Guest Book

Hey Sam! Glad to hear from you! Sounds like all is well in Richmond. Drop me an e-mail so we can catch up - or - hold on and I'll get a msg. off to you soon. Still avoiding the ghost of Ovid Butler by the way. The nightmares still haunt me. Of course you probably don't suffer from any such affliction. I seem to recall that you ate Functions for breakfast! Steve

For those with an interest in the Class of '71 30-year reunion (or with siblings who might be interested), I got this info from Dan Adkins: Dinner ($85) on 11 August 2001 at the Old Town Radisson in Alexandria, VA (which also has a block of rooms for attendees). Picnic ($35) on 12 Aug.,(catered BBQ) at the Ft. Hunt Park. The guy collecting checks is John M. Krolak, 840 Briars Bend, Alpharetta, GA 30004, 770.664.2510, jyk8@cdc.gov.

Great to hear from you, Sam. Keep an eye on this web site. It's a great pre-reunion warm-up. I remember talking to you on the phone before the 20-year reunion and thinking you might make that one. Hard to believe that conversation was almost 10 years ago! You definitely have to make the 30 year. (Did you look at the web site pictures from the 25 year? Some familiar folk there for ya, though you might not recognize 'em anymore!) One name you'd be interested not present much here or at the reunions is Bob King. He's the Press Secretary for the Governor of Alaska! Check the state website http://www.gov.state.ak.us/staff.htm and there's a link to email Bob. Why don't you surprise him at work with an email?

I had to say hello to those of you who remember me. I am living in Richmond, Virginia. I am very happily married with two great kids (I am an optimist and have always been one so you might have to ask them for their opinions). I saw some very familiar names on this list, names like Dewey Anderson and Steve Carroll, and wish that I'd had the presence of mind to follow up and see how you have all done over the last 29 years (an eternity perhaps but in reality for me,a wink of an eye). If you have a moment and would like to say hello please email me personally so that I can again begin to appreciate the great year that I had at MVHS and especially the very fond memories of young friends and class mates. I hope to attend the 30 year reunion and if I can be of any help to the organizing team please let me know. Best regards to all.....Sam

Happy Summer everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying that summer is here and hopefully the hectic daily grind is not so crazy and allows for some laid back time. I'm feeling especially "old" today, my youngest daughter turned 21. She invited me to celebrate last night with her friends in Chapel Hill, NC (Tarheel territory)but as the evening progressed to bar hopping she quickly suggested I might need to go home because it was getting late! Oh the days of fun in your twenties are such distant memories that most days I can't remember yesterday! I was recently visting my folks at home and we explored the new Smithsonian exhibit of the Presidents. I highly recommend it to everyone, very impressive photographs, documents, and artifacts. Reminded me how lucky we were to have lived in such a historical area that impacted the nations future, no matter what your political persuasion may be. Go see it soon!

Dewey, Yes, Mike has definitely been enjoying natural beauty of the Denver area. He finally made it up to the continental divide, Wyoming, and a few other sites that I can't remember at this hour. I almost came to visit and make a vacation out of it, but opted to meet him in Vegas. We drove through the Grand Canyon, and then on to Sedona and Phoenix. I could not have imagined the Grand Canyon, and Sedona was awesome. Mike was not as awe-struck as I was with Sedona since he had just come from the Rockies! Well, enough rambling. Good night!

Cindee: Glad to hear the odor is only up in Greeley. The Denver area isn't too bad until you get over to Commerce City, where the petroleum processing plants are. Phew! But that doesn't affect most of the area. I just had dinner in "LoDo" (Lower Downtown Denver) with a bunch of friends last night and a couple of us commented that had we thought of it, we would have chosen to try the new Cooperstown restaurant (owned by Alice Cooper) instead of our more traditional haunt. But it just wasn't "present enough" in our brains to come out when someone said "Where shall we eat?" Maybe next time. I hope your husband has had a chance to bop up into the mountains while he's out here. That's what really makes it worth while.

Dewey, I meant to say the odor IN GREELEY, not Denver. I think it's the meat processing plant.

Hi All, Just checking in and glad to see you're having as much fun as ever! Anyway, if there is anything I can do from a distance to help with the reunion, just give me an assignment. I'll be in town from July 10-15(meeting at the Washington Court through Friday, then to the parents' homestead until Sunday). Let me know if you need me and I'll give you the local number. Take care and stay cool! p.s. Dewey, my husband has been working out in Greeley, Co and says (minus the odor) that the Denver area is beautiful. He said you should check out a new place called "Alice COOPERSTOWN." It's a sports bar, and Alice was actually there when he went.

Hope this weekend was a good one for all. Robin Leckey was in town and we got together last Sunday. Robin is my oldest friend from MV (gradewise not agewise!) and it was great to see him again. Unfortunately, he remembers all too well the antics we used to do-especially in the cafeteria with Ingrid Sweede, Shelley Steinke, and Richard Colella. Of course, it was good that I got all that lunchroom immaturity out of my system so that I could enjoy more mature lunch breaks in my senior year with Richard, Dewey and Don Woods! Anyway back to Robin- we went out to dinner and ran into Sandy Bredbenner, who we both knew from the Class of '73-small world! Robin said to say "Hello" to all of you.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's of 72!

Gee, I don't know, Ruth. Sounds like a no-brainer to me - er, make that a "no-suiter". ;^)

Hi Gang. I'm in Tampa on one of my road trips -- bored spitless and trying to choose between a pay-per-view movie ("Remember the Titans" is STILL one of the options) and hitting the pool/hot tub without benefit of bathing suit -- tough choice.

Just checking in...better late than never. Sorry - missed everyone - family and job duties have kept me away. Anyway...Hello everyone!

What is this talk of 30 year reunions? All this time I thought I was lurking in the Guest Book of my High School class...obviously I'm mistaken. Sorry!

Well I got all the spelling right, and I'm sure the grammer is OK...but my math needs work 2001 + 30 does not equal 2033 does it? Ruth, Janine do say a word :-)

Dewey is on the money. Four short years, which seemed like an eternity at the time, have given us memories we still talk about 30 years later. I hope the class of 2001 has the same kind of memories in 2033. One thing I've said before and some people think it's a strange way to look at it. Most of us are now older than our parents, and a lot of our teachers, were when we were in high school. I don't feel old at 47, but when I was 16 someone that was 47 WAS old. Einstein said that time slows down as you approach the speed of light. Did he ever mention that time compresses as you get older?…..Where have the years gone? John, I want to thank you for giving this bunch of, young at heart, old fogies (as our kids would call us) a forum to talk about our youth and the people and experiences that have shaped our lives. Now it is time for everyone to come out of lurker land with more than a head count.

Don: That's dang cool that you had dinner with Lo... er, Mrs. Yearick this past January. I wrote a song a decade ago or so that would be appropriate to play for her. It was motivated by an episode of "The Wonder Years". ..... For those of you with kiddlings, I'm sure this comes as no surprise, but to those of us without such reminders of the flying of time, it's amazing to think that we spend more time BETWEEN reunions (which we have pretty often) than we spent at MV together. There are kids who hadn't started high school yet when we last met that are graduating this year. ALL of their high school memories have taken place in that interval. Geez.

meoooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Janine! What are you doing inviting more people to join the committee? There are already too many of us tripping all over each other trying to find our butts with both hands! Beware newcomers, we are a sad lot but never fear. Frank has jumped in and provided us one heck of a kick start - kinda like hearding cats huh Frank?

OK ... Just ONE more thing. If anyone has moved in the last five years -- e-mail your new address, phone number, and e-mail address. Thank you very much! Goodnight.

Don? Just mark July 4 - July 7 and taken and reserved for great company, food and drink, lots of walks down memory lane and .. hmmmmm... travel time. Whatever is left over out of those days? You can have back later for more definite travel plans. OK? k. AND THAT GOES FOR THE REST OF YOU TOO !!

Yeah Ruth ... got tangled, fell down, couldn't get up -- still can't but at least I can barely reach my keyboard from down here. Actually the keyboard's down here with me -- it's the monitor and the typing that I can't see. Now ... all you folks that have just been WAY too shy to stick your neck out and join this superfun Committee for a lifetime experience -- you REALLY don't have to be so shy. We certainly welcome any and all input for fellow classmates (and I guess, you too Brad). SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ... if you are so inclined -- or even if you aren't but have a case of the guilts for living so close and not doing a doggone thing to get things moving for this class in the past -- feel free to come (you won't even have to tell us which of those things motivated you and we'll just naturally assume it's the fun-loving, gentile, fantastic company you'll be keeping in this process ((INSERT BIG INNOCENT GRIN AND SMILE HERE COMPLETE WITH HALO, PLEASE)). In other words -- if you want to join in on all this fun with a bunch of your crazy classmates, e-mail me before the 24th and I'll be MORE than happy to e-mail you back with definitive directions. There -- is that better, y'all?

OK Don, here's the short summary - Facilities at Sheraton Premiere are nice, contract and pricing sucks. Contacted Eric Swanson re: Mt. Vernon Inn. Eric says the new, improved facilities are still available for July 4. He's going to call me back tomorrow and fax some info to me. Meeting at Janine's in a few weeks. More news at 11:00...

We plan things so far in advance these days, I was hoping to read something about our 30 year reunion. What's the scoop? Hey Dewey, after almost 30 years, she is Lois to me. We had dinner in January, she hasn't changed much. She remembers people like it was last week, she is amazing.

But the light of day does not help the typing too much.

In the light of day as I read my post from early this morning I see something thay may cause me get some flack. So before Ruth corrects my spelling, or would it be grammer? It is good to "hear" from you Janine.

Welcome back Janine, but next time don't say so much. I hope you didn't come down with a case of carpul tunnel typing that. But really, glad to here anything from you. Where has the once prolific one been hiding?

(So, Janine, did any/all of those possibilities apply??) Glad you are home safe dear.

9

8

7 - Hello everyone! Welcome, Cathy!

I figure five things are possible: 1. Janine is hot on the trail of a new car at iwin.com; 2. Janine is in love (sort of the same thing as #1 above); 3. Janine has never really forgiven us for rearranging the tables at Cedar Knoll; 4. On the parenting front, Janine has come to understand why some animals eat their young; and/or Janine has gotten entagled in a massive Color Guard flag, has fallen, and can't get up. In any case, I imagine she'll come home when she's good and ready. (Janine, are you ready yet??? Come on sweetie -- it's lonely without you!)

Ahhhh....6? Hello Janine, hello Janine.....are you out there?

FIVE!

UH 4! I think....HELLO ALL !!!! Just got back fron vacation. Went fishig in The bahamas, with a couple of Old MVHS buddies. Mike DeChants & Marty Tomlin. There were actually 4 of us on board. We all caught fish. Most of them keepers. Caught 4 nasty barracudas...Fighters but not keepers. It was a blast!!! All guy trip. Actually been back since Wednesday and just getting on here. Checking mail and what not. Decided to see what's going on in the MVHS Guest Book. I'm glad to see that people are still "checking in". Man O' Man...We caught some fish. I brought back about 10 filets of Mahi Mahi and 6 Tuna Steaks...What a relaxing time. Had so much fun. Weather wasn't the greatest, cloudy alot, but the fishing and time spent was marv. Absolutely looking forward to the 30th. Was thinking about it while on vacation. We were saying that time is really flying by. Well, have to run and get back to the "Honey-Do" list. Hope all is well with everyone. Take Care~~Gary..PS A quick "Shout Out" to the Newcomer...Cathy. I'm sure you don't remember me but I seem to recall you lived in Riverside for a while. Anyway...Hello and welcome aboard !!

Ichi, nee, san...

TU!

ONE!

Okay, I know I've been absent for a while and I don't mean to jam the airwaves -- and annoy everyone -- with my newly recaptured energy, but I just went back to the first Guestbook entries from early 1997. I can't help but notice that we seem to be a little behind the curve in planning AND Guestbook interaction regarding the 30th reunion. I can appreciate that we don't want to hash out all the fine details here in the glaring light of possible dissent, but at the same time, I'm worried that we're not exhibiting the same excitement that was evident in the prepubescent Guestbook/25th Reunion days. Perhaps it's time for another roll call. Lurkers: front and center! Count off .... (Janine, help me here)

Brad, reports are that "Shrek" is worth it, regardless of price.

Hey Ruth, you could buy a round of drinks a Cedar Knoll for $300

mood and sense of humor...normal? Come now Ruth, you know they will figure out a way to tax us on that $300. Also if you get a small popcorn and a small drink you will only be able to see "Shrek" 23 times.

Go see "Shrek" 40 times?

Kawfee Talk: What are you going to do with YOUR $300 tax rebate?

Hey gang. I've more or less recovered from my stint with the Florida legislative session but am now in the process of doing road trips to explain what happened to the bewildered populace. Other than the constant travel (most recently, 4 trips to 4 different cities in 4 days) this is the part of my job that I actually enjoy. My blood pressure, mood and sense of humor are gradually returning to normal -- which you may or may not consider to be a good news. Hi Cathy! I remember you (sort of). Glad you are in touch -- Please stay with us.

Frank: I didn't actually know Ralph Newman very well but Dan Adkins did. I passed on your info to Dan and he thought that was pretty cool. Maybe Ralph will make it to the class of '71 reunion this summer and Dan will see him there.

Living in Ky,would love to hear from anyone that wants to contact me!

Dewey-Speaking of Ralph Newman, I saw him a few months back. He lives nearby in Centreville, VA. He works for WTS, Inc. (used to be Washington Tennis Services, but they've expanded into health club management, etc.) Looks just like the Ralph of old.

As for Mr. Maskalenko - and to students, it seems a high school teacher is always "Mr." or "Miss" or "Mrs." It seemed odd to see him referred to as "Paul". I don't often think of Mrs. Yearick as "Lois". Actually, come to think of it, there was a small set of students that had a nickname for Mr. Maskalenko. Ralph Newman, Dan Adkins and then me and some others referred to him as "Zasko". I'm not sure of the origin, but I imagine it's an imaginative contraction of his name. It was always used in a friendly way though I suspect he never heard it. ..... Anyway, as for Mr. Maskalenko, I must say I always considered him a jolly sort. In the 1969 and 1970 yearbooks they published a candid sequence of shots of him. Something about his nature lent itself to that. ..... I remember he often got into animated discussions with our "most hippie" classmate, Leigh Henry. A clash of wills that was always fun to watch, but I don't recall any true rancor. ...... I remember that he was the first color blind person I had ever known. One day the class discussion dwelt on what he sees when he sees red or green, since to him they looked the same. He said people would ask him if he saw grey and he'd rely, "No. I know what grey is. This is different. I call this 'rr-guh-buh' because it's red, green or brown. I can't tell which." And this discussion set the seeds for the rather philosophical thought that we don't really know that the subjective experience others have when they see a color is anything like our own experience. We have all learned to call blue "blue" but maybe what we actually SEE (experience) is different. I remember the idea shaking my world and reality lost some of its definiteness for me. (Wedlock could have used this!) And since then, I've learned that a similar phenomenon happens with taste and I suspect I am what they call a "supertaster" being able to taste certain chemicals that most people don't. They strike me as bitter and are why I don't much like grapefruit and a lot of vegetables (e.g. cauliflour, spinach) that have good anti-cancer properties. I'm also very sensitive to hot spices. The Science News article in which I read about this said "So you can imagine that the supertaster is living in quite a different world of food." At last, evidence that it's not just that I'm a "picky eater". I'm tasting different things there! So I find myself reminded that my world tastes different, just as Zasko's world LOOKED different. Some aspects of reality that I thought were objective turn out to be subjective after all. (Wedlock should be taking notes. ;^) ) ...... And I guess we were probably one of the last classes Mr. Maskalenko had to teach slide rule to! Within a few years, calculators had replaced the ol' "slip stick". I still have mine. And I could still multiply or divide on it if I had to!

Richard: I hope that in reading comments on your father you went back to the July-December 2000 log entries (linked at the bottom of the page). There's quite a bit mentioned there. I suppose it's one of the things about being a high school teacher - you never really get the feedback that tells you how important you were to your student's lives. Thanks for the background on him. I will always remember him standing up there and telling us "Class... This was a woman ah was willin' to MAHRY. And today I don't even remembah her name!" (Apologies for the poor attempt to transcribe his "Southern Gentleman" accent. But it's a crucial part of the memory for me.) One of the few teachers intent on preparing us for LIFE. Be proud.

Coincidentally, Richard and classmates, since the Groveton Tigers football team name was completely sabotaged by the Hollywood producers of "Remember the Titans," I laugh a little less and wonder a little more about how did they come up with the Groveton Lions!? Know what I mean?

Coincidentally, Richard and classmates, since the Groveton Tigers football team name was completely sabotaged by the Hollywood producers of "Remember the Titans," I laugh a little less and wonder a little more about how did they come up with the Groveton Lions!? Know what I mean?

I have spent a few moments reading your comments concerning my Father, George F. Lyons. At the ripe old age of fifty-two, with over 20 years military service I thought I was beyond being moved to tears. You, his students, are my Father's greatest legacy. He was never wealthy. He came from a poor family in Laurens, SC and following WWII spent a few years with a flying service out of North Carolina. He decided if he was going to amount to anything at all he should utilize that great piece of legislation (The GI Bill) and go to college. He was the first of his family to do so. It angered his family at the time as they felt that he would return to the farm after he got that "flying bug" out of him. He was a very good pilot. I think he was a far better teacher. I moved that you, his students felt so highly of him. He was as you saw him. He would be proud of you all. You had my father as a teacher at Mount Vernon due to Fairfax County School Board personnel policies. He started teaching at Groveton, and moved to Fort Hunt High School where he became a principal there. His first love though was teaching. When he opted to take a reduction in pay and return to the classroom he had to leave Fort Hunt. You were the students he had in his final years. He never looked back on that decision. Richard Lyons

Richard- Thanks for adding your message to the Guestbook. Sue Atkinson forwarded the Email messages between the two of you to me and I thought I would respond here so others could learn about your other MV connection. I never had Mr Maskalenko's class, so even though I'd always heard great things about him and the class- I never experienced it myself (maybe that's why I stumbled around for a few years!) But, I did have class with your father the first year he came to Mt Vernon. Mr Lyons was my favorite teacher. I'm not just talking about my senior year, but the entire time I was at Mt Vernon. He was brilliant and interesting (which is indeed a rare combination!).He made learning fun and was always sharing stories about himself with his students- unlike many other educators who taught boring facts that students never thought could help later in life! For me, he opened up doors that would have taken me years, if ever, to find myself. I realized there was so much to learn and looked forward to life outside of high school (not so easy when you were as shy as I was at the time!) In fact, I stopped in several times for a couple of years after graduating to see him after school. He always remembered me and took time to visit, which meant a great deal to me at the time-and it still does... after all these years!

DAG! "DO he just sneak in ...." My Guestbook writing skills have really atrophied from two long months of reading legislator's nonesense rather than writing my own. It must be bedtime.

By the way, where the heck IS John? Do he just sneak in, change the music and then vanish back into the Bat Cave?

It's Mother's Day! I'm up late, working on bill summaries and a budget analysis -- session is over, but the fun continues -- and also trying to prepare my gastro-intestinal tract in anticipation of the culinary delights I will be served later this morning by my two rather imaginative assistant chefs. The third chef in in Myrtle Beach defying skin cancer and having more fun -- and probably a more palatable breakfast (beer?) -- than me. To the wonderful women in our class who are similarly afflicted, I say: chow down, ladies -- and worry scraping the scrambled eggs off the ceiling later.

When looking for information on my family, this was one of the few sites other than his burial information at Quantico National Cemetary that I found information on my Uncle Paul Maskalenko. Rather sad.

Brad - Not only do you need a partner, you need a CPA and a Lawyer to help you cover your rear in the event that you burn someone's house down while soldering pipes (or flood their house while cleaning a drain). Then there's payroll, withholding taxes, quarterly tax reports, local taxes, state taxes, licenses, and heaven forbid one of your employees should have an occupational injury or sue you for sexual harassment or discrimination. Are you *sure* that you want to do this? :) Oh, and you have to buy some "plumber's jeans" - the kind that hang so low in the back...never mind.

Hello....Hello...OK, where is everybody? I've been a sittin' out here lurkin' and for what? We hit 47 and forget how to turn on the old 'puter? OK all you other lurkers, it's roll call time. Ruthie we know has had her brain turned to mush by listening to the Florida legislators ramble on about nothing for a couple of months. Now she has to make sense of it all. Janine? Dewey? Steve? Hey guys give me something to lurk. I guess I'll have to find other ways to pass my time. I know a little about plumbing, I have a monkey wrench and some Teflon tape and a snake. Heck, I have all the tools already, I'll start a new business. Hey Frank I need a partner.

Ruth- I'm oh so sorry to tell you this, but you are too late! The position for the host of "The Weakest Link" has already been filled. We feel your audition, though an admirable attempt, warrants the following advice: DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DAY JOB!! Good-bye.

Well....Hello Gang...All is well in Springfield. Just sitting at the computer and thought I'd check in. Great weather today in the beautiful State of Virginia. Sunny and about 85 all day!!! I've gotten through about two thirds of the dreaded weekend "honey-do" list. Yard looks great. Tomorrow is another day. They're (who are they?) calling for a little "Thunder Buster" sometime this weekend. How's that for accuracy. I know...I'll go out and wash my car and sure as rain,pun intended,It Will Happen. Anyway...I hope everyone is doing good!! As Always.... Keeping It Real In The Field G! ;-)~

(Okay, I admit I should probably recant my last two posts on account of rudeness. My excuse is that I'm a bit wired since the legislature adjourned, sine die -- if you don't know what "sine die" means, go look it up -- VERY late Friday night and I'm still in recovery from the f--k-fest.)

One thing is clear: I obviously need to schedule another trip north to light a fire under a few of the organizers of the next reunion. What a lackadaisical bunch of slackers! (Janine, darling, how could you let this happen?) (Janine? YO JANINE! Where the heck are you?)

Well, I was gonna ask "what's been happening here while I've been submerged for the last two months?" but a quick perusal of the Guestbook tells me the answer to my question is NOT MUCH. On one hand, I'm glad I haven't missed anything. And on another hand, I'm sort of flattered that you all don't seem to be able to function without me. But in the final analysis (since I've run out of hands) I have to conclude that you all really are a sorry lot since it appears that it is possible that my life with the brain trust in the Florida legislature MIGHT have been more exciting than YOUR life with yourselves. DAG!

I'm thinking I need to change my profession...

Frank, One thing I learned while in Atlanta was not to worry so much about getting things done (like chores!) Ms. Scarlett had the right idea -- "I'll just worry about that tomorrow." However, one thing that does worry me is the thought of my CPA and Plumber raising the rate to $1,500 an hour!!

I hear that the plumbers in Tallahassee are not former CPAs but former Legislative Liaisons that could not spell liaison.

Ruthie...she lives and breathes! Please release Janine so she can continue her correspondence here! Take a deep breathe, have another Marguerita, and call your plumber!

Sue, my oxen will be set free in two more days -- at which point I wil consider releasing the hostages and also get fitted for my straight jacket.

Mike, Well if you didn't spend so much time in GA, you'd have more time for your chores. I'd probably be the most expensive (and educated) "handyman" that you have ever hired. Which brings to mind a CPA story: A CPA calls up a plumber to unclog a drain. Plumber arrives, clears the drain in 5 min. and gives the CPA a bill for $125. CPA says "Geez, this is the equivalent of $1,500/hr. I'm a CPA and I don't make anywhere near that amount." Plumber says "Yeah, I didn't either when I was a CPA." (ba da boom)

So Frank, do you hire out in your free time (which I'm sure you have a lot of in between your chores!) I have tried to click on to 4 of those things on your list that I would like you to come over and do at my house when you get finished at yours!

MVHS Sports News: Baseball season is well under way and Mount Vernon is making headlines. My buddy Carolyn Sable's nephew, John Sable III - son of John Sable Jr.(MVHS 77) is quite the MV pitching ace. He just threw a "no hitter" on his way to five straight wins. Better yet the Mount Vernon team is "totally awsome!" this year according to Carolyn. MV currently has the district lead with a 5-1 record (12-1 overall).

Not me, Sue. I'm trying to close out tax season, but these laggard clients of mine just keep on dragging things out. So while I'm waiting for them, I'm: doing deck repairs, painting, planting, performing auto maintenance, catching up on some reading, scheduling CPE, coaching baseball, mentoring Boy Scouts, planning a vacation, and enjoying some fine springtime weather.

Is everybody being held hostage in legislative session with Ruthie?? If not, I'm just going to have to assume that everybody is healthy, wealthy, and wise, and out soaking up some rays somewhere pleasant! And Janine...where are Ruthie's Oxen? Sue

You have a deal Sandy - its the "few quirky details" I'm after ;)

Well, Steve, I'll be happy to regale you with the fascinating "Saga of Sandy", but perhaps it should wait 'til after a few beers at the reunion! It would certainly use up WAY too much bandwidth (if that's still what you technophiles call it) to write it all here - *especially* since you requested all the gory details from beginning to end (which, thankfully, hasn't arrived yet!). But you know how it is when you go to a movie with too high expectations. . . it's bound to be a let down. My life is actually quite ordinary (with a few quirky details here and there) :) Dewey, check back in a few hundred years to see if Rock and Roll is *REALLY* "here to stay". I hope so! I can see a concert program now: Bach, Beethoven, and the Beatles!

One thing it means, Sandy, is that rock and roll IS here to stay and that it was that "swing" stuff our parents listened to that was the passing fad. ...... And speaking of music, though more current than Black Sabbath: A reminder that next week on Wednesday, the 25th, is when my friend Kyler is playing at Zig's Bar in Alexandria. Probably hard to get you parents out on school night, though, I'll bet. Now what does THAT mean? ;^)

OK Sandy, you've teased at least one very inquiring mind. Ex husband? 27 year old(!)daughter? (and I thought having a 21 year old was "old") The heck with Black Sabbath - I want to listen to the Sandy Snyder story. As Ruth would say: "Start at the beginning, go the end and stop". I realize being overly inquisitive has it's price. An abrupt "Buzz off Bozo" works wonders for curious Carrolls - or - tell me more!

I was also at that Black Sabbath concert, with Bob Schurtz, my ex-husband and daughter's father. He was the fan; I was just along for the "ride". I loved "Almost Famous". . . and so did my 27 year old daughter . . what does *that* mean, Dewey? ss

Congrats, Beth, on the anniversary, the kiddlings and your first date with your husband being portrayed in a movie. And not that we need any more reminders, but I think it says something about time, age, etc. when the KIDS start going to high school reunions! Sounds like DJ should be thinking of his 5-year reunion.

Believe it or not Black Sabbith was David and my first date. It was in March at the Alexandria Roller Rink. Quite interesting. Well something must have worked on that first date because David and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on the 24th of April. Though I've dated him for 30 years, way more then half my life! But I wouldn't have changed anything, except for working full time with 2 boys, much would liked to have worked part time if I could have. I don't think I missed anything, just a hectic life the past 20 or more years. But they turned out OK if I must say so myself. DJ will be 23 on the 23rd of April, and Christopher is 20. For you out there who's kids are still young -- it goes by so fast! Cherish every minute!

Thanks, Mike! I'll be sure to check it out.

A really good movie with a great sound track from our time is "Almost Famous". I can remember the black sabath tour they played the old alexadria roller rink. I think that is the tour that is protrayed in the begining of the movie.

I finally watched "Remember the Titans" this past weekend. I thought it was a very good movie. The story was excellent, and it brought back a lot of memories. Anyone have suggestions for other good movies to see?

Mike- Ruth said target practice on beer cans and mailboxes started in 10 minutes, she never said how long it would take! I assumed they are still out and will come back when (a) Ruth gets tired, or (b) they run out of ammunition (or beer cans!!)

hey did ever one turn their computer off. where is everybody

??????

Thanks for fixing the guest book, John!!

Okay, I've just decided to shave my head bald, explore the artistic works of Waylon Jennings and develop an appreciation for grits. Anybody wanna go with me? Target practice on beer cans and mailboxes starts in 10 minutes.

Good Morning Group! I see it's been a while since anyone has "logged on". It's been a while since I've been here also. I just wanted to check in and say hello to all.... Things are going well with me. I finally started into my "Cardio Rehab" training. I don't think I've walked (treadmill), climbed (stair climber) or rode (schwinn stationary bike) so many miles in my life !! I must admit that it's great to be able to finally get some vigorous exercise going again. My "trainer" said that I could start lifting in about 2 weeks. Okay ... Enough about me, if you're not falling asleep, how's everyone else doing? I see the plans are underway for the B I G 3 0 !! I can't wait. I think it's great to get the ball rolling early. Hopefully, we'll have a good turnout. If there's anything I can do to help...Just give a shout out !! Take Care All...And I look forward to seeing y'all soon....G!

You guys really need to stop celebrating my birthday ever 5 years. Best of luck on all the planning for the 30 year reunion. It sounds as if you are well on the way to another grand celebration. I most likely will have to bow out next year as I will have to take a 2 weeks of vacation to attend all the graduation events and help my son get moved out of his dorm after graduation at the air force academy. But who knows.

Hmmmm ... three days of silence? Wuzzup with that?

Hey Mike! One thing I have learned in age is that sometimes when a perfect opportunity to pounce is presented......is to keep my mouth shut.

Ruth...RUTH....RRRUUUTTTHHH!!!!! I was getting worried--you sounded so mellow and relaxed in your roman tub that I was afraid you fell asleep!! Just didn't want you to come out looking like a prune!

News item: In the pictures from the 25th year reunion, there's picture "Picnic #8" with the caption "Jody and ???? with Judy and Dewey". The ???? is now Judy's new husband, Lou, whom she married last September. (Yeah, that's a while ago for calling it "news" but the word spreads slowly.) Sorry, I don't know his last name ....... I see Ruth is apparently going crazy - perhaps even gotten there by now ..... Saw a show on PBS today called "Live From a Black Hole". It's about X-ray astronomy, in particular, the Chandra telescope I worked on. I think that's my head in the background of a crowd shot of scientists watching the "first light" image come in. I'm on for about a quarter second, if that. No, you aren't going to spot me if you watch it. But watch it anyway, if you see it come on. It'll make me feel good. ;^)

DAG! My pager just went off. Well, as Frank Kistner has said, the best thing about Friday is that it means there are only two more working days til Monday.

A bottle of mellow, oaky chardonnay is open, my roman tub is full of a steaming, churning, soothing broth, the stereo is tuned to gentle jazz, the aroma therapy candles are lit, the kids are off to their dad's for spring break, the phone is off the hook. The exhausted lobbyist has left the building.

Can u c that the ledge is late ors r may king me cray zee?

Eye yam sew exited two here from awl of ewe! Tanks four key ping me seine 4 the passed weak. Ewe awl r grate! BUTT eye half 50 moor daze 2 go, ant eye donut no if isle may kit.

Pass him a copy of the Washington Post Obituary section.

I've just been trying to explain to George Bernard that there is a difference -- perhaps it IS a fine line -- between a pun and a misspelling. I'm knot sure he wood agree. In any case, he apprears to have a lot of time on his hands. Would won of u good folks please distract him so I can get back to work?

Don't tell me you're losing your touch Mike. Brad got it. However, the thought of obituaries in the National Enquirer presents an odd sort of intrigue.

Steve: Please explain your comment in response to my question about Joseph King being the principal of Mt. Vernon. Your remark went right over my head. I thought it was clear that I was talking about an article that I read in the Washington Post and even quoted exactly what it said about Mr.King having been the principal at MV.

To all who read these pages but were fortunate enough not to be included on an e-mail sent be one of the frequent contributors to these pages....Be glad....To all who were included, will you please join me now in a joint response?.....All together now... GROOOOOOOAAAAAAANNNNNN!!!!!!

Well kids, it's that time of year again when I immerse myself in Florida's legislative session. This year I seem to be dealing with a particularly energetic crop of egotistical idiots who are not yet house broken and are scampering around trying to leave an unsavory mark on every pillar and post. I'm following behind with a rag and a can of "Spring Bouquet" disinfectant -- my supply of which is already getting dangerously low. Needless to say, my usual sunny disposition is becoming mostly cloudy with a 75% chance of severe thunderstorms (and I can't find my umbrella). I guess that's enough mixed metaphors for one entry so I'll cut to the chase: I'm in dire need of some silliness. I turn to this Guestbook for comic relief but it seems like everyone has gone home to do their taxes or something. I need for all you lurkers and semi-lurkers to haul yourself in here and write something stupid for the Gipper (meaning me). Think of it as your civic duty to keep the troops (again, that means me) entertained while we're out there keeping the world safe for democracy and small children.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm .... got busy and haven't checked back here in a while. Things certainly have gotten quiet around here lately? Which cat took everyone's tongue?

John: The web links on the home page to the MVHS site are no longer valid but they do get you to Fairfax County schools which I was able to follow to MVHS. Mike: Looking at the MVHS history page on their site I see no evidence that the person in question was ever a principal at MVHS. They do list all principals. (I gained some appreciation for Landes' tenure there, now in retrospect. That was a long time!) Perhaps we should admonish the Post: "When it comes to MVHS principals, there's no Joe King around!"

Steve, are you insinuating that the "fine" publication know as the Washington Post does not check it's facts and is nothing more than a National Enquirer with an oversized Sunday supplement? Now back to Mike's question. Who is this guy?

Thats what happens when you indulge in gossip rather than fact Mikey boy!

Here's one for you that I have been forgetting to ask-- In the Obituaries in the Washington Post ( I hate admitting that I actually read these and that I do find people I know--occassionally!) on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000 they listed Fairfax Educator Joseph L. King, 67, who was a former assistant superintendent for instruction of the Fairfax County public school system. "He was the principal of Falls Church High and Mount Vernon High before being named the county's Area II superintendent in 1973." Unless they later printed a correction that I missed, who is this guy and when was he the principal of MV ? WOW, maybe I forgot more than I realized about those years!!!

OK folks. You're always looking for excuses to get together for mini reunions there in NoVa. Here's one. On April 25th a friend of mine from Boston will be playing at Zigs Bar, 4531 Duke St. in Alexandria at 9 pm. This is Kyler, whom I've mentioned before. Good soulful singing and guitar. I'm afraid I won't be able to attend (what with being 2000 miles away) but if you're looking for a thing to do, you can give her a try. And if you go, be sure to say "hi" to her for me. (I think it would be cool if people did that.) If you want to "test drive" her music, you can check out her web site at www.kylerengland.com. She has some demos you can download under "Audio". She has various bit rates available, including 96kbps MP3 and 40.4 kbps RealAudio. Keep in mind that the 16 kbps and 20 kpbs won't give you great audio quality. And, OK, so who the hell knows what they'll be doing in a month and half. I'll try to remember to remind ya'll as the approachs. And, hey, it's only 5 bucks to get in....... Promo over.

John, Great hearing from you, thanks for not giving up the search for me, I always think back to the good times we had. Please continue to keep in touch and really looking forward to seeing everyone again and coming to the next reunion. Talk to soon, must go, bye.

Steve, It was great to hear from you, indeed lets get together sometime when you can and we will go over the great times we had both in Walt Whitman and Mount Vernon High.As I look back,they were really the good times, please keep in touch and looking forward to the next reunion. Sincerely, Roy

Great to hear from you, Roy! It's nice to get one of our Class Superlatives back in camp. Don't be a stranger.

Roy Cornwell, The last time I saw you, you were piloting a shiny red Monte Carlo on Pole Road. It must have been 76 or 77. I'll never forget the fact that you were the first one to greet me on my return from Japan the first day of school September 1970 - that familiar smile and good hearted nature meant alot to a not new but mostly forgotten shy boy who had disappeared from Walt Whitman in 68. Forever thanks Roy. Speaking of Walt Whitman, we need to get together and revisit old war stories relative to fighting of the bullies in 8th grade - TV's Survivor has nothing on the sagas of you, Janine or I!

Hi, Roy! It's good to hear from you!

O MY GOD !!! He FINALLY made it here. Hey ROY !!!!!! Bout time you showed up. Does this mean we can DEFINITELY count on your presence at THIS reunion? YEAH!!! YIPPEEEEE!!! Come back and visit us soon!

A great big hello to all my classmates of the class of 1972. It was great to hear from Janine after so many years and seeing Karen from time to time at work and I really look forward to the 30 year reunion and see everyone again. 1972 was indeed a great year for us and also the best class that Mount Vernon High ever had. See you soon, bye.

Can't speak for actual Gator Grads, Ruth, but Gainesville has contributed it's fair share to the music scene. Notable former Hogtown residents: Steven Stills, Tom Petty and Minnie Ripperton. OK, so Minnie hasn't exactly rocked the world since "Loving You" in '76?, but that song made it into "South Park" so that must be worth some celebrity. I remember Petty's band, "Mudcrutch" playing the clubs in G'vil when I first got there. No, I didn't happen to go see them. Who knew?

Hey Dewey, I was just watching my new fav band -- Sister Hazel -- on TV. I've been meaning to mention to you that these guys are Gator Grads. Who would have guessed that UF could turn out any real talent? ;-) Hi Robbie!

Robbie: I didn't know you but we're happy to hear from you. And congratulations on the GED, man. I'm sure that took a high level of commitment on your part to finish. Glad to hear things straightened out for you.

I wanted to say hello to the class I grew up with, went to school with but did not graduate with. That's because I droped out of school because of my inability to read. A problem I've over come along with other problems I had. Life is good for me today, oh and I did get a G.E.D. and some college. So, hello old friends and its good to have found this site.

I've just about recovered from Dewey's total gross-out spree. Good work Mister Dew-Man -- you managed to make the macabre gore of the politics on Elm Street down here seem briefly and slightly more appetizing. Pass the vodka and chest fluid and I'll make myself a ... oh, eeeww ... never mind .... yick ... (Would you prefer tobasco or a celery stick with that?)

Good one, Dewey. Don't worry, your pun cells have not dulled - they are as sharp as ever!!!

I can't believe I missed the opportunity to call that drink a "Bloody Gary". Guess I need to sharpen my pun cells.

You know, something scares me about a guy named "DRINKMIXER" getting a quart of fluid from around his heart. If he mentions having a new special recipe for a "Bloody Mary", I'm leaving the room! But still, Gary, glad to hear you're doin' fine now.

Well....I'm back....alive and "ticking"....All went well from surgery. I went in on Tuesday the 6th and got home on the Tuesday the 13th... It's amazing what they (doctors) can do these days when it comes to Surgery. The surgery was on the 7th and it took all of 20 minutes, my doctor said, and he drained A QUART of fluid from around my heart. It was amazing. After surgery I had a tube inserted thru my stomach to the heart to drain any leftover fluids and when they FINALLY pulled it out on Saturday the 10th I was a new person. I'll spare y'all the details...But it's different. Anyway...I'm feeling great and I wanted to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Believe me when I say, they worked...Talk to y'all soon....Keepin it real...Gary PS...Brad? I got the CD this evening..Looking forward to listening to it.

John-fantastic roses! Wishing all a belated Happy Valentine's Day! Didn't get the chance to "tune-in" yesterday!

OK ... so what I want to know is .... before they closed down Napster did anyone bother to download appropriate '70s music and burn them onto CDs for the after reunion parties?? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Hey John, I'd listen to Steve. It seems Ruthie has gone from feisty to testy to being just down right sassy.....btw that last one was really funny Ruth...yee haw

Hey Hanley, who are you calling a wild grapevine? - you lousy dog-doo infested clump a crabgrass! Quit poo-pooing our enthusiasim and get that information posted.

Hey Mister Fantasy, why do I always feel like I'm in trouble with you? In a strenuous self-improvement effort, I promise not to ask any more questions about the reunion plans in public, I won't ask if I'm a former fantasy AND I won't email you the latest dirty joke I heard.

Janine: I didn't say I didn't remember you. I said I didn't know you. I've had fantasies of plenty of ladies I didn't know. Also, you HAVE a Netscape browser. Feel better?

Heck -- don't expect me to make too much sense -- I JUST got home from work and still trying to function while not feeling terribly well the last week or so. This "bug" is truly the pits. And to all you guys out there that have remained so dear to my heart over the last several years? Happy Valentine's Day to you as well !!!

WOW -- I'm impressed!! Great roses John. Since you already admitted that you don't remember me from long ago -- I know I don't fall into the category of "former fantasy" by a long shot -- but I'll take them anyway :) And ... wow .... we have minutes too? Who's the secretary? I'd like to nominate someone that is extremely precise, detail oriented, inordinately organized, for that position. I think I might have to think on that one for a while. And ... I want a Netscape browser for Valentine's Day !! OH MY -- could it be when you get this age it doesn't much matter what you get as long as you're still able to get?

Oh! BTW. Happy Valentine's Day to all my former fantasies.

Steve, I do intend to offer a page for minutes from reunion committee meetings with a convenient email button for offering opinions and/or concerns about the reunion to the committee (or any other communication that the committee decides to publish). Until such time, may I suggest that you wild grapevines do yourselves a favor and let the Reunion Committee speak in one unified voice. Much like wedding plans, things can get touchy at times. Some of the decision making process is best kept behind closed doors until it's been weighed out and agreed upon. The Committee may try its best, but it will never please everybody, and you don't want to be the specified scapegoat for the person or persons that aren't pleased. Not that I think that any members of our Class would do this. I just think that somehow, it's a wiser approach.
Further, I think it would be better if the Guest Book not become a forum for arguing, for lack of a better term, about the Reunion. I don't mean to imply that other classmates should not contribute their opinions. Quite the contrary. I have already provided a Reunion Committee page with an email button (workable from Netscape based browsers) for mailing a letter addressed to all members of the Reunion Committee simultaneously. I know I would feel more comfortable making a decision knowing what people wanted, rather than assuming. (I will also make an email button for MS based browsers, when the page is more developed.) So Class, if you have any recommendations, please mail them directly to the Committee. I'm sure the Committee will do its best to accomodate as many suggestions as possible. If done this way, you avoid the risk of appearing personally and publically snubbed if your suggestion is not followed by the Committee. The Committee can explain why some suggestions were not followed by simply justifying why decisions were made, if necessary.
In the mean time, the Committee is probably not set; a voting quorum has not been established ... etc. I think the situation is best left at: some of the members of the Committee have been making initial inquiries into possible venues so as to settle a date as soon as possible. This way, as many members of our class (and even other Class wannabes) that want to come to our Reunion can make plans to do so, without having the available excuse of "but I already had plans for that weekend".

Sorry Ruth, it's the company you keep. John, Janine, Mike and I did find one heck of a venue. I suspect John will be posting something soon so I'll refrain from spilling the beans - wouldn't want to entice the rif-raf.

Where'd everybody go? Napping? Or are you all off searching for Lorton memorabilia for Don? I've heard it through the grapevine that there may be progress on finding a site for our next reunion. I'm starting to wonder if the reason no one has mentioned it here is because there's this high level conspiracy afoot to keep the riff raff from attending the reunion and I'm worried that I made the riff raff list. Say it ain't so ....

I apologize for the slightly off-topic post, and will keep it brief in order not to consume too much server space. I am looking for people and images from Lorton, VA during the '60s and '70s for the Lorton, VA Reconstruction Project at www.LortonVA.net Please E-MAIL if you can help. Thanks!

Bill Thornton: Does the name Haseman ring any bells with you? There were seven of us who graduated from MVHS but I think the most likely match with you is my brother Paul or perhaps my sister Lynn.

Dewey, a few weeks ago I accussed "someone" of being "feisty"(yes, it's spelled right this time). I'm now of the opinion that "someone" is getting a little testy, cranky, grouchy, edgy, touchy, irritable, petulant, surly, huffy.....But then again we must not forget that after spending a week on "The Hill" trying to educate politicians on education that she is entitled to this and she can tease me anytime she pleases. But I do tease back :^)

Hi there, Bill Thornton. I have no siblings that went to MVHS around 63, however I have some aunts that you may have run across - Marjorie, Phylis and Joyce Greene. I'll have to inquire as to their class years but I do know that they all attended the plant at sometime between 57 and 65.

Dewey, my dear Budd E Bear (aka Brad) knows that I was just teasing -- and he deserved it! -- but it's sweet of you to leap to his defense.

Bill: Nice to hear from you. Mr Landes and Mr Skinner are still around, as well as Mr. Kaz. Mr. Landes is living in a retirement home in the Ft. Hunt area. Mr Yednock passed several years ago due to complications from leukemia, I believe. Mr Snyder passed just a couple of years ago.

I'm not sure how it started but one evening in '71 or thereabouts, Steve Sorrell, Joe Carpenter and I went to see a movie ("Bananas"? "The Last Picture Show"? "Woodstock"? I don't remember.) and we got to singing "Happy Trails To You" as we drove around. Somehow it became a "regular" and the phrase was included in our mutual yearbook signings. Ever since, that song has been an MVHS memory for me. Kind of appropriate to hear that here. ..... Brad, don't let Ruth's misplaced "class spirit" scare you into lurker land. I'm sure we're all happy to hear from classmates regardless of their year of birth or graduation. Unless we're trying to win the "Pep Jug". ;^) I certainly had friends from other classes and would like to see more of them participating here. .... Take Bill Thornton, for example. Class of '63? Thanks for making me feel young! There was an entry in here some time ago about somebody visiting Landes but I don't remember the details now. I did a quick check with google on the net and found some pictures from the class of 1960's 40-year reunion. It looks like Mr. Landes was in attendance! There's pictures, there, folks. So if you'd like to see how he was doing last year, go to http://webhost.btigate.com/~momdad/reunion/mvhs60/photo.shtml Coo-el.

Good choice John, a song that brings back a lot of memories of childhood Saturday mornings, black and white TV with snowy pictures. Happy Trails Dale

I am class of '63 and may have been a classmate of your older brothers or sisters. I am also leaving this note in memory of my sister Dora Anne Thornton class of '58 now deceased. I would be interested in knowing if Melvin B. is still alive. I believe Woodrow T. Robinson better known as the Grey Ghost is deceased. I would like any feedback anyone has to offer. Are coach Skinner, Yednock or Snyder still around?? Respectfully, Bill Thornton

Well Ruth, pizza at Mike's and then bowling sure sounded fun! I actually did consider showing up, but couldn't quite get it together for this trip. Maybe next time. . . or if anyone happens to be in the Charlottesville area, give me a call for lunch or dinner . . or even bowling! ss

You should be nice to your elders Ruthie. I guess this means I've been banished back to lurker land :-(

My last night in town -- sniff :-( -- but hope to be back soon. Fortunately W will keep all us liberals closely monitering his "reforms" and I'll probably need to travel north fairly often to argue about some of the devils in his details. Thanks to all who made it to Mike's -- I really did enjoy the evening!! -- and regrets to those who couldn't join us: Gary, WizardOfOz.com is awaiting last minute instructions as need be; Steve C, hope Deb's feeling better and Dad-in-Law appreciates you; Howard, where the hell are you?; Sandy, I half expected you to show up as a surprise "Mystery Guest"; Robin, take care of your body parts and we'll see you next time; Brad, (oh, forget it, he wasn't really in our class anyway....)

It sounds like Saturday was a real blast! I am just exasperated that I had to miss it! I was ill with a neck ailment that immobilized me for days! Serious pain! Been to the hospital and had tests done, and hope to be better in a week or so. The doctor thought it might have been meningitis but that's not it. Thank goodness! Gary, sorry to hear you have to visit the hospital again! Praying for you and wish you a quick recovery! I am very disappointed that I missed out on the festivities, but it sounds like you all did fine without me. I hope to be included at the next one!

Dewey, I have - and love - the ELP version of "Pictures at an Exhibition" as well as the other two versions I previously mentioned. I guess I must *really* like that piece! I saw ELP at the Pocono "Woodstock wannabe" weekend concert probably the summer after HS graduation (??) at about 5:00 am with pink and orange spotlights filtered through the early morning mountain mist. Quite an experience. ss

And I thought I was a musical connoissuer by watching the history of Huey Lewis and the News on VH-1 this weekend. OK, I admit it was hardly music of the spheres but Pythagorus would be proud to know that ole Huey and gang could move a few of our celestial bodies back in the 80s. Hey Dave, Glad to see that you come up for air every now and then. It's about time for us to hook up with you and Holly again. Give my bride a call on the bat phone sometime soon. Said a prayer for ya Gary - be tough.

Glad to hear you had fun. Being 2 kilomiles away I went and had my own fun with 9 other friends at "Avalanche Ranch" (avalancheranch.com) up near Aspen. We had so much goofy fun the owners were actually taking pictures of us playing in the snow. We'll see if they show up on their web site. ..... As for the music: I thought "Pictures at an Exhibition" was by Emerson, Lake and Palmer? ;^) ...... The version I own is by Isao Tomita, because synthesizers were so new and so cool. ..... As for "The New World Symphony", "Here's a little known fact..." When The Moody Blues went into the recording studio and recorded "Days of Future Passed" they were actually supposed to be recording a rock version of "The New World Symphony". But instead, they took the time they had with the London Symphony and did their own thing. ..... As for more current music, my latest additions are "The Better Life" by 3 Doors Down and "White Ladder" by David Gray. 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite" kicks ass. The whole album is fun to play drums along. And I really like David Gray's "Babylon". I also picked up Philip Glass's soundtrack to the movie "Koyaanisqatsi". A very obscure flick that I'd call an "audio-cimema meditation". But most of my CDs of late have been bought "in the lobby" at Club Passim in Cambridge. That gives it a definite folk bent. One of the groups, Dave's True Story, was on an NBC ice skating special called "Divas on Ice". They have a 50's jazz sound. I like it. But glancing at the CDs I took to the mountains this weekend, I also see Ambrosia, Sheryl Crow, Dusty Trails, Arlo Guthrie, Natalie Imbruglia, Mannheim Steamroller, a Narada Collection, Sarah McLachlan, Anthony Phillips, Tangarine Dream, a Windham Hill collection and Stevie Ray Vaughn. So you can see I'm kind of in a musical rut. ;^)

Just a quick hello!! Very hard at this location to access an unclass lan to check-in as often as I got used to when I had an Unclass PC in my office. Wish I could have been able to check the activity last week as I would have loved to have been a part of the Mikes outing. Mike was a neighbor he lived right across from Mt Zepher Church with Mrs Convery. Holly and I had Sunday Lunch down at Cedar Knoll on the GW Parkway a couple of months ago just before the cold weather started. That sure did bring back some memories. Hudson-- Take care will keep you in my prayers and hope for a quick recovery and NO MORE Hospital visits!!!

Sounds as a good time was had by all, very sorry I missed it. Gary hang in ther guy. Oh yea, when we were talking the other night about the Morris Springer it brought back a lot of good memories, and I just located Jack Marsett, waiting for him to respond. I'll keep you up to date. And to the rest of you guys, I picked up a Sister Hazel CD today, I'm not suprised Ruthie was dancing around her hotel room, they are pretty good.

Hello All....Sorry I was unable to attend "The Festivities" last night. As I explained to Janine, I came down with an ugly cold/flu thing that started Friday night. I had to stay home and make sure it didn't get any worse. I have to go back into the hospital for a little follow up surgery this Wednesday. Seems I have a bit too much "post-op" fluid around the heart and I have to have it "surgically drained"...So, that means another 4 - 6 days of R&R and hospital food !! YUMMY !!!! Anyway, sounds like y'all had a blast...Looking forward to the next time...Gary

I was engrossed in conversation and/or visiting the "necessary" when you all were tossing cash at Mary Margaret -- I just got around to checking my wallet and I think I came out ahead last night. Was this SUPPOSED to be a fund raiser? If so, we'll definitely have to do this more often ;-)

I also had a great time last night. It's always fun when we get together. Whenever anyone else is coming to town, they should let us know---so we could do this more often!!!

I had a blast! THANKS!

Janine, I heard a rumor that Ruth has been wearing headphones and dancing around the hotel listening to Sister Hazel. Thus she is oblivious to the attempts of her friends and old classmates to make contact with her now that she is "in country". I think I may go out and get a copy of their CD

Ummmm... nope Ruthie ... not too darn difficult to reach you after all. Although, you might want to try checking the voice mail in your room or the front desk for messages. It's amazing what you would find there.

Well here it is Saturday, the day of the "Hey! Ruth is in town, let's all get together at Mike's and get smashed while we try and figure out what to do since we couldn't pass ourselves off as a bowling league." Alas, I won't be able to make it. It's been one of those up and down kinda weeks, "I can make, no I can't, oh yes you can, no, no really you can't, you have too much to get done."....oh, no, I'm talking to myself...Janine, you must be rubbing off on me :-) I would really like to be there tonight, but I would have had to leave about 2 hours ago in order to get there by six, and I've only just woke up. The band had a really good show last night and I didn't get home until after 1 a.m., the truck still has PA gear loaded and "my head hurts, my feet stink..."(that's a Parrot Head reference) By the time I could be ready to hit the road I'd be getting to Mike's in time to help the staff lock up. So it seems the prudent thing to do would be to stay here and get some things done around the house. I no longer have that "Honey Do List" to contend with, but I do have this "I need to get to that someday list" that seems to get bigger than any Honey Do list ever did. So I'll be here working on that and wishing I was up in NO VA with you guys tilting a few and savoring some of the cooking at Mike's. You guys have fun tonight, Ruth have a wee dram for me. Well, I believe I'll put The Beatles One on and get started on my list. Let's see here, where do I start? No, that will take too much energy, that one I need to get some stuff for.. here we go, I have what I need and not too tough.....

I'm now officially "in country" and trying to figure out why no one is here to buy me a drink -- could it have anything to do with the fact that I haven't told you where I'm staying or when I'd arrive? If so, that's a pretty weak excuse. As far as I'm concerned, you all owe me one and I expect to collect tomorrow.

And where would sick bowling humor be without the juvenile phone call to the bowling center asking "Do you have sixteen pound balls? (ouch!)

"Seeing all my buds"? As in "Whaaazzuuppp"? Or all of the Buds that you are going to drink? Since the CDR hasn't been able to stage a pre-emptive strike (no pun intended...well, maybe), the bowling question may be moot. Nonetheless, I'll bring the balls (geez, this Ruth and Dewey stuff must be catching).

Sandy and Gentlepeople: I just noticed that I forgot to put the word "NOT" in my first sentence of my most recent posting and it should have read...Sandy, you are NOT in trouble...so my apologies...Take care and see whomever tomorrow night...Peace

Uh oh. I'm afraid that the last CD I bought was "Best of the Beach Boys, vol. 3"! (how's my punctuation, Frank??) So much for my high brow claims! However, Peter, I do love both Anonymous 4 and Hildegard von Bingen. I'll pass on Haydn, but definitely keep me posted on any Mozart or Hildegard sightings! Maybe they'll front for Elvis. Now *that* would be a concert to not miss! Janine, I have recordings of both the original piano version of "Pictures. . " by Moussorgsky, as well as Ravel's orchestration. I assume you were inundated with it through your band involvement, which means the orchestrated version. I highly recommend listening to the piano version, which was how it was written. The ending is unbelievable! Ruth, I'm sorry to say I've never heard of Sister Hazel. Is it my lack of catholic upbringing, or that I have no TV . . . or a combination of both???

IF we are having a competition here, I will offer that my last CD purchase was Sister Hazel. Before that was Beatles 1. I highly recommend both. Does THAT count for anything? Frank, I understand why you will not be bowling, but will you and Cas be in attendance while bowling by others occurs? Hope so! I'm getting psyched about seeing all my buds in a few days!

Let's see ... last year I listened to Mussorgsky Pictures from an Exhibition for about 4 months ... and this year it was Dvorak's New World Symphony from June through mid-November for about 4 hours every Monday and Thursday afternoon, Wednesday nights for about 3 hours, Friday nights for about 7-1/2 minutes, and 3 hours on Saturday mornings and 3 hours on Saturday afternoons -- I took a break on Sundays. Does that count for anything?

Even though I did not get an "official" Sat. night assignment from Ruth, Janine gave me the task of rounding up the Wesleys. I am happy to report they will both be attending. Now that my work is done, I can relax until Saturday!!

Sandy: I can honestly tell you that you are in trouble with me regarding most of the music that you listen to..Of course, neither is John Hanley or any the other Ancient Mariners which graduated in 1972... In fact one of the most recent CDs I purchased was recorded by Anonymous 4, an all-woman group out of NYC which sings medieval chant and polyphant; however I will be sure to give you a call when Mozart or Haydn or Hildegard von Bingen open up for Black Oak Arkansas at Jaxx in Springfield. It will be a real treat, I'm sure...Dewey!!! Help me out here...I know that your CD collection has something more recent than Cosmo's Factory or Sister Goldenrod...opps "hair"..."Goldenhair"...that is something I wish I had a lot more of these days..I would like to get our classmates views on whatever music (new or Ancient Marinerst) whichever the case may be, folks are listening to...JOHN, MY OFFER IS STILL ON THE TABLE..But despite my ravings to the contrary, I HIGHLY recommend the recent Jimi Hendrix boxset...I can't believe it just said that..oh well John, it looks like I to have an albatross around my neck, however somewhat smaller than others...Peace to all...Peter S. Cruttenden

John, if the music you like has "expired", I'm in much BIGGER trouble with Peter. Most of the music I listen to was written between 2 to 6 CENTURIES ago!! ss

GYAIG would be something like "get your rectal crevice engaged into cog-laden devices that are designed to reduce the force required to move an object". (And yes, I put my periods outside the quotation marks whenever a quoted string is part of a larger sentence.) Cas and I will be there, though we won't be there until almost 7:00PM. Also, there will be no bowling for this boy.

Oh ... and Ruth? How about if you just quit worrying your pretty little head about it and just show up at 6:00???

OK GANG -- Tentative reservations have been made at Mike's Italian Restaurant on Route 1 for 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Reservations are tentative only in that the number is not definitive. Ollie ollie oxen free -- please report to me at the below-listed e-mail address as soon as possible and let me know if you are coming AND if someone is coming with you so I can finalize the dinner plans. (I would hate to put you down for one when you really meant two -- my mindreading capabilities truly aren't what they used to be since I've started misplacing braincells). They'll allow a little shrinking and growth but it would be nice to be as accurate as possible to begin with so that, for instance, Peter doesn't end up sitting on John's lap, etc. As to some venue for after bowling -- I'm going home -- if any of you want to join me -- fine! Thanks folks -- the quickest replies will be appreciated. :)

Okay kids -- front and center! Time to report out on your assigned tasks. John, what's the headcount and what's for dinner? Steve, have you reserved lanes and stupid shoes for everyone? Brad/Gary, wassssup? Is there a carefully orchestrated -- and catered -- agenda for the shank of the evening? By the way, I might bring a date after all -- my college roommate and personal physician may be in town. I've told her ALL about you folks and she's still willing to meet you (AND, for a small fee, she will diagnose any interesting ailments that you might want to mention to her -- the operative word being "interesting"). Oh, Pete? It's okay with me if you join us for dinner, but you must realize and accept the fact that a substantial number of us believe that John is the ultimate arbiter on what constitutes fine music (John, that will cost you a dram of single malt Sat. nite)

Forgive me, Peter, for not being "hip" to the fact that great music has an expiration date. (Makes you kinda wonder why the Beatles "1" album brought them more money in the past year than any other year.) To overcome my shame, I promise to burn every copy I find of Greensleeves. Dave, now that I am enlightened, I guess I won't be joining you for the next America concert. Damn, I really liked those guys, too.

Gentlepeople: I just visited the website and saw John Hanley's posting regarding people who have bad taste in music and dinner at Mike's scheduled for 2/3. First and foremost, I would like to join you all, but I do have plans later on that evening. So I look forward to seeing anyone and everyone, assuming that my, at times sardonic wit, will be welcome. Another thing, I would like to take this opportunity to personally challenge John Hanley (aka the music equilivant of the Ancient Mariner) to be my guest at a concert of my choice...John, for your benefit, there will be no slam dancing or stage diving. I feel this compelling need to demostrate to Mr. Hanley that there has been good pop music produced since Richard Nixon's resignation. So, John, I'm game, if you are. Enough of this tirade. Lastly, while I was working at Olsson's Books & Records a few weeks ago, (a job which prohibits me from becoming an Ancient Mariner), Robbie Dyer, one of our old classmates from Walt Whitman and MVHS stopped in. He's looks great and is doing even better. I turned him on the website, but thus far it appears he has not made a posting. So Robbie, drop a line and let everyone know you're back in the area. I hope to see you all on Saturday night. In the meantime, take care to all around. Peace...Peter S. Cruttenden

Sue-- Are you offering any drinks or prizes if we can figure out your GYAIG??? Oh well,even if you were I couldn't accept it, since I grew up always hearing that expression from my father!!

Hey Ruth--- I think you owe Dewey a drink (or two) even if he is not going to be with us this Saturday. As usual, his FTITCTAJ ideas were brilliant-- so, he deserves something! And all I could come up with is-- Forget That Idiot That Can't Talk About Janine!!!

Just 7 more days til Ruthie!! GYAIG Northern Virginia!

Ruth: You ought to know by now. You're asking that question to the same people that would pass up Mitch Ryder, Johnny Rivers, It's a Beautiful Day, and Wilson Pickett! Let's face it -- they're a bunch of stiffs (or they have really lousy taste in music)!

... which leads me to ask those of you who are NOT planning on joining us for the Saturday night "f(i)estivities" --- How can you resist this? We've GOT to be more fun than anything you are doing now.

Do you get it? I know it's a somewhat intricate joke. "Feist" without the "y" -- as in "Y" chromosome -- is a .... dog? Hmmmm (Sometimes I have to wonder how you all can make it through the day without me and/or my sense of humor)

Okay, let's set the record straight RIGHT NOW, before we get too far afield. Webster's II (New Riverside Dictionary -- Office Edition) says that "feisty" (when properly spelled) means "touchy, quarrelsome, spirited, plucky" In my view, an accurate description of most, if not all, of the women in our class -- including/excepting Janine and me ("quarrelsome" comes to mind here). However, I must add that "feist" is defined as "a small mongrel dog" There is symmetry here ... somewhere.

Somehow ... although I'm not entirely sure given that we're talking about Brad here ... but I don't think he meant either Ruth or I or any of the other females had the qualities of a fiesta (as in a celebration of one sort or another) .... I'm going with No. 2 as it appears in Webster's although ... feisty (adjective) feist*i*er; -est First appeared 1896 1 chiefly Southern & Midland a : full of nervous energy : FIDGETY b : being touchy and quarrelsome c : being frisky and exuberant 2 : having or showing a lively aggressiveness : SPUNKY -- feist*i*ness (noun)

Dag Dewey, you've just reminded me of how much we'll miss you on Saturday night -- you also demonstrated that you REALLY don't have any other pressing business on your calendar. By the way, they are all good answers, but they are all wrong ;-)

fiesty: adj. Having the qualities or characteristics of a fiesta. ..... FTITCTAJ: "For This Is The Cat That Ate Jellybeans" .... "Fun Times In The Coolest Tavern After Janine's" .... "Forget That I Teach Children To Aggravate Juveniles" .... "Florida, Tallahasee: It Tallied Chads Then Asked Judges"

Yes, I definitely plan to attend. No S/O, just myself.

Janine, as always, I know I can count on you! As for lucid moments, I have no idea what you are talking about. Attendees? I'm told that John, Steve M, Frank, Mike, Gary, Janine and Ruth will definitely be there. Others that have only threatened to be there include Howard(?), Steve C(?), Brad (?), Robin(?) and "et al"(?) Re: other possible partiers/hangers-on, I can't speak for anyone else, but I CAN tell you that I am not planning to bring a date. Don't get me wrong -- there are multitudes clamoring to claim the title of "Ruth's S/O", but, sadly, none are available to fill that role for this occasion -- to which I respond "FTITCTAJ" (anyone who can decipher that acronym and whisper it's meaning in my ear will enjoy all the beverages of their choice on Saturday, at my expense) Re: Mike's -- if we hit that place at ... say ... 5:30 pm for dinner, can we hope for minimal wait and optimal seating? If not, I'm content with whatever the bowling alley offers in terms of haute cuisine. Re: bowling prowess, don't bore me stories of past glories. As they say in Missouri, "Show Me"

Now Brad -- would any of the females in this crowd get feisty? (And yes -- it's spelled properly -- one of the few words where the e is before the i -- my guess is that the word revolted against any rules put upon it -- go figure). Yes Frank -- the bowling alley on Belvoir does still exist and word has it that it was renovated as of late. Mike's sounds good to me -- to answer Ruth's question -- I think the price is .. hmmm ... moderate. The Wesley's would know better on this one tho since they insist they frequent it weekly since they are within walking distance. I suspect that all we're serving Gary is (1) milk or (2) cranberry juice (which I think he likes anyway so no biggy). And where are we going afterwards anyway? BTW-- anyone come up with a time for meeting yet and taken the bull by the horns and called Mike's and told them we're coming? The closer to opening time the better -- darn place fills up way too fast and the wait can be long even with reservations. Hmmm... then again ... one would have to know how many people are coming. All the e-mails saying "yes" are wonderful but I suppose we all should have indicated how many -- as in spouse or S/O or child or children so whoever it is that's in charge of making the reservation can get it together. (Sorry Ruth ... I didn't take notes or commit to memory who has what chore -- and yeah -- in one of your more not-so-lucid moments you had the wisdom to make me supervisor? Good luck on that one sweetie!)

Hey Mike, don't fret, I think she is just getting fiesty.

Note to Ruth: Am I just being paranoid or is it true when you wrote your Who/ When/ What/ Where/ How message on Monday and typed the word "fool" that my name immediately came to mind?? At least you DID manage to spell MY name correctly!!

Frank-Sometimes IM can be a good thing..........Gary-I have been ..ahh..informed that you and I are in charge of the after bowling refreshments, got any ideas?

OK, on to the Ruthie business. Does anyone *know* whether the bowling center at Belvoir still exists? I haven't been there since HS. What about Mike's - anyone been there lately? Ruthie's on my other screen sending I.M.s. She wants action. She should know better than to expect this from people located near D.C.

John-congrats on the PWD. Ours is this Friday. Last one for Robert. He was second in the district last year. Here's what we learned so far: 5oz *exactly*, balance point about 1" in front of rear axle, only 3 wheels in contact with the ground (25% less wheel friction), polish the daylights out of those axles, make sure the wheels are true and all rough edges (molding marks) are removed, buy and use a "wheel alignment tool", put several coats of wax on the body and use plenty of graphite on all friction points.

(Tapping my foot and trying not to look exasperated) Has ANYBODY got a progress report to offer?

btw..If you look at the time stamp and think I burning the midnight oil, I'm not on the east coast, I am in San Francisco on business. I did manage to get in some time with a few old friends but I still don't miss this place. Tooooooo crowded and waaaaaay too expensive.

Ummmmmm…………getting goosed by Janine or Ruth……..Is that a threat or a promise?

Well now ... ::::::: thinking ::::::::; do we know of any place with a close proximity to Belvoir that would be willing to put up with a bunch of semi-rowdy, rather old "teenagers"?????? Sorry Ruth -- over the last four years I've managed to think of other uses for that TP -- it's made some rather interesting attic insulation to cut the oil bill!

Come on kids, I came up with the idea and excuse for having a mini-reunion. Can't you folks handle tying up those pesky loose strings rather than bother me with questions like who? when? what? where? how? Guess not, so here goes: WHO = All yous guys (this includes spouses, significant others, children who don't frighten easily, and any other auxiliary personnel whom you believe can cope with our company without feeling the need to have law enforcement officers near at hand) John, would you please contact any strays who might not have gotten wind of this little outing and let them know? (I'm thinking of Warren/Karen, Michelle and any others that come to your mind). WHEN = Saturday, February 3, 2001, starting in the fairly early evening and – for those who don't need any firing synapses in the ensuing daylight – going on beyond morning. WHAT = dinner, bowling, and whatever. WHERE = Dinner at Mike's Italian place (Is that the name of the place on Rt 1 near the original MVHS? Is it too fancy, pricey, crowded, and/or unapproachable for some other reason? If so, I suggest we default to pizza and beer at the bowling alley.) Frank, would you please make a command decision about this? DEFINITELY Belvoir for bowling -- sounds like a blast!Steve Muck, are your knee and ego up to the challenge? If so, can you track down availability and reserve lanes if possible? As for the "Whatever" to follow, we could find a quiet pub with a juke box full of oldies. OR I've heard that Steve Carrol has a new DVD player AND a new microwave that makes great popcorn -- and even though Remember the Titans is not scheduled to come out until mid-March, there ARE other video possibilities. OR we could crash the homesteads of a number of other nearby classmates (And I would add that anyone who balks at the notion of entertaining an undisclosed number of rowdy former classmates might find themselves slated for a late night visit from the TP Twins – Janine, I presume you've kept our arsenal high and dry and ready to "roll") In any case, Gary, you are in charge of coming up with possibilities for the "Whatever" phase -- my only firm request is that you and Brad make the brownies. HOW = Janine. Janine, my love, would you please serve as supervisor and registrar? (You will notice that I delegated the grunt work to the guys, so all you have to do is goose 'em if they don't produce. And, let's admit it girlfriend, it might be nice to have a good excuse to goose a couple of these fellas ;-) Okay, is everyone clear on their roles and responsibilities? Anyone who is unable to accept their assignment must transfer their job to some other gullible fool (I just noticed that I seem to have overlooked Mike Davis when I assigned these tasks and I can't think of any reason why he should be so blissfully and undeservedly unencumbered) See ya in a week or so... XO

Hmmmmm...well Gary ... who told you I had a little bit larger than normal TV screen and a DVD player? Or are you just getting a bit too deep in my mind again? All in all, it's not a bad thought tho -- we could do that when it eventually comes out. As to the special brownies -- now, Gary -- they are just plain chocolat!! And as to the cops .... speaking of cops, I understand that one of our old buddies is back on the street and had enough of CIS -- in Annandale/Mason District (whatever the hell they call it these days) so I don't think we have the "coverage" we used to have out this way -- although -- that son of his -- the one born whilst we were still hanging out at that dungeon -- is now old enough to be on the street himself and is working out of the MV station -- EAK -- can this area REALLY outlast the second generation of THAT group? Yikes!! Glad you're joining us on the 3rd ... I guess it's the third -- Ruthie hasn't comes up with a place and time yet tho. Bowling would be fine -- as long as no one laughs at me -- it's JUST not anywhere as good as it used to be. Doesn't really matter -- the purpose is just to be together! Both alleys in our area (Penn Daw and Belvoir) both have moonlight bowling on Saturday nights with a DJ -- now if we just knew SOMEONE who could get us into Belvoir. Hmmmmmmmm .. might be fun for some of you to see how much THAT place has changed too. And nice wholesome fun for family types without having to find a babysitter -- heck -- those of us who have teenagers -- the kids MIGHT even come with us -- if we promised not to act the age we all think we are when we get together. We do seem to regress. Of course the good part of that would be that when we look at each other we seem to visualize our old faces, etc. All in all -- not a bad thing. There's my thoughts.

Steve: You know it's a father/son TEAM! Our team simply had an engineer/lawyer combination father. The engineer to deal with potential energy/kinetic energy conversion issues, etc.; and the lawyer to "interpret" the rules: "It depends what the meaning of is...is." And, of course, the son to pull down the handle of the drill press!

You what the age old Pinewood Derby question is don't you John?..."Who's competition is this anyway? The Cub Scout's or the Dads?" And don't try to tell me Daddy didn't build the car! Anyway, congratulations. Sounds like you're kickin the other Dad's butts!

No I don't...well maybe a little

Special brownies? I remember them, or do I? I hear they effected your memory, can't remember........I do remember

Hey there !!! Just checking in and sseeing what's happening. Looks like Feb. 3 is getting together. I'll definately be there. "New valve and all"... I've been in contact with Paula T. & Debi H. and I will pass this info to them, I think I sent them this page address...I'll ask. BRAD I can't believe the "Hawks" are still together. I remember going to see them at The Bayou...(when I was allowed in) Always depended what bouncer was working...There was this one guy that wouldn't let me in. It took me a while to figure out why....Hell...I didn't know she was married. Anyway, things are going good on this end. Getting stronger and stronger everyday. Still having a little difficulty laying flat on my back, to sleep, for any given time. Wake up alot at night. That and laying on my side. What a bitch...I don't know if "Remember the Titans" is atill around. But I agree....2 hours in silence? I think we should wait for the DVD and go over to Janine's house for a Milk, brownies (those "special ones") and theatre vision party. But that's just me...Well, gotta run. Hope all is going well with everyone and I'll talk to ya'all soon.~~~GARY~~~PS...I was just kidding about the "special brownies." Wouldn't know one if I saw it !! So all you cops out there...Don't call me.

Thanks for the offer, Steve-but we came in first in our Den, and second in the Pack! Won every heat in the Den level except one, and beat the winning car in the Pack in one heat. It was clearly the better car, though. Oh well, not bad for the first time. I already know how I want to get better. Now...ON TO THE DISTRICT LEVEL!

oopps! disregard the cussin and spittin at the end there ;)

Damn John! You shoulda told me! After building a couple of my own, my brothers, nephews and the nieghbor kid's Derby cars, I have a bit of experience. As a matter of fact, last year the nieghbor kid's car was in the running until he dropped it! Not too loose tho - wobble equals friction/lost motion. Political Trivia: Boys and Girls, I have become one of the early victims of the Bush transition. As Clinton and Company continue to sow the last minute mine fields in preparation for the Bush invasion my we stepped on one and wiped our whole organization out (it seems the disgruntled Dems fired a parting shot at our Republican-sponsored R&D). And some considered the "vast right wing conspiracy" to be down and dirty. As with Travelgate its the poor little civil service hacks that bear the brunt of these childish maneuvers. I've got a whole slew of jobless people I need to worry about before I disappear back into the bowels of the intel. community (where its safe!). See ya next fiscal year when I come up for air. Mr. Lyons never warned me about this stuff - Damn! nd homes for and sme pissed off Senators to answer to

Yeah ... FINE... ok Brad ... go ahead ... be that way :P::::::

Less than 24 hrs 'til RACETIME!! Pinewood Derby, that is. No motor noise, no fumes, yet the anticipation is killing me! Hope the paint is dry in time. Loose is fast, as they say. Right, Steve?

It looks as though I may very well be in the area on the 3rd, but my "friend" in Shady Side has tickets to a blues concert at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marboro. The Nighthawks (her favorite blues band) are the headliners. I hate to be in the area and not be able to see you guys. If Ruth doesn't keep you all out too late Saturday, would anybody be up for brunch on Sunday?

John: My sources, i.e. looking up the story on Tim Koogle's site (Yahoo), I see that "The money will be used to research ways to provide more technological help for people with cognitive disabilities, such as autism, Downs syndrome, cerebral palsy and dyslexia." So unless my sexlydia starts acting up, I doubt I'll qualify for funds. ...... BTW, ALL: Note my new email address. My old ISP (csn) was bought by Qwest who then decided that until they learn how to spell, they're not going to maintain the old dial-in accounts anymore. I had been with csn for about 10 years. I only kept them because I thought the email address was easy to remember and because their mail server is much better behaved than AT&T@home which sucks big time. (It sometimes takes a WEEK for an email I send to get to its destination. And a couple messages sent to me in MAY didn't arrive until DECEMBER.) ...... Ruth's impromptu reunion reminds me of a gathering I managed to swing in 1979. I was coming into town from Florida and had just happened to get contact with Al Ruffner. Through him we managed to round up all but one of the 1971-72 MVHS drum section, along with other former band members and meet at an MVHS football game. It was a lot of fun. And at that age we were still recognizable! ;^)

Oh, and we can put Robin Berry on the "Maybe it's not too far to drive up from Richmond" list.

You know, if a movie doesn't work out, how about bowling?!? Okay, I'll admit that I HAVE been at a legislative reception tonight and the only way to survive an evening with these fools is to drink heavily and nod and smile a lot, and perhaps this suggestion might not look so rosy to me in the stark light of sobriety, BUT, at this particular moment, it sounds like it might be fun. Heck, I'll even spring for the team's bowling shirts with an emblazoned slogan like "MVHS is right up your alley"??

WHOA !!! Hang on here -- we have an extra day off next week and no one told me? What give with that? I could be up for a day off next week -- what day are we doing this? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Hi All, As much as I would like to join these most esteemed classmates in this field trip, I will not be in the NOVA vicinity any time soon. However, when I do return, I would be thrilled if John would arrange for a good band and all of you to meet at the Birchmere (and we could invite Al)! Speaking of good music, I just returned from New Orleans. If you've never been there, you should definitely take the trip! Music and food everywhere! Oh, and I almost forgot--the alcohol! Well, take care and enjoy that extra day off next week!

OK .. MICHELLE????? Come out, come out, wherever you are!!! I totally agree with you that it's about time two former bestest buds take the time and get together and 2/3 sounds like the perfect, appropriate opportunity to me. I'll even volunteer my guest room so you don't have to travel back to WVa that evening!! Ruthie? The Wesleys always ignore us until we call them and I seem to have misplaced the phone number yet again -- so someone call Warren and Karen, K? Gary -- it's great you're going to join us. I'm not entirely sure how this movie thing will work out tho other than there's going to be alot of people throwing popcorn at us and telling us all to shuddup! Like this group can truly keep quiet for two hours when we're together? Yeah .. sure... right :::::: oy:::::::::

And before anyone remarks about my need for a spellchecker - yes ... I do know soAked has an "A" in it -- my mind (as usual) is faster than my fingers (and keep your comments on that to yourselves as well, peanut gallery!!).

Ummmm... Ruthie? "Star attraction"?? Yeah .. right ... sure ... ok. And .. you been snortin' chemically soked chads again?

Watch out Steve, Ruth's trying that psychological approach again (but then again, it seems to work for her).
Dewey: Think you'll be able to tap into that $250M grant to Colorado? Remember all those good things I did for you?? Huh? ;^)

Man, am I happy that I gave Ruth the right answer and ended up on the good list!!! After dinner, watching "Remember the Titans" sounds like a winner to me. I never saw it, since I was hoping it would one day be on the schedule for a class field trip! Sounds like a perfect evening-- but then I am easy to please!!

Not bad! On the "Yes I'm available on 2/3; what's the gameplan?" list are John, Frank, Gary, Mike, Steve Muck and (our star attraction) Janine. On the "Maybe I'm available, but I won't/can't commit myself to any particular plan until I know whom else may or may not be attending and/or I get a note from my spouse/significant other and/or I get a better offer" are Howard, Brad and Steve "the Wimp" Carroll. Counties not yet reporting election results are ... oh wait ... that was last month. Classmates continuing in stony silence include Warren/Karen, Michelle, Cindee, Pete and whoever else I've forgotten to mention (who will, in a fit of pique over my oversight of them, now probably continue their stony silence). Someone help me round these folks up and alert them to this fabulous opportunity to commune with MOI.

Ruth: We're not ignoring you. It's just that we're too busy thumbing through the dictionary after reading your messages!

Good point Janine -- and thanks for rescuing me. I was starting to think that my ploys of egotistical self-aggranizement and sexual innuendo had struck a sour note and NOBODY WANTED TO SEE ME (sniff, :-( sniff). My days up there are pretty well consumed with the conference and trips to the Capitol to harass politicians, but I've got several evenings free. How about if we shoot for Saturday night, Feb 3? Sunday and Monday nights can be back-ups if Saturday doesn't work. And here's a suggestion for activities: IF "Remember the Titans" is still in theaters up there, how about dinner someplace casual -- maybe on the order of Bennigans or Fridays -- and then a movie? Die hard partiers could hang on for drinks or something afterward. This is just an idea. As I've already announced, I'm game for pretty much ANYTHING.

Ruthie? Might I suggest that your calendar is filling up rapidly that you share with us what days and times you have available for us and then maybe we can go from there? Something tells me you know your schedule and whereabouts much better than these guys do -- just a hunch :)

When you guys are through fantasizing about my relationship with BIG Al, can we get back to the question of when and where we might stage a NoVa mini-reunion? My calendar for that week is starting to fill up and I wouldn't want to deprive you of an opportunity to enjoy my company because you were too distracted with questions like "I wonder if Ruth thinks Al is stiff? And if so, does she prefer him that way?"

I suspected that Ruth had a secret admirer in the DC area., but Al Bore? This explains why she was so upset at the election results, no pizza parties in the Lincoln bedroom.

Not to worry John. Since Tipper will be away that week, Ruth is just coming up here to sneak in some quality time with her man, Big Al. Al invented orgies.

John, I'm CRUSHED! You don't remember?!?

Ruth: You would never go to the orgies in HS!!
Steve: alert the Secret Service. She isn't even giving the new Prez a month!

All right all you No Va chil'ens' I'm headed your way again for the first week of February. This is the same national conference that brought me up there last year. Sadly, I DO have to work for a good portion of my time there, BUT, as you know, I've never been able to resist an invitation to float downstream. Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Drinks? Ossification? Orgy? You name it -- I'm THERE.

Looks like I missed alot of entries since my last visit - Christmas crazies! I'm glad it's over- Thanksgiving to Christmas are brutal for me! This year I managed to be able to take off the week between Christmas and New Year- I think I'm almost sane again. I did want to wish all of you a HAPPY, HEALTHY,& PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! I would think its never too late for that!

I sincerely hope your class had a wonderful time filled with pleasant memories and reminences! I am very glad I was able to access this site as I am a professional musician that faced a problem. We are to play a re-union ourselves in August this year and the music to be covered was 1967-1972. On behalf of Broken Arrow and myself, I wish to thank you for making my job of finding the top hits that much easier. If any one of you are in the St. Louis, Mo. metro area, please come out and give us a listen (schedules in the River Front Times or brokenarrow.stormloader.com). Once again, Thanks a Million. Fred Miller