ********** From: Jim Cyr (1981) Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 Subject: My Kids!! I am pleased to say that my oldest daughter's U-11 soccer team finished the season undefeated and they also won the NC State Cup Soccer Tournament. In addition, my son, J.P., plays on a wheel-chair basketball team and the won the Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation's Holiday Tournament this past weekend. We are proud of both of them. [There is a photo of Caitie's team linked with the "Alumni Kids in the News" page of the Husky Pups area on MSO] ********** From: Paula Mergenhagen DeWitt (1975) Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from my sister. Occupation: healthcare business writer, Spouse: Paul (attorney), Children: Marie DeWitt age 7 Memorable Incidents: I really enjoyed being in the two plays senior year, The Adding Machine and The Crucible. Since High School: I moved to Nashville, TN in 1979 to go to graduate school at Vanderbilt University and have been here ever since. I'm a healthcare writer and work for a company called HealthLeaders. We have a healthcare business magazine and several other publications. I got married at age 34 and had my first (and only) child at age 40 so I'm somewhat of a late bloomer I guess! Future Plans: Raising my child and staying healthy! Memorable Teachers: My clearest memories are of Mrs. Wiltse and Mr. Gibbs, especially Mr. Gibbs-screaming at me during practice for the play senior year. The web site is really wonderful! ********** From: Lisa Hirsch Ben-Shlaush (1974) Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 Subject: "The Producers" Recently my sisters (Diane Class of '77 and Amy Class of '81) and I took our mom to New York for a special birthday weekend. We were fortunate enough to get tickets to see The Producers starring Brad Oscar [Class of 1982]. It was an incredible performance by all. As luck would have it after the show, we were just hanging out by the front door when we noticed a familiar face almost pass us by. It was Brad and he so graciously indulged us in a 15-minute conversation. He was charming and we were thrilled to exchange info about the old neighborhood etc. Lisa Ben-Shlaush (Hirsch) '74 [A photo of the Hirsch sisters with Brad is posted on the MSO website] ********** From: Melynda Salsitz-Talmud Schudrich (1985/Rockville) Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from My Sister- Allie Raye. Occupation: Teacher, Spouse: Nathaniel (Cantor/Clergy), Children: David Simon- 8/26/98, Asher Hillel- 7/17/00, Ezra Reuven- 8/22/04 Memorable Incidents: Hanging out at the cave and great football games with the Rowdies! Peary had the best football. Since High School: I have been in MA for the past 6 1/2 years. Before that, I spent a lot of time traveling and teaching and enjoying my single life. Now I really enjoy my married life and living in New England- a nice quiet town- definitley not like Rockville! Future Plans: To still keep it simple! ********** From: Jeannie Brown Seal 1985/Wheaton Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 Subject: Update I found out about the website from My Aunt. Occupation: Waitress Spouse: Larry (Truck Driver), Children: Larry Jacobs Jr. age 19, Tim Jacobs age 17, Ashley Rhodes age 15. Memorable Incidents: Fighting to keep peary high opened. Since High School: Just working and raising my kids. Future Plans: Just to be happy and make sure my kids are taken care of. Memorable Staff: Stanley R Brown my grandfather who passed away in 02-2000, He was my everything. He was one of the building service. ********** From: Denise Frank-Conneen (1982) Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 Subject: Update Web site - http://www.MarketReachSolutions.com (Marketing Outreach Services), Occupation: Self-Employed-Business Owner-Marketing Consultant, Spouse: Michael (Engineer & Classic Car Dealer), Children: Zachary-Age 6, Grandchildren: Oh my god!! Not yet!! Memorable Incidents: Peary Poms and long lasting friendships; I think I'm friends with more people from Peary now than I was when we were all in school together! It's fun running into people who still live locally. Since High School: College, work, more college, more work, more college......now I own my own business and love the flexible time it leaves to be with my family. I enjoyed working on the reunion committee to get re-connected with old Peary friends. Future Plans: Make the most of my life! Turning 40 hit hard..... See ya'll at the next reunion! ********** From: Eileen Brown Carter (1965) Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 Subject: Hello Class Just a little note to say hope everyone is having a great holiday season and hope everyone remembers to drive safely. I know that prayers are needed for Roxy so let us all say a prayer and wish her a speedy recovery. All fine in my house we already for xmas celebration Donna (66) Fred (her husband) and I along with Patty (83) with her daughter are going to celebrate at Jeannie (84) and Larry (her husband) at her apartment in Germantown. Keep your emails and addresses updated please and if any one would like any special prayers or such let everyone know because we are a big class and we have a special bond. Keep well drive safe and everyone will live this holiday season. That all for now. Happy Holidays Eileen *********************************** *********** QUICK TAKES *********** *********************************** Wade Henderson - Class of 1973 Occupation: Configuration Manager, Spouse: Lisa (Nurse), Children: Courtney M. Henderson, Adam Goodman, Lindy T. Henderson, Jeff Goodman. Memorable Incidents: Skipping school, Since High School: Working at the Dept. of Defense, Future Plans: Retire in another 10 years Richard Gilly - Class of 1979 Website - www.fr.com (patent law firm), Occupation: patent attorney, Spouse: Pamela Simon (vintage fabrics), Children: Wyatt - 10, Ben - 8, Noah - 7, Aidan - 2 Jon Fleming - Class of 1980 I found out about the website from the newsletter. Spouse: Kim, Children: Jack (5) Larry Wellman - Class of 1965 Retired From Govt Service, Own antique Business Sue Hennessey Highsmith - Class of 1976 Sorry about the AOL e-mail block. Hope to hear from some of you! Derek South - Class of 1971 I found out about the website through a web search. Occupation: Executive Mgmnt. High tech, Children: Ashton (19) Kimberly McDaniel - Class of 1978 Occupation: The Peabody Institute - Information Patty Hunt Cruzan - Class of 1972 Occupation: Kindergarten Teacher, Children: Sarah Cruzan (27), Jeremiah Cruzan (21), Noah Cruzan (20); Grandchildren: Monet Davis (9), Kiara Davis (5) Terry Dilworth Mathers - Class of 1969 Grandchildren: Kayla Marie Mathers - 2 months Teresa Smith Keenan - Class of 1978 I found out about the website from a classmate. Occupation: Teacher, Spouse: Dan (Veterinarian), Children: Liam 5 Stephen Perantoni - Class of 1971 Occupation: sales, Children: 4 chidren stephanie, jeff, andrea, charlie scott rosenbusch - Class of 1981 Occupation: Director of Clinical Informatics, Spouse: Yen Greg Farrar - Class of 1972 I found out about the website from google. Occupation: Business Owner, Spouse: Dawn (Telephone Business), Children: Cindy - 16, Chris - 16, Beverly - 18. Comments: class of 72 rocks Connie Convers Barnhart - Class of 1980 Occupation: Office Manager, Spouse: Mike (Civil Engineer), Children: 2 cats (Baby is 19 & Bou is 9). cindy chais kensky barth - Class of 1975 I found out about the website from my sister diane husereau(chais--'68). Occupation: district sales manager, Spouse: michael (mis), Children: brian kensky 18 Michael J. king - Class of 1981 I found out about the website from FORMER CLASSMATE. Occupation: FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL, Spouse: ELIZABETH T. KING (WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER), Children: MICHAEL "RYAN" KING - BORN 1990, PATRICK JOSEPH KING - BORN 1993 Thaddeus J Nowak - Class of 1976 Occupation: Network Systems Engineer Michael "Patrick" Gibson - Class of 1982 How I found out about the website? Saw posting on Classmates.com. Occupation: semi-retired *********** CONDOLENCES *********** Please remember these alums and families in your thoughts and prayers: MARVIN CHAIKEN, the father of Edie (1965 - pwelty1@maine.rr.com), Steve (1964), and Paul (1967 - until transferred out of state - pchaiken@rudman-winchell.com), died December 14, 2004 at Maine Medical Center after a brief illness. He would have been 85 on December 28th. He was born on December 28, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY, of Frank and Mollie Chaiken. He was the older brother of Helen and Robert. Marv served in the Army during World War II despite having had childhood asthma. He married Frances Settler on May 23, 1943. Marv graduated from Brooklyn College and attended Georgetown and Columbia Universities. They had three children, Stephen, Edith and Paul. After the war Marv worked for the Veteran Administration in New York until 1956, when he was transferred to Washington, DC, as a member of the team installing the VA^Òs first computer system. He was lured to private industry by Union Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1966. He, Fran and Paul moved to Cape Elizabeth. Marv retired from Union Mutual in 1982. He then began his second career as a volunteer. He worked with the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross, SCORE, the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar^Òs Grievance Commission, The Funeral Society of Maine, the Independent Transportation Network, and AARP^Òs volunteer income tax advice program. Marv is survived by his wife of 62 years, Fran; his daughter Edie, son Paul, daughter-in-law Debora and grand children Jessica, Jennifer, Joel, Alex and Emma.A memorial service with family and friends will be held at Levy Chapel 471 Deering Avenue, Portland, Maine, on Friday December 17th at 2:00 pm. Contributions in lieu of flowers should be made to Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS, 165 West 46th Street, Suite 1300, New York, NY 10036 or to a charity of your choice. [There is also a .pdf attachment of a nice article about Mr. Chaiken and his volunteer work in Maine with the Independent Transportation Network, downloadable/viewable on the MSO site.] ---------- The grandmother of Lisa Salsitz-Talmud (1981, aka Allie Raye - tinkerbell@allieraye.com) of Los Angeles CA and Melynda Salsitz-Talmud Schudrich (1985/Rockville - m.schudrich@verizon.net) of New Bedford MA, passed away the evening of Wednesday 12/22. ----- Our condolences to the families of these alums and friends. ********************************************************************** END OF TEXT - MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE - VOLUME 9, NUMBER 5 Articles for the next issue are due January 29, 2005 ********************************************************************** Copyright 2004 The Midnight Sun Online - http://www.pearyhs.org **********************************************************************