08

Boy, Howdy, do we have goodies for you today - and many, many more coming this week!

1. Jim Horton ('55 ) of um, some place which I've forgotten.... - courtesy of his sister, Nancy Horton Wilkes ('62) of FL

I found your web sight after my husband, Alan, got his invitation to the '64 class reunion at NNHS.
I have enjoyed reading about former classmates so would like to be added to the mailing list.

OK, that's the cutest newsletter yet! Cute animation! Wow, it IS a small world. I now live
next door to where Amy McKay Forbes (name in the yr book) grew up! She was the
class of '66 and we had a long visit when she was at the house Wednesday night. We
didn't get on the NNHS discussion until I was leaving and we discovered we knew each
other at school, but I never knew she lived right behind me!!! Amazing. Sarah

By the way, I'm sure that you're as much aware as I am that for as many who enjoyed the goofy animated guy on the
08/12/04 Newsletter, there was probably an equal number of y'all who rolled your eyes and said, "Oh, give me a break!"
HA-HA-HA! But I was bored, and couldn't resist adding that for a change of pace.

Hey Carol,
You talk about a SMALL WORLD, well this week, I received an e-mail from a long, lost cousin
of mine by the name of Pam Smith Arnold ('65 of VA)! WOW!! What a surprise!! I think you
know her. It was so nice to hear from her, and I look forward to getting together with her for
lunch or dinner real soon. Her grandmother and my grandmother were sisters!!! Her mother
and my mother were first cousins!!!
What a SMALL WORLD!!!
How about that?

WOWZERS! How cool! So you and Pam are second cousins, hmmm? In that case, I shall bring my
pedigree charts when I come to see you. Pam bears such a strong resemblance to my late aunt Alice
Brownlee Frix Booth that my sister, Eleanor (Buckley Nowitzky - '59 - of NC), and I are convinced that
she's a cousin of ours too. Pam and I go all the way back to Mrs. Hudgins' third grade class at Magruder
School, but Eleanor and I didn't notice the resemblance until the 2000 Reunion. I LOVE finding long-lost
relatives! Thanks, Nancy!

Carol,
One major by-product of the site is "World Reduction". The more people we network,
the smaller it gets. It really is a simple concept: the one thing that folks of all ages and
generations have in common and remember well is "high school". So, it is a natural
gathering place.
One reunion like this one (of Pam and Nancy) and it all seems worth it, eh?

It always seems worth it to me, David. I think I invest 8 to 12 hours a day on the webpage and Newsletters combined,
and I always see it as an incredible privilege. There are moments such as these, though, when I must admit, my heart is
warmed over and above the norm. Thanks, Dave, for your constant assistance!

Hi Carol,
I've seen in your wonderful newsletter some photos around Newport News. I have a few
on my online gallery, so I thought I'd share one with some other Typhoons. The link I'm
sending is of an interior shot of the Blue Star Diner on Warwick Blvd near Huntington Park.
You know, the park where some of us used to go on Friday nights to watch the submarine
races! The Blue Star was one of my favorite places in Newport News. You can view the photo
online at http://www.beachumstudios.com/click/photo1.html.

I don't know nufin' 'bout no Blue Star Diner! But that wasn't really my neighborhood.
I wonder if it's still there?

The Blue Star Diner is on the west side of Warwick Blvd, about two blocks north of Monty's.
I considered taking a shot of it when I shot Monty's, but I didn't think anyone would remember it.
Guess I was wrong.
I will shoot an exterior next time.

You and your MAGI-CAM are BOTH amazing! I cannot believe you went over there
in this mess AND got out and took this shot, bless your heart!

I cannot tell a lie: I was very nearby to pick up meds and food for the dogs
--and--
I merely parked in the best spot, rolled down the window and took the shot.
Nary a raindrop got on me.

Nice addition to the Old Stomping Grounds. You may recall that a movie was filmed
at the Blue Star Diner quite a few years ago. I do not recall the name of it. The filming
caused quite a stir since few movies were made on the Peninsula.

I recommend "Blue Skies" for the music - Brent Spiner (as Cmdr. Data) sings it
all the time in one of the Star Trek movies, so everybody will know it.

Thanks, Adrienne - works for me! But then, Irving Berlin always works for me.

From Me ('65) in NC:

Hi Carol:
We have never met. I am Catherine Slusser Hudson Class of '64 NNHS. I receive
your news letter and enjoy it and your personal web site. I just wanted to tell you
what a great job you are doing. I also want to let you know some of the interesting
things I have read on your sites recently.
Rosalee Wills Jecmenek ('65) wrote that June 14 was her Birthday. I want to wish
her a Belated Happy Birthday and to let her know that I also share a June Birthday.
It is June 4, and my first child, a beautiful daughter named Monica, was born
on June 14, 1965. It appears that June 14th is a beautiful day for several folks.
I also want to let you know that an old friend of mine and a childhood neighbor located
me through your web site and it was wonderful to hear from her after more than 30
years. I also found out through E-Mail that she (Shirley Caudill Williamson - '65) lives
just about 5 or 6 miles from me. Your web sites are great for up-dating old friends and
making new ones. I hope I get to meet you at the Class of 64 Reunion, at the Omni.
Thanks again for everything you do and may God Bless your work. Keep Smiling.
Catherine Hudson

Oh, Catherine! You cut me to the quick! Of course we met - more than 40 years ago! I remember you quite clearly.
I think we even shared some class or other (okay, I can't remember what it was....), or perhaps you worked in the office
where I'd have to report often for being tardy to school. Anyway, the point is that I like to fancy myself as Totally Unforgettable.
First Bill Gruver ('62) couldn't remember me, even though we not only were in Band together, but went to the same church.
Then Dave Spriggs ('64) couldn't remember me, even though we were both in Miss Allen's D-Period Biology Class
AND I would almost run him into the wall on the second floor every morning before B Period heading for the band wing
because of my horrendous non-existent depth perception. (All right, David, I'll quit beating the dead horse already - sheesh!)
And now you can't remember me either. Oh, this is just so sad, I must say! Doesn't anyone out there remember me?
Just because I never came to school if I could possibly figure out some way to weasel out of it - a self-induced "fever"
with hacking cough, an asthma attack, an elbow ache, a big toe ache, or my personal favorite, an eyelash ache.

Wit a minute (Old Scottish saying not to be confused with "Wait a minute" - even though they have the same meaning)!
If you really DON'T remember me, then you're not accustomed to my off-the-wall sense of humor, nor my tendency to tease
everybody, nor the fact that I'm actually too obtuse to take offense at things generally. Maybe I'd better back off. NAAAAH!

OH, wit another minute! You say you're visiting my personal web site - and actually enjoying it?!? I myself can't even
stand to visit it, ever since Tripod took over Angelfire in mid-June and distorted my lovely pages with their nasty obnoxious
grey side bar of "related" sites. Well, that's different! To quote Emily Litella, "Nevermind!"

Now, about Flag Day: Our Band Director, Mr. Wilson, and his wife were blessed with their first child on Flag Day of 1964.
My #2 Son, Brent, and his wife, Bethany, were married on Flag Day of 1996. And let us not forget that Boy George was born
on Flag Day of 1961, and Donald Trump was born on Flag Day of 1946. Oh - ten days after you! COOL!

And in all seriousness (yes, sometimes it happens!), I'm delighted that people are reconnecting!
That is one of the major functions of this site, and I'm thrilled for each of you when I hear of its happening.

And I'm looking forward to seeing you again at your Reunion. One way or another, I WILL be there - for all three days!
And I'll have the biggest smile of all! (Okay, well, some of that stems from the fact that I have the biggest mouth of all,
but, ah, you know...)

Thanks, Cathy!!! And you know, I posted this whole diatribe on the "Birthday Page". I did, really I did! GIGGLES!

From Nancy Bigger Alligood ('56) of VA to Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 08/12/04:

Hi Carol, I haven't contacted you lately as I was busy
moving from Jacksonville to the metropolis of
Hawthorne, a small rural town east of Gainesville. I
bought ten beautiful acres for my eight horses and my
wonderful better half Charyl. We are in the direct
sight of Hurricane Charley so all of you say a prayer
for us.

Regarding birthdays, mine is June 27th and Henry
Hoyle ('65 - of Northern VA), my old childhood chum
has his on June 28th. Take care and I have to go get
ready for the storm.
Jim

Tampa Bay was spared the fury of Hurricane Charley, and we only received some
wind and a bit of rain, but no damage. The storm made landfall about 100 miles
south of the expected trajectory which spared Tampa Bay from the horrible surge
that would have put Tampa under water. Lee County caught the brunt of this
category 4 hurricane which hit Sanibel with 145 MPH winds. I just watched a
beautiful sunset.

What a marvelous relief! I’m SOOO glad all is well with you and yours, and that you were able
to enjoy a lovely sunset rather than mourn your losses. Thanks so much for letting me know!

My wife and I decided to take a long weekend to Disney World's Animal Kingdom Resort with our daughter,
Michelle, and our grandkids. We had a great day Thursday, then got the news: Charley was turning east
earlier than expected, and heading straight for us.

Fortunately, Charley degraded to a Class 2 Hurricane, and the eye missed us, in Disney World, by about
15 miles. We got 60 to 70 mph, sustained, for about 45 minutes. The parks all opened back up Saturday - -
a few trees/signs down, nothing too big.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, we headed south, back to south Florida. We drove through Kissimmee, about
10 miles south of "Mickey-land". What a shock! It was a real disaster area! Thank God it missed us by
a few miles.

Here's the lesson we learned: never underestimate the Power of a "Class 2" hurricane. The "Class 4" that
hit the coast at Punta Gorda was a "killer" hurricane. When in doubt, bail out! Evacuate to a safe haven if
you live in a coastal area, or, especially, if you live in a mobile home! 100 to 150 mph winds are incredibly
destructive. Don't take chances with deadly forces.

WOW!!! Thanks, Craig! What a chilling first-hand report!

I thought it was important that we chronicle Hurricane Charley, as it impacted so many of your lives.
The page is in serious need of some gussying up – images, accounts, reports, etc. - but that will come.
Meanwhile, if we've not heard from you Floridians yet, please give us a status report.

On behalf of the NNHS 64/40 Reunion Committee, I am pleased
to report to the Class of 1964 that Mr. Wayne Taylor ('55) has
accepted our invitation to attend our Reunion.
His e-mail reply read, in part:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER AND THE INVITATION TO THE 1964 CLASS REUNION.
THE YEAR OF 1959 WAS MY FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING AT NEWPORT NEWS HIGH
SCHOOL AND WAS YOUR FIRST YEAR AS 8th GRADERS. YOUR ASKING ME TO STAND
IN FOR BILLY ON THE STATE CHAMPION BASKETBALL TEAM IS AN HONOR THAT I
WILL NEVER FORGET. IT WILL BE GOOD TO SEE MANY OF THE STUDENTS THAT I
TAUGHT AT NNHS AND WARREN MITCHELL AND OTHER TEACHERS THAT MAY BE
ATTENDING.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THINKING OF ME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
THIS COMING OCTOBER.

- WAYNE TAYLOR - NNHS CLASS OF 55

WOWZERS!!! HOW COOL IS THAT?!? This reunion just gets better and better!
Have I mentioned it lately? It makes NO DIFFERENCE TO WHAT CLASS YOU BELONG.
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS A SINGLE MOMENT OF THIS REUNION!!!

Thanks, Dave - and Mr. Taylor, we're all looking forward to seeing you in October!

Part II of this letter will follow tomorrow, 'cause there's still much, much more.


Monday, October 6, 2003
Dave's Pretty Little Puppy Dogs Twinkle and Sallie Jane
Aren't they adorable?!? Thanks, Dave!