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Class of 1968 Alumni |
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February 2017> John Dent>Santa
Fe, NM>To: Class
of ‘68>Subject: Saying “hi” 50 years later I know that getting
reacquainted with old school chums after over 50 years isn’t very realistic,
especially since I have not lived in central Florida for so many, many
years. What I’d like to do is give a shout-out to some names I do
remember with the help of the alumni reunion contact list and my ‘66
Towayam; Tommy Denton, John Merlet, Margie Cooper (Minnehaha Circle),
Steve Armstrong, Mike Bales, Karl Heinz, John Bolton, Dick Glover, Mike
Gooch, Barbara Krause (HUGE crush on her), Charlie Mcleod, Sam Pinder, Sue
Roberts, Ed Truncellito and sister Barbara, Andy Titan, Bill Bennet, Jim
Brooks (bought my sax), Fran Fink, Tony Fiorica, Dick Glover, Robert
Hutchinson (science fair smoking machine in 9th grade), Gil O'Brien, Charlie
Stevens, Mike Stoner (great name) and more. I opened up my ‘66
Towayam and I was able to put names and faces together better than I thought
I ever could after only 50 years. Are we really that
old? Yikes!! I attended Maitland Jr.
High from ‘62 to ‘64 (7th - 9th) and then went to Winter Park High
in ‘65 for 10th grade. Lived on Tuscarora Trail in Maitland for
four years walking to MJHS and then took “bus 42” to Winter
Park HS for my sophomore year. I don’t really have a lot of
memories of WPHS. It is mostly a blur. The school was huge
compared to my graduating HS over in Japan. We had 84 students in my ‘68
graduating class compared to lord knows how many at Winter
Park. Those junior and senior years spent in Japan where
not my choice. I would have stayed at Winter Park if it had been
my choice. Being an Air Force brat was a different life from the norm
and leaving friends behind was the hardest part. Following my
father’s career was our family norm and where ever he went we
went. Japan was ‘66-’69 in the prime of my formative years.
My Tokyo alma mater, Chofu HS, no longer exists. In fact, the new
Tokyo soccer stadium is built on that exact spot. So, there isn’t
anything to go back to even if I wanted to. What’s fun for me is that I
still have friends from those years overseas and in some ways we’re all
closer than ever. Brats have an empathy for
other brats that non-brats can’t understand. It’s a kind of
club. While I’ve never had the opportunity to attend a Winter Park
HS reunion I have attended several Chofu reunions and some of them I’ve had a
hand in organizing. We’ve had them all over the
country. I’ve also created a Chofu HS website called
Chofu.org. I’ve visited Maitland and
Winter Park a few times over the decades, but haven’t lived there
since ‘69-’71 when the family returned from Japan and I started
college. In many ways I wish I could have attended Winter Park all
three years, but it wasn’t to be. When I retired (sort of) I decided to
travel (after 20 year marriage/divorce) and that’s what I’ve been doing
full-time for the last five years. I basically follow the seasons
and more often than not I find myself living in fall and spring
conditions. Waiting for the leaves to change in places like Colorado
(aspens) and Maine (deciduous trees) have been my favorites, so far. I
guess you could say I’ve become a kind of gypsy traveling in my 40 foot motor
home from place to place. I’ve visited every state now, except Hawaii
and I’ve visited every National Park west of
the Rockies. Since I attended an American HS in Japan I’m
proud to claim friends that are spread out over the United States and
the world. Most of us stay in touch through social media and it’s
always fun to learn what’s happening in Tokyo or Sidney or London. Some
who still live in Tokyo are always good for nostalgic updates about
where I used to live. Thank goodness for FaceBook and
email. The world is certainly a
different place from when we were young. Please consider this an
invitation to become reacquainted if you’d like to share some memories,
especially if they are of me. lol And even if you don’t
remember me, but find your name listed above I’m good for at least a phone
call (605) 858-1957 or email at chofujohn@gmail.com.
The bottom line for me is the older I get the more I want to reconnect
with my past. Life has been great, but we never know when it’s going to
end, eh? For all those Wildcats who have already passed on RIP. August
2011 > Nancy Nubar : Lake Mary, FL : Passing of a fine WPHS teacher>
Just wanted to post that Mary Jane Squires passed away this week in Orlando.
She inspired me to become an English teacher myself, and I taught for
37 years before I retired. Pehaps some of you
remember her class.....for the times, she was very progressive and her World
Literature class opened many new doors for me. Every so often, she
"rewarded" us with a free period listening to the modern popular
poetry of Rod McKuen, set to soothing music. She taught at WP for 30
years. I will never forget her. Nancy Nubar September 2008
>Tim Bailey:Mt
Plymouth, FL:A Brief Moment in History>To all my friends: Thank you for making the last three days so
great. It is said that you can not turn back time but this weekend disproved that. I am sure you all agree with me that it was
great seeing "old" friends.
So many of you traveled so far and your spouses endured so much of our
"do you remember" talk.
Thank you all. John, Bill and Roy (and spouses) thanks for making this
the best reunion. I have not talked
with Trice Eddie or Lee but my vote is that the group that put this reunion
on be reelected to put the next reunion together (hint change nothing). I did not have the chance to talk with any
of you enough so you can look forward to hearing from me in the future. With that said I would encourage all of you
to take advantage of the excel spreadsheet that includes e-mails and snail
mail information. What a great group
of friends! If any of you get up to
the Mt Dora area please feel free to call us.
Tim July
2008->Patty DeFilipps:Oviedo:Jeff
Schofield>I
went to the service for Jeff. I will miss him dearly as I know you all will. Mar 2008->Cecil Bothwell: For
Jeff Schofield: (1949-2008) ·
If you have not heard, Jeff Schofield passed away
this past weekend. I had heard he had been hospitalized about 10 days ago,
and I am unaware of any more details. My father actually got the message
from "Becky" (I assume Becky Robinson?) and called me last night. ·
This is so very sad - he certainly
will be remembered at the reunion!!!! Peppy Piel
Surasky ·
I knew Jeff from
elementary school through high school; in fact, he was the only person I knew
that long. Fond memories. Sincerely, Kathryn
Sullivan (Susan Gilmore) ·
This is so
very sad... my heart is
with his family... peace..syl deal ·
Please give my deepest
sympathy to Amy and will certainly be praying for her and the
family at this time. I remember good ole Jeff in High School. My memory of him
was that he always had a smile on his face and showed a positive
attitude in life. He was a great guy and I'm sure we all feel
his loss, but he is now Heaven's gain! Here in May our dear
Brother rest in peace! John &
Suzanna Hyrons P.S.
John 11:25.... Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the life. He who
believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live!" ·
This is really
sad... I'm really sorry
to hear of Jeff's passing. I knew him from all the way back
to the 4th grade when we were at Brookshire Elementary. I will say
a prayer for him and his family. Carlene Weber ·
I am so sorry
to hear about Jeff......this is certainly a reminder of our own fragile
mortality. Don
Mclean ·
He was a great guy and made me feel welcome in my
only year at WPHS. Gene Marshall Mike Bales: http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/ http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000110598637X Dec 2007->John
Merlet:Maitland:The ’68 Alumni:Reunions:>Wish everyone a Happy New Year,
2008, and also wish to see you all at 4 more Reunions, at least! All I can
say is, I’m not this old!! |