WECATON NEWS REPORT!!!--- 12 FEBRUARY 2005:

The messages are arriving in droves, day after day. My bulletin list is rapidly approaching 300 (!) and this whole thing is just thrillingly overwhelming!! We now have class years ranging from 1935 clear through 1990, can you even believe it? (I can't!!) But let's get to the tremedous volume of news we have and I'll try to plow through it all, little by little.

As you all know, we suffered a devastating January, with the loss of no less than 5 WC alumni. Those, of course, are just the ones of which we are actually aware. I hope there weren't others, but we never know. In any case, let's hope February brings us a much brighter outlook. Since we have a few new bulletin list members for this edition (who will subsequently be announced), I'm going to recap our lost WC alumni for January. They are, as follows: MARIANNE LOGAN, Class of 1988 (we think), due to cancer; RONNIE L. GREENE, Class of 1957, so-far-unknown cause); DAVID LEE MICHAEL, Class of 1958, complications suffered during a surgery relative to heart and respiratory; LAWRENCE EUGENE ZINK, Class of 1960, liver failure: JUDY RAE LINDSEY, Class of 1957, cancer. Hopefully, I will not be writing anymore such announcements for quite a spell.

Let's get updated on our upcoming events, shall we? We are booked for the clubhouse of Windover Condo- miniums in Orlando, Florida, for the Second Annual WC Florida Spring Fest on April 3, 2005. It would take me forever and ever to describe to all of you the great fun we had last year, at this event. It started as sort of a fluke, due to the realization that so many WC folks live down here in Florida. We expected we'd gather up about 10-15 people from the surrounding counties and just have ourselves a good, ol' time. Well, I was HALF-right! We sure did have ourselves a good, ol' time. But the number of people who attended was spectacular. I'll bet there were about 40 of us. The best part was, about 10-12 of those people came all the way from Ohio, JUST for that event. It's a great time of year to be in Florida, if you don't live here already, and a welcome respite from the northern winter. We already have several non-Florida residents who are planning to attend, I'm happy to report. Just as last year, our hostess will be 1960's JOANN K. STEMLEY, a condo owner there. So listen, if you were there last year, make SURE you're there THIS year, and make sure you bring along another person this time. Do NOT miss this event! Plan for it NOW! With the terribly sad occurrences we had in January, the point should be brought home, without my saying it again, right? Do NOT miss our WC events. We DON'T have the option any longer of saying we'll, "go next year."

Our crown jewel event, as I'm so fond of calling it, is the annual WC alumni dinner/dance, which is held each year on the second Saturday of October. Another thing I'm so fond of saying is that it seems always to be held on the grounds of a hotel which is located in Miamisburg, our "arch enemy." Ha! I unfailingly travel up from Florida for this event. Make sure YOU travel from wherever YOU are, in order to also attend this event. I'm simply amazed and befuddled (and TERRIBLY disappointed) by those who live right there in Montgomery County, yet make no effort to be there. If you live ANYwhere in Ohio, and you aren't there, then shame on you!! You need to make this event a habit. We also have the Frisch's Frolic on the previous night and I'll bet we had a hundred people or more who were there at the Moraine City Frisch's, just this past October. Again, it was a great time, and not to be missed. All events (as well as this bulletin) are for ALL our WC people, regardless of the class year and regardless of whether or not you actually graduated. Just be there!!

During this bulletin period, we had the usual number of folks checking in with jokes, psa's, chain letters, and just general info. They included PAMELA K. SHIPLEY,1971, ROBERT W. "SMITTY" SMITH,1958, DARELL LEE TOBIAS, 1957, PAUL R. BEARSDLEY,1961, STEVEN M. KOKOT, 1960, BARBARA T. O'NEAL, 1962, GARY E. BARNES, 1959, CRAIG A. VAN DYKE, 1983, CAROLYN S. MCCLOUD, 1960, JUDITH A. STALDER, 1960, SUE E. SOWERS, 1958,, SALLY L. GILLETTE, 1961, SANDRA S. HOLLINGSWORTH, 1961, CAROL A. MUMMA, 1961, RICHARD E. KNEER, 1961, LINDA L. SHANK, 1960, RICHARD C. CALL, 1962 (via spouse Lola Jean), EULA FAYE TAULBEE, 1960, DAVID G. OTT, 1960, WILLIAM O. WALKER, 1960, THOMAS L. WOLF, JR., 1960 (via spouse Susan, I suspect), and DONNA G. TUDOR, 1955.

It was also during this period that I had a "hissy fit" about my husband using my e-mail account on HIS computer and fouling up my entire account, as most of you will clearly recall. I thank you for a lot of knowledgable ideas on how to resolve this problem and yes, they did work. We now are both back to normal (whatever that is.) The problem, though, was that a number of my WC e-mails went to HIS computer and I fear he may have deleted some of them before we pinpointed the problem. So if your news tidbit is not included in here, please re-send it, so that I can put it in the next one.

Among those was one from 1961's DALLAS K. MATHIS and he was very interested in the retirement areas in the state of Florida. How's that going, Dallas? Are you here yet? Have you decided on an area yet? Good luck and keep us posted.

During this horrid and frustrating "e-mail nightmare," I got e-mails from 1985's CYNTHIA CARRINGTON, 1954's WILLIAM L. MCNABB, 1958's ROBERT W. "SMITTY" SMITH, and 1960's MICHAEL S. WEST, which hit the nail right on the head. You all wrote the same thing, so I checked what you said and that was exactly what it was, too. Many thanks. SHIRLEY ANN HILE, `1957, was pretty much in the same boat with me, and had no idea how to proceed. Don't feel badly, Shirley. I find myself wondering about that, all the time!

BRUCE E. CHENOWETH, 1958, wrote than there were so many WC people at the visitation for Dave Michael, even during a blizzard. I'm not surprised. Dave was a very popular fellow in school and so was his WC spouse of 44 years-plus, 1959's SANDRA RAE KINNEY. We're all pulling for Sandy and her family right now, I know. He also thanked me for his birthday card and I know a lot of us complain about growing older, but just look at what the alternative is! GARY E. BARNES was also very good about providing updates and information on Dave, as it became available, as was WILLIAM R. HOWARD, 1958.

Eula Faye reported that her 6-years-younger brother, MICHAEL BAILEY, had emergency open-heart surgery at the Dayton Heart Institute last month. She said it was touch-and-go for a bit, but that he has pulled through and is doing GREAT now. We're all happy to hear that, Eula Faye.

Just recently, I have become aware that a former WC attendee (and I don't know if he's a grad or not) passed away on February 8. He lived here in Florida. He would have graduated in 1964, I believe, from whatever school he attended. His name was LOUIS GEORGE HECK, JR., and he was once a member of the WC marching band. We know that much, for sure. Also, he was a founding member of the singing group, The McCoys, who had a flash of fame with the novelty rock song, "Hang On, Sloopy," many years ago. Does anyone out there know him? I don't. Perhaps our former marching band director, HARRY C. HAGGERTY, can help us with this one.

Our "fashion fair pair," the dashing and suave T. BARRY RUSSELLO, 1960, and his chic and glamorous spouse, 1959's BETSY R. MURPHY, checked in to let us know that they are once again steadily receiving bulletins. We hope to see you both soon!

Many thanks to cousin JUDITH LYNN SAMUELS, who let me know that PATRICIA LYNNETTE GARRETT was at her mother's home in Orange Park, during the e-mail debacle. I dashed right up there during the third week of January and Lynn and I got to spend several hours doing what we do best---talking, talking, talking!!! Lynn had a horrid trip back to Ohio, with delays all along the way, she wrote, but at least she got back safely.

DONNA JEAN RICHARDS, 1961, took the time to let me know that she thinks Terry Kerns was the spouse of WC's SHERRY HOBBS, and not someone who now has cancer. She thinks he was the one who passed away.

From GARY L. WARLAUMONT, 1960, came thanks for his birthday card and also a promise that I'd be seeing him, during this trip to Florida. Well, let's see, Gary, you got here on January 28, you wrote. Right now, it's February 12. I wonder if you are still here? Oh, by the way, I have NOT yet seen you, just in case you might be wondering about that.

JAMES E. CURTIS, 1961, and DARELL L. TOBIAS, 1957, called me on an evening in mid-January. We all chit-chatted for a bit and Jim has assured me he's on board now, with his bulletins, and successfully receiving them. Darell is possibly moving to North Carolina, but I have no confirmation just yet, on that. Be sure to keep us posted, Darell!

Listen, folks, we need to make welcome, several new members on our bulletin list. We have KAREN LYNN KLINE, 1960, JEAN ANN MILLER, 1973, RICHARD LEE JOHNSON, 1958, and I'm thrilled to report that we have now regained 1958's RONALD D. "TOM" FEE. He'd been offline, for quite a spell. So if anyone wishes to contact any of these people, please be sure to let me know. Okay, you newer folks, be sure to make it a point to get to the WC events, hear? We're all thrilled to have you on board!

Thanks to the WOLF household, Tom and Susan, for getting me the info on the Miamisburg/West Carrollton News. I'll be subscribing to that little rag. I appreciate it.

Our girl, NANCY E. "COOKIE" BOWIE, 1960, checked in with her usual wonderful and newsy e-mail. Cookie has changed her annual visiting plans again this year, to include Spring Fest. But she and I just may sneak in a little "private luncheon" of our own, once she gets here. Her sister and brother-in-law are here, just 30 miles from me, and we think we just might have a little rendezvous. I can't wait!

DONNA RICHARDS and PAULA R. WILSON's visit came and went and I screwed up the dates and didn't get down there, as I think I already wrote, but I'm sure looking forward to seeing you both in April!

Of late, I've spoken several times with WALLACE W. ROBBINS, who told me a good bit about the illness of Judy Lindsey, for whom he provided care, prior to her passing. Currently, Wallace is at the home of his sister, SHIRLEY ROBBINS, who lives in Brandon, Florida, but is preparing to move back to Ohio. Many of us, including 1961's CAROLE J. LEWIS, were puzzled by what was the apparent absence of any sort of service for Judy. I can't say what happened there, but since he was not an actual relative, I feel fairly comfortable in saying that Wallace would have had no say in that matter. Perhaps her 1959 brother, JAMES L. LINDSEY, can enlighten us on that, at some future date.

Also maintaining good contact is 1960's MICHAEL S. WEST, who continues to monitor our blogspot, post photos, and do whatever is needed. So does our girl, NANCY J. ERTEL, 1961, who just might be downsizing, she writes, to a smaller place in Bonner Springs. Nancy promises to maintain contact, though, and she just had a birthday last month. As many of you are now aware, Mike West is quite a talented photographer! It was also Mike who recently reported to me the 40th birthday of the Harry A. Russell School. An awfully lot of us remember Mr. Russell, I'm sure.

The hurricane madness continues for 1960's WILLIAM O. WALKER and WC-honorary spouse, KAREN MURPHY. They remain in Florida, working claims, as do many of the adjusters. On the plus side, they feel certain they will once again be attending Spring Fest, come April 3, so that's good news.

To 1957's BERTHA JAN HOERNER, I extend thanks for letting me know about Judy's passing. I also extend my condolences, for I know that you and Judy were lifelong friends, Bertha. I do so hope we will see you in April, but if not then, at least in October.

My dear friends, BRUCE E. CHENOWETH, 1958, and EULA FAYE BAILEY, 1960, continue to keep me afloat and informed, and I expect to see both of them again this year. Also, 1960's SHIRLEY J. TUDOR is progressing well from her horrible November accident, which resulted in a skull fracture. At this writing, I have no updates on 1963's DOUGLAS M. MAYS, but I feel it's certainly safe to assume that we all still need to keep him in our good thoughts.

Where are you, LINDA L. MCAFEE, 1958? You were getting married, you wrote, and I've heard not a word, since that time. You write me, hear?!?! We need an update on you.

As for me---well, I've just completed the restoration of 15 items which are family heirlooms. I've learned a great deal about rust removal and I must have presented quite a sight, as I purloined my husband's work bench, broke out the sander, the Dremel, the heavy-duty drill, and a few other tool items. Wearing an actual shop apron, heavy leather gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask, I spent about 32 hours removing the rust from 19th-century items which now look great, and dressing out the worn leather and putting lemon oil all over the wood. It was a truly rewarding project, of which I am very proud. All of the items are now displayed and tagged with their history and will never again be neglected (I hope.)

My current undertaking is that of the planning of a "Risner Cousins and Descendants Reunion," which is tentatively scheduled for May 22, 2005, in Tipp City, Ohio. We have a slew of second and third cousins who don't even know each other. I intend to change that, if at all possible. Also, I continue to write for the newspaper, write for 7 motorcycle publications, sit on the Bike Week E-Board, sit on the Bike Events Board, chair the Neighborhood Watch Program, serve as the liaison for the CrimeWatch American program, and write the monthly newsletter for my subdivision. I've also been recently approached to sit on a city advisory board and run for the city commission. But my plate is pretty full right now, and I'm no Spring Chicken anymore. So some of this stuff just might take a back seat and I'll see where it goes. My husband often says, when I take on one more project, "That's just what you need---another frigging project!" (Gee, do ya' think he's tryin' to tell me somethin'?)

Besides, beginning next week, I'll be hosting no less than six sets of houseguests, who will range from February 18 through April 8---three sets from Ohio for several area events, 2 sets from British Columbia for Bike Week, and an entire family from Great Britain for Spring Break. I'm terribly excited!

So in closing, I sincerely hope this finds each of you faring well and doing all right. Please, please send in our news items. Without all of you, there IS no WeCaTon News Report. I cannot do this by myself. You are all the very cogs in the wheels which make this turn. I leave you with my usual wish for glowing health, great happiness, peaceful serenity, and boundless prosperty. Ciao!
- posted by Mikey @ 2:03 PM