3/14/03--You won't believe this email from George Rodedee!

Dear Classmates, This story is a little long but incredible!

After that incredible and wonderful reunion we went to Ft. Pierce. The second week we spent with Diana's Brother in Ft. Fierce. The third week we rented an apartment on No. Hutchinson Island. We deliberately picked a small place and skipped the high rises and fancy places. It was good choice. Only 8 units. It was paradise.

On Wednesday, I was coming back from a walk to the river and a gentleman was sitting outside his apartment and we got to talking. I said I was from Farmingdale and he said he was from Huntington. I told him that I was born and raised in Huntington. He said that he taught school in Farmingdale, Didn't know my boys but said that he also taught in Huntington. I said, well I graduated in 56. He said THAT HE TAUGHT AT THIS TIME. I RAN TO MY CAR FOR MY YEARBOOK. HE WAS OUR YEARBOOK ADVISOR. HE SHOWED MY HIS PICTURE. MR. WILLIAM LAWRENCE OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. HE STILL LIVES IN GREENLAWN. WE HAD A LONG TALK. HE IS 79 YRS YOUNG. LOOKS MUCH YOUNGER.HE DIDN'T REMEBER ME BUT SPOKE OF WORKING ON THE YEARBOOK WITH RUSS BROOOKS. WHAT WERE THE ODDS ON THIS ONE?????

OF ALL THE PLACES IN FLORIDA TO PICK TO STAY FOR A WEEK AND JUST AT THE SAME TIME HE AND HIS WIFE WERE THERE AND WE BEING IN FLORIDA FOR OUR MINI! I JUST HAD TO SHARE THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE are just on our way home now and I am writing this in our motel room in Savannah, Ga. Just couldn't wait any longer to email y'all.-- George Robedee

Hi to All,
Just want to thank all you put on the Florida Reunion it was a blast.Ginger thanks for all your work and please thank all those who work at the Peace River Country Club, the food was great , and thanks to all the helpers there.

Jack, you made everyone feel as one, and we did. You and Allan are great hosts. Friday night we must say thank you Barbara for you room as a gathering place.

Saturday night we really gave Mike's restaurant a workout when we all went for dinner-- I'd love to know what they thought when we all came in. At the pool I don't think anyone of us wanted to really leave to go to our rooms-- it was such a beautiful weekend

Thanks to all for the welcome you gave to each other, and especially to those of us who brought special others and they were made to feel as one of us.
My Love to you All
Fran Moon Webb
3/2/03

To The Class OF '56:

I would like to thank you for the weekend I enjoyed with you.A SPECIAL thank you to Jack Downing, who from the moment we met changed how I thought my weekend would be. I was invited by your class mate Frances Moon to join her in a walk down memory lane with her class of '56. My first reaction was "Oh No"-- what am I going to do while she enjoys and remembering all of you fondly. To an outsider this could have been a weekend of boredom. Let me tell you, thanks to Fran and Jack I was an outsider for about five seconds, and the rest is pleasant History.

I do not believe that I have ever enjoyed myself so much in all my life in this kind of situation, especially when I was the only Indian present.

I wish to say that I believe if the world were filled with the people of the "class of 56" our worries would not be part of life now. Thank You for accepting me and sharing your love and affection for each other. I will never forget the "Class of 56". Thank you Frances and thank you Jack. I remain most grateful,
Doug Willis (SilverHawk)
3/4/03

Note: Doug Silverhawk is a Shaman and, aside from providing a fascinating conversation, is from the Iroquois Nation, Mohawk Tribe and the Turtle Clan--thanks for the experience, Doug--J

Louise Azzaro Kurutz...I won't be able to make the Florida reunion in March...we just found out our daughter-in-law has cancer. She's only 34 years old and we have to watch our grandchildren, ages 23 months and 5 months. Please send my very best to everyone.

Stan Voogt...I'll save your mail in the remote chance we can break away from the four grandchildren that live here with us.

Carol Ann Woods Reilly...Turns out though that I won't be able to make the Florida mini. I'll be in Ireland during that time. Darn! Wish that the dates didn't overlap. Please continue to keep me updated on future minis though.

Carla Brockway…Thanks for sending the invite but it's unlikely I'll attend the mini-reunion due to the distance, unless I happen to be in the States at the time. Might make the one in 2006 though - you never know. Keep up the good work. I never thought I'd say this, as high school was not the favorite time of my life, but it's actually really interesting to see what happened to everybody. Hasta luego, Carla

Sandra Marshall Byrnes…It's nice to know that being so far away I'm still being remembered. I will be changing my e-mail address very soon - will keep you posted.

Jane Doherty Wagner…I will not be attending the reunion in March as I will be using my vacation time to visit my son and daughter-in-law next week (December 23, 2002). For publication, my son Guy Wagner was married on November 29th to a beautiful young lady, Alicia D'Aguiar and Mom is happy to have a daughter; they have re-located to Miami.

Ann Loveless McCord…Sorry, but I won't be able to make this reunion. Even though I haven't seen anyone from the class except for Elizabeth Breitmeier Congdon since graduation, it would be good to renew acquaintances. Perhaps I'll be able to come to the next one. If any snowbirds are traveling through the upstate of SC, (Interstate 85) let me know and maybe we could meet somewhere. Thanks for the invitation.

Jim Sweenie…I will be there in spirit and looking forward to the photos on the web.

Carol Imhof Piechnik…We would really love to attend, but we cannot. I hope everyone that does attend has a wonderful time.

Elaine Scudder Smith…I will not be able to attend the reunion as a family matter has arisen.

Allen Van Gelder…I am not able to attend the Florida Mini. Have a good time, though.

Duke Morton…I won't know until the very last minute about showing up in Florida. I've even had trouble getting home to Honolulu in the last couple of months because of how busy we have been. If I don't show, please do give my regards to everyone.

Marcia Gallaty Applebaum…My husband and I had planned to attend the mini reunion but due to a family commitment at the last moment we will now not be able to attend... will be looking forward to the 50th reunion in 2006.

Carol (Cary) Nelson Kirchner…I won't be able to make the reunion in Florida this year. My husband just passed away in December. Lots to settle, etc. My plan was to drive down to FL & visit family & friends down & back. If my situation changes & I get a younger car, who knows, I might take up your offer & just arrive. Best regards to all who make the trip. Sure hope to make the 2006 reunion. Enjoy!!!

Rich Leinweber...We won't be coming. Please say Hello to all who do come. Please keep in touch for any future get togethers. Thanks, Rich & Maureen

Bob Snyder…So enjoyed the Huntington Mini and was looking forward to seeing everyone again in Florida but the terrible winter has put the business way behind. Best regards to all! (To everyone's surprise and delight, Bob showed up after lunch! He came down to visit a long-time terminally ill friend)

Bill King…I was hedging about attending the reunion in Bartow, pending a call to work. My company has a disaster recovery exercise scheduled for 2/28/03 - 3/1/03 at the SunGard recovery facility located in Carlstadt, N J. Needless to say with me being the disaster recovery coordinator, you know where I need to be. Sorry to say, but I will have to miss the good times in Bartow. Say "hello" to everyone for me.

Irene Thomsen Spano…I had hoped to attend but I’m scheduled for eye surgery, which will keep me from traveling for a while. Best regards to all!

Carol Johnson Meinen…Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the mini in Florida. My daughter and son-in-law are relocating in NC (we are thrilled) from Spokane, WA so I will be taking my personal time to help them. I am sorry to have to miss everyone, as seeing everyone in June was great!

Ken Haagenson…It looks unlikely that I will be attending the reunion at this point. My early response was with the expectation of completing our home sale by now and actually being moved to Florida by March 1, but sales have been slow here for a number of months, and we're still frozen in place (pun intended) for now. I will look forward to the next one, but will have to move over to the unlikely list for this time around.

Dottie O'Brien Buckley…Sorry that I will not be attending the mini-reunion at Bartow on March 1st. I will however be thinking about all of you and wish you a great time. Best regards to all.

Barbara Bassler Duncan…I am sorry to say that I am not going to be able to go the Florida mini after all. Some work things and personal things have come up all at once, so I'm not going to be available that weekend. I'm really disappointed as there are going to be some attendees there I really wanted to see. Oh well, maybe next time. Wish you all a good time, though.

Liz Breitmaier Congdon…Change of plans for me....I won't be able to make it to the reunion. Wanted very much to come and hope to get to the next reunion. I just began a new job and will not be able to be away that weekend.

Sandy Schwartz Morgenberger …Hello! I am writing this on behalf of my Mom, Sandy Schwartz Morgenberger, to let you know that they will not be able to make the reunion next weekend. My Mom is really sick right now. I know that she was really looking forward to coming and seeing everyone and it was a hard decision for her to make, but she has spent the past 5 days in bed with a severe head and chest cold which seems to daily get worse instead of better. They don't have email yet, but I seem them on a daily basis and anyone who would like to send email to them can do so to my address and I will pass it on. Have a blessing-filled day! Michelle Morgenberger-Farr

Bill Tyndall… As much as I hate to do it, I'm going to have to cancel out on the reunion. I don't know what this bug is I have but it is kicking my butt. I just don't have the strength to make the trip. Was really looking forward to seeing everyone again, give them all our best and I guess we'll try for next year. (Turned out to be bronchitis. He is once again allowed to sign off on his emails with "Semper Fi")

Jack Olson...THURSDAY FEB 27th, I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE ORAL SURGERY, AND THE DENTIST SEEMS TO THINK I WILL NOT WANT TO GO TO THE REUNION ON SAT. IF SHE IS RIGHT, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I WILL BE THERE IN SPIRIT. I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ALL THE CLASSMATES ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT ARE COMING TO THEIR FIRST ONE…I WILL MISS A VERY GOOD TIME. BEST TO ALL

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