Dear Classmates,
If you weren't a part of the 70th Birthday Bash you missed a fantastic get-together! September 10th arrived after several days of constant rains in PA, but for the Class of 59 celebrants the sun actually broke through! We gathered at Mitchell's Fish Market in a private room, we needed privacy for volume alone! Adam and Ryan were our very attentive waiters and did a fine job taking care of our culinary needs. From all reports, the food was delicious. The meals were topped off with a chocolate fudge cake decorated with icing balloons and a large group photo taken at our 50th. Thanks, Roz, for bringing the cake and for requesting that it be made calorie free!
Being that our classmates are never short on words, I asked that each attendee catch us up on what is happening in his/her life. Remembering all the information dispersed is not easy, so if I make mistakes relaying that info. to all of you, just chalk it up to my faulty memory. I pre-apologize and will happily make corrections if they are brought to my attention!
Eldan Snyder
told us how difficult his things were after his wife Barbara (Klemm) fell at their church and then developed severe complications from the fall. She never recovered. After Barbara passed away, Eldan decided to take a trip out west. He told a hilarious story about boating with his son-in-law. The boat stopped running several miles from shore. They had nothing but a broken oar, a broom and a mop at their disposal for the return trip¯. Eldan's son -in-law grabbed the half oar while Eldan grabbed the broom. That worked until the broom snapped, so he then used the mop. He said mops are surprisingly heavy when used in that capacity over a period of time! Finally they remembered having a 7 horse power motor. They eventually got it running and made some progress until that motor stopped running. Back to the oar and mop! Eventually they made it to shore with a great tale to repeat!Eldan said that the best thing that happened to him this past year was his getting together with his friend Sara (alias Sally) who joined him at our gathering. We are happy for you, Eldan! Sally: Sally told us that she has been alone since 1978 and until Eldan, had never had a desire to be with someone! She had been a friend of Eldan and Barbara for many years. Sally, we are delighted that you joined us!
Sally Griggs
had a boat story too, she remembers being stuck on Chautauqua Lake with Kathy Russell with the two of them ducking their heads to get away from swooping bats! Sally lives in Oakland on 5th Ave. where a lot of the action for the newest Batman movie took place. Sally loves retirement and sounds busier now than she did when she worked. She is constantly busy with classes at CMU and chairing events for various organizations. She still has not found time to purchase a computer???? Come on, Sally!Linda Myers
still lives in Edgewood across the street from her Dad's house, the house in which she was raised. It used to be green, not blue as it is now painted!,¯ says Linda. That just doesn't seem right to her. Linda told us that her daughter went to her 25th reunion and will not go to another one. It was not fun, not at all like our reunions! Thanks, Linda! We think our class is special too. Linda is taking sewing lessons and is going to a Sewing Retreat at Three Rivers Casino. She has three grandson and granddaughters to sew for! Linda, how about sewing for our four granddaughters?Sue Dodd Simchock
flew from Massachusetts to be with us. Sue was a 4th of July baby so this trip is the first of her 70th year! She has lived in Cape Cod for the past 12 years and loves it. She is very involved with her community which has included being president of the Newcomers Club. Sue and her husband John love traveling and recently took a trip to the exotic Fiji Islands. They have a nine year old granddaughter, Hannah. You sure know how to keep busy, Sue!
Karen Kennon Schwarzbach lost her husband, Bob, also our classmate, very suddenly to a heart attack two days after moving into their new condo. Her family has been extremely supportive. Karen wants to thank all of our classmates for their phone calls, cards, and emails! They meant so much to her as she dealt with Bob’s passing. She also wants to thank those her came to the funeral home. Karen, we are so glad you came to our gathering! Bob was a faithful member of our class and is missed by each of us.Ginny Morgan Stahlsmith,
thankfully, is in remission from multiple myeloma. Ginny noted, “I have hair!” She recalled that when she was cold at one point during our 50th reunion that Phil Sky gallantly gave her his jaunty black hat! She meant to wear it but forgot….does that sound familiar to anyone? She has taken numerous trips including a cruise along the eastern seaboard …Prince Edward Island was one of the stops! (Does anyone remember the “Anne of Green Gables” mini-series filmed on PE Island?) Ginny has five grandchildren. She looks forward to summers with her family at Chautauqua where she has recently rebuilt her home. Scott and I are looking forward to seeing you and your sister Anne in sunny FL this winter, Ginny!Stanley Vlasak
also flew in from Massachusetts! He says his wife Susan accuses him of telling stories that are too long. So rather than a story he showed us his T-shirt which stated: So far this is the oldest I have ever been! Then, unable to resist, Stan told us “the real story” about his broken hip. It wasn’t from falling off of his motorcycle…it wasn’t even moving! It tipped over and he tried to catch it! “It was my baby“, he said! We are awaiting “the next episode”, Stan! Stan and Sue are enjoying grandparenting along with their many other activities.Sandy Daw Jameson’s
sad news is that DJ is now living in a memory impaired facility as of about two weeks ago. She says that DJ is adjusting nicely but she is having difficulty accepting the situation. DJ is about a 25 minute drive from her home so she and the family can easily visit .Sandy is living near their children who are extremely supportive. She and DJ have five grandchildren. Our reunions will not be the same without DJ. We are so very sorry that he will no longer be able to join us. However, this event officially welcomes Sandy to our fold! Sandy, we look forward to seeing you at all of our future events! (As a sidelight, Sandy went to Forest Hills schools with many of us.)
Kitty Hughes Leatham
father is now in assistant living and his house is sold. She is breathing easier now. Dianne has been able to do some traveling just recently returning from the west coast. Fortunately, she managed to light in Pittsburgh long enough to join our party. Her current goal is to find a healthy place to live. She is looking toward the northwest, probably Oregon! Dianne has grandchildren living in that area. We hope you find your ideal place, Dianne. But be sure to come back to us when we have our gatherings!
Jo Anne Petras Edwards
attended our party without her husband Gene who was stranded somewhere (due to flooding) on his way to his class reunion! Gene has had some health problems, but nothing keeps him from the golf course. Their big plan to drive to California in the near future. Jo Anne already made reservations for Gene to play Pebble Beach! As I remember, Jo Anne, you are no slouch of a golfer either! Have a great trip and a safe one!Roz Roth Sky asked,
“Do you know what causes divorce?” Answer: “Marriage!” She says that Phil is trading her for an apple-blackberry fruit salad! Roz and Phil’s two children and four grandchildren (13, 12, 11, and 10) are about eight minutes from their home. Lucky them! Her favorite pastime is playing a golf scramble with her grandson’s. They have “the long game” and say that Grandma has “the short game” which makes “the perfect team”. Roz and Phil brought a cooler full of “Oats to Go”, oatmeal in a wrap one of Phil’s ideas. Roz accuses Phil of being a “entrepreneur junkie”. The wraps be purchased at a Whole Foods. (or check their website for other locations: www.tomarkettwomarkets.com) Roz, even if I forgot to take your photo, you are not Ms. Cellophane! NO WAY! Phil: To defend myself, I retired to work for Roz. The pay sucks and the fringe benefits are worthless! (We know you too well, Phil! You treat Roz like a queen and love every minute with her!…and that’s the truth!
Penny Hawley Barr
is never going to retire or so she says. She loves her job working for four attorneys who own a world-wide law firm. She sings in her church choir. I remember Penny singing from the time we were in grade school. She sang solos then! I was so envious.) Her sister also lives in Charlotte. Strangely enough, her sister and husband were in Pgh. for his Wilkinsburg HS class reunion being held at Edgewood Country Club! Oh, the irony ! If you remember, Penny 's daughter Susie passed away the week of our 50th reunion and Susie's husband of one year is now raising her teenage son. He is an ex-marine so their living quarters is a real man cave ' according to Penny. We finally met Penny 's friend Gary Tate! He is a welcome addition to our get-togethers! Penny, thanks for driving all the way from Charlotte just to spend three hours with classmates! Gary Tate: Gary drives a bus for charter tours. He says, Penny keeps me challenged! And that 's the way it should be, Gary! Welcome! Sorry about not taking your photo! That just means that you have to come to our next shindig to get photographed!Kathi Niesemann Ferguson
is one busy lady! Her husband Jim, who sent his greetings, is living in Seneca Place. He has adjusted beautifully and enjoys all the activities there. He has an electric wheelchair and when he can 't get ice cream on his floor, he just heads up to the second floor to partake! He loves being mobile. Jim thoroughly enjoyed being at our reunions. We miss having Jim with us and send our greeting back to him! Kathi still writes articles for a local newspaper but now a blog, ushers at the Benedum (she has to dress like a penguins¯ in black and white!), and reads stories every week to kindergarteners. But, best of all, she finds time to spend with her grandson who is now a seventh grader. How do you do it all, Kathi?Joyce Beadling Hines
is still living in Ligonier with her husband Scott. With six kids between us and 13 grandkids, there is never a dull moment. Well, maybe a few! We do a lot of game watching, cheerleader cheering, picture taking, chauffeuring, game playing, cooking and feeding, and giving useless advice (I think I mean not used advice) with our brood, not to mention spending a little cash on them! But we enjoy every minute of it. We are headed west the last week in September. We will start at Las Vegas and eventually end up in Mesa for a visit with Scott 's brother and sister-in-law. We also hope to get together with Peggy (Wolcott) and Elliot Riviere and Foster and Kathi Thomas! We will arrive in Ligonier after two and a half weeks, just in time for the family to descend on our house for Ligonier Days. Scott Hines: After a heart attack, a stroke, prostate cancer, and diabetes Scott says he 's glad to be alive at 70! He just celebrated his birthday on September 6th. We went to different schools together. (his poor joke, not mine!) As our official photographer for the 50th, he was delighted to see his photo from our class reunion on top of the cake! Scott is still shooting sporting clays and hitting those birds! He 's a happy camper.Aren't you glad that I split this novel into daily installments? Scott can 't believe I am still at the computer typing. To all those classmates who couldn't 't attend, each and every one of you were missed!
by:
Joyce