** WECATON NEWS REPORT !! **
Well, it's about that time, I guess. I keep trying to get this down to one report each month, but it seems to go more like every two or three weeks. My last report is dated July 19. School will begin, here in Florida, on Monday, can you believe it? Remember what was, "the good, ol' days," for many of US, when school was always dismissed for the summer before Memorial Day and never reconvened until the day after Labor Day? I do believe those days are gone forever. I prefer the 13-week summers to having all that time off through the school year.

Many of us were Miami Shores kids, who spent lots of our warm summer days, walking our friendly streets and seeing all our pals. We always went down to the old Swimming Hole Road or even to the riverbank for the obvious pastime to cool off on the hot summer days, and we also made a stop or two at the Tradin' Post for one of those gigantic five-cent or ten-cent ice cream cones. I know a lot of you remember all this. The other day, I took one of my grandsons to Friendly's, where he wanted a single-dip ice cream cone. Yes, the dip was sizable, but it was a $1.89 and they even charged tax! I never, ever see a dip of ice cream dipped, to this day, that I don't think of the old Tradin' Post. What great memories! But, "enuff areddy," with the reminiscences, huh? Let's get going on the latest news.

We've had lots of check-ins from our folks who send in PSAs, jokes, and varying other bulletins. They're 1954's WILLIAM L. MCNABB; 1955's DONNA G. TUDOR; 1957's ERCELL P. PHILLIPS (Is this the right year, Phil?); 1958's BRUCE E. CHENOWETH, RONALD D. "TOM" FEE, SANDRA L. BARSALOU, WILLIAM R. HOWARD, LINDA L. BECKETT, ROBERT W. "SMITTY" SMITH; 1959's GARY E. BARNES; 1960's LINDA L. SHANK, MICHAEL WEST, LINDA J. SNELL, JOANN K. STEMLEY, LONNIE M. THACKER, STEVEN M. KOKOT, JUDITH A. STALDER, EULA FAYE BAILEY, JUDITH A. SLIFE;; 1961's JACQUELYN N. LESHER, LARRY D. GILBERT, JANET L. WLATERS, NANCY J. ERTEL; and 1971's PAMELA K. SHIPLEY.

As many of you are aware, our WECATON class-year range runs from the Class of 1933 (A. EMERSON FAHRNEY) through 1990 (and I offer an apology to that bulletin member, as I don't readily recall your entire name, so please e-mail me with it.) So I'm simply thrilled to be writing to nearly 4 generations of WC alumni with this thing andwhen we include our teacher, MURL E. HUFFMAN, it brings it up to almost 5 generations.

My husband (who now describes himself as, "West Carrollton-challenged," as does the spouse of GERALD A. FULLER, Class of 1960, Becky, who is the one who actually coined the phrase) told me that he has never heard of ANY school, ANYwhere, who has so many who stay in touch and who have so many annual functions, after so many years, and who visit each other all over the country, the way we all do. He's probably right, I guess. I have never heard of this, either. When he asked me why I thought that was, I could only say it was the times during which many of us were reared, the moral fiber of our dear, formerly-tiny village of WC and an environment which forged many fond and treasured memories from an era which will never again be. He said there were many who were reared, then, but they still didn't see each other 1-4 times per year and talk on the phone all the time and send bulletins to dozens of their alumni. Okay, so what IS the answer to why we are all still in touch, then? If it isn't that, I don't know what it is. I just know it works for all of us. Oh, by the way, folks, (and especially you, Becky Fuller) Gil has kept the photo of the red and black pirate flag which is hanging beneath the red and black bell in our front yard. He's now using it for a screen saver on HIS pc! Ha! I really had to laugh, when I saw THAT! Frankly, I think attendees from other high schools are simply green with envy of us WC folks!

As we are now aware, we lost yet another alumnus on July 12, in the person of WILLIAM C. WEST, Class of 1955. Bill had gone through school with the 1954 class, but was a credit or two short, at the end of his senior year, I'm given to understand, so he actually graduated with the 1955-ers. Bill was 69. This report reached us through his classmate, DONNA G. TUDOR, and there was some assistance on personal information from 1957's BERTHA JAN HOERNER and from 1959's GARY E. BARNES. Thanks to all. From 1959's JAMES L. LINDSAY came a fond reminiscence about Bill's brother, Marvin, teaching him to play guitar, as a very young Miami Shores kid.

As I've previously written, please don't hesitate to write in about deaths. I know we all tend to think someone else has already done it, but that isn't always the case. Also, 1965's STEVEN F. SHADE is the one who tracks all of that for us and there is a website Steve maintains which has so much WC info you can't believe it. I look at it with great regularity. I usually stumble through the sign-on, but I think it's something like ( www.wchsalumni.org ) Steve, correct me if I'm wrong. With Steve on the job on that website, Mike West posting photos on his blogspot, and 1961's NANCY J. ERTEL (who really loved the moniker of our, "not-so-roving reporter") on the job, I'm sure we really ARE the most well-informed alumni in the U.S.! Also relative to WC deaths, Marilyn Wolary, wife of 1958's NICHOLAS P. WOLARY, placed a memorial notice in the Dayton Daily News, on what would have been the 63rd birthday of 1960's LAWRENCE EUGENE ZINK. Along with the Wests, the Wolarys were lifelong friends of Gene. He died on January 26. The memorial notice was a very nice gesture.

We have a few illnesses and physical problems to report and even though that's not great, it sure beats another death! About 2 weeks ago, I spoke with WALLACE W. ROBBINS. He normally calls me about 3-4 times, each year. We catch up on news and people we both know, who number many, of course. I've known him since I was 6 years old, and yes, he's a fellow Miami Shores kid. As many of you will recall, it was Wallace who is credited by the family of the late JUDY RAE LINDSAY, for caring for her, as she was dying with cancer.

He now some problems of his own, though. He informed me that he is nearly 100% blind in his right eye, and has but about 15% of his vision in his left eye. He told me it came on quite suddenly, occurring in a period of only about 3 weeks, as a result of macular degeneration. It will not get better, he was told, but there may be a few things which can eventually be done, which will restore perhaps 10% more of his sight, but that's it. He said he has tried to drive, but that is obviously a virtual impossibility, not to mention terribly dangerous. He is selling his car and says he can no longer read things on the internet without great and strenuous effort. The saddest thing was when he told me he can no longer see the faces of his 2 daughters (to whom he is extremely close, by the way) nor those of his grandchildren. He turned 66 on July 31 but I suspect it wasn't a very happy birthday and I know we all wish him well.

There was an e-mail from 1960's BOYD H. JENKINS, younger brother of 1955's late EDGAR EARL JENKINS (whose full name I just learned, by the way). Boyd is in the middle of dealing with heart problems, as well as some respiratory problems, complicated by the heat. Florida has hot summers, that's true, but they're really nothing compared to the heat in the middle belt of the country, nor with the heat of the sizzling dry and crackling southwest. However, it would be enough to exacerbate respiratory problems which are the nature of Boyd's. He said he had recently fainted for a few seconds, then had to take more tests and one of those medical "grams" of some sort. So let's all give our best to Boyd and hope he does well. By the way, Boyd, what's the update? You should know more by now.

The spouse of 1961's EDNA L. GRAY, whose name is Richard M. Ryan, will be checking on the prospects for a heart bypass. I've known Dick since about 1971, long before I ever knew he had any affiliation with Edna, so I sure do wish him the very best. Edna, herself, is now keeping a watch on her sugar, she reports, and older sis, 1960's FLOSSIE J. GRAY, is thriving and doing well. So that was great news.

But Edna was able to to report some even greater news, I'm happy to write. Remember Class of 1960's WANDA L. ESKRIDGE? (Yes, she's another Miami Shores kid!) She has been battling cancer . She had a tumor on her pancreas, it was removed, and found to be benign. I know we're all pulling for Wanda. She and I were very tight in elementary school, along with Flossie. She is married to 1960's W. KEITH HAYES. Say, Edna, why aren't Keith and Wanda on our bulletin list, anyway?

From 1961's DALLAS K. MATHIS, came the news of his July 25 hip replacement. Dallas wrote that he was released on July 29. We all hope you're doing great, Dallas, and that we get to see you, come October. We all wish you a full and speedy recovery!

Also, I'm happy to report I got a couple of blips from one of our most beloved alumnus, 1961's JACK L. GODBY. He reports that he intends to see us all in October. He also reports that brother W. THOMAS GODBY, 1964, may be venturing out to the Sturgis Rally & Races this year, in South Dakota. My, how that did tug at my old heartstrings! From 1982, straight through to 2001, I never missed a one! I guess I'll have to live on my 20 years of great Sturgis trips. Believe me, I really DO have some great memories of those years and the many thousands of miles we all rode together. While there, I always made it a point to see my, "original riding instructor" and great pal, LARRY G. RING, 1961, who always was at Sturgis, too.
Always up to date on noteworthy WC info and news, is THOMAS L. WOLF, JR., 1960. This bulletin period was no exception. Tom reported that the WC school board, of which he is a member, recently rehired MURL HUFFMAN for his 60th year with WC school system. Tom is amazed by Mr. H.'s continuing vitality and vigor, as are all of us. Congratulations, Mr. H., and also many congratulations to the school board on such a wise decision! Tom also gave an upbeat report on the 40th class reunion of the Class of 1965, as did Mr. H., himself, who also checked in during this bulletin period and was in attendance at that class reunion, along with DAVID COLLINS.

It seems we have lots of current travelers in the WC bunch. Primary among them is the Class of 1960's DELORES K. "DEDE" FAHRNEY, who is still touring in her RV all over North America, with friends, as her wrist continues to heal. I'm sure you all read and enjoyed her latest travelogue, as I did.

Also among our travelers were 1961's RICHARD E. KNEER and wife, Becky, who have apparently just completed a vacation which was nothing short of spectacular. They mentioned North Carolina and then must have really seen a lot of the west, making mention of Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, the Grand Tetons, Zion, and Jackson Hole. Of course, they got to visit some family members, too. What a great report, Dick and Becky! We're all glad you're safely back home in Florida now.

In other travels, 1958's BRUCE E. CHENOWETH and 1971's PATTY WHEELBARGER recently decided to visit the Fullers' place in Kentucky. While there, Jerry and Becky wound up buying Bruce's boat. After that, it occurred to me that we should also list for-sale items in the WNR. After all, Jerry bought Bruce's boat, I bought Bruce's truck, and Bruce bought my Harley-Davidson. Why not? We just might get a good thing going here!

About now, Donna Tudor is visiting in Seattle, at the home of her niece, who is the daughter (and only child) of her late sister, 1955's DORIS D. TUDOR. Donna visits her there, each and every year, she wrote. Also, cousin JUDITH L. SAMUELS is taking RV trips all over Florida. She recently returned from Cedar Key and is taking another jaunt in a couple of weeks.

Then of course, we mustn't forget our "land baroness," 1961's PATRICIA LYNNETTE GARRETT, who owns pairs of homes in both Ohio and Nevada. Lynn took a solo trip to her brand-new home in Las Vegas, from the end of June to the end of July. She returned about two weeks ago to her home in Germantown and we've been playing phone tag, ever since. But I'll get her, sooner or later. Lynn was also one of the people who wrote to me about Wanda Eskridge.

Of course, we don't want to forget those GRAY girls---1960's FLOSSIE, 1961's EDNA, and 1964's BRENDA---who all recently took a trip together to Amish country, reports Edna. She says they ate too much, spent too much money, and laughed a lot. Great going, ladies! Do keep at it, won't you? Edna is also planning an August Michigan cabin trip with spouse Dick.

So how about me and MY travels? Well, I'm poking around on the internet currently, and trying to get the lowest possible rate on a cruise to Alaska for the late summer of 2006. To my amazement, my husband has agreed to go with me. He wanted to take a cruise to the Bahamas, but all that would be is a big gambling casino which covers the island. I want to see a lot more than THAT, if I'm going to take a cruise. I have never seen Alaska, always wanted to go, I'm not getting any younger and why not? So far, I've found a rate as low as $529 per person for a 7-day cruise to the Inside Passage. But you can get rates like that, only if you book WAY in advance, I'm told. My pal, Eula Faye, can probably give me a lot more info, as she worked on Princess Cruise Lines for 10 years. I'm going to keep digging.

My goof on the last WNR brought about some helpful instructions on how to avoid losing all that text in the future, from Mike West. How I wish I were able to actually DO all those things! Perhaps LARRY D. GIBLERT, 1961, said it best, when he wrote, "I'm sure there's a life's lesson there. All it takes is one wrong button, and your life is changed forever." How true, Larry, how true!

From 1954's JO ANNE MCCLURE came a request for the e-mail address of 1955's FREDA FLETCHER. She also wanted to let me know I had, "given her an extra year," by saying she was in the 1955 class. Thanks for the correction, Jo Anne. I always want to know about those. I hope you and Freda get together and that you both come up to Ohio in October. She also expressed sad regrets about the illness of 1959's RICHARD C. HENSLEY, but was very happy to hear news about you, MURL E. HUFFMAN! I'll bet you remember Jo Anne, don't you?

We always have classmates who are searching for their old friends. We always also have those who are great geographic visitors (i.e., when they are in an area of residence for a classmate, they always drop by for a visit.) I know I do that, but so do others, too, such as BRUCE E. CHENOWETH, GERALD A. FULLER, and MICHAEL WEST. It's a great habit, and I know there are many more of us who also do that. As a matter of fact, Mike West just may be soon calling you, SHIRLEY SUE MILLER. If he does, you're in for a treat and a very pleasant interval.

Along those same lines, this next paragraph is for you, DANNY A WALTERS, 1960. I'm still searching for your pal, ROBERT L. TANKERSLEY, 1959. I now strongly suspect that I have found him. On search engine after search engine, the same home address pops up for him. I wrote a letter to that address, on your behalf, just about two weeks ago. It has not been returned and that's very encouraging. If he's there, as I'm about 95% sure he is, all we now have to do, is to get him to respond. Did he? By the way, the search engine birthday of August 1940, also matches that address. Let's keep our collective fingers crossed.

The story about the band and Mr. Hubbard, in the last WNR, brought about a few fun responses. From 1971's PAMELA K. SHIPLEY came the fact that Mr. Hubbard's son, Philip III, was a band member under HARRY C. HAGGERTY for a period of 3 years. Pam was also a band member, of course. Also jumping on the band-wagon (okay, okay, I'm sorry, but I just couldn't resist that one) with that story, was another former band member, 1961's DALLAS K. MATHIS. Dallas wrote, "I especially enjoyed Nancy Ertel's memory of Mr. Hubbard's joke about the band. The way I remember it, is that one R.I.P. WC band note was waiting for us on a Monday, following a weekend contest in Greenville, where we'd lost to a band who walked, when the judges couldn't see them. Mr. Haggerty would never countenance that kind of slack behavior." Dallas continues with a nice salute to Mr. Haggerty, by writing, "He was such a great influence on so many of his students, I'm always grateful that I got to know him." Of course, I had to forward that to1961's NANCY J. ERTEL, who loved the story and commented on Dallas's great memory. Another great comment came in from, "the other side of the fence," so to speak, (students vs. teachers) from the indefatigable MURL E. HUFFMAN, himself, as he wrote, "You commented about Hubbard vs. band. I plead ignorance. Teachers have always yelled about the outside interruptions (and I caused a few, too---sudden trips to WLW-D for a Phil Donahue show, or a foreign speaker in town), but life went on and still does." Indeed it does, Mr. H., indeed it does! So we've had lots of fun with the band thing. But 1959's JAMES L. LINDSAY wrote that he did lots of sleeping in Mr. Hubbard's class. Perhaps HE should have joined the band, too!

Mr. Huffman also reported that the Haggertys are moving to Tucson, Arizona, which is the state of residence for their son and daughter. He says they may be gone by the first of the year. He, too, wrote a good bit about the 1965 40th reunion. Also attending with him was Marj Bogan Burkhart, he wrote, and the Strahans were there, too. In addition to all that info, he wrote that 1959's RICHARD C. HENSLEY remains hospitalized and is doing about the same. Of course, he also made the usual attempt to get me to call him, "Murl," but for some reason, I just can't seem to choke that out, either verbally OR on the keyboard. I'm still trying, though! By the way, he will be with us in October, possibly even peeling rubber in the Frisch's parking lot, he wrote. I can just scarcely wait to see THAT!

Let's all welcome aboard a new bulletin subscriber, from the Class of 1965, CYNTHIA A. CHRISTMAN. I sent her a test message, but it was returned, saying she was over quota. I'm sure that will soon resolve itself and she'll start getting our bulletins. Cindy traveled up to Ohio from Florida for her 40th reunion. The only down side to that would be that we probably won't be able to get her to come back north again in the the fall, for our alumni gig.

An e-mail address change has occurred for 1958's JAMES E. RICHARDSON and spouse, KAREN JUNE CRUTCHFIELD. Thanks so much for letting me know your new address, Jim and June. Listen, folks, I'm still trying to close the gap on 1960's MILTON R. WOLFE, 1961's GARY R. FRANK, MICHAEL R. FORSYTH, and 1964's BRENDA ASHLEY TAYLOR. If any of you can get word to those folks, we want them back on our list, hear? Piggybacking on that very topic, I've long been wondering whatever happened to 1957's DARELL L. TOBIAS, since he moved to North Carolina in March. I hadn't heard a word. So I called him this very morning, missed him, but he called right back. We spoke for about 30 minutes. He's doing well, feeling healthy, still riding his Harley-Davidson, and enjoying life in his new NC home. He has forsaken the computer for now, so he will join the ranks of our postally-mailed subscribers. He will definitely be coming to the alumni gig in October.

Finally checking in with a long and newsy e-mail was 1960's PHILIP H. WOLFORD. Phil now has 41 years of service with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young. I find that remarkable. Talk about stability!! Phil has been catching up on old times with 1961's LILLY "KITTY" BURDETTE, via e-mail. We hope to see you in early October, Phil! He has once again renewed my gift subscription to the magazine, Reminisce.Thanks very much, Phil.

Also checking in with a great e-mail was my old friend, V. JEAN WARD, 1960, who finished school in Franklin. But I know an awfully lot us us will still vividly recall Jean. She was (and is) a great beauty. When we were young, cousin Judy, Jean, and I were like the 3 musketeers. She was a Miami Shores kid for a very long time, too. Jean has just returned from a trip to Paris, France. Now that is a real trip, folks! These days, Jean lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

We got yet another long and newsy (and long overdue) check-in from 1961's DONNA JEAN RICHARDS. She reported that she has seen AARON COUCH, whose oldest son is terminally ill with cancer. She also reported running into 1959's DORIS HARPER and 1958's VIVIAN MORGAN, and she spent some time with her classmate ROBERT W. BRANE, too. So Donna has really been "WC-ing it up." Keep up the good work, Donna!

But that's not all she's doing. Both she and PATRICIA LYNNETTE GARRETT are just beside themselves with excitement because it's time once again fro the annual summer retreat at the Kentucky home of CAROLE J. LEWIS. This class has been doing this for about 15 years and I'm just green with envy. i want to go to this function, before I die! There are so many of the 1961 girls there, I dare not start to mention them all, lest I might overlook someone. Lynn has also reported that she's going to get together with BARBARA J. TURNINGTON. Barb, are you there? Please give my best to your best friend and my classmate, LOIS ANN LITTURELL, will you? Listen, Donna and Lynn, I want a full report on the Kentucky gathering, complete with a list of all attendees, hear? Does anyone ever hear from our latest newly-weds, 1961's PAUL E. BEARDSLEY and SANDRA L. BROCK? "Inquiring minds want to know!"

So now, we get to the real meat of this bulletin, okay? If you're reading this, then we expect to see your smiling face on Friday night, October 7, at the Moraine City Frisch's. We also expect to see it on the following night at the alumni gig. Got it? Okay!

Whew! I'm just about all typed out on this one! That completes all of the news and messages I've gotten. I hate to think how many pages are going to print for this one. It has taken me 3 days to do it, in periods of an hour here and an hour there, as I found the time. I hope you're not all blind, by the time you finish this. As always, I leave each of you with my usual wish for glowing health, great happiness, peaceful serenity, and boundless prosperity. Ciao! --Bonnie
- posted by Mikey @ 1:15 PM