Well, here we are halfway through 2003.  Just think, only 3 years from this month until we all get together and reminisce about “the old days”. (Gee, that almost sounds like our folk’s comments when we were all teenagers, doesn’t it?)  Although it was a wonderful time in our lives, life after high school includes experiences, friendships, working relationships, travel, hard times and good times, and that’s what makes being older so special.  Without all that we have experienced since high school, we wouldn’t be able to reminisce about “the old times” with any real foundation on which to base them.  What a life we’ve all had, and what a wonderful bunch of people with whom we will soon be able to share those experiences.  Personally, I can’t wait!!  Stew.

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The Prez’ Corner

56ers: Enclosed with this Newsletter, currently paid Alumni Association members, (or not behind in dues by more than a year), will find the 2003 Edition of our Class Roster. Since any errors or omissions are exclusively mine, please review and let me know of any changes. Similar information is available to the entire class in the Directory portion of our Website- WWW.FM56.ORG. Give it a look!

As to our R2006, the next 12 months constitute the “thinking” year, so please forward any suggestions as they occur to you. The following year will be the “planning” year when we will finalize dates, activities, venues etc since all of that must be booked about 12 months prior to the reunion. More on that by December

Dues are again “due” as of Jun 30. The following association members owe $10 (as of 6/13) for the year 03-04 unless a different amount is indicated: ALLEN, BAHOUTH/FENN ($15), BROWN ($5), DaPOLITO, GUILD, HUNTLEY, KANE ($5), KIRKWOOD, KOZIKOWSKI, LEWIS, LYNCH, McGURK ($8), MILAN, SHANGLE, STILLMAN, SCHNEIDER ($5 for 04-05). The following owe $20 (2 yrs) unless indicated: CRAVER ($16), DAVISON, DICKEY, GIOCONDO and LOWENBERG.I appreciate your prompt and continuing support of the Association. Life membership is still just $100 less any advance dues previously paid (As of 6/30 = 04-05 and later). “Class Couples” pay $150 vs $200 (25% discount-and the same applies to the combined annual rate, $15 vs $20). Associates pay $8/yr.

Best regards to all. Keep sending latest news for our next (December 03) edition of the Newsletter as well as address & email changes when applicable. Any new info on P. Lane or M. Wiley would also be appreciated.

Jay
Jay R. Hern, 8709 Litwalton Ct., Vienna VA 22182, 703-560-5273, jrhern@aol.com

PULPIT HUMOR

It was Palm Sunday and, because of a sore throat, 5-yr-old Johnny stayed home from church with a sitter. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm branches. The boy asked what they were for.

" People held them over Jesus' head as he walked by."

" Wouldn't you know it," the boy fumed, "the one Sunday I don't go, and HE shows up!"

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One Easter Sunday morning as the minister was preaching the children's sermon, he reached into his bag of props and pulled out an egg. He pointed at the egg and asked the children, "What's in here?"

“ I know! "Johnny exclaimed, "Pantyhose!"

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The prospective father-in-law asked, "Young man, can you support a family?"

The surprised groom-to-be replied, "Well, no, I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you will have to fend for yourselves."

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Little Johnny asked his grandma how old she was.

Grandma answered, "39 and holding."

Johnny thought for a moment, and then said, "And how old would you be if you let go?"

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The Sunday School teacher asked, "Now, Johnny, tell me, do you say prayers before eating?"

"No sir," he replied, "We don't have to, my Mom’s a good cook!"

The VP’s Niche

Not a lot of room left on the page, but then, I really don’t have much more, other than what I mentioned above. I do, however, have one personal request for all of you members; if you have any communication with any of the non-members, especially those in the FM area, try to make them see that joining the association can do nothing but help us all “pull” together for the final event. I know that some of them are standing on principle, but that position won’t allow our reunion be a “one for all/all for one” event, and we all want close to 100 percent attendance if possible. We not only want them included in the planning, but we need their local help in getting it all together. Together we are a class, divided we lose the intent. Please encourage them to join the group.

Keep the newsletter comments/photos coming for the next issue as you did for this one; I appreciate it!!

FOR CAT LOVERS: Try www.shopcats.com and see the pix and writeups of “my boys” (look in Arizona section).

Stew
“Stew” Evans, 4953 Steinke Dr., Kingman, AZ 86401, 928-692-9233, pncstew@hotmail.com

TRAVEL & FAMILY EXPERIENCES

Erma (Lord) & Maynard Barnhart:
“ We've been back a week from one of the most fabulous trips we've ever taken - Egypt and Jordan! Tourism is way down there, so we felt like VIPs! Petra, for example, normally has upwards of 3,000 people a day visit. The day we were there our group of nine was practically the only one there! Everyone said "aren't you scared?", but the security was tight to the point of being laughable at times!

In August we are off again to the Balkans, after which we continue on to St. Petersburg for the wedding of the exchange student we had with us in 1996. I'm excited about that. I've never been to a Russian wedding and she has asked ME to make her gown.

As for Egypt, I am not interested much in politics, but definitely got the impression that they were not happy that we declared war. People were wonderful and friendly and they understood that we were not the government. It is a fascinating country, as was Jordan, and I am not a bit sorry that we went when we did. I never realized that there was so much more to Jordan than Petra; the ruins at Jerash rival those at Pompeii! !

Our fat Siamese “Hutton” continues to tolerate our absences, but not the eight grandchildren! What does “Hutton” look like? .Picture a Bluepoint Siamese who badly needs a "tummy tuck" and you've got our Hutton.” (Editor: We asked Erma to send some pictures of the wedding so you could all see the gown she made. They may be in the December ‘03 newsletter)

Regina (Schneider) & Burton Schantz:
“Well, the best news is that 2nd daughter Cathy is expecting her 2nd child. Due in December, and at that time their daughter Miranda will be 2 1/2 yrs old. That will make 21 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren for Burt and I. Jean (1st born) has 4 children and this past September married a man with 4 children, so they have a great family and 8 is enough! May 2nd, Burt and I leave for a month in Scotland, England and Ireland. We will be home on May 31st. We are really looking forward to our vacation. Will write more about that for the next newsletter. Burt’s dad lived to be 100 yrs old, and passed away this past October “.

Robert & Ingrid Stillman:
“ Ingrid and I recently spent 7 days in a small town in northern Italy called Dimaro. It is in the heart of the Dolomites. We went there by bus and every day there were new things to see. Probably the most interesting place was St. Moritz. It was a combination bus and train trip. Good thing it was a holiday. (Easter Monday) because all the stores were closed. The prices at the shops are out of sight: no wonder the rich and famous go there to spend their money. All in all, it was a great vacation.

The ski season is still in full swing on the upper levels of the mountains. We found out that the best way to see new places here is to book a bus tour. That way you have your own guide to show you the points of interest. That is what we intend to do for our next vacation. All is great in Berlin. No regrets about moving here. Don't miss the states at all. Guess you could say we are happy as clams.” (Editor: Bob and Ingrid will probably not return to the US for R2006, but who knows-hopefully we can convince them to do so!!.)

Patricia (Schai) and Peter Curran:
" We were married about a year ago and we have three granddaughters. Planning a trip to France in the near future for a painting workshop. Best to all."