Guest Book

Frank, I was referring to the skill of the author of the MIDI. Like you said, some are awesome. But alas...most are yuk. I just wish more MIDI creators would use the piano setting than the organ/accordian combination. Then, there's the musical interpretation aspect....

But enough of this. Who's goin' to Paula's bash, and what's the address?

Dewey: Chill out, man. We'll still luv ya when you're 64!

John, The sound quality of the MID files is dependent on the sound card that you have, the software that you have for playing MID files, and any other hardware that you may have for playing MID files. If I take a good MID file (and some of them are definite junk), open it with Cakewalk, and pipe the sound output from the Soundblaster 64 into a synthesizer that is connected to a decent speaker system, some of the files are absolutely awesome sounding. On the other hand, using an off-brand 8 or 16 bit sound card, a cheap pair of speakers, and the MS Media Player gets you ....yuk.

Dewey,
While I try to use tunes for thematic purposes, when possible (present music included), the tunes I end up using are the ones I can tolerate hearing more than once. Yes, I'm only playing the least worst ones!!! Somehow, I just can't get used to rock hits played with an instrument that sounds half organ and half accordian. I have a list a mile long, yet it's always a grueling process to pick out one. I still can't find a Brown-eyed Girl I can tolerate all the way through. Also, some of the good ones are too long to download. However, I have managed to avoid playing the same song twice. What radio station can give you that???

I've been checking the site from work of late and miss the music that the meister has programmed in. Tonight I'm checking from home and enjoying it. "From the Beginning" is a favorite but I don't think I really got into ELP until college so it doesn't conjur high school images for me. On the Guest Book signing page, the song is "Our House", CS&N. That one ALWAYS takes me back to the MV cafeteria when we had that juke box in there. And then, of course, there's the "When I'm 64" which you hear when you first get to the site. I just had a rather sad thought about that song. It's clearly a McCartney song (as opposed to being a lot of Lennon). And it's clearly written as from a husband to his wife, wondering what things will be like for them when they get old. And now, it seems the composer won't get to find out, having just lost his love to cancer. Wow. Bummer. I don't think that song will ever seem cheery to me again. I'll just feel sorry for Paul.....Sorry to be such a drag and bring down the mood, man. I just write it as it comes.

Cindee, I must admit, a year ago I had to hold back the tears at my daughter's graduation. Her mom did better then I did. It was a combination of pride, relief, and uneasiness about the future - and hey, I'd sit next to you at graduation! Go ahead and worry about that not so little girl leaving home but realize that you are probably going to witness a transformation of monumental proportion. In just one semester mine progressed from a spoiled little bi.. er.. ah..brat, to an independent and self reliant young lady with a pretty good head on her shoulders. One little piece of advice: Let go of her and don't bug her with too many phone calls/letters filled with concern and aprehension. She will most likely maintain a comfortable level of contact - especially when she needs money! By the way, say hi to Tim for me. Won't be seeing you at Paula's Gwen - have a race in Ohio over the 4th - however if you are in the area for an extended period of time, give us a call. 758-8781. Steve

I have a new e-mail address, just wanted to make a note. Diane

Wow, this is getting fun! Thanks for the welcome Gwen, we were disappointed that we couldn't make the reunion, but we had such a terrible time last Spring, well I know there will be a next time. Cindee, as for sending your first "away" been there done that! I really don't have any answers for you, but with me the events leading up to it over the summer as it was getting nearer was harder than the actural event, though there was an emptiness in the house and in our lives even though he was only a phone call away it was very difficult. An up thing to it all was that we had a chance to get even closer to our youngest son who was 15/16 at the time. The hard thing for us to was that DJ was about 700 miles away in Tennessee so we just couldn't just pop in to see him or he couldn't just pop home for a visit. But it did work out OK but there's nothing anyone can say, you are going to feel the way you feel and there is nothing wrong with it. And let me tell you something, your husband may be teasing you because you've been so upset about it all, but he'll probably miss her, and maybe not show it but he will! David had a hard time with DJ gone and we have another year before Chris goes "away". Well I hope this helped some, but please don't let anyone tell you to get over it. You can miss her all you want! But also expect changes in your relationship with her, and honestly for the best. Well better get back to work. Beth

Gwen, I work at UVa as a research assistant in the Medical Center. I'm sure I wouldn't have much clout in undergrad admissions, but I'd be happy to offer you a place to stay and act as tour guide while you are here. We live about 25 miles south of Charlottesville in Nelson county, but have plenty of space for guests. Let me know if I can do anything else for you. Sandy

Hi all! Well school was out yesterday for my kids! Looking forward to the summer. We'll be doing alot of college searching this year as Colin (my oldest will be a senior). Will be head down to Paula's on the 4th of July. Hope a few of you guys can stop by. (her Mom's house). Going to stop in MD to check out a few colleges first. Then afterwards (the 4th) going to check out Richmond and UVA. Anyone have any connections with UVA. My son would love to go there...........living out of state is a real bummer since they admitted mostly from VA. Hi, Debi, welcome aboard (belated). Will I see you and Dicky at Paula's? Congrats Gary on 11th!!! John, I don't envy you with two mortgages....yikes! Steve.........really.......be careful!!!! Welcome Beth, did miss you and David at the reunion last summer. Well I rattled on enough must go get a little exercise (tennis). Take care all.......

Dale:
Last fall Karen and Warren were not on-line, so they probably won't see your message. They still live near MVHS, so you could look them up in the phone book.

Hi All! Beth, welcome to "the book!" It's nice to see a new face (hint to all you slackers). Dewey, good to hear from you again too! You should try to find Pam Mallon and Michelle Deprez while you are in Boston. I think they are in the area? Anyway, Steve, congrats on getting the new car on the track. BE CAREFUL!! Gary, congrats on the anniversary. You are still a newlywed! Enjoy. Well, Rochester, NY is finally turning from Kansas to the Land of Oz (we are a bit behind in the seasons here). School is ending this week, and my oldest is graduating on the 27th. Lots of prepping for the party and house guests! I'm not ready to send my daughter off to college! Any parental advice from the experts? Debi? After a series of LAST this or thats and many tears, my husband has refused to sit next to me at graduation! Fear not, I know this too shall pass. Well, just wanted to stop in and visit. Take care all, and John, good luck with the townhouse!

To: Karen Peabody - Wessely
From: Dale Marie Hoffmann
It's been long time since I last saw you. Sara was just a baby and we ate lunch at McDonalds. I bet your daughter is now graduating from high school. Mail me if you get this message.

OK John, Here is the long awaited Fairfax Fair report. Deb and I met Dave and his wife Holly (Hayfield alum by the way) Saturday afternoon. Great weather!, great music! (the Association, the Rascals, and Little Anthony and the Imperials sent us back to the good ole days in fine form) and great friends made it a great day! Janine, John, Gwen and Dave and anybody else that may care: I finally got the new racer out on the track this weekend. Qualified 9th, finished 18th - spun out but didn't hit anything (the result of a slow study in combination with a new rocket). I'm happy to report that car and driver are still intact but does the driver ever have a lot to learn about the new ride - it just isn't quite the same as the old Healey! Take care.

Well Gary, congratulations on 11 years!! David and I have been married 22, but have been together for 27. Sometimes it's hard to believe that we've been together for so long. It's a little crazy isn't it? John good luck on your new property. As I said before we may be doing that in a year or so since my agency is moving to Dulles. But if we can we might just rent where we are now to our oldest son, since it is so close to where he works. We'll see. I think it is exciting that Jody is moving back. I don't know if you remember me Jody but I'm sure if you look me up in the year book you will. Well have to leave work and go home, need to stop at store to get food to feed my two growing boys, well three if you count David. Talk to you soon. Beth

Hi Beth! Welcome aboard. It wasn't that tough, was it?
Just taking a minute to chill after hauling some of my junk to the new mortgage with my new rebuilt engine. Hey...it's just as easy to write a big check(s) as it is a little one. Man, settlement was NOT a pretty site. Came awfully close to walking out on that one. Now...if I can only convince Jody that she needs to relieve me of my other mortgage when she comes home.
Still waiting to here any reports about the Fair....

Hello All !! What's happening ? Me ? Just sitting here on a rainy Saturday morning... Going to OC tomorrow for a few days. Wife & I celebrating 11 years of wedded bliss on Sunday. Looks like the weather is definately NOT going to cooperate. But, that's cool. A few days off work, works for me. Haven't heard anyone in a while... Still planning on "crashing" the Thomas' place on the 4th. Went to The Alexandria Waterfront festival last night. Caught JoDee Messina's show. It was great ! (If you like country music). I do.. Didn't make the Ffx. Fair. Heard it was a hassle..Shuttling and all. I wanted to go. But alot of my friends went on Friday noght and said it was a hassle. So, I didn't....Anyway, I hope that everyone's doing fine and I look forward to "loggin in" and seeing what ya'all are up to....Take Care & Keep It Real !! Gary :-)~

Well all, I must admit that I have been lurking for a few months. I wasn't quite sure how to go about writing to you. I'm pretty "dumb" when it comes to web sites, internet, etc. I'm a secretary and work on a computer all day, but we're talking mostly software programs. Anyway David and I didn't go to the last reunion, we were planning to but last Spring had many difficulties that we had to cope with and the reunion just got shooved aside. Anyway, David and I are still in Lake Ridge, VA (prince william) Our 2 boys are quite grown. D.J. is 20 and Chris is 17. My agency is moving out to Dulles shortly. After Chris graduates next year we might be looking to move out in that areas so I don't have to commute 60 miles a day. We'll see. Well I don't know if this message will even work, but well see. Hope I'm remembered by some. Beth

OK, OK, I admit it. I've been lurking. Checking in and reading but not writing anything. (How much writing do you expect from a guy who spent an entire quarter senior year reading Dr. Suess for English class!?) Swennyway, I'm still in the Boston area. This weekend I have to move out of the house I was in (the owner's brother comes to stay every summer) and move into Cambridge. Just as summer's coming and I have to move away from the beach. That's OK. 16 years in Florida taught me two things: 1) The beaches here aren't that great by Florida standards and 2) I'm not that much of a beach person anyway. Give me the mountains anytime! Unfortunately, I've discovered on my trips home to Colorado that I'm ACCLIMATING TO SEA LEVEL! Augh! Just a little yard work can get me winded now. Another down side to moving to Cambridge: No cable TV! How am I gonna keep up with Babylon 5? On the plus side of the move is that I'll be a 5-minute walk from Harvard Square - a "happenin' place". And my commute will go from an hour each way to more like 20 minutes. It looks like I'm going to miss my first SIGGRAPH (Computer Graphics Conference) in 11 years! Can't rationalize the expense: The cost of the trip, the hotel and the conference AND the lost income. The problem with being a consultant. The expression "Time is money" leads to a VERY simple equation.

OK Dave and John, if the weather is good and Deb gets back from the doctor in time, we will try to catch you at the Fair Lakes Circle Shuttle stop right around 11:15. If we are late we will try to find you in the crowd. Steve

I will be in Fairlakes working at the TRW buildings until about 11:00 which is right near the fairlakes circle lot. Holly and I will be catching the bus there. The good music starts at high noon. Will look for folks at either location. They have signs on the main drag (Fairlakes Pkwy) letting you know where the shuttle picks-up are. So if you are comming off of the Fairfax County Pkwy make a left at Fairlakes Pkwy, you will see the signs for the shuttle bus.

I guess you all will let someone from the class of '71 in here...Don, I live in Winston-Salem, about 200 miles from Ashville....It is pretty nice up there just about anytime of the year....Cool temperatures, especially at night, and low humidity....If you haven't seen the Biltmore House yet, go check it out while you are there....ESPECIALLY check out the winery there also....They make a really nice wine, and you can taste all you want!!!!....C ya....

Dave, Steve and all:
The web site I gave for the fair indicates "free shuttle bus service from Fair Oaks Shopping Center and Fair Lakes Circle." Not that familiar with those areas, but suggest that anyone who is try to pick a spot and time for all to meet at one of those places. Probably easier than meeting at fair. Concert starts at noon.

Hey Dave! The Fairfax Fair sounds like something we ought to hook up on. John mentioned the music schedule a couple weeks ago. Maybe we can meet somewhere there at a particular time. It could prove to be a good place and backdrop for our next gathering - any other takers?

My third daughter gets her learners permit this month, as if I already don't have enough gray hair. I hope the D.C. area isn't getting the same heat wave we've had the past week. After a very cool spring we have been in the nineties all week. We are renting a house near Ashville,N.C. in August...any MVHS alums near Ashville? Hope everyone has a good summer!

Just checking in. I just realized that the whole month of May went by and no entries from either janine or Dewey !! Wassup wit dat ? Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well. Looking forward to seeing ya'all next month. If we can, let's try for another brerakfast in the next couple f weeks. Shoney's again ? Any Saturday.. Thanks for the compliment Amanda. I just type what I'm thinking. Listening to Larry King in the background - talking about Bill and Monica... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! (Just my personal opinion. Hope I didn't offend anyone.) Yea, right, like I care... Well gotta run. time for NYPD Blue...I need to get a life...Hope to hear from ya'all soon. Take Care and Keep Peace In Your Hearts.. Gary :-)~

Just checking in, nice to see Amanda checking in. Remember those days at Skyview Spanish Village Amanda (gee could that have been what!!!!1966 or 67? Boy how time flies when your having fun. Hey I'm up for coffee, however one of these weeks in June I have to go out to L.A for work. And as usual they will never let me know which week it is until the last minute. But that's how the government works. Anybody heading to the Fairfax fair this weekend? I believe Holly and I will be there Sat for the music. Hey Steve and Debbie it's almost DECK-STRESS time (HINT,HINT) sure had a great time last year. Hope I'm not being to pushy. Hows the new racer doing? Would love to see you race sometime. Just let Holly and I know where and when. Dewey,Don, how the heck are you have not heard from you guys for a while!!!!!!!!!!! Hey! how about those CAPITALS. Well gotta go ............. Richard Robertson have not heard much from you lately either!!!!!!!hello are you there, lets check in from time to time.

Loved your web site!

Thanks, John, for all you've done to preserve the unity of our class. It really is nice to check in now and then and see so many of you guys still enjoying each other.- Gary, you should take up creative writing, you express yourself so well. - Chipper Chase, I best remember you in the Walt Whitman lunch room, sweet talking ice cream away from the girls! - I'll be in the DC area several times over the summer - maybe I can catch one of the "coffee hours." Take care, Amanda (Hoogland) Allen

Young man take a look at my life, I'm a lot like you: 44 and there's so much more!

Gary: Don't forget to send out that chain letter from Cindee to have good luck blowing out all those candles!!!

PS:
Look who's playing at the Fairfax Fair on Saturday, June 6th, from 12:00 noon on (for anyone who has time):
The Association, the Rascals, and Little Anthony and the Imperials, in that order. Coffee anyone???
For info:

re: the above music: http://www.ffxfair.org/events/bud.htm,

re: the fair in general: http://www.ffxfair.org/events/fair.htm

Cost: $7.00 Adults, $3.00 12 and under
$1 off* Discont Coupons at Blockbuster May 24-June 7
$2 off* advance ticket sales at Fair Oaks Shopping Center, May 9-31, at main info booth
(* while supplies last)

Way to go webmeister !! Haven't checked in in a while. How's everyone doing? Been busy here. Celebratin the "BIG 44" tomorrow. Time is flyin. It seems like just yesterday I was sittin in Mr. Skinners quanset, thinking, what I wanted for lunch at Burger King!! Anyway, I hope all is well with everyone and hope to see quite a few of you when we crash Paula's moms for the 4th. I guess the next thing we'll see here will be ads for used cars ? Just kiddin, John. Take Care All... Gary :-)~

Little room there John but I have a not so new truck that will hold lotsa boxes so when you are ready let me know.

Time is tight. Gots to sell a 3 BR all brick, lakefront TH in Burke before June 11 or it's double-mortgage city! Any takers out there?
Don't everyone beat down my door to volunteer to help me move! I can only fit so many able bodies in the truck. (Guess I won't have to worry about that. After all, how many able bodies are left???? Oh yea! Prove it!!)

Steve: Any room in that new vehicle of yours to put boxes? Name the time to start stressin', I'll be there. Are the tree frogs going to be orgying in Oakton this time?

We can do a deck party prior to July 4th Gary if we get some interest and it doesn't rain - I'm starting to wonder if somehow we in Va. got beemed up and back down in Seattle! I heard we've already had 42 inches of rain this year - norm is 12 inches at this point. An Arc party may be more appropriate!...

OK OK OK !!! I was just kidding about the cat....Gary :-)~

Good Afternooon All, Just sitting down from a hard day here in rainy Springfield. Finishing up my "Honey-Do List". Thanks, John for the address. When I logged in there was NO FORT HUNT page that I could see. And the Hayfield page was loaded with kids. You know, Class of '80 on up....?? Well, Steve what do you think about that "deck party" at your place. Are we going to wait until after we "crash" Paula's moms house on the 4th of July ? let me know. I'll bring The Dogs..(hot dogs that is).... Dave, haven't hear from you in a while (here) I hope all is well. Welcome back to VA. Jody...You're probably saying to your self, "Who the heck is Gary Hudson" ? Just another class mate....Anyway, have to run, dryer just stopped and I have to get my cat out of there so she won't wrinkle...She already has an attitude after the bath I gave her. Cats hate water. So, I just tied her to a tree and hose her down. Occasionally, throwing handfuls of soap powder at her. Sick, but she does need her Bi-Annual cleaning...Take Care All - And As Uual...Keep Peace In Your Hearts....Gary :-)

Hi everyone. There must be a magnet in VA that keeps drawing us back, but looks like my family is heading back to Northern Va again. Husband is being transfered back. I was back two weeks ago looking for a house and had to be recalibrated on how little you get for your money! We weren't successful but will keep trying. He's already there but the kids and I won't head out till school is out. Hope to be there around 1 July. I'll let you know where we end up. It's kind of funny researching Fairfax County schools and neighborhoods again. Anyone have any recommendations? Hope to see you when I get back. Jody

Gary:
I found it a while back.
Here it is: Fairfax County Public Schools Alumni Information
I'll add it to the links on our Home Page.

Good Morning, All !! What's been going on? Just checkin' in. Gwen, I'm glad you made it back safe. Did you bring me a T-Shirt ? I beleive that going to AC is for three reasons..Shoppin, gamblin & shows. Did ya'all get a chance to go to any shows while you were there? July 4th at Paula's moms should be fun. And definately we can all get together when you get here for a little "Class of 72 meeting..." Dave? What was the name of that Ffx. County web address to look into other alumni registers (Ft. Hunt - Hayfield) to find other class mates? I must be getting old, no scratch that, just forgetful. Well gotta run. Rainy morning here and I MUST get to my "Honey Do" list... Take Care...And as always...Keep Peace In Your Hearts... The G-Man :-)~

Just checking in not a whole lot going on I see. Hey Steve! I may be over at Westfields on May 11,12, and 13 to set up some demo's for an expo of some kind. If I do indeed get over that way I will give you a call. See you good folks later.

I've never been to AC, but I've been to Vegas a number of times for conventions. My gambling ritual consists of this:.....I walk up to the first slot machine I see (in a casinio. Airport slots don't count.) I put in a quarter. I pull the handle. Then I recite my mantra: "Now I don't have a quarter anymore. What's the attraction?" So far that's kept me pretty gambling-free.

Well made it safely back from AC Gary! I just took my money and went shopping! For the other half.............well, he might as well just thrown his money in the door like you!!!!! I do plan on being down in VA July 4th (at Paula's) so maybe we could schedule a coffee meeting then? Would love to see any classmates still living in the area.......

Just checking in to see what's up. Nice to see so many folks last Sat!! Looking forward to the next time. Bye for now.

Cuckoo Cuckchoo -- !! What a great Saturday it was. Looking forward to the next one. I can't believe that Paula was there without her sisters and mom. Actually, Paula, I was hoping you'd tell/bring them. Janine, I hope next time you can join us. As a matter of fact I hope ALL who read this page can get together real soo. Gwen I hope you came back realxed and with a few extra bucks from AC. I know when I go to AC all I do now is go to the front door to the casino and just toss my money in. I'm not real lucky at the tables. Well gotta run...NYPD Blue is on..Sick ain't it ? But, it's a show that I love....Take Care....Gary :-)~

Janine: seems like you're getting quite the reputation. Better get to work on it, dear! You are also working too hard. Have a drink for me.
In fairness to Janine, though, a lot of classmates weenied out when it rained on her parade...

WELLLLLLLLLLL ..... first off ... I hadn't signed on since my last post and there I was ... sitting at Denny's waiting for some familiar faces ...... actually .... I thought since Steve was SOOOOOO sure I wouldn't show, I'd better not let him down and instead was here at home making breakfast for everyone but no one showed. Seriously, I decided that if Ruth wasn't going then I wasn't gonna go either doggone it!!! The boring reality is .... I had an emergency court hearing on Friday ... extended to Monday ... and ended up doing entirely TOO much work this weekend. All work and no play .... well... you guys know the rest ...... Next time ....... and hopefully won't be so far in between. Ummmmmmm...... Deb ??? I AM just right around the corner from ya .... novel idea I know but ... hmmmmm.... we COULD use the phone and get together.

Been there! Done that! Next time expect to see you lurkers! It was fun! Oh by the way, this is regarding our coffee at Shoney's. Cindee and Linda are here and I now have this as a favorite place so will be able to visit more often! Cindee says it was great to see everyone and thanks again for showing up. JANINE, where were you? See ya later!

I'M THERE !! See ya'all at 10:30 or so....Gary :-)

Gary: Cindee already did an OK for Shoney's. Since she might not have access to web between now and tomorrow morning, we should meet at Shoney's. They don't take reservations, though. The manager said there would probably be only a fifteen minute wait, even for a table for 10. So, if you could walk over by 10:15 or so ...

Well all! Sorry I can't make the coffee clutch! Three hours is a little far to drive from NJ when I'm headed to Atlantic City in the afternoon...........Maybe I'll get lucky! I doubt it though, not much of a gambler..... Just going to meet some old business friends.....and chill away from the kids for a night!!!!! Yeah! Anyway, have fun and maybe I'll make it down sometime......with advanced notcie.

I'M SO CONFUSED !!!!! (Nothing to do with the blonde hair) Is we meeting at Shoneys or Dennys ? That is the question. John H. You are a funny, funny guy. Yuppie ??? Get out of here. I just like a STRONG cup of brew on occasion. Frank K. ? Since yoj can't be there we'll have a cup of joe for you and also sign your name to the check. It ought to be fun and I'm definately looking forward to seeing you all. G'Night..Gary

Sat at 10:30 in Springfield. See you there!!!!!!!!

Well I see all of you kids have been active! Tax season is over (my "alternate life" when I'm not doing the computer networking thing) - no extensions for anyone. Don't you just *love* our friends in Congress and at the IRS... Sorry to say that I won't make the breakfast get together - my daughter has her first T-ball game of the season at 8:30AM on Saturday. Then my son has a pitching machine game at 1:00PM. Soccer moms have nothing on me...

Hi Kids. It's been so long, I think my last entry is in Archives. Like everyone else in the world, I've been busy. I haven't had a chance to read all the interim entries, but must comment on the few I scanned: Janine -- Having taken Latin I with Ms. Somebody-or-other at Ol' MV, I can tell you that "Esse non videri" means "To be, not to seem" I guess this is the Latin/Nike equivalent of "Just do it" or "No kidding" or "two white horses in a field"... Also, to all you Alaska babies -- why didn't we get together for coffee back then? If we had built upon this connection among us, we might have been a force to reckoned with. As it is, we can only reminisce (great spelling bee word!) about what might have been.

Thanks John! See ya all at Shoney's at 10:30. You're right, I can find the mall! Already talked to Debi Watts. She's calling Paula and Jackie. Looking forward to the "mini reunion" since I missed the real one!

OK, 10:30 this Saturday. Got it. Now, is it gonna be Engleside or Springfield???? Better make it Engleside. That way when Janine doesn't show up we can drive to her house around the corner and have breakfast there.

OK ... 10:30 a.m.'s fine with me. Let's stick with someplace Cindee's sure to find (and the rest of us as well) ..... how about the Denny's on Rt. 1 across from Engleside Shopping Center?? Ummmm... Stevie dear ??? I'll bring the paint so we can try to get your butt into that fancy new car of yours and up to Summit ..... VARRRRRRRROOOOooooooooooom ......

OK...10:30AM at Shoney's it be happenin! Gary, I hope you don't mind the walk! Coffee by the pitcher! And none of that over-priced-yuppie-burnt-toast extract. Shoney's is on Old Keene Mill Rd, about 1/3 mile west of I-95 on the right (just past the overpass). Cindee: I know you know how to get to Springfield Mall. It is on Franconia Rd., which turns into Old Keene Mill after crossing I-95. So just head to the mall and go west, young lady. All of you lurking mutes out there are welcome to join us. Now...where did I put those W-2s?

Hello Hello Hello...First things first. I know you all haven't been able to sleep because you were waiting on the answer to my riddle. Well, here it is.....TRUE...Salmon do swim upstream to spawn....See, not that difficult if you just give it a lilttle thought. Cindee?....Route One?...Girl you gotta get out more !! Anywhere is fine with me and 10:30 is a good time also. I agree with John, that Shoneys in Springfield is fine. Alot of people over here. I also heard that Paua Thomas was interested. Cindee call Debi Hoffmann Watts and see if she can come with you. I'll E-Mail Paula and see if she's still inteested. Gwen would like to come also, only she's going to be in At$$$$Lantic City. Just let me know. Would love to join in for early morning eats!! Later All ~~ Gary

Cindee and all: Had to wait till today to schedule a home inspection. Managed to get it for Fri., so Sat. is now free. I want to eat breakfast this time, guys. Don't know the Rt 1 breakfast scene to well, especially the cafe latte situation. There's a Denny's and an Olde Country Buffet on Rt. 1, and a buffet place next to the beltway that used to be a Western Sizzler, but is now remodded (nice!) under another name. Shoney's has a breaksfast buffet in Springfield on Old Keene Mill, just west of I-95. Any are OK with me. 10:30 AM good?

John, I like the tune--one of my all time favorites that my daughter used to sing when she was little. She changed it slightly to "one cat in the yard." Must be related to the move??? Anyway all, I'm staying at my parents, the Silk's on Gage Road off Rt. 1. near the ol MVHS. If someone can email directions, I can probably find the place you usually meet--unless you all want a trip down RT.1 for old time sake! It's not the same! John, whatever time works for you. I understand!

Like Dave, am waiting for time and place this Sat.

Hey! This Saturday sounds fine to me. Just give me a time and a place.

Cindee: missed touching base last time you were here. I am, needless to say, knee deep in what Ruth just went through; but I'll try to make an effort to be sociable this time. I'll try to roundem' up. Where ya stayin'?

Hi All, Glad to see Janine back. Okay Gwen, Susan, Helene, Mary, Debi, Jackie, John R., Steve C., Mike C., etc. etc.---Where are you? I know the "regulars" are entertaining, but let's all contribute! Now, is anyone up for a cafe latte next Saturday morning, 4/18? I'll be in town for the weekend, and was hoping to meet everyone for coffee. I only know the Mt. Vernon (RT 1) area, so you'll have to give me good directions! If it's a bad weekend, not to worry! HAPPY EASTER!

Just checkin' in after a marathon web search for mortgage interest rates. BEWARE of grouchy webmeisters in the coming months!

Ruth and Janine: Knowing y'all, you couldn't possibly have any of that large stock of TP left from last summer. Good thing, too--my new abode will have plenty of trees! Maybe you could do a budget job on the future treehouse. However, if you get caught, you could be sentenced to several weekends of wallpaper removal!!!!

Close....So Close, yet so far away....Stay tuned to this page for the answer. I will be revealing the answer tomorrow night...Same Bat Time..Same Bat Station...But I do appreciate ALL the response..Both of 'em ! Kidding...Where's everybody go ? Oh well...The REAL cool ones are still here and we're NOT afraid to communicate with the class ARE WE ? ANyway...Hope everyone is well....and I must close with one of my all time favorite lyrics form the past. This particular verse meant alot to me. I hope you can remember it as I .....It goes something like this!!! BOOM! SHAKALAKA LAKA BOOM! SHAKALAKA LAKA BOOM BOOM ! Ahhhhhhhh...The Memories....Keepin it real !! Gary :-)

Janine, answer my e-mail. Stuck-up! (Geez, haven't used that term since 72!)

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack. Yeah, yeah, yeah .. know you're all thrilled to pieces. Anywho ..... Steve? YOU GOT IT??!?!?! YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! And ... the first roadtrip this year to the track would been when?? Summit .... in the spring no less? Hey .... I'm there cutie !!! ((Bringing the whole family this time so watch out -- don't blow a gasket!!)) Ummmm.... John ??? Wasn't trying to keep ya hangin' on dear .... beat the hell outta me ... was just trying to get an answer to what in the universe the thing means. I mean really .... of all people ..... I figured you would know. OK ... since Dewey's reduced the school motto to milkin' cows ... guess I'll just have to do it the hard way ... like ... maybe .... call the school and find out?? GEEEEEZ ... can't they post it on the home page? Novel idea ... pick up the phone and make a phone call and get an answer to something??!?! Is it possible to do such a thing. Amazing how in this modern technological age we sometimes forget to utilize the simplest of inventions. Wonder how the administration would respond to all of us showing up at graduation this year in our classy '72 reunion T-shirts and crashin' the shindig. Mrs. Cooley never would have gone for it and would've beaten us with yardsticks -- or was that some other teacher that kept wavin' that thing around. Hmmmmmm.... ::::::straining brain again here:::::::: OK .. I know .. I'm rambling again .. but ... I'm bored and had nothing else to do tonite. {{{{Shrug}}}}}} Later gaters -- luv ya all !!

Omaha was OK Dave. No visit to STRATCOM this time - personal business. One hell of a long haul though, pullin a trailer all the way out and back. Luckily we had fairly good weather (for Nebraska that is). OK Janine, you guessed it - picked up the new racer in Omaha. Come on over and see it - pretty kewl, Mario would be proud!

Dewey: Agree wit you on the lyrics ... but disagree on the answer to Gary's question. The answer is "yes or no."

I checked the lyrics for "Louie Louie" and I don't believe them for ONE MINUTE. At least that's not what the Kingsmen were singing!....David: So many things we thought we'd be done with once we finished school. But they keep coming back for the REST OF OUT LIVES.....Gary, the answer is c).

I Feel Good ? James Brown ? John....You are definately the man. Never heard ANY of the HS bands do JB. I LOVE James' music. So, what's up class ? Anything new ? I see alot of you are travelin and that's great. I don't remember if I gave props to Steve Curtis, after see his Senior Pic in the local paper. Congratulations Steve. Gettin to be "deck weather" ????? I'm sittin here at 7:00 on a Thursday night at my computer (at home) with the window open enjoyin the breeze thinkin....I wonder if anyone could answer this question... If your mother was a one dollar bill and your father was a two dollar bill, how many pancakes could you wrap around a basketball on Thursday, True or False? Anyone want to take a stab at that one. I mean after all we were all (ok just John) on the question about dairy farmers that janine asked. Well gotta run. I don't want to burn dinner. Having one of my favorites tonight !! Corn Flakes with bananas !! See Ya'All... Keep it peaceful and let's schedule another Saturday meeting real soon...Keep It Real !! The G Man :-)

Sitting here in a Unix/System admin class trying to get a little smarter. The good part about it is TRW picked up the 2,500.00 tab the bad part is not getting home until 9:00 pm. This is just like my college days at the end taking nite classes. Hey Steve! how was Nebraska? Did you bring back any Omaha beef? The Alaska trip was put off until June now I can't even get a smell of Alaska. All of a sudden the people who didn't want to go during the winter are lined up around the building to go now. We did get a trip to Ramstein Germany, last minute as par usual and it was a red-eye, there one day gone the next. Well I guess I'd better start learning here as the instructor is getting into somthing I need to learn for some nis+ work............. bye.

Careful Dewey. You're still too young to get away with being a dirty old man! And we wan't to see you at our next reunion.
Janine: You just keep me hangin' on...
Speaking of lyrics, I just found out about a web site that has lyrics to 60,000 songs (I think). Now you can find out what the hell Louie Louie was about. The link is: http://www.lyrics.ch. When I feel motivated, I'll put a link to this site on our "Top Hits" page.

Mini-skirts and drum beats indeed. Mini-skirts and pom-poms overhead was always a favorite combination of mine......Where I'm working now is adjacent to MIT and I see many college-aged girls walking around campus. And I've noticed something: bell bottoms and platform shoes seem to have made a come-back. Makes me feel right at home. Far out, man. All that's left is for them to protest the war!

{What IS it about those days that sticks so in my mind?}

Mini-skirts and drumbeats???

"Essay Non-ViDairy" obviously means "Don't write English papers about Milk Products".....Just got back from a marvelous week of vacation in Colorado. Kind of weird to go HOME for VACATION. Almost like college, except the house is MINE and there are no parents grilling me about how I'm doing in my classes. All the joys of sleeping in MY ROOM. And seeing friends I haven't seen in a while....Spent a week doing taxes, lying around, reading and catching some rays. Expected to come back east and regale people with tales of temperatures in the low 70's. And what do I find? Temps pushing 80! Looks like the northeast can turn around as quickly as Colorado. Now I find myself walking around in the early evening with the sun just set and a mild breeze blowing. The air is a little thick and damp compared to Colorado and I find it reminds me of......HIGH SCHOOL! What IS it about those days that sticks so in my mind?

Ahhhh! Spring time in DC. It's in the 80s! Cherry Blossoms a poppin'! Weekend is here! I feel good!...traffic still sucks BIG time, though.

Janine, I'll take a stab at it. Esse=be, vide=see, so videri must=blind or ignorant or something like that. "Be Not Blind/Ignorant" probably translates to "Seek Knowledge", "Search for Truth", or something like that. How'd I do? Close? 2 outa 3? Partial credit for stickin' my neck out?

OK guys .... who's the first who can recall exactly what "Esse-Non-Videri" is as it applies to MVHS?

Gee Steve sounds like Stratcom to me. We were just out there two weeks ago . Not as cold as you may think. Had a little gift for you Sat (under five dollars so I know you can accept it). A coffee cup from the CAMS shutdown, after 20 years of service to the government. Actually they were paid for by the government (Langley) if you know what I mean. The COTR gave me a couple xtra that were still around. Let's get some folks together and do dinner or somthing since the weather is getting ready to break. Well see you guys and girls later.

Hi All! Just got back from Norfolk today. It was great seeing Susan for lunch and shopping (of course we shopped!). We did spend some time commiserating about missing the reunion. :-( Anyway, thanks again for the reunion directory. By the way, if you're ever in the Norfolk area, take your kids to Nauticus. Its an interactive museum with exhibits, and virtual reality and other activities, including a petting pool for live sea life--sharks, starfish, crabs, etc. Anyway, Janine, nice to see you back. I've missed your wit and news about MVHS. I, too, (Those commas are for you Ruth!) have a daughter with senioritis. Tomorrow she stars as the evil queen in "Once Upon A Mattress" at the highschool. Funny, my husband has been calling her that for most of her teen years! So..ten of my family members are arriving tomorrow--staying at my house--and I have tons of work to do to get ready. Nice to see the new wave of activity here! See ya!

Alright! Steve's parents are going out of town. Party at Steve's house...when? And where the hell is Howie?

You got it John! Start roundin em up. We even have a new grill.

Thanks to John H for getting me online. I had lunch with Cindy MacDonald today while she was in town. It was fun discussin old times. That's about all I have to say... Ha ha ha ha! (This is her son typing this out because she is a slow computer illiterate person). Did you know that my son is da man? The second one, of course, because he is the middle kid and has cool blue eyes and is taller than all you punks (hehehe). What else? Love to hear from everybody. Good times man, good times (all freakish comments heard in the murky mind of Ryan [that crazy son of hers] Okay, buh-bye :) -Sue

Just got a phone call from Susan Symmes tonight. Apparently, Cindee (remember her? hint!) egged her into asking her offspring to help her logon and join us. Susan, if you're out there, come on in! For some reason, Susan's call prompted me to go back into the Guest Book Archives. Man, there's a lot of stuff in there! I forgot how much was written. No wonder y'all have pooped out. All that typing the past year. I only got through the first half of '97. I think we got ourselves an Alumni yearbook, thanks to all of you that have contributed. Keep up the fun, and get some of those lurkers and other web scaredee-cats to join in. Steve: clean up the grill, bud. I'm ready for springtime in Oakton, with bloomin' azaleas and barbeque smoke!

Sorry I missed you guys at "Bucks". Just got back in town. Have to leave again this week for Omaha-cold-Nebraska. Maybe I'll catch you all next time. Have not forgotten about you and Holly, Dave - just been kinda busy - will catch up soon. Gary, if you want to round up a crowd for another cookout at our place this spring, we're game. Catch ya later.

Hi !! It's me again. Whew ! What a party last night !! I think I o'd on the cake and ice cream!! Because it was my neice's birthday she got to pick the menu & dessert. On the menu ? Hot Dogs, hamburgers, maccaroni & cheese, salad & tater tots ! I haven't had a tater tot since high school. Her B-Day cake ? Chocolate - Chocolate with chocolate chip mint ice cream... Man Oh Man !! What a party !!!! I was just looking over what I said yesterday and to Dave, I was apologizing for the way I might have misspelled your last name. One more thing that we were discussing, was that there's a way to look for other people that graduated in '72 from other High Schools that we went to Walt Whitman with...Anyone know how to get to the perspective pages in question ? Also, if anyone knows how to get in touch with Bob Menefee (Bo or Jimmy Jones) can you let me know ? Well gotta run..Heading to the father-in-laws apt. to move some furniture..Any ideas for another Saturday morning/afternoon/evening meeting/get together ? Anybody ? Anybody ? Ferris ? As always....PEACE !!!!!! Gary

Hey Kids !! Went to "Bucks" today and had a very pleasent conversation with my old pal Dave Nerymyr (sorry Dave). As i sit here typing away all I can think of is Lighting Some Kind of Fire ? Reckon it's subliminal ? To Debi Hoffmann Watts - It was great to finally chat with you online. We were at the "bucks" at Old Keene Mill & Rolling Road. Dave made a great suggestion that all who can, let's go out for dinner and drinks. Think about it. Dave was also telling me about the "deck party" I missed at the Carrolls. Sounded like fun. Can't wait for the weather to warm up and do that again...Well gotta run..Going to a HUMONGOUS PARTY tonight !! ok ok ok My neice is turning 13 and my sister invited Marsha and I down to their house for ice cream and cake. Anyway....PEACE !! Gary

Good Point, John. Let's see what happens and go from there...Janine please do join and any one else...The more the merrier. We can even sit outside if ya'all want. John ? Shoneys ? All You Can Eat Buffet ? I have to keep an eye on my boyish figger !!!!See Ya'All Saturday...

Will try to make Bucks on Sat. I assume we could head to some other place after since I did not see any other entries after John's. Maybe lunch!!!!!!!

Gang: I wasn't soliciting for money (but if would make you feel better, lay it on me!) I was merely wondering if you all were ever going to come back from skiing with Chipper or get out of hibernation or whatever. Gary and all: The Bucks at Rolling is quite small. Last time we had four at one table and wondered when they'd kick us out to make space. I'd like to suggest that we maybe try someplace bigger, especially a place that has a breakfast buffet, and meet, say, at 10. Shoney's comes to mind for a buffet (don't know of any other buffet, right off). Any other suggestions? IHOP? Einsteins Bagels? Whatever. Janine: Venutians always welcome! Join us.

EAK?!?!?! Class of '73 ???? OH no no no no .... just would NOT be the same at all. Not that there's anything terribly bad about the Class of '73 BUT ..... after all ..... we wouldn't be who we are without each other have SOME influence in each others lives. Hmmm.... apparently still true to this day. Not only that ..... like the Class of '73 or any other class from MV has as kewl a website or stays in constant contact as this group does??? I think not. Yes, gang... thanks for askin' Ruth :) ......... I am still alive and well and still in MV .... STIL recovering from marching band season and am now suffering from a second go-round of senioritis, I guess. And tell me ..... I just KNOW that we didn't have senioritis as bad as today's generation does -- we maintained our control, totally respected and followed our parents' advice, kept our senses of humor, graduated in the top of our class, NEVER skipped school, attending regularly and certainly, most definitely, did all of our work in order to get out of there and NEVEr ... NEVER hid out in the auditorium working on ... AHEM ... "drama" projects.. I may just shock all the "guys" and show up at Bucks next go round ... ya never know what evil lerks in the heart of MV Class of '72 women ((hehehehe)). John, dear, you need to get us your address again so all those contributions can start rolling in -- life just wouldn't be the same without you anymore.. ::::::::::running off to print the elevator passes so we can build the retirement home with the elevator::::::::::::::: Luv you guys !!!

Well Gary what's the secret to staying 39? (Wishfull thinking maybe?) Steve my B'day was the 11th. Just think about how many of us would have been graduates of 1973 if school cut off dates were like they are today!!!!! Just a thought!!! Hope everyone is well.......Later

Hey Everybody !!! Well, I too am guilty of not signing on in a while. I do get on and just read and occasionally go back and look at the sign in sheet to se if there's anyone new to the page. I have been "chatting" online with a few of the alum (you know who you are). I think it's time that those of you who can should meet for that cup of coffee at "Bucks". So, I'm making a committment to be at the Starbucks on Old Keene Mill Road and Rolling Road next Saturday at 11:00. All who are interested just show up. I don't understand how you folks are turning 44 this year. I'll only be 39 !! Where does the time go. John, if you need help paying for this IP, please let me know. I'd definately like to keep it going. So, if it's money you need, call my accountant Helen Waite. That's what I tell everyone that asks me for money. If you need money go to Helen Waite...LOL !!! I still crack myself up ! Seriously, I'd be happy to contribute. Everything else on this end is going good. Busy as heck, getting ready to get in the yard and get rid of the winter debris. Ya'all know how it is. Would really like to hear from more of ya'all. E me sometime. See those of you that can make it next Saturday. Take Care and God Bless You All ----- Gary :-)

John, Please pay your IP for another year. This home page has become much too valuable to discontinue. I'll be glad to contribute. Send me a note. Gwen, We probably knew 25 years ago that each other was born in September. Due to old age, we just forgot this little tidbit of coincidence. Mine is the 15th - what's yours? There are/were a number of "winter babies" in our class - the only one I can remember at this point is Janine. Such is CRS!

Whoops! Almost forgot. Happy Birthday, Don!
What a coincidence, y'all: I'm going to be 44 this year, too! Imagine that ... NOT!

Good to see some activity back here. I was starting to wonder if I should bother paying my IP for another year.

Joan:
Don't know what kind of trouble they are having--it's not under my control. However, if it is due to the fact that they are trying to access the old address for the Alumni Registry (which wasn't working last week), then point them to the new address. I have updated the link to the Alumni Registry at the bottom of our Class '72 Home Page ("Home Page" link, above) to the new address. Note that the Alumni Registry is NOT a part of the MVHS school web site (or this site). A link to the MVHS web site also appears on our Home Page.

If this doesn't solve the problem, then try e-mailing the Webmaster at that site, or check out the link for AOL users on the Alumni Registry front page, if it applies.

Thought I'd add a little.......Don. I too was born in Anchorage at Elmendorf AF Base 44 years ago this coming September..... By the way "Happy Birthday". Glad to see talk has picked up lately in here...... was pretty slow for a while. I don't write much but do enjoy hearing how others are doing. Hi to all you familar names.

Jim, some of the people who are signing up on "the MVHS registry" are trying to access the alumni site and having problems...any help here...there are some that were with the grad class of 57 58..don't know what the problem is ......

I read that Dave Nermyr might be at Elmendorf Air Force Base at this time. I was there exactly 44 years ago today. I was born in Anchorage. We took a family trip to Alaska about four years ago and it is beautiful in the summer, but I pity Dave visiting in February. I checked the MVHS Alumni roster and I did not see any new names added, we need to get more people listed so anyone who reads this and hasn't signed up, get your *** in gear. This year my kids will be 19,17,15, and 13, four teenagers and two dogs..that's my excuse for checking in only once a month.

Thanks, Bo. I got a nice reply from Debbie Hale with Miss Hopkins' address. I am delighted to hear that she is still active. I'd like to tell her that I am still singing - planning to audition for an 18 voice early music group next week (for future hopes of making it, since they are not presently looking for any voice parts). I'll be continuing with the Oratorio Society of Charlottesville-Albemarle for now. I will send her a note. Anyone else who'd like to can get her address from me or Debbie. I was going to post it here, but it occured to me that she may not appreciate that. Thanks again! Sandy

Sandy, I read that you had a question about Miss Hopkins. I talked briefly with her in Nov. She was a judge for District IX, all district choir. She looks great and is doing well. I'm not sure if I can get your address. I understood her to say that she is still in the area. Hope this helps you with your dreams.

I am the from the MV class of 75, and am married to Larry Unger, MV class of 74. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers us!

I've been getting a lot of email from MVHS Alumni from the "alumni registry on line"....there was an icon to check and see if your alumni had a registry and to please fill out the info...well, it must be catching on because i've had email from at least 30 MVHS attendees/grads in the last week....WAY TO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Either you guys are finding them and bringing them out of the woodwork or someone has finally caught on to this..........emailed the guy coming to Elmendorf...and let him know if his travels lead him further NORTH, there's someone up here in Fairbanks, Alaska, (besides Sharp) that can direct traffic too!!! Love going back to the guestbook and checking all the neat notes....does anyone there have the persons name in charge of the "recordkeeping" for the class of 61? some of the classmates were Jane Smith ..., Mary Elizabeth Brown...., Jefferson Ann Miller...., Sandra Spinks..., Carolyn Godsey..., Jim Carr, John Briar, Charles Thurston ( he ended up in Woodbridge), Susan Blaisdell..., Barbara Holly..., Marjorie Bowman...., Wesley Kitchens, Ken Bradford, William Zaionczkowski, Stanley Watts, Gloria Jones..., Nancy Foalden....,gosh, sorry about the rambling...just hoping someone recognizes a name and has the sign in.....gonna run and read more....thanks for your guestbook!

Hey All! What a Surprise to see everyone is doing very well. Have to go along with that can't be better. Sorry I missed the reunion looks like all had a GREAT time in the pictures. Nice to see that some keep in touch. Would like to hear from those who remember. Anyone hear from Liz Thorpe(Game) haven't hear from her for a really long time.

A big congrats goin' out to our resident Iron Man, Steve Curtis, who made the local free newspaper for climbin' the corporate ladder. Must have been due to the practice we gave him for burger flipping at the company picnic. [Didn't think we'd read it, did ya?] Now be honest with us, Steve. Just when was that photo taken???

Prodigy kicked me off before I was done. I have no clue who "Ruthho" is -- don't think I typed that, but I HAVE had a couple glasses of wine, so it's possible. Where's Janine?

Sadly, I've become a real "hit and run" contributor! Mary: None of us can really appreciate all that you are dealing with, but I am so pleased to know you are felling better and hope all continues to go well. Dave: I lived at Elmendorf for about a year as wee child -- don't remember much but building intricate mazes of snow tunnels with my sisters. My brothers (such a PAIN) used to ambush us girls by caving in the exit routes. Also remember fabulous fields of wild flowers in the spring (still have pictures) I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Alaska --

I had a dream about Miss Hopkins last night; woke up feeling very sad. Does anyone know anything about her? Is she still living? Her address? In my dream, the choir/band hallway was exactly as it was. We were in her office, surrounded by bookshelves filled with music scores and chatting about teaching and about music. ss

Hello All...First I'd like to start off by saying that I'm enjoying the organ music as I send a message out to all my friends in MVHS AlumniLand. I know it's an old Beatle tune [Actually, it's Moody Blues' For My Lady-meister] just can't think of the name of it ! Second thing is I can't beleive that I missed the "Starbucks Thing" with the guys for coffee. I would have liked to have see ya'all again. Oh well, if another is planned please E me. By the way, who was there ? What did ya'all talk about ? Kidding !! John, as usual thanks for the Concert Update info. I guess I can cancel my subscription to "The Post" now......L M A O !!!! I crack myself up...Got an E from Tim Sharp. Do you beleive that he travels 20,000 miles across the country from Alaska and didn't bring an extra .35 to call someone. Just kidding Tim, apology accepted.. Anyway, Chipper Chase !! Long Time ! HOWZITGOINWITU ? Great comeback Dewey ! I think you used to talk like that !!! Anyway it's late and I have to get my beauty rest...Remember next time the "Bucks" gang gets together...E ME !!

Chipper: Um.... Oh wow, man.....heavy.

Whadup? Just flyin' in from the moonshine high with ol' Tim Sharp and debating a moonlite ski...ahhhh the life in Canaan Valley. We'd love to have some of ya folks stroll in and join us in this life of nordic nirvana...check out the latest with zeroing in on whitegrass.com. Get off yur buns and slide, visit, raise a glass, you know... shippin' good vibrations.

Local concert schedule:

Bob Dylan, GMU Patriot Center, Sunday, Feb 22, 8PM
John Sebastian, Barns at Wolftrap, Sat?, April 11.

Mr. Skinner is alive and well, he's been spotted living in a Quonset hut with his own PA system in South America. Come on, Mr. Skinner, dispel the rumors, let us hear from you! Speaking of athletic influences, does anyone know where Coach Miller is and how he's doing. He had a major impact (in more ways than one, from what I remember) on so many of us "underdoggies." What about Sue Vail, and the venerrable Ms. Jean Allen. My most vivid memory of her was captured on page 8 of our Sr. yearbook. Is Oscar Match still at MV? My sister was twelve years behind me and attended the new and profoundly foreign feeling Mt. Vernon. There were no familiar faces to be seen twelve years after graduating, but I know some of them were and still are there. Sure would be great to hear from some of those pedagogues, if you're out there, stop in and say "hi."

Yes, indeed, how ABOUT those BRONCOS!!! As you can well imagine I had a VERY good time on Super Bowl Sunday. I was in Denver watching the game on a friend's BBBIIIIGGGG Screen TV, along with a bunch of fellow Bronco fans. Yea verily did we whoop and holler. I am SO pleased that Johnny got his ring. I've been rootin' for Denver forever and for Elway ever since he joined the team. And it was a GOOD game, decided by good play on the field. No ref screw-ups that cost the game, and no claim that the losers "just had a sucky day". And it came right down to the last 30 seconds. I thought it was especially sweet that Elway got to score one of the TD's and had that great body-sacrificing scramble near the end. I had to fly back to Boston on Monday but fortunately the airport gift shops got the Bronco Super Bowl Champ T-shirts in just before I had to leave so I picked a couple up to wear to work when I got back. My only regret on the football season was that I had to spend it in Boston where they just about never broadcast Bronco games. I thought this might be "THE YEAR" for Elway and I knew I'd miss it. Oh well. Still. Feels pretty good. Might even feel better than making a 2-point conversion against Fort Hunt to tie for district!

See ya'll there.

OK Dave, See you at Buck's - Old Keene Mill and Rolling Road at 10:30 tomorrow. Hope you other guys make it....

I'm good for Sat!!! I'll sort of just show up around 10:30 or 11:00 at the starbucks at rolling and old keene mill, If the time is wrong give me a call at 978-1383 since I do not see a posted time. Or if it's going to be at a different BUCKS this time give me a call.

Hey Kids !! I know it's been a while since the last log on. And i apologize for not getting back to ya'all on the Java at "Bucks"...My bad totally...I don't get on "The Page" that often. Although I do check my mail everyday, so please let me know what timw and where and I will be there. Been very hectic at the J O B as I'm sure most of you can relate. Dave, Going to Alaska ? You should see if you'll be close to Tim Sharp & give him a shout out while you're there. How about them Broncos ??? Great Game ! The interception at the end of the third quarter cost me $ 150.00 from a football pool that I was on. Oh, well.... Things are going pretty good for me right now, no complaints. Been "chattin" with a few old alumni online and really diggin it. Let me know about "Bucks".....You know the address..... Take Care All Mary S., it's good to see you back on the page.... Gary

Dan: It was Mike Snyder that passed away last year. I think Mr. Skinner is still doing fine.

Okay. I Write the Songs was written by Bruce Johnson and was covered by numerous folks in the 70s. I believe that Bruce Johnson was an original member of the Beach Boys. Another New Year's Eve is on the BM LIVE album, circa 1977. And although I haven't listened to BM in ages, I did have the pleasure of meeting him some years ago and he was a really nice guy. He spent his tour time stopping in at colleges and universities talking with music students about the music business and how to persue a career in it. So, I have to defend him when the chance arises. He was a pretty class act in that way. As for lyrics, Dave Wilcox is great and so, of course is that Florida Boy, Jimmy Buffett. JT and Carole King aren't too shabby either. Now: HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody. Mary Sweatt: great to hear from you. Though I don't write too much, I check in occasionally and all I can say is that you were really missed. It did, however, give everybody a chance to talk about you and the things they said. . . . We were all sorry you weren't saying them in person! Don: Really great to hear about Mrs. Yearick. Thanks for the address. I hope I can discipline myself enough to actually use it and send her a note. Everyone else: My mother got a card from Mrs. Lomond - don't know who may remember her - but as I recall, she said Mr. Skinner had passed away. If I'm wrong about that, please let me know. Also, for those who may be interested, I did find Sally Peters, or actually, she found me. I've been searching for her since 1980 when we lost touch, so it was an incredible thing find and be found. Ain't technology GRAND! Everyone should go and see the movies "Good Will Hunting" - because it's really good - and "As Good As It Gets" because I worked on it, it's good and it's always better to have worked on a hit! That's about it for now. Thanks for letting me participate w/the Class of '72. Keep writing so that I have interesting things to read. Dan

Dave! Good to hear from you. Wondered where you were. How about next saturday - looks good for John and I... By the way it's spelled "Elmendorf". Hopefully you'll be in town next weekend... Let us know.

Dave: You going to Colorado Springs? A shame I'm in Boston these days and we can't get together. I'm tagging Denver this weekend to alleviate Colorado withdrawal symptoms and to watch the Super Bowl with fellow Bronco fans. Back to Boston Monday. Mary Sweatt: How's Cathy doing? One of my fond memories of first getting to MV was that she sat behind me in Geometry freshman year, and was friendly enough to actually say "Hi" to me in the hall. Made a lowly freshman from out of town feel pretty good to have someone of her status (and looks!) be friendly to me outside of class. Funny how first impressions stick.....For those who care - Dan Adkins has heard from Sally Peters. She's married, 2 kids, living in Michigan. Don't know much else but maybe Dan will fill her in on the MV web sites.

Have been very busy and unable to check in for a while. Sorry I missed the entry about getting together for coffee. Would love to do it again. However!! This would not be a good weekend for me. I will be checking the guest book all next week to see if we can get somthing going. Steve! I found our class picture from Barden School. Now that would be an interesting reunion!!!!!!! Was glad to see Mary S. checked in and is doing fine. Well need to keep this short getting ready for a software deployment to Col Springs at Spacecom. Then from there the next stop will be (lets see if I can spell this right) Elmondorf AFB, Alaska. In Feb of all months couldn't be in the summer time. Gotta go see ya later!!!!

OK John, Don't know what happened to Dave. Gary??

Steve:
The following Sat. would be better for me. Anyone else?

Ruth:
I think it's time to buy a new jukebox for your kids so they can play CD's (we'll let you keep the old one). So...do you still have Snowbird???

Sorry John, I would have liked to have met at Rolling Saturday morning but I was up in Vermont. Boy, it was cold up there! How about next week?

The truth has finally come out. John has tumbled to the fact that I enjoyed secret powers beyond those of mere mortal students. Making that juke box disappear from the cafeteria and reappear in my basement was something of a coup. Of course, the real power play was in having Sammy Davis come over to personally pick up his, Manlow's, and other's records that I deemed offensive.

Gary:
Turn the Plant into a retirement home?????? I dunno about that one.
Somehow, a bunch of old geezers "kissin' in the halls" doesn't paint such a pretty picture to me. But Blues an 'Bucks sounds good! How 'bout 10AM Sat. at Rolling??? Dave? Steve? Anyone else?
Or better yet, the bagle place next door (gots to have better coffee than Bucks' burnt toast juice!!!).

Amanda:
Ahhh, ye olde jukebox. I remember getting three songs for a quarter. Got to play Anne Murray's "Songbird" three times in a row for ONLY a quarter!!! The box disappeared not long after that. I still think Ruth had something to do with it! Gee, it's funny that some of us were commenting at the Reunion how little some of us have changed. :)

Amanda:
I had nothing to do with the MVHS Faculty Registry or the MVHS Alumni Registry. That started out as a MVHS web page run by an assistant principal there. The maintenance of the site was taken over by alum Jeff Peters. When the MVHS web site moved to a County-owned web site, Jeff no longer had authorization to access the site (since he is not a FF County employee), so he set up the registries on yet another site. That site is not a County- or MVHS-controlled site, and has no relation to this site, other than a common interest. However, the MVHS site and this site have links to the Registry. I am only dealing with our Class site. I have thought about creating a page on this site for an e-mail registry for our class, but haven't made it a priority, since there is already one on the other site, and addresses can be typed into the Guest Book.

Jerimiah was a bullfrog. Was a good fried of mine. I never understood a single word he said, but I helped him drink his wine. Whenever I hear that I STILL think of the MV cafeteria. The other song that does that for me is "Our House" by Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Taylor, Reeves, Santa Claus, Obi-Wan and the Lennon Sisters.......BTW, I like the MV retirement home idea! But for a bunch of old farts hobbling around, we'll need to install an elevator. Then we can start selling elevator passes for REAL!

Sure is fun hearing from everyone again! - Wish Mr. Skinner would sign in the faculty guest book. (Thanks John for getting that set up - great idea.) I wonder if the 90's technology would allow a modern day Mr. Skinner to catch truants electronically without having to run out of his quonset hut every few minutes!! ------ Does anyone remember the Juke Box that was installed in the cafeteria our senior year? "Jeremiah was a Bullfrog" played over and over again. (Think BM is bad?) John, Frank, any of you cyber-whizzes, how do I unhook from a web-site builder turned nightmare? Can I retrieve source codes and files? Keep up the "writing reunion" everyone, it really is great. Amanda

Good Old Mt. Vee... Whenever I ride by there I can't help but reminise (bust me someone). Sock Hop ?? JH ? A Little Blues Brothers? I'm up for that. I think that Jim West is still playing locally around the NOVA area. I haven't heard or seen from Kenny in a long time. I went to my older sister Carolyns reunion (class of '71) and I vaguely remember someone bring up his name but I don't remember why... Ruth, I'm glad that you're back on....and that you went to the expense (monetary & emotionally) to get your son the best in computers while you still have to wind yours up to play...DEWEY !! How's life my man? Loved the tune. You should have gotten into the rap biz .....it pays big bucks for making those kinda sounds from your mouth.... I ran into Mary Dundas a couple of weeks ago in Olde Towne. She's really sorry that she missed the reunion. Especially when I told her about all the fun we had. And the fact thst i could remember just about everything 5 months later. (memory, age?) John, thanks for the mail...I think I remember Judy F. being there now. We just didn't speak, I guess. Well gotta go. Still at the house in pajamas working virtual today. Everyone have a great day... PEACE !!!! Gary Oh yea, one more thing. I say we buy the school and turn it into a retirement home for ALL ALUMNI - teachers and students. Wouldn't that be a blast !! LATER !! Anyone in the area up for coffee at Starbucks soon ???? Either across from Springfield Mall or Rolling Road ?

Mary: Glad to have you back and doing better! We missed you. Don't be a stranger. I'll try to get more pics up soon (maybe this weekend). Did you see your sixth grade picture a while back?

Ruth: It's HARD to write music with text. That was supposed to be Inna Gadda da Vida. The Neeee's are the high organ, the Domp's are the bass, and the rest is, of course, DRUMS!.......Don: I WANT CHEEZY POOFS! Oh my god! They killed Kenny! YOU BASTARDS! (Trey Parker rules!) ......Mary: Glad to hear you're doing better! Sorry you missed the reunion. It WAS a gas. But if you pay regular attention to this web site, you'll find it makes a pretty good surrogate. Just ask Ruth. (But you MUST contribute!) So what ELSE have you been up to during the last 5 years? (Since we didn't get to interrogate you at the reunion...)

Hey everyone. Sorry to have missed the reunion, but things are much better now and I was just wondering how everyone is doing. I heard from a couple of people about the reunion (Cindi Barr, John Rice, George Bernard). Wouldn't mind hearing from others.

if you are totally bored, go to http://members.aol.com/Thisssux/index.html this is April's web page (18) she has links to Casey's (12) (with a sub-page dedicated to South Park,and if you ask "what's South Park?" you obviously don't have teens in your house),Sally (14) and Jessica (16) said their pages are underconstruction. I destroyed my web page, it sucked..I'm still trying to hire the webmeister to help me out. I wanted to put some family pics on the site but my wife is paranoid about anything personal on the internet..speaking of pics..how about a few more webmeister? a few people asked me for Mrs. Yearick's address: 501 W. Holly Rd, Virginia Beach, Va 23451 She would love a note from any former student. don

Okay, Dewey. I give up. What are you talking about?

Neeeeeeee...Nee Nee Neeeeeee.... Nee Nee niddle-iddle eeeeee.....Domp Domp Dah-Dah Dah Domp.. DANT DANT DAAAAH... dah-Domp Domp Dah-Dah Dah Domp....DANT DANT DAH............ Chugga dugga domp-domp THOOM THOOM!....Chugga dugga domp-domp THOOM THOOM!..... OK. Kenny Newdeck on organ. Jim West on drums. And the hippie crowd on drugs.....A card table out in front of the gym with Tim Henry selling tickets. Ah, my kingdom for the acoustic grace of hardwood floors and folded-up bleacher seating. And wasn't it neat: You got to DRIVE there!

Uh oh, Dewey. I hope you didn't replace all those albums with CD's. If so, put them in your closet, too, and get out those drumsticks!!

And John, congrats on showing such extraordinary good judgement by sticking BM where he belonged at the reunion. You have accurately gauged my torture tolerance threshold.

How 'bout we just rent it for a kick ass sock hop in the gym, and get a live band that plays the FULL version of Inna Gadda?

Hi Kids! I am just now getting back on line with a hand-me-down computer from my son. He got a new one for Christmas and it's been tough pulling him off his new toy to refurbish his old toy for his dear mom who will soon be in the poor house from buying him his new toy. Even so, I'm all for making an offer on the Plant when it becomes available -- I've still got $15 or $20 burning a hole in my pocket.

So let's all just chip in and buy the ol' place! I'm sure we could come up with SOMETHING to do with it! ;^)

SIA had a 5-year lease ... which then was renewed for an additional time period about 4 years ago. They are indeed moving out at the end of that extension term .... which I can't remember whether it is June of this year or whether it would be June of next year. In any event .... they're outta there soon ..... will be interesting to see what FF Cty does with it now that it's been refurbished. They will, however, NOT be moving Whitman back into it. They just spent a bundle renovating Whitman with the intent of keeping it where it currently is (the old Stephen Foster). There's my bit.

I fer one liked the "BM" title, ya'll!

And I was under the impression (though I don't remember why) that the Islamic folks were no longer in it and it was being used by somebody else. Are they subletting?

John, It is my understanding that they had a long term lease on the building. I do not recall that the county sold it to them.

Heard on the news yesterday that a Saudi Islamic School was looking to expand its facilities, and was looking for a place near Dulles Airport. I think this is the operation that owns the old Mt. Vernon High School. If so, I wonder what will happen to the ole "plant". Looks like deja vu all over again.

Dewey: Sorry for deleting your last post. I modified the song with a file saved before your last post, and wiped your latest out when uploading. Regarding your HTML comments, it will allow returns in the "normal" fashion, but will have the undesirable consequences I mentioned--at least in the manner I tried. However, I am not aware of another quick way to "fix" it, at least not simply. HTML is very easy to learn. There are not many commands--but like I said, if you don't get them right....

Dewey:

I tried the "fix". It does work. However, the "fix" is worse for other reasons:

1) The font in the "fix" must be fixed-width spacing (as evidenced by my "lyric" post of 12/31), as opposed to the proportional spacing now used in the Guest Book. While this isn't bad for an occasional song, I don't think it would be comfortable for every posting;

2) The "fix" does not allow automatic return at the end of the line (the carriage return will happen only when the typist types it). This means that the typist will have to guess when to hit the carriage return. If that guess isn't correct, it would mean that we would all have to horizontally scroll to read the post in our browsers. This would be REALLY annoying, and alone would keep me from using the "fix". A workaround for this could be limiting the number of spaces per line in the form, but then that number would have to be set at the lowest common denominator, i.e., for a 13" screen in VGA-mode. This would then give larger screens unnecessarily large margins. All in all, I think that the way it is now is preferable. If you really want to format, HTML coding is available for those who want to learn it. But PLEASE test it before posting!!!

In the meantime, if I see a web address posted, I will edit it to make it an active link, as I have done previously. I will also attempt to do this for obvious lyrics or the like, if you type in the appropriate returns when you post. Also, if anyone thinks that their message just cannot be communicated without required formatting, post your message, then e-me after posting, and I will edit it for the desired format.

Dewey:

There is a way to "code" in the line formats, but I would rather not promote it. One very minor slip-up can make the whole page go willy. I know, I've done it! However, I have the luxury of being able to correct it right away. I was wondering when someone would pop that question. I have very recently been thinking about coding the program so that you won't have to, and have an idea about how to do it. I just haven't tried it yet. [Please don't try to code formating yourself, because the way I'm contemplating "fixing" it would be affected by doing your own coding, which I would then have to remove if I re-program like I'm comtemplating.]

I'm also debating the pros and cons of doing so. I wonder if doing so would tend to make the format appear rather messy and spread out, rather than bundled the way it appears now.

Note that it is not necessary to do a carriage return at the end of a line in the Guest Book form. It self wraps when you type. When displayed in the Guest Book, the lines will show different lengths for different people, depending upon their individual screen sizes. Thus, I am wondering if uninformed, thoughtless, or abusive use of the carriage return would muck things up, especially by some clown who decided it would be "fun" to do so. Would you like to see messages posted with 20,000 straight carriage returns? I have seen abundant use of the "space" key being used for creative effect in the posts. However, multiple spaces will only show up as one space, so any additional spaces used will unecessarily fill up the available space that I have available for this site.

So far, this site has not been invaded by such activity, so I am willing to listen to suggestions, if that is what you want. That being said, HTML formatting can be used in the Guest Book form. However, I request that any one who knows how to use it--and elects to do so--type their message out in a text editor first, and then view the result in their browser and correct, if necessary, before copying and pasting their message into the Guest Book form. [However, as I requested above, I'd prefer you didn't use it right now, until I determine what effect my "fix" will have.] If I have to continuously correct those failed attempts at my end, I will have no choice but to remove that feature from the form.

Whew !! January 2, 1998 !! Time is flying !!! But life is good. No, Dewey, I didn't see Judy at the picnic. She maybe came after I left? Remember, I was there with my younger sister Nancy (class of '73) . We hung out most of the day at the "hippie" table. Sorry, couldn't resist. Especially when I look in the '72 yearbook at the pictures of Mr. Sharp, Ms. Brinson & Ms. Dittmar. My sister & I still talk about that day. I'm going to go with her to her 25th picnic this year (odds on seeing the Thomas' again?). I say we get together and have a '72 vs. '73 something or other..I know it would be tough because there aren't that many alum here and it is already Jan. but who's to say we can't "crash it"....Just a thought...Well gotta run. Dewey, if you talk to Judy in the near future, tell her I said hello.... Take Care All....Gary :-)

John: PS: What's a guy gotta type to get a carriage return in his Guest Book posting? Whenever I do that it gets lost in the translation and everything gets run into one paragraph. But I notice that YOU have managed it.... Is there something us non-webmeisters can do?

John: The thing that was so appropriate about Manilow singing "I write the Songs" is that he DID write so many of the commercial jingles we knew back then, e.g. "Get a bucket of chicken...". The irony is that he did NOT write "I Write the Songs", as I recall. (And, yes, "BM", as you call him, DID put New Year's Eve on an album. I remember hearing it but don't recall which one. I'll bet Dan does.) I also remember Yearick's tale of the robbery. The guy threatened to blow her foot off, as I recall.

OK, OK, Dewey, I must admit Mandy is a pretty tune. Now you don't have to dig out the album. To answer your question, I don't know if "BM" ever put out the song to the lyrics I posted. Peace.