WECATON NEWS REPORT!!!--- 22 December 2004

---What on earth am I doing? Here it is, just 3 days until Christmas and the whole world is making preparations (well, at least a huge majority of it), and I'm sitting here doing a news bullletin! Well, I find this relaxing and very pleasant in the mad rush of holiday preparations and it's been about 3 weeks since I wrote one, anyway. So here we go! Now, let's see, what's happening in the world of WC? Plenty!

Way back on November 30, I received a wonderful e-mail from 1960's T. BARRY RUSSELLO, who reported that he and his 1959 spouse, BETSY R. MURPHY, will be traveling to Maryland to spend the holiday with their daughter, son-in-law, and their two grandsons. They will be gone from the 23rd through the 28th. You can bet they will both also be fashionable and chic! It's one of the things they do best. Have a great time, Russellos, and be safe on your trip! They are once again receiving all the bulletins, after a few months of failing to do so.

Speaking of wonderful WC news, here's some of the best I've heard in quite a spell: DAVID A. BLAIR, Class of 1960, is the very proud grandfather of twin boys, who were born on September 25, 2004. Now, don't ask me why it took SO long for him to let us know. But at least we know, now. Dave's grandsons brings to 3, the number of his grandchildren. They already had one 3- year-old granddaughter. Now, they have Noah Richard and Cole Alan and both are apparently doing well and thriving. Dave says the boys will round out his foursome for golf, along with son Mark. Congratulations from all of us, Dave, on the joyous occasion of the birth of your twin grandsons.

As we all are now aware, the health of JUDY LINDSEY has taken a great upswing. I haven't heard anything for the past couple of weeks, but her little brother, 1959's JAMES L. LINDSEY, wrote to tell me of his sister's big improvement in her health and how happy he was about it. Also sending along good wishes for Judy were 1961's NANCY J. ERTEL and JUDITH L. SAMUELS. If you're out there reading this, Judy, please know that we've all been pulling for you and directing our good thoughts in your direction. Keep improving!

From 1987's SHARLENE N. MERKER and from 1955's DONNA G. TUDOR, come reports that 1960's SHIRLEY J. TUDOR, is rapidly improving from her horrendous accident of the third week of November, wherein she suffered a skull fracture. That type of injury is fragile and she will have to closely monitor her activity for a period of months, but she has told me she's doing well, as did her daughter and sister. I know we're all happy to hear that.

Donna sends special greetings to 1957's DARELL L. TOBIAS, and she also asked that I convey condolences to you, BOYD H. JENKINS, Class of 1960, upon the loss of your brother, EARL, Class of 1955, who was Donna's classmate.

JAMES E. KECKLER and wife Janet have reported that they are in Ohio until January 11. This means a few of you may be seeing them. Speaking of returning to Ohio, that's just exactly what PATRICIA LYNNETTE GARRETT has done, after gallivanting all over the country. She and husband Frank came to Florida, then went to Las Vegas to sign final papers on their new home there, then back to Florida, then off to Ohio yesterday. After all this travel, Lynn was so weary, I didn't get to see her before she headed back north. I was crushed, as I love spending time with Lynn (and Frank, too). But I have an invitation to Las Vegas while she and Frank are there in the Spring and I'm going to be out west, as it happens. So one just never knows, right?

Lynn was among those who checked in with jokes, psa's, cartoons, political humor, etc., this time. She had lots of company, too, who included ROBERT W. "SMITTY" SMITH, GARY E. BARNES, JACK L. GODBY, SALLY L. GILLETTE, BARBARA T. O'NEAL, STEVEN M. KOKOT, SUE E. SOWERS, SANDRA S. HOLLINGS- WORTH, ERCELL P. PHILLIPS, PAMELA K. SHIPLEY, JACQUELINE N. LESHER, RICHARD E. KNEER, LARRY M. PENDLEY, SANDRA L. BARSALOU, GAIL DAUBENDICK, CAROLYN E. "TOOTIE" PENCE, JOHN L. MONTGOMERY, SHARLENE N. MERKER, PAUL R. BEARDSLEY, and CAROLYN SUE MCCLOUD. So we know all these folks are alive and well. By the way, Lynn wants to know if anyone out there has any info on either MARTY NOGGLE or SUE MORGAN. If so, please let her know. My sources don't reveal anything on either of these alumni.

JOHN W. BYSTREK, Class of 1961, checked in to say that he read my bulletin again, from beginning to end. I thank you, John, for your reading loyalty. For those of you who may be unaware of this, John tells me mine are the only e-mails which he reads, from start to finish. I must confess that I consider that to be quite an accolade and the significance does not go unnoticed, John.

MONTY ESTEP, Class of 1960, is monitoring e-mail for me on WILLIAM E. HECKER and JUDY A. SHOCKLEY and we hope to get them both on board and able to get all bulletins. We've been having a little problem with the two e-mail addresses I have on file right now. If any of you have any updates on either of them, please let me know. All of their mail is being returned, as is that of JUDITH A. STALDER. Help!

NANCY E. "COOKIE" BOWIE has by now gotten in her visit to Arizona to see JUDI BECKETT. Let us know how that went, Cookie, and how Judi is doing. Cookie and I have exchanged a few stories on life's changes and I've got a beautiful calendar she sent me, as did the Russello business, The Realty Group. Thanks to both! Thanks to all of you, in fact, who have sent me holiday greetings. I love receiving them, I selfishly admit. However, in view of the fact that I maintain contact, intermittently, all year long with bulletins, I don't do holiday cards. Now, I ask you, is that some good raltionization or what?

DONNA J. RICHARDS, Class of 1961, has checked in once or twice. She and my husband are fighting off the "smoking demons" right now and I hope they're both doing well. Frankly, I have to admit, if it weren't for the fact that we smell bad from it and our lungs don't work as well, I'd still be smoking, myself. Many of us are from the era when it was considered quite sophisticated to smoke and it is nothing if not a seductive habit, to say the least. So I wish them both success.

From the home of RICHARD C. CALL, Class of 1961, comes a note from wife Jean, who let us all know that granddaughter Ashley has been asked to coach special needs kids. Ashely is studying to work with that type of student and her grandparents are justifiably quite proud. Well, Jean, did you give Rich that "mystery gift" yet? I'm just dying to know. I also want to know his reaction.

MICHAEL WEST, Class of 1960, reports that he is working on his old van and may be using it to do a bit of traveling, he doesn't yet know. If you get down this way, look me up, Mike! Speaking of travel, cousin Judy (Samuels, previously mentioned) took a trip to New York City recently and got to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, along with husband Bill Van Cleef. They did many other things, too, and arrived home safely. Bill had stints put in, on this very morning and I'm awaiting Judy's report on how he's doing.

Lately, I've been having some wonderful exchanges with SHARON R. BLACKBURN, Class of 1960. It seems we have more in common than I could have ever imagined, what with Sharon's grandchildren moving off to another state, just as mine did. We've been "consoling" each other and also catching up on how life has been treating each of us, over the past 44-plus years. I love this part of this alumni stuff, because I so enjoy finally getting to know those whom I didn't know quite so well, in school. I discovered that I "missed" some truly fabulous folks and I'm grateful to life's pattern for having given me a second chance. Keep those e-mails comin', Sharon!

LARRY M. PENDLEY, Class of 1960, aka, "My First Husband," also checked in with a great e-mail (finally!) and mentioned lots of names from school, who include BUD LOWMAN, DAN WALTERS, BILL BOLINGER, DAVE MAYS, JOHN BYSTREK, MONTY ESTEP, BARRY RUSSELLO, GARY WARLAUMONT, PHIL WOLFORD and he also wants to catch up with BILL DUNCAN and BILL WALKER. Well, I can't help you with Bill Duncan just yet, Larry, but I've "got all the goods" on Bill Walker. Just write me an e-mail and I'll put you in direct contact. Larry and Judi have just bought a new home, so congratulations on that and hey, Larry, DO stay in touch, will ya'? By the way, you failed to give me your new telephone number. Are you trying to send me a not- so-subtle message?

Those travelin' WALKER folks, WILLIAM O. and his spouse, KAREN MURPHY (honorary WC grad) are still out and about and doing insurance adjustments in my state. Karen writes that they will likely be here for an extended period of time. Again, we confirmed that we intend to get together before they leave the state. They are doing well, she writes, and their son, Brian, is also doing insurance adjusting in this state. They will all spend the Christmas holiday here with Bill's mother, who is on Florida's "left coast."

Karen reported an amusing story on our fellow alumnus, RICHARD G. DENNY, whose spouse is another WC alumnus, LIELA K. GEORGE. It seems Dick said he wasn't getting any of the bulletins. So I checked my e- mail address on him. It was correct. Furthermore, my PC was indicating a successful transmission to him. So I knew that the problem had to be between his carrier and his own PC. The conclusion we've reached, is that Dick is seeing, "WeCaTon News Report," thinks it's a solicitous piece of junk mail, and deletes it, not realizing what it is. Karen wrote that he gets SO much e-mail, he deletes tons of it. So if one isn't aware of the significance of the WeCaTon name---well, there's little chance they'll read it, right? But we're hoping everything is now ironed out and that Dick and Liela are reading the bulletins. By the way, the Georges and the Walkers recently shared dinner together.

ERCELL P. PHILLIPS checked in with a new e-mail address and if anyone needs the new one, please let me know. We also got a nice, newsy e-mail from 1961's BARBARA J. TURNINGTON. Barb wrote that she's very much enjoying being a recipient of our bulletins and she was also quite thrilled to speak recently with her former classmate, Lynn Garrett. I do believe that they have some plans to get together, sometime soon. You two be sure to send in a report on your meeting, okay, and also who else may have joined you. By the way, I made a goof a while back, when I said it was Lynn who wanted to get in touch with Marty Noggle and Sue Morgan. It wasn't Lynn. It's Barb! So let's find them, shall we? Barb has also been in touch with EDNA L. GRAY, and plans to see her, too.

Everyone who is successfully receiving the bulletins is now aware of the tragic news about 1958's DAVID LEE MICHAEL, longtime spouse of 1959's SANDRA RAE KINNEY. As previously written, let's keep them and their family in our good thoughts and prayers, as he fights for recovery and healing. I failed to make available the e-mail address, in my original notification, so here it is: ( Survivewise@cs.com ) It's so important for us all to stick together and show support, at times like this, especially.

By the time my Thanksgiving holiday was concluded, I was anxiously looking forward to the impending visit from my old friend, BRUCE E. CHENOWETH, Class of 1958, who has come down twice each year for the past two years. I'm hoping it's a tradition which will continue. We were planning on going to Titusville for the WC Holiday Brunch. Bruce and my husband have become quite chummy, having found various bases for commonality. So my husband went with us this year. Although there were very few folks in attendance this year (unlike last year), I must tell you that we had a circus for about 3 hours, we really did.

In addition to Bruce and my husband and me, there were CURTIS A . KEMP and wife Maria, as well as GERALD A. FULLER and wife Becky. Curtis was positively the life of the party, and I'm not kidding. He told us all a story about his thumb being injured, and while that is not very funny, in and of itself, hearing Curtis tell the story, put us all in tears. JUDITH L. SAMUELS had forgotten the brunch and scheduled a trip to NYC. LINDA L MCAFEE did the same thing and scheduled a trip to Hawaii. We can't figure out for the life of us, what happened to our regular, RONALD D. "TOM" FEE, and this was the very first WC function he's EVER missed! Bruce was really disappointed by the absence of Tom. As for WILLIAM R. HOWARD, he wrote that he had to work this year and "TOOTIE" had moved back to Ohio a year ago. DARELL L. TOBIAS, however, is very nearby but didn't make it, as he pleaded having to do Christmas decorations. This was yet one more absence about which both Bruce and I were very disappointed. So I don't know if we're going to accept THAT excuse again, Darell, but you're forgiven this time, and we DO expect to see you next year. Our in-house athlete, DELORES K. "DEDE" FAHRNEY had a long-ago-scheduled, championship ball game, so we had to forgive her, too. BOYD H. JENKINS had just lost his brother, so he stayed in Okeechobee. JOANN K. STEMLEY wasn't yet in Florida We sure did miss you, too, ROBERTA A. RICE. We needed ALL of you and were very disappointed. But as I wrote, even at that, we did have a great time. We shall expect each and every single one of you to put in an appearance next year, though, and it will be on December 5, 2005, so get that on your schedule NOW! How about you, MADELEINE D. CAMPBELL? Please tell us how husband Bill is doing. Are you in Florida now? And what about you, CAROLYN SUE MCCLOUD? RICHARD E. KNEER, how about you? We expect to see each of you at next year's WC Holiday Brunch on December's first Saturday at the Dixie Crossroads. By the way, the food was just spectacular there, this year. So mark those calendars and be aware that we are not accepting ANY excuses for NEXT year! We should have had no less than 15-18 WC people there. We will DO THAT, come next year, hear?

Back to Boyd for a moment. He has reported that his recently-deceased brother, Earl, had requested to be cremated and that he has made two trips back and forth to Ohio, over just the past month, in order to fulfill those wishes. Boyd wrote that he's taking his boat out and planning to relax a little. He writes that the fish are biting in his neighborhood. Yes, you've surely earned some relaxation, Boyd. When you're up this way again, look me up.

My darling and incomparable friend, EULA FAYE BAILEY, and I have been keeping up a running exchange. We seem to chat on the phone about 3-4 times each month, I'm happy to report. I pick up the phone and call her, at the drop of a hat, when I need a good, old-fashioned dose of reality and common sense or just when I want to hear the sound of her voice. That seems to be pretty often. We all need to do more of that, as a matter of fact.

JoAnn reports that Ohio had its own version of a WC Holiday Brunch on December 15 and I'm delighted about that. Present with JoAnn were 1960 girls, SHARON R. BLACKBURN, SHIRLEY J. TUDOR, NEDRA MILLER, JUDITH ANN STALDER, and CONNIE BAKER. That is just great, ladies! I'm so thrilled that you all spent some time together and I do so hope that you will make it a point to continue the tradition. There were others who wanted to be there, but couldn't, according to JoAnn. They included LINDA BOWMAN, DOTTIE WILLMAN, JOY TREON, MADELEINE CAMPBELL, and FLOSSIE GRAY. They were also seeking JUDY SHOCKLEY and DONNA MILLS. If that whole crew converges again, I just might have to take a red-eye flight and buzz up there, myself. I'd love that!

Let's keep those WC gatherings going, whenever and wherever we can. In fact, let's all start our planning right now, for our Second Annual WC Florida Spring Fest, which will be held next year on Sunday, April 3, 2005. We will once again be (we hope) at JoAnn's condo clubhouse in Orlando (Windover Condominiums). Those of you who attended last year, are well aware of what a circus we had and how long it lasted. We all arrived at noon and I don't think that place cleared out until after 9 p.m.! No one wanted to see it end. Everyone brought food items and drinks and we sat around the pool. WC stories were endless and more fun than I can ever tell you. A number of people even traveled down from Ohio to attend. I hope to see all of last year's attendees in April, as well as many more. Let's work on that. Don't put it off! We aren't in a position any longer to delay things. Lest we forget, we now have a long list of us who can NEVER again attend a WC function and, sadly, that list growing longer, with each and every passing year.

It is time to conclude this edition of the WeCaTon News Report. I sincerely wish the most wonderful of holidays for each and every single one of you and your families and may the New Year bring wonderful things to all of us. I leave you all with my usual wish for glowing health, great happiness, peaceful serenity, and boundless prosperity. Ciao!

---And there you have it! More at 11--- B

- posted by Mikey @ 1:27 PM