WECATON NEWS REPORT!!!--- 18 JANUARY 2005
(including first report of David Michael ('58) death) More to follow...

---In the midst of my "garage sale madness" and with the rain pouring in buckets, (wouldn't you know?) I've decided it's time to begin another WNR. Thankfully, my sale does not begin until tomorrow. We have so much to report, you just won't believe it, so kick back and get ready for a long siege on this one. By the time I finish, my garage sale will be long since over, as I'll write in 10- and 15-minute blips, where I find the time.

Let me begin by writing that we have now "re-acquired" my 1960 classmate, JUDITH ANN STALDER, who was "sans e-mail" for a brief time, during which fellow 1960 classmate, JOANN K. STEMLEY, very kindly made sure that Judy stayed informed. If anyone wants to reach Judy, please let me know. Thanks for keeping me posted on your new e-mail address, Judy.

Classmates whom we have now "lost" on our e-mail include 1968's ROBERT DARRELL CHRISTOPHER, 1960's WILLIAM E. HECKER, L. EUGENE ZINK, JUDY SHOCKLEY, CHARLES V. CARTER, 1958'S RONALD D. "TOM" FEE, and THOMAS H. KOKENGE (unsure of class year.) Will someone up there please call Charles Carter (859-5414) and tell his wife, Pam, to send me an e-mail so that I can get them back on the list? They've got a new e-mail address and I don't yet have it. Thank you! Also, if anybody is able to track down any of those others, please tell them to get back in contact with me. We don't want to lose any of our people. Every single one of them is vitally important to our mission!

Speaking of missions, JoAnn reports that our meeting place is once again secured for the Second Annual WC Florida Spring Fest. This year's event will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2005, from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. So let's all black out that date and make this event our top priority. (Never mind golfing, on that particular Sunday, hear?) We had a great turnout last year, with many folks coming all the way down from Ohio and a few who drove across the state. Our goal is to see everyone who was there last year, PLUS another person for each one who attended last year. Start making your plans and booking your rooms NOW!

So far, those who will definitely be there (aside from myself and JoAnn, of course) will include 1961's JACK L. GODBY, and his brother (Jack, isn't your brother's name TOM?), who has already committed and is currently spending his winter in Plant City, Florida, at his brother's home. There is no doubt that GERALD A. FULLER, Class of 1960, is going to appear for this event, as he does for all of them. PAULA R. WILSON, 1961, has also already committed. I'm sure we will once again see MADELEINE D. CAMPBELL and it's looking very promising for EULA FAYE BAILEY, too, who will be coming from her Overland Park, Kansas, home. Both of them are 1960. Of course, I need not tell you that 1958's BRUCE E. CHENOWETH will be there with bells on, and we'll be seeing 1958-ers) LINDA L. MCAFEE (complete with her new spouse in tow), as well as SANDRA L. BARSALOU. Hopefully, we'll once again see RONALD D. "TOM" FEE, with his delightful family. I certainly do expect to see you, DARELL L. TOBIAS, Class of 1957, once again, and that goes doubly, after you having missed the holiday brunch. Obviously, we can't even HAVE this thing without you, STEVEN M. KOKOT, Class of 1960, and your much-adored spouse, 1962's BARBARA T. O'NEAL. Barb was our "life of the party" last year, and I just can't even grasp the idea of both of you NOT being here! For those of you who may wonder, yes, 1960's NANCY E. "COOKIE" BOWIE, is once again flying in from Eatonville, Washington. Cookie was our very popular attendee last year, and everyone was just thrilled to see you, Cookie! You were SO much fun! So was SHIRLEY J. TUDOR, also 1960, who will be coming down from Ohio. I'm assuming we'll also be seeing you again, DONNA J. RICHARDS. Listen here, MICHAEL S. WEST, (1960) remember what you promised last year? You said if you didn't make it last year, you and Sally would definitely be there this year. Well, "put on your high-heeled sneakers" and get on the road, Mike! Next year is nearly here! We have plans in the works for 1959's GARY E. BARNES, too, and wife, Pat. GARY L. WARLAUMONT, we'll be looking for you and Jill, and we sure would love to have at least one or two MAYS people present. (Any and all class years welcome.) We'll also be looking for the KNEERS, the WALKERS, the FAHRNEYS, ROBERTA A. RICE (who is just simply gorgeous, I must tell you!), and the DENNYS Listen, I could go on and on with this, as I often do (as you all know). But the bottom line is, "Get up and do whatever you have to do, in order to be here for this function!" Got it? It's going to be worth any and all effort and expense you may encounter, I promise you. It will be held at the Windover Condominium Clubhouse, Orlando, just the same as last year. There will be more reminders as we go (was there ever any doubt?), so just do it!

Lest I should forget this, I believe we will be seeing my 1960 classmate, DAVID G. OTT, this year. Yep, I've finally heard directly from Dave. He's been on our list for quite a spell, but never a peep from him until recently. So you've really "stepped in it," now, Dave! We all expect to see you and your Mrs. on April 3. Since you also live in Florida, we can accept no excuses!

Now, here's a good one for you! At the October, 2004, alumni gig, Mike West took a lot of great photos. He transmitted several to me. One was of me and Jack Godby. One was of my sister, JUDY ANN RISHER, Class of 1956. Another was of 1960's DOROTHY J. "DOTTIE" WILLMAN, and her 1958 spouse, VINCENT A. BRODBECK. Well, when I saw the one of Vince and Dottie, it was just spectacular, it really was. The one of my sister was also very good and the one of Jack was great, too. (I don't photograph so well, myself.) Anyway, I decided to print out those three photos, frame them, and send them to my sister, to Jack, and to Vince and Dottie. So I did. Well, the Brodbecks were simply floored and very surprised, as you can imagine. This little gesture resulted in an e-mail from the computer in the home of the Brodbecks' son, BRIAN, Class of 1981, and Brian's wife, AMY HAWKINS, Class of 1986. We had a couple of exchanges and I discovered that Amy is the offspring of yet two MORE of our alumni, W. BAILEY HAWKINS and JACKIE HAINES! Bailey is already on the list, but now we have both Amy and Brian, too, who have vowed to share our bulletins with both Vince and Dottie. So this worked out just beautifully, and I'm SO happy I made the effort to send them the photo. By the way, Mike West, Dottie wanted to thank you for snapping that picture. We welcome aboard a whole new SLEW of WC people, with this edition!

Among those who have checked in with psa's, jokes, chain letters, etc., are the following people: ROBERT W. "SMITTY" SMITH, 1958, STEVEN M. KOKOT, 1960, BARBARA T. O'NEAL, 1962, SANDRA L. BARSALOU, 1958, PAMELA K. SHIPLEY, 1971, GARY E. BARNES, 1959, ERCELL P. PHILLIPS, (what's your class year, Ercell?), GARY L. WARLAUMONT, 1960, WILLIAM R. HOWARD, 1958, PAUL R. BEARDSLEY, 1961, JOHN W. BYSTREK, 1961, RICHARD E. KNEER, 1961, SUE E. SOWERS, 1958, SANDRA S. HOLLINGSWORTH, 1961, LARRY D. GILBERT, 1961, LINDA LEE SHANK, 1960, JACQUELINE N. LESHER, 1961, LARRY M. PENDLEY, 1960, JAMES L. LINDSEY, 1959, and I think that's it. I hope I didn't miss anyone, but as all of you, my loyal readers, are now well aware, I make my share of mistakes and deletions, and can do little but apologize and try to right things in the next edition. Please make me aware of any errors I may make, especially those of names, name spellings, and class years.

You can believe me when I tell you that there have been "WC rendezvous" occurring, all over the place. During latter December and early January, we had EULA FAYE BAILEY and BRUCE E. CHENOWETH cavorting all over Montgomery County together, while Eula Faye visited her mother in West Carrollton, coming in from Kansas for a long-awaited visit. I have since heard from both of them and they had lots of fun together.

On the very day Eula Faye flew out of Ohio, wouldn't you know, 1960's BEVERLY A. BOWMAN, tapped on the door of Eula Faye's mother's home, hoping to see her before she left. But alas! She missed her by minutes, so she visited with Mrs. Bailey for a while, reported Eula Faye. We still have high hopes of inspiring Beverly to attend one of our many gatherings. We're going to keep trying!

Further south, at Singer Island, we had another visiting frenzy with those two old pals, PAULA R. WILSON and DONNA J. RICHARDS, both 1961. I had firmly planned on driving down there for a day, to see the two of them, but somehow got the dates crossed and thought Donna would be here longer than she was, so it didn't happen. However, I am given to understand that their fellow class- mate, RICHARD E. KNEER, came over with wife Becky, and everyone went out to dinner together.

Take heed, all you guys out there! Now, HERE is a fellow who is just bursting with confidence (Dick Kneer, I mean)! He took not just ONE female out for dinner, but THREE! ---AND, he was the ONLY male at the table. We're all proud of you, Dick! Way to go!! Meanwhile, over on Florida's west coast, those travelin' WALKER folks, WILLIAM O., 1960, and his honorary WC spouse, KAREN MURPHY, have been reunited with their supper buddies, RICHARD G. DENNY and his spouse, LIELA K. GEORGE, both 1961. In my last bulletin, I referred to them as, "the Georges." So I offer my apoligies and we will now correct that to, "the Dennys." When groups of you convene, be sure to give me a report, let me know who it was, what class year, and lots of the gory details. "Enquiring minds want to know!"

Bill and Karen continue to cruise around Florida's "left coast" and work storm claims. You'd never believe how many blue tarps are still on roofs here. However, I also have to tell you that I'm counting my blessings. Those storms we had during the hurricane season are nothing, in comparison to what happened with the tsunami in Asia, the mudslides in California, the snows in Europe, the flooding in Indiana and Ohio, the avalanche in Utah, and other incidents, too. I do believe that Mother Earth is sending us a message, folks. Are we going to heed it? I doubt it. Let's keep at the forefront of our good thoughts and prayers (or whatever may be the form of help in which you believe), the many vicitims of these disasters. It's just amazing and terribly sad!

Speaking of sadness, I'm sorry to report that we have lost yet one more WC alumnus. RONNIE L. GREENE, Class of 1957, passed away at Kettering Memorial Hospital on January 2, reported classmate THERESA M. MOSES. He was buried on January 6. Theresa wrote that no cause of death was published. Perhaps one of you is aware of what that may have been, by now. I wonder if Ronnie was the older brother of my own 1960 classmate, INA LEE GREENE? With the "e" at the end of the name, in both instances, it makes it more likely that he was. Thanks, Theresa, for keeping us all posted on that.

When it comes to keeping us posted, no one can do any better than 1958's WILLIAM R. HOWARD. Bill has been very good about forwarding his police retiree bulletins, re the health of our late and popular classmate, DAVID L. MICHAEL. I had been forwarding those right away, as all of you know. Let's be sure that Dave's widow, 1959's SANDRA R. KINNEY and their three children and their families, are well aware that we are thinking of them. Dave was only 64. He would have turned 65 on April 6. He and Sandy had been married 44 years, as we all know. Dave died on Sunday evening, January 16, at about 6 p.m. If you wish to read more about the details of his final arrangements, please go to the website ( www.routsong.com ) and click on his name. Viewing will take place at Routsong Funeral Home in Centerville on Thursday, January 20, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and the service is the following morning.

This is devastating news, folks! I saw Sandy and Dave together at our 2003 alumni gig and they both looked fit, healthy, youthful, and just glowing, quite frankly. Earlier this year, Sandy wrote me an e-mail, in which she told me of the great happiness she and Dave have had, during their many years. She wrote of what a model spouse he has been, and a wonderful father. They had two sons and a daughter, and several grandchildren. I once again stress to all of you, please attend the WC funtions, when they occur. We are having far too many incidents of loss and the opportunities for "next year" are far too seldom.

Bill also sent a nice memorian to former WC attendee, the late TOMMY COMBS, who was also a Miami Shores Kid. GARY E. BARNES has also been just wonderful about sending every piece of info he could gather. We all want to wish good things for those of us who are ill, so we appreciate that.

The same goes for 1963's DOUGLAS M. MAYS, who is currently being treated for lymphoma cancer. I am given to understand that Doug is in good spirits with a great attitude, and is doing well with his treatments and expecting a good outcome. That's wonderful to hear, isn't it? Let's continue to show support for Doug, during this time of his illness, please. I did receive an e-mail from Ann Mays, spouse of 1960 classmate, J. DAVID MAYS, in which she told me that Doug is doing well and a good outcome in anticipated.

It had been awhile since we'd had an update on JUDY RAE LINDSEY, who was so terribly ill. The last report we had was that she was making great strides and we all hoped that would remain true. As everyone knows by now, though, I've forwarded a sad announcement from her brother, 1959's JAMES L. LINDSEY, in which he has reported that Judy's death is eminent. He also wrote of his gratitude to WALLACE W. ROBBINS, whom Jim says has either personally cared for her, 24/7, or at least seen that she had all the care she may have needed. We're all terribly saddened to hear this news about Judy, I know. DONNA J. RICHARDS reported that the spouse of SHERRY HOBBS, 1959, has passed away. She also reported that 1962's TERRY KERNS is now battling cancer, so we have more people for whom we need to offer support.

During the Christmas season, I received very special cards and wishes from the following people: NANCY J. ERTEL, SALLY L. GILLETTE, JACK L. GODBY, JOHN L. MONTGOMERY and ROBERT W. "SMITTY" SMITH. Due to that, I want to take this opportunity to extend very special thanks to those five people. I do appreciate being included in your holiday thoughts. When I take my trip out west, I'm going to try to get Nancy out of her Bonner Springs, Kansas, home to join me and Eula Faye for lunch. That's going to happen sometime in April, Nancy, so brace up!

From 1960's SHARON R. BLACKBURN came a long and newsy e-mail. Sharon and I are sort of "sharing our grief" about our children and grandchildren who have moved far away from us (her son to Texas and my older daughter to Colorado) and in doing so, we have built a basis of commonality. So Sharon and I plan to spend a little time together, next time I'm in Ohio, and get current on our respective lives. I'm looking forward to that, Sharon, and I'm going to hold you to it!

Two of my most favored of the 1961 class, PATRICIA LYNNETTE GARRETT and EDNA L. GRAY, have both checked in, during this bulletin period. Lynn and I have all these exchanges about anything and everything and I look very much forward to seeing you in April, Lynn. I do hope you'll be up for Florida again, by then. But Edna, I truly want YOU to come down this year, too. Can't you plan your visit to your friend in the center of the state, so that you can be with us, please? What fun it would be for BOTH of you to be here! Please work on that, okay?

Both Lynn and Edna had a couple of newsworthy tidbits to report. Lynn's furnace went "kaput" on one of the coldest nights of the winter, up there in Germantown. I'm wondering how that went, Lynn. Did you and Frank get it replaced okay? With Edna, the big Christmas snow kept her and her two sisters (FLOSSIE, 1960, and BRENDA, 1964) from spending Christmas Eve together, for the first time in their ENTIRE LIVES!! That's major. I am given to understand, though, that they subsequently compensated for that loss. I'll bet it never again happens to them, though.

JoAnn reports (as of January 9) that she and spouse, Ron, have returned to their Orlando condo. Did I write that already? If so, chalk it up to old age. Anyway, JoAnn and Ron will host our April 3 gathering, just as they did last year. I know we're all pleased about that.

Hey, I'll bet a lot of you already knew about this, but I didn't. MICHAEL S. WEST, 1960, wrote to let me know about the wonderful news of the Peerless Mill Inn's reopening, which means I know where I'LL be having supper, at least once or twice, while I'm in Ohio next time. But he also told me about a little rag called, the Miamisburg/West Carrollton news. Did you all know about that? Who'd have ever thought that the two "arch- enemies" would unite in a newspaper effort?

DARELL L. TOBIAS, 1957, reported that he spent his Christmas shoveling snow at his mother's Ohio home, which was beautifully decorated, by the way. He sent a photo, also. Darell may be moving to North Carolina, he reports, but we all hope you will continue to maintain steady contact, Darell, if you do that.

DONNA G. TUDOR, 1955, has been gallivanting around the country again, visiting her niece, (daughter of 1955's late DORIS D. TUDOR) in Seattle, Washington. She's also riding herd on our girl, Shirley (younger sister) and says Shirley's faring well, from her November accident.

Cousin JUDITH LYNN SAMUELS has been busy caring for her spouse, Bill Van Cleef, who had stents (stints?) inserted just before Christmas. I do believe Bill is doing well and coming right along.

The spouse of 1962's RICHARD C. CALL, Jean, writes that Rich has truly enjoyed her gift of the 1962 Piratan which she bought for him for Christmas. He's also got a new "toy" which he's out riding around in the snow, and of which Jean sent a photo. Jean, we'd all love to see you and Rich in Orlando on April 3. You'll have more fun that you can ever imagine, I promise!

Hey, did you all know that Cookie helps tutor first-grade children at her local elementary school? Isn't that great? She reads to them and I'm sure she does much more, too. She and I have been comparing notes on the film, "The Aviator," which we've both seen. I believe I've written already that Cookie will be here in April. She also recently had a wonderful visit with our classmate, JUDI BECKETT, who is in Arizona.

So this concludes our first bulletin for the year of 2005, folks. Yes, there is joy and sadness in it. I wish the sad things weren't there, but they are. As I'm always writing, the sad things give us all the more reason to make the effort to get together, at each and every opportunity. I just HATE that part of writing these bulletins! But let's remember this year's battle cry, "Keep The Party Alive For 2005!" Make those plans, make those reservations, don't DARE miss the annual alumni gig, and get to the other functions, too. Please stay well and safe. Send me all your news. I shall close with my usual wish for each of you and your families to experience glowing health, great happiness, peaceful serenity, and boundless prosperity. Ciao!

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

- posted by Mikey @ 3:34 PM