The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Message" button to add your entry to the forum.

Russell Flammia

Wow Carlin! I'm so glad you found the papers and have them framed and mounted in your home. You have preserved news of a significant part of history. I know that many others share our reverence for World War II. Seventy one young men from Tee Jay died in while serving in the military during WWII. Their names are listed on a bronze plaque in the hall way near the main office. One of these, Jimmie Monteith, received the Medal of Honor for his actions on D-Day, June 6, 1944. For any of our classmates who attended Va. Tech, a dorm was named after him in his honor. Because of the many sacrifices this group of American men & women made during this time they have been referred to as the Greatest Generation. 

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

Thanks Russell, I thought some of the history buffs would like to see them. These pictures are before I framed them. I found these nice black frames that have plexiglass in the front and back, so you can take the papers out if you wish to read them. It is interesting to see how low the prices were in the retail ads.

Carlin

Russell Flammia

Carlin, I share your amazement over those adds. There some adds in the older copies of the Monticello & Jeffersonians that really grab your attention with the prices. 

It's 28 degrees in Richmond this morning! I know its a lot warmer where you are!  Have a good day!

Brenda Jenkins (Armstrong)

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Hello, Everybody!  I hope our Jewish Classmates have been having a Happy Chanukah!  We've been busy celebrating every night since last Friday, when my beautiful Granddaughter Sammy helped to light the 2nd Chanukah Candle at home & we went out for Dinner at a restaurant called "Tacos & Beer!" (I don't drink Beer, but the Tacos were great!) .......Last Saturday night, my Daughter Rachael cooked lots of Latkes, and after we lit the 3rd candle, we taught her friend how to play "The Dreidel Game!" & watched the movie "Elf" on tv. ......Sunday, we saw "The Nutcracker Ballet," while sitting on the bleachers at a High School Football Field with our masks on!    (--a creative solution to the threat of this pandemic!). Then we had Fish Tacos for Dinner at another restaurant called "Las Palapas" (-that means "The Umbrellas!")......Monday, we had another Family Party & lit the 5th Candle, and my Sisters sent us some Jewelry my Aunties used to wear in the 1920's-30's!!!....Tuesday, Sammy & I visited her hairdresser and I FINALLY got my hair cut after 4 months! (It was REALLY long!) .....And last night, we lit 7 candles in Rachael's friend's new family room!  Tonight is the last night of Chanukah, and it has been "A Blast!"....I wrote a Research Paper on "Cameos" for my class on "European Jewelry in the 18th to 19th Centuries," & guess what I received at BOTH Chanukah Parties?  You guessed it!  I am now the proud owner of Brooches, Necklaces, & a Faux Watch with "Cameos" & a Pin and Bracelets from the "Art Nouveau Era!" The designs are "Out of This World!" My Aunties even left us some Mexican Jewelry from their trip to Mexico City many years ago! Wow!  That really WAS "The Greatest Generation!" -- "Internationally Aware!"

Belle Landrum

Hi, Marilyn.

Everything is a little quiet here at the Landrums. I've had my only outing, last Saturday.  We went to a pageant - Christmas.  The church had moved it outside due to the pandemic.. One of my Mother's friends had seen it many years ago.. I just mention it because there  was a whole lilttle town made of houses, in a horseshoe shape around the audience area.. It was so serious as other ones; had  great music and even a donkey and a camel in the cast.  Of course, I'm sitting there enjoying it while all the time checking out the voices and costumes.  It was a bit like our TJ operettas (very professional).

Evereything has been cancelled, everything musical and theatrical.  I especially miss THE NUTCRACKER that Richmond Ballet did so beautifully.

Marilyn, where do find the classes that you take?  internet?  Can the rest of us join in?

Am attempting to finish my cards; better than other years when they were tre late or not at all.  Hope everyone is having a happy holiday season and that the pandemic is not ruining your plans. 
 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Belle - -There are many Adult Education Classes you can take, which  probably cost a lot less than mine and take less time, too!  My Daughter's Friend from Elementary School lives in Alabama, and she  is taking online classes from Harvard University;  I think they are "Free" or "Low Cost," and cover many areas of study. She has taken one class on  "The Civil War" & another one on "Women's History!"I will get details for you!.......I probably should have followed that path, because my Tuition is astronomical and my courses require about 100-200 pages of reading per week, a quiz online each Friday, a written "Discussion" each week online, a Term Paper for each upper-level class (300-400-level), and a Final Exam with many Essay Questions!  All this is crammed into 6-7 weeks!  If I was able to, I would be better off taking classes on campus, where I would have 15 weeks to master the material, but all courses are online now!  I study about 30 hours per week for each course I take, and the University requires a minimum of 20 hours per week!  If you are still interested, I will give you more details on the Message Board.  I don't want to scare you, but I pay my Tuition with my Social Security Checks, because there is no other "action" for me in Arizona, especially this year with the Corona Virus.  (I don't shop or go out much, so my only other expense is my monthly Grocery  Bill.)  The books are also pretty expensive!  The Professors are very demanding, too!  I've only earned 3 A's  & 4 B's out of 9 courses so far, and that was because I had been exposed to those subjects earlier in my life.  You can check it out at   myasu. edu or www.asu. edu.  It's been "A  Long Haul" for me.  I'm not sure it's for everyone!  There are 15 courses required for the Degree, and I was lucky to transfer in most of my Undergrad Credits, but only 5 of my Art Courses as "Requirenents" or "Electives." They limited those and said "No more transfers," so I lost about 20 hours of Art Studio Courses.  It's "A Grueling Course" that only a person who has a lot of time on their hands would take. And when there is "A Family Event," there are "No Excuses" for "Lost Time!" 

Belle Landrum

Somehow I did'nt get here.  So fior a second try.  That you for the information on classes./I did nopt know if your classes were connected to a university.

A bit of info:  iF YOU ARE AN opera fan, you must watchoperas from theMetropolitan Opera, NYC.

  Since the pandemic started they are broadcasting all of the live opera they broadcast iin the movie theaters and also one that weer shown on live tv.  Just go to "Mrt Opera"./  They are listed by day/date.They startt each/every night at 7:00 p.m.Thoouh when you clck on is not important.  Each opera is shown from the beginniong from the time you start.  Each one is on for almost 24 hours.  And if you start and can't finish right you you just click you stoppbutton and leave it"on"  and you can continue whenever you -want.  If you are a fan, it's great.  Or if you've not seen an opera, pick  La Boheme or The Mgic Flute.  Of course there manybig dramas.Just the thing if you are staying home as I  am and need to "get out of the house.  All the best with your classes.

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

Loved the video of the "Candy Bomber". What a wonderful thing to do to join two enemies.

Russell Flammia

During my teaching days at TJ, I taught my students about the Berlin Airlift but this video makes it very personal. This is the type of story that 'hooks' a students' interest. I had seen pictures of the parachutes carrying the gifts but I never knew the story and about the Candy Bomber. I wish I had known about the Candy Bomber years ago. What a wonderful story.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Hello, Everybody!  I hope you are all doing ok during this pandemic.  We're still "locked up here at home," waiting for a "Miracle!"   The Virus Vaccines in Yuma were all used up in a week or two, and those who live        in Maricopa County (Phoenix, Arizona) have to wait for a month to receive theirs!  I spend a lot of time day- dreaming about International Travel  when this long ordeal is over, but who knows when THAT will be?

Weather here jumps around from 85 degrees a week ago, to two days of rain, to strong winds. Now, it's back    to cool temps again, and I have to turn on the heat while doing housework!

I'm not taking any classes this quarter, due to an incomplete schedule offering by my Department at ASU, so   I'm reading a book on one of our illustrious Leaders in Washington, D.C., and hoping for a good year  ahead!

Be Healthy & Safe! 

Mar- 

Russell Flammia

Hi Marilyn,

                I think all of us are having the same dream you are--a return to something near normal and being able to travel again!  Just so you know,  Virginia ranks 50th in administering the C-19 virus and I don't think the situation will improve in the near future, BUT I will be so glad when things get better. When you get back to Richmond, we'll have to go for sushi again. Stay healthy & well and give my best to Joel and the rest of your family. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Russell, Virginia may be #50 in "Administering the Virus Vaccine," but Arizona now has more cases of the Virus than any other State in the USA, and Yuma & the Navajo Reservation were THE LAST to receive the Covid Testing  Kits months ago.  They also "Opened" too soon, and the cases in this  town soared from 150 before last "Spring Break" to 2,000 cases afterwards, because the Governor said: "Go out!" There is no common sense in Arizona!   So I just stay home and read or do housework!

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

It sounds as though -- once again -- we're all in it together!  Massachusetts is doing a simply dreadful job of getting the COVID vaccine into the arms of us "75+ers!"  We woke up two days ago to endless "instructions" as to how and where to sign up for the shots, only to be given the run-around once again.  Last night's local news was rampant with the frustration of those who had spent literally hours attempting to circumvent the system -- yours-truly included!  Here's to better days ahead.....  Meantime, keep that mask on and wash those poor chapped hands!  Surely better days are ahead.  

Belle Landrum

I've read all of your responses.  Sally, I thought Richmond was bod on giving out the covid 19 injections.   Sounds like we are in the same boat.  VCU, VA Commonwealth U.  does have an internet  site that you can fill out a form to get in the system.  Lwt us all know if anyone knows of a place in Richmond.      I do wish we could go to the movies. Or eat out.  I've hadf  a lot of Arby's lately.  I think I'lkl have to try Taco Bell.  Marilyn, tell your politicians to get their acts together and I'll worm VA ones..  I think non-Tee Jay graduates should have the TJ history and civics classes.  I still remember many of the teachers.I remember the civics class members attending a city council meeting at the old City Hall.  I've been to a few city council meetings in the last few years.  Very slow moving.  Maybe the council members have just eaten dinner.

As you can see, I'm a little dull right now myself. .  I need to go turn up the heat.  It is cold here, not as cold as Chicago, but cold enough forsweatshirts and sweaters. Brrr..... Stay warm.                                                                                                                                                                

Gwynn McNaught (Henderson)

I filled out two online forms without much optimism.  Then, yesterday, I received an email "inviting" me to schedule my first vaccination shot this weekend!  I'm not sure which form brought about this happy result.  The first form was at this Virginia Dept. of Health website:  

https://vdh.jebbit.com/amkwk6m1?L=Owned+Web&JC=Vaccine

The second website was Chesterfield County's Health Department.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/chesterfield/

I hope this information will be helpful to some of you.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Belle, you are funny!  Our Governor, a "Buddy" of the previous US resident in the White House, did not order enough Vaccines for our whole State,  Our 2 Senators are doing what they can, and our Congressman is home under Quarantine with the Virus!  Motivating leaders in the USA seems to be daunting l! Here is our task! 

Melvin Katz

All: I have read and have been looking and hearing much regards to being able to get the Vaccine. My wife belongs to a Book Club and two of her lady book club friends told her that they were able to sign up and go to the Dare County, NC web site and not only fill out a request form but also, because they own property in the Outer Banks, were able to get their shots. After hearing that and because we own property in Nags Head, NC, I went on line very early on a Thursday and filled out the registration forms for Dare County, NC. That afternoon I got a direct call and was asked if we could come that Saturday to get our first shots in Buxton, NC. at 1:45pm. I said absolutey and my wife and I now have our first shots (Moderna and not Pfizer where I worked for over 40 years). We have our second shots scheduled for the 17th of February and feel very fortunate.

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Well Southwest Michigan is getting excellent points. George and I have gotten our first shots and go for our 2nd next week. It is such a relief to have gotten started. But we continue to be careful🐧🤗Hope all of you stay safe . 

Mary Draney (Murray)

Belle Landrum

No covid 19 appointment yet.

Russell:

To change the subject - I saw TeeJay items for sale a few days ago.  I cannot remember where I saw them (!).   Russell, I'm sure you know all about this.  There was a shirt and hat and a jacket.  Are they around in many stores? 

I'd like to get something.  I could help distribute them if needed.

Belle

Russell Flammia

Hi Belle, thanks for the email. I don't mean to disappoint you but I don't rmember either! However I can tell you that TJ does not get any of the revenue from the sales. I do have some TJ baseball caps that the Tee Jay Vikiings Fund sells & use the $ for projects at TJ. They're $15 and are size adjustable. Let me know if you'd like one & I'll get it to you.  Thanks for asking.

Jo-Ann Olkowski

Tennessee has done a good job of getting people vaccinated.  I just had my 2nd vaccination last week.  I could qualify immediately on 2 grounds - age and healthcare worker.  They started with essential personnel and worked in other people on age and at this point they're vaccinating everybody.  I had the Moderna vaccine and the 1st shot went very well - no adverse reactions at all.  The 2nd shot is a stronger/more powerful dose and was a hard hit.  My arm swelled up in a hard knot, I was sleeping almost around the clock for a good couple of days AND had to be "contious" enough to drive to and from work and take care of my little male patient who is quickly moving from dementia into Alzheimers.  He's a real sweetie pie and at 91 years old still thinks he's some kind of Casanova!  He will say, "You know I'm BS-ing you." and I tell him he's a BS-er from way back.  He calls me his "Mama Hen" and it all works out fine.  It's really hard to see these old folks deteriorate mentally.

I suppose I'm like everyone else - tired of staying lock up at home and only venturing out for food or medication.and straight home.  This Covid has changed life for everyone on the entire planet and it seems to be regenerating itself in even worse strains.  Please take good care of yourselves, WEAR THOSE MASKS and stay safe and well.   Most of you have no idea who I am but I remember a very large number of you.  I didn't date anyone (actually I was pretty much not allowed to date at all), I didn't go to a single football or basketball game - so how would any of you have known me? 

George Armstrong

To Belle,   There is a website where TJ items may be found.  The site is Thomasjeffersonhighschool.org/richmond-va   You will need to scroll down near the bottom of the page.   I've never purchased anything from them so cannot comment on quality, etc.  Good luck

Mary Draney (Murray)