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Russell Flammia

Dear Brenda,

                 I just want to extend my condolences regarding the loss of you husband. Your marriage of 59 years was certainly built on a foundation of love and understanding. How wonderful to have had such a long relationship. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Russell Flammia

Hi folks, Happy New Year's to everyone.  Please update my email to  rflammia7303@gmail.com  

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Had to get a new phone and figure it out . Wishing everyone a very safe and Happy New Year . 
Linda

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

This website somehow sent me a message just now from 4 years ago, so I guess that means I should write something more current!  For the past 10 months, I have been inspired by several TJ classmates who have published books, to write one of my own.  In between 3 Kidney Stones last June, a Broken Pelvis in late July through October, and my first case of Covid in November, I have managed to put together about 85 pages of photos and writing about my beautiful Home Town, Richmond, and each time I think I am done, my Associate Professor at Arizona State University tells me I'm NOT, and many changes and edits need to be made!  I have a fantasy in my head of finishing this thing, graduating from ASU, coming to Richmond for  a visit, and distributing copies of my book, which will be printed there. But that won't be happening for a while, because I "need to do more work," according to my Supervisor!  

(It's my 3rd rewrite for her, and probably the 10th rewrite for me! It's probably a good thing that I never sought  a Master's Degree in Art History, because this has been a long, long ride of 10 years, DOUBLE the time I spent on each of my previous University Degrees.  "I'm just doing this for fun, to fill up my Senior Years!" I said. But it seems to be "A Never-Ending Story!"  Maybe someday, it will end, and I can "have fun again, instead!")

Our beautiful Granddaughter, Sammy, has accepted a new Job in Las Vegas and will be moving there in March. We will have to drive there & back - 4 hours each way - to see her, because there is no airplane   from here to there. She will give up her position as "Anchor" for the local TV News, which she has held    here for the past several years, and will spend her first year there doing "Produc-tion," instead of showing      her pretty face in front of the camera. Then later, she will learn how to do News Reports "their way," and         we will probably have to watch her on the Internet again.

But she will receive a higher salary, and she will be living in a bigger city with a young population, so she is eager to leave her hometown. I guess she is "my opposite," because "My Heart is STILL in Richmond."

I wish I could just "wave a magic wand" & get on a plane right now, but fate has other plans for me.  I will be "in touch" with any other news as it happens! 

Our Older Daughter, Rachael (age 57), is working on another local Fundraising Project in Yuma, and her Sister, Amy (who just turned 55 on Wednesday), is happy as the new Fundraising Director the Tucson Food Bank, while her husband, Martin, is doing the same kind of work for the Jewish Museum of Tucson. 

Stay Healthy, Everybody, until I see you again!

All's well here!  What's new out there?

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

How come nobody has written on this page this year, except Linda and me?

At age 80-1/2, I survived the Removal of my Upper Right Wisdom Tooth, but it took 4 weeks to recuperate!      My "Reward"  was "A Weekend in Las Vegas" with my Older Daughter and my Granddaughter! It was like traveling to Europe in 3 days!  Thursday night, we ate a Chinese Dinner and took a long walk on the "Strip" by "The Dancing Waters." Friday morning, we toured the TV News Studio, followed by a light Lunch, and later, an Italian Dinner, followed by a visit to a magnificent Garden, surrounded by water falling down like rain into several pools, and "Flying" sculptures of Birds, Butterflies, and Bees, each created out of Flowers! And on Saturday night, we ate at a Restaurant on the Landing of the "Close-to-the-Real-Thing-Eiffel-Tower," then took an Uber from an Imitation- "Arc de Triumph," to see a "Music Concert" in a HUGE Theatre with 4 balconies.  The Star was "Carrie Underwood," and it was a loud & peppy Concert to remember!   On the way home, we visited an Israeli Store and bought some "Goodies" for Passover, then ate lunch in a Jewish Deli. We indulged in the menus of Four Different Cultures over 4 different days. And since "The Younger Generation" does not appreciate "The Oldies," my Daughter and I listened to songs by "Smokey Robinson" on the radio, all the way home in her car!

We celebrated Passover with about 2 dozen others, some from the State of Israel, some from California, and some from Yuma. I'm enjoying several boxes of Matza this week, along with a few jars of Beet Borscht and Gefilte Fish!  When I finally finish my "Gastronomical Adventure," it will be Sunday, and time to greet the Magical "Bunny!"  Happy Easter, Everybody!

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

Marilyn, no one has posted lately because they don’t have any exciting news like you do. The last six months I have had Shingles and Kidney stones. I don't travel anymore and am really feeling my age now. I enjoy reading your posts. Happy Passover!!  Keep on posting!!

Carlin (Cokey)

Russell Flammia

 Hi Cokey & Marilyn, I had both shingles and a kidney stones and know what it's like. It wasn't fun. After my cousin's wife had an extremely bad case of shingles, I decided to get the shingles vaccine. No side affects. I hope all is well. I've read that one of things you can do to prevent kidney stones is to drink plenty of water.

I hope bothe of you are now doing well.

Mike Floyd

Hey folks, we are beginning to sound like really old people talking about their ailments.  Just before Christmas, I was in Williamsburg and started to have chest, then back, and then jaw pains.  Harriette took me to the emergency room.  The stress test done three days later showed my heart was in great condition with less than a 10% chance of having a cardiac issue.  But a CT scan showed a mass on my lung.  Since then, I have been undergoing various tests to determine if I have lung cancer. 

My Pulmonologist is Dr. Dan Grinnan, Jr., our classmates Dan & Kay Grinnan's son.  They did a PET scan on 2/27 and a CT scan on 4/4 to guide a Bronchoscopy on 4/11.  Dan and his partner compared the CT from 4/4 to the PET from 2/27 and called me on the afternoon of 4/10 to tell me the Bronchoscopy would not be necessary.  The mass had shrunk, and the cancer doesn't shrink by itself.  Dan had always suspected that it was a pneumonia scar and not lung cancer.  They determined the area of concern was not cancer.  This ended four months of not knowing, worring and wondering.  What a wonderful Easter/Passover miracle.  Thanks for your prayers to all of my friends on both coast and the few classmates and their spouses that knew.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Carlyn - So sorry you are suffering with two things I suffered through!  Russell is correct!   Drinking lots of water would have saved me a trip to the hospital !  (I didn't figure it out until it was "too late!")  I caught Shingles once long ago, & gettting the shot would have prevented that also!   Hope you feel better soon!  . . .  Mike, I'm so glad to hear you are "out of danger!"  I never know what is going on there in Richmond, unless somebody sends me an email or writes on this page!  Please stay well !

Bob Bayliss

Message to Mike Floyd. I was a teammate with Dan Grumman, Sr. (TJ basketball). Decades later I recruited Dan, Jr. for my Notre Dame tennis team, but lost out to Davidson. Not surprised to learn that he is an excellent doctor! Small world.

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

Thanks, Russell , Marilyn and Mike for your informative posts. Update, I have an appointment on Thursday to have a stent put in my urethra to widen it to make sure the passage of kidney stones easier to pass. This getting old stuff is not for sissies. Glad you guys are feeling better.

Carlin

Mike Floyd

We will keep you in our prayers.  I've only had one kidney stone, but they really hurt when they are moving.  Sounds like your doctor want to keep you healthy and safe.  Bobby Bayliss it is great having Dan as my Doctor.  Not many Doctors will give you the personal cell phone number in case of an emergency.  First time I used it I texted his Dad by mistake.  We miss his mom.  
 

Mike

Russell Flammia

Hi Carlin, I like your doctor's solution to kidney stones, widen the plumbing and the chances of the stone going through are improved. A lot better than serious surgery. Have a blessed Easter.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

I was very sorry to hear about Mrs. Thayer.  She was one of the BEST Teachers I had at Tee Jay!  She was able to reframe the subject of U.S.Government from "dry and boring" to "something living and breathing!"   I remember we had open discussions about interesting topics like "Civil Rights." 

She also taught "Economics," and I remember our class invested in a "Stock." She was a lively, inspiring and stimulating teacher, and I learned a lot in her class.  I am sure my classmates would agree.                               

My Sympathies go out to her family members.                                              

Allan Forman

I was sorry to hear the passing of Mrs Thayer. I was in her Government class maybe senior year. She was a breath of fresh air from the north who didn't pull punches about freedom and democracy. In one of her first classes she stated that she would not vote in any election in Virginia until the poll tax was revoked, which of course it was. A great first civics class for me. Very happy to remember her. 

Belle Landrum

==years after a stroke l after aaovely placewhere IRichmondlike to say,   9 am our news."everybody know your name. 

I moved here almost two years ago two ago after haaving  a stroke.  I am very happy here.  I am oned 0f the youngest resideents zandd defitely more mobile.

Pleas  send me all your news, well, not all, but recent,,A note:  Cornie. plezse write me.

I am so sorry to have missed the reunion.  Withe sttroke, I lost tract of you and da new computer "lost" all my TJ connections. I    plan to keep up from now on.       BELLE           

Anne Ferrell Smith (Lanier)

So glad to hear from you Belle!  I am happy to hear you are in a good place and that you are taken care of there!  We are all getting so old, it is hard to believe!  I am in Wilmington, N.C. where I have been for over 50 years.  Ir has become my home.  Take care.  love Anne Ferrell 

Russell Flammia

Hi Belle, it's good to hear from you and that you're getting along ok. Age has a way of creaping up on us. Just keep on putting one foot in front of the other. That is sometimes painful, as I know from experience. Hang in there.

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

Well, dear TJ classmates of mine, as I anticipate turning 81 tomorrow, I can honestly say that having this wonderful method of staying in touch has helped me to "remain young" at heart!  It has been a blessing to stay in touch with those years and so many of you!  

Mike Floyd

Happy Birthday, Sally! ☕🥳💐 Hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration and a fantastic year to come. I'm with you I don't feel my age until I look in the mirror.  Still having fun and feeling young.  Harriette and I tried hiking Crabtree Falls .  We made it to the first set of Falls.

John Whitfield

It saddens me that there was no recognition of D-Day on TCM and only a few shows on 6/1 about D-Day.  Is this no longer important?

Russell Flammia

     I agree with you John. In the Richmond Times Dispatch on June 6, thye wrote about 8-10 lines on the next to last page. The Daily Press in Newport News Had the famous picture where then General Eisenhower was meeting with the 101st Airborne on the day before D-Day.

     If we forget our history we are doomed to repeat it. Putin reminds me of Hitler. He has invaded the Crimea and taken it over, he has invaded the Ukraine, assassinated Russians living in England, and shot down the airplane of a rival killing all on board.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Hello!   Long Time  No See ! I   Fell Again  & i am back in Rehab again!   Sorry for all the missed birthdays !

Russell Flammia

Hi Marilyn,

                 I'm sorry to hear that you fell again. I hope your rehab is going well and that you'll be 100% again.  Get well soon!

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

Marilyn, So sorry you fell again!! I know the feeling. Thank goodness I haven't fallen in over five years. I stopped wearing any sandals and only wear Easy Spirt athletic shoes now. Hope you didn't break anything. 

Carlin (Cokey)