Wakefield Class of 1960
News

WAKEFIELD '60 COMMITTEE DOINGS

At the most recent Committee meeting, (25 Sept 2011), a new member was added to the Wakefield '60 Committee, Dick Wheeler. Dick recently moved back to the Northern Virginia area (Winchester), after an absence of many decades.  Dick will be participating in the update and maintenance of the Class of '60 Web Pages.  To start with, Dick is working on putting on-line 1960's "Remembrance Book" (obituaries) which Rich Lyons has maintained for many years.  Heretofore, we have only been able to see the Book and thumb through it at our reunions.  Now there will be a distillation of it tucked away in the "Memories" section of these web pages.  Click on "Memories" in the top-of-page menu, then click on "In Memoriam", and then click on any of the underlined names in the list to see the associated obituary/remembrance materials. Enjoy seeing this blossom into full coverage of our dear departed classmates.

Also at the recent Committee meeting, Norman Griest was elected as Treasurer, relieving Rich Lyons of wearing dual hats.  (Rich is V.P.)  Norman and his fiancée, Christine McIntyre, have been keeping the financial books straight in their community's Homeowners Association for almost 2 years, and Christine attests that Norman is kind of competent in this regard.  For additional information on the organization, functions, and make-up of the Wakefield '60 Committee, click on "Committee" in the top-of-page menu.

UPCOMING FALL PICNIC - Saturday, 15 October 2011

It seems as though the enjoyment of seeing classmates during the reunion and its aftermath has grabbed hold of a lot of people, and they want to see it keep going.  The Fall Picnic will be another opportunity, for those of you that are not too far from the metro DC area.  Final arrangements have not been made, but the picnic will probably start in early afternoon and last into late afternoon/early eventing.  So if you live anywhere in Virginia, you could head for Oakton early Saturday morning, and be back at home that night.  The Blondells will be hosting, and have a beautiful, spacious home and a beautiful, spacious deck, and a beautiful, spacious deck.  Below are some photos from the 2009 picnic.  Festivities will commence at around 1 pm.

UPCOMING SPRING-BREAK MINI-REUNION (4th Annual):  April 19-22, 2012

Reserve early, this event grows every year.  Refer to reservations details on the Sarasota 2011 pages.

Click here to go to the 2011 SARASOTA page

50th REUNION CELEBRATION MADE HISTORY!

"2010 REUNION" will take you to our 50th anniversary reunion, of Oct 2010
Click here to go to the 2010 REUNION page

Most 2010 Reunion pictures in hand have been posted.  If you haven't sent yours in, please send to Norman Griest.  Click on "Contact Us" in the top-of-page menu.

TIDBITS OF INTEREST

Warriors Down

What are "down" Warriors?

Some will be recovering from recent hospital visits; some will be recovering from a bad bout with flu or other infection; some will just be "down" because of a health uncertainty they are facing.  Whatever the case, a few words from classmates can be a nice touch.

Send well wishes to Bradenton.

Steve Rees checked into Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, FL on Monday, 26 September, and subsequently underwent surgery to remove a kidney containing cancerous tissue.  Post surgical pathology reports are "clean" indicating the surgery removed everything that needed removing.  No chemo or radiation is needed.  There will of course - as with any invasive surgery - be an extended recuperation period, and Steve will have plenty of time to read cards and letters.  A few words of encouragement and well wishes from old friends are always great to get when one has to endure a period of limited mobility.  So take a few minutes out of your busy day, and let Steve and his wife, Winkie, know you're thinking of them and pulling for him.  Send notes or cards to:

Steve Rees
4876 Independence Dr
Bradenton, FL 34210-1942

Where are 1960's Warriors, and what are they doing?

Our class has spread out to just about everywhere, so chances are you might be able to find classmates nearby if you look for them.  And don't forget, we're here to help. Rich Lyons is familiar with the national and international distribution of 1960 Warriors; and Ken Scruggs knows the landscape in Florida.  If there are other 1960 Warriors near you that are interested in linking up with classmates, Rich and Ken can be of assistance.

Take a little time and let us know what you're doing that's interesting.

Retired in Aloha land

After receiving his July Newsletter, Rick Hardy sent in a note relaying what he's been doing for a while.

The Navy sent me to Hawaii in 1981, and I never left.  I've only been back to the Northern Virginia/DC area once in the past 30 years, so I doubt I'll make the next reunion.  I had a career in the Navy and a career in senior management with the local transit company in Honolulu.  I am fully retired.

I've attached a picture of me and my wife, Susan, taken in the Mayor's office when I retired from my transit career.

Hope all is well with the Class of '60.

A serious hobby in Ft Lauderdale

What's Jay Roberts been doing?  He decided to put together an airplane kit.  No, we're not talking about a model airplane.

So sad that we lost him so young

At a reunion a long time ago, a story that everyone walked away with was the sad news of the untimely, early demise of a beloved classmate.  He had been an exceptional player for Wakefield's baseball team, and had gone on to play in the minor leagues.  In the intervening years, the story has come up again and again.  Most recently, his demise was lamented at the Fall Picnic in northern Virginia, in October 2009.

But many couldn't help but notice that his demise remained unreflected in the Classmate pages.  How odd!  Our status maven has always been right on top of things.

Well, curious Warriors, here's an interesting photo for you.  The thumbnail is, of course, of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) who - after the New York Times reported he had perished at sea - issued the famous statement, "Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated."  Click on the thumbnail, and the picture that will come up is of our classmate's daughter, taken in November 2009, AND our well-known classmate - reports of whose status circulated in error among us for many years, not just days.  What do you think?  He doesn't look much worse for wear in the underlying photo that pops up, wouldn't you agree?

And the winners are . . .

Sarasota 2009's Easter bunnies (Karen McDonald Hill and Jeanne Croson Midgett) recently learned that a photo of them in their get-ups, which photo Karen entered in an Irish contest, WON!  Their prize was a cool caricature painting of them.  Get in the swim, people.  Wakefield's events produce WINNERS.

Two in The Villages (there are probably more in there somewhere)

Recently, Danette Blundell Bailly sent in a note to say that she and Becki Watson were happy to learn in early 2008 that they were living in the same large development in Florida, and now meet monthly for lunch; and, "We are so glad you put us in contact with each other!"

Wakefield's Principal

Wakefield got a new principal in July 2010.  Dr. Chris Willmore has been in charge for over a year now, and - as all of us who became better acquainted with him during our 50th Reunion Weekend know - he is a very impressive man.  He served as vice-principal from 2002 until he became principal.  Although he has an extensive and diverse resume, his youthful energy and enthusiasm are also remarkable.  He more than delivered on his pledge to give Wakefield Class of 1960 support and assistance in making our 50th experience as enjoyable and successful as possible.  He is in the thumbnail below, along with several Class of '60 alumni that paid him a visit on 5 August 2010.  Click on the thumbnail to see an enlargement.

Click on the next thumbnail to open up a window with a news release concerning the promotion and background of Dr. Willmore, and some new staff members.

Where are all the Warrior schools?

The political correctness of recent years has reduced the number of "Warrior" schools coming on line.  Nevertheless, there are many, many Warrior schools around that were established prior to the advent of p.c.  Keep an eye out for them and send in pictures.  They'll be posted here.  Kicking off the Warrior school gallery will be a couple of pictures furnished by Letty Sloan Mallery.  Now it's up to the rest of you Warriors to get busy and send in pictures of other Warrior schools.  This could turn into an interesting collection.

50-50 Couples

No, it's not some kind of oddball raffle.  2010 marked 50 years since the class's senior year at Wakefield came to its conclusion.  And for some couples, 2010 also marked the 50th anniversary of their marriage.  That's a special category of people we're calling "50-50 couples".

Are you a "50-50" couple, or do you know of one?  Let us know.

3rd Annual Sarasota Spring Break Mini-Reunion: May 5-8, 2011

There was record attendance this year.  Read all about it at the 2011 SARASOTA page

Click here to go to the 2011 SARASOTA page

Pre-50th Events

Spring-break 2010 mini-reunion in Sarasota

On Easter week-end (Apr 1-4, 2010) a group of 35 Warriors got together in Sarasota at a new venue.  It was a different spot with a different feel, and the consensus seemed to be that it was an even better venue than last year.  The weather was gorgeous, once again, and more interesting things to see and do were uncovered.  And once again plans have developed for a repeat next year, shifted to the first weekend in May (the 5th thru the 8th).  The link below will take you to a full report on the April 2010 events.

Click here to go to SARASOTA 2010 page

Spring-break 2009 mini-reunion in Sarasota

On Easter week-end (Apr 9-12, 2009) a group of 37 Warriors got together in Sarasota for some great camaraderie, gorgeous weather, and entertaining sightseeing.  Lot's of pictures were taken, so take a look.  Those that missed out on 2009 got a chance for a Sarasota 2010 reprise.  And those that missed out on both years will get another chance in 2011, shifted to the first weekend in May (the 5th thru the 8th).  The link below will take you to a full report on the 2009 festivities.

Click here to go to SARASOTA 2009 page

Northern Virginia Fall Picnic 2009

The 2009 fall picnic for Warriors in northern Virginia was held on October 10.  The food was great, the company was great, and it was a joy to see some people that we haven't seen for a long, long time.  As usual Jim and Beverley Blondell were excellent hosts, and their bright beautiful house was a great place to kick back and enjoy the day, even though the sun didn't show up for the event.  Check out the photos below.  Click on a thumbnail of interest to bring it up to viewing size. 

You didn't receive (or you misplaced) your copy of the Jul 2010 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter?

The link below opens a window that displays the Jul 2010 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter in Acrobat Reader format (.PDF)

If your computer doesn't have Acrobat Reader (most do), click on the link below, just above "Back?" .

Note:  The updated registration form is at the back of the July 2010 Newsletter.  You can print out your registration form from there if you want.  But the easier way is to instead go to the top-of-page menu and click on "Forms", and when that page comes up, scroll down to "REUNION REGISTRATION FORM" and click on that.  When the form comes up, click on the printer icon in the top toolbar of Acrobat window; then click on "Current page" in print window, and then "OK" at bottom of print window.  Fill the printed form out, put a check with it, and send it in.  You can't send in your registration form or costs via this web site.

Comments or corrections for the Newsletter?  See Contact Us in top-of-page menu.

Click here to see the Jul 2010 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter

Misplace your copy of the Feb 2010 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter?

The link below opens a window that displays the Feb 2010 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter in Acrobat Reader format (.PDF)

If your computer doesn't have Acrobat Reader (most do), click on the link below, just above "Back?" .

Note:  There is a registration form at the back of the Feb 2010 Newsletter.  Do not use that form.  Instead, go to the top-of-page menu and click on "Forms", and when that page comes up, scroll down to "REUNION REGISTRATION FORM" and click on that.  When the form comes up, click on the printer icon in the top toolbar of Acrobat window; then click on "Current page" in print window, and then "OK" at bottom of print window.  Fill the printed form out, put a check with it, and send it in.  You can't send in your registration form or costs via this web site.

Corrections: The address given for Hard Times Cafe in the Newsletter is incorrect; should be 1404 King Street (not 144).  The snail mail address for registrations/correspondence was cut off at the top of the news letter; should be, P.O. Box 61, Stephens City, VA  22655.  The email address for Norman Griest given in the Newsletter is incorrect; should be: njgriest@yahoo.com

Comments or corrections for the Newsletter?  See Contact Us in top-of-page menu.

Click here to see the Feb 2010 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter

Misplace your copy of the May 2009 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter?

The link below opens a window that displays the May 2009 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter in Acrobat Reader format (.PDF)

If your computer doesn't have Acrobat Reader (most do), click on the link below, just above "Back?" .

Correction: The email address for Norman Griest given in the Newsletter is incorrect; should be: njgriest@yahoo.com

Click here to see the May 2009 Wakefield Class of 1960 Newsletter

Don't have Acrobat Reader on your computer?

Click here to obtain the latest version of Acrobat Reader free

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© 2010-2011 Wakefield Class of 1960 and Wakefield Education Foundation (information@wakefieldalumni.org)