FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS HIGH SCHOOL

It’s been a whole year since the big party; can you believe it? Where does the time go (where has the past 51 years gone?) One down – four to go, or is anyone besides me counting? I guess it’s in my blood now and I’ll just keep looking to tomorrow and, personally, I see nothing wrong with that.

Okay, now I guess it’s time to start thinking about the WHERE, WHEN, and WHO of the next get-together. Jay has asked for suggestions but I doubt if anyone has made any (why doesn’t that surprise me?). C’mon don’t make us play “dentist”, let’s see if you can spell v-o-l-u-n-t-e-e-r or c-o-o-p-e-r-a-t-e (make Janet C. proud). Let’s kick some ideas around and throw some hats in the ring – don’t be shy or think YOU can’t make a difference, because you most certainly can. Please make the next mini-reunion easier to organize, what do you say? Remember, it’s not going to be the elaborate affair we had in ’06 ‘cause nobody, and I mean NOBODY, is ever going to surpass us on that baby and you can bet your “donkey” on that!! Once again, what we are asking for now? – Step up to the plate, volunteer and let’s PLAN so we can have a great two day get-together, what do you say? The ball’s in your court – whatcha’ gonna’ do?!!!!!!

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Burt & Gina (Schneider) Schantz: A couple of things have happened; “Yes”, in December we bought a house and moved to Modesto, CA (2721 Raintree Place, Modesto, CA 95355 Phone (209) 529-9038 e-mail bjs2gss@comcast.net). We bought a bigger house this time, as we are sharing it with our daughter Jean, Jim and their family. We downsized in material stuff that we surely don't need anymore; Just too much stuff. Our home works out well, we live on one side with our own living area, bedroom, office and bath; Jean’s family on the other side with 4 bedrooms 2 baths, laundry, linen closets. We all share a large living room, large dining room, and large kitchen, besides like a large music & pool room. Plus, there is a beautiful pool and hot tub in the back yard. I cook when I want to, and Burt has NO yard work. We both are very happy. (Editor: see the pictures at the end of the newsletter)

The other thing that happened is that when I called SBC to cancel internet service they said I would have to pay $99 because our contract lasted until June. I said “Okay I won't cancel”. Then mid March all of a sudden they cancelled me and it totally wiped out all my e-mail; since then I have been working on retrieving them all.

In December Burt and I were married for 25 great years. To celebrate, in January we took a cruise from Los Angeles (on the Carnival ship) to Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas for 7 days. Joining us were daughters Jean and Cathy and their whole families; there were 17 of us in all and it was truly a wonderful time with everyone. (Editor’s Note: We wish we all could have been there with you guys!! Congrats…)

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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.

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I pulled into the crowded parking lot at the Super Wal-Mart Shopping Center and rolled down the car windows to make sure my Labrador Retriever puppy had fresh air. She was stretched full-out on the back seat and I wanted to impress upon her that she must remain there.

As I walked to the curb backward, pointing my finger at the car I said emphatically, "Now you stay, do you hear me?"! "Stay! Stay!"

The driver of a nearby car, a pretty blonde young lady, gave me a strange look and said, "Why don't you just put it in park?"

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Erma (Lord) & “Barney” Barnhart: We had a wonderful trip to Tunisia in March, marred only by the fact that Barney caught something coming home on the plane that laid him low for three weeks. He's decided he wanted to stay home for a while, so we cancelled our trip on the "Star Flyer" for now! That doesn't apply to me, however! I've decided that my annual trip to Russia will be as a volunteer at a camp for orphans near Moscow in July with my Russian tutor. Also, in August my sister, daughter and I will go to Machu Picchu in Peru.

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A little girl says, "Grandpa, can I sit on your lap?" Why sure you can," her grandfather replied. As she is sitting on grand dad's lap she says, "Grandpa, can you make a sound like a frog?" "A sound like a frog? well, sure Grandpa can make a sound like a frog." "The girl says, "Grandpa, will you please MAKE a sound like a frog?" Perplexed, her grand dad says, "Sweetheart, why do you want me to make a sound like a frog?" And the little girl says, "'Cause Grandma said that when you croak, we're going to Florida!"

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Stew & Peggie Evans: Well, Peg and I got through the tax season and only half our brains are missing (not sure if we’ll attempt it again next year but we’ll worry about that when the time comes). We are going to celebrate our 37^th anniversary (July 1^st) with a trip to Cottonwood, AZ where we’ll take a 4 hour train ride through Verde Canyon (magnificent scenery near Sedona), stay for the bar-b-que and spend the night. We’ll then drive to Gallup, NM and down to Albuquerque for the night. The next day we’ll head to Alamogordo, NM (White Sands Proving Ground) and down to El Paso, TX for the night. Then we head across the bottom of AZ to Yuma, AZ where AZ meets up with CA at the Mexican border and spend the night (but not in the old territorial prison). Finally we head home by way of Parker Dam, Lake Havasu and we’ll be home by 2 in the afternoon; about 1600 (hot) miles of driving, pretty much covering the perimeter of AZ. We’ll do some Mexico shopping while in El Paso and Yuma (but, between you and me, I hope she keeps it short – I know, lots of luck).

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An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car had been broken into. She was hysterical as she explained her situation to the dispatcher: "They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she cried. The dispatcher said, "Stay calm, an officer is on the way." A few minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard." he says, "she got in the back-seat by mistake." (I hope none of you have reached this point as yet!!)

The Prez’s Corner –

Stew’s leading comments as to getting your ideas in for a “get-together” in ‘011 (55 yrs) are well taken. The what, where, when and who can/will host/co-host) is the first step. Of greater importance right now, however, is that as of July 1 there are ~17 members who owe $20 (or more) to be current thru July ‘08, and ~41 members who owe $10 (or more) for the same period. Our bank balance is $197; can’t do much with that. I realize that following the 50^th last June, interest has tanked, but if we are to stay together for the next 4 yrs. and have another mini-reunion (2 days?), possibly in conjunction with a vacation trip somewhere – either before or after – it is necessary to have funds on hand. SO, please get your checks (and ideas) to me soonest, payable to FMHS56AA. If you do not know what you owe, please email me. Both Nan and I hope this finds everything well with y’all. Our class gift totaled $2,000. Well done ‘56ers!!

THE VEEP’s NICHE (and bringing up the rear)

In closing, I’d like to remind everyone that continues to pay their dues that we appreciate the support you have given the class by remaining members of the AA, even after the “big event” of ’06. We will all work for a get-together in another 4 years and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing each and every one of you, God willing. For those of you who have chosen not to support the AA, I look forward to seeing you as well and I hope you can see your way clear to support this endeavor as well in order to keep the line of communication up and running so that all of our classmates can share in any and all information that becomes available of concern. Keep healthy and as I’ve said before, if you’re in the neighborhood, you’re always welcome.

“Stew” Evans, 4953 Steinke Dr., Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-692-9233, pncstew@hotmail.com