Midnight Sun Online v01n06 January 1997
Volume 1, Number 6, January 1997
MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE
-The Online Newsletter for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni-
MSO WEB SITE
http://www.clark.net/pub/pearyhs
Hello Huskies:
A Happy New Year to all of you! This is the sixth issue of the Midnight Sun Online (MSO) and our first of 1997. Thanks for everyone’s help in spreading the word about our on-line efforts, and many thanks for those of you who took the time to submit updates and news for this issue.
Remember that our web site is continuously updated. You can visit the site 24 hours a day for past issues of the MSO, articles and news about fellow alumni, an updated e-mail list, and alumni web links. Info for the Class of 1971 “25+1” Reunion and a “missing persons” list, plus info for the Class of 1977 20-year Reunion has been added to the site.
The deadline for submissions for the next issue of the MSO newsletter is Saturday February 15, 1997 – we especially look forward to hearing from those of you who haven’t updated us yet on what you’re up to. In addition, it might be cute to take this opportunity to send Valentines to your “lost loves” (subsequently, “admissions”) to include in the issue
Also, voluntary donations are now being accepted to support our effort.
Enjoy this issue,
Bob Lau (1976) – The Midnight Sun Online
P.S. We’re slowly converting the newsletter from its current “text” form on the web site to HTML pages for your browser for a better look.
From: Barbara Dentz-Riley (1971) timm[AT]erols.com Date: Fri, 20 Dec 1996 Subject: 1971 Class Reunion – old films & video
If anyone could help our class out with any information on old sports films that may be tucked away from the Peary years’ 1968-71, our committee would be appreciative. We had the idea of setting up a “memories corner” at the hotel the night of the reunion, and if we could find anything in the way of old “home movies” it would be great.
Have a great holiday and Happy New Year!
From: Robert Phillips (1968) elvis[AT]intnet.net Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 Subject: Update
I’m a ’68 grad of Peary and I’ve done a bit of traveling around the world. One place I lived was Thule, Greenland (the old man’s base camp) in the mid 70’s. If I dig around my archives, I can probably find a few pictures of the area if you’re interested. By the way, quite a few of the natives are decendents of Peary and Henson. The nights in Greenland are long and cold.
I’m looking for a couple of people from the class of 68 and if you can help me out, I’d appreciate it. They are:
Lorraine O’Hara Karen Woodcock
Also, I have three sisters that attended Peary and I’ll check if they want their addresses included in your database. All three sisters married Peary grads. Here is the information on them:
Diana Lynn (Lynn Phillips) Wheeler, class of 65, married Patrick Wheeler, class of 65 and are now living in West River, Md.
Sandra (Phillips) Holland, class of 67, married Charles Holland, class of 65 and are now living in Colorado Springs, Co.
Sharon (Phillips) Bedard, class of 67, married and divorced Charles (Chuck) Trumbo, class of 65 and is now living in Crofton, Md.
None of my sisters are on the net.
Ciao!
From: H. Laura Vandevender-Collins (1973) hattie[AT]oz.net Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 Subject: The Peary Connection
Got your fine message this morning. Am tickled as I can be!
This is Harriett Laura Vandevender-Collins, Class of 1973, now living in Bremerton, WA. No Spouse. Son: Matthew A. Collins, born May 31, 1978. Graduated Davis & Elkins College, 1977/Bachelor or Arts-Fine Arts
At present I am working for Vitro Corporation in Silverdale, WA with Computer Graphics. I also have my own business “Hattie’s Web Works” creating web pages.
My two elder sisters also graduated from Peary, 4 and 5 years before me: Helen Maxine Vandevender-Lomp – Class of ’68, living in Elkins, WV; and Donna Lynn Vandevender – Class of ’70, living in Durbin, WV. Neither are on-line, but I will make print outs for them. They will like that.
Also, just got a card from friend Mark Goldstein, also class of ’73. His e-mail address is Damascus5[AT]aol.com – I know he would like to hear from you. I will gladly spread the word to other classmates, as I do keep in touch with a handful of them.
Thanks again.
H. Laura Vandevender – Collins – Class of ’73
Thu Jan 16…I would like to make an addition to the above. A wonderful addition, I might add!
Just this past Friday, the 10th of January, I adopted “Lucy” a buff colored, female cocker spaniel, via the good people at Kindered Spirits. They work hand in hand with the Humane Society. Lucy was found dragging her leash at the end of October, 1996. No tags, no identification, and no one claimed her. Lucy stayed at the Humane Society for 30 days. She was a candidate to be euthanasied. A lady from Kindered Spirits, collected Lucy from the Humane Society and fostered her for 2 months. Lucy was taken to the vet, and it was found that she was in much pain, due to extremely infected ears. Lucy was estimated to be between the age of 3 and 6 years old.
I saw an advertisement about Lucy, and several other rescued pets, in the newspaper, and I called. The Kindered Spirits folks interviewed me at my home, to ensure that I would be a good adoptive owner. Some paperwork later, I became Lucy’s adoptive owner. Lucy now has a tattoo on her right inner thigh proclaiming her identity, should she ever be lost again.
I am so pleased to have Lucy’s company, and pleased that an animal which was put into a “throw away” category was saved. It would have been an awful shame, if so sweet and beautiful an animal had been destroyed. Kindered Spirits is a fine outfit, and I’m pleased to be associated with them. I am now doing volunteer graphics work for them, to help them continue their fine efforts. Lucy and I are the first complete rescue and adoption scenario in Kitsap County, and possibly the State of Washington. It’s pretty neat.
I also volunteer my services to the American Cancer Society, Kitsap Unit. I designed a web page for them, and keep it updated. Am working on getting a donated site for them, from my server here in Washington. It’s all fun, and hopefully helps out.
By the way, I have enjoyed the updates that you are sending out. It’s fun to see the possibilities of people getting together after many years. Thanks.
On the volunteering end, should you need any help at all with your work, let me know. Should you just need help typing up things from hard copies for input (you can fax a copy to me), or anything else, I would be glad to do so. Just let me know.
Take care,
H. Laura Vandevender-Collins ’73
[Thank you for your offer and support, Laura!]
From: Patty Newman-Gilbertz (1977) patty[AT]ballantlantic.net Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 Subject: The Peary Connection
My maiden name is Newman and I graduated in the class of 77. I have 3 brothers who also attended Peary: Mark Newman – 78, Paul Newman – 73 (?) and David Newman – 72 (?). (Sorry, I can barely remember when I graduated, much less my brothers! I will check with them and update for you. I will also include their e-mails at that time.) This sounds like an exciting project. Let me know if you need any help. I will do whatever I can. Thanks for initiating this!
[Thank you too, Patty!]
From: Maureen Difulgo-Bladen (1976) TopazII[AT]aol.com Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 Subject: Photo Album
I got some pictures the other day from the Halloween party at Kevin Brooks’ house…they came out pretty good…has anyone else got any? I would like to start an album that we can keep and share with other classmates at any function we may embark on. I will be collecting photos for that purpose…kinda like a “Peary Family Album.”
Send photos of the 1976 20th reunion (10th too) and the picnic, and anything else in between you think would be funny or of interest you would like to share…INCLUDING pictures of your families…or just self (no nudies will be put in the album, but I’ll accept some from certain male classmates! HA!!)…suggest you carry a camera with you when you get together with a classmate…even to the “happy hour” get togethers…send the photos and description of photo, i.e. who’s in it and where/what etc…etc…etc…to me at:
Maureen A. (Di Fulgo) Bladen 24416 Cutsail Drive Damascus, Maryland 20872…or call me at (301) 414-0496, plus you can contact me thru Email…
I’ll handle the Class of ’76…other classes (and volunteers) are encouraged to do the same for their respective classes!
Maureen
From: Neal Lee Pizzano (1976) npizzano[AT]erols.com Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 Subject: PHS Facts
The following information is a collection of facts regarding Robert E. Peary High School and its memorabilia. What we know about the memorabilia today, follows the information.
[This information is also available on a page at the MSO web site.]
********************************************************
PEARY HIGH: TRADITIONS AND FACTS,
Compiled by Neal Pizzano, Class of 1976
Name: Robert E. Peary, selected by sixth graders at Aspen Hill Elementary School in 1960, because the high school was located on Arctic Avenue.
The Sled: Known as a sledge, located in the display case of the main hall, was one of five from the Roosevelt (the ship that took Peary to the North Pole). The other four sledges had names, this one did not.
Mascot: A Siberian Husky named Nalegaksoah, “King of the Team.” King III is buried in the Senior Court.
Bell Tower: Housed the Bell from the U.S.S. Robert E. Peary 132. The triangular tower points north and is modeled after the original sixty- foot monument in cape York, Greenland.
The “North Pole” Flag: Located in the display case, it was flown from the mizzen gaff of the Roosevelt when Commander Peary sailed into Sydney, Nova Scotia, on September 21, 1909. Matthew Henson sewed NORTH POLE on a white diagonal strip on both sides of the Stars and Stripes.
School Flag: A replica of Admiral Peary’s personal flag. A rectangular flag divided into two triangles. One navy blue with a white star, the other, arctic white with a navy blue “P.”
Marching Band Uniforms: Similar to midshipmen uniforms at the U.S. Naval Academy, except the number of buttons represent the number of Peary’s expeditions, and his rank of Rear Admiral was displayed by the stripes on the sleeves and the stars on the collar.
Pipe Band: To honor Rear Admiral Donald Baxter MacMillan, Peary’s assistant on his North Pole expedition.
School Seal: A globe topped by POLARIS, the North Star; under it, Commander Peary driving a team of huskies transverses the globe. Under the globe, two dates: 1909, recalls the discovery of the North Pole; 1960, the first year Peary High School became a place for students to learn.
Alma Mater: The words were written by Sarah Hines from the Class of 1963. She incorporated the school motto: I Will Find A Way Or Make One, within the lyrics.
School Publications: Polaris, Aurora, and Midnight Sun
School Anchors: Dedicated on April 6, 1963; they symbolize the admiral’s iron will and determination to proceed until his goal was reached.
The Mast: Recovered from the U.S.S. Robert E. Peary 132, became the flag pole.
*************
The Bell Tower: Today the tower stands in front of our alma mater, stripped of the plaques and bell. The plaques were given to the respective families.
The Bell: Returned to the U.S. Navy, the bell, today, is aboard the refurbished U.S.S. Peary.
The Anchors: Given to Springbrook High School for their Navy R.O.T.C. program.
The Sledge: Returned to the Peary family and believed auctioned off.
The “North Pole” Flag: Also returned to the Peary family and believed auctioned off.
The Mast: Located at the Laythrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center in Rockville, it serves as the focus of daily flag raising.
From: John “Frank” Hastings III (1984) fhastings[AT]worldnet.att.net Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 Subject: Update
I only attended Peary in ’80 & ’81 (9th and 10th grade). I graduated from a small school in South Texas in ’84. Played on Peary’s ’81-82 JV football team. I currently live in Corpus Christi, Texas. I am a graduate of Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi and am currently working on a MBA. Thanks to the internet, I was able to find an old classmate of mine, Byron Patterson.
Anyways, good luck with the reunion efforts. Later!
jfh3
From: Carol Cotton-Hendrix (1964) crummynk!CHendrix[AT]attmail.com Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 Subject: The Peary Connection and Midnight Sun
I graduated from Peary in 1964, the second graduating class and the first to graduate after the school was accredited.
Additional biographical info: Graduated from Drew University, Madison, NJ, class of 1968, major Political Science. While in college, I had the opportunity to spend a semester studying comparative government in London, England. I have been an anglophile ever since and travel to England, Scotland and Wales whenever I have the opportunity. I worked as an Admissions Officer for Drew University for a couple years right after graduation. This involved a lot of travel, as I covered recruiting in 9 states. I also worked for Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals in the area of Drug Regulatory Affairs. Then I took time out to raise a family and did some parttime work as a bookkeeper. When the kids were older, I realized that I better return to full time employment in order to pay for college, so after being out of the working world for 14 years, it was time for me to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had always been interested in the law, so I went back to school and got a certification as a legal assistant (paralegal). For the past 8+ years I have been working as a litigation paralegal for one of the largest law firms in NJ. Much of my work is in the area of environmental litigation. I have two children: Robert (Bob) A. Hendrix, 22 yrs. old, will graduate from Lehigh Univ. this year with a major in Environmental Science with a concentration in Hydrogeology; and Catherine (Katie) A. Hendrix, 19 yrs. old (attended Hood College one year and is in the process of transferring elsewhere), she wants to pursue studies to become a teacher of the deaf. My husband is Richard P. Hendrix, graduated from Lehigh University 1967, spent some time in the Navy as a communications officer on a destroyer and managed to stay out of Viet Nam, and in 1974 went back to Lehigh for his MBA in Finance. Currently he is the Corporate Comptroller for an advertising agency in New York City. We have lived at our current address for 22 years. Our house was built in 1926, but in the last 22 years, I feel like we have rebuilt it with all the repairs and renovations we have done. We collect antique furniture and the house is so full now that my husband will probably divorce me if I try to bring in another piece of furniture. We also have three cats: Bridget, Ginger and Jenny. All three are long-haired domestic cats and all have red fur.
My brother, David L. Cotton, attended Peary but graduated from Indian Hills High School in Oakland, NJ. He was in the class of ’67, but only attended Peary during his freshman year. He has a BS in engineering and an MBA from Lehigh University, as well as post graduate studies at the University of Chicago. He is a CPA and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He started his own business in 1981, Cotton & Company in Alexandria, VA. His company does auditing, fraud examination and litigation support. He has an old restored town house in Old Town (Alexandria) which he now rents out since he bought a big home in Mount Vernon. He also has two boats and belongs to the Old Dominion Yacht Club in Alexandria. He has a beautiful wife, Susan, and a terrific 8-year old son, Joseph (Joey).
I would love to hear from Peary classmates and I think it would be great to have a multi-class reunion – perhaps all the classes from the 60s.
From: Gale Senseman-Privette (1966) gale7[AT]juno.com Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 Subject: In the loss of a ’66 classmate – Scott Campbell
It is with great sorrow that I let you know that Scott Campbell one of our ’66 classmates passed away this morning after a very long and hard struggle of battling cancer. I had spoken with Scott a week ago and he had expressed how glad he was to have been able to attend the reunion this pass summer and to see so many of his old friends and what a wonderful time he had. Jim and I feel so fortunate to have known Scott for so many years. We Love you my friend and know where you are and that you are no longer in pain. You really fought hard, and you will truly be missed.
It was Scott’s request that no service be held–to say your good-byes in your own way, Or to send a contribution to the American Cancer society.
So to our friend Scott – until we meet again may God hold you close in his hands.
Be Blessed-Gale Senseman-Privette
From: Melissa Nutter Prince (1979) melissa[AT]disi.com Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 Subject: Midnight Sun Online news
Hi, I graduated in 1979 and went on to Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa (population 10,000 – boy, was it a change!) and got a BA in English and continued to play field hockey. For the past 11 years I’ve been living in Salt Lake City, working at the U of Utah in Graphic Design and now at Digital Sciences, Inc., as a multimedia designer and authoring type. When I’m not at work I’m probably out playing in the mountains or desert — skiing, mountain biking or hiking. For awhile I was playing city league soccer until my schedule got too crazy. It’s a nice place overall. Any other Peary grads end up out west?
From: Michael Pummer pummer[AT]ix.netcom.com & Reid Chitwood (1980) RChitwood[AT]juno.com(1980) Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 Subject: News From The Zone!
IT’S A DRY HEAT!! Hello to all from Arizona. Reid and myself moved here back in September 1984 on our way to California, we ran out of money in Phoenix and have never left. Reid’s now teaching high school and I’m a Surveyor. Reid’s doing great, has a great wife Vicki and two kids, a son Dru and a daughter Chelsea. He’s living in North Phoenix deep in the desert. Two years ago, during his Summer vacation, we built him a house of his own design on a natural desert lot near Carefree. I’m living in Scottsdale about thirty minutes from Reid, we get together often and are still best friends. I’m married to a Zonie, April, and have a son, Samson, a Labrador Retriever.
Reid’s latest hobby is his best, he’s brewing his own beer! We sample his wares often! Summer’s we spend alot of time at my place, pool side (everyone has a pool in the Zone, couldn’t live here without one!). Another friend, John King (Peary HS 1979), just moved here last month. He’s living near me with a college buddy of Reid’s. Rob Crisp (Peary HS 1980) is on his way to as soon as his house in Frederick sells. The Chitwood clan are all doing well, Rick, Diane, Rhonda, Russell, and Ronnie (he lives in the old house in Arctic Court, across the street from the school). With the exception of my Mother passing away this Christmas the Pummer family are also doing fine, Cozette, Greg, Lynn, and my twin sister Margaret. All of us are Peary alumni!
Take care and we’ll be thinking of you while it’s snowing there!
Reid RChitwood[AT]juno.com Mike MJPummer[AT]AOL.com
From: Tobi Hardesty (1973) tobi.hardesty[AT]ketchum.com Date: Fri, 3 Jan 1997 Subject: The Peary Connection
Just recently became aware of this great and exciting link to the past. I’m Tobi Hardesty (Norris) class of ’73.
It was great reading about ex-peary-ites. Wish I was plugged in to have attended the teacher reunion…one of my favorite teachers attended.
Will send a message to include an update on myself for the next Newsletter.
From: Paula Alden-Frey (1975) RPAAFREY[AT]aol.com Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 Subject: Update
I just finished reading through all the newsletters. WOW! Let me give you some more information about me.
Paula F. Alden Frey class of 75 Married since 1980 to Randy Frey from Lancaster, PA
We met at Messiah college where I recieved my BS in Home Economics education and Randy recieved a BA in Biology/Chemistry. I am currently teaching in the Hempfield School District in Lancaster. Randy is a veterinarian here in town. We have two children, Amanda-14 and Austin-12. You have our e-mail address already. Hope this information is helpful. What a great trip down memory lane. Keep up the good work.
From: Michael Holder (1968) HOLDER[AT]vitro.com Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 Subject: Update
I just reviewed the current listing for www.clark.net/pub/pearyhs and was reminded of another person working here at Vitro. The author of the alma mater, Sarah Hines is now named Sarah McKay. I am forwarding this to Sarah and perhaps she can add to the collection of history information. She can also supply data about her two brothers that are also graduates, Chip and Spence.
I am of the class of 1968 and I seldom see folks from my class, but Richard Koenig also of the class of 1968 works here at Vitro. Walter Greenspon of the class of 1967 works here and lives in Olney with his wife, Pam and their two sons, Jeff and Ben. Walter’s sister Sue is married and lives in Ellicott City with ? children; the oldest of which is a freshman in college. I have been married for 21 years to Anne Wolf, class of 1972 and we have a six year old son, Michael Jr.. My sister Terry Holder Collier is also the class of 1972 and lives in Laytonsville with her husband and 14 year old son, Charlie.
I see the father of Glenn Edelman (class of 1968) periodically. Glenn is married with two children and living in Ashton.
Also working here at Vitro is Debbie Lawson (class of 1970). I forwarded information to her, so you may obtain details soon.
From: Michael Holder (1968) holder[AT]vitro.com Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 Subject: Matthew Henson Park
Do any of you still live near by the Aspen Hill area? I mention this because every October there is a Matthew Henson Park cleanup by the community and scouting groups. As you know Henson was the navigator and only black and only Marylander on the expedition. The park is the area which surrounds the Turkey Branch between Viers Mill Road & Connecticut Avenue. it may run on up to Georgia Avenue, but I have never been able to confirm. The event draws 80 or so folks each year and might make for an interesting gathering of old alumni. Could follow up with some festivities, whatever, just a thought.
Mike Holder
[Further information in a future edition of the newsletter as October draws closer. Stay tuned.]
From: Brian K. Alden (1973) RedskinsFan[AT]msn.com Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 Subject: Peary HS Class of 73
My sisters told me about this online effort, pretty cool! Please link me into the Class of ’73… it will be real INTERESTING to see what traffic this bears! Thanks for adding me in!
FYI – graduated in ’73, BSChE from Cornell in ’77, MBA from Univ. Houston – Clear Lake in ’84, currently in Cincinnati working for Quantum Chemical Corp. as an Chem Engr. with responsibilites in financial analysis. If the project isn’t over $10M, I don’t see it, too small! Not married, having fun raising my dog and causing hell Peary style!
Thanks again!
Brian
From: Barry Greene (1969) begreene[AT]erols.com Date: Thu, 09 Jan 1997 Subject: The Midnight Sun Online
I graduated in 1969 and currently living in Aston, PA, a Philadelphia suburb. I’m married to Carol and have two children, Rachel and Brandon. I am on a consulting assignment with Bell Atlantic in Silver Spring, MD at the moment.
I have never received any notices of a reunion for my graduating class of ’69. I thought they dropped off the face of the earth. I would love to receive some information.
My brother Stephen Greene, Class of ’65, still lives in the DC area. If details on him are necessary, let me know. He was Senior Class President in ’65.
Barry Greene
From: Shannon Scott-Jensen (1982) telescribe[AT]fishnet.net Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 Subject: The Peary Connection and Midnight Sun Online
Amazing that you’d have the Cha-Cha’s to pull *this* together. How much work?!!! I noticed that you’re using Clark Net. Does that have anything to do with our Mr. Clark, the bagpipe minstral who used to make kids put gum on their noses if he caught them chewing it? I found old friends on here that I’m eager to write, but wanted to get back to you first. You’re doing a good thing here.
I’m a ’82-ite and after graduating from Peary, I went on to Brigham Young University and picked up a degree in Recreational Therapy with an emphasis in Youth Leadership.
During this time, I took a break for about 1 1/2 years to serve a volunteer mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormons”) in Argentina. There, I picked up Spanish, made a lot of friends, ate tons of empanadas, saw a lot of mud, wild dogs, beautiful skylines . . . and got have some fantastic experiences helping folks make positive changes in their lives. I came back so skinny, my mom didn’t recognize me. One of the best things I’ve done.
Another one was marrying Kim David Jensen right out of college (I graduated in 1990). I was working with the Disabled Student Support office at the university and became best friends with my boss, who introduced me to her brother . . . A few months later, he proposed to me on top of Mt. Timpanogas and I haven’t come down since. He really “rolls my socks up and down!”
We’ve been blessed to see quite a bit of this old world (it’s our “consolation prize” for not getting to have kids yet). We’ve been to Mexico, Japan, Canada, Thailand, Egypt, Singapore, England, Hawaii, the Bahamas and in a few months, we’re doing a cruise to Alaska. Kim’s got quite a passion for travel and we like to rough-it for the most part (sleeping in $10 hotels and the car) although, I don’t think we’ll see much of that on a cruise ship!
Kim works as a civil servant on a military base near our home and I am a therapist at Camarillo State Hospital and Developmental Center. This hospital is the real “Hotel California” (I’m told you can see our Bell Tower on the Eagle’s record jacket). I’ve worked with senior citizens (one of them told me, “Never drool on the one you love.”), Autistic men, and am currently working with teens – most having been in gangs. The hospital’s slated for closure, so I will be spending more time with the telecommuting network I’ve been developing over the last four years.
We’ve got one other family member – a beautiful 3-legged cat. If you say her name out loud, you’ll understand why we named her, “Eileen.”
All in all, the Jensen clan is having a pretty nifty time of life!
As far as other Peary Alumni, Susan Burrup (I think she was the class of ’81) has married a Spanish teacher – Ted Spicer. No kids yet, though they’ve been married now about 4 years and are still hoping. They’re living out here in the Oxnard CA area and are very happy together. Julia Wright married Randy Boretos (both alumni and I think they were also the class of ’81). I think they’re going on their fourth child right now and still live in the Maryland area. Linda Evans (’82) married Bruce Ward and last I heard they had kids and were living in Utah. Randy Hagen (’81?) went on a mission (he’s also a “Mormon”) to Bolivia. Sadly, Randy lost his mother to cancer a few years back. He’s married beautiful Spanish speaking woman (wish I could remember her name!) and last I heard they were doing GREAT! Eileen McCabe went on a mission (Yep!…she’s one too!) to England and then married afterwards. The last time I saw her (about 8 years ago) she was expecting and “twiterpaited” over her wonderful husband.
It’s been some time since Mr. Deumas said in one of our last assemblies, “Peary is NOT dead!” We weren’t so sure about that when they put the chains on the front door. But, Bob – through the efforts of folks like you and Neal, perhaps he was right after all.
May the Bird of Happiness REALLY lay it on you!
Warmest regards!
Shannon (Scott) Jensen
P.S. I hope there aren’t going to be any old, Peary English/grammar teachers reading this!
[Probably, eventually, Shannon…and thank you for the nice words about our on-line effort! – Neal and Bob]
From: Lynne Keady-Galletti (1978) Galletti[AT]erols.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 Subject: Peary e-mail listings
Hi! I was really glad to have found your home page (another Peary alumnus called me and gave me the address).
I think you are doing an amazing and wonderful thing for the alumni of Peary. Many of us feel sort of lost every time we drive by Peary and see it sitting empty! It’s great to see your homepage! Thanks for doing it!
Oh yeah, my brother Jim (1977) is NOT online but if anyone wants to write to him, they can send him an e-mail to my address if they want to!
Thanks again.
Lynne Galletti
From: Kurt Kumagai (1977) kumagai[AT]gwjapan.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 Subject: Peary classmates’ e-mail addresses
I have children Akari and Akira both newborn. I am very busy and sometimes do not even say hello to them in a day. I actually work out of the house! Made me realize that I better take the time to say hello. Quality time is important no matter how small it is.
Neal’s and Bob’s efforts are very good for the soul and spirit of all.
Thanks,
Kurt
From: Bob Lau (1976) Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 Subject: Update & MSO “Offer”
Greetings. Well, acting work has been slow since the overwhelming number of gigs in November (“Homicide”/NBC, “Contact”/Warner Brothers, and “Private Parts”/Howard Stern), but I have a Postal Service training video and some print work coming up. I had auditions with Sprint Spectrum and a healthcare firm for commercials, but that’s how the acting biz goes. I also have a few prospects for full-time employment should I decide to get out of the freelance/consulting world and back into the “mainstream” of full-time work.
As some of you may be aware, the public system I operate, IICS-DC, had a crash of one of its major drives recently and a data recovery had to be performed and a new drive purchased. It is this public system’s directory space on the server that sponsors the web site for the Midnight Sun Online (MSO). The equipment mishap resulted in a $5500 total bill to get things back to normal (data recovery, new drive, shipping, and lots of time).
Here’s the offer. To help recover some of this expenditure and, ultimately, help cover some of the costs associated with the Peary MSO site, we’re seeking donations. A suggested amount of $36 would help, but other amounts wouldn’t be refused. In return, besides the gratification of financial support for our effort here, you will receive 1-year access to the IICS-DC system. For three dollars a month, you will have an Internet e-mail account, access to Newsgroups, and access to a vast storage of weekly-maintained and updated shareware applications and graphics – approximately 16,000 programs available for downloading to your computer from a 26-Gigabyte capacity system. Compare this with an average of $240 a year you may be paying for access to the “big” guys like AOL and Compuserve.
A full-time Internet connection is in the research stages that will allow telnet in and out and some web browsing capabilities, but there is no timeline on this yet. Currently, the system is direct dial-up only with a DC Metro exchange, so this may only be practical to those in the MD, DC, Northern VA area.
Thanks for listening and your continued support of the online effort.
Bob Lau, Class of 1976
From: Ron Tepper (1979) rtepper[AT]skyenet.net Date: Thu, 16 Jan 1997 Subject: Birth announcement: It’s a girl!!!
Ron and Jeni Tepper are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Mariah Leigh, on January 16, 1997 at 11:19 am!
Mariah weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long…
Mother and daughter are doing fine at St. Joseph’s Hospital of Marshall County, Plymouth, Indiana and expect to be released within the next 24 hours…
Jen can be reached at jeni[AT]skyenet.net or jenitep[AT]aol.com; Ron can be reached at rtepper[AT]skyenet.net or maxxroamer[AT]aol.com
[Editor’s note: This e-mail announcement was received less than 5 hours after the birth. After joking with Ron about “living online,” it was discovered appropriate…as Ron and Jen MET online!]
From: Neal Lee Pizzano (1976) npizzano[AT]erols.com Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 Subject: Divorce Announcement
As of January 9, 1997 (as filed in Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court) I have been granted an absolute divorce. I am a free man again.
From: Neal Lee Pizzano (1976) npizzano[AT]erols.com Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 Subject: Lost and Found Department
A few days ago, I received a call from the Reunion Company and was told to expect a call from a fellow classmate. Details of the call would be presented by him, but my name was given to him because of the vast database I have.
Later that day I received a call from classmate John Leatherwood (76). He and I reminisced about our reunion, and talked about those who have passed on from our class. He lead the discussion into a promise to look him up if I ever decide to visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Then he told me that his Step mother had found a Peary High School class ring a couple of years ago. He told me it was from the class of 1971 and had the initials “MJH” inside. I looked into my database and found the only match.
Those in the class of 1971 will soon realize who this person might be. But until we have a chance to talk to him directly, I do not want to reveal his name. Furthermore, I would like to possibly arrange that he receive his ring back during his 25 + 1 reunion taking place this June. I have John’s phone numbers here. John wants to talk to the owner and make arrangements to get the ring back to him. (71 reunion committee members – call me to arrange the connection. 301-929-6155) Peary High People staying connected through spirit.
From: Neal Lee Pizzano (1976) npizzano[AT]erols.com Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 Subject: Class of 77 Reunion
Schedule of Weekend Activities:
Friday, August 8, 1997: Silo Inn, Olney, Maryland Join us for Happy Hour(s) at The Silo Inn in Olney for a Peary High tradition to kick off our reunion weeekend. This is the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted informally and have a great time. Details as to time, etc. to follow at a later date. Let the Reminiscing Begin!!!
Saturday, August 9, 1997: A.M. – Tentative Golf Tournament/Game. Details to follow at a later date when plans are either finalized or forgotten altogether. The Reminiscing Continues!!
P.M. – THE BIG EVENT!! Dinner and Dance at The Holiday Inn in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Montgomery Village Avenue, 7:30 pm to 12:30 am
Dinner, dancing to a DJ, evening program, mingling, the chance to see and be seen, MORE REMINISCING – in general, a really outstanding time. Memory books will be available for purchase at the reunion from The Reunion Company. For those unable to attend, these can be ordered directly from The Reunion Company as per the directions in the first mailing. The date for the initial invitation/mailing from them is mid-March 1997. Photographers will be on-site that evening to record these special memories for us so we don’t have to worry about doing it ourselves. We can concentrate on the important things – REMINISCING (can you ever get enough!). As always, these memories are available for purchase too. A really special evening is being planned as this is such a “Hallmark” occasion (get it!!). Plan now to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Sunday, August 10, 1997: Family Picnic For those of us who just cannot get enough (after all, we’ve only been up all nite reminiscing and we still aren’t sick of it yet!), a family picnic is being planned to round out the weekend’s activities. The details will follow at a later date when we have finalized plans. Special activities are being planned for the children so that they too can feel included in this weekend since obviously the rest of the weekend focuses on us.
Feel free to contact one of the Reunion Committee Chairpersons:
Sandy Van Dusen or Janet Heneghan Opar
See you in August!!!
The Class of 1977 Reunion Committee
…and on that note,
From: Carole Stein-Dibo (1976) CDibo[AT]aol.com Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 Subject: Humor for 1997
1. If you throw a cat out a car window does it become kitty litter? 2. If corn oil comes from corn, where does baby oil come from? 3. When a cow laughs does milk come up its nose? 4. How did a fool and his money GET together? 5. How do they get a deer to cross at that yellow road sign? 6. If it’s tourist season, why can’t we shoot them? 7. What’s another word for thesaurus? 8. Why do they sterilize the needles for lethal injection? 9. Why is abbreviation such a long word? 10. Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets? 11. How do you know when its time to tune your bagpipes? 12. Is it true that cannibals don’t eat clowns because they taste funny? 13. When you choke a smurf, what color does it turn? 14. Do blind eskimos have seeing eye sled dogs? 15. Why is there an expiration date on my sour cream container? 16. What do they use to ship styrofoam? 17. Why do they call it a TV set when you only get one? 18. Do radioactive cats have 18 half-lives? 19. If you shoot a mime, should you use a silencer?
Available on the web site:
http://www.clark.net/pub/pearyhs
All issues of MSO
Articles about graduates and teachers in the news
Peary alumni e-mail listings to-date
Class reunion information
Midnight Sun Online
Volume 1, Number 6, January 1997