Walter M. Williams High School Class of 1972
Tell us what you've been up to . . .
..... Received this sweet note from Margaret's daughter Leslie today addressed to our great class of '72! Dear Class of '72, Thank you so much for the beautiful spray you sent to help us celebrate my mother's life. Also, thank you for the outpouring of love and support you have given our family during this difficult time. Please continue to stay close, as you know that's what Margaret would want! :o) Best wishes, Leslie Adams Reavis 4721 Blanchard Rd Burlington, NC 27217
Hello to all. My sister, Beth and her husband and brother, Chee and his wife were here for Thanksgiving. Carol had to work but we spoke to her on the phone. We had our sister's lunch out and shopped in the small town of Emmaus. Went out to supper with the guys. Christmas came with 2 parties; one on the 20th with children: Jill and her husband Matt, and grandchildren Chelsi & Tyler; Zack and wife Liz; Ryan & one on Christmas day with the extended Laubach clan. We had a smaller gathering on New Years Day. Not much more to do with such cold weather. Lots of snow and more on the way tomorrow. I think VA will get more snow than us this year. I enjoy working 4 days a week, spending time with the family, reading, sewing, needlepoint, church, sorority, and outside activities weather permitting. If in the area, we would love to see you. Much love to all, Anne
hey everybody. long, long time no see. although i'd rather forget most of my experience at williams/in burlington, there are people i connected with and i'd like to know how/where they are. annie schoonover, where are you? jim fuller, steve moore, tommy massey, what's up? jan
Hi classmates, another class of 1972 parent has gone on to be with his maker. Let’s send out our heart felt sympathy to Tom (David and Bill) Massey and his family.
Thanks, Tyrone His obituary: http://www.richandthompson.com/obituaries.php?page=0&op=view&id=607
Okay boys and girls,
Time to blog. We need to hear about HOLIDAY PLANS!! Bonnie Schaefer Bevan has requested a Christmas Party. We need input. Who's going to be in Burlington WHEN?
Margaret
Okay guys! Let's BLOG those holiday plans!! Here's how that works:
I'm going to be out of town for Thanksgiving but will be home the entire time during Christmas and would LOVE to see any of you who come to town. So, BLOG your plans!!
love,
Homecoming Game this Fri night!
We will meet at my house (2015 Gurney Ct) around 6:30 and head to WHS to enjoy the BBQ. It’s a great way to support the Student Council. We will get our tickets from Michele……Susan Anderson Kibby’s daughter…………. as she is a member of the Council (just like her Mom was). Let me know by lunch tomorrow if you want a ticket ($10) and I will preorder from Michele. Go Dogs!!!
The homecoming show was GREAT! They had a 60’s theme and it was one of the best yet! (At least THEY didn’t have to wear long underwear with tinfoil balls on them like WE did. What in the heck was Covert thinking!!)
More info about the BBQ:
Don't forget to purchase your tickets for the pregame BBQ Bash on Friday night! Anyone attending the Williams Homecoming game is invited to come together between 5-7:00 on the front lawn for a BBQ tailgate complete with music and lots of WHS spirit! Tickets can be purchased at the front office of Williams or email jerrysherrie@bellsouth.net for delivery info. Tickets are $10 - families are welcome to share plates! Bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs and get "pepped" with WHS cheerleaders, Dance Team & Pep Band. For those who can't attend game, please consider supporting the Student Council and Dance Team by purchasing a To-Go order. Plates are big enough to share and can be delivered to your car! Just email your request and we'll be glad to provide Friday Family Night dinner! Thanks for supporting our high school kids.
A couple of other things to mention………..
Martha Allred Cline is having her beautiful Nantucket baskets at the Wesley Long Hospital Craft Fair. You’ll be able to purchase them…….don’t miss it!!! They are intricate and gorgeous! She’ll have other items too………but those pocketbooks are truly a work of art.
WESLEY LONG ANNUAL FALL CRAFT FAIR
Greensboro, NC
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
CLASSROOM 1
7AM - 6 PM
Gary Mitchell’s daughter Katy was written up in the Times News this week check it out……….She’s going places with that fabulous voice!! Get her CD……….it’s awesome! http://www.thetimesnews.com/articles/girl_18655___article.html/lands_local.html
Let us hear from you!!!!!
Dianne Morgan's Dad passed away at the beginning of the week. Services have already been held.
Donnie McPherson's Dad passed away Thursday. You can read the obituary and get info at www.thetimesnews.com.
For some reason, Donnie is not on our classmate list. If you have his information, please e-mail me. margaretadams@triad.rr.com
IT'S FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!
WHS HOMECOMING GAME
FRIDAY, OCT 17 AT 7:30
ANYONE INTERESTED IN MEETING AT ZACK'S 6:00 AND THEN HEADING TO THE GAME?
FYI: The Homecoming Show should be great this year! It will be
Monday night Oct 13 at 7:00.
The whole damn thing's a rumor. We didn't even GO to Hyco . . .
see how all these rumors start????? shame on you caren..................
hehehehe
Corrections:
Margaret tried to lift our spirits, not our spirts.
We staggered to the house, not stagged.
The women back at the house had eaten all the food, not ate all the food.
I believe I suffered heatstroke; affecting my cognitive, spelling, and grammatical abilities.
Ahoy there Bulldogs: On Saturday, August 14, 2008, Charlotte Mackintosh invited whomever could come to spend the day at her house on Hyco Lake. Several 1972ers showed up and were awed and dazzled by her beautiful house decorated like something you'd see in a magazine with fabulous drapes designed by Paula Hill (I'm using maiden names because it's easier). We engaged in merry conversation and then made our way down to the dock. We jumped (OK, we lumbered) into Cs boat and were mighty impressed when our captain cranked up the engine and took us out to the open waters. In the boat: Charlotte at the wheel, Caren in the front, Susan Anderson, Kathy Harris and Margaret Blythe in the back, or astern as the nautical savvy would say. We were miles from shore when the an alarm went off and the engine made non-smooth running engine sounds. Charlotte cut the motor. Margaret smelled gas. Kathy told us she knew someone who's boat had blown up. We all sat in the sweltering heat, the sun beating down on us. Charlotte gave the boat manuals to Caren and Susan and asked them to look through and see if they could find an answer. Caren sped read through the manual and found the troubleshooting guide. Hooray! There was a section on odd engine sounds. We were to cut off the engine and call the dealer! We realized none of us, nary a soul, had brought a cell phone. Charlotte's two dogs, also on board, were frantic with fear. We thought about swimming to shore but knew that the strong currents would carry us further out and we would all be lost at sea. I mean lost at lake. For a popular lake on a summer Saturday, we were shocked that we were alone on the water. Totally, completely alone. We stood and shouted to no avail. No one came out of their lakefront homes to see where the pleas for help had come from. At last, we saw a jetskiier. We yelled, waved our arms...he waved back... a friendly man. We waved more vigorously and seeing a boatload of stranded women, he seized the opportunity and came our way. After a few moments of deliberation, it was decided that he would take Charlotte with him and she would seek help on shore.
Charlotte leaped aboard, wrapped her arms around his muscular chest and they roared off. Those of us left on the the boat were now alone. Margaret tried to keep our spirts up but as the hours went by and our water ran out, Kathy became hysterical and was frothing at the mouth and raving. Susan and I braved it out as long as we could then finally broke down and began to weep. We realized we had been set up. We began to ask ourselves, "What do we really know about Charlotte?" Why, oh why were we so trusting? Finally, we all leaned over the sides and began to paddle with our arms. Weak, weary, sunburned, we finally reached shore. We hugged, laughed and cried. We were glad to be alive. We stagged to the house and there was a note from Charlotte..."Hope you guys had fun. He..He...He." Victims of a cruel joke, we took some of the nicer items from her home, loaded up our cars and made our way back to civilization. Paula Hill, Donna Campbell, Bonnie Schaefer and Anne Sherard had come to the house while we were on the boat and ate all the food we had brought and drank all the bourbon slushes, so there was nothing left for us. We haven't seen or heard from Charlotte since then. This is a true story. Some will say that it wasn't that bad and that Debbie Humble and her boyfriend Morris came out on their pontoon boat and towed us back, but those of us there know the truth. Some will say we had a glorious time and ate and talked for hours. For those of you unable to make it, feel fortunate.
So, this is my story and I'm sticking to it.
Okay Ron, when do we all get an invite to the beach? The girls can bring the food and drinks!
Okay everyone, I did retire in May and I still am not sure what the word retirement means - I have been painting,cleaning houses, helping to take care of my 90 year old mother, weeding flower beds, working more at our local hospital (filling in for folks that are on vacation), organizing people cabinets in their homes and the list goes on and on.
Can't wait for the day at Charlotte's lake home. I need a vacation.
I love reading the blog. Keep it coming!
Thanks for the prop, Charlotte. We're pumped up about this Sunday night at Blandwood. A Celtic group does the 1st set and we do the last.
To Verne, Kay and the others, who made us feel so good by showing up at the Willowbrook Oven in their ready-to-bake wear. I came out a nicely crusted dough boy.I apologize for blowing a perfectly good spontaneous insult when I confused Rogaine with Viagra.... a total bomb in performance.....(and even more devastating at home--but let's not go there). I covered for that flub by abusing David Huffman for the rest of the night. When you fall off the horse.... you know the old saying......get right back up and pick on somebody smaller and balder.
Please come to Blandwood Sunday and say something loud enough to draw an insult....I just need to get started. Otherwise I have to find my note in a song that Johnny has started in the wrong key, while Rob sits there scoping out the crowd while he pretends to tune his banjo. Insulting comes so much more naturally to me than music......or at least music with Johnny. Remember, we do requests.....if we have given you a little slip of paper before the show with a song to shout out......otherwise, mind your own business and stick to applause and hysterical shrieking. We wouldn't ask this if we didn't love at least 85% of you and have developed a reasonable tolerance for the rest. But don't just do it for us.....Do it for Walter M and because you hate Cummings, and Page and Grimsley for that matter. dont get me started about Winston Salem Reynolds.....
Oh, along with Rogaine and Viagra comes the 3rd horseman of the apocolypse, Ambien. It is present in this room and if I'm not off of this computer in 2.4 minutes it will take over my mind and write the most outrageous and inappropriate stuff since Teddy Fowler came on to Mrs. Strickland.
So, see you Sunday. Thanks Charlotte. aaasrrrrrgh;lkj, Im morphingggg Stopppppit!! If you say something about Little Stevie Wellings you'll be sorry and he'll go lawyer up again.....we can't have that.....so, I'm outta HERE!
Last chance to hear Louis and Johnny and Rob for a while!!
Claudia wants a group to meet for the show. You can e-mail her and let her know that you are coming!!! I heard that Verne was at the one at the Park along with a few others from '72.......and it was a Musical Memory!!! So don't miss this one in Greensboro!!
Sunday, August 3 6:00 pm Concert Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park Blandwood Mansion Greensboro, NC
PS There is a fabulous article on Steve Moore and his artistic talents in the new (August) "Our State" magazine. Be SURE to check it out!! Wow....we're very proud of you Steve!!
(Kathy, you're not seeing things. I enlarged the font because I'm blind as a bat . . . mba)
Two big events to let you know about--they've already happened, so you won't need your calendars!
On July 2 Johnny Neese and I took our most FAVE teacher of all time, Shirley Walker French to lunch at the Olive Garden in Burlington. Shirley was our 5th grade teacher at Grove Park and those of you who were in our class will remember that we had the BEST CLASS EVAH--we had so much fun together we had a REUNION at my house in the 6th grade!! Of course, between Johnny and I we can remember every single minute of that year--we got to the restaurant at 1:00 and left at 4:45! ....and we were only up to about 1987!! We've resolved to do it again. Shirley (we can call her Shirley now--how cool!) loved it and we loved it. You may remember that she married Marsha French's dad in 1980 after Marsha's mother died and they were married and had a blast together until he died in 1984. She looks as beautiful as ever. I loved being able to tell EVERYBODY I saw for the week or so leading up to this event that I was taking my 5th grade teacher to lunch---people would say, "damn, I don't remember my 5th grade teacher's name" or " I have no idea where my 5th grade teacher is" or something. It was awesome.
And then, last Saturday, Charlotte, Vicki N, Donna, Claudia, Martha and I made a trek to Seagrove to see Ed(die)and Melissa Walker's "compound". Ed (die) owns Carolina Bronze and had beautiful bronze statues all over the country--indeed the world, I believe--including the bronze of the February 1 Four on AT&T's campus and the one at the main fire station on Church Street in Greensboro. The gallery, foundry and various other stations in his huge building were filled with projects at all levels of production--the most impressive of which was a 7 foot bronze statue of Ronald W. Reagan. That one was commissioned by the Guv-ment to stand in a place of honor in the Hall of Presidents in the Capitol Rotunda in DC. Extremely impressive. The statue is 7 feet tall and will be placed on a 4 foot marble stand once the Guv-ment decides on when he will be inducted. As there is only room for 12 such statues, it literally takes an act of Congress to move one out and move one in. Look for it on your next trip to DC. Eddie's signature is located on the back heel of Ronnie's right shoe!!!
The group left it to me to pen some semblance of the sequence of the production of these pieces. I tried to remember it all, but my 54 year old mind has let me down. I can remember clay statue from sculptor, rubber mold/plaster cast, sand and silt mold--negative image, hot wax, cut in half, melt wax--1600 degrees- melt bronze--25 lb. bronze "bricks",weld seams, touch up final. Call Eddie if you want to know the details. He is just SO good at what he does and seems to really enjoy it. His 19 year old son has joined him and they have one of the few operations where they can do 3D scanning and enlarging of a piece on the computer. THAT is really unbelievable. Also, Eddie and Melissa's daughter has worked there some, but she is off conquering Japan where she hopes to teach. Melissa gorgeous artwork is scattered all over the gallery and we saw more of her work at some of the pottery shops we visited while down there. Melissa is teaching art at Randleman High School. At least one of the very successful potters in Seagrove studied with her at Randleman--his name is Daniel Johnson and he has made quite a name for himself. Anyway, Eddie took all of us to lunch at the only world class restaurant in Seagrove and then we gals made our way back up 705 stopping at about 10 potteries before heading home. It was a full and very fun day and we each came away with at LEAST 1 treasure!
Watch for upcoming trips back to this venue--we're thinking late fall for some Christmas shopping!!
JULY 27 (Sunday)
join Warren, Bodle, and Allen
at Willowbrook Park
6:30-8:30
This is a part of the Sunset Concerts so bring a chair or blanket and come on over. I'm sure it will be a night to remember....or maybe you'll want to forget!!
I hope that our fine class of '72 will be well represented!!! Dang it......I'm not going to be able to be there........so you guys are on your on to keep those boys in line!!
ROAD TRIP!!!!!
When: This Saturday 7/12/08
Where: Seagrove, NC
Why: To visit Eddie and Melissa's Studio and see Ronald Reagan's Bronze Statue that Eddie is finishing up before it heads off to Capital Hill!! (We will probably have time to visit some other studios as well.)
What's next: Dinner at a fabulous Seafood Restaurant in Seagrove
Who's going so far: Currently, Kathy H, Claudia W, Vicki N, Martha A, Charlotte M
More Info: e-mail me or Kathy..........
GET ON BOARD..........
It's great to hear what everyone has been up to.
More later
hello all,
hope your holiday weekend was a good one... the weather here at the beach was yukky on saturday for most of the day but then turned wonderful saturday afternoon and for sunday & monday.... left the boat in the slip on sunday, which was a good choice from what friends told me.. lots of crazies on the water but took it out on monday for several hours.... just went to the beach on sunday.... put sun screen everywhere except my back and then stood up for a long, long time... guess what got the heck burned out of it.... itches like crazy today... its been tough getting back into the work mode after a long weekend.... of course dreama doesn't have to worry about that now... well just thought i would give margret a break.... oh by the way... thanks for the card lady.... smiles and best wishes to all
gotta run
Well, I've decided I'm just going to blog with myself until someone else gets the urge . . . Tuesday night we had a great time at Kimbers in Gibsonville. Each time we meet, we seem to enjoy each other more!
In July, we're going to go hear Louis, Dr. Johnny, and some guy named Bodle. I missed the last 'band on the run' gig and hope to make this one. We'll post the details closer to the event. Onward Bulldogs . . .
Okay folks, it's time for someone else to leave a message on this blog . . .
Sadly, I have to report the loss of the mom's of two of our classmates. Claudia Ward McCoy's mother passed away today at about 4 p.m. Lorraine Morris's mom died last week.
The funeral for Claudia's mother will be next Friday, May 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. at Rich & Thompson Funeral Service in Burlington. The family will receive friends after the service.
Claudia's and Lorraine's addresses can be found on the Classmate Addresses . . . link to the left.
love to all,
From Vicki Franz:
Margie Hinsdale's (Frick) father passed away last night in Winston Salem. Arrangements are being made now. Memorial Services will be held at Hayworth Miller Funeral Home in Kernersville, NC at 4pm on Saturday , March 29 followed by visitation with the family. Hayworth-Miller-Cain Funeral Home 141 Smith Edwards Road Kernersville, NC 27284 I know Margie and her family would love to hear from you. Margie and Mark Hinsdale 7229 Belews Creek Rd Belews Creek, NC 27009
We're going to gather again in "The Garden of Edens" (he-he-he)
2015 GURNEY CT...........6:30..........THURSDAY, MARCH 20
Call (584-2661) or e-mail charlotteme@bellsouth.net if you'd like to bring an appetizer or a beverage and let me know if you're coming! (Sorry regulars).....but we need some new faces too!!!......so ya'll come on out!!
So far we're going to see.......Margaret (broken foot and all!!), Paula (crab spread & cocktail sauce), Susan (wine & salad), Kathy (spinach dip and crackers), Donna, Drema, Martha, Anita, Verne, and Joe.
"THREE BAND NIGHT!!!"
Sound great Louis!!!! A Talent Show to Remember....(especially those that can't remember the first one in '71).........
I'm going to try and reserve a block of seats......e-mail me if you want a seat.......and spread the word!!!
See ya on the 14th,
c
Bulldogs! On Friday March 14, the Paramount Theater will see an entertainment spectacular unmatched since Little Stevie Wellons poured vegetable soup over the balcony rail on Mr. Guthrie as the boat went upside down in The Poseiden Adventure.
THREE! Not one, not two, but THREE bands featuring the best, or at least not the worst, of the classes of 1968,1971 and 1972.
Do you remember Ham and Eggs, from their talent show performances? No? Well, me neither, but I'm told Jimmy Harper ('71) was the ham and Gary Mitchell was the yolky guy. Today they front for the ridiculously popular bands Civil Defense and Molasses Creek. Jim teams up with Gary Cole ('68) and John Lindley (Southern Alamance). Gary has his wife, Kitty, Dave the Little Fiddle Boy, and Lou Castro from Ocracoke, as well as Gerald Hampton from out in the woods somewhere. Both groups sing and play like they have good sense. It's like magic.
Do you remember your class president Johnny Warren and the class fool, yours truly? I know you do, so don't lie to me. It may not be a good memory.....in fact, it probably isn't, but that's neither here not there. I'm not here to apologize, but I will say that we are both considerably nicer than we were (I'm about 50 pounds nicer). Thanks to our teaming up with Rob Bodle 30-some years ago, we have mellowed like good cheese and now sing to 10s of people up and down the East Coast (don't make me define what I mean by "East Coast") in the cleverly named trio, Warren, Bodle & Allen.
This will be the first time all three groups have played on the same stage. Arrangements have been made with the Alamance County Sheriff's department to lift the ban on members of The Flying Raviolis (WHS talent show, 1971) which has kept Gary Mitchell and I from entering the county at the same time. We had to agree not to wear spandex. That hurts, but it's worth the sacrifice to play at the Paramount. Tickets will be on sale at the Paramount; $15 in advance and $18 at the door. You can call their box office at 336-222-TIXS.
For those of you who saw John, Gary or me at the reunion, just know that we look and act much younger on stage. Please show up so we don't have to report you to Coach Hodge.
Louis Allen
Dear '72 Dogs,
Well, I've already got a super update! Read the e-mail below from George.......
Dear ones,
I have a special request!!!
Kasey Roberts is Chuck (and Kay) Roberts daughter ………. and is Michie’s, my daughter's best friend. She is a 2006 WHS graduate and is currently in her sophomore year at Lenoir-Rhyne, majoring in Nursing. She needs our help and support.
In 2005 Kasey visited an orphanage in South Africa through a leadership program offered by the United Church of Christ. The experience had a huge impact on her life. Kasey became attached to the children many of which were orphaned after their parents had died from HIV or AIDS……..especially one little girl, Tsidi. You ought to see Kasey’s pictures!!! (Check out the great write-up in the Times News on 2/08/2008.)
She wants to return to participate in the 15-day Summer Global Experience this summer in Lesotho and South Africa and she can’t do it without our help!! The cost for her is $3,000 and there are many ways for us to help!!
The First Reformed United Church of Christ is planning an auction on March 15 (2:00) to raise money for her to participate on the trip. They need donated items to be auctioned, people to attend, and buyers! You can call 228-1793 to have items picked up.
Or you can make monetary donations payable to “First Reformed United Church of Christ” / Attn: South Africa trip/ 513 West Front Street, Burlington 27215.
Please help Kasey. She’s a remarkable person! Kasey said, “We are all human. How can we sit back and not try to make it right? We HAVE to come together. We’ve got to fight for life.” We need to help her all we can…….she’s so deserving and the children Africa will be touched by her sense of humanity………she is our good-will ambassador. She’s making the world a better place……..
Help with your:
Monetary Donations: “First Reformed United Church of Christ” / Attn: South Africa trip/ 513 West Front Street, Burlington 27215.
Auction Donations: 228-1793
Attend the Auction: March 15, 2:00 at the First Reformed United Church of Christ
If you can help with one of the above or cannot…..please hold Kasey in your prayers.
(Thanks so much for once again letting me up on my soap-box.)
Always,
Charlotte
PS I’ll keep you posted on her progress…………..
Charlotte and Margaret, thanks for mentioning my Mother's passing on the blog and the kind words. Several classmates came to the memorial service which I really appreciated. Please take care and see you soon.
Joe Rouse
Great article (and picture) in the Thursday Feb 14, Alamance News featuring Marie Alston (Emma Curry to us!!) announcing the release of her new CD, Still Singing His Praises. The CD can be ordered through: womenbydesign.org and "possibly" soon through New Direction, Inc. in Graham. All the songs on the CD are the songs that she sings at women's conferences. They range from Southern gospel, a little pop, a little country, a little rock, "to reach out across the miles to all different cultural divides".
We're proud of our Emma!!!
Here's the mailing address I have on file for Joe:
1604 Banbury Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27607
Dear all,
Wanted to let you know that Joe Rouse's Mother passed away on Feb 16. The family will receive friends at the Lowe Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, Feb 19 from 10:00 until 10:45 and the memorial service is to follow at 11:00. You can sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com. More information was in the Times News on Sun, Feb 17.
Joe, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
God bless,
Hey ya'll,
A few updates...............Phil Sumner's Dad passed away Jan 11 and we want him to know that we are thinking of him during this difficult time and that he is in our prayers. The visitation is Friday Jan 18, 12:30 - 2:00 with the service to follow (2:00) at Rich and Thompson on Church St. The obituary is in today's Times News.
Also..............Happy news!.........Donna Howe Webb has recently married.
Thirdly.......we're still on for tomorrow night (6:30) at Kimber's (through rain, sleet or snow...........you know the routine!) Looks like around 15 people!!!
Drive carefully tomorrow,
Been off-line for awhile - lotsa work.. My sympathies to Margaret, Don, and Ted on the passing of their respective parents. And what was up with Kurt? (Joel - you send lot's of stuff over the net - why no word?) Glad Caludia coming along well.
Best to all. Those in W-S area feel free to call.
Hi, Everyone!
I just began a new job at the University of Buffalo and so far have nothing to do but read the Bulldog Blog! My husband and daughter have been in Burlington this week, he had vacation time and she's between semesters and they've had the good pleasure of seeing my (their) family while. Today is my sweetheart's birthday and he's in 70+ degree weather - what a great present. My friends and my kids are all over the place. Thank goodness for the internet. Keep in touch,
janet
Dear friends,
I wanted to let each of you know about Margaret Adams's mother passing away suddenly Friday evening. Please keep Margaret and her family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time. The family will be at Rich & Thompson tomorrow from 12:30 - 2:00 to receive friends and then the service is in the Rich & Thompson Chapel at 2:00.
Margaret.....our thoughts are with you.
Love,
Paula
I have been looking forward to the day when I could personally sit at the computer and let you know what an awesome group you are! I just read all of the blogs and thank all of you for keeping touch and especially for your prayers. It has been a very long road since the morning of October 30th and your support shown in so many ways has helped me navigate the way! I do appreciate my husband for writing aka the mystery writer.
Janet, I got such a laugh out of the e-mail to the hospital and treasured every one of them. I will always remember Susan Anderson sticking her head into my room holding the flowers from the class which I could not have in ICU and returning 5 days later with the same flowers which she had rearranged for me to have once I was out of ICU.She was determined for me to see that she had survived several broken backs! ( One is enough, thank-you!) Thanks for the many cards and e-mails which my husband faithfully brought to me.Thanks for the food and the faithful visits including the group of carolers who showed up at my door last night which included Caren Hobbs, Louis Allen and Gary Mitchell and their families.
Thanks for your continued prayers as my journey is still in process.It will be several months before I am back to where I was before October 30. I will be fairly homebound for the next few weeks and would love to receive visits from any of you.Please call first since I am going to outpatient therapy now. I am looking forward to driving again and enjoying more gettogethers from the class of 72. Thanks so much to all of you who have worked so hard to keep us connected through the good and the not so good!
I wish everyone of you from the class of 72 and your families a very Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year and please be careful in your attics!(Believe me, it's not worth the battle) Sincerely, Claudia Ward McCoy in person!
Donna C is coming!!
I've heard (directly or indirectly) from Johnny N, George S, Athena M, Kaye S, Joe R, Brant B, Janet E, Denise D, Susi and Darrell that they can't (but wanted to) come..........
Anyone else????
Eddie Walker and Margaret B have let me know that they were coming too!!
Hey '72 dawgs,
Please try and join in this Thurs if you can. The more the merrier and.....tis the season to be merry. (If you'd like........beer and wine will be there to add to the merriment.) Kathy and I are looking forward to seeing Verne, Susan A, Susan B, Drema, Paula, Debbie R, Martha, and Jane. (Check out snapfish and I'll add the pictures soon.)
It's not too late to come by. We just have a great time munching, chatting and laughing.........
If you can't make it, we'll miss you.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Blessings,
Charlotte and Kathy
PS To get to Charlotte's......Heading away from town on Edgewood Ave (past Turrentine area)......Take a right on Gurney St......The second street on the right is Gurney Ct......I'm at the end of the court.........2015
FYI:
I read in the paper that Don Huffman's mother passed on 11/30. I spoke with him at the reunion and he told me that his mom had been in poor health for quite some time and that he was the main care-giver. (click the 'classmate addresses, e-mails, etc' link at the left to find Don's mailing address)
Take care,
(PS Kathy and I hope to see ya'll next Thurs (12/13)...........BBQ will be ready!!!)
note from Margaret: This is one of those 'mystery writer' e-mails from Claudia. I think it's her husband. Here's the latest news:
She's BAAACK!!!!
So glad to hear Claudia is moving steadily along the path to wellness. I know this must be so difficult for her and our prayers are certainly with her each day.
But I'm curious. What's up with the mystery writer thing? Is there some compelling reason someone can't just post normally and let us know what's happening with Claudia?
Received this today. Do not know who the author is. Dying to find out!!
I haven't talked with her yet but MARHTA ALLRED CLINE and me are ready for a field trip. My vote is for NYC but I dearly LOVE Vegas. I personally couldn't go to San Francisco without Randy because he'd KILL me. (He really wants to go.) I'm trying to keep up with Claudia but I'm not one to read this blog regularly. PLEASE just call me! I said numerous prayers for Magaret's husband and Dreama's husband. Obviously, at least one was answered. I'll check with Drema tomorrow. Stay in touch
Anita Royall Jones
Update on Claudia-
She asked me to let everyone know that she is improving greatly. She is in rehab at Moses Cone. Still in room 4030. She really appreciates all the cards, flowers, emails, phone calls, and especially everyone's prayers. She expects to be in rehab for at least the next week but says she will be home for Thanksgiving. Her pain seems to be managed now but please continue to remember her. She asked me to specifically thank the wonderful Class of 72 for the beautiful flower arrangement that was sent to her. Visiting hours are 4:30 to 8:30 Monday-Friday and 1:30 to 8:30 on the weekends.
Kay Jones Pardue
Hi All,
It's such great news to log on and find that Margaret's husband's surgery has been cancelled. Trusting that is a really great sign. Let's all keep Drema's husband in our thoughts for Monday, and of course Claudia and Beth Ellington, as well. One of the best things about maintaining a blog and an email list is that it does give the ability to stay in touch not only for fun and festivity, but for more important issues of support.
We are all at the age where health issues, as well as the loss of a parent become more apparent and knowing some support is there sometimes makes all the difference in the world. Thanks to all of you who have kept the rest of us who may not be so close by in the loop with the latest news. I really appreciate that. My thoughts are certainly with all of you who are going through some very challenging times.
On a bit of a lighter note, its a beautiful day here in Arizona and I'm feeling relaxed after a much-needed midday massage and a visit to the Farmer's Market for some fresh produce. Tomorrow I am working with a group from Virginia (here in Tucson) working on a candidate's Presidential Campaign. Any guesses who?? I'll make it easy on you. It's Hillary Clinton. Now that baseball season is over I don't have to rush back and forth between Tucson and Scottsdale and actually have time to work on things here and a couple of paintings, some writing, and take a music class before spring training and the brunt of tax season.
Yes, it's true. I'm diving into music--specifically percussion. I'll find a small niche for myself somewhere in that sphere. I'm drawn to jazz and there are some handmade African percussion instruments that appeal to me too. So, look out neighbors---I'll have to log some practice time! Fortunately, the neighborhood here in Tucson is a bit ecclectic. The next door neighbors even have chickens in the back yard. Fresh eggs are a godsend!
What's everyone doing for the Thanksgiving Holiday??
Kay Jones Pardue just called and said that Claudia is now in rehab room 4030. Visiting hours Monday - Friday are 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday she may have visitors from 1:30 - 8:30.
My husband is having lung surgery at Moses Cone on Monday. He has had pneumonia off and on since August. He had just finished his first round of antibiotics right before our reunion. Right now, he has pleurisy and pneumonia in his right lung. After having it drained during a recent thoracentisis (sp), it still is not clear and is partially collapsed. They decided that surgery was the best option. So, I'll be seeing Claudia a LOT. Please pray for Kurt's surgery.
Another update, Beth Ellington Owen's mom died on Wednesday. If you will go to www.thetimesnew.com you can get information. Check our classmate list on our website or on Yahoo Groups for Beth's mailing address.
We are definitely in that stage of life that proves the uncertainty of it. I'm glad we have reconnected and are able to provide support to one another.
love, margaret
I want to thank you, Margaret (I think you posted the note with the update about Claudia) for that update. I was at my parent's home last weekend and showing them the blog and saw the news about Claudia. She is such a wonderful person and I wrote to her in the hospital - reminding her of all the fun I had at her house when we were in grade school together. I pray for her recovery and it is a real blessing that God was looking after her when her coworkers called 911 - very scary it sounds like!! We all should keep her in our thoughts and prayers.
On another note - and sadder - Beth Ellington's (Owen) mom passed away Thursday morning. I know it is in the Burllington paper - but for those of us who don't live there anymore and may not know - I wanted to mention it here. I will post her address in Arlington, Virginia in case anyone wants to send condolences. We are travelling to Greensboro Saturday morning for the funeral . Her address is: 5906 Chesterbrook Rd. McLean, Va. 22101
Take care everyone!
Denise Diffee Hall
I received this e-mail today on behalf of Claudia. I don't know who sent it, but I believe it was someone in the family. Here's the update:
Field Trip Anyone?
Remember in High School how we just LOVED a field trip? Anything to get out of the classroom and run moderately wild for awhile---or at least as wild as teacher-set boundaries would allow.
I was pondering this. Give me some feedback and let me know if any of you are interested. Is anyone game for a weekend field trip at some point? My initial thought was a 2 or 3 day weekend in New York City. I'd love to do San Francisco again, too, (I LOVE THAT CITY), or maybe even Las Vegas, but it's probably too far a jaunt to interest any of you. I haven't been in awhile to either NYC or San Francisco. I know how to do these cities fairly inexpensively all things considered.
Anyway, what do ya'll think?
I just got home after visiting with Claudia at Moses Cone. Having broken my back on several occasions, I had to see Claudia to offer my encouragement for a full recovery.
Claudia is in great spirits and has a positive attitude. Her new room in intensive care doesn't allow flowers or have a phone, but a great way to keep in touch with Claudia is through e-mail. Volunteers at the hospital check it for her and read messages to her. She will be able to have visitors next week, so in the meantime, she loves hearing from you via her e-mail at cwmccoylcsw@yahoo.com.
Susan
11-02-07 Update on Claudia Ward McCoy
She came through surgery better than expected. Surgery was much later yesterday than scheduled. She is in intensive care at Moses Cone. I've been told her spirits are good and she is very positive as usual for Claudia. I think she needs sleep and rest now. But she appreciates all calls, emails, etc.
Margaret, the site looks great!!
Also, Charlotte, I'm definitely on board for a holiday gathering. Just let me know when. The Thursday monthly deal starting in Jan. sounds like a winner, too.
Hopefully, I can plan my bi-monthly visits with my parents to work out with these gatherings. What a perfect plan.
Thanks so much for putting this together.
Okay Margaret.....I'll do my part....what about the rest of you guys???? She's right.....we do need to take advantage of this blog and keep in touch! Don't be shy....let us know what's going on …….Did ya’ll know that we have 62 members on the snapfish site and only 4 albums…….It’s really easy to add your pictures to our “room".....If I can do it, ANYONE can! Give it a try……….
I wanted to give ya'll a head's up about a Holiday Happening!! Kathy H is looking into a week night to have us ALL get together at possibly Kimber's in Gibsonville. If there is anyone from out of town that may be headed to BBB over the holidays.....let us know when you're coming and for how long. Looks like we'll most likely have this little shindig before Christmas (as several locals are headed out of BBB between Christmas and New Year'), but we'd like to start by trying to decide on a date.....so we need your input.
Also, we are working on “Every-Other-Month-Thurs-Night-Get-Togethers”....maybe here at my house or at Kimbers. Kimbers will let us have a private area.......so we can be loud there, too! We’ll most likely start that in Jan or Feb…………
Rhonda R: we missed you last week!
Susan B: be sure and come to the next one!
Margaret: I love the new look at our site!
FYI: Teddy's Fowler's Dad passed away Oct 10. Amy Harris Deal's Mother passed away Oct 12. Ada McClintock Eason's Mother passed on Oct 21 (she's a couple of years ahead of us). (I’ve probably left out important recent events and I apologize in advance……….)
Lots of possibilities.......We just want to know if you're "down with it”! Let's keep this thing going.................any more ideas???
Have a great weekend and enjoy the little Hobgoblins next week,
Hi guys!
Hope you're on the verge of having a great weekend. Please continue to put messages on the blog. We are going to keep the site going until the next reunion provided everyone continues to visit and to communicate. I'm actually going to read the user's guide for the site and learn to do some new tricks, so stay tuned!
How to Sign Up for the Williams High 1972 Email List on Yahoo Groups.
Go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/
Where it says "Find a Yahoo Group" enter ( with no spaces):
walterwilliamshigh1972
Then click on Search.
When our group appears, click on the blue link "walterwilliamshigh1972" then, click on blue bar that says "Join This Group".
If you already have a Yahoo ID, you just need to log in using your user name and password.
If you do NOT already have a Yahoo ID, just click on "Sign Up" and follow the prompts.
Once you are a member, you can post to the list. It is much the same as posting to the BLOG. Only members of the email list can see and will get a copy of your posted email.
Jan
Good Morning from Albuquerque! My stay in Burlington this past trip was way too short. But thanks to that sweet Charlotte, I was able to see many of you again for an evening of food, festivities, and fun! And if that wasn't enough, imagine the surprised look on my face when I discovered a tiny WHS football had been dropped off at my mother's place prior to my arrival. "Good on ya, Ricky Westbrooks", you're the best!
Some of you know the reason for my recent visit was a trip to ECU to participate in the 100th Centinnel Celebration.
http://www.reflector.com/local/content/news/stories/2007/10/18cokie.html
While that was a fantastic experience, seeing you guys on Thursday night was the highlight, to be sure. I hope you will continue to gather every now and again and stay in touch. I will surely join you on my visits back east.
I'm at my sister's for the weekend. Her WHS reunion is tonight and she's not made plans to go. That would be the class of 1977. So if you out there are into the fine art of party crashing, there's a party tonight---that's as much as I know.
More later........Jan
Hello all,
Well one thing for sure, I've got to start reading this blog more often.
First of all, congratulations to Janet for all of her accomplishments and being honored at ECU!!!! How proud I am of her.
Second of all, I am sooooo very jealous of that Thursday night dinner at Charlotte's. I do hope you guys are serious about planning monthly get togethers,because Fayetteville is just a couple of hours away and I'm usually in Burlington once every couple of weeks anyway. I'd love to join you.
Lastly, Go Mr. Harris the tennis star!!! He's another Jack Lalane. Kathy, I'll bet they will get him on TV to start advertising whatever it is he's drinking or eating to stay in such great shape and then all of you will be zillionaires! Well, it could happen???
Anyway, I miss all of you and hope to see you soon.
We did have another great time.......check it out at snapfish ..........(Anita......were you getting UP at 3:30 am or going to bed!!! I'm so nosey.......) Janet have a great trip home and it was so cool to look at your picture and bio in the program from the event on Wed.
Special thanks to Paula and Susan for helping ......... and all the others who volunteered to bring things........it was such an easy night!
If any of you forgot your precious, lovely, wonderful cotton..let me know and I'll save a piece for you.
Thanks to Susan for e-mailing me about the get-together last night and thanks to Charlotte and everyone who brought food! (I offered but was told no. Someone must have known about my cooking) I enjoyed it very much and can't wait to do it again! We will make plans to go to the Barn Dinner Theater to see Delores. AND I love Kathy Harris's idea to set an ongoing time to meet either every month or every other month somewhere so we can stay in touch and have fun!! How about going to visit George S.?? I really like that idea!
Janet, you are STILL fun after all these years and I am so proud of you for all your accomplishments!! It is an honor to know you and I really mean it. And yes........it does seem like I know everyone and everyone is related to me in some way. Scary isn't it but what a wonderful person to be related to (me!)? (you hear that Trip and Phyllis?)
See all you ladies soon and remember to e-mail me because I don't usually look at this blog.
Looks like we've got a crew coming tomorrow night.......Jan, Paula, Susan, Verne, Margaret, Kathy, Nancy, Drema, Rhonda, Donna, Becky, Betsy, Martha and Anita!
If you're still trying to decide whether or not to come by.........just come on over for a glass of your favorite beverage and a slice of pizza.........you KNOW it's gonna be fun so just "come on down"............
Spread the word..........
Hey Bulldogs!
The pizza is ordered and the beverages will be chilled, dessert will include chocolate.......and so ........... the perfect recipe for a night with friends!
Looks like we'll have around 10 for dinner.....but there's always room for more. Come if you can....we'd love it.
See ya sooner (this Thursday 6:30) rather than later,
Congratulations to the Tennis Twosome! Ya'll know I love the game. That's the beauty of tennis and golf. You can play well into your senior years and that keeps you healthy and feeling great.
Looking so forward to Thursday night and seeing you all again! I have got so much going on this week, but everything is just falling into place beautifully. Today is the first day off I've had in weeks! So, that should give me a little energy to get this great week started off on the right foot!
I 'rsvp'd' to Charlotte to say I'd be at the party next week. How FUN. What a woman, Jan(et!)!!! We are proud of you! I am sure Virginia Tech is going to honor me sometime, too.........I graduated there Thank The Laude in 1976 and they've loved me ever since.
By the way, indulge me a bit--in case you missed the news on Channel 2 last night at 6:00--my daddy was featured with Wilma Caldwell, his mixed doubles tennis partner. They WON the NC Senior Games in their age group (OLD) in September!!! I have been trying to get SOME news organization to honor them and finally Channel 2 stepped up. I am very proud. My parents are MUCH younger than me, as I've said repeatedly. You can see the story on Channel Two website (digTriad.com), I believe for another few days. They play in the National Sr. Games in San Francisco in 2009. (They were runners up in the National Games in Louisville in June, but nobody cared about that, either!)
So let's use this site to hear more great news from each other--brag away............See the locals on Thursday at Charlotte's.
Hey!
Margaret has put great pictures on snapfish in a WHS group. I also added my "album" and if you've got pictures ... you need to do the same! Check it out......so cool: http://whsclassof1972-grouproom.snapfish.com/ Room Code: WHS1972
Hey Janet (White)! I loved looking at your pictures, especially the picture of you, your Mom and Mrs. Horton......what wonderful women!! I have such great memories of sleepovers at your house. There was always laughter and smiles at your house! Keep us posted on when you're coming to town......we'll all get together......
YA'LL ..........Come on over Thurs night. It will be a casual, laid-back gathering with good friends....... pizza, salad and wine.......(beer too, since that's my choice of "poison"). If you can only make it for a little while...........that's better than not at all! You can call Paula or me, or "blog", or send us an e-mail. I've heard from several and it looks like we're gonna have fun! Kudos to Jan!!
Spread the word to the "Un-bloggers"!!
See ya in a week,
Directions: Take Gurney Street. After it crosses over Edgewood Ave, the second street on the right is Gurney Ct. My house is (2015) at the end of the street. (The dogs don't bite.....but watch out for the cat.............just kidding.)
Pizza, a little wine and some good conversation with great friends sounds terrific! Charlotte, you are the just the best for extending your home and hospitality. I know I thoroughly enjoyed my last visit to your place! If we decide to pull out those WHS Yearbooks again, though, better look for the magnifying glass!
I know most of you have to work Friday, but don't hesitate to at least stop by for a bit. I am flying out Friday morning enroute to Albuquerque / Santa Fe area to spend a few days with my lovely sister and her family. I am so looking forward to seeing the kids.
Things are crazy here at the moment with work for two different organizations. Let's just keep those fingers crossed for the Diamondbacks to beat the Rockies tomorrow night and Friday night! Unfortunately, my whirlwind trip to NC won't afford me much in the way of rest, but that's okay. It will be good to see family and friends again, as always.
Oh, What fun!! Wish I could be there - the reunion was wonderful, I am still replaying conversations, smiles, hugs, the works - and wish for more. Wish i could join the pizza party, but live too far away! Congratulations to Janet E.!!!
Enjoy!
Charlotte!
I can't come for dinner, but I'll stop by!
Paula and Charlotte, this is a great idea! I definately need a mini reunion to continue to renew old friendships. I just spoke with Charlotte and she has graciously offered to host a pizza party at her home next Thursday at 6:30. She will make a salad and order pizza to be delivered. I'll bring some appetizers and wine.
Charlotte said that anyone else that plans on coming to write a blog, or you can call her or Paula.
See you on the 18th.
Hi Everyone,
Jan Ennis is going to be in NC next week as ECU is recognizing her as one of it's outstanding graduates! She will be passing through Burlington on Thursday, Oct. 18th and we thought we'd get together for dinner that night. Anyone who would like to join us, please let me or Charlotte Edens know by next Tuesday, Oct. 16th. We're not quite sure of our exact plans for the evening, but once we find out how many can join us, we'll let you know what and where to meet! Looking forward to hearing from you and CONGRATULATIONS to JAN!!
Hi Paula,
Great to hear from you! I do remember cheering at Turrentine too - wow - I love that name - I tell people I went to a school called "Turrentine" and they are like, "what kind of name is that?". A jazz musician is the only other one I've heard of with that name - Stanley Turrentine - but pronounces it differently from the Turrentines of Burlington.
Yes, I lived on Chapel Hill Road during the Turrentine years - then we moved to Parkview so I could walk to school (yeah, right).
Can't imagine attending events in my old high school with my own kids. Williams was special - no high school here in Greenville compares. That lawn leading up to it overshadows most any high school campus. I know it's getting very old - but I am still so proud to have been a student there everytime I pass by it going to my house around the corner.
I am waxing nostalgic - :)
Have a great weekend everyone!
Denise
Sorry Denise.....not Mebane Street, but Chapel Hill Road!! And I've only lived here how long????......just 50 years! Love ya!
Denise, you and Mike were both missed at the reunion!! And I certainly do remember cheering with you, starting at Turrentine!! I also remember spending the night at your house on Mebane Street along with Ann Coley! What fun!
I have thought about the reunion weekend often and love looking through the pictures! It was a wonderful time....from Friday night right on through Sunday morning.....thanks to Charlotte opening her home once again to those of us who didn't want it to end!
It was so great to see everybody!!! See you at the next one!
GO DAWGS!
Hello Everyone!
Yes, I missed it - I surely did!! Tpnight I talked to my maid of honor, Beth Ellington Owen, who royally chewed me out for not joining her at the reunion. Without even finishing reading past Susi Howerton's comment - I jumped to the top and started typing my apologies!
I really can tell that you guys had a blast and I really should've been there! I can only say it was truly my loss! I will send a picture or upload it somewhere here so you can see me smiling back at you. I do have a website for my portrait business, which you can visit to see one of the things I have been up to all these years - and it's easy - w.denisedhall.com.
I looked through some of the pics and just loved it - Paula! we cheered together! I did see Ray at a special birthday party for someone my parents are friends with this past spring I think - maybe it was fall? It was wonderful to see him and meet his wife and kids!
My husband, Mike Hall and I live in Greenville, NC with two daughters, Cami (22) yep, inspired by Cami Davis of Burlington) and Melissa (25). Melissa is in pharmacy school at Campbell, and graduated from ECU in biochemistry 2 years ago. Camille is soon to finish as a paralegal this spring. I am a soon to be retiring art teacher of 29 years and Mike is a quality control scientist at DSM pharmaceuticals (he graduated from WHS in 1971 - remember him?) I will try to post a pic soon really and truly!
That is the short of it and I have to go read all of these posts from people like JOHNNY NICHOLSON - I can still remember you eating green crayons in Ms. Radford's room at Grove Park - I tell my students that story!! I do teach art to K-5 children, :)
So many memories from Burlington and WHS. My parents, btw, live on Parkview drive still and I am visiting them this Saturday! You may see us working in their yard as we always do when we come home.
Take care everyone and I'll look forward to visiting the blog often as I'm an internet junkie!
Janet Ennis I will have a WHS football at your mother's house by 10/17/07 for you.
Love the pictures of Janet's trip to NC! Any more reunion photos out there? I'm sure all cameras were digital, so shake a leg and get them posted here on the web for all to see.
I'll be back in NC this month on the 16th, 17th, and 18th for an event at East Carolina University. I'll be in Burlington on the night of the 17th and all day the 18th.
Well, the Diamondbacks made the playoffs and have won Game One of the National League Division Series against the Cubs! One down and two more to go! Then it's on to the NL Championship Series and the World Series! Keep those fingers crossed!
To all the classmates of '72: I had such a tremendous time at the reunion and can not put into words my adequate thanks for all the hard work and planning that went into making this "over the top celebration". We are so blessed to be in a class that can come back together, peel away the years, and have such a grand time. I go back to the weekend in my memories often and find myself smiling, laughing and reliving the fun all over again. Thanks for coming, updating your happenings on the blog, and for the wonderful memories throughout the years. Let's keep in touch and do this again and again and again. Best of all to all of you. Pictures to be coming. Let's flood this website with lots of good ones from all the "photographers". Thanks for the ones so far.
My life: Jim and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this year. He is retired and I am working as an office manager in a podiatry office. Our children are Jill (27) a kindergarten teacher, Zachary (25) a nursing support personnel at the hospital, and Ryan (22) a business management trainee with Lyon, Conklin a Ferguson company. With only one child at home, this empty nest thing has its perks. The children are close and we see them often. We get together with my family each year at Thanksgiving - Beth is in Greensboro,NC, Carol in Germantown,TN and Chee in Richmond,VA. Jim's family is in the area and we are lucky that our children have been
deluged with family members all their lives from up and down the coast! Jill went to college at Catawba, so she was able to get a sense of her southern heritage then as well as while living in Salisbury, NC for two years.
Till we meet again (and not too far away) . . . Always, Anne
I would have loved to have seen you during my trip to NC; I was lucky enough to see a couple of you who have now promised me a party the next time I'm in town. I'm going to take you up on it. I'll "blog" when and where I'll be (Zack's?) In the meantime, if you'd like to see some photos of the recent trip, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/jfehskens and click on "Sept. visit to NC." You'll see my time was filled with kids, grandkid-in-utero; great nieces, sisters, family; heavenly, divine, sigh. Welcome to the other albums, as well, there will be a whole lot of people you don't know, mostly my family. Next time, you. Glad the party was a hit. Love, Janet
note from Margaret: Janet's pictures are PRECIOUS! Click and take a look!
Here is a link to George Smedberg's pictures from Sweden. They are gorgeous!!
I'm going to put the Reunion pictures on Snapfish and I PROMISE to do it soon!!
love and kisses,
www1.snapfish.com/share/p=523281190981395828/l=310032295/g=10501563/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
In response to Janet's last entry, we are going to leave the site up indefinitely. Susan Kibby had set up a Yahoo group for our class. The problem was that there is a limit to the number of members you can have in the group. That's why we haven't done anything with it.
I have to say WOW..what a fabulous REUNION!! This committee is hired forever!!
The location was the best ever... the music was perfect... the food was the right touch.. but mostly... I loved how the most important thing there was how much everyone got to mingle, catch up and totally delight in getting to know each other again!! I realize now that I somehow missed seeing (more likely recognizing) some of you.. I will make a point to fix that at the next reunion. ROBIN X.. where were you??
THANK all the organizers for truly doing a super job.. you found so many of us.. Margaret, it has been said.. but your memorial recognition was very touching and personal and made me wish I had the opportunity to grow up in Burlington and KNOW all of those people through all the years.
I can not wait to see all these photos.. Are we going to put up a bunch of the great ones on this website??
Harold, I will have to email you some of our exciting Maine experiences from our 7+ years there. And you are right about the moose.. We were always surprized when they just appeared beside the car out of a ditch.. fearless .. and not always so smart that way. But the babies are so cute and gangly. The males are intimidating!! We had a family that always passed through the bottom of our mountain every fall on their trek ...and they would say for a few weeks to graze in the wetlands. And of course.. they are not afraid of a little old car.. as big as they are!!
Anyway.. it was great to catch up.. and I am looking forward to seeing many of you again. I did get a message from David Tate.. (I will have to send him to the blog) that he is coming to BBB over the holidays!! So maybe we can all plan a mini dinner (I hear the Cutting Board has reopened) over the holidays!!! (after Dec 15th please.. )
Oh and I have to announce.. that my son, Nicholas had the most beautiful wedding on Saturday evening.. perfect weather.. atop a mountain orchard in Nelson County, VA (near Walton's Mtn).. His bride, Madeline was lovely and they planned it all!! The reception was a smashing good party.. that went on till 3 am!! And my husband made them a batch of Strawberry Mead to celebrate with. I have to admit, I cried like a nut.. it was more emotional than I expected... but they were good tears!!
My 3 girls all say they are not getting married.. but we will see.. they did like the party afterwards!! ;-0
Stay in touch everyone.
Vicki "Neal"
It must have been a sign. I could have heard my late father saying "Look, Northern Exposure!". That is what he would say when he saw something up here that looked like a scene from the old TV show which he enjoyed so much. There it was, not more than 20 feet from our kitchen windows, a young bull moose! It could not have been more than 2 years old, the rack of antlers was not large enough and his coat was too clean with no evidence of scars to suggest he might have been older. It was 10 minutes to 7 this morning and the lights were on in the kitchen as I made the morning coffee. He saw me through the window and turned to look at me, sizing me up as threat, or not. Moose seem to fear nothing, which makes them a danger on the road and such an easy trophy hunters during the season. So, he ambled slowly off into the woods and disappeared as his dark brown coat blended into the underbrush. We have seen lots of wildlife from these windows ... deer, wild turkey, fox, raccoon, eagles, coyote and more. Though a moose cow and calf were pictured on the front page of the paper our first week here 10 years ago, as they were captured at the Bangor International Airport, we had not seen a moose in our yard, We have often seen them in the unorganized territories north of here. No time to grab a camera. Oh well.
Vickie (Neal) Frantz you know what I mean. It was great to see you and meet your husband last weekend and learn that you had lived in Maine. No doubt you have shared some of these unique experiences. It truly is a small world.
When many of you learned we live in Maine you related your own stories of travel to our state. This was fun to hear about and share. Steve Wellons was here at 9/11. Sorry for the long drive home.
Many thanks again to Margaret for putting together this web site and blog. It will be a valuable asset for us to stay in touch until the next reunion. Thanks to the group that put the reunion together. This was the first time that Kathy and I had seen you all since the 10th reunion. We got out the '72 Doe Wa Jack and refreshed our memories. Hey everbody, we just get better with time.
We are also thankful that Vickie Crosson chose to come home this time. She filled us in on Reverend Lee Adkins who had been with First Presbyterian Church in Burlington when he marred Kathy and I at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock in 1976. In his 80's now, he still lives in NC. Rev. Adkins had been an important part of my youth in Burlington, as he had been for many of us. We often wondered where he might be. We had not heard from or seen him since 1976. What a find! Thank you.
It was great to see Dale Swiggett. Dale, we passed your message on to Mom. She got a real laugh. Of course she denied it! Thank you!
We always come home to be with family at Christmas. Perhaps our paths will cross then. The leaves are already changing here and the air is cool and crisp. Christmas can't be far away.
See you all in 5 years.
Harold and Kathy
Rummaging through my bag this morning I found a little momento from this past weekend---a Harris Teeter receipt for what is now an empty and much appreciated bottle of Advil. Between the jet lag, the Yellowtail, and that Wild WHS party weekend, I'd say it went to dang good use. I don't know when I've enjoyed a bottle more (yeah, that Yellowtail was good too!).
Just when I thought it was safe to relax, put my feet up, and bask in the afterglow of last weekend, I have to haul booty up to Phoenix for a weekend of pre-playoff work. No rest for the weary. Dang, I guess those tall bottles of delicious Cheerwine I shipped back to Arizona for my poolside pleasure (yessss I really did) will just have to wait!
So, how 'bout those reunion pictures. Who's got 'em? I could use an
8 x 10 glossy or two or three. So email me a few digitals if you've got 'em. I've already loaded the "Reunion Mix" onto my iPod so I'm good to go on the sound side. Just need some "visuals" to complete the picture and re-live the experience!
Saturday September 15, 2007 @7:35 p.m. I'm approaching the main entrance of ACC. Ray Deal is greeting everyone at the door. I say "Hello, I'm Michael Patrick. He say's "we looked everywhere for your picture and couldn't find it". I said, "I think I skipped that day"! As I was walking down the hall to the ballroom, I thought that maybe Mr. Guthrie could have given me an extended holiday. Anyway, when I got to the check-in table, I saw my name-tag with my "dorky" picture on it. I was again told of the trouble of finding my picture-to which my response was "I must have skipped that day"! I appreciate the effort to find it! What may have been the problem is that I loved you guy's & gal's so much that I decided to hang around for another year so that I could graduate with you'all. Again, Mr. Guthrie!
I don't think that I could say anything more than has already been said about the GREAT job that everyone involved with the reunion did. Thank you! I really enjoyed seeing everyone-and wish, as most do, that I could have talked to everyone. Hopefully, we will see each other again at the next one (Lord Willing). And Yes John Neese-Trip Hatley was my designated driver!
Michael
PS. DM-you left too early!
CMc-the black-eye went away in a couple of weeks :) !
First let me thank all who gave time and effort to planning the 35th class re-union... well deserved kudo's...
it was great seeing familiar faces from the past, i arrived late and the time slipped by to quick.... it was fantastic seeing all and catching up on where we are at this point in time... good luck to all and we'll hopefully cross paths in the not to distant future...
WOW! What a wonderful evening Saturday night was. It was so worth waiting 35 years to come to my first reunion. I only wish I could have stayed longer. I hope that Margaret and the rest of the group involved in organizing this auspicious occasion will undertake the next reunion because all of you did a FABULOUS job. It was soooo wonderful seeing all of you and I hate the fact that there were so many there that I didn’t get a chance to speak to. Girls, all of you looked great! All of you are like a fine wine, you just get better with age. And for those of you reading this blog that live in Burlington and didn’t come – well all I have to say is - there is no excuse for you not coming and you really missed out. I would like to also thank all of you for making my husband feel welcome that evening. He was surprised and impressed with all of you. That’s because the Class of 72 was the BEST.
I love you all and I pray that God be with each and everyone of you – keep you safe – and I look forward to seeing you at the next reunion in five years.
Wow! A fine time it was. Margaret - you are truly a wonderful soul. Thank you so much - and the entire committe, too - for all you did.
Wish I had planned better and stayed in town to have more time. So many I did not get to speak wtih. As I talked with many of you and looked at around the room, the pages of time slipped away and it was 1972 again.
OK. For those in the general Winston-Salem area (and that means a 75 mile radius) - no since in waiting until the next time. Would love to get together and finish catching up. You have my email and I'm in the book.
In meantime, I'm reminded of a line from an old Beatles song. "All these places have their moments - the people and things, I still can recall. Some are dead and some are living. In my life, I loved you all."
Take care. And get in touch.
Okay, I'll just say IT WAS A BLAST!!!! It was so great to see y'all and I sure hope we can do it again in five years. However, recovery from the weekend has been slow. Next time I'll have to "pace" myself a little better. (Whatever that means!) If any of you get to Wilmington, call me.
OMG!! We had the time of our lives on Saturday night. The turnout was great and it was truly wonderful to see so many of our classmates. The reunion committee did a jam up job and we are so thankful for it. We can’t wait to do it again. We do get to Burlington a few times a year, so let us know if any one is planning any mini-reunions in the future and we will do our best to be there. Thanks to you all for such a fun time.
Fondly,
Darrell and Susi
Good GAWD..I don't know whether it's jet lag or party lag, but I've got it. I think I could have gotten back to Arizona faster in a covered wagon ( with maybe an assist from a pontoon to cross the mighty Mississippi). Yes, it was a long trip to make for a short weekend, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'd do it again in a heartbeat or a New York minute (for you Yankee fans out there). All I have to say is thank God Harris Teeter is open all night because that big old bottle of Advil came in really handy at 4:00am Sunday morning although it didn't do a dang thing for my lack of a voice come Sunday morning.
I want to especially thank the Committee for diligently calling everyone, planning and seeing this event through to fruition. In doing so, you have given each and everyone of us a very luminous and special moment in our lives---truly an absolute gift and something to remember.
For those people who started not to come, but did so anyway--I want to especially thank you. Your presence mattered and it would not have been the same without you. I hope the evening meant as much to you as your being there meant to me and all of your classmates.
When we graduate and move on in our lives to new challenges, we cannot always be sure that our paths will cross again and if they do, it may not be for many, many years. For that reason, it was especially sweet for me to be able to wrap my arms around a certain red-headed someone that I have so often thought of and have been unable to see, as she made her home in various parts of the world over the last 35 years. I've waited a long time for that moment.
And where would I be without those wonderful cheerleaders! I owe my safe arrival at the reunion to that sweet Paula Hill. She not only entertained me via cellphone along I-70 coming into town in the rain, but on the return trip Monday along I-40, as well. I had checked my sense of direction at the door. Thank God she still has one.
I want to give a great big shout out to Charlotte, too. She very graciously opened her home and tagged it "party central" for all those of us who just didn't know when to stop talking both Friday and Saturday night.
Friday night could have been the Southern version of the Divine Order of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, though as a handful of us stood around her center kitchen island looking at old yearbooks armed with a great big old magnifying glass. I don't know what's the first to go---the eyesight or the short term memory!
Well, as I said...I've got jet laaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggg. Backatcha tomorrow
Wow, what a great time! It was wonderful to see all the familiar faces and I have a per-ma-grin from all the smiles and laughter. I enjoyed the entire weekend and only wish that I could have had enough time to visit with everyone!! Regretfully, there was also a time at WHS that I wish I could have remembered with more clarity...........so sorry about that one.........
To those that made it by my place at some time during the weekend....thanks for coming by.......I loved the extra time with you. I also loved hearing the stories and the updates. It was weird on Sunday night when I didn't go grab a beer and sit with friends in the front room........I miss ya'll already!!!
Keep in touch and let's "reunion" again.........and again!! So glad that so many came to the big event to make the night such a success and hopefully the ones that missed will NEVER miss another.........you missed a great time and we really missed YA'LL.
We ARE a darn GREAT class!! Some things (and some people) never change.............THANK GOODNESS!!!
Remember:
Watch out for the "hall ___" (you Zack's people know what I'm talking 'bout) ... it'll get ya in trouble!
Hi, I just came from the reunion recap in Burlington for those of you that we had email addresses for in Burlington or close by (I came from Chapel Hill). We got a handful of people together to see Julie Hewitt that couldn't come Saturday night. It was so great to see her and relive the reunion night.
We came away with saying how impressed we are with you guys, you've turned out as accomplished admirable people. Now you can take that as a compliment or insult I think, I mean, we didn't think you (as a class) would ever amount to anything or what??!!
We hope to track down Janet White later in the week, wish us luck and let us know if we should email you about these happenings that may occur randomly.
We hear a family member of Ray Deal's had a auto accident Friday night.
Send in your photos, guys, and thanks again to the awesome committee!! We need to keep a watch on Margaret & Julie, cause we love them so....
I want to thank everyone for coming to the reunion and helping to make Saturday night such a memorable evening! It was great talking with many of you, and the ones I wasn't able to speak with---you all looked fantastic.
The best news is that we have enough money left over to keep the website going for the next five years, so the party isn't over. Way to go Class of '72!
Love to all,
Imagine my surprise. I come to the reunion, and all of the girls are just as young and beautiful as I remember, and all the guys are old and ugly--some are even bald.
What an incredible night. The five hours went by way too fast. But I still don't understand who put this thing together. Everyone on the committee I thanked said, "Oh, I really didn't do anything." I of course know better, and you guys are awesome, especially you, Margaret (I don't care what Mildred Darden says).
Thanks again, and I love you all (but most of you just as a friend, the rest of you know who you are). Come see us in the "Land of Sky."
SNW
Wow! What a blast Saturday night (and for some of us the wee hours of Sunday morning!) was!
Thank you to Margaret and everyone on the committee - you guys did a fantastic job! I wish the event had lasted 10 hours so that I could have talked to everybody there. I know there were a lot of folks I didn’t get a chance to talk to. I guess I’ll have to wait till the next reunion! If you didn't make you need to come next time!
The website and this blog have been a great idea! I have really, really enjoyed reading the blog entries over the last few weeks! It had been great finding out what those of you that I haven’t seen or talked to since 1972 had been up to (maybe you can you leave this site up as a way of for us to keep current with each other?).
First of all, Margaret, thanks for the website work and the work of all involved in this event.
Kathy and I arrived from Maine on Friday afternoon. We are happy to be in Burlington 3 or 4 times a year but enjoy Maine so much we're homesick whenever we leave the state!
We were married in Blowing Rock, in 1976, just after graduating from ASU. I then went on to be one of the first two MBA's from ASU. After working in Marketing Research for several companies, including Campbell Soup and General Foods, I decided to go ahead and get my PhD to teach at the college level. I had enjoyed teaching back in graduate school. We have lived in Ohio, New Jersey and Connecticut. Getting a PhD in marketing, at an advanced age, was an interesting and difficult endeavor.
I received my PhD from UCONN in 1997, achieved tenure at UMaine and have been teaching ever since in the Maine Business School at the University of Maine, in Orono. I am also the Director of CenTRO, The University Of Maine's Center for Tourism Research and Outreach.
We love the lack of population density in Maine, the winters are a challenge but folks in Maine are used to them as we are now. All four seasons are beautiful, oops, except for the fifth season, mud season.
It's a little warm here isn't it? Our blood has thickened to Maine temperatures!
We are 1 hour from Bar Harbor, a little further from Camden, 2 hours north of Portland. We love my 2 mile commute to campus.
We were, of course, basketball fans at UCONN but now enjoy Maine's ice hockey team. We have won the NCAA "frozen four" twice!
Kathy was a hospital admitting manager for many years, then worked part time as assistant to the director at the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter until four years ago when she "retired".
FYI, my sister Cindy Daniel Chandler, is being honored at halftime tonight for her years of service to the WHS Boosters Club. We may duck out to see that My brother Mike is in Boone with his family today for a football game--- go Mountaineers!.
We made the 10th reunion but have not been to another. Will we all have name tags?
Hey Everybody! Thanks for doing a great job pulling this together Margaret, and thanks to Caren for all the work she's done on past reunions (and everybody else that's helped make it happen). I graduated from NCSU in 1976, and Fred Lupton and I started a self-service auto repair shop in Raleigh (he was a Psych major at Wake-go figure). Kathy Jordan and I were married for 7 years and had 2 daughters, Sara (San Diego) and Barbara (Charleston). Both are schoolteachers. I moved to Ocracoke Island, NC in 1978, taught school (shop class) for 3 years; also taught in Stoneville, NC for 7 years. My wife Kitty (art teacher/musician) and I have been married 24 years and have a daughter Katy who is a sophomore at ASU. She is a wonderful singer and will be in an upcoming movie next year; "Nights in Rodanthe" with Richad Gere and Dianne Lane (we're very proud!). I am a full-time musician with my band "Molasses Creek", and also have a recording studio on the island.
It will be great to see everybody (I'll be the old-looking guy with the gray beard).
-Gary
Less than 24 to go.
LET"S ROCK!
I've been living so far away from NC that I haven't been to other reunions and when my parents moved from bigger, better Burlington I lost track of folks. I am living in Raleigh now but had that "you can never go home again" philosophy--wrong though it may be--when I was on the phone ordering av equipment for my school and my contact turned out to be Jan Ennis' brother. After swapping some funny stories, he sent me this webpage and I started reading the entries then looking at my annuals and remembering many fine friends who brought me many smiles and comfort. So, after John Neese's phone message, I decided reconnection might just be a wonderful thing.
Here's a quick update on my life! I've lived in West VA, Houston & Austin TX (not a G. Bush fan), CT and am now back in Tarheel land. I've been married and divorced--enough said. I just helped my querky and intelligent son, Wade, get himself to St. John's College in Annapolis for his first year of wild adventures--hope he finds himself--he wants to be a writer!
UNC-Charlotte captured me for shaky undergraduate work and I plowed through my masters in Library Science at Chapel Hill and am aslo a National Board Certified Teacher. I've worked in many different library positions but find school librarianship the most demanding and quite the busiest job I've had. More on that, if you're interested.
I'm coming solo tomorrow night although I'm in my first serious relationship in 8 years, I needed time to find me again. Kevin offered to accompany me, but I think talking with you and laughing about some old events and new ones will be enough delight!
Hey, I actually see rain! This is a marvelous sight and a good sign--see you tomorrow night--Vicky
HI TO EVERYONE WHO HAS WORKED SO HARD ON GETTING THIS REUNION TOGETHER AND ALL THOSE ATTENDING. AS WE TOLD KATHY WHEN SHE CALLED ABOUT THE REUNION, TIM AND I WOULD LOVE TO COME BUT WE ARE EXTREMELY BUSY WITH OUR GROWING FAMILY THIS FALL.
OUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, TORI, IS NOW 31 (GOSH) AND IS GETTING MARRIED NOVEMBER 10TH TO BYRON NEAL. SHE GRADUATED FROM APPALACHIAN STATE IN 1998 AND HAS TAUGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH/SCIENCE FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. SHE IS NOW TEACHING AT SOUTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
OUR MIDDLE CHILD, ASHLEY, AGE 25, GRADUATED FROM UNC-G AND IS A DESIGNER/MERCHANDISER WITH WRANGLER CORP. SHE IS MARRIED TO A WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN, ADAM, AND SHE WILL BE GIVING US OUR FIRST GRANDCHILD (A BOY NAMED AFTER HIS GRANDFATHER, TIMOTHY) ALSO IN NOVEMBER. SO YOU SEE WHY OUR FALL IS FULL. BETWEEN WEDDING SHOWERS AND BABY SHOWERS OUR DAYS ARE FILLED.
OUR SON, SAM, IS A JUNIOR AT UNC-WILMINGTON. HE IS MAJORING IN BIOLOGY AND IS LOOKING AT SOMETHING IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. HE FIGURES WITH AGING BABY-BOOMERS LIKE OURSELVES IT IS JOB SECURITY. HE LOVES THE COASTAL LIFE AND RUBS IT IN EVERY CHANCE HE GETS.
TIM IS STILL IN MANAGEMENT WITH GOODYEAR CORP AND I AM STILL WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADM AS THEIR TECHNICAL EXPERT. AFTER 33 YEARS, I AM READY FOR RETIREMENT AND THAT NEW GRANDSON MAY JUST PUSH ME TO DO THAT VERY SOON.
THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE FEW REUNIONS WE HAVE MISSED OVER THE PAST YEARS BUT WILL BE THINKING OF YOU AND HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME.
TIM AND CINDY HATCHEL
Hi gang, look forward to seeing all of you at the reunion. Thanks Margaret for the blog and all the time and planning on the reunion. What a great life I have a had in the last 35 years. Since graduating I spent the first 15 years in Burlington and since then I have lived in Wilmington, Raleigh and Greensboro. I have been married and divorced numerous times. Six years ago I meet and married the love of my life (Lynne). For some reason she still puts up with me. I had one daughter (Mendie) by my first wife that I had custody of from the time that she was two years of age. Today I have 3 grandchildren Brittany 12 Ryan 10 and Camden 5. I spent most of the time employed in the automobile business. Two years ago I decided that I was tired of the long hours and decided to semi-retire. I now have a very small used car lot and sell most of the cars on eBay. I have no employees and hardly ever go into the office. Lynne and I have moved to Lake Norman and are enjoying the lake life more and more everyday.
See you Saturday
Terry
Has anyone seen the weather forecast for Friday night? Looks like there might be a rain-out on the ballgame. Is there anywhere else in Burlington we could all meet for a drink or something??
By the way, as I was reminded by a friend, I have not updated my last 35 years.
After WHS, I was off to ASU, where I married Terry Lockamy in 1973. We graduated together in 1975 and were married until 1984. We had a son in 1978 and still remain good friends today.
In 1985, I married Ron Thomas, a stock broker from Fayetteville, the best move of my life. He had a daughter, Carrie, then 8 years old.
In 1987, we adopted my niece, Stephanie who was at the time 15 years old. What a ride that was. However, today we have 3 wonderful kids:
Carrie's a PharmD with the VA in Raleigh, Steph's a drug rep in Raleigh, and Walter is a CPA with Grant Thornton in Greensboro. Stephanie has given us a wonderful 3 year old boy and Walter and his wife are expecting our first grand-daughter in November.
I retired from teaching 2 years ago and am spending most of my time running back and forth to Burlington checking on my parents, 87 and 88 years old, but still going strong.
I try to spend summers at Myrtle Beach, and most week-ends, so when possible I take Mother and Daddy with me to ensure that their OK.
That's pretty much been my life. Not as exciting as most of yours, but very gratifying.
Can't wait to see all of you Friday and/or Saturday.
Hello Everyone! I first want to say what an awesome job Margaret has done on this website. I am so excited about coming to this reunion. This will actually be my first after all these years. So much has happened in my life the last 35 years. But, I thank God for every day and the situations that He put me in for He had a reason for all of them. A synopsis of my life is as follows: After graduation I went to what was then called Technology Institute of Alamance for a year. In 1974 I left for Greece and stayed for 6 months. I loved every minute of being there. While there I met my first husband. Got married in 1974, had our first son, Sam, in 1975 - had our second son, Nicholas, in 1978, moved to Maryland in 1983 and came back to NC and moved to Charlotte in 1984. I went to work at Alcohol Law Enforcement for a year, Mecklenburg County Clerk's office for a year, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department for 5 years. Divorced my first husband and married my second husband, Tim, whom I met at the Sheriff's Department. We dated for 5 years and got married and after 4 months of marriage he got severely sick, had brain damage and is now a quadraplegic living in a nursing home. During this horrible time in my life, my in-laws went from best in-laws to the in-laws from Hell. I divorced Tim and I then married Earl who is 15 1/2 years my senior. We have been married 11 years and he is the most wonderful man I could ever ask for. My husband has two daughters and two sons who are all married to wonderful spouses. (I'm still waiting for my boys to get married and give me some grandchildren). Through marriage I have 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and I love all of them. My husband is retired but I am still working full time at a law firm in Charlotte. Love my job and the people I work with. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful family and job. I lost my dad a few years ago - mom still lives in Burlington with her sister.
I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. Everybody please wear your name tags because I won't recognize anyone and I'm sure you won't recognize me either.
Love to all!
Athena
Hey Guys ;-)
I hope this finds everyone doing well. I can’t believe that it has been so long. A lot has happened in everyone’s life, it seems. Like many people, I am divorced. As most of you know, I married Bill Wade, which took me to NYC, then to Michigan with USDA. It, as predicted, did not last…we were divorced in 1979…guess what…that taught me a lesson. You know the old saying fool me once…I just have had a hard time taking a chance on having my heart broken again. Needless to say...single 28 years...engaged 2 times just not enough guts to say I DO!
Anyway, moving on to other things. I became involved in Property Management while living in Raleigh. After hurricane Hugo hit Charleston South Carolina so hard, I was sent there to manage the rebuilding of a property that had been devastated (late 1990/early1991). While there (August 1991), my right side became completely paralyzed. After an extensive stay at Charleston Medical Center, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. With that diagnosis, I was unable to continue with the physically demanding job of rehabbing a multifamily property. In December I returned to the Burlington/Greensboro area again
in Property Management as a Leasing Consultant. This lead back into Management positions which moved me all over Greensboro, High Point, and Winston Salem. In the fall of 1997, the MS had progressed to the degree that I was no longer able to continue working. So contrary to my wishes, I was forced to retire as a disabled person. As everyone knows in Property Management, when you loose your job (and your compensation package includes your living quarters) you loose your apartment. Consequently, I moved back to Burlington with my mother in September of 1997. She became my caregiver again and helped me get, literally, back on my feet. Then when she became ill in 2003, rolls were reversed. I had often heard that in old age that the daughter becomes the mother and the daughter becomes the mother. This is VERY true. Mom had COPD. I became her caregiver while still contending with MS. On July 21 2006, mom passed away at the Hospice House in Burlington. (Dad had passed away in 1993.)
A lot of people ask me how I could still have a positive attitude, haven been tested in so many ways. That is the easy part! MY FAITH IN GOD! The Church of the Holy Comforter in Burlington has been a wonderful part of my life over the past few years. They have restored my faith in both the Church and humanity!
Anyway, since that time, my brother and I chose to sell mom’s house. This decision was one of the hardest I have ever made. It was made because of the upkeep, taxes and insurance that are required. I am sure that everyone knows living on Social Security Disability is not an easy thing to do. With my portion of the proceeds, from the sale of the house, I purchased a home in Raleigh. This decision was made in order to be closer to my brother and his wife. They are the only immediate family I have left! It is really nice to be close enough to them to have dinner in the evening or meet for drinks after they get off from work. I have back my independence, which is something I have missed terribly over the last 10 years. Should I need them, the drive is only about 10 minutes.
At this point, I am not going to be able to attend the upcoming reunion. However, I will be there in spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone from our class. Margaret you are also in a special healing prayer from me. Thanks everyone for allowing me to ramble on and on…still a talker…..just ask Mrs. Freeman….
1972WHSBULLDOGS1972
LET'S PARTY!
I sat down for a moment to relax here at the computer after a meal of grilled salmon & fresh summer vegetables sauteed with a little light wine & garlic (God, yes...I can actually cook after all these years and it's exciting).....and I must say, after seeing Janet White's post, my day is now complete!
Having waited weeks to see if she would ever post something on the blog---the suspense was killing me. I have but one thing to say to the "Church Lady with Six Kids".......there is STILL time to book that Saturday morning flight to NC! Just bring your Mary Kay and write it off as a business expense! Every cheerleader needs to be at the reunion. You need to be there. Don't make me wait another 35 years! You know where we'll be!
While I am here, I want to know is who's reading this blog who hasn't posted anything at all? Come clean. Admit you are lurking in the shadows and post something for our reading pleasure!
HELLO ALL, HOPE EVERY ONE IS WELL. I AM STILL IN BURLINGTON MARRIED TO RHONDA FOR 33 YEARS. WE HAVE TWO SONS. #1 SON IS 30 MARRIED A LOCAL GIRL AND THEY HAVE A SON NINE MONTHS OLD AND ONE ON THE WAY. #2 SON IS 27 SINGLE BUT I THINK NOT FOR LONG. YOU KNOW I HAVE ATTENDED EVERY REUNION THAT WE HAVE HAD AND THEY ARE BLAST. I SORRY TO SAY I MAY NOT GET TO THIS ONE. #1 SONS BEST FRIEND SINCE MITE BASEBALL AND COLLEGE ROOM MATE IS GETTING MARRIED SATURDAY. CAN NOT MISS ONE. HOPE EVERY ONE HAS A GREAT TIME AND THANKS TO ALL THE WORK THAT HAS GONE IN TO THIS ONE. LOVE YALL SPENCER.
Katherine Graves, it's about time you got your lazy butt out of Charlotte and signed up for this reunion. I also see Donna Campbell finally woke up and smelled the coffee, too.
Where are you other hundreds of people??? This reunion is going to be the best one ever!!
These people have worked their a**** off for us and I can't believe the lack of support they are getting.
If people like Janet Ennis can come from Arizona and Steve Ameen can come from Texas, you would think, the locals would turn out in droves. Such is not the case.
Oh well, it will be their loss!
The rest of us, however, are going to have the time of our lives.
I've realized that these are the people I've known and have memories of since 1st grade.
I sat beside Kathy Harris in Ms. Loy's room at Hillcrest, beside Janet Michael in Ms. Joyner's room at Hillcrest, and the list goes on with each grade and school. There were football games, beach trips at Easter, PJ parties, and yes teen nights at the Y.
Those were the days, and you are the people.
See you Saturday,
Anne Saunders Laubach will be flying in from Allentown, PA and staying with me. We will definitely meet you on Friday night at Zacks and plan to go on to the game from there! I'm still hopng more alumni will plan to join us. There's still time to sign up!!! You will be missed if you are not here!
Claudia Ward McCoy
Great idea Kathy! Let's meet at Zack's around 6:30 and go to the game from there.
I also wanted to let you know (not that anyone in our class has ever overindulged) that my daugher and several of her friends will be offering a "tips only" taxi service the night of the reunion if you live in the city limits.
One more week. I can't wait!
Hi all,
Can't get to Burlington until Friday night...are we all planning to meet at the game? What time and do we have a section? I don't think I've ever sat through an entire football game. This could be a first. I might have to take Mark and make-out under the bleachers just for old-times sake.
We might have to go all night to see and talk to each other. Can we just have the Club through Sunday morning? I can feel the love...thanks to the group that organized this soiree and special thanks to all of you coming from afar.
Caren
Class of ’72, I have really enjoyed reading all your messages. I often think about growing up in Burlington and all the people I miss seeing if I were around town. I have learned a lot since high school. One thing I know for sure, we grew up in a good time and place.
Where has 35 years taken me?
I left that fall after graduation for Western Carolina University. It was a great 4 years. I graduated with a degree in Psychology. From there I moved to Nashville with plans to go to graduate school, which never happened. I stayed and played for 3 years. It was truly my wild child phase. Then it dawned on me that I might have to work for a living. So, I moved back to N.C. for a few months. I got lucky and was hired by General Motors. After an extensive training program they sent me to Oklahoma City for a 2 year job assignment as a District Sales Manager. That job offered many life experiences. I met my husband Don the first year in Oklahoma. We just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this summer. He is such a wonderful man. He came with a great family package, son, brother, sisters, and parents. Don was raising his son Rick alone. Rick welcomed me as the mother he no longer had. Now he has a wonderful wife and has given us two very energetic grandsons. Don & I had a son, Tyler who is now 20. We’re still having an exciting time raising him. We were the class parents for 12 years. Tyler and his friends volunteered us for everything. We were the party house everything. I had a fabulous time going through high school the second time! Tyler played baseball and basketball from little league through high school. He then went on to play 2 years of college baseball. He decided to give baseball up this year for his “music career”.
I stayed with the sales job for 16 years but the traveling got to be too much. It just so happened that GM had a plant in Oklahoma City so, I was able to transition there to a job as the Customer Satisfaction Engineer for automotive electronics. Wow, my Psychology degree has really come in handy!! I worked there until last year when GM closed that plant. Don is retired now so he and I were able to make a move about 3 hours south to the GM plant in Arlington, Texas. I will hopefully, finish out my career here.
We were very happy in OK. We had our retirement home on an acreage in the country. We thought we had settled in for “old age”. So, before we left, we bought the last acreage in our neighborhood to build our ” next” retirement home. We plan move back in a few years. We just bought ourselves a temporary house in Texas, close to work. We spend our time here fighting traffic and looking at house plans. This is an exciting place, with anything you could ever want to do. We are making the best of it, but we look forward to going back to our simple country life in Oklahoma. And even with all the great restaurants in Dallas I often tell my husband I wish I could just go to Zack’s to get a hotdog.
This is a brief summary of a life with many highs and lows. I thank God every day for protecting me and giving me so many blessings.
I can not come to the reunion. I do hope you all have a wonderful time. And Kathy if you want to send the party bus with a 100 people to my house it would not be the first time. I would welcome you all. Have a great time and please post lot’s of pictures.
Thanks Margaret. You did a great thing by putting together this web site.
Ann Coley Wilson
Good job Vicki rounding up those last minute stragglers! No one should miss out on this event. Sounds like it will be the best one yet and anyone within 500 miles, a short plane ride, or even a drive across town should not miss this one. Just for a weekend? Yes, it can be done. I am coming in from Arizona just for the weekend. Despite the travel time and distance, I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Vicki, I cannot believe you have still have a piece of my artwork from way back. A zillion pieces later, I can't even fathom what that very early creation must look like. I had to chuckle because I do vaguely remember a project Nancy Graves gave us that sounds just like it. I'll have to replace it with something a little more contemporary one of these days. I'm doing a lot of writing at the moment, but I do have several visual pieces in the early stages of planning.
By the way, if any of you are wondering what two of your past teachers are up to these days, Nancy Graves lives out at her mom's place in Snow Camp. She manages to grow and cultivate a huge garden every year and just loves what she calls "that farming lifestyle". She is very active in her church, as well. Kaaren Brown still lives over on Front Street, is retired from LabCorp and recently lost her mother.
Anyone going to the WHS vs. Graham High football game on Friday night 14th?
Caren.
FYI.. Tater (David Tate) is hanging out down in Pompano Beach, Florida!! Walker (Vickie) and I are doing our best to get him to reunion!! so email him and help us bug him.
Here is a message I just got from him:
....I just found out about the reunion last weekend...Johnny Neese called my mom. I will have just returned from Boston & Vancouver,BC and then have a major event in the design center (DCOTA), so taking a short weekend doesn't seem to fit right now. But if I think I can make it I would love to see you all again.
By the way.. I also know that Vickie Walker and her hubby Jeff Conrad will be at reunion with bells on their toes.. VConradWildtree@aol.com
and Fogie (Karen) told me she and Ron are coming
and Margie(Frick) told me she and Mark are coming too!!
Schoon is already paid too!!
Janet Michaels (Rippy) and Janet Ennis!!! .. it will be awesome to see you both!!!
Ennis.. Remember the little thumbprint ink art Miss Graves had us do... I have one of your old ones.. that my mom kept.. and it now sits on a little easel in my living room!!
I knew you were super talented!!
Shepherd ------- (Tim) bring your latest art brochure!! Or send me link to your website!!
I need new art and I still love your work !!! Actually found an old piece of yours that my mom had and it now hangs on my sister, Kelly's wall in Raleigh. She is doing the beach theme and your boats look great there!!!
This is going to be a great reunion!!
Vicki
Hey Bulldogs! I missed the last planning meeting, but I'm gonna be in trouble with Margaret if I don't "blog". I remember thinking that anyone over 30 years old couldn't be "trusted"..... and now we're old enough to have graduated from High School 35 years ago!! What's up with that!!!
My life abbreviated: Graduated from ASU ('77) with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Colorado looked good after college, so my roomie and I moved out there for bigger mtns. Came back to NC after a year of "fun and snow" and got married to Greg Edens ('78). Taught elem school for 5 years and then we had our first child, Charlie (83). We moved to NJ, as Greg works for a Reinsurance Group in Burlington that, at that time, had an office in the Trade Center. We moved back to BBB after 4 years and had Michie (daughter '87) and Richard ('91).
Greg and I divorced in 2006 and I am still living on Gurney Ct here in Burlington. Charlie (24) also graduated from ASU and is a Archaeologist in Greenville, NC. Michie (20) is a soph at Brevard College and loves the theater. Richard (16) is a junior at WHS and is a photographer for the yearbook. I will stay here until Richard goes off to college and then I'm hoping to move to Hyco Lake. I just do the "stay-at-home" stuff, but have recently been teaching a fabulous after-school drawing program at 2 elem schools. I love the interaction with the kiddos and it's a VERY part time job. PERFECT!
I'm so looking forward to getting together with everyone on the 15 and if the Planning Meetings are any indication of the fun and laughter..........we're ALL gonna have a great time!
Hello to all of you Bulldogs! I am writing this because Susi emailed me and told me I had to... so here I am!
Most of you might remember that I married Keith Morris. We had a daughter, Cara, who is 32 now, married, and blessed us with a delightful grandson 18 months ago. She is now pregnant again and I hope it will be a sweet little girl just like her. As for Keith, he won't be coming to the reunion because he has some major shindig golf tournament at Pebble Beach that same weekend. He and I divorced in 1978, but have remained friendly through the years. I moved to Greensboro and lived there until Cara graduated from high school. At that time I fulfilled a life long dream and moved to Wrightsville Beach. So, I've been here since 1993 and am sure it is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Through the years, I've worked at all kinds of jobs, too many to list here, but after moving here I began teaching Special Education at the high school level. I teach the Behavior problem kids and absolutely love them! I'm sure this is what I am meant to do. It can be stressful and certainly I drink more beer than I ever did before I started teaching, but I still love it.
I guess that's it in a nutshell about me. I look forward to seeing all of you and hearing more about your lives. Gordon, where are you???? Please join us if you're reading this. I would love to see my running mate for student government in the 11th grade even if we did lose!
Just had to add one last thing. Please, please go to youtube.com and watch the "Let's All Chant" video. Not only will it crack you up but will get you ready to dance. Is anyone wearing a bodysuit and shiny boots to the Reunion? Susan, you have good legs. Go for it.
Hi everybody,
This will be long. I'm like New Yorker magazine, I go on and on and on.
I've loved reading about everybody - my, my what a lot we've done in the past 35 years. I do sense a change in tone, from the early blogs that were filled with love and can't wait to see everyone to you better come or we will say evil things about you and 100 of you will come to my house and...I'm not sure what. What came next was vague, but it didn't sound pleasant.
Well, what have I been up to? After graduation I went to NC State one year, met a guy, transferred to Elon, got a B.A. in Education, teaching certification in Elementary Eduation and got married. We were married 17 years. I moved out in September of '93 (my first and very own apartment), got my M.S. in Education and my teaching certification in Special Education
In September of 1995 I married Mark McPherson, a Case Manger with Mental Health. We adopted a baby girl, Brooke, and I am now the mother of an 8 year old. Everyone who says having a child makes you young at my age is crazy and evidently has never done it. I adore being a mother but boy, my hat is off to all you parents out there. Brooke is pretty much the most delightful child in the world.
How many jobs/career changes have I made since college? A lot. Quick summary: Secretary, Artist, Muscular Dystrophy Association (I was Thumper, the MD rabbit. Yes, I wore a rabbit suit), Counselor (Abortion Clinic. Tough job), Caterer, Director of After School Program for Mentally Retarded Teenagers, Volunteer Manger for Family Life Council, Copy editor and writer for Southern Bride Magazine, Editor and Vice President for Greensboro Life and Living Magazine,Case Manager for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Middle School Teacher for Behaviorally Emotionally Disturbed, Math and English teacher (Learning Disabled Kids), Substitute Teacher, Director of Education and Exhibits at the Greensboro Children's Museum, Reunion Coordinator and Class Notes Editor at UNCG, Writer for Signature Magazine, Free-lance artist, Face Painter, Events Planner, Cake Designer and today I accepted a position as Marketing Director for The Volunteer Center of Greensboro.
Brooke started third grade this week and we are back in the supper, homework, bath, reading, bedtime routine. Remember those days? Mark is sick of the documentation and paperwork with Human Services and is taking courses in Accounting at Guilford College. He is President of the Sertoma Club and is the world's greatest husband and father and all round person.
We love to camp and instead of cruises, go to Disneyworld and Carowinds. When I was 17 I could ride ThunderRoad over and over but now I about have a heart attack on giant roller coasters. We did the Haunted Hotel at Disney and I really did think I was going to have the big one. We celebrate our 12th anniversary this year and are giving each other tickets to the Van Halen concert. I'm still an avid Beatles fan and have turned Brooke into one, too. It thrills me no end that she can sing all the words to "Instant Karma" and "All the Young Dudes". Remember Mott the Hoople? She and I adore "Let's All Chant" (Disco era, can we PLEASE play it at the Reunion???) My requests for the DJ are AC/DC and Mountain and Quiet Riot and Lita Ford, you know which songs and for Drema, "You Dropped the Bomb on Me." My husband is 14 years younger than me so I've had to introduce him to all the music he missed.
Can't wait to see everyone. Frank Hope, Steve Messick, Troy Slade, Ann Coley, David Skeels (Skeels, for some reason I have your high school yearbook), Donna Campbell, Malinda Day, Tyrone Faucette, Marsha French, Kaye Smith, Gordon Oakley, Doris Hardie, David Tate...where are you??? Susan, I haven't sent my money in but will. Anything else? I love Drum Lines, Harley-Davidsons (went to the 90th and 100th Anniversary of Harley in Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Tall Ships, pretty much anything in formation. Play African Drums for fun and my violin for sheer personal pleasure because I am pretty bad.
Enough (MORE than enough) about me. Keep writing and let's keep this going after Reunion. Love, Peace, Joy, Happiness, Fulfillment, Patience, Optimism and Understanding,
Hello fellow classmates! I have been procrastinating and haven't signed up for the reunion as yet but after reading everyone's comments and realizing all the hard work just a handful of people have put into this thing, I will be sending my money in today! It will be alot of fun seeing everyone again and catching up on one another.
My life is pretty short and simple! Those that knew me well will remember that I was in the Office Occupations class at WHS my senior year (remember Herman Davis?) and was able to leave school at lunchtime to go to work--guess where--the Winfred C. Harper Agency! I have been here ever since--36 years!!! I have been married 33 years to Wayne Church and we have two wonderful children, Alicia 31 and Dustin 28, both married. Alicia has blessed us with two beautiful granddaughters, 6 & 2. We're hoping our son will produce a grandson at some point in the future! Wayne retired from Alamance County Govt 3 years ago and keeps himself busy playing in a beach music band and painting part-time. When he's not playing music or painting he's sailing in Oriental, NC! What's wrong with this picture--husband retiring before wife??? I must admit it hasn't been so bad, he fixes breakfast and dinner for me most every day. I consider myself very lucky!
Well, enough about my life! I'm looking forward to learning more about my 1972 classmates on the 9/15/07! See you then!
Patricia
Thirty-five years...are we really that old? It doesn't seem like it could have been that long ago.
I am still married to John Gunn (who graduated a year ahead of us). We have been married for 31 years and have two daughters. Our oldest is 29, married and I have my first grandchild who is 2 1/2 years old. Our other daughter is 26. We live in Charlotte and have for 29 years this Oct. I babysit my grandson for my daughter and her husband. She is a nurse so her schedule is different every week but I have him at least 2 days and nights each week. It has been so long since I have had a small child this is very challenging.
We are planning to come to the reunion. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Hello my life the short version.After gradution went to work for General Electric in Mebane 35 years and still working.
Married Donna Davis 1985 a Cummins grad and she will tell you I am much order than her
two children Grant 18 WHS grad 07 Lauren a freshman at WHS this year (I am too old to have a 14 year old daughter)
Live 1/2 block from WHS on Tatleton.And for any classmate that still have children at WHS the assistant principal Donna Westbrooks and my wife Donna are one in the same.I see more of WHS now I did in 1972.
Hope to make it to the reunion.
Ricky
Oh how the years have flown by. Darrell and I are still amazed with the fact that it has been 35 years since we graduated from WHS. We have been married for 33 years and we have been living in Melbourne, FL for 28 of those years. Darrell is a plumbing contractor and has his own business. After moving to Florida, I went back to school and graduated from Rollins College with a BSBA. I have worked in Accounting and Financial Management for 28 years at Harris Corporation. Now as all of this time was flying by, we forgot to have any youngins’ (with no regrets) so it is just us, our West Highland Terrier – Salty Dog and our tuxedo cat – Ozzie. We spend lots of weekends at our historic second home in St. Augustine, FL bar hopping, eating at wonderful restaurants and rocking on the front porch, sipping on an ice cold brew, relaxing and watching the world go by. So, for the most part – life is good. Well that is enough about us. We want to see you – THE MEMBERS OF THE WHS CLASS OF ’72. We are rather surprised that so many of those members have yet to sign up for this reunion. I am sure that Margaret and the rest of the reunion committee have worked very hard at locating 293 of us. Well it is rather pathetic that only 57 have signed up and paid!! Not even 20%. So get off your butts and contact Margaret and get signed up. We are looking so forward to coming and seeing as many old friends as possible. You all know that we are going to have a blast. Darrell and I have been to all of the past reunions and have had a wonderful time at all of them and we plan to be at all future reunions as long as God is willing and the creek don’t rise. SO BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!!
Susi Howerton & Darrell Ray
September is almost here! I am excited! What fun it's going to be to see so many of you who have already made the commitment to join in the festivities. For those of us still showing up on the "Rumored to Be Attending" list or hmmmmmm....camping out on the "Rumored to Be Attending" list, I can tell you I for one will most definitely be there. No rumor here! Why, I might even show up front and center at the WHS football game the night before (do they still throw out those wonderful little black and gold plastic mini footballs?)
So come on, guys! (and yessssssssssss, that especially means you Lisa)!
For any of you who don't show up that night, at least 100 of us are going to rent a party bus and show up on your front doorstep right around the midnight hour or just after you and yours have turned in for what you thought was going to be a quiet evening! Yessssss.
How about a "Shout Out" (can I get an amen, sister) for all the superstars who are organizing and putting this event together! Even if they tell you it's a lot of fun (and I'm sure it is), it's a lot of hard work and effort! So, let's give 'em all a big round of applause (and your commitment if you haven't already, cause we know you're not going to want 100 wild and crazy old 53 year-olds showing up on your doorstep at the midnight hour)!
Hey folks, has it really been 35 years since the graduation of the most brilliant and esteemed class ever to grace the halls of Williams High School?? I guess time flies when you are having fun! I am looking forward to seeing everyone in September.
A brief post 1972 bio on me is as follows:
After four fun (but not too academic) years at NC State, I graduated with a degree is Economics/Business in 1976. Except for some brief periods, I have lived in Raleigh since I began at State in 1972. After several years of working in banking (primarily with the State Employees' Credit Union), I went to work with an older gentleman in the real estate appraisal business, and in 1989 I purchased his business and founded John B. Neese & Company, Inc., a real estate appraisal, investment, and consulting firm. (And we do some development and brokerage also).
In 1983, I "lucked up" and married Jean Barnes Walston from Wilson. She graduated from St. Marys College in 1976 and UNC-CH in 1978. As I stated in the 1998 reunion memory book, Jean can do everything but sing and sew! She has a great family and I count her parents and siblings to be among my best friends.
Our offspring are as follows:
Henry, 20, graduated from Broughton High School in 2005 where he was a four year letterman in football (played with Julia Ogden Lunsford's son, Thomas). Henry is 6' 3" and weighs 210. Not quite sure where the size comes from, since I am still pretty scrawny and Jean only weighs 100 lbs. ("Switched at birth??"---dunno.) (The athletic ability comes from his mother as she played tennis at St. Marys and is still a 4.5 singles player.) Henry is working at Camp Seagull this summer (at the coast--near Beaufort and Oriental) and will be a junior at NC State in the fall.
Jack, 18, just graduated from Broughton High School where he was on the track and cross country teams. He is teaching sailing at Camp Seagull this summer, and will be a freshman at UNC-CH this fall.
Martha, 15, will be a sophomore at Broughton in the fall, where she is on the golf team. She is a great girl, but is very busy with her friends now, and seems to be addicted to her cell phone!
My Mother and Dad passed away in 1998 and 2002 respectively, but i still feel their presence and influence everyday, which is a greal feeling.
All jesting aside, it has been a full and rewarding life, but a crazy-busy one as well.
Now for my pep talk: ya'll come to the reunion! I have been to every reunion, and each one has been fun and everyone has been really nice and congenial each time. If you graduated in the class of 1972 from Williams High School, then this reunion is for you, and your presence is just as important and special as any other graduate! Also, please give a special thanks to Margaret Blythe Adams, as she has been the one who has really been "pulling the wagon" on the organization of this event. Not only is Margaret a very celebrated "Mary Kay" distributor (with pink cadillac), she is organized as hell! So, thank Margaret, show your appreciation, pull out your "5 lbs. slimmer" girdle and Crest white strips, and attend the reunion on September 15!
(Oh, one more thing..........hey Nicholson, what were you doing in that hot tub that caused you to crack all those ribs??? !!!)
Finally, I got my Best friend and brother (Trip Hatley) to come to a reunion. Forget what he said about the designated driver stuff.
About me, been a dental technician for 34 yrs. I am Program Director/Instructor of the Dental Technology Program at Durham Technical Community College for the last 24 yrs. I also am owner of B. P. Prosthetics Dental Laboratory. I have been married to my lovely wife (Cheryl) for 31 yrs. We have one son, Brandon. that is 27 yrs. old and has been married to his high school sweetheart for a little over 2 yrs. No grandkids yet.
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
So many names...so many faces...Thank God for name tags! After years of nagging from Mike Patrick, who remains more of a brother than a best friend after all these years, I am going to this festive occasion. I think it's just because he needs a designated driver. I'm sure some of you would never associate the term designated driver with the name Trip Hatley but, alas, it's true.
The reunion is truly exciting since I have not seen many of you since you walked across that stage to get your certificate sending you out into the world. Of course, as often as I cut class, I didn't see that many of you when I was at WHS. Let's just say Mr. Guthrie and I were inseparable.
I'm not sure I can capsulize 35 years of a wonderful life in a blog but I'll try. I have been married for over 20 blessed years to my best friend Pat, who happens to be the younger sister of Anita Royall Jones. But then again everybody is younger than Anita (love ya, sis-in-law). Pat is not joining me for the reunion but she knows Anita will be watching for any major faux pas on my part that she can regale family members with at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.
Pat and I have been blessed with two fabulous kids. Our son, Andy, is a chef in Pawley's Island below Myrtle Beach. He has a fantastic wife of a year, Kari, who is with RBC Centura. They have just announced that in March they will present us with our first grandchild. Even though it's early, they've already done an ultrasound. I saw it. It looks like I'm having a Granddot. Very small. Our daughter, Jillian, is a sophomore at Kennesaw State in Atlanta where she is studying to go into teaching.
As for my meteoric career, I have been in newspaper ever since 1979. How many people can say that after 28 years in the same occupation they still look forward to going to work everyday? I hope we all can! My career has taken me from going through the ranks to become the Ad Director at the Burlington Times-News and then on to management positions in Chattanooga, TN, Gastonia, NC, Rome, GA and now Lumberton, NC since June of this year. I have come back to NC as the corporate Regional Advertising Director for the daily newspapers in Clinton, Lumberton, Laurinburg, and Rockingham with some weekly and twice-weekly papers thrown in for good measure. Pat is enjoying some time off this summer to take advantage of our proximity to Myrtle Beach, or Mecca as she refers to it.
I look forward to seeing you all in September.
Trip
Hello to all. Thirty five years sounds like a very long time but seems like only a short time in the past. I can say that the last ten years have not been good to me, as I've lost hair, whats left is graying alot and believe it or not, the inevitable middle age weight gain has snuck up on me.. I am still tall though... It was really great to read the info that some have added about themselves... so here is mine... I've been married to my wife, Susan, the best thing thats happened to me for 27 years... god bless her !!! We have three grown children, two daughters and one son and four grandchildren.. all live four hours or more away from us so we don't get to see them as often as we would like... Our youngest daughter has recently obtained her MPH from USC in Columbia, SC. She is currently living in Austin, Tx but is still in my monthly bill payment schedule... what is wrong with this picture.. We presently live at Atlantic Beach in NC but are hoping to sell and move to the Cherry Grove area of N. Myrtle Beach....
I have recently had a preliminary diagnosis based on MRI's & CT scans of primary liver cancer.. will be visiting with an onclologist in the near future to discuss his opinion of my records and options... I will try to make plans to attend this reunion to talk with old friends again... until then.... take care..
Ron
Hi Everybody,
Thanks Margaret for all the work in setting up this great website, and thanks to everyone who is working on the reunion.
JEEZ, hard to belive it's been 35 years since I was a dorky teenager walking the hallowed halls of Williams. A lot has happen in those years. Quick update on my life to date: Graduated from ASU in '76, moved to Georgia, then South Carolina, back to Burlington, then to Eden, NC and now living at Kure Beach just below Wilmington.
I've been married for 26 years...13 to one, and 13 to another. The good Lord was smart enough not to bless me with children, but I do have a beautiful 36 year old step daughter, (I married an older woman), one dog and three cats.
I was in Human Resources for over 25 years. Bought a place at the beach 4 years ago, hated leaving on Sundays to go back to the real world, so my wife and I sold everything we had, quit our jobs and moved full-time to the beach. We are both real estate agents, (actually, she is the real estate expert and I assist her, but she would probably argue my usefulness.) Anyone interested in property in the Wrightsville, Carolina, Kure Beach area, give me a call!
Hope I can make it to the reunion! Look forward to seeing everyone.
Oh Wow!! I am getting so excited - it will be wonderful to see everyone! Thanks, Margaret for doing this for us!
John and I have been married for 28 years, lived in Spokane, Washington; Bitburg, W.Germany; Izmir, Turkey; Atlanta, GA; and Newport News, VA (for the past 15 years). Our son, John, has been married almost 2 years; our daughter, Rebecca, was married in May, and our "baby" Anna will be a senior in HS. She is looking at colleges - has to have equestrian program, has to let her take her horse, and has to be pretty!! What a hoot!
I have been teaching music with the NNPS schools for 10 years - will never get any type of retirement as I was a stay at home mom for 16 years! What fun!
We are very active and involved in our church and the youth activities there. Teaching 6th grade SS helps keep me young! And I will take all the help I can get!
Mom and Dad are both doing well - still on Canterbury Drive - Joe, Julie and Sandy all live in B'ton - Carol is in Hickory - for those of you who knew/know my siblings...
So eager to see everyone and catch up!
Hugs and more hugs!!
Janet
I recall making it to the 20th or 25th Reunion, held at Occasions, downtown Burlington. Which was memorable.I'm currently employed at Duke University Medical Center ( RN for 30 yrs now) How time flies. My nursing career has allowed me to work in various areas in the Durham-Raleigh area. I remain single and Happy. No children. Still Happy. Looking forward to seeing the Amazing Class of 1972.
Take Care
Brenda
note from Margaret: This is from an e-mail I received from Steve Hoke:
Not sure that I will be able to make the event although I will try. Currently living about 50 miles north of Chicago...still in Illinois but not by much.
I have three daughters....one is an architect in Atlanta, one is a senior at Auburn and believe it or not, I have a near 16 yr, old.
I've had so much fun reconnecting with WHS alum since moving back from South Florida 10 years ago with my husband of almost 32 years.I am looking forward to reconnecting with more of you at the reunion in September. Everyone, please work hard on coming and encouraging your friends to make that special effort.
I have been employed with the Presbyterian Counseling Center in Greensboro for the past 10 plus years as a Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist and really love my work and the people I work with. Our 29 year old daughter, Christy, and her husband , Casey, live close by in Archdale with our two beautiful grandchildren, Colby (5 yrs) and Abby (5 months). Having grandchildren gives you a new lease on life and makes you feel younger (as long as they go home to their parents at the end of the day)! What makes me feel old is having a daughter who is 30 years old!
A highlight in our marriage was backpacking Guatemala several years ago with our daughter, Maria, who was serving in the Peace Corps. We were definitely the oldest backpackers around.What memories life gives us!
Let's make more good ones by attending the reunion in September. I will be looking for you!
Something tells me I better "blog" something before the meeting on Sunday, so here goes....first of all, thank you Margaret! You have done a great job with the website!!
It doesn't seem like it has been 35 years since we graced the halls of WHS, maybe that's because I attended 8 years of PTA meetings, 4 years of chorus programs and 7 years of sitting on those aluminum bleachers watching 2 daughters either cheer or play soccer. Trust me, it's easier to get turned around in those halls NOW than it was 35 years ago!!
After attending ASU and Elon, I found myself settling in to good old Burlington to raise 2 beautiful daughters. Jennifer is 29, graduated from ASU, is employed at Progress Energy in Raleigh and is working on her MBA from ECU. She cheered for 3 years at WHS and was head-cheerleader her senior year! Talk about dejavu! I watched her grin from ear to ear, knowing exactly how much fun she was having!! And, yep, she has red hair!! My youngest daughter, Erin, is 26 and is in her last year of Optometry school in Memphis, TN. She got married last summer and has blessed me with my 1st grandchild! Carter Nathaniel Jackson is now 7 weeks old, and is already a member of the Jr. Wolfpack Club at NCSU and that should tell you something about his father and his father's father!! I'm now a "maw-maw" and didn't think I felt old until I tried to pry myself out of the car at each pit-stop on that 11-hour road trip to Memphis when he was born!!
I continue to work in Haw River at Remnants & Textiles with Hugh Cummings. And since I can be pretty sure he won't blog anything, I'll catch you up on him too! He has been married to a very dear, sweet girl named Virginia for 20+ years, and they have 2 sons. Ben is a rising soph. at ASU and Hayes will be in the 9th grade next year and hits a pretty mean tennis ball, I hear. Hugh and I manage the business that our dads started over 50 years ago. We sell drapery and upholstery fabrics, blinds and drapery hardware. I manage the office and design custom-made interior window and bed treatments for clients. I love it and will probably be there until Hugh decides to sell it, close it up or I drop dead....whichever comes first!
I am looking forward to our reunion and catching up after 35 years! It's going to be a great time! See you in September!
Hello everyone,
I could not let Anita Royal Jones just trash me on this blog. I am not old, I am seasoned and peppered with much experience. And by the way, Anita, did you make your font size extra, extra small so I had to put on my bifocals? Help an old gal out here! Oh wait, I just said I wasn't old! How I miss my mind, too.
Okay, now for the news, I live in the metropolis known as Julian, NC with my husband of many years. God knew what he was doing when he said "No kids for you"! but I do have some wonderful four legged children that behave extremely well. They don't ever talk back or say inappropriate things in front of company, They sit nicely and love to give kisses. One lab mix and one german shepard named Belle and Olee. Just ask, I wou.ld love to tell you about my kids.
As for work, I am a nurse in the OR at Wesley Long Hosp. in Greensboro (you always knew I was a little strange) I am in charge of Orthopedic Surgery. I work with a great group of physicians and staff. They make my job a lot easier.
I hope to see everyone at the reunion. It should be great!
Hello everyone!!
Looking forward to seeing you all again in September. I was excited to learn from Susan (Anderson) whom I ran into at the Herbfest in Burlington in April, that we were indeed having another reunion!! I do look forward to these gatherings! Yahoo!!!
Lots has happened since our last one and I hope we all can have a blast catching up!!
As I have a bit of a tendency to go on and on.. a short version of events ..
~ We have moved back to NC and built a new home in Indian Trail, just outside Charlotte. Brought 1 of the 4 kiddos with us.. The older 3 and my dad all decided to stay in Charlottesville, VA! Love being back in NC and never thought I would say that.
~ Our son, Nicholas is getting married on Sept. 22 to a lovely gal, Madeline, on a mountain top orchard outside Charlottesville. No grandchildren yet. ~ THANK YOU reunion organizers for picking the 15th!!
~ I will be arriving in my dream car. For those of you who remember my '66 green MGB parked on the curve across from WHS for our senior year.. I have finally been able to bring a convertible back into my life. A little upgrade from my old MGB.. and I am loving it. Just listen for the vrrrrmmm vrrrrmmmm , look for the Atlanta Blue streak and it will be me!! As Frick says, we all need a little TOPLESS in our lives after 50 (yea.ok... 50 ish)
~ Walker (Vickie) and I will be in Vegas together in 2 weeks having a blast!! I am working on getting her to leave Michigan to come to the reunion!!
Are we putting together any memory boards or tables?
Have a great summer and see you all soon!!
I am looking forward to our reunion! I have many fond memories of WHS friends. I have just retired from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System after 30 years of teaching elementary school and have begun a 2nd career. I am a REALTOR and broker with Prudential Carolinas Realty in Kernersville. I am still happily married to my one and only husband, Mark. Our daughter is 22, and our son is 20. Life has been good to us.
Thanks Margaret and whoever else is working with you for organizing this reunion for us. "See you in September..."
Margie Frick Hinsdale
First of all, thanks to everyone for all their hard work putting together this reunion. And I thought the Junior Class Talent Show was a bitch.
In response to Margaret's request for input here: Margaret, I've loved you ever since the first grade, and I can't get enough of hearing about this freaking blog.
I'm looking forward to the big event, second only in importance to my 31st anniversary on July 24. My wife Jackie and I have actually been working together for the last several years (we're professionals, and this is an acquired skill--do not attempt this without proper supervision). We provide marketing and consulting services to community banks. We work out of out home in Asheville, located about a half-mile as the crow flies behind the Grove Park Inn--just far enough away to have to direct tourists there on a regular basis. We've lived here for 11-1/2 years.
By the way, did I every tell you the story about how back in high school I went to Raleigh for a student council conference with our Colombian exchange student Ishmael Camargo and ended up in the private residence of the Governor's Mansion shooting pool with the Governor's daugher, Meg Scott, who has since served time in prison for corruption?
Remind me in September.
Love and kisses to all.
Steve
35 years. My God - how time has truly marched past. The stories that must be out there.
About the only one I can keep up with regularly is Joel Adams. mostly because we go fishing together a few times a year at the OB's and get severely alcohol-impaired along with a gang of 5 or so other idiots from around the state. Though I did have some brief occassional conact with Jaime Lyon and once or twice with Butch Hoover.
Much has happened in the 420 or so months since graduation (THAT method of expression should gray a few hairs). College, a few jobs (though in same general career path), two wives, a couple of kids, more pounds, less hair, attitude, etc. Lot's to catch up on when we get together.
I definitely plan on being there. Thanks, Margaret, for having the initiative to do this thing. Looking forward to seeing all of you. Got to go for now - beer getting warm.
This is fabulous! I have never been able to attend a high school reunion due to schedules and such. So, I am looking forward to September and have already made my flight / travel plans....and yes, I still need to officially register for this exciting event.
It's 110 degrees here today and even a cool libation poolside isn't enough to dispel the heat so I am happy as a clam spending a lazy Sunday afternoon with my high school classmates.
Where is "here", you ask? Phoenix, Arizona! To quickly touch on what I've been up to since graduation from Williams and East Carolina University---I have been truly blessed to have enjoyed some great career positions and opportunities with Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Lifetime Television, The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the LPGA golf tour, and The Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball, my current employer.
Life is full of contrasts, so like most, I too have experienced moments that were not so grand and glorious over the last 35 years--thankfully none involved anything such as major illness or any kind of substance abuse. It is through those moments and life lessons, I have learned the most about life, had some of the richest of life experiences and luminous moments.....and in the process I learned a great deal about how best to effectively give back to the world of the gifts I have been given.
I am grateful to all of you who are organizing this event. Without you, this opportunity would not be possible. Looking forward to September!
I will most certainly be at the 35 reunion because in the thirty five years since we graduated, I haven’t missed one. I was at the 10th (wore a white, filmy jacket dress) and brought my new husband of 1 ½ years to introduce him to all my buds from school. I was at the 15th (wore black palazzo pants and a white top—still have the pants!!) and brought my husband of 6 ½ years because he was a good dancer and Gary Mitchell’s band was going to play and I KNEW we’d do a lot of dancing. I was at the 20th (wore a two piece teal pant suit—last size 10 I ever wore!) and brought my husband of 11 ½ years mainly to have a designated driver. I was at the 26th (remember we skipped the 25th!) have no idea WHAT I wore, left my husband of 16 ½ years at home and went with Nancy Wright. She and I had a ball and sat out in front of her mama’s house until 4:00 am talking about all of YOU! This year I haven’t even mentioned the reunion to my husband of 26 years, plan to date Nancy again and spend the night at my mama’s house so I won’t NEED a designated driver. I’d like to encourage all of you to plan to be there on September 15, so we can catch up on thirty five years—it will be a great time—I promise!!
After graduating from NCSU I have lived in Atlanta, Miami, England, Ft. Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. During these 25+ years I worked as a travel agent, flight attendant, and was in partnership with my brother manufacturing a steak sauce. I also managed to fracture my spine four times over a period of 10 years and ended up leaving Eastern Airlines on workmens comp. I was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years until the miracle drug Botox was able to stop my constant back pain.
I divorced my husband of 19 years and moved back to Burlington with my daughter (Michelle, now 16 years old) in 2003. This has been a positive move for both of us. She is an upcoming junior at Williams and I am looking forward to my new job as general manager at Powell Manor ( a new inn and event center opening this fall).
I hope everyone from the WHS Class of '72 will come to this special reunion. I am looking forward to seeing y'all on the 15th and catching up on the past 35 years.
