Guest Book

Particle Physics is not really my field, Dave, but, no, I'm not worried. I hadn't heard that 50 Million to 1 odds thing. Hard to see how they'd get that. Especially to say that that would be for a black hole that "would cause us here on Earth some problems". Even if they were to create a tiny black hole, current models of black holes say that it would evaporate in a fraction of a second. (There are weird qauntum-mechanical effects that enable black holes to lose mass. The smaller they are, the more extreme the effect and the faster they lose mass.) But I haven't read up on this experiment at the Hadron Collider.

Dewy: Being in the field that you are in do you have any reservations about what those scientist's in Meyrin, Switzerland are doing with that big atom smasher (Hadron Collider)? Kind of interesting that they even have odds (50 million to 1) on the possible creation of a black hole that could cause us here on earth some problems.

Interesting, Dave. Do go on.... ;^) I'm impressed by the hunting you must have done to find that relevant abstract of a review article by Mark Miesch. (I cheated and just googled the first line to find it.) Yes, the link at CU (which is what the University of Colorado calls itself - not "UC") is me. I'm in grad school there so right now my solar papers are more along the lines of "The Sun: It's really hot". It really sounds odd to me to hear about our classmates like Rynn RETIRING. I'm still wondering what I'll be when I grow up. In the "small world" department: I was looking at a web site a former college roommate sent me about some numerical modelling programs and there was a reference there to "Woodward and Colella (1984)". I believe that would be Rich Colella's older brother, Phil. .... Way to go with the domain registration, John. THAT I have a chance of remembering. Though these days I let my computer do most of the remembering....

FYI: Exchanged emails with Rynn Olsen a couple of weeks ago. Rynn has retired from the U.S Navy as a Captain and now works for the same defense contractor "Northrop Grumman" as I do here in Northern Virginia.

damn. that's JUST what I was going to say.

Dewy: In recent years, helioseismology has provided an unprecedented look at the dynamics of the solar interior. These new insights have been accompanied by tremendous advances in high-performance computing technology, prompting increasingly sophisticated and realistic numerical models of solar convection. Among the most important helioseismic constraints on global-scale convection models is the mean differential rotation profile of the solar envelope, which is established by convection under the influence of rotation. The highly turbulent nature of solar convection makes this rotational influence difficult to determine and model. I will begin this review by discussing the solar rotation profile inferred from helioseismic measurements and various theoretical and numerical approaches to account for it. Computational constraints limited early numerical models to relatively laminar flow regimes but more recent investigations have begun to explore the distinct nature of turbulent convection. After a brief overview of empirical and numerical results on the related Rayleigh-Bernard system, I will outline the current state of numerical modeling of turbulent convection in rotating, stratified fluids, first in Cartesian and then in spherical geometries. The emphasis throughout will be on how rotation influences the structure, evolution, and transport processes of turbulent convection and what type of differential rotation can result. Dave

ROCKET MAN!!!

http://aps.colorado.edu/People/grad_research.html follow this link to Dewey (I believe this is our Dewey) Anderson. Dewey Anderson Undergrad: University of Florida Major(s): BA Mathematics, BS Physics, MS Computer Science

Gang, I registered a domain name for our class web site. It is www.mvhs72.org. You can now get to our web site home page by typing in this address. So keep this address committed to memory (I know it's not getting any easier, but it's not that hard of an address). That way, if I change the web hosting service to someone else in the future (which is likely because it may be significantly cheaper with more options) you will always be able to find us at that address. You will get plenty of warning if I change the host, and if and when I do, I will have the old site (this site) automatically redirect you to the new site for a little while. However, for those of you that don't visit enough to get the news in time, remember the new address, above. The web address works right now to direct you to the present home page.

Dave, I checked out 105.9 and you are right it is a great station. I have heard some 60's bur you are right, there is alot of 70's, but they play songs that you don't hear alot on other oldies station. I noticed that if you turn it on before 0700 that IMUS is on the station. So if you only want the oldies, tune in after 0700.

Mr. Landes gave the sermon.

A trivia question - Just out of curiosity, do you remember who preached the sermon and I remember vividly the choir sang accapelo(sp) Amazing Grace, I know and that should be the clue. Always enjoy periodically checking out the web site. Kathy

FYI: Kenny Loggins is going to be at the Birchmere for two shows in late July.....

Hey Suzanne. How's the house building going? Gotta be loving them interest rates.

Memories of the bacrellorete at the cathedral I think the chorus sang "Let there be Peace" it is still being sung today. Being in Chorus was fun and Ms. Hopkins was so animated and pronouncing was as important and being on key!

Memories of the bacrellorete at the cathedral I think the chorus sang "Let there be Peace" it is still being sung today. Being in the chorus it was a big practice and Mrs. Hopkins was awesome and animated.

FYI: If your in the Washington D.C, area try 105.9. (great radio station)The only thing that I don't agree with is that it is called "The True Oldies Station". I still think of the oldies as being the 50's and 60's..... and not the 70's.....

Happy beginning of summer to you all... Has it really been almost 36 years since our trip up to the stage at Constitution Hall.

Lease of the "Plant" extended: http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=722&sid=1406704

Just "lurking by" and decided to check in and say hello to ALL the classmates. Hope everyone is doing well. Gary

Looking for James Brillhart...curious to know what's happening with you? E-mail me with contact information. Love to hear from you! It would be "music to my ears"! ALIAS, MARIA VON TRAPP

Wear some ear plugs, Dave. I saw him there a few years ago and it was unbearably loud. Then he went and added a show at Patriot Center much closer.

I have been a constant visitor but just have not signed in. Just picked up a couple of tickets for Neil Diamond as he will be at the Verizon Center in Aug. American Express Gold Card Events is having a pre-sale prior to them going on sale to the public on the 28 of April. The CSN show at Wofltrap sounds interesting. The last time I seen them was at the old Capital Center back in early 1980 or 81.

Just writing to see if this still works; but while I'm at it CSN is at Wolftrap on July 28 and the Hippyfest is on July 30. Hippyfest will feature: Jack Bruce of Cream, Eric Burdon & the Animals, The Turtles, featuring Flo & Eddie, Melanie, Badfinger, featuring Joey Molland & Jonathan Edwards

America is appearing at the Birchmere again on Thurs., May 1 (Fri show already sold out). Another interesting show is the Zombies reunion tour on July 15. See calendar at www.birchmere.com

Received your contribution today Pat. Thanks.

Received Sandy's check today. Thanks Sandy.

Received checks from Dewey, Pam, Jody and Don. With these and the "checks in the mail", we should be able to continue for another year. Thanks to all the contributors.

Just sent Don the address.......

Would y'all accept money from an underclassman?

I am at work and just read the notes about the website, if anyone has John's address, please email it to me. I wrote out a check for $30, and would like to mail it on my way home. We need to keep the site open to build support for the 40th reunion. I was out of the country for the month of July last year, but I told my wife to leave July 2012 open. We need to push for a big 40th reunion.

Hi all - I'm still out here in Colorado. Sue (Symms) Shwayder and I both got the Cliff email as well. Someone certainly has too much time on their hands! I am doing fine, but had a little heart "issue" a year ago. Had a "spontaneous corinary artery disection"...basically the wall of the artery collapsed cutting off blood to the heart. Good news is they put in two stents and a few months in rehab and I'm back in business. Other good news is it's very rare so not likely to happen again, and I don't have "coronary artery desease" or anything like that. Scary news was I found out later most people don't survive that...glad I didn't know it at the time! Lesson learned for all you other females out there...is heart attacks are the number one killer of women...not cancer. Mine felt just like achiness in my chest/arms...no big pain, no shortness of breath, no elephant on the chest. Which apparently is typical for women. So don't wait...get it checked out! OK I'll step off my soapbox now. :-) Like I said, I'm back to "normal" now, still skiing, hiking, snowshoeing etc. And very thankful!

I just put $30 into the mail. C'mon people! Pony up! Just sendin' a check beats havin' to work a car wash, doesn't it? This reminds me of going door to door to sell tickets to the MV-Lee football game to make money for the new band uniforms. Or the band selling popcorn after school in the short little exit hall between the main building and the gym. Or a rummage sale spring of our junior year. Who's house was that at? I've got one brain cell that says it was Debbie Rowland's. Don't know if I can trust that one cell. Amazing the number of fund-raising schemes that "Band Boosters" (aka parents) organization came up with. Was it the Drill Team or the Keyettes who used to have bake sales? That was always my favorites. Brownies. MMMMmmmmmm.....

No checks received since Saturday. Bill is due on Monday. Only one more pledge since Saturday. Need more by this weekend or Guest Book is gone.

Received checks from Dave, Donna and Gary. With that and the other known pledges, we are still about $50 short. Need more pledges.

I'm in for $25.00 but if more is needed just let me know and I'll send more.

John, I will gladly give you $20. Thanks for all you do for the guestbook.

John, I will gladly give you $20. Thanks for all you do for the guestbook.

I prefer checks. That way, if I don't get enough to cover, I can just rip up the checks. Payment is due at end of February. My address is still the same as in the reunion address book. If you don't have that, send email for my address. Almost have way there.

I'd pitch in $20. How do you want payment John? A PayPal account would make it real easy and you could accept donations through out the year.

well, this certainly is a clever way to find out who's lurking! I'm good for $20. ss

I'll contribute. Even when I'm just lurking, and there's not a lot of activity, I just like knowing the connection is available. Lemme know where to send the cash. Can we get 9 people to send $20 each?

Hey John...Send me an address. I'd be happy to contribute...

Folks, the bill for my PatriotNet account has come in. I paid for it last year because I was too lazy to solicit money. I thought about dropping the account and this site do to relative inactivity. However, if you want to continue, I would need to raise $176 for another year. If there is not enough backing, this site will be moved to my other account, but the Guest Book will not be active for signing.

Larry may not be the actual sender of this email. You may try forwarding it to your email provider and asking for help with it. There may not be anything they can do, either. Email address can be spoofed, disguising the sender.

I say we all make up bogus information and over-load Larry's inbox. Not only dispecable...tasteless...but sounds illegal!

Hello to everyone.I too got the email. My thoughts are that the info was lifted from the mv grad site. How sleazy..

I received the e-mail also. It was addressed to Elizabeth(Barry)Kelly, so yes it had to be from this site. You're right it is despicable to use Cliff's memory that way.

Yep, Chip & I each received this email -- this just makes me SO MAD that they are using Cliff's name in their scam!

Got the same email too ! I agree Dewey. What people will do to try to "earn" a buck. I wonder if there's someone we can report this to?

hey guys, I received an email from Larry yesterday. Thought it was pretty sick to use that information to try to scam people. I was suspicious right away because it was addressed to Donna Tausch (now jackson). Hope everyone has a great new year.

A little more googling on the name of the "law firm" mentioned in the email: Stanley & Morris LLP. Many hits talking about this scam. I can't quite tell what the actual scam is, i.e. how they eventually get money out of you, but this first email is probably just to "set the hook". It's a new low, I think, to actually use the name of a deceased friend in the scam. Pretty sophisticated (or human labor intensive) phishing technique. Imagine if they worked this hard on something USEFUL to society.

Hey there Majors. Thankful Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Shadey Ground Hog Day, and victorious Super Sunday. It's been a while since I've logged anything but I have been lurking. I may owe a Laborless Labor Day wish as well. I got an email today that I consider suspicious and that I suspect has its origins via this web site. So you might get something similar and I'd just like to give you a heads up and then see how many of you also get it (or got it already). It claimed to be from a Larry Moore in the UK and said that Cliff Roop had named me the beneficiary of a safe deposit box. They wanted more contact info from me, which I assume is a prelude to getting useful identity theft kind of info. I didn't know Cliff nearly well enough for something like this to be legit and can only imagine that someone fished Cliff's passing and my name from this web site. And that means they might use YOUR name, too. So beware. And if you DO get such an email, you might want to post a notice so we can see how wide-spread this is. Seems pretty tacky to me.

It's been a very long time since I have been on this site. It's great to see that so many people are still keeping it very active. I haven't been down in the DC area in quite a while..........although I do pass through on my way to visit my daughter at JMU. Hopefully I will get the chance to visit more often as she plans to move to Arlington or Alexandria once she receives a job offer teaching in one of those areas. I'm not looking forward to navigating my way around with all the roads/parkways/bypasses (whatever they are). Anyway, just want to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2008!

Happy New Year (2008) to all.

Happy New Year! Hope it is a happy and healthy one for all of you and your families!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays-and a very happy 2008 to all.

To All: In following up from my last message about Jeff Cook. His family had the services for him this past Tuesday, 12/18. In speaking to the family as to what happened, I recieved more details. Seems the back surgery went well. But the issue was his blood and blood thinner. Jeff had stints inserted about 3 years ago and was on blood thinner medication for this. I spoke with Doug, his brother, said he was up to see Jeff the day he passed. Doug said "Jeff was in good spirits and that he was ready to go home." Doug left to go home, telling Jeff he'd be back later that day. Well, Jeff's blood started to thicken and there was a clot. They couldn't get to it in time. Jeff suffered a stroke and then a heart attack.

Guest Book is operational again.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Gang, the Guest Book is down, and apparently has been down, since October. I didn't know it was down, since no one informed me they couldn't post. I don't know how long it will be down. Patriot has supposedly been working on the problem (for two days, but I haven't seen any results yet). I am posting this in a different way, so it can't be replied to via the normal routine until further notice. I will notify here when it's working again. In any event, I needed to post something that Gary couldn't get posted on December 12:

Hello to all.
Gary Hudson here.
It's with a heavy heart that I pass along this sad news. An old friend passed away this morning.
Jeff Cook died after having a heart attack. I spoke with Jeff's wife Barbara earlier this evening. Jeff was in the hospital and was to undergo minor surgery for a back issue.
There were complications when they took Jeff off of his blood thinner to perform the surgery. He suffered a massive stroke and then a heart attack.
Please, in the next couple of days, put Jeff's family in your thoughts and prayers.

His funeral arrangements can be found here:

http://www.millerfuneralhome.net/current_funeral_services/JefferyCook.asp

More-name-dropping time. It turns out my third cousin--yea, really close relation--was married to Raquel Welsh. Bastard. He played Melanie's baby in Gone with the Wind, and for six years played "Buzz" in Leave it to Beaver. Don't remember that character. Well, I guess I'll have to TIVO the 24-hr. "Leave it to Beaver" marathon on TV land starting tomorrow night. They are celebrating the 50th anniversary.

Bobby will be greatly missed.

Hey gang, My wife tells me that Centreville High School's homecoming is against Mt. Vernon on the 19th. Let me know if any of you are going to make the trek out this way.

My in-laws are from Tidewater! I'll have to ask when they arrived. They use the traditional Scottish spelling, Faris. Maybe we're cousins!

My in-laws are from Tidewater! I'll have to ask when they arrived. They use the traditional Scottish spelling, Faris. Maybe we're cousins!

Can you say Jamestown? Magna Carta? Just found a Virginia Farris in my line, Pat. Whose your daddy?

It was written by a stringer with a gift for the dramatic - I loved reading that the crowd was buzzing and the armchair quarterbacks were 2nd guessing the coach! It was exciting though, and I remember that a bunch of us were singing "Build Me Up Buttercup" (probably to WPGC) as we left the pkg lot. Also, genealogy is actually pretty cool, and look what you've learned! Your roots go back pretty far in the area, John!

Cliff turned on the gas and motored?? I wonder who wrote that! Cliff was the slowest guy I ever knew. At one of our reunions, Cliff said what he remembered about that night was that I was the first person he met on the sidelines, and me telling him that I thought he'd NEVER get there. I remember trying to refrain myself from running out there and pushing him! I was fortunate no one from Ft. Hunt even looked in his direction.
Just got back from the annual BBQ at Mt. Vernon Estate. What perfect weather it was. Said my annual hello to Eric Swanson, who runs the show.
Found something to keep me occupied in retirement. I guess I'm going to inherent my mother's genealogy materials. Been trying to get it into a database, and got hooked searching more on the internet. Good way to see the sunrise. Anyhow, I discovered a few ancestors that my mother didn't have. A couple of them turned out to be the first land owners of Hybla Valley--about 600 acres worth. I don't think they'd recognize the place now; not with a couple of trailer parks, a Wal-mart, a Home Depot, a hospital, etc. Little did I know when we rafted over Little Hunting Creek like Tom Sawyer when we were kids, that we were polling on my ancestors driveway! When I first discovered them, I thought they may have owned the land Riverside is on. But it turns out they owned the land on the north side of the creek, Gum Springs and on up the hill to Groveton.

Now that it's football season, here's a happy memory from our era, courtesy of an old Washington Star article I found while cleaning out a closet. The title says it all: 2-Pointer on Fake Kick Saves Mt Vernon! And it's a nice reminder of our friend Cliff: "A superb piece of fakery by a reserve quarterback has earned Mt Vernon a share of its first district title since 1968. Cliff Roop, whose specialty this season has been holding the ball on place-kicking attempts, finally got his big chance to run the ball last night. [He] rolled out around end for a 2 pt conversion...to lift Mt Vernon to a thrilling 15-14 victory over host Ft Hunt before 5,000 fans. Roop got his big chance after Doug Wasiak bolted 4 yds off tackle to pull the Majors w/in a point of FH at 14-13. The crowd was buzzing as MV sent its place kicker Tom Cole on field and the grandstand QBs were second guessing Majors Coach Jack Miller. Roop, kneeling to hold for the conversion, took a perfect snap from center Rick Bauer and rolled out to his right. Finding his path to the goal line clear, Cliff turned on the gas and motored across unmolested for the 2-pointer." The Star also gives kudos to plenty of other MV players. Fun memory!

Happy Fall to everybody.........................................

Gary, I just seen your message and should have addressed it first. I remember Robert (Bobby) and was sorry to see your entry. Did he have any family as in (Wife & Children)? Holly and I will keep the family and Bobby in our prayers.

I must be showing my age now as I was thinking WoW!!! Hippiefest... Cool... we are getting older & then I went out and got tickets to see Wayne Newton at the Birchmere in October. But since Holly and I have just seen Def Leppard, Styx & Foreigner at Nissan last Friday I don't think we have totally gone over the edge quite yet.

Pam, I'm still waiting for information regarding my schedule, so will let you know as soon as I can about Manchester. I lost your email address, so please send it to me again. I am flying in on Sunday morning, but will need to do some homework and see my grandmother in Nashua also. I would love to see you if we can work it out. Suzanne, are you building a house? I have no idea what you are talking about! :-) Gary, so sorry to hear about Bobby. I know you and he used to be good friends. Hope all are enjoying the summer. I'm still sitting at my laptop doing homework--only 3.5 more months to finish school! John, did you make it to the Hippiefest? Hey, Dewey, where are you?

Well, had 11.5 hrs of excavating done and now it would be good to have a saw the log contest! The lane is next into the site. Gardens are dry but the well is good and I might have to bottle some of this water, surrounding me are 4 different springs. Hope all are having a fabulous summer. SH

Cindee, Manchester is a simple and quick drive(under an hour). Unless something unforseen comes up I'd love to meet you. RIT sounds like a great place for college but my daughter is interested in languages and literature, so it might not be a great fit.It would be fun to visit though if we are in that area this summer. Be prepared to be amazed by China. Coincidentally,I was there in April! I'll be in touch soon..

Hey Clss of '72. Hope everybody is doing well. I wanted to pass along a little sad news. A good friend passed away on Monday the 25th. Bobby Havrilak, class of 71. The family said it was an heart attack. If you have a moment, please put the Havrilak family in your prayers.

Well, if there's no reunion, there's always the "Hippyfest": http://www.wolftrap.org/performances/show073007.html

Pam, Time sure does fly! I guess it was just after our last reunion that your daughter was starting school. Glad they are both doing well. It would be nice if you included Rochester Institute of Technology RIT) in your college visits! www.rit.edu (Not sure what majors you are looking for, but RIT is a good school in a nice area, so had to get that plug in there.) We also just broke ground on a new "Collegetown" on the outskirts of campus that will be a mixed use area for housing, shopping, and retail. I'm not actually sure if you can see the campus on I90 or not, but if you decide to come, I'll be sure you get the royal treatment! As for the emba, I just finished planning the 1000 seat retirement dinner for our outgoing president whom I adore, and now am trying to catch up on my emba papers! I am definitely hoping the next 5 months go by quickly, and I'm sure they will with all the assignments. Our class goes to China in October and then we have a month to complete our capstone consulting project and international business assignments. By the way, I'm coming to Manchester for training in August(13-15). How far are you from there?

Hi Cindee.Meg's a great golfer, but no I'm not related. As for my two oldest kids, you certainly have a good memory! My oldest son graduated from St Andrews(Scotland)two years ago. He is now working in NYC.My oldest daughter graduated from Georgetown in May and has just started the Teach For America program. She will be teaching in a bilingual class in a public school in Phoenix beginning in August. It's great Cindee, that you will soon be completing an Executive MBA program! By the way, could I actually be seeing the building you work in on I90 each time I drive to Ohio? Enjoy the summer everyone. I too,(Hi Frank) will be spending some of my summer doing college visits with our fourth.

If Pam Mallon is lurking, I was wondering if Meg Mallon is any relation. I was just at the LPGA in Rochester yesterday and it occurred to me that she is from Massachusetts and may be related. I know your family is into golf, and wondered how your son made out at St. Andrews. Is your daughter still in DC? John, So sorry to hear about your Dad. He certainly left some great kids to carry on his legacy. Take care all!

Hard to believe that last Friday (June 15th) was the 35th anniversary of our graduation from MVHS. We made it.....................:-)

First visit out here in a LONG time. Glad to see it's still lively. I'm still out here in Coloado with Sue (Symms), Kathy Stumm, and Dewey. Life is good. Had my daughter graduate from college (CSU)last month (oh my), son completed his freshman year courtesy of AFROTC. We just got back from a "graduation trip" to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, WY. Great trip...highly recommended. I'll leave all the "memory" stuff to Dewey...I can't come up with all that stuff. Will check in again sometime. :-)

There is a great place for a gathering we had a friend's surprise 50th at a party house at Endless Caverns that was fairly new with a wrap around porch and several french doors. Good parking a kitchen area and we set up a bar on the side porch. There is camping nearby and motels in New Market and Harrisonburg. Then there is Hone Quarry which has a George Washington Park with a pavillion and also camping that would be good also for the picinic day area and Pavillion. Camping was 5.00 a night. Just some ideas, for the Shenandoah Trek.

I haven't seen "the numbers" since the beginning of tax season, but the level of responses was somewhat underwhelming...approximately 40. So it looks like nothing "formal" for this 5 year increment. We've been kicking around the idea of something "informal." Perhaps John is onto something with the road trip to Suzanne's :) Carnac the Magnificent says I'm going to be visiting a lot of colleges this summer.

Well, as a matter of fact I have just had 3' deep and 6' lenght perk test holes dug. Planning to build a new house. I got the health dept. certification so that would also be a good reason to have a party. We can burn some brush while we are at it. Maybe a thought the end of summer would be better, the excavating will be done and some trees would be ready for the big fire. SH

Hey Suzanne, I have an idea. We can all "wind on down the road" to your farm with our tents and pretend we're going to Woodstock. We can roast a pig, drum up a big batch of grain cooler with other herbs and spices, sit around a campfire, and contemplate the lyrics to "Stairway to Heaven." Dress optional.

It is apon the time to decide, will it be in the summer or the fall? What do the people purpose, or should it be after the time that we made it to the big 35 to feel like we had a magic year of not knowing if we really were that many years on the books. SH-enandoah VA

I'm still local and can help if needed. What kind of head count do we have so far? If its not enough we can always have some kind of get together during the summer for the locals and anyone else who's in town.

Is there going to be a 35th reunion? Anything I can do to help? ss

LOVE TO BE HERE

Those of us for whom Columbine was a "local event" have, I think, a special empathy for those of you for whom Virgina Tech was a local event. And "local" can refer to a range of connections that serve to make the violation feel personal. Condolences to all.

Happy Easter,(lol)a'bout the fire in the car.He called me one day,said He had to Pass two test's,before leaving for the Marines.First we drove,in his Father's hemi;to the pencil.The Washington monument,He ran all the way up the step's;and back down!!!Then one last,test of nerve's as He put it.He got out on the middle of Key Bridge,told me to drive His dad's Hemi;over to Georgetown.Park down next to the river,that Crazy Jack G.comes swimming up a'bout an hour later.He had jumped off of KEY BRIDGE,the cop's saw him do it;pulled up and were gonna arrest his butt.He told them about going in the Marines,said He was gonna die anyway!They laughed their azzes off,said good-luck Son.His father was a career GREEN-BERET.Jack was one of a kind(lmao):-)

First off, John...Sorry to hear about your Dad. I can relate...Lost my Dad in 1997. Since then have lost 2 brothers and a sister. My brother Skip, class of '63, August last year. My sister Judy, class of '64, this past January & My brother Rhett, class of 68, March 2002. Not good... Not getting alot of responses about the reunion. Don't know what else to do. :-( Jack Gruemwald! Now thre's a name from the past. He and Jackie Jackson were 2 of the craziest guys I knew. I rememebr the time JG started a fire in the back of Junior Kroll's station wagon because the heat didn't work. He was pretty good buds with Billy Suggs. I hear Billy's working with his brother Ricky, now.. Anyway, just lurking and thought I'd "sign in."

Jack G,my brother!That was July of 1967.Class of '67 Rule's,You'r Bro!

Lets try this again as somthing wacky is going on with my connection. So I not sure if the other entry made it. Sorry to hear of the loss of your father, I went through the same thing back in 1974. My wife (Holly) & I wish you and your family all the comfort that God can give.

John so sorry to hear of the loss of father, I went through the same thing back in 1974. My wife & I wish you and your family all the comfort that God cany give.

Dude,is that You,the Jack Gruenwald;the legend in his own time?(lol)The last time,I saw You. You had Sandy Travers,on one arm;and a DEWEY WEBBER, Surfboard under the other!And Susan Butterfield,waiting in the car for 'ya!I just saw you'r pic,on classmates;You'r a lucky man,War hero,Stud;and one hell'uva SURFER!You'r bro~Mr.Billy Simm's...

John, my thoughts are with you as well. Your dad sounds like a wonderful father and a wonderful person. Pat

"War is an ugly thing,but not the ugliest of things.A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight,nothing he cares about more than his personal safety,is a Miserable Creature who has no choice of being Free,unless made and kept so by the exertion of better Men than himself." Semper~Fidelis

Thanks, Jackie. My family appreciates the kind words. Riverside will never be the same. My mom and brothers are doing fine. I echo your admiration for the "greatest generation." Among all of their difficulties, they had to deal with our generation.

I haven't been on this site in quite a while. I wanted to write a quick note to everyone out there, and especially to you, John (Hanley) that I am deeply sorrowed by your father's passing on March 10th. I just learned of it today in the Riverside newsletter. I knew your father, and he was a wonderful man. He reminded me a lot of my dad...quiet, unassuming, family oriented and extremely intelligent. My heart goes out to you and your family. Your brothers were good friends with my brother, Jim. I will let him know. We are now, slowly, losing an incredible generation of people, and there isn't a day that goes by where I'm not thankful for my parents and all they have to impart. They've been married (this June) for 56 years and their health is steadily declining. It's a reality check for all of us that none of us are invincible. Again, my heart-felt condolences, and I hope your mom is okay.......Jackie

Hey everyone, Been a while since I visited the site. Since our 30th reunion, I've been down-sized from Kings Dominion. However, I continue to reap the benefits of good karma -- I stepped right into my current position as manager of The Grace Street Theater for VCU's Department of Dance and Choreography, School of the Arts. I see that plans are in the works for our 35th reunion?

Yeah it's me again. I hope all's well with the Class of '72! I have a query for all of you. As to the movie, 'The US vs John Lennon'. Are there any of you going to see it? Or have some of you seen it already? I plan to. I thought this might bring back some fond (?) memories for all of us. Who went to the "Plant' during that era. After all. Aren't we all from the 'Enlightened and Out Spoken Age'? Since we are back in a Viet Nam situation in Iraq. I pity todays youth. All I see is a lack luster age. Who seem to not care and to speak out and get involved like we did. One thing for our generation I am proud of. We made a difference! And got Congress to lower the age of 18 to vote. OK, enough of my 'soap box' rhetoric. To clue all of you in. I always admired your class. Due to the fact of how involved you all were in things. And I thank you for your influence. You taught me to 'make a difference'. Of which at times gets me in trouble. But what the hell? If it reaps a good harvest. Thanks!

Geez, good thing that I didn't leave my email as fr@nk.k1$tn3r@k1$tn3rcp@.c0m :)

Hi All, I'm amazed at the details of your high school memories! I'm beginning to wonder where my mind was during my MVHS years! Good to see some new names popping in on the site. I'm sorry I won't be able to make the summer reunion this year. I'll be finishing up an executive MBA program in November (I'm a late bloomer!), so if you think about changing it to Thanksgiving weekend, I would definitely be up for that! Except for my parents, I still have 5 siblings in the area, along with my daughter, who interestly is now good friends with Debi Watts' daughter, purely by chance. They had no idea that their mothers were friends from high school since they had only met when they were very young. I happened to see Kelli's picture on Erin's myspace and thought it was Debi! What a small world. Anyway, it's nice that we're still connected! My son has just moved home from Florida, so that is a bit of an adjustment after being empty-nesters for a while, but hopefully it will be short-lived. He's also hoping to move to Va in the near future. Mike and I are hoping to move to NC in a couple years to get out of the snow belt, either the Charlotte or Raleigh areas. After 30 years here, I still can't seem to drive in the snow! To my fellow music lovers, we saw BB King last week and he was still amazing--though he likes to chatter about about the good ol days. As for lost classmates, I have Linda B's email if you still need it. Take care all and stay warm.

PS. That's a smart way to do that.

Thanks, John-that was just beginning to dawn on me! Frank, I'll resend. Thank you!!

Gang, Frank's email address is disguised. Change the first @ and third @ to "a" without the quotes.

Frank, my computer is having trouble with that email address. Just checking to be sure that it's correct? Pat

I just sent out an email message regarding the 35 year reunion to everyone for whom I have an email address. If you didn't receive an email message from me it is because I do not have your current email address (or your inbox is full).

Hi all how much snow it seems most everyone in a bit of snow. As long as the electric stays on although I have a woodstove. It is 4,5 months to the reunion and has the place been decided yet? Keep the stories...do you think that the Music Man was one of the best plays although many were good.

Yeah, John, Pannell did always sleep in calculus. Must have leaked in. Maybe his physics class presentation began with "I had this weird dream the other day and it went like this....." Sandy: Ooh! Ooh! Bernoulli's equation! I know that one! They say it's why airplanes fly. (It helps that last year I took a fluid dynamics class. It's fun being a student again. Or is that "still"?) Don't remember doing pendulums in Price's class but that doesn't mean we didn't. For some reason John Wedlock, er, that's "Mr. Wedlock" to you students - came to mind and I decided to see what Google would offer up. One entry looked like a match. A web site from Narragansett High School had a page with a newsletter-like thing from 1998 that said "Lastly, best wishes and many thanks to John Wedlock, our outgoing Superintendent. Mr. Wedlock will continue working with the district as a curriculum consultant. Many thanks to Mr. Wedlock for his outstanding contributions and support of the NHS program throughout the years." Could be him. So if any of you live in Rhode Island, maybe you can see if that's the Mr. Wedlock we all know. (When I saw the 1998 date my first thought was "Ah, good. It's recent. Maybe he's still there. But, wo dude, 1998 was almost 10 years ago! Somebody's makin' my clock run fast!) BTW, another Google hit for him was an Edison High School "missing teachers list" (I didn't realize he ever taught at Edison) and another was at "rateMyTeachers.com". I wasn't familiar with rateMyTeachers.com, but I see there's a LOT of reviews of teachers at MVHS from our era. I wonder how many of them would ever see these reviews? Still, it seems kind of nice to have some words of praise logged out there in the ether. Less understandable are the people who would bother to complain after all these years. I mean, come on. Get over it already. Reading through and seeing many good reviews, I wonder how many of the teachers ever heard that kind of feedback from their students. I don't think I've ever contacted an MVHS teacher and said "Now that I'm old enough to know: Thank you. Good job. You made a difference in my life and I appreciate it." And I know I didn't know to say it at the time.

Hi all! I'm still here in the Burg'(Fredericksburg, Va.). If you need some help with the next reunion(I'm assuming there will be one) I'll be glad to do whatever. Any time frame yet? Look forward to hearing from you all. Rick

Sandy, The Kip you knew was Kip Canfield. I have some great stories that involve Kip, but I may run for public office here in Fl so I wouldn't want to put them in print. I joined the ranks of granparents last Nov. April quit her law firm to raise her son, and plans on more kids very soon. Jessica has another year in her masters program for mental health counseling, but gets married in Dec and wants kids right away. Sally is teaching special ed 3-5 graders. Living at home she saves a bundle. She went to Japan last summer and will visit N. Europe this summer. Casey is in Miami at the U of Miami film school. If you watch the Food network, you can see him eating stone crabs next to Giada Delaurentis on her travel show when she visits Joe's Stone Crabs. Parents get excited about the littlest of things.

I have just moved back to the area after being away since 1972. I lived in Raleigh NC area for 27 years, raised my three children and now I am working in DC, 20th and M Street, for a nonprofit agency: The National Center for Infants Toddlers and Families: Zero To Three. I haven't checked the site in several years.

I was also on the physics roll book. My class was 1st or 2nd pd. I took it in Junior year because Rice Lilley and Spain were in my class. I was up front because I was short and the guys would block my vision. Right about the coming to class I got a good grade to my surprise.

Sandy, great idea about "America (the book)" - it's REALLY fun! Dewey, I'm astounded at your incredible (and long-lasting!) memory of the details of life around MV. Yours too, John. It's most impressive. I do remember Mr. Price's physics class, inc. the fact that there was a lot of chatter in the back of the room! The experiment I remember most clearly was the slinky - I think we had to send it down the stairs to the first floor??? Ack, my memory can't hold a candle to D's and J's.

Dewey, I cannot believe the details you recall about High School. Nothing short of amazing. I do, however, recall that I took Mr. Price's Physics class and think it was 3rd period for me (I know it wasn't 7th because I had Madrigals then). As I recall, his "cultural C" applied to girls as the grade they would start with for just showing up - since, as we all know, girls are so inferior in math skills. A "B" required just one piece of evidence of minimal effort - hence MY paper on the bernoulli principle, which I, no doubt, happened on by flipping through the pages of our Encyclopedia Brittanica. As you see, I barely made it out of the "A" volume! Here's a link if you are interested in learning more about this fascinating principle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli's_equation Anyway. I also (for some reason) recall my lab (ha!) partner was Kip (?) Carson (??) or something like that. He was only at MV for that year, but was a talented cartoonist, so that's how we filled that hour. I also remember studying (ha, again) pendulums.. . or was that in my college physics class? who knows? On another note, (and just to see if anyone is actually reading this), is there a date set for the 35th reunion? And for you, Ward, I got a funny book for xmas called "America (the book)" by Jon Stewart (the comedian), Ben Karlin, David Javerbaum. It will keep you busy and in stitches! cheers, Sandy

But Dewey, Pannell always slept through calculus. Yearick always kid him about playing poker all night long. We used to call Mr. Price "Mr. Chips". Nice guy. I don't remember any homework, either. I don't remember any of those demonstrations. But I sat in the back with Randy K, Kenny, Pat, Claire, John Rice and others; so we didn't hear much going on. I remember him wishing me well in college if I could get away from the "distractions" I was sitting around. I do remember the charged capacitor day, though. We ended up headed into the halls to shake hands and shock any unsuspecting character unfortunate enough to be wandering around. Electricity!! Muhaha!

Ah, Pam & Linda have brought to mind images of Mr. Price's physics class. Pam, I think you're right that it was a male-dominated class but you and Linda weren't the only two girls. Sandee Flores was also in that class. She and Rich Colella sat at the table in front of me and Kent Donovan. (Kent & I were reprising our roles as lab partners in Mrs. Harder's Earth Science class 3 years before.) Mia Kelly was in that class for the first day but then was gone. I don't recall if there were other girls in the class but I suspect there were. (Apologies to anyone I forgot.) I remember Rich Pannell was in there and he and I teamed up on our class presentations at the end of the year. We did a short introduction to calculus. Since we were in Mrs. Yearick's calculus class that meant we didn't have to do any real research. My recollection is that Kent Donovan explained how geiger counters work. (Now THAT'S a sign of a good presentation if someone in your audience still remembers it 34 years later!) My memories of that class also include the "ripple tank", which I still think is a great way to illustrate wave diffraction with water. And making a little 2-slit diffraction grating by painting a glass slide with some graphite mix and then running paired razor blades across the slide to make the two slits. Then a neat rainbow when we looked at a light. I think I missed the day with slinkys in the hallway to study waves. I do remember measuring acceleration of a falling weight by having it attached to a paper strip that ran through a spark generator. The spark generator would burn little dots on the paper as the paper was pulled through by the falling weight. The sparks were generated at regular time intervals and so we could measure the velocity and, hence, the acceleration of the falling weight. We got our own value for "g". And I remember we took standardized tests that nobody ever did very well on. It's good that our grades were "relative". Plus Mr. Price had his "cultural C" (or was it a cultural B?). He said he didn't expect us to become physicists so if we just came to class, did the homeworks (were there homeworks?) and tests and gave it an honest try, we'd get a decent grade. I also remember that it was the last class of the day, and the period before Rich Colella worked in the bandroom. For a while there, he would pop popcorn during that period to sell after school. The aroma would fill the halls as we went to last period and we'd all spend physics class craving popcorn. Great marketing tool. The popcorn stand was on the way to the buses. Thus did the band raise money for uniforms. And now for the really useless details (and because Beth said so): The room was upstairs on the back hallway, facing the bandroom out the window. As you looked out the window, the front of the class would be to your right. Rich & Sandee sat in row 2 along the window, Kent & I were in row 3 along the window side (audience left) and I think Pam and Linda were in row 2 on the audience right hand side. Marty Shirilla was also on the right side, I think. The door was at the back of the room. But there was also a door at the front of the room that actually went into the lab equipment storeroom located behind the blackboard. Now, can I please replace remembering THESE things for something USEFUL?! (PS: Ward, hope you heel, uh HEAL quickly. I concur with Pat's suggestion of anything Dave Barry.)

Hello to everyone! Ward, good luck with your recovery from surgery! Have you read any of Bill Bryson's books? He is just hilarious - often writes about his travels, but he has a new book out called The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, which is a memoir of growing up as a kid in the '50s - very funny, and it will bring back a lot of memories for anyone our age. Also Dave Barry Turns 50 is a hoot and seems appropriate for everyone of our vintage. So my website recommendation is amazon.com! Hope the Achilles tendon heals quickly - Pat

Randy, what a nice surprise seeing your post in the guest book. Hope you can attend the "35th".

Just checking in to see who all are still hangen around.

HI Wow we must be on the cold side of winter. The northern lights must be shining as many are writing. Talked to Michele D. and was wondering about you Pam today in our conversation. As for a good book does any one remember "Look Homeward Angel" with Ms. Blalock. Hope you are on the recovery plane soon Ward. My favorites are philosophy and religious C.S. Lewis or Pilgrims Progress for one...good food for thought. Suzanne

Hi Linda! What a surprise to read your guest book message.I remembered that Wake Forest was to be your next step after MVHS but have often wondered what became of you. We were lab partners in Mr Price's Physics class Senior year. In fact I believe we were the only two girls in that class. And yes Dewey is right. Linda you did wow us with your science talents. You and I, Marty Shirilla and Perry Talley(I think) had a lot of fun conversing about everything imaginable and working on class lab assignments. Best wishes, Pam Mallon

Any one interested in see 'The US vs John Lennon'? Peace, WDK '74

Belated "Happy New Years" everyone. Am still in the Atlanta area and piloting Delta international flights. My two daughters are now 22 and 20 yrs old. My son is 14 and almost 6'3" tall.(must be something in those Pop-tarts). Asking a favor of guestbookers. 2 nights ago I tore my achilles tendon in half. Had surgery yesterday and recovery will take months. No flying - ugh!. Anyway, if you have a favorite website(s) or book(s) to recommend please let me know. Thanks, Ward

Thanks Dewey-I forgot that there were two different songs. But I knew that you would know, you remember EVERYTHING!

Oh, and I forgot to say Hi Linda!" Good to hear from you. I remember you from Mr. Price's physics class. As the "new kid in town" I think you dazzled us. Glad to see your story appears to be working on "Happily Ever After". Looks like your family could be the cast for the next episode of Grey's Anatomy! Sorry you won't make the reunion. Keep an eye on this web site, though. We've been kinda quiet for a couple years but we tend to ramp up as reunions approach. Isn't that right gang?....... I said ISN'T THAT RIGHT!?

The cheerleaders might know the lyrics to the fight song. (Any of you out there?) I think they used to sing it when the band played it. I remember that the tune was The Washington-Lee Swing (which, as it happened, was also the tune used for my MOM'S high school in upstate New York). I think the lyrics were pretty football-oriented, with something like "We're gonna take that ball on down the field...". This sticks in my head because we had a little pep band that played at the "It's Academic" TV show when the Mt Vernon team was in it and when we played the fight song, the cheerleaders started to sing it and then realized that the lyrics didn't really make much sense in that context. So they switched to just clapping their hands to the beat and smiling. What else can you do? What Beth was remembering was the Alma Mater. "Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, We sing to thee. Your spirit and honor, humble and free. Our praise to thee we sing. Your bells of truth shall ring. Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, praises to thee we sing." IIRC. Probably can be found in an old Commencement program. I think Gene Steinbach, the band director for our Freshman & Sophomore years (and a LONG time before that) wrote that song. The tune had a proper solemn, yet uplifting and proud tone to it. Very "alma-materish".

Hello to all after such a long time! I won't be able to make the reunion this June 30th (I'm obligated to help with a neighbor's daughter's wedding). My parents have moved to Williamsburg and so I rarely get back to the Mount Vernon area anymore. Just an update- I am living in Sumter, South Carolina and have been married to Henry Moses for 30 years now! We met our first weekend at college during registration at Wake Forest and the story continues. He is a physician (general surgeon) laregely specializing in breast cancer, and we have three daughters- Whitney (married, graduating from med school in May, and going into OB-GYN), Caroline (who starts med school in August) and Helen (a junior at Clemson). No grandchildren- just grand-dogs, which are much easier to babysit. Best wishes to all! Have fun!

Mark H. - Send me an email with your contact information (and Tim's). Last info I have for you is Centreville.

To all have a great time at the reunion this summer. I regret that I will be unable to attend. My daughter is going to get married during that time period. So while you guys are parting down I will be walking down the isle.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all! (My e-mail address has not changed!)

Happy holidays to everyone! Frank, my email to you also bounced! I will try to find your correct one and will resend. You're great to take the lead on reunion planning like this - it's much appreciated.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone from the class of 72.

Frank, I have Helen Bolton's address. She's been at the same address for about 20 years, off of Bard St. I'll e-mail you her full address. And as for the Mt. Vernon song Janine, I remember some, "Mt. Vernon, Mt. Vernon we sing to thee, your spirit and honor... well that is about it, sorry. Hope all is well with everyone. My oldest son DJ is getting married in May. We are really looking forward to that. Maybe we'll get more grandchildren! - Beth -

email may have changed in the last 10 years. see above. to all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

I saw your note about Tim Thurman being lost. We both live in the Virginia Beach area. I saw Tim at lunchtime today and he asked that I pass along his info: Tim Thurman, 1021 Cumberland Court, Chesapeake, VA 23320 757-547-0785. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all! Mark

Frank, I have Linda's email. Cindee

K ... in need here. Who out there in neverland knows the words to the MV fight song? I KNOW it had some -- but can't remember anything but the end. Some of the younger alumni apparently don't believe the darn thing ever had words. Let's show 'em up !!! Dust off those cobwebs or old newspapers and get those words to me!

Frank, Sorry my email bounced. I switched from to yahoo. Hope all is well with you and all our class members. Debra

Frank, I have an address, but had trouble with your email, too.

Frank, I have some of these addresses (USPS and/or email and/or phone numbers). The only one I'm pretty sure is current is Lynn Shaughnessy's. I tried to email you directly, but apparently did not decipher your address correctly. Please email me separately and I'll send you what I have. Sandy

Need help finding classmates! Emails to the following have bounced back. If you have a current email address for any of the following please send it to me: Helen Akashi (Bolton), Kathy Biehl (Mowat), Jeff Bigler, Bruce Brady, David Braswell, Melissa Brevard (Martin), Debbie Bach(Carpenter), Mike Bannister, Cathy Banyas(Caddell), Gwen Bard (Moriarity), Marth Barnes (Shaver), Peggy Barron (Listrom), James Brillhart, Sam Bruce, Linda Canaday (Blankenship), Mike Carson, Richard Colella, Danny Compton, Roy Cornwell, Lynn Shaughnessy (Olson), Gayle Shelton (Geleta), Martin Shirilla, Chris Skiscim, Perry Talley, Tim Thurman, Deborah Westrich, Howard Whetzel, Deborah Woodworth (Godwin).

Hi Suzanne - Since July 4th is in the middle of the week in 07, we are looking at the weekend before. Still do not have a firm date yet.

Hi Was hoping that My Michele DePre.. would attend this year. Having a bit of trouble as I tried to submit once before. the weekend of the week of the 4 th of July is that still the timing or has it changed? Location it would be fun to be able to visit a while after the dance. I vote for the Crystal City or another location where there are rooms so that people don't have to drive. Sh.

Hi talk to My Michele DePre.. and she is hoping to attend this year. Gave her the web link to check on the site. Wondering about Pam and Robin up NE of VA. Is this still for the July 4th weekend event? Crystal City sounds good as it does have the metro from National for those maybe flying. What the choices these days? I can take a photo for memories on picinic day or the night of the event. I could put the camera on a timer with on the tripod no problem do that most every day any ways. Bye for now chill but good last fall color here in the Shenandoah's.SH

I was 2 years behind this class. I just wanted to give a special thank you to Gary Hudson,for always looking out for the younger kids in our neighborhood.(Daryl,Timmy,Jimmy,myself etc)We were a handful!Especially when we were old enough to get into Franks Hideaway.LOL.again Thanks so much for caring,DKM

Just so no one gets the wrong impression, I'd just like to state for the record that a) I am not a grandfather (at least to my knowledge) though I could play one on TV and b) I am not dead (also, at least not to my knowledge) unless this is a very mundane afterlife, or, say, I'm in the ACT of dying and my entire life is flashing before my eyes VERY SLOWLY. I have informed Ms Harris (Stearns) that I am not "The One" and wished her luck in her hunt. Wanting to keep it brief, I refrained from informing her about punctuation and capitalization. e e cummings would be proud

Hi my name is Linda Harris i was just looking for some family history of my grandfather Dewey Anderson i dont know if this is the right family so i thought i would check my grandfather is now deceased i think it's been 4 yrs or more. well thanks anyways if this is the same family please feel free to e-mail me at caddy_girl28@yahoo.com. yours sincerely linda harris (stearns) my grandmothers name was whaunita anderson morin before she married.thank you.

Frank dear, you have too many firewalls in your email address.

Hey everyone - We're starting to go through the directory to make sure that we have everyone's contact information up to date. If you haven't received an email or phone call already, you will.

Its been a while since my last entry, maybe as far back as just before the last reunion which I was unable to attend due to both 9/11 an unexpected work related travel at that time in my career. I'm now back at a desk behind a computer and supporting the DoD at a facility on Bolling AFB in Washington, DC and another here in the Chantilly area. Hope this entry finds everyone well. I am available to help out with the reunion this time around if needed. I can be reached at dnermyr@aol.com or at 703-988-8382 (voice mail). Im so sorry for falling out of touch with everyone but that was the nature of the beast.

I had an anniversary party on the Dandy once. Can't really remember which one it was, maybe the tenth?? Anyway, It was a neat idea we had 30 people on the boat and your right someone missed it. No refund. That was a "bummer". As the kitchen was small not everybody ate at the same time so the gathering after dinner time was slightly out of whack and difficult at times. The music was great but the dance floor couldn't handle everyone at the same time. Especially when everyone wants to slow dance to the song, "Spooky" or jump around doing the bunny hop. We did manage to "Rock the boat Baby" until we were told it was getting out of hand. I have been on the docks of Olde Towne when a few parties left the shores on the Paddle Boat. With three different floors it looked like it worked. Dinner was served on one floor and when it came back to dock people were all over the boat. Inside, outside, dancing on one floor etc. It looked like it worked out for that party. There are plenty of hotels and such in that area one particular large one on the north side of town. (Bo had his reception there). All in all every reunion has been a blast, so count me in where ever you have it. "I'll be there"

Just thought I would check in and say hi. Getting ready for the High school football season to start next week and sending my oldest daughter, Kaitlin to Eastern Kentucky Univ. She will be studying sign language interpretation and dancing for the EKU dance team at football games and basketball games. That's all that's important at this time. John Hanley I understand that you see Bo a lot. How have you been?

Have Don Mead contact me.

Hmmmm. After all, what could possible go wrong? Australian crawl or pub crawl anyone?

I think it would be great fun to include '71 and '73, but considering the amount of work that goes into planning this thing (kudos to the loyal core of Frank, John, Janine, etc.), would it make planning and organizing easier or harder to include other classes? If harder, I'd suggest doing our own planning and organizing, and then simply extending the invitation to adjacent years. And again, to those of you who take on the lion's share of this task every 5 years, please let me know if there's something I can help with from downtown Faber, VA. Sandy.

Good Morning, All...Might I make a comment? I was talking to my sisters the other night, Nancy, class of '73 and Carolyn, class of '71. We were kicking around the idea of a multi-class reunion. What are y'all's thoughts on that?

Early mass exit? We only had the MV Inn until midnight, whereas we had the Doulbletree until 1AM for the 25 year reunion. And as I recall, the support staff at the MV Inn started cleaning up pretty promptly - the nonverbal way of telling us that our time was up.

Janine, the early mass exit last time was curious to me, since the prior reunion was well attended to 1AM and past. I'm wondering if it was due to factors that might not be applicable again. For example, if the event was in a hotel, would people have stayed longer? Baby sitters? I dunno.

OK ... I'm going to weigh in here. First off -- big HIYA wave out there to all of you! To those who have volunteered to help out planning this monstrous event -- look for an email soon from Frank -- let's get together and toss a few things around. I agree that the Inn was a great time -- but a real hassle on the hotel front for many. We'll toss some venues around in Old Town and Crystal City and any other venues that people send us EMAILs about (sorry -- but we aren't always capable of getting to the website and reading through it all to weed out suggestions -- if you have one -- email one of us). As to the cruise idea -- I can tell you from personal experience that it IS possible to get 120 to a boat on time and to party very heartily for 4 hours and have that be a sufficient time. Being held captive for 4 hours -- well -- for heavens sake -- you're coming to the reunion and paying the bucks -- shouldn't be worrying about cutting out early. As to being on time -- at the age of 52+, let's hope we can all plan far enough ahead to be on time somewhere; presumably we manage to get everywhere else on time in our busy schedules -- this should be no exception. Gauging being there between 6:00 and 6:30 for obtain boarding passes and gather and visit with each other in the park before boarding is really not such a big deal. Official boarding begins at 7:00 and cruise docks at 11:00. Most of these have bars next to them if people want to continue to party and hotels are fairly close. Remember -- we were at the Inn from 7:00 - 12:00 and most folks were done and gone (those early to bedders) by 11:00. From a planning and cost perspective -- we'll toss that around too and need more contact from the various boats but - the places we're thinking about -- the cost isn't just $3600 for 4 hours for the space plus entertainment and food -- we're talking places that are all-exclusive .... you choose your food from a menu -- they're used to accommodating about 500 people an evening so the variety of the food would suit pretty much everyone, service is fast, food is VERY good, and we don't have to pick your food for you, the entertainment is included so there's no extra cost involved there -- and it's a band that starts playing from 7:00 until docking, there's something to be said for an event that is all-inclusive. The cost is probably less than Frank originally posted but it may be about $20 more than the last reunion. I guess I would suggest putting away about $20/month over the next year - go without 1 or 2 Starbucks Latte's or 5 sodas per week (water is better for you anyway!) and you'll be able to afford it -- plus the $15 or so pp if we do the picnic. I'm going to reiterate what was said the last time -- you know it's going to come around every 5 years ... this is only an every-five-year expense and you know it's coming and if you want to participate -- save up for it. SOoooooo ... we'll all be back in touch with all of you via email to get your input some time in the next 30 days or so, probably with a preliminary survey and we'll put YOUR ideas together with ours and see what we come up with. It's YOUR reunion -- be sure to give us your input in reply to the surveys or, as the saying goes -- you loose the right to complain. I don't think we've every let anyone down yet as far as the good times that have been planned for these -- and we don't plan to do that this time. We, as a planning group, need to keep in mind, however -- we can't please 342 people -- we have to go with the ideas that might be the most enjoyable for the majority who reply. Thanks for time ... and now back to your regularly scheduled program. I've probably stirred up enough. Hugs to all of you !!!

The biggest issue with a cruise is the limited time of only 3 hrs or so, and the big bucks to extend the time, if available. The riverboat might be an option someday if we ever go with a multiple-class reunion to lower the cost/per. Mt. Vernon was nice, and we have our man on the inside. The hotels are a distance away, though. Still, it was cozy and familiar, and the multiple rooms were nice in that they were still "connected" in a way you could still have the music. There is a new place in Springfield that just opened for such occasions. It's in the old Toys-R-Us building on Commerce Street across from Springfield Mall. It has ball rooms like a hotel. It's new, has plenty of convenient covered parking, and is right next door to a hotel, with another across the street. There's no windows in the rooms, so no view. Nothing to see outside, anyway. It's right off I-95 at the mixing bowl. Your get your basic rectangular ball room and tables. Still, it's an option.

John H. Thanks so much for keeping this site up & running. Do you need any $$ donations to keep it going? It is a real treat to read the comments. I have to agree that while a cruise might be interesting, it might not live up to our expectations for all the reasons already listed. It is wonderful that this group is planning ahead.

All, Regarding the cruise idea, I arranged one for an alumni event and it was nice, but all your comments are good. You have to be right on time and the evening goes by very quickly. The one we took included a band after dinner. I can look up the name, but it is probably fairly expensive. I think Mt. Vernon was really nice last time and easy for people to find. The only other suggestion might be to have it at a local hotel so folks could spend the night and not have to drive.

Another problem with a cruise is the limited available time. I went to Alexandria last week to see my cousin's (1st cousin, 12 times removed) Jamestown ship. I noticed a riverboat there, so I checked into it for a party. $3600 for a three hour tour!! And that doesn't include dinner, Ginger or Mary Ann. Each additional half hour is another $600. This is probably more than some of the other cruise boats; but hey, it's a riverboat, so I had to check. However, the other cruises would also have a limited amount of hours--probably less than we'd want for a reunion.

JH...You're so smart. Late Comers would miss all the fun. Personally speaking, I don't have a prob going back to "The Estate." That was a lot of fun. Quaint, food was good, atmosphere.....etc. But let's not say no to the cruise as of yet...

Hi all, Glad to see some discussion about a reunion next year. I started a new job in March and personal email time has shrunk significantly! I like the cruise idea, too, but I guess I can see some potential problems as John mentioned. I'm up for anything and if I can help from here, let me know. Beth, my grandson (Max) turned 2 yesterday and his sister, Clio, is 4 - about the same age difference as your two. Pretty fun, eh? Smiles all around for everyone! Sandy

Hi, everyone! Sorry for the long absence - for unknown reasons my computer freaks out over the Guestbook. I had to trick it into getting me here. I'd be interested in hearing more about the cruise idea, too (both pro & con). I also thought that Mount Vernon was a great location. It'll just be fun to be together again. Cindee, in NC you might look at the Hendersonville area (near Asheville) too - attractive and popular retirement area.

Howdy- Glad to post- Any body have rob casassa's e-mail?

MR.GROVE~HOW'S YOUR JAW FEELING?~LOL~SEMPER~FI~U~PUNK!!! GUESS~WHO? YOUR LUCKY MY DAD DIDN'T GET A HOLD OF U!!

Hey Centrum Silver eaters! A cruise sounds nice, but Doug Jones told me they did one for a class of '71 reunion, and he gave it a thumbs down. Don't remember hearing why, though. It would hamper the fashionably late or the early-to-bed types. If you miss the launch, you miss the reunion. You are also captive until its return. But maybe that could be a good thing. On another note, Poco and Pure Prairie League are back together at the Birchmere on June 17. Couldn't make it last year. Plan to get there this time.

Hi all good spring in the Mt. and valley's are green. A cruise would be fun! My sister is in Arlington, close to all the selections.

Lurking and checking in. I'm all for the cruise!!

Hi All, Haven't checked in a while but hope all are doing well. It's hard to believe there's another reunion on the horizon. Sorry I won't be able to make this one since I'll be a half-way through my EMBA program next summer. I'll be coming up for air and that's about it. Anyway, taking a drive through NC this summer, starting at OBX and onto Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte,and Winston-Salem. I can't remember if any classmates live in any of those areas, so if you do, give a shout. We're looking ahead to retirement there in a few years so thought we'd check it out. Take care all and enjoy the summer and vacations!

Hey guys and girls...only one year and a month until the 35th. Any suggestions on venue? How about a cruise down the Potomac? Prices per person would be in the $125 range. Another option would be one of two banquet/meeting facilities in No. Va. called "The Waterford." And there's always Mt. Vernon, Crystal City, or Old Town Alexandria... Now's your chance to speak up!

How is everyone doing? I just got back from a 2 week stay at my Son's in NC taking care of my 2 year old Granddaughter Savannah while her baby brother Logan Thomas was being born! Everyone is healthy and doing fine. I was in 7th heaven the past 2 weeks taking care of her and getting to know my new Grandson! David and I are doing well, we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary on the 24th and my oldest son turns 28 on the 23rd. I think we are going to Tennessee to see him next weekend to celebrate. Well hope all are well, I sure am! Beth

Hello? Anyone lurking?

Wow. Bit again. This time I'm putting my name in at the start and we'll see if it all gets through. Ooh. Maybe it doesn't like my quote marks since it stopped at ... a little late to be saying Happy New Year with spring only a month away. Happy rest-of-the-year. No news from out here in Colorado except to say that we've had a warm winter and I'm still slogging away at grad school. I still get a kick out of the fashions from the 60's and 70's that are back in fashion on campus. Makes it easy to forget that I've lived an intervening couple of decades. ... As for the multiple-class reunion, I think that's a fine idea. Those of us who were in multi-class organizations like band had friends from the classes of '69 through '75. That might be a bit wide to cast the net, but maybe the classes of '71 and '73 would be interested in joining forces. And maybe this time I'll make it to the show. I missed the 2002 edition.

Hm. Guest Book entry clipped off my entry. (I had forgotten to put my name in, and when it gave me a second chance, it looks like it lost that latter part.) Anyway, what I said was: It seems a little late to be saying

I don't think I ever bothered to think about what year it would be when I turned 50. But I did bother to think about how old I would be in 2000. And that was while going to elementary school in Boulder, Colorado. Who'da thunk I'd be back living in that same general area when the millenium turned. But now THAT seems like a long time ago. (6 years! Time enough to go through Walt Whitman AND MVHS!) It seems a little late to be saying

Ward maybe on to something with having a couple of classes to join in for the festive occasion. keep us all posted ..... Suzanne

REUNION?? 35 YEARS?? I'm in for helping out.

Frank, count me in to help out. According to my sister (Barb, MVHS Class of 1971), as of last month her class had yet to start/plan for a 35 yr reunion. Is the time soon coming to start multiple class reunions?

Hi everyone. Happy New Year. I thought that I would imitate a prarie dog (you know, pop my head up, look around, and then disappear into my hole again...) before tax season gets fully underway. It's time to start thinking about that next GREAT milestone for the Class of 72. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the 35 year reunion is less than 18 months away. All of you who are ready, willing, and able to organize this event, please take one step forward. :)

Hi all, Happy New Year!! Hope 2006 will be good for all of us. I don't usually write messages, but read often and think of you all. May 2006 be good for all of us! Take Care, Diane Doucette-Weiser.

Hello, all! It's been a while since I've been on the Guest Book. I replied to Sandy Snyder's message this summer (my how time flies!) and included a lengthy message about other things and it got ZAPPED when I tried to send it. I figured I'd send another one some other time, and now it's a new year! I laughed when you mentioned where and when we first thought about what year we would turn 50, Suzanne. For me, it was in Mrs. Rutledge's Geometry class -3rd period, sophomore year (For the life of me, I wish I could remember things that were important and could do some good!) At that time, I also remember figuring up how old I would be in the year 2000. Even though I was technically doing math, I wish I'd paid more attention to Mrs. Rutledge and Geometry! In reading and catching up with all of your messages here since the last time I was in the Guest Book, I hope everyone is recovering from any and all ills they have faced last year (especially those hit by the hurricanes) and we all have a happy and healthy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!!!