FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS
HIGH SCHOOL 1956 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
NEWSLETTER Dec/Jan 2005 Edition On
the WEB at: WWW.FM56.ORG
– Check it out!!
Well gang, Happy Holidays
to all of you and may 2005
be good to us all. Now all we have to do is pay the credit
card bills when they get here, right? How many kids, grandkids and great
grandkids did we buy for this year? Did we ever think we’d see this time
in our lives
- where did the time go? Life is an amazing process and it never ceases to
amaze us as it continues to unfold and give us more adventures and challenges;
what a trip!
Tom and Kathy (McDonald) Collins: Tom has been able to regrow his beard and again, looks like Santa Claus. We sold our 5th wheel but STILL have not been able to sell the big Freightliner; we left it in Winston, OR with an RV dealer but so far no serious takers (editor’s note: the pix shown at the end of the newsletter shows the whole rig before the 5th wheel was sold). We got to visit brother Keith in Portland, OR and go to Otto's Sausage Store where they make all kinds of sausage, even the bloodwurst, bratwurst and knockwurst that we came to enjoy while in Germany many years ago. We also visited Bob's Red Mill where you can find nearly anything in the grain line freshly ground - also all kinds of gluten free products. I took one of their catalogs for my two cousins with Celiac disease, wheat gluten allergies.
On July 4th we went to The Grotto in Portland to attend mass but came into the 29th Annual International Freedom celebration for five different countries - Vietnam, Poland, Phillipines, Ertrian and Laotian participants. There were prayers and remembrances for all peoples fighting for freedom, songs, flowers and dancers in costume for the Virgin Mary. It was a three and a half hour celebration with about 1000 participants, followed by a high mass in five different languages. It was a very beautiful and moving experience.
We also got to visit with a nephew in Lolo, MT who flies the smokejumpers into the forest fires. We got a tour of the Smokejumpers School, met the firefighters who do everything, even to sewing their uniforms and backpacks. We saw a video of the training - in fact, there was a National Geographic special on the school with Lisa Ling following several women training to become smokejumpers. You have to be in top condition as you can probably guess from the survivors of the plane crash in Montana recently.
Finally, we were heading to a big rally in Indiana when Hurricane Charley hit Florida. We changed plans and headed down to Bradenton, FL and joined in the Red Cross assistance to the victims of Charley. We visited daughter in Tampa during Hurricane Frances that followed, then we went back to Bradenton and were assigned to Arcadia, one of the worst hit places. Tom and I were assigned to communications as we wanted to learn about the satellite comms - but the whole set up was done before we got there. We did whatever we could until it was time for Hurricane Ivan to appear - operations were to be closed down until it was over and we were told to get out of Florida, which we did. The rains followed us all the way up to New York. Thought we were going to get to visit with Joyce Abell Wuerpel but somehow it never happened. Visited my four brothers and got to pick Cortland apples - my all time favorites.
We are presently (October) in Maryland with our two daughters and have a week of annual checkups with doctors. The Red Cross knows we will be available after the 25th and if they still need people we will again head to Florida. We also have a new grandson, Finn Collins Nalewaik, born 8 June in Cedars of Sinai, Los Angles. Grandma and Grandpa Collins in attendance. That about brings us up to date for now.
Keep Our Roster Data UPDATED !!!!!
Has anyone changed their mailing address, email address, telephone number or just hooked onto the Internet recently???? If so, please let us know ASAP so we can get your information up-to-date and ensure that you can be contacted whenever class information is disseminated or if information is needed. Contact Jay Hern at jrhern@aol.com or Stew Evans at pncstew@hotmail.com to get your information updated.
Too Many !!!!
Four guys are driving cross-country together. Each man is from a different state: Idaho, Nebraska, Florida and New York. Shortly after the trip begins, the man from Idaho starts pulling potatoes from his bag and throwing them out the window. The man from Nebraska turns to him and asks, "What the heck are you doing?" The man from Idaho says, "Man, we have so many of these things in Idaho, I'm sick of looking at them!" A few miles down the road, the man from Nebraska begins pulling ears of corn from his bag and throwing them out the window. The Floridian asks "What are you doing that for?" The Nebraskan replies, "Man we have so many of these things in Nebraska I'm sick of looking at them!" Inspired by the others, the man from Florida opens the car door and pushes the New Yorker out. (Ouch – bet this one hit close to home for some of you!!!!)
Karl Lowenberg: Well, I flunked the lake swim this year. The air temp was in the mid 50's and the water was about 60. You wade off-shore and line up behind a bouy and swim parallel to the beach 1-3/4 miles southward to the north pier of the Grand River. Last year the water felt okay at a reported 70 degrees and although it took me an hour and a quarter, it never felt too bad. This year, as soon as I started, it immediately took my breath away but after a couple of false starts, I got going. Stopping is allowed as long as you don't walk forward and after a while I did stop as I was becoming winded. When I stood up, I found I was stiff as a board and an odd shade of blue. The kyaker near me said I was about 1/3 of the way, so I decided to hit the beach. Some of the young swim team participants swam without wet suits and finished in 35 - 45 minutes. Most of the rest, except me, wore wet suits (I'm too cheap to buy one). I told Stew that seeing as how he put my accomplishment of finishing this swim last year in the newsletter, it only seemed fair to let everybody know I couldn’t do it again this year – but I gave it my best and that’s what counts!
“I’m Dead”
An older couple is lying in bed one morning,
having just awakened from a good night's sleep. He takes her hand and she
responds, "Don't touch me."
"
Why not?" he asks.
She answers back, "Because I'm dead."
The husband says, "What are you talking about? We're both lying here in
bed together and talking to one another."
She says, "No, I'm definitely dead."
He insists, "You're not dead. What in the world makes you think you're
dead?"
" Because I woke up this morning and nothing hurts."
(Can we relate to this one – you betcha’!!!!)
Bob & Ingrid Stillman: This summer we made a trip to Helgoland which is an island in the North Sea. We left Berlin by bus to Hamburg and from there we took a "jet catamaran" to Helgoland via the river Elbe, a nice scenic trip. It is a very interesting place and was a target for the Allied bombers during WW2 because of the radar station on it. It is now a quiet fishing community and a tourist attraction. There are no internal combustion engines on the island; what few vehicles there are, are commercial vehicles run by propane. You can walk around the whole island in an hour. If there are any sailors out there, you may have heard of the "Tall Ships Festival" in Cuxhaven. There are 3- and 4-masted schooners from various countries that come to Cuxhaven for a one week festival with the highlight being the time when they all depart the harbor to return to their respective countries. Most of these ships were built in the 1800's. Talk about timing, when we were coming into Cuxhaven from Helgoland, the ships were leaving Ships and boats of all types and sizes were on the water. For any of you that drink Beck’s beer and have seen their commercial, that ship was among them, a spectacular sight. Many of these ships are still used to train sailors. Can't describe the sight in words but it was magnificent. That's it from Berlin. Alles Gute (and still don’t miss the States!)
The Atheist and The Bear
An atheist was taking a walk through the woods.
"
What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he
said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind
him. He turned to look and he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging toward him. He
ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw
that the bear was closing in on him. He looked over his shoulder again and
the bear
was even closer. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even
faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself
up but the bear was right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw
and
raising his right paw to strike him. At that instant the Atheist cried out:" Oh
my God!:
Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent!
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky:
" You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don't exist,
and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you
out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light, " It would be hypocritical
of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps could
you make the bear a Christian?"
"
Very well," said the voice. The light went out, the sounds of the forest
resumed, and the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed
his head and spoke: "Lord, Bless this food which I am about to receive
and for which I am truly thankful."
Burt & Gina (Schneider) Schantz: It’s been a great year for us. We have a large family and family is very important to us. We have one son and his wife who are in China for 2 years starting a wax foundry and doing very well. Another son and family just moved up to Sisters, OR and we went up there to visit them. One daughter and son-in-law are long-haul truckers (as their family is raised). Everyone else is in CA (from San Diego to Mt. Shasta). Daughter Jean and her husband are team realtors for Century 21 and daughter Cathy and her husband are police officers. Burt and I have gone on small trips and cruises but our big undertaking has been moving 70 miles northeast of Castro Valley to a city called Dixon, CA. This is where Cathy and her husband John and 3 grandchildren live.
Our health hasn’t been the greatest and we felt that we wanted to downsize a bit and live closer to one of the children; it is working out very well. We just recently did this move in September so now are pretty well settled in. Burt and I lived in Castro Valley for 23 years but Burt lived there since the late 40’s so it’s been a big move for him plus .we are both collectors and you know how that goes. Our new address is 890 Wiegand Court, Dixon, CA 95620; (916) 693-0639 but our email remains the same. We are both looking forward to the reunion in 2006 and we hope many of you will be there so we can reunite again. It will be fun!! God bless you all and write if you can and, even better, we still have a spare bedroom and would love to have you for a visit.
The Eulogy
Three friends from the local congregation were asked "When you're In your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?" Artie said: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man." Eugene commented: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives." Don said: "I'd like them to say, "Look, he's moving!"
THE PREZ’s CORNER
When you read this we will be about 18 months from R2006 – our 50th! WOW!!
About September of 05 you will receive a detailed registration form for the reunion which will require that you fill it out and return to me within 30 days. We must “lock in”, within reason, the planned attendance for the four main events ~9 months in advance. The form will thus establish prices (AA members and non-members) for the headquarters hotel* and costs for the four main events of the reunion: Reception, Banquet (Dinner Dance), Skaneateles River Cruise/Dinner, and the Clambake. It will also request a vote on a potential class gift, which will be via a voluntary contribution. Golf plans and greens fees will also be included for those interested. At least ONE of the four main events may require an advance payment with your filled out form.
If forms are NOT returned in a timely manner we cannot guarantee your seating or reservations and I don’t think anyone wants to just show up at the last minute and take pot luck. *You can stay anywhere you wish, but the reunion center of gravity, reception and dinner dance will be the Craftsman Inn in Fayetteville. Rates have been/will be negotiated ONLY for this location.
Nan and I are off on a two week cruise to the southern Caribbean (6- 20 December) on the QM2 and mailed copies will probably get to you after Christmas but nontheless we wish all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HEALTHY and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Jay
Jay R. Hern, 8709 Litwalton Ct., Vienna VA 22182, 703-560-5273, jrhern@aol.com
THE VEEP’s NICHE (and bringing up the rear)
Only a year and a half to go gang and the big event will be here – I’m ready! Hope you enjoy the attached hayride picture sent in by Sue (Doubleday) Tantalo; it took a while to identify everyone. Thanks to everyone contributing to this newsletter and I hope to receive more info from others for the next one, as I’m sure you guys will be doing lots of stuff in the springtime that you can share with the rest of us.
Our new “kitten” who is now 9 months old is doing great and has been more fun than you can imagine. He has helped us a great deal in overcoming the loss of our much loved “Fetchit” in April; can’t replace him, but he’s definitely a “keeper” by all means. I’ve been busy in the wood shop making things and keeping busy. Peg and I are caring for her oldest son Bryon who lives alone here in Kingman and has Hepatitis C. His liver is shutting down and he may need a transplant; time will tell how that’s going to play out. Overall though, we are doing okay and keeping busy with the association as well as getting ready for the H&R Block tax season (oh joy).
Well gang, this next year will be a busy one for the association so think about what you might like to volunteer for in helping out at the reunion as we’ll be asking for your help. ‘Til then, as they used to say “keep your powder dry”. “Stew” Evans, 4953 Steinke Dr., Kingman, AZ 86401, 928-692-9233 pncstew@hotmail.com.
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On Wagon
from Left: Don Bligh,
Bill Fenn, Ann (Baister) Bligh, Sue (Doubleday) Tantalo, Paula Conway,
Sylvia (Bahouth) Fenn, Diane (friend of Sylvia & Bill),
Ann Dickey and Louise (McEneny) Thayer |
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The old Collins traveling residence (anybody want to bid on that big Freightliner? (I understand that Tom can park it on a dime).
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Tom (Santa Claus) and Kathy (McDonald) Collins
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