WECATON NEWS REPORT!! --- 2005 Reunion Weekend Wrapup:

Okay, this one is the real thing, I promise. Right off the bat, I want to add some info to my report on the Frisch's Frolic. For one thing, as I wrote that, so many names went through my mind, and I knew I was going to forget several people. I did, but thank God for 1955's DONNA G. TUDOR and also for 1958's BRUCE E. CHENOWETH for their superior memories. How on earth did I ever fail to mention Bruce's fellow classmate, BRUCE K. COPSEY, with whom I stood and chatted for several minutes? Yes, he was there, and we were all glad you were, Bruce. How did I also forget to mention my riding buddy, 1957's DARELL L. TOBIAS? Yes, he was there, too. Then there was the beautiful BARBARA CRIDER, younger sister of LORETTA. I'm sorry, to each and every single one of you. There was also the one of whom I thought, all by myself, with no prompting, CARIN LEANN CAMPBELL, daughter of the late BARBARA LEE HECKER, Class of 1961. Carin came to Frisch's with her husband and with her baby of just a few months. I have to tell you all that this baby was just gorgeous! It was a carbon copy of the cherubic face on the Gerber Baby Food jars, I'll swear. This child was SO cute, I can't put it into words. None other than1961's own DONNA J. RICHARDS, was holding this child and she laughed and laughed and drew quite a crowd. (The baby, I mean, but Donna draws quite a crowd, too.) That baby made the night, Carin! Thanks for coming and thanks for bringing Barbara's grandchild, to show us all. Now, listen, I'm not saying that this covers all the bases. I know there are a few more folks I've missed. Think hard, and let me know, please!

In any event, you've all now gotten your coverage on the WC Alumni Weekend Golf Outing, as reported by 1959's GARY E. BARNES, and you've already gotten the latest update on our upcoming WC Florida Holiday Brunch, but we're a bit behind on the reporting of the Annual Alumni Dinner/Dance, aren't we? So let's get right to it.

On the night after the Frisch's gig, we all gathered once again, this time at the Holiday Inn ballroom. Some of the people who were at Frisch's also came to this function, but some didn't. Some who didn't come to Frisch's, DID come to this function, though. People were dressed a bit more formally, in suits, dresses, dressy pantsuits, etc. Everyone had a wonderful time.

It was the 50th anniversary for the Class of 1955, and many of them had gathered on the previous night. Many more gathered on this night. The invocation was ably delivered by 1955's own NORMAN E. JACKSON, whom I've known for many years. I was very happy to see him again. He looked great and was impeccably dressed. He was accompanied by his wife, Nancy. Norm spent a portion of the evening, chatting with 1960's BOYD H. JENKINS, the younger brother of Norm's very best pal in high school, the late E. EARL JENKINS, also of 1955. My old Miami Shores neighbor from the 1955 class, PAUL JONES, was also there.

Many of Norm's classmates were present and I wouldn't even preTEND to be able to name all of them. But it was a great showing for the Class of 1955. I spied PATSY TOBIAS, of that I'm sure, as well as Donna Tudor, who'd been at Frisch's, also. Darell (Pat's younger brother) was there, too. We had a slug of people from 1960, as is usually the case. I sat with CHARLES V. CARTER, who was accompanied by wife Pamela, GARY L. WAR-LAUMONT, who was with wife Jill, SHIRLEY J. TUDOR, escorted by companion Dave Bockrath. We also had long visits with THOMAS L. WOLF, JR., who was accom -panied by his gorgeous spouse, Susan. Soon, we saw our perennial glamour couple, 1960's own T. BARRY RUSSELLO, and 1959's BETSY R. MURPHY. They continue to do a great job of keeping the bar high for us all. Also from my 1960 class was JUDGE CHARLES A. "BUD" LOWMAN, who escorted 1961's SALLY L. GILLETTE. DOROTHY J. WILLMAN was also present, with her 1958 spouse, VINCENT A. BRODBECK. These two people are among THE very nicest of WC alumni, by the way. I also saw ROSS A HODGSON, who is usually there, too. Never doubt that GERALD A. FULLER was also there, as he invariably is, with wife Becky who sometimes slips upstairs to the motel room.

There was the vivacious DONNA J. RICHARDS, who's always a welcome addition to any gathering, WC or not.
We also had CURTIS A. KEMP, who had a long, rousing chat with his old teacher, DAVID E. COLLINS. They were obviously enjoying everything about the evening. I also saw Curt's brother, JOHN KEMP, and his sister-in-law, JOY WOLFORD (younger sis of 1960's PHILIP H. WOLFORD). I was thrilled when I saw (for the first time in 43 years) CARL F. ROBBINS, whohad once been married to my late and close friend of junior high school. BEATRICE ARLENE OGAN. With him was his wife, Jean, and his sister, SHIRLEY ROBBINS, as well as his brother and my old friend, WALLACE W. ROBBINS, who was with his fiancee, Gail. The dashingly handsome RICHARD C. CALL was accompanied by his beautiful wife, Jean, and they both looked as if they belonged on the covers of magazines. Also present was Mr. C.'s 1961 spouse, CHRIS LYN CLEARY, who made the rounds talking to everyone. She looks great!

If there was ANYone there who was more lively than 1955's CARL R. MAYS, I sure don't know who it was! He danced every dance, greeted every person, and was darned near the life of the party. He set a simply shining example of vim, vigor, and vitality for each and every person who might be termed, "senior citizen." I'd have to think long and hard, though, to put HIM into that category. But giving Carl a huge run for his money was one of WC's favorite teachers, MURL E. HUFFMAN, looking as spry and youthful as ever, as he stood to accept cudoes for his 60th year of teaching, albeit very modestly, yet with a flair which only he could achieve. Also among the dashing fellows was 1960's DANNY A. WALTERS, who was accompanied by his lovely wife, Phyllis.

The Class of 1956 had a few attendees, too. There was my sister, JUDY ANN RISNER, WC's most famous all-star football player from the 1950s, JOHN F. "JACK" FREIER, who was with wife Phyllis, DENNIS MICHAEL, ANITA RAE MASON (who looks positively terrific), and they all hobnobbed with many of the 1954 and 1955 classmates, too. FREDA P. FLETCHER, looking just glamorous, was also present and seeming to enjoy the wonderful evening. Like me, she had come all the way from Florida for the event.

Of course, we also had a few other of the 1958 people and among them were BRUCE E. CHENOWETH, K. JUNE CRUTCHFIELD, LEONARD F. KUHN (with wife Pat), JAMES E. RICHARDSON, DAVID L. HOWARD, and spouse, SUE E. SOWERS, and I know there were others. This report is going to be yet another one which will go on for several chapters, since I again want each of you to write me with a prompt on the names you recall, but which I may have inadvertently overlooked. I know there are plenty. Alumni officers were there, too, includ-ing 1970's THOMAS A DORSEY, 1965's STEVEN F. SHADE, 1948's JACQUELYN A. CRITZER, and June was already mentioned. We all owe a HUGE debt of gratitute to those folks. They work so hard, all year long, so that we can have this event. Without them, whatever would we do?

Of course, GARY E. BARNES of 1959, also put in an appearance. But aside from him and his classmate, Betsy, I don't recall seeing anyone else from 1959. Am I wrong? Please let me know. I think I may have written this before, but I'm always puzzled by the low turnout of folks from 1959 class. It's a class which was just filled with a lot of nifty people and I know we'd all like to see more of them! Let's work on that.

Once, while in the hallway, I spied a fellow I just know had to be ARTIE ENYART. I recall him as quite a gymnast. I also saw that gorgeous, never-changing face of DONNA SMITH, whom I think may have been in the 1952 class. I always instantly recognize her.

The night ended all too soon. We had an entire table filled with diehards sitting there, shooting the breeze, and talking about, "the good, ol' days," and oh, we had many of them, that's for sure. The good, ol' days of this day and age, are just nothing, compared to what WE all had. I know I've got lots of "takers" on that one!

My Sunday morning found me back at Frisch's with old friends again, having breakfast. There was Lynn and Barry and Betsy and I saw Norman and his wife and lots of others from the 1955 class. So many of us were not happy about seeing the weekend come to a close. It had been a wonderful and magical time. But end, it did, and I was soon back on the road again, after taking time to visit on Sunday with my lifelong friend, SHIRLEY J. TUDOR, at her childhood home, which she now owns.

My Monday trip began at 3:15 a.m. and did not end until 7:00 p.m., so it was yet another disappointing length of travel time, coming in at half an hour longer than the trip to come up there, which was REALLY bad. So I guess my 12-hour-45-minute trips to Dayton are done. But in my defense, let me tell you that I drove through sheeting, blinding rain for the last 50 miles of Kentucky on that morning and had to pull over several times. Neverthe-less, I think I've lost my, "edge." So be it!

Upon my return, I had a ton of e-mail and the first one came from Norman Jackson. I was happy to be back in contact with him. He told me a lot about his two boys and about his motorcycle-riding adventures, over the years, when I hadn't seen him.

There have also been the usual litany of notices, jokes, psa's, poltiical material, etc., and I'm going to reiterate something here, which I've previously written. I do not open forwarded material, simply because I get so much of it, I just don't have the time to read it all. However, I do make it a point to list all the senders, so that people are aware that those folks are maintaining contact. I tell you this, only because so many people subsequently ask me questions about something they've forwarded and I'm unable to answer, as I don't know what it contained. But those who sent them this bulletin period include 1955's
DONNA G. TUDOR, NORMAN E. JACKSON, FREDA P. FLETCHER; 1957's ERCELL P. PHILLIPS; 1958's RONALD D. "TOM" FEE, WILLIAM R. HOWARD, BRUCE E. CHENOWETH, SANDRA L. BARSALOU, ROBERT W. "SMITTY" SMITH;1959's GARY E. BARNES;1960's STEVEN M. KOKOT, MICHAEL S. WEST, JUDITH L. STALDER, BEVERLY J. HAAS, EULA FAYE BAILEY; 1961's JANET L. WALTERS, JOHN L MCCLELLAN, SANDRA S. HOLLINGS-WORTH, LARRY D. GILBERT, PATRICIA LYNNETTE GARRETT, RICHARD E. KNEER, SALLY L. GILLETTE, SHARON KAYE WENDELKEN; 1962's RICHARD C. CALL, BARBARA T. O'NEAL;1963's JUDY LYNN JAMES;1971's PAMELA K. SHIPLEY; 1981's BRIAN BRODBECK; 1986's AMY HAWKINS. So as you can see, we are beginning to establish a far greater range of readers. I'm terribly pleased about that.

BEVERLY J. HAAS and I had a good exchange about the huge differences in the lives of kids now, as opposed to the lives of we who grew to maturity in the 1950s. It is quite literally an entirely different world, a point upon which I'm sure we can all agree, regardless of age and generation. Another 1960 class member now has a new e-mail address, RICHARD S. HOLT. But I've got him right back on the list, so he's still with us. When you make such changes, you must keep me posted, as he did, or you will miss the bulletins. Is there any update yet on 1960's MILTON R. WOLFE or 1961's JOHN W. BYSTREK? I know for sure we've lost Milton, but I'm not 100% sure of John. Please let me know. Another new e-mail address is that of VICTOR C. NOEL. Vic, aren't you the 1954 class?

WALLACE W. ROBBINS wrote an e-mail, courtesy of his fiancee, Gail, on how much he is still enjoying all the writings of WC. As many of you will recall, he has lost nearly all of his eyesight, so I'm happy to know that Gail is keeping him informed.

As always seems to be the case, 1961's P. LYNNETTE GARRETT and I, are enjoying maintaining contact. She and I seem able to go on for hours, if we don't watch it. I guess it's that "MIami Shores Kid/WC alumni" common thread. Lynn may be down here soon, due to illness in her family. If she is, we will positively be spending some quality hours together, I know.

As a matter of fact, that Miami Shores thing also carries well with me and 1955's FREDA P. FLETCHER. That's one of the reasons why I so much want you to be at the holiday brunch, Freda. We had hardly any time at all to visit, at alumni weekend, and I found myself wanting to speak to you for a lot longer than I did (which was about two minutes, it seemed.)

From 1971's PAMELA K. SHIPLEY came her regrets about not being able to attend any of the functions which took place on alumni weekend. She wrote that she had very urgent family business and that she will try hard to be with us, come next year. We hope so, Pam! Pam sent a photo of her positively gorgeous granddaughter.

As I think I previously wrote, I was utterly dismayed by the absence of 1958's WILLIAM R. HOWARD, who wrote that he had the wrong weekend in his head. For future reference, for Bill AND for all of us, always remember this: Alumni weekend is ALWAYS held on the weekend during which the second Saturday of October falls. As far as I know, that will be forever. If I ever hear differently, I'll tell you right away. This way, we can always plan accord -ingly and never miss one, okay? Bill has committed to the WC Florida Holiday Brunch on Decmeber 3 and it's sounding as though he'll be joined by 1958 classmates
ROBERT W. "SMITTY" SMITH, the ever-present BRUCE E. CHENOWETH, who has also committed, and also my fellow Miami Shores Kid,RONALD D. "TOM" FEE. It sounds like it's going to be a good time. I'm very much looking forward to it. Bill and I also had a brief exchange on the outcome of the standard of living which evolved for most of the Miami Shores Kids. We all seem to have done reasonably well, greatly improving our childhood standard of living. Interesting!

From 1960's MICHAEL S. WEST, came the transmittal of some great alumni weekend photos. I hope you've all gone to the blogspot and taken a peek. I know for sure that 1961's NANCY J. ERTEL has done so. Nancy also commented on what a technologically-advanced world we have. She wrote, "Whoever thought we'd all be send- ing messages across the country to each other?"

Indeed, Nancy, who ever did? Let's all "log in" and enjoy the photography efforts of Mike and of Becky Fuller (the spouse of 1960's GERALD A.), okay? By the way, there is a positively stunning photo in there of 1960's JUDITH L. STALDER. You're really photogenic, Judy! There is a similarly smashing photo of the ever-gracious EULA FAYE BAILEY, who is a also a photographer's dream. She and I have recently spoken, and we try to do that, regularly. Mike enquired as to the mailing address for 1960 classmate JOANN K. STEMLEY, and I'm always happy to know that alumni are keeping in touch with each other, so I was happy to provide it.

From 1959's GARY E. BARNES came a query as to when (and where) we'd be holding the 2006 WC Florida Spring Fest. I can answer only half of that. It will be held on the last Sunday of March, as is the standard date. But at this time, I can't say exactly where. JoAnn, is your place going to be available for 2006 or not? If so, we'll plan on that location again, as it works well for everyone. But if not, I'm getting boo-coo requests to hold it in some location in the vicinity of Daytona Beach, so that people can enjoy the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps our fellow WC-er, JUDITH L. SAMUELS, can get us a banquet room at the Elks, where her husband is the manager, in the event we need it. What are the chances of that, Judy? If JoAnn's place is unavailable, we might be doing that, if we can.

Next year, the spotlight will be on the Class of 1956, of which my sister is a member. For anyone who may be interested, I happen to have no less than 5 extra of the 1956 Piratan. They all range from good to excellent, as regards condition. The price range would run from $18- $45, depending on the source and what I paid, plus the shipping costs, which are usually $2.42, per book. As I have told all of you previously, I sell these books ONLY to WC folks and ONLY for what I actually paid. So if you are aware of anyone who wants one, they can feel free to contact me.

Well, folks, guess where I dined and with whom, on this most recent Wednesday morning, November 2? Since I've been told, "right from the horse's mouth," that there is no attempt to keep anything, "hush-hush," I feel it's just fine to write this, now. It was none other than GARY D. MAYS, 1957, and DONNA J. RICHARDS, 1961. They both came to my house that morning and my husband and I went to breakfast with them at the nearby Cracker Barrel. We had a delightful visit. Donna and Gary were planning to go visit the Atlantic Ocean, later that day, as well as going north to tour historic St. Augustine. She was to be in Florida through today, and then the two of them were going up to her place in Ohio. So hey, the "big secret," (which it never was) is all out in the open now, right? So bully for them! I'm so glad you told me, Donna, that you had no idea that anyone had the notion that you were trying to be secretive. Now, we can all root for you, openly. Thanks! You are both such lovely and wonderful people and everyone wants you both to have a great time together. It appears that you are doing exactly that, too.

Gary continues a close relationship with his sister-in-law, 1960's NANCY E. "COOKIE" BOWIE, sister of Gary's late wife, 1957's DONNA G. BOWIE, and Cookie is just thrilled that Donna R. and Gary have "hooked up" and, to her great credit (but not to my surrprise) has offered them her full support. By the way, I was happy to hear a bit from you, Cookie. I've been wondering where you've been, all this time. Rumor has it that we will not only be seeing Cookie at Spring Fest, but also Donna and Gary! How great!

From CURTIS A. KEMP came an enthusiastic and upbeat message about how much he enjoyed alumni weekend. Curt is now hooked and says he won't miss one, ever again. He really enjoyed his long chat with Mr. C., and he loved seeing his old buddies, RICHARD C. CALL, AARON COUCH, and RICHARD L. "DICKIE" PHILLIPS. We're all so glad you got there this year, Curt. See, I told you if you got there once, that would be it, didn't I? We'll all see you soon, at the holiday brunch. For those of you who are unaware, if you haven't yet had the pleasure of sharing a meal with Curt and his wife, Maria, and listening to Curt tell his stories about his days as a prison guard, you just don't know what you're missing. He keeps us all in stitches and laughing so hard that tears are streaming down faces, believe me! Curt also enquired about old pal, EDGAR L. "EDDIE" KELLY. I gave him all the numbers and addresses I had. By the way, Eddie was having some pretty severe health problems this year, which was very unfortunate, as he was standing at the ready, to board a plane and join us this year. He also was quite anxious to see all of the guys mentioned in this paragraph. I suspect it wll all fall into place for him for next year, though.

From 1959's JAMES L. LINDSEY came a message that his wife was injured at her job and that's why he wasn't there this year. We all hope the Mrs. is doing fine now, Jim. Keep us posted. Jim says he thinks it would be fun to congregate in Mr. Huffman's old classroom and get one final, civics lesson on the afternoon of the Frisch's Frolic. Hmmmm, I'd have to think about that one, Jim. I think it would be grand fun to hobnob with everyone and see Mr. H. again, in yet another social setting. But I'd have to give some thought to this civics lesson thing. I'll bet, though, if there's enough demand, Mr. H. will do it!

Upon my return to Florida, I was faced with the start of Biketoberfest 2005, always a fun and exciting event. I got a couple of messages from my fellow Harley-David-son rider, 1964's W. THOMAS GODBY, and we were going to try to make contact during the event, but it didn't come together. Trying to find someone during one of these big motorcycle events is tantamount to looking for a needle in a haystack, anyway. Most of you are aware, I'm sure, that Tom is the younger brother of 1961's dearly beloved, JACK L. GODBY. Listen, Tom and Jack, let's make it a point for both of you to be at holiday brunch, hear? That way, we won't miss each other.

JUDY MARIE FRANTZ, 1961, always regales me with her great sense of humor. She was glad I'd gotten back home safely and, like the rest of us, Judy looks forward to our next alumni weekend. Also looking forward to it, is 1960's SHIRLEY SUE MILLER, who didn't make it this year, to my great disappointment. But we'll see you next year, right, Shirley, or perhaps before, at one of our other events? Also missing was 1960's JUDITH ANN SLIFE, another class member I'd hoped to see. So will you be in Florida anytime soon, Judy? If so, come to the brunch on December 3! Yet another 1960 classmate, THOMAS L. WOLF, JR., wrote to tell me that the weekend which followed our rainy, alumni weekend, was just picture perfect and absent of rain. But I didn't mind the rain, as I have always enjoyed it. Mr. Huffman wrote a comment in which he said we all, "clean up pretty good." Ha! That we do, Mr. H., that we do!

On a sad note, I got e-mail from CAROLYN J. BURNS, in which she told me of the October 24 death of her mother-in-law, mother of DAVID RICHARD BURNS, a WC alumnus. I know we all extend condolences to th Burns family. I don't have his grad year. Can you please tell me, Carolyn?

Does anyone know the whereabouts of a WC alumnus named CHARLES LEWIS? It sounds as though Mike West is trying to find him for someone. Let's try to help with that effort, if we can. We also have a blurb from a young man in our military, who is Class of 1994. His name is DANNY GORDON, and Danny writes that he is deployed with Operation Noble Eagle. He is due to return stateside in April and wants to keep up on WC happenings. Let's all pray for his safe return. If you'd like to write a few lines to him, try
WCHS-Alumni@yahoogroups.com We all wish you the very best, Danny!

Teacher DAVID E. COLLINS continues to gather more WC folks, having added the names of JAN BARKER, former junior high teacher and assistant principal, and DAVID COOPER, a former WCHS math teacher. We're getting more and more diversity in our list of readers.

Last but not least, those traveling WALKER people, (WILLIAM O., and his WC-honorary spouse, KAREN) remain out there on the road, currently working in the area of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, writes Karen. They may be gone from there, by now, I don't know, but you can bet they're working storm claims, SOMEwhere in the southeast, I'd bet on that. It seems the hurricanes always preclude their ability to join us on alumni weekend. But I can always hope they'll shoot down here in a month and be with us all for the holiday brunch, right? How about it, Bill and Karen? It's been WAY too long since we saw you two. See what you can do, okay?

Well, guess what, folks? My WC folder is totally empty now, so that means we are finally current, and I can close this incredibly-long bulletin. I will again encourage every-one to be present, at our holiday brunch. The food is always great there and the company is simply incomp-arable, I kid you not. I leave you all with my usual wish for glowing health, great happiness, peaceful serentiy, and boundless prosperity. Ciao!

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


- posted by Mikey @ 3:55 PM