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Neely Young

Marilyn, 

Thanks so much for posting the picture of Miss Tankard. She was my favorite teacher in high school. The things I learned in her class served me well in college and beyond.

Neely

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

  Neely, you are quite welcome!  She was our favorite teacher, also, and she touched many lives in the most 

        positive ways!

(Were you in our Journalism class, Neely?   I can't remember!)

 I recently found out from my Granddaughter that there is no "Journalism Class" in her high school, nor i

        s there a  "Creative Writing Class!"

 There is no Student Newspaper, either!

High School Students now write stories on the computer which appear on the High School Website.

They don't learn about Proofreading and Copy Editing, Headline Writing, etc.

I think they are getting gypped!

My Granddaughter wants to major in Journalism in College.

She was accepted at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, which is located in 

       downtown Phoenix!

I am a little worried, because I used to work  in that neighborhood 30 years ago, and I know that the first

      course of Journalism is "News Writing," which requires a "News Beat."  Phoenix has a high crime rate,

      and I will be sitting on pins and needles until she has completed that course and gone on to somethng

      else like Feature Writing!

But, isn't it interesting that my Dad was a Writer for the Richmond News Leader, my Mom worked for the

       Editor of the Times Dispatch,  my Sisters and I ALL wrote for the  "Jeffersonian" and our College

      Newspapers, two of us were Freelance Writers for many years, and NONE of our own kids considered

      a career in Journalism? 

Instead, our Kids' daughter DID!  (It skipped a generation!)

We are waiting to see if she will be accepted at any other Universities out-of-State, but it sounds like she 

      will be attending ASU, which was her Mom's Alma Mater!

Right now, she is finishing "Advanced Placement English Composition" online from our Community College.

I want to see copies of her writing, because we were not here in December to do so!

She won't have to take English 101-102 in college, like we did!

PS - I will try to get the check in the mail this week for your two books.

It's interesting to me that several of my classmates are writing books at this time.

I guess all of us are "Coming of Age!"

Mar-

Melvin Katz

Good Evening Everyone:

I am a Board Member of The American Heart Association and have been so for over 38 years. I want to bring to everyone's attention that tomorrow, Feb. 2nd it is National Wear Red Day. I encourage all of my classmates and then those you know to all Wear Red Tomorrow in acknowledgement of this devastating disease. It is the number 1 killer on Men and Women in the world. We as a Board are doing what we can to get out the word and seek support for our efforts in combating this devastating disease.

Also, as a reminder there are new Guidelines for High Blood Pressure with the new normal under 120 over 80 . The old number considered to be high Blood Pressue was 140 over 90. Now people with Blood Pressure of 130 over 90  and above are considered to be Hypertensive.

Thank You Melvin Katz

Mary Lee Hudson (Meacham)

Melvin, February 2 besides being Groundhod Day  is a Special Day for Heart Health. I was very involved in getting people to wear Red when I was teaching. Our school was and I hope still very much involved Heart Day. Almost over 1/2 of our faculity has family members who have had Heart Problems. I was just at the doctor for a check up and they brought me up to date on new numbers. I go to my cardiologist the end of this month for my annual checkup. Hope all the family is great. Give Elsie our best. Mary Lee & Roger

Mary Lee Hudson (Meacham)

Sidney, sorry we can't make it down this weekend. However, we plan on being down in April. Thanks for all you do to alyways make us welcome. Enjoy the luncheon and we will be thinking of all of you. Our best to all. Take pictures. Mary Lee & Roger
 

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Melvin 

Thanks for the reminderof Heart Day. We all have friends and family that are effected and need to be aware of the consequences if not followed .

Linda

Melvin Katz

Dear Classmates:

Thank you for the responces to my message regarding Heart Disease. We are indeed very fortunate not to have the ravages of this very deadly disease. As a Board Member of The AHA, I know full well how this disease affects many of our family, friends and associates. I often relate that the number one symptom of Heart Disease is "SUDDEN DEATH". Think about that for a moment. There are new Hypertension numbers that are needed to be within the Guidelines. Make sure you have a conversation with your provider requesting that he or she treat you to these new standards of care. It could save your life.

Jim Barton (Tj '60)

Melvin,

What a great response and contribution! As you and I have discussed, I am an open heart surgery survivor, certified Mended Hearts Visitor (of cardiac surgery patients at Inova Fairfax Heart and Vascular Institute) and and Board Member of our local chapter of Mended Hearts Inc. The video is a gem and such a powerful message, one that I will share with our chapter and with as many patients as possible. Thank you again for your service through AHA and for sharing this valuable message.

Jim Barton TJHS '60 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Melvin Katz, Joel had a Quadruple Bypass in Fall, 1990 at age 45. He was very lucky to be the FIRST male on his Mom's side of the family to survive Heart Disease. (If someone had given us a "Heads Up" when we were young adults about Preventative Health, he would NOT have ended up in surgery!)   We immediately dropped salted foods, ate meat less often, and he began his visits to Rehab. We are both still watching our diets,  and trying to take long walks when we can!  Hopefully, he will outlive the short life-span of his ancestors!  Heart-disease does not run in my immediate family,  so I am hoping to equal or surpass my Mom's lifespan of 96 years!!! .................Keep up the great work of educating others about "Ways to Prevent Heart Disease!"      

Sue Salemme (Antonick)

Dear Friends,

I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful birthday wishes which made turning 74 MUCH EASIER!  I've enjoyed so much the messages I received from your cards, emails, and phone calls.  Your kindness made my day very special.

I am truly blessed, hugs, Sue

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Sue, it looks like your Birthday month of February is also that of 3 other "Class Leaders:"  Mary Meade Gordon,  Jane Norwood, and Ginny Southworth !   It's interesting how all of you celebrate at the same time of year!

We are now in Florida, spending a little time loafing in the warm weather!   Last weekend, we ventured to Ft. Myers, where we met Carol (Battige) Levine and her friend Debbie at Joel's Cousin Myra Roberts' Art Exhibit at the Ft. Myers Art Center!  Carol looks terrific, and her friend Debbie (from Norfolk, Virginia) is so friendly !  We had a wonderful time together viewing Myra's 60 new paintings.  If anyone else is visiting the West Coast of Florida before February 25th, the Exhibit will still be there for your pleasure!   

It was nice to get together with "An Old Friend" from 'way back at Westhampton School, as well as Tee Jay!  Miles may separate us as Classmates this year and last, but we always find a way to "bridge the gap!"

Tomorrow, we will get together with a friend from Boston who used to teach with me in Illinois, and who is also vacationing here in Florida!

So we actually can attend Reunions MORE OFTEN than "every 5 years!"

Sue Ellen Arenstein

Marilyn, so good to hear from you. Florida is a paradise during the winter months. Enjoy every minute. Thanks for the birthday cheer: however, my big day is January 31  Not sure where it shows in February  iIt was wonderful seeing you and Joel at the Reunion  Stay well and let me know if you get to Georgia! Happy and Healthy 2018!

Jay "L. J. " Henley

https://cloud.cyberegg.net/index.php/s/DN2jzCG0K6VJbvN

https://cloud.cyberegg.net/index.php/s/LHvOvxCM1GO1iYr

My son Eric in Charolettesville sent me these pictures of his new neighbor, just off his deck in an oak tree. 

Mary Lee Hudson (Meacham)

Hi All, I'm looking out our family room door at SNOW. I am ready for spring. We are going to Rhode Island in a few weeks to watch our two grandsons 10 and 11 while their parents go on a business trip to Marco Island for 5 days. What's wrong with this picture! Hopefully Spring is just around the corner so we can get down to a luncheon. We have about 4-6 inches. It's pretty but I want Spring. Can't wait to see everyone. Mary Lee Hudson Meacham

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Mary Lee, you need a trip to the Southwest!  We returned from an extended weekend in Richmond in Septem-ber and another in January, a week in Florida, and a weekend in California to find "The First Flowers of Spring" in my front yard:  a beautiful brand new Red Rose on our Rose plants in front and a perky Yellow Flower near my front door. I was just beginning to give up on seeing flowers in my yard again until April, and there they are!  Now I will wait for the Pink & White Roses to appear, in a repetitive cycle!  There are also Flowers blooming in Florida and California at this time of year!   Hop a plane and get away to "The Southland" or "The Southwest," where happy flowers are blooming!!!

The only things I DON'T miss about Virginia and Chicago are the snow, ice, and the biting cold. After wearing every winter outfit I had in Richmond's 19-degree weather in January, and watching them sit in my suitcase ignored during our trip to Florida, I've put them away in my closet until next year, and I'm looking forward to Easter and Passover.  By the end of the month, the temperatures will be SOARING here, and we will all be wearing skirts or shorts, instead of slacks !

Here's to better weather on the East Coast soon !  We sympathize with you, but invite you to "get away from it all and join us!"  This is the perfect time of year to visit the Desert, the Grand Canyon, and our Mountain Lakes for pleasure!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Jay Henley, I tried typing in your Code for both photos, but the Internet Search said, "We could not find that !"     Is something missing from that code?

Jay "L. J. " Henley

Marilyn, sorry about that. I'am afraid a bit behind the times on the computer. The one at home still thinks it's broke. Will try again. Jay...

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Happy Belated Easter & Continuing Passover!  We had a lovely weekend with Family, Extended Family, and Friends at my Daughter's house in Yuma.  It was fun seeing everyone together for the first time in a long while!    We even had our "Machatana" (My Younger Daughter's Mother-in-Law) as our Guest from New York !!!

Melvin, my Blood Pressure is 113 / 71.  (Most of the time, the Nurses can't even find it !!!)

Neeley, your lst publication finally arrived in the mail.  I am looking forward to reading it, as well as the second book, which I received a few weeks ago!

Mike, I enjoyed  your little Post of the "Passover Plate."   In our "Family Haggadah," they always say "The  Roasted Egg" is a symbol of "The Circle of Life," & they always give a lot of detail about the Charoset being    the Mortar between the bricks that the Jewish slaves used to build Pharoh's Pyramids and the huge Statues that you can still see in Egypt today.  My Family's favorite book is "The 30-minute Seder," but I prefer Meyer Levin's Haggadah illustrated with Photographs of Israel.  (It is much more appealing!!! )

It is now about 80-90 degrees in Arizona, and I am STILL waiting for my Roses to bloom in the front & back yards.  Joel said he saw some new yellow buds on the pretty plant by my front door;  there were two large blooming flowers there in early March, but the weather turned cool again after that, so my plant must have been "hibernating" for the past month!!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful time in Richmond and elsewhere along the East Coast.  It is now "Spring Break" and my Daughter & Granddaughter are in San Diego, taking the final photos for her "Gradua-tion Announcements."  It is SO HARD to believe that tiny girl we met l8 1/2 years ago will graduate at the end of May and will be "off to College" at Arizona State University in August !  Her Boyfriend is going to study Pre-Med at the Tempe Campus, and Sammy will be studying at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism down-town, which is 15 minutes away from Tempe!  She wants to be a "Broadcast Journalist," so we will be able to watch her on the Educational TV Station here in Yuma !  That will be quicker than the 3-hour ride to Phoenix and then back again, many times during the next 4 years !!!   

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Hello, Classmates!   Long time no see!!!  It is about 91 degrees here in Arizona, and my bushes and Lemon Tree started to "bloom" in March!  So far, I have picked up about 200 lemons falling from my Tree (an average of 12 to 15 per day!) and those which the birds and bugs have not eaten, I have put in bags of 5-10 each, and have given them out to all our friends!  They make wonderful Lemonade, and there are still some left in my refrigerator, which I am thinking of using to make some Lemon Meringue Pie (which I have always wanted to do!). Unfortunately, the Gardeners for our "Neighborhood Association" neglected to "Prune the Bushes" last Fall, and they were so overgrown, the landscapers could not push their lawnmowers through the side entrance and through our gate!  So our BIG Flowers so far only included the ones on the TJ "Home Page" this year.  We only saw ONE or TWO flowers per bush, before the "Tree People"  FINALLY showed up and "trimmed" all the bushes so low, we have to wait until the "new shoots" grow out and bloom again!  But "the little flowers" are showing up on some of them!

(Life is very slow in the Southwest !   In order to get anything done, one needs to "nag" three or four times before anything gets done!  I have found this to be an ongoing characteristic of Arizona!  They may tease me about "The Southland," but Virginia was NEVER like this!)

Last week, my Granddaughter took me for a ride to the "Spring Taco Festival" (photo on the Classmates Photo Gallery, and also some from "County Fair") and the main street to our "Development" was so bumpy I felt like we were riding on a Stagecoach!  I called the City of Yuma about this when I first moved to this new condo 2 years ago, and they laughed and said "That street is NOT on the list of top priorities for now!" So, I called again today!  It is now April, 2018, and the City Council has been discussing "our section of town," and has said that they will start work in July (when it will be ll5 degrees outside!).  Street construction workers here start around 5:30-6:30 a.m. and leave around 9-10 a.m. due to the heat, so I don't suppose it ever occurs to the City to "move up the date" to Springtime!  The Winter Visitors will be here in late October, so they only have 2-3 months to complete our street and also "The Other Main Drag" perpendicular to it, about a mile down the road!  It will be tough  "getting in & out of the tiny two-lane road" this Summer, so I hope we will "hit the beach" often in San Diego!

Senior Prom was last Saturday night, and my daughter, Rachael, hosted 20 kids for a delicious dinner on her patio, catered by Ah-So Restaurant (Japanese style).  The girls looked like Hollywood Movie Stars in their beautiful dresses, and all the boys had their hair "slicked back" and wore fancy suits with bowties, and boutennieres!  On the Classmates Photo page, I posted a picture of my Granddaughter and her Boyfriend in their LAST formal outfits before Graduation in May!  She will be in one more School Dance Program in May,  her Boyfriend will be in one more Choir Program later on the same week, and on Memorial Day Weekend, we will all be attending their High School Graduation Ceremony!   It is hard to believe that in August to September, we will be traveling up to Phoenix to visit them both at Arizona State University (my daughter Rachael's Alma Mater) just a stone's throw away from our first house in Arizona!!! 

My Granddaughter will major in "Broadcast Journalism" at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism on the "Downtown Campus" of ASU !  (They have their own Television Station for Educational TV and the Students present the Local News on Cable TV !) Her boyfriend will major in Pre-Med; he wants to be an Orthopedist ! 

I see "A Bright Future Ahead" for these young people!  It is going to be very exciting watching them achieve their new dreams! 

Belle Landrum

Russell,  I could not get you entire message.  Please send again and to

BelleLandrum@yahoo.com

Update on Westhampton.  I attended a Planning Committee meeting on Monday.  A number of people spoke against the zoning chage B Secours wants.  The zoning, R-7,  allows retail, apartments, 2-flats, business and what they want, a five story office/retail building to be erected on Libbie.  They say they will try to save the elementary classes building.  I don't see how it would be done and not tear down the building.  There is such a "slant" downward from Park to Patterson; the only nearly flat part is at Libbie/Patterson.

At least 6 community  groups reps spoke against.  The Historical people said they the buildings meet 2 out of 3 (or 3out of 4?) criteria for designating the buildings for saving.

Many of us stressed that the community, the streets, could not take the amount of traffic that would be generated. 

The chairman of the planning committee said his (minions) has said to approve this zoning, HOWEVER, the entire committee held back.  So, the zoning decision was put off  'til their next meeting.  Not a win, but we got delay which we hope we can create more pressure and information.

I appeal to all of our Westhampton classmates and,indeed, anyone who attended Westhampton to contact the Planning Committee and also their councilman.

[My suggestion they the city end the Redskin $500,000 deal, put the money in the schools AND work to retore Westhampton for a trade/business school..At TJ we did have the two tracks - college prep and business.  Seems that we could have such a school with some financing, especially with the trade groups pitching in.]

I hope this helps and encourges others to join in the fight.  By the way, the Bldg is the only thing B S mentioned.  I'm sure the one bldg is one of several to come plus blacktop  for parking.

Belle Landrum

Do we have anyone who is envolved in the historical buildings group?  If we could get a lawyer interested in working with us, that would be great.  My brother when in Arlington went through the same situation.  He said the lawyer who volunteered his services really helped.

Belle

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Belle, try asking the advice of Frank Louthan or Neely Young.  They are both Attorneys, I believe, and Neely has a special interest in "History"  (I just bought 4 of his books & they are very scholarly!)  I hope this works.  I have noticed the change in architectural style in the buildings located at: 1) the corner one block West of Libbie Avenue; 2) 2 blocks South of Libbie & Patternson; 3) Grove Avenue's Westhampton Theatre; etc. etc. Tall builidngs are out-of-place in that one-story neighborhood & should be discouraged.  We only return to Richmond every 3-5 years, and I am saddened by the changes in the landscape at the West End. Maybe there needs to be a "West End Preservation Society" or something like that!   I have been thinking about this since St. Mary's gave up their claim on the building.  Westhampton School has been there for so long, it is just an accepted part of the neighborhood!  Another building in its place would be "An Eyesore!"  I just read your post and will do anything you ask to preserve Westhampton School. My happiest years of childhood were spent there, and I believe it should not be changed in any way, unless the inside could be rebuilt to accomodate a new audience !!!  A "Trade School" is a very good idea!  It was built to be an Educational Institution, NOT "A Commercial One."   Is the "Planning Committee" through the City of Richmond?  Or is it part of some other group?  I will try to call there on Monday, if you will give me the phone number of  your contact.  I am concerned about this.  A tall Office Building will COMPLETELY change the character of the neighborhood.  WHY don't they take that over to Broad Street, down near Willow Lawn?  I am SURE they would love to have it there, instead of in a residential area !!!  I appreciate your working on this project  & speaking up for the neighborhood !!! Thank you very much !!!!   I'm sorry we missed seeing you at the last TJ Reunion !    "Keep up the good fight!"   - Mar--

Belle Landrum

Marilyn,

I lost you while looking up the names and phones numbers of who you can call.  Check the first response to you request.  I could not get back to it.

The Honorable Andreas D. Addison,  Office telephone:  804/646-5935;  FAX  804/...-5468

His liaison is Nicole Williams.  You just might reach her.  Use Office Tel (above).

Just in case my other info is lost, here is the info I wrote before.

  Mark Olinger, Director of Planning, 900 E. Broad.  Room 511,       ...  23219

The HonorableAndreas D. Addison,  1st District,  Office Tel:  804/646-5935;  Fax  804/646-5468

   His liaison Nicole Williams will probable answer.     Andreas Addison@Richmond.gov.

I would appreciate any classmate/Westhampton connection to fax, email, call these people

The City of Richmond site lists the planning Dept.. and the city council members + head of the council and the mayor.  Any effort you cn make is appreciate.  If you've nothing to do tomorrow, come to the city council meeting at city hall.  You can come late since our deal is listed at the end of the agenda.

When I have more, I'll keep you posted.  Thanks, again, Marilyn

     Belle   "Hail to thee Westhampton, school we love so dear.."

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Thanks for your Reply, Belle!  In case you don't remember, I live 3,000 miles away in Arizona now, but I will try   to print out a copy of your answer, and I will make a few calls tomorrow morning & see if I have any infuence whatsoever on the City Council of Richmond.  I am already heartsick about Westhampton Theater being torn down and replaced with an ugly modern bulidng instead of the cute little movie theater we all attended as kids.  There are so many memories for me on Grove Avenue and Patterson Avenue, that I cannot imagine WHY anyone would want to change the architectural landmarks we grew up with!   There is an ugly modern bulding on the far West corner opposite the Westhampton Athletic Field, and there is another ugly modern building on Libbie Avenue about one to two blocks away from Patterson Avenue  In my opinion, they are wrecking the character of the neighborhood.  During my visit in May, 2 years ago,I saw that the A & P is now a Resale Shop, and the Cokesbury Bookstore is now a Beauty Parlor (or something like that) !  But the little Toy Store & the Hardware Store make the neighborhood family-friendly & a 5-story Office Building will NOT !!  I can't even imagine what an EYESORE that would be!!!

In case you are not aware, Charles Krumbein is also an Attorney!  His office is in Willow Lawn, which is so very close to you!  Maybe he would be interested in helping out in this area!  His specialty is "Special Needs Adults." If someone among the fans of Westhampton School wanted to create a "Special Needs Program" at Westhampton School, he would be an excellent contact for that purpose!

Joel & I toured the 2 new campuses of Arizona State University last weekend.  It seems that the concept of "bigger & better" has influenced the new Dormitory Buildings on the Tempe Campus, and also the Classrooms & Dormitory on the Downtown Campus. I don't like skyscrapers, and I don't think they have any business being located in a Residential Neighborhood, so I will join you in your quest to keep the character of Westhampton School and surrounding area "untouched" and "as is."  I cannot imagine a modern Office Building on the Premises of Westhampton School !  WHY don't they put it on Broad Street, where all the OTHER Office Buildings go?  Better that, than wrecking the appearannce of a Residential community !!!

PS - Sometimes I am lucky to find the time to write a reply to someone on this Website.  We may be dashing out to meet someone or to complete an errand, and I might have to put the computer away for a while and come back to it later!  That doesn't mean I wasn't listening to you  !  It means I am being pulled in a different direction by somebody else, and I can't cut myself in two pieces!  (Oh!  If only that was possible!  One of "my two pieces" could "sit & read all day long," and the other "piece" could run all my errands for me !!    LOL !!)

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Belle Landrum and many other Westhampton Classmates (Arleen Zell Kates, Lois Miller Padow,  Margaret Apperson (wherever you are now), Gwynn McNaught, Mary Draney Murray, Jane Norwood, Ginny Southworth, Lucy Boettcher, Nancy Wallerstein, Carol Battige, Bill Anderson, Frank Louthan, John Lisman, etc. etc. etc.:   

Here are the contacts for the folks at the City of Richmond offices:  Please call them on the phone and write an email to the Mayor, so they will NOT destroy our beautiful Westhampton School with an ugly 5-story office building, a parking lot, and a shopping center, as per Belle Landrum's "heads up!"  Willow Lawn is zoned for  Business, NOT Westhampton School !!!  We  have already lost Westhampton Theatre, and there are now two UGLY builidngs at the West Corner of Patterson Avenue across from the Athletic Field and also on Libbie Avenue one block South of Patterson.  Urban Renewal is A BAD IDEA in a beautiful neighborhood which has NO NEED FOR "RENEWAL !" 

Mayor Stoney - RVAMayor@Richmondgov.com, 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 201, Richmond, Va. 23219

Mark Olinger, Director of Planning, (804) 646-4169

Andreas D. Addison, (804)646-5935

Mayor Stoney grew up in Richmond. He is a Native Richmonder, trying to "keep the peace" between factions.

One of the others above is from OUT-OF-STATE & he has no business making plans for Richmond, because

      he did not grow up there!

Please write an email to the Mayor and call or write the other two. (The lines are ALL BUSY, so you can leave

      a message, and I will try to find their emails later on.)

Memories of my years at Westhampton School & the good friendships I made there do not need to be 

     cluttered with visions of ugly new buildings on the Westhampton School property !

Please contact these people ASAP, and THANK YOU, Belle Landrum, for the "Heads Up!"

Russell Flammia

Thank you for sending out the contact information.  Keep up the good fight!